Arrest made for drugs in Benton County

06/25/21- Benton County deputies responded to the area of UU and 7 Highways on a report of a suspicious vehicle. The reporting party stated that there were several people standing around a vehicle who were behaving suspiciously. Deputies responded to the area and contacted three people who were traveling in a Dodge Charger, two of which were approximately 50 feet away from the vehicle near the tree line stating they were urinating. 

A check was conducted on Tyshawn R. Carr, 21; Logan G. Pool, 19; and Leilani M. Smith, 19, with no wants or warrants. All stated that they resided in the Kansas City area and ran out of gas on the way to a friend’s house in the Benton County area.

While investigating the scene deputies noted bullet holes on the vehicle and a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within. When asked about the bullet holes the owner replied, “We live in KC”. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in a few marijuana roaches, some seeds and stems. The occupants were issued a verbal warning for marijuana and after gas was put in the tank by a “friend”, the trio went on their way.

After the release of the Charger, deputies, being thorough as they are, checked the area where the two individuals were standing near the tree line to discover a black bag containing a one-gallon resalable plastic bag with what appeared to be Methamphetamine. The bag was dry and had no moisture even though we had just had a torrential downpour.

Deputies reengaged the suspect vehicle and stopped it near the mile-long bridge arresting all three occupants and impounding the vehicle. The one gallon bag that was found at the original scene weighed approximately four pounds and field tested for Methamphetamines. 

That amount of meth would supply over 9000 “hits” to its intended users and have a street value upwards of $70,000. All three suspects were charged with felonies for drug trafficking in the 2nd degree and were issued a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

Butler License Office moving locations!

The Butler License Office will be closed Monday July 5th and we will be open Tuesday July 6th & Wednesday July 7th normal business hours at the same address of 1 N Delaware Butler Mo 64730. 

The office will close again on Thursday July 8th and Friday July 9th and will remained closed until Monday July 12th and will be at the new location at 105 N Orange St Butler Mo 64730. ( The former Farmers Insurance Building).

Office hours will remain the same 8:30-4:30 and open the last Saturday of the month 9-12* Subject to change for holidays.

Power pole down in Clinton

South Vansant Road between Ohio Street and the rear parking area of Westlake Ace Hardware in Clinton is temporarily closed due to a utility pole that has fallen onto the Westlake building. No injuries or damage have been reported at this time.

The utility pole appears to have broken due to deterioration at its base. Evergy is on scene working hard to replace the pole and restore power to the affected customers in the area. Please avoid the area and remain patient as crews perform work to fix this issue.

Obituary - Dortha R. Sparks

Dortha R. Sparks, age 95, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday June 30, 2021.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00p.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. A funeral service will follow immediately at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Dortha will be laid to rest at Raymore Cemetery next to her husband Samuel.

Dortha was born in Ringwood, Oklahoma on October 24, 1925 to Joseph Stricker and Martha (Koons) Stricker. She was one of eleven children to the union. Dortha attended Ringwood Oklahoma High School where she graduated from in 1944. In the winter of 1944, Dortha was joined in marriage with her late husband Samuel V. Sparks on January 16th in Cherokee, Oklahoma. For nineteen years, Dortha worked for Russell Stover Candy, most recently the Clorox Company in Kansas City, Missouri. Together Dortha and Sam were blessed with three children.

Dortha was preceded in death by her loving husband of over seventy-five years, Samuel V. Sparks; parents, Joseph and Martha Stricker; six sisters; and four brothers.

She is survived by daughters, Peggy Werth (Dick) of Olathe, Kansas and Betty Jean Robinette (Gary) of Buckner, Missouri; son, Charles Lester Sparks (Pat) of Lenexa, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Decker, Sammi Raymond, Tina Robinette, Marcie Harrison, Vince Sparks, Milli Montgomery, and Joe Werth; thirteen great grandchildren; and twelve great-great grandchildren.

Schedule for tonight for the Rich Hill 4th of July Celebration

Here is what is on the schedule for tonight in RH

Please remember the park will be wet and muddy!

Carnival pre-sale wristbands end at noon!

The carnival opens at 6 p.m. and wristbands are good from 6-10 p.m.

The fireworks stand is open from 4-11 p.m.

Life Saver Medal given to Vernon County Sheriffs Office Detective Dawn

A Vernon County Sheriff’s Office employee was awarded with the Life Saving Medal on Wednesday as a result of an incident that took place in late March just outside of Nevada, MO. 

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher announced that Detective Brett Dawn received the medal at the June Patrol meeting along with a letter of commendation. According to Mosher, Detective Dawn responded to a report of a suicidal subject armed with a knife. 

While trying to talk the subject into putting the knife down, the subject turned the knife towards their chest, at which time Detective Dawn grabbed the subjects’ hands and pulled the knife away from their chest. 

The subject was tackled and responding personnel helped take the knife away. The subject was then transported to a hospital for additional care. Sheriff Mosher said Detective Dawns quick response, recognition of the severity of the situation and immediate action resulting in a life being saved. Detective Dawn was issued a letter of commendation and received the VCSO Life Saving Medal as a result. “Law enforcement officers are often overlooked for the good they do. 

This was a situation that could have turned out much differently but ended without any injuries so we are proud to be able to recognize Detective Dawn for his actions” said Mosher. 

*This press release has been issued by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office for information only. Any names given in this release are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Obituary - Virginia Marie Foster

Graveside services for Virginia Foster of Butler, Missouri will be 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 5, 2021 at the Hickman Cemetery in Clarksburg, Missouri.  Visitation will be Monday, July 5 from 9-10 a.m. at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Virginia Marie Foster, age 100 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in rural Butler.  She was born December 14, 1920 to Everett and Laura Zahl Stokes in Kansas City, Missouri.

Virginia is survived by three daughters, Barbara Ann Pierce and husband Elvin of Milo, Missouri and Shirley Jean Trumbore and Judy Marie Grogman and husband Gary all of Butler, Missouri; 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harold in 2013; one brother; one sister; two grandsons; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; and one great-grandson.

Obituary - George Timothy Hill

George Timothy Hill, age 55, La Cygne, Kansas passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021.  He was born on July 16, 1965 in Leavenworth, Kansas the son of George Homer Hill and Margaret Ruth Flint Hill.  

He graduated from Pleasant Ridge High School.  He then attended Kansas State University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.  He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Member.  George enjoyed riding his motorcycle, being on the farm and working with wood.  

He was preceded in death by his mother.  George is survived by his children, Krystal Thurman(Nick), Austin Hill(Erin), and Nathan Hill, five sisters, Diana Sheppard, Kathy Gallagher, Peggy Hill-Saarela, Robin Ivison and Mary Sanders, and eight grandchildren, Bentley Wilson, Allie Thurman, Lyndsey Hill, Ryan Hill, Bayley Hill, Carter Hill, Elizabeth Hill, and Levi Hill.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mound City, Kansas.  Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Vigil for the Deceased will be held Tuesday, July 6 from 5 to 7 pm, Rosary at 5 followed by visitation, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.  Contributions are suggested to Knights of Columbus Special Olympics Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS  66040.