Adrian Manor deal sealed during disruptive meeting

The Adrian city council meeting last night began with a packed house as many were primarily awaiting confirmation of the sale of the Adrian Manor. However, there were a few other heated discussions that took place ahead of that announcement which was a bit further down the agenda.

Keeping an orderly quorum was an issue through the evening; and unfortunately out-of-town guests got an earful of exchanges about culverts, other offers to buy Crystal Manor, and smidge of personal jabs. To note, there was a guest to discuss details regarding the about $300k the city is set to receive in stimulus money which may be discussed further at a later date.

Another guest included young girl who attended with her mother to simply ask the city's permission for a project. Fortunately, she was bumped up in the list allowing her to leave and be spared some arguments that erupted later.

It is unknown why so many tempers flared or exactly what set the tone for the evening- quite possibly it was many questions and concerns coupled with a bad hair day or two?

At any rate it was finally announced the Adrian Manor has been officially sold to the Missouri Baptist Homes Ministries for the sum of $15,001.00 plus about $90,000.00 in bills due, which the buyer agreed to assume. Mid America Live is scheduling a formal interview with the buyer and will provide an update regarding future plans for the facility soon.

And here's to an orderly meeting next time; the Adrian city council meets at city hall on on the second Monday of each month.

From the Archie School District

Come celebrate the Archie R-5 School District retirees on Monday, May 17th at 10:00 a.m.

Man found guilty in Henry County on assaulting a law enforcement officer

The Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on May 4, 2021, Cody Jennings, 29, Clinton, was found guilty by a Henry County jury of assault in third degree of a law enforcement officer and felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney LaChrisha Gray prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Missouri. Jennings was represented by his counsel.

The Prosecutor’s Office filed charges based on a June 2018 incident in which Corporal Graham with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office had contact with Jennings inside Windsor City Hall and discovered that Jennings had an outstanding warrant. Corporal Graham attempted to take Jennings into custody on that warrant, but Jennings physically resisted Corporal Graham. The physical struggle with Jennings led Corporal Graham to dispatch for assistance from other officers.

After other officers arrived to assist, approximately ten minutes after the beginning of the physical struggle, Jennings was finally placed into custody and then found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Throughout the course of the incident, Corporal Graham sustained injuries to his head and hand. There were also damages to the inside of Windsor City Hall.

Jennings pled not guilty and requested a jury trial, which was conducted on May 4, 2021. Eighty Henry County citizens were summoned to appear for the jury selection process.

Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray presented witnesses, video, and other evidence of the incident to the jury for consideration. The case was submitted to the jury of twelve at approximately 5:15 PM and a verdict was rendered a short time later.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty to both counts. Sentencing is not yet set as a sentencing assessment report will need to be generated by Missouri Probation and Parole and Jennings has another case pending for assault in the first degree of a law enforcement officer.

According to Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray, Jennings faces up to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each of the two counts.

Marler-Wirt-Sumner Scholarship recipient

The Harrisonville Police Department continues to honor Officers Donald Marler, Francis Wirt & Chandler Sumner, who were killed in the line of duty working for the Harrisonville Police Department.

The Department, as part of it’s “Fallen Not Forgotten” pledge, has developed and funded the Marler-Wirt-Sumner Scholarship through voluntary donations from Harrisonville Police Officers, City employees and community members.

The Marler-Wirt-Sumner Scholarship is an annual scholarship open to all graduating seniors of Harrisonville High School or the Cass Career Center CJ/CSI Program.

Today, we continue this tradition by awarding 1 - $1,000 scholarships to Jaycee Robertson.

Join me in congratulating her for all their hard work. We can’t wait to see what she will do next!

#NationalPoliceWeek #fallennotforgotten

Obituary - James R. “Jim” Halbrook

James R. “Jim” Halbrook, 87, of Clinton, Missouri, gained his heavenly address early Sunday morning, May 9, 2021, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence in Sedalia, Mo.

Jim was born September 26, 1933, in Salem, Missouri, the son of Rev. James Rudolph Halbrook Sr., and Bessie Elizabeth (Dickenson) Halbrook. On June 5, 1955, at the First Baptist Church in Houston, Missouri, he married Joyce Carrol Goldsberry and she survives of the home. After his love of Jesus, his greatest love was for his wife, Joyce, whom he adored, and for his two daughters, Sandy and Candy. After high school, Jim received an Associate Degree and a Teaching certificate from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri. He worked as a part-time agent at the local State Farm office and moved to Clinton in 1955 to open his own State Farm agency. He expanded from a one-room office to the corner of the Clinton Square in 1975. He retired in December, 1997. He was a Certified Life Underwriter and was a friend and mentor to many clients and colleagues over the years. He was an active lifetime member of the First Baptist Church, Clinton, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Board President, RA leader, Deacon, and sang in the church choir where his warm bass voice was enjoyed by all. He was a charter member of the Clinton Sunrise Optimist Club and served two terms as President. He was also a former Clinton Chamber of Commerce member and President and a member of the former Windsor Lions Club. He served many years as a Trustee on the Board of Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar. He also enjoyed several years of singing with the Sedalia Chorale. Jim was a friend to all he met. He was quick to enter a ping pong match, play backgammon with his grandchildren, make a run to the donut shop, or simply sit and talk with you for hours. He was known for his quick wit, his contagious smile, his generous ways, and his godly wisdom. He was a faithful servant of his Lord, a devoted husband, a wonderful brother, a loving and funny Papaw, and the best daddy two girls could ever ask for. In addition to his wife Joyce, survivors include 2 daughters, Sandra Halbrook and Candace Fowler (Brian), all of Windsor, Missouri; 7 grandchildren, Elizabeth Perry (fiancé Javi Rivera Farfán), Gary Glenn Villines Jr. (Katie), Morgan Fowler (fiancé Cole Renick), Carlton Fowler, Camden Fowler, Coleman Fowler, and Chapman Fowler; 5 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Silas, Ford, Jack, and Finley Luisa; 2 sisters, Mary Elizabeth Thompson (C. Lee), Surprise, Arizona, and Leta Marie Lough (Gary), Montgomery, Texas; a sister-in-law, Sue Castor (Fred), Camdenton, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles William Halbrook and his wife Christine, an infant brother Arthur Fountain Halbrook, and a sister-in-law, Lou Shelton and her husband John. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 14, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church (916 Thompson Blvd.), Sedalia, Missouri, with Rev. Jim Downing officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Friends may also pay their respects from 9:00 a.m. until the visitation on Thursday at the funeral home. For those unable to attend the funeral or the graveside service, a recording of Jim’s service will be available for viewing the following day on his Tribute Page at www.bradleyhadley.com. The family suggests contributions to the First United Methodist Church, Sedalia, or the Clinton Sunrise Optimist Club.

Obituary - June Ann Lemken

June Ann Lemken, age 67, passed away, Saturday, May 8th, 2021 at her home in Deepwater, Missouri. June's wishes were to be cremated. A private family service will follow at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The American Cancer Association and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

June Ann Lemken was born on September 19th, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri to Francis Gene and Barbara Jean (Price) Ramey. June attended The First Assembly of God Church and worked as an associate at Wal-Mart for some time. June loved to be outside and enjoyed fishing and watching movies. She loved spending time with her grandkids.

She is survived by her parents Barbara and Penrod Turk of Lee’s Summit Missouri, 2 daughters; Wendy Crowder (Larry) of Deepwater, Missouri, Casandra (Stacy) Layman of Independence, Missouri, one sister; Jeanie Toland of Kansas City, Missouri, 5 grandchildren; Dalton Crowder, Kayla Crowder, Logan Crowder, Taylor Layman, Andrew Layman, her best friend; Jennifer Fordyce, and a host of family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.

Clinton High School Alumni Association is proud to announce that the 2021 Alumni of the Year is Brandon Jolley

The Clinton High School Alumni Association is proud to announce that the 2021 Alumni of the Year is Brandon Jolley. It's easy to see from the nomination below, why Brandon was selected for this honor.

"Brandon was a stand-out football player and wrestler from a young age on up, while finishing his senior year with the numerous football honors as well as a third-place finish at the state wrestling tournament. While he excelled on the football field and wrestling mat, he also excelled in the classroom all while being extremely well-respected by all of his peers, teachers and administrators.

Since his youth, Brandon has been a true leader in and out of the classroom! During Brandon’s senior year he wanted to give back and help out with the youth wrestling program, and as they say the rest is history! Mr. Jolley has been the face of Clinton Youth Wrestling for almost 15 years now. Along with his amazing wife, Janelle, they have created one of the greatest youth wrestling clubs in the state of Missouri. Each year they have a massive number of kids out for the sport and send an average of 14 kids to the state tournament every year.

For the first 10 years, Brandon did this without even having children of his own. Why? Because he truly cares about the kids and wants to see them succeed not only on the mat, but in life! Brandon is one of the most unselfish people I have ever known and our community is extremely lucky to have him.

Brandon is the Missouri USA wrestling supervisor and one of the most respected wrestling figures in the entire state. Being a very good friend of his, and getting to watch the love and passion that he has for working with kids, is extremely special to witness. Most school districts will only see a few people throughout a lifetime that truly dedicate their life to a sport, and that’s exactly what you have with Brandon Jolley!

On top of everything he has done for the Clinton Youth Wrestling Program, his dedication to the youth definitely does not stop there. Brandon has been a head youth football coach for seven years, a coach pitch baseball coach, a soccer coach, and has even found the time to umpire for seven years!

I think Brandon would be the first to tell you that there’s no way he could do everything he does without his lovely wife Janelle!

Brandon and Janelle are as special of a husband/wife team in youth sports as you will ever see! They have been together for 11 years now and have two outstanding kiddos that are just now starting to get into sports and make their lives even busier!

This year also marks Brandon’s 10th year with Lincare Inc. here in Clinton. He is their outside sales representative and has developed some very special relationships with numerous health care physicians over the years. He’s a very dedicated and driven employee, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone if they’ve ever seen him as a coach!

If there is anyone that’s ever been deserving of this honor, it’s Mr. Brandon Jolley. I can almost guarantee you, you won’t talk to anyone in the town of Clinton that does not know him in one way or another. He has been involved with hundreds of kids' lives over the last 20 years and to be able to say that before turning 40 years old is almost unheard of! As a 20-year-old kid he could’ve moved on and chose to do anything he wanted, but he chose to stay in his hometown and give back to the school district that gave him so much! Brandon is loved and respected by so many people and it doesn’t take long to realize why when you get to talk with him. He has a huge heart to complement his huge personality, and my family and I are very honored to call him our friend!"

Help us congratulate Brandon on his well-deserved honor!

#CardinalPride

**Picture courtesy of Karen Keith.**

Obituary - Shirley Jean Smith

Shirley Jean Smith, 82, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2021 at her home. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the Bower Cemetery Pavilion in Eufaula, OK.

A complete obituary will be posted when information is available.