BCMH welcomes Kristy Packard to the Physical Therapy Department

Join us in welcoming Kristy Packard, PT, who joined the Rehabilitation Services team the first of September, 2021.

Kristy earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2016 from Missouri State University, and brings five years of clinical experience in the home health, inpatient and outpatient areas.

She recently became certified in the management of lymphedema. Kristy is a great addition to our staff of physical therapists: Jeremy Jones, Niki Hilgenberg, Brittany Booker, Kara Mullen and Scott Ridings.

Welcome, Kristy!

#physicaltherapist #physicaltherapy

Winter operations drill affords employees crucial training

Persistent job vacancies mean limited plow crews to clear roadways

MoDot Press Release: Snowy weather is just around the corner. In preparation, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will hold its annual winter operations drill on Thursday, Oct. 21. With high turnover rates and many positions still open, the training is more critical than ever.

“With nearly 20% of our plow operators with less than one year of experience, this training drill is important to be ready when snow flies,” said Becky Allmeroth, MoDOT chief safety and operations officer. “One of the most valuable parts of the drill is it allows our newest employees the opportunity to drive a snowplow over their designated routes so they are aware of curbs and raised islands that might be hidden in snow or ice.”

Despite the department’s best efforts, it has not made progress filling the winter operations vacancies. Additionally, the department is experiencing record high turnover, including more than 70 employees leaving every month for the past six months.

“We are several hundred employees below what we need in order to cover more than one shift in a statewide storm,” said Patrick McKenna, MoDOT director. “If a widespread winter storm lasts more than one 12-hour shift, we will not have enough employees to fill all the trucks on the second shift and therefore it will take longer to clear the roads.”

During the drill, motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8 a.m. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9 a.m. The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m.

MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate and maintenance employees will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested.

“The drill ensures that proper equipment, plowing techniques and safety measures are used by every MoDOT employee,” said Allmeroth. “In addition, every piece of equipment—every truck, motor grader, snow blower and tractor—is inspected and calibrated to conserve materials and operate efficiently and safely.”

MoDOT spent more than $58 million on winter operations last year and used over 139,000 tons of salt; 2.8 million gallons of salt brine; and nearly 490,000 gallons of beet juice. MoDOT has purchased 118,000 tons of salt to refill salt supplies and has a total of 240,000 tons available for use statewide this winter.

For information on road conditions across the state, safe traveling tips, and other winter weather information, visit www.modot.org.

Drexel teen injured in Cass County rollover accident

On October 21st around 7:50 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover accident on 307th Street just west of I-49 in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2005 Chevrolet driven by 18 year old Lorin L. Wells of Drexel, Missouri traveled off the roadway and overturned after striking a fence.

Lorin L. Wells sustained minor injuries and she was transported by ambulance to Research Medical Center in Kansas City for treatment.

View crash report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=210548450

Obituary - John Edward Jackson

John Edward Jackson, 66, Sheldon, MO passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at his home in Sheldon. John was born November 11, 1954 in Fort Scott, KS to Delbert G. and Ethel M. (Johnston) Jackson.

Throughout his life, John was a truck driver and until his retirement drove for Johnson and Baker Trucking for many years. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include the love of his life and longtime companion of the home, Vickie Williams; stepdaughters, April Boyd (Mike), Nevada, MO, Tonya Herbst (Donald), El Dorado Springs, MO, Lesia Farris (Mike), Nevada, MO; grandson, Jessey Menadue, as well as several other grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his stepmother, Cammie Acock, Jerico Springs, MO. He was preceded in death by one brother, and two sisters.

No services are planned.

Obituary - Mildred B. Roth

Mildred B. Roth, 102, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville with visitation from 9:30-11:00. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, Harrisonville.

A complete obituary will be posted when information is available.

Man arrested after impersonating a Sheriff’s Office Detective in Vernon County

Detectives with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Nevada resident for impersonating an Investigator with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office Monday afternoon.

According to Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher, his office received information that an individual was calling citizens and identifying himself as a detective in order gain the whereabouts of another individual. A detective with the Sheriff’s Office then called the number reported to him and the individual that answered the phone identified himself again as a detective. The real detectives then responded to the location the phone call was coming from, which was on the Northeast edge of Nevada. During the investigation one Nevada resident was taken into custody for impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Mosher said the suspect did not know he was speaking to an actual detective when he identified himself as a detective. “Telling people that you are a cop is illegal and just not a smart thing to do but telling the cops that you are a cop is going to get you caught even faster.”

The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Dustin Jones of Nevada, Mo. Jones was arrested and has now been charged with False Impersonation Law Enforcement Officer. Jones has been released on a $2,500 bond from the Vernon County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court.

Obituary - Daniel Thomas Pattison

Daniel Thomas Pattison, 64, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away Monday morning, October 18, 2021 at his home. He was born June 5, 1957 in Sacramento, California, the son of Robert Stanley Pattison and Betty Lou (Miller) Pattison.

Daniel was employed with various roofing companies for many years before retiring due to health concerns. Surviving are one son, Kyle Thomas Pattison, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; two sisters, Sherry Hooten and her husband Jack, and Kelli Wright and her husband Dean. He was preceded in death by his dad, Robert S. Pattison and his mother, Betty Lou Pattison. No services are planned at this time. Mr. Pattison’s wishes were to be cremated and be buried with his dad in Laurel Oak Cemetery in Windsor, Mo. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.

Obituary - Jonathan N. McKinley

Jonathan N. McKinley, 35, of Clinton, Missouri passed away unexpectedly Thursday, October 14, 2021. He was born December 6, 1985 in Clinton, Mo., the son of Brian James McKinley and Roberta Ann (Savage) McKinley.

Jonathan was the owner and operator of McKinley Refrigeration and also worked as an installer for Google Fiber. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, tinkering with anything mechanical. He could fix just about anything. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Surviving are his parents, Brian and Roberta McKinley, Clinton, Mo.; one sister, Amy Sockwell and fiancé, Jimmie “Bo” Reid, Clinton, Mo.; one niece, Lana Sockwell, Clinton, Mo.; one nephew, Cecil Sockwell, III; maternal grandmother, Phyllis (Savage) McMillian and Orbon, Branson, Mo.; aunts and uncles, Roger and Patty McKinley, Clinton, Mo., Bret and Rhonda Savage, Belton, Mo., and Matthew Savage, Aurora, Mo.; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jimmie D. McKinley and Pauline A. (Smolnik) McKinley; and maternal grandfather, Bert Savage, Jr. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2021 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. A private family memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Jonathan N. McKinley memorial fund, and donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.