Obituary - Dixie Lee Thomas`

Dixie Lee Thomas, 78, formerly of Nevada, MO passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021 in Mt. Vernon, MO following a courageous battle with breast cancer. Dixie was born in Muscatine, IA to Gail W. and Wanda J. (Smith) Stafford. On December 29, 1967 she was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Thomas in Nowata, OK and he survives of the home.

Dixie grew up in California and came to Nevada in the early 1960’s. Throughout her life, Dixie was primarily a homemaker. After leaving Nevada, she lived in Texas for nine years before moving to Mt. Vernon where she and Chuck have lived for the past 27 years. Dixie was known for her excellent cooking, her love of children, and was always a friend to those in need. She has touched many lives. Dixie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon.

In addition to her husband Chuck, she is survived three children, Darla Clevenger (Doran), Kansas City, MO, Keith Asper, Orlando FL, and Allan Asper, West Palm Beach, FL; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry Stafford, Nevada, brother-in-law, Frank Schooley, Nevada; as well as five nieces, nine nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, William “Wild Bill” Richardson; a sister, Gayla Schooley; two brothers, Rick Stafford, and John Stafford.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Family c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Street Project set to begin September 13th in the city of Butler

Beginning the week of September 13th, the City of Butler will start this year’s road overlay project. It’s expected to last 2-3 weeks. This project is estimated to cost over $340,000 paid for by the ½ cent transportation sales tax. The streets to be fixed were selected based on condition and amount of traffic.

Main Street from Mill North to City Limits
High Street from Mill to Fort Scott
Delaware Street from Fort Scott to Nursery
Vine Street from Fulton to Havanah Street
Havanah Street from Vine to Fort Scott
Dakota Street from Main to Broadway

Residents should prepare for alternate routes and parking accommodations during this time.

Obituary - Kimberly Dawn Algiere

Funeral services for Kimberly Algiere of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with cremation to follow. 

Visitation prior to services from 1 - 2 p.m. Saturday, September 11 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Inurnment at a later date in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to a Children’s Education Fund. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Kimberly, one of two daughters, was a lifelong resident of Butler, Missouri where she graduated from high school in 1994. She was currently working on an Associate’s Degree. Early in her occupational career, Kimberly was a waitress at Flaming Lantern, then worked in billing at Bates County Memorial Hospital for several years and finally the last nine years was a paraprofessional in education at Butler Elementary School. Kimberly was baptized in her teens and belonged to the Ohio Street United Methodist Church as well as the United Methodist Women. On July 30, 2005 she was united in marriage to Lester Algiere–a partnership of two unique people who brought out the very best in each other, and who knew that even though they were wonderful as individuals, they were even better together.

Kimberly is survived by her husband, Lester Algiere of Butler, Missouri; four children, Geoffrey Algiere of Butler, Missouri and Makenzie, Brandon and Meghan Algiere of the home; her parents, Don and Shirley Heckadon of Butler, Missouri; one sister, Michelle Triebel of Butler, Missouri; her grandmother, Evelyn Jennings of Butler, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Tammie Morris and companion Rick Jackson of Springfield, Missouri; six nephews and nieces, Bryce, Dylan, Haylee, Rylea, Shelby and Ashley; and other relatives and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Ralph Jennings; paternal grandparents, Jack and Anna Rose Heckadon; and a nephew, Michael Algiere.

Obituary - Anthony Wayne “Tony” Weyant

Anthony Wayne “Tony” Weyant, age 32, a resident of Colorado, passed August 28, 2021 in Colorado. He was born July 17, 1989, in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Charles Weyant and Donna Weyant. He married Sonja Medlin, September 22, 2018 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Tony was a self-employed contactor. 

He loved to take his family on vacations were they would camp, hike and tour the National parks. He enjoyed ordering pizza and watching movies. Tony loved to cook especially BBQ, even if there was snow on the ground.

Tony is survived by his wife Sonja, of the home, two children, a son Anthony Wayne Weyant, and a daughter, Shailynn Weyant.; seven step-daughters, Melanie, Shebly, Kayleigh, Olivia, Adyson, Maia, and Katie; parents, Charles Weyant and Donna Weyant; a brother, Dustin Miles Weyant, a sister, Kelly Rae Carson; his grandmothers, Mary Overcash and Goldie Weyant Arndt,; and his faithful dog Jasper. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clayton Michael Weyant, his grandfathers, Hoyt Overcash, Miles Weyant and step-grandfather, Larry Arndt; four uncles, Brad Weyant, Rick Overcash, Dale Overcash, and Jim Weyant; an aunt, Nancy Overcash; two cousins, Brandon Weyant and Melony Beerbower.

Pastor Marty DeWitt will conduct a celebration of life, Sunday September 12, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown. Words of remembrance maybe submitted the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com

Kane Strong - Walk for T1D

Obituary - David Eugene Dickson

David Eugene Dickson, age 69, passed on September 01, 2021, at his home in Clinton, surrounded by his family and friends.

David was born to Marvin Dickson and Norma (Ahlestede) Dickson, on July 23, 1952, in Wichita, Kansas.

David graduated from Wichita High School. Served in the US Army and was a Vietnam War Veteran. David worked in the construction trade for many years, while operating his own company. He work in manufacturing for awhile as well as other jobs over the years.

He married Loretta Robinson, November 4, 2007, in Brownington, MO. He was an avid bowler, and belonged to the Clinton Bowling League for many years.

David is survived by his wife Loretta Dickson; daughters, Emily (Joseph) Randazzo, Cassandra Robinson; sons, Ernie West, and Christopher Robinson; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren; as well as other family and friends.

He was preceded by his parents Marvin and Norma Dickson; wife Joyce Dickson; sister Jeanie Newman; aunt Donna Ralston; and uncle Charles Ahlestede.

The family will hold a celebration of life for David at a later date to be determined.

MSHP Releases Labor Day Holiday Statistics

Seven people died in traffic crashes during the 2021 Labor Day holiday weekend. Last year, there were 18 fatalities. The 2021 counting period for the Labor Day holiday ran from 6 p.m., Friday, September 3, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 6th.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following enforcement activity during 2021 Labor Day Holiday:

MSHP Traffic Statistics (preliminary):

Crashes ¯ 351
Injuries ¯ 103
Fatalities ¯ 7
DWI ¯ 108
Drug Arrests ¯ 71

MSHP Boating Statistics (preliminary):

Crashes ─ 7
Injuries ─ 4
Fatalities ─ 1
BWI ¯ 6
Drownings — 0
Drug Arrests ¯ 18

(Note: During the 2020 counting period, the Patrol investigated 278 traffic crashes, which included 140 injuries and 11 of the 18 fatalities. Troopers made 146 arrests for driving while intoxicated last year. Also, over the Labor Day holiday 2020: Troopers investigated 20 boating crashes involving six injuries and one fatality; and arrested seven people for boating while intoxicated on the state’s rivers and lakes. There were no drownings over the 2020 Labor Day holiday weekend.]

Troopers investigated all seven of the fatal traffic crashes over the 2021 Labor Day holiday weekend. Three of the fatal traffic crashes occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, MO, area; two fatal traffic crashes occurred in the Troop I, Rolla, MO, area; and one traffic crash fatality occurred in both Troop A, Lee's Summit, MO, area, and the Troop F, Jefferson City, MO, area. The boating fatality occurred in the Troop D, Springfield, MO, area.

One boating fatality occurred on Saturday, September 4, 2021. A 14-year-old female from St. Louis, MO, died when a personal watercraft struck the personal watercraft she was operating on Table Rock Lake in Stone County. The 14-year-old was ejected. Dr. Pallohusky pronounced the juvenile deceased at Mercy Hospital. The juvenile operating the other personal watercraft sustained minor injuries. Both operators were wearing life jackets at the time of the crash.

Three traffic fatalities occurred on Saturday, September 4, 2021. Godfrey G. Gitau, 35, of Hazelwood, MO, died when the vehicle he was operating traveled off the roadway and struck a guardrail end cap. Gitau was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in St. Louis County on Interstate 170 south of Interstate 270. Hazelwood EMS personnel pronounced Gitau dead at the scene.

Jaswant Singh, 31, of Fremont, CA, died when the commercial vehicle in which he was a passenger traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, an embankment wall, and then overturned. Singh was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred in Crawford County on Interstate 44 at the 214.8-mile marker. Deputy Coroner Nikki Bussell pronounced Singh deceased at the scene. The driver of the commercial vehicle was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash; he sustained minor injuries. The Crawford County Sheriff's Department and the Bourbon, MO, Police Department responded to the scene.

Renee D. Honor, 47, of Detroit, MI, died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned. Honor was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Callaway County on Interstate 70 at the 146.6-mile marker. Dr. Salman Ahmad pronounced Honor deceased at University Hospital in Columbia, MO. A juvenile passenger in Honor's vehicle sustained minor injuries. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Three traffic fatalities occurred on Sunday, September 5, 2021. William C. Moore, 28, Lyons, KS, died when the driver of the commercial vehicle in which he was a passenger attempted to exit the roadway causing its load to shift and overturn into the median. Moore was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Jackson County on Interstate 470 at Missouri Highway 291. Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office Investigator Amanda Bogacz pronounced Moore deceased at the scene. A second passenger in the commercial vehicle sustained minor injuries. She was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured; he was wearing a seat belt. The Lee's Summit Police Department also responded to the scene.

A 13-year-old male from Cedar Hill, MO, died when the driver of the vehicle in which he was a passenger lost control. The vehicle began sliding, traveled off the roadway, struck a tree, continued to travel northbound off the roadway, and struck a second tree. The juvenile male was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Jefferson County on Engledow Road south of Blackwell Road. Valle Ambulance District personnel pronounced the juvenile deceased at the scene. The 17-year-old driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries; he was not wearing a seat belt. A 13-year-old passenger sustained serious injuries; he was not wearing a seat belt. A third juvenile passenger, age 16, sustained serious injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.

Matthew W. Hedrick, 27, of Aledo, IL, died after falling off the tailgate of a pickup truck when the vehicle hit a bump while negotiating a curve. When Hedrick fell from the tailgate, he then struck the ground. The crash occurred in Crawford County on a road within the Bass River Resort. Dr. Srivastava pronounced Hedrick deceased at Mercy Hospital Creve Coeur. The driver was not injured in the crash; he was wearing a seat belt.

One traffic fatality occurred on Monday, September 6, 2021. Mark W. Higginbotham, 54, of Farmington, MO, died when the motorcycle he was operating traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned, ejecting him. The vehicle then collided with the median cable barrier. Higginbotham was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in St. Francois County on U.S. Highway 67 south of Missouri Highway 8. St. Francois County Coroner Jason Coplin pronounced Higginbotham deceased at the scene.

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic/boating crashes after this news release was published, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than traffic/boating incident.

Henry County Health Center confirms 20 new positive cases of COVID-19

The Henry County Health Center (HCHC) has received confirmation there are 20 new positive cases of COVID-19.

--Clinton-11
--Windsor-1
--Deepwater-0
--Montrose-2
--Urich-6
--Blairstown-0
--Calhoun-0
--Creighton-0
--Chilhowee-0
--Leeton-0

This brings the total number of confirmed positive cases in Henry County to 2,593.

All contact tracing has commenced and all parties that have had close contact are being notified. HCHC continues to encourage residents to practice social distancing, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, and to remain home if you are sick.

The CDC continues to recommend that individuals to wear a face covering when you are in public, and are unable to social distance, to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19.