Warmer weather returns to the area for the weekend

Warmer weather returns to the area for the weekend with unseasonably warm temperatures near 90° on Saturday. Winds will also gust 20 to 30 mph Saturday afternoon. Sunday looks dry until very late in the evening with storms likely during the overnight hours. There will be some lingering showers Monday with another chance for storms Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Obituary - Jimmie Carl Leer

Jimmie Carl Leer, 57, Bronaugh, MO passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Jimmie was born August 30, 1964 in Nevada to Junior and Mary Ann (Burchell) Leer. He was united in marriage to Glenda Sue Weber on December 24, 1985 in Rich Hill, MO and she survives of the home.

Jimmie grew up in the Metz area and graduated from Metz High School Class of 1982. He worked for Rickett’s Grain Elevator and farmed for Jimmie Linn in the Bronaugh area for a number of years. For the past 20 plus years Jimmie has worked for the Vernon County Road and Bridge Department. Jimmie was an avid catfish fisherman, deer hunter, and loved mushroom hunting. He was known for having a big heart and was always willing to help others.

In addition to his wife Glenda, survivors include a brother, Troy Leer (Roxanna), Sheldon; nephews, Brandon Leer, and Chris Leer; brothers and sisters-in-law, Judy Broughton (Bob), Abilene, TX, Bernie Weber, Moundville, Bruce Weber (Sherri), Moundville, Virginia Read, Nevada, Ed Weber, Moundville, Trish Harris, Moundville, and Julie Nikodim (Mike), Moundville; special friends, Gary Kenney, Taborville, Mike Vandenburg, Richards, Tex McKinley, Horton, Danny Gammon, Nevada, and Wayne Rickman, El Dorado Springs, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents; a niece Bethany Leer; brothers-in-law, Bill Weber, David Weber, and Gilbert Harris.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Craig Hart officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

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

Butler City Hall temporarily closed due to Covid-19

The Butler City Hall staff are essential employees to the function of the city. Due to city hall staff being exposed to COVID-19 and staff shortage due to COVID-19. 

We are taking precautionary measures and shutting down City Hall temporarily. This means that no public citizens will be allowed in the building. Essential function operations will continue to the best of our ability while running on a short staff. 

Citizens may contact us by phone or email. We apologize for this inconvenience and will update you further once more information is available.

Obituary - Kenneth Allen Vickers

Kenneth Allen Vickers, age 65, passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at his home in Calhoun, Missouri. Kenneth's wishes were to be cremated. Graveside services will be at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Calhoun Cemetery in Calhoun, Missouri. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Kenneth Allen Vickers “Kenny” was born on November 19, 1955. Kenny was the youngest of ten children born to Hubert and Ada Mae {Logan} Vickers of Windsor.

Kenny and Toni {Pinkston} were married on December 27, 1979, at Miami, Oklahoma living in Windsor/Calhoun most of their married life except for a few years when they lived in Gonzalez, Texas for his work.

At around 16 years old Kenny tried his hand at running a backhoe, which he proved very successful at until his retirement. Several years ago, he bought his own backhoe to use at home and help friends, neighbors, and family with their projects. In fact, just a few weeks before his death he helped a neighbor with a project even though he wasn’t feeling well—that is just how Kenny was—always helping others. Many hours were spent in his or Chuck’s shop just visiting or solving world problems with the “guys”, hanging out at Floyd and Debbie’s farm planning what projects were on the agenda for the weekend, or cutting wood for everyone’s stove so they all had their stoves hot and ready for “group meetings”.

Toni and Kenny always had fur babies—whether it be horses, dogs or cats. In fact, Junior, his shop cat is still at work guarding the shop. Kenny buried many animals over the years, the backhoe came in real handy for Toni’s horses and those at the Joy farm.

For many years, Saturday mornings were set aside to make rounds to check on his family and friends—which were a very important part of his life. Kenny loved family get togethers—whether it be 4th of July with his family at Farrington Park or Thanksgiving and Christmas meals with Toni’s family.

Kenny was diagnosed with lung cancer and had just started treatment two weeks before his death (due to complications of the cancer).

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles, Tommy, Pete and Donald along with sisters Betty Hoover, Mary Kimbrell, and Beverly Stirts. In addition, his mother/father-in-law (Gaynel Mills, Charles Pinkston), two brother in laws (David Pinkston and Jamie Pinkston) along with nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife Toni (whom he loved and worried about so much), his daughter Kishia (from his first marriage) and her daughter Harley. Also, his brother Jack Vickers, sister Sandy Scott, sister’s-in-law Debbie Joy (Floyd) and Judy Dodge. Kenny has many nieces and nephews who were near and dear to his heart, along with all the friends he met along the way.

“There and back again”

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

Harrisonville High School Students of the Month for October

Congratulations to the Harrisonville High School Students of the Month for October - Isaac Chiodini and Greta Maxwell!

Isaac Chiodini is the son of Chris and Rachelle Chiodini. He is involved in the marching band, robotics team, Academic Club, Science Club, Key Club, and National Honor Society.

His leadership positions include president of National Honor Society, drumline captain and sergeant-at-arms of the marching band, programming captain and team lead of robotics, and an officer of Science Club. His awards include Excellence in Academics recipient for all of high school with a 4.0+ GPA, HOBY Leadership Alumni, Bright Flight ACT Qualifier, and an Eagle Scout.

Outside of School Isaac is a volunteer leader for kids’ ministry production at church, a Boy Scout, and an assistant facility manager for Midwest Pool Management.

Isaac enjoys anything STEM-related, such as computer programming, advanced chemistry, nuclear physics, and more. He also enjoys financial research, such as stock investments, treasury bonds and more. His future plans are to attend the United States Air Force Academy or the Missouri University of Science and Technology, obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science.

Greta Maxwell is the daughter of Chris and Rachel Maxwell.
She is involved in NHS, Music Makers, girl’s soccer, and Mercenaries. Her leadership positions include Music Makers president, and JV girls soccer captain. Her awards include Principal’s Honor Roll, and three-year Excellence in Academics recipient.
Outside of school Greta is a Sonic carhop and involved on the worship team at her church.

Greta enjoys spending time with people, having fun, and playing guitar/piano. Her future plans include attending some kind of school until she figures out what she wants to do with the rest of her life and eventually marry a football coach and be an awesome mom.

The HHS Students of the Month are selected on the basis of good citizenship, leadership, scholarship, and sportsmanship.

Bronson pleads guilty in murder in Lamar

October 7, 2021:

Lane R. Bronson pleaded guilty today to the charge of Murder in the 2nd degree in front of Judge Dean Dankelson. 

Mr. Bronson, 28 years old, of Carthage, Missouri was one of three defendants charged with the murder of Terry G. Harless at 710 Broadway, Lamar, Missouri. 

Judge Dankelson set sentencing for December 17, 2021. Bronson remains in custody.

Mike Smalley
Barton County Prosecuting Attorney

Obituary - Jerry Dean Hankins

Jerry passed away peacefully at his cabin surrounded by the love of his family, friends, and “the woods.” Preceded in death by his grandparents, Grace (Fordyce) and Eric Hankins; his parents, Marjorie and Gerald Hankins; his significant other, Dianne Whitehead; and his favorite uncle, William “Bill” Swanson.

He is survived by his children, Janyale (Matt) Goetz, Jerry (Stacy) Hankins II, Kristen (Josh) Myers-Hankins; step-children, Chance and Kevin Myers, Ashley (Evan) Eslick; brothers, David Hankins, Donald Hankins, Sr.; grandchildren, Jack and Vincent Goetz, Nicolai and Ethan Hankins, Braiden, Lillian, and Kayden; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends.

Jerry never met a stranger in this world while on his earthly journey home to Heaven. He will be missed greatly. We will love him always and forever.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill, Missouri. A campout/campfire will follow at Jerry’s property following the memorial.

Private family burial at a later date to be announced at Aubrey Cemetery in Stillwell, Kansas.

One arrested after pursuit in Barton County

On October 3rd, 2021 at approximately 0737hrs a Barton County Sheriffs Deputy was dispatched to Mindenmines, Mo for a past tense vehicle theft. Once on scene the Deputy gathered the information about the vehicle and also learned that a dump trailer was attached to the truck as well at the time it was taken. Once the Deputy cleared the scene he advised other Deputies and the Sheriff of the theft. 

At approximately 1030hrs a citizen called 911 and stated they were following the vehicle they believed was stolen from Mindenmines on O Highway in rural Barton County. The Deputy that took the report was near the area and responded. 

Once the Deputy got behind the vehicle and activated his lights and siren the vehicle sped up and failed to yield to the Deputy. The Deputy initiated a pursuit with the vehicle which reached speeds of 100mph. 

The stolen vehicle at one point forced a motorist off the roadway. Sheriff Simpson was able to get in to position and deploy a tire deflation device that successfully struck 6 tires on the vehicle and trailer. The suspect continued to drive for approximately 6 more miles entering the city limits of Liberal, Mo. 

The vehicle came to a stop when it entered a field off of K Highway and the driver realized he had no where to go due to being surrounded by patrol cars and no tires to get him anywhere. Deputies were able to take the suspect in to custody without incident. 

The suspect was identified as Blake Lundberg (39) of Ft. Scott, KS. Lundberg has been charged with Tampering with a motor vehicle 1st Degree, Resisting arrest by fleeing and creating a substantial risk to the public, and Possession of Controlled substance for the Suspected Methamphetamine he admitted to throwing from the vehicle while being pursued. Lundberg is currently being held on a Capias warrant for his charges. 

"Sheriff Simpson wants to remind citizens to lock your vehicles and personal belongings when they are unattended. Theft crimes are still on the rise and we will do our best to locate your items and return them to you. 

Sheriff wants people to understand as well that we are not always working just one incident at a time, we have multiple investigations that are ongoing and they all need attention. Please help us by securing your belongings."

Chief Deputy 

Justin Ehrsam