Police looking for subject who shot at tree trimmers in rural Butler

On October 26th at approximately noon Bates County Sheriff's Office received a call of a subject who was shooting at some tree trimmers. The incident happened at CR3508 and CR6207 in rural southwest of Butler.

The reporting party stated that they were trimming trees around power lines when they observed a 2015 or newer, lifted black dodge truck with over sized tires, racing carelessly down the road where they were working.

The trimmers used hand motions to get the drivers attention to slow down. After the driver passed the tree trimmers he slid his truck to a stop and got out and shot at least two rounds at or near the tree trimmers.

The occupants of the truck were described as a white male in his 20's, short and stocky stature. The female passenger was taller than the male with blonde hair.

Shell casing were recovered from the roadway and are being sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be processed for DNA, Fingerprints and ballistic comparisons.

If you were the female that was in the vehicle we believe it would be in your best interest to come forward with information. If you have information please contact a Detective at 660-679-3232.

Burglary arrest made in rural Adrian

On Monday October 25, 2021 at around noon Deputies were advised of a possible stolen vehicle located at 15171 NE CR 2003 Adrian Mo 64730. The residence is located north east of the City of Adrian.

On arrival the deputies observed the stolen water truck from the road. Deputies went to the residence and attempted to make contact with the occupants. When there was no answer the deputies secured the residence and began the process of obtaining a search warrant on the property. At approximately 4 pm the search warrant was executed on the property. 

During the search the original report of the stolen vehicle included the water tanker, two commercial concrete saws, and trailer were recovered. These items were taken during a theft in Harrisonville Missouri. The truck and equipment was valued at approximately $140,000.

While searching the property the deputies observed a 2020 Kubota skid steer partially hidden behind a blue tarp. A check of the serial numbers did not show it to be stolen. But Detectives called and found out who originally purchased the Kubota. With assistance from Harrisonville Police Department they were able to make contact with the owner who did not know his skid steer was stolen. The value of the Kubota was estimated at approximately $90,000. Bringing the total amount of recovered stolen items to $230,000.
During the execution of the search warrant two subjects were taken into custody. Those two subjects had been in the residence the whole time while law enforcement waited for the search warrant. The two subjects were taken to the Bates County Jail. During the search several items of drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered.

Zackery J Handly W/M 4/21/1994 of Butler Mo was charged with Possession of a controlled Substance not Marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia Bond was set at $50,000.00

Richard Jayson Edward Perkins W/M 5/06/1991 of Adrian Mo 64730was charged with Possession of a controlled Substance not Marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia Bond was set at $50,000.00

The owner of the property stated he did not give the two subjects permission to be on the property and wished to pursue charges for Burglary and trespass. He stated that he did not know anything about the items found on his property.

The investigation is still ongoing to identify who actually stole the property and to identify all parties involved. The Sheriff says he believes there is enough evidence to show that there are multiple people involved in this case. The case is expected to be presented to the prosecutor within the next week.

Sheriff Anderson says, "A lot of manpower and effort went into this investigation and continues. I'm confident that the work the Deputies and Detectives are doing will bring charges on those that are guilty. This community is tired of people stealing things like this from good hard working people. Make no mistake this is not about people trying to survive. These people are a menace to society, continue to be arrested and released to go out and do it again.

I get it, Good people are one bad choice away from a different life. This is not the case with these types of people. Casenet them and see how many times we are dealing with the same people and the same type of cases. Then think about the cases we don't know about.

Obituary - Matthew Wayne Violett

Matthew Wayne Violett, 52, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Monday, October 25, 2021 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Crystal Howard of the home; two sons, Jakob Gowing and companion Annie Ray, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cole Violett of the home; a daughter, Elizabeth Violett of the home; his parents, Virgil and Patty Violett, Lee's Summit, Missouri; two sisters, Becky Violett and wife Jennifer, Peculiar, Missouri, Meredith Violett, Plattsburg, Missouri; uncle and aunt, John and Linda Thornbrugh, Gulf Port, Florida; his mother-in-law, Cindy Susko, Harrisonville, Missouri; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the funeral home.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Longview Baptist Church Memorial Fund, Lee's Summit, Missouri.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Obituary - Wanda Ellen Weddington

Wanda Ellen Weddington, age 65, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Save Our World Ministries in Clinton, Missouri. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Children's Mercy Hospital and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Wand Ellen Weddington was born on March 23, 1956 in Osceola, Missouri to Arthur and Millie (Bangle) Jones. Wanda worked as a substance abuse counselor. She was a member of Save Our World Ministries for several years.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents and 4 brothers; Lonnie, Arthur, Johnny and Charles.

Survivors include her husband, Lyle Weddington, one son, Chris Weddington (Jessica Baumgarden) of Diamond, Missouri, 2 brothers; Albert Jones of Tennesee, Donnie Jones of Lowry City, Missouri, 2 sisters; Hazel Henry of Eldorado Springs, Missouri, Dorothy Burk of Richmond, Missouri, and one grandchild, Brianna Weddington.

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

Avoid a Monster Mash on the Roads this Halloween

MoDOT Urges Drivers and Pedestrians to Stay Alert for Each Other

JEFFERSON CITY – As little ghosts and goblins embark on their quests for candy this weekend, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging trick-or-treaters and drivers to stay alert for each other.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children are three times more likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. And since 2015, Missouri has seen more fatal crashes involving pedestrians in October than any other month.

“In dark conditions with an influx of pedestrians, many of them children, Halloween night has the potential to result in increased risks,” said Jon Nelson, MoDOT’s assistant to the state highway safety and traffic engineer. “Drivers and pedestrians both have important roles to play to keep each other safe and avoid a real tragedy.”

Drivers should avoid distractions so they’re aware of any pedestrians walking on or near the roadways. Be especially cautious in the dark, as children in dark clothing may be difficult to see. Drivers should also slow down in areas where pedestrians are likely to be or where sight distances are limited, and never drive impaired.

Pedestrians should also make smart choices, such as bringing a flashlight to make yourself as visible as possible to passing motorists. Trick-or-treaters should always walk on a sidewalk wherever one is available. If one isn’t available, walk facing traffic and as far to the side as safely possible. Pedestrians should also cross with a traffic signal and crosswalk whenever they are available. Make sure traffic has stopped or passed before you begin to cross the road. And like drivers, pedestrians should also avoid distractions so you are alert to the traffic around you.

Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, identifies four key focus areas - distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and buckling up - to help eliminate traffic deaths. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan and to learn how all Missourians can help make the roadways safer, visit www.savemolives.com.

Obituary - Shawn Morgan Espey

Shawn Morgan Espey, age 21, Louisburg, Kansas died Monday, October 25, 2021 as the result of an automobile accident in Cass County Missouri. He was born on May 1, 2000 in Memphis, Tennessee the son of Carl Espey Jr. and Lynda Shearon. He graduated from Paola High School. 

Shawn was currently employed with Mo-Kan Dial as an I.T. Technician. He loved to spend time with his fiance, Gisselle Zelay and son Landon Espey. 

He enjoyed BMX and rebuilding Honda Cars. He was preceded in death by his mother. Shawn is survived by his fiance, Gisselle, son, Landon, father and stepmother, Carl and Carey Espey Jr., three brothers, Carl Espey III, Chace Espey and wife Brittany, Austin Espey and wife Tiffany, two sisters, Carlie Adams and husband Matt, and Sara Stafford, stepfather, Christopher Stafford, stepsister, Brie Stump and step grandfather, Fred Tucker.

Funeral service will be 10:30 am Friday, October 29, 2021 at The Truth Church, La Cygne, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, October 28 at The Truth Church. Contributions are suggested to Shawn Espey Family Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Here comes the rain.... Again

Well, here comes the rain...again (we feel like there a song in there somewhere). Showers and thunderstorms will slowly overspread the area today from west to east. 

Rain expected to continue Wednesday night through Thursday before finally ending Thursday night/Friday morning. Widespread 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected. 

Severe weather and flash flooding is not expected although minor river flooding cannot be ruled out.

PSA: Archie Residents

PSA: Archie Residents:

The holidays are closely approaching and with all the rushing around between shopping and family events we can easily get distracted. Lots of people become very vulnerable during the holidays which is why we should take precautions now to keep yourself and your vehicle safe during this holiday season. Here are some tips to remind you of what to be aware of for the upcoming season.

1. Make sure you manually lock up your vehicle.

2. Park safely in a brightly lit area with other vehicles and people around.

3. Make sure you hide your valuables in your vehicle such as devices, chargers and exposed bags. Leaving these objects in plain sight of thieves makes your car a target.

4. Pay attention and stay off social media when in parking lots, driveways or at any store.

We recently had a vehicle that was broken into and with items stolen from our community so please take note of these helpful tips and make sure that your vehicles are locked up at night and your valuables have been removed from your car. Have a safe upcoming Holiday season from the Archie Police Department!