Obituary - Kay Ward

Funeral services for Kay Ward will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Scott Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri. Contributions to Heartland Hospice. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Kay Ward, age 85 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, January 1, 2022 at Medicalodge of Butler. She was born October 28, 1936 to Albert Groseclose and Ella Schiffmann Welston in Buckner, Missouri.

Kay is survived by her three sons, Gregory Ward and wife Kara of Butler, Missouri, Jeffery Ward and wife Robin of Amoret, Missouri and Mike Ward of Butler, Missouri; two brothers, Wylie Welston and wife Mary and Larry “Spud” Welston, all of Butler, Missouri; one sister, Jean Shannon of Cleveland, Missouri; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Marlene Welston; and one son, David Ward.

Snow possible overnight and into Thursday morning

Another chance for winter weather this week. However, this time it will be ALL SNOW.

Arrest made after traffic stop in Vernon County

A Nevada resident has been charged with multiple crimes after a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve. According to officials with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Jamie Boykin, 47 of Nevada, was stopped by detectives who were working a New Year’s Eve detail.

During the stop suspected methamphetamine, paraphernalia, cash, and a gun were located. Boykin was taken into custody without incident. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said several extra patrols were out on New Year’s Eve and he was glad they were able to stop someone that could have hurt someone.

“He was running around with drugs and gun, so the detectives did an excellent job at getting him off our streets.”

Mr. Boykin has been charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $50,000 cash only bond.

Obituary - Kathy Ann Nunn

Kathy Ann Nunn, 73, Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Friday, December 31, 2021, at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at the Rock Brook Church in Belton, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Rock Brook Church in Belton, MO.

Kathy had requested for all to provide a random act of kindness to someone in need. "Our steps to a kinder world start here. Blessings..."

A complete obituary will be added when it becomes available.

Obituary - Colleen Francis Davis

Colleen Francis Davis, 101, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Crown Care Center, Harrisonville.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with inurnment in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville immediately following the service.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the funeral home.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

MSHP Reports Zero Traffic Fatalities Over New Year’s Holiday Weekend; No Drownings Or Boating Fatalities

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday weekend:

No one was killed in a traffic crash during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2021, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 2, 2022. There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2022 New Year’s holiday counting period.

2022 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics

Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes — 406
Traffic Crash Injuries — 91
Traffic Crash Fatalities — 0
DWI — 94

[Note: Last year during the 78-hour New Year’s counting period, there were 1,247 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, six people were killed and another 389 people were injured. During the 2021 New Year’s holiday, troopers worked 173 crashes including three fatalities and 48 injuries. Troopers arrested 94 people for driving while impaired last year.]

The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back.”

From the desk of Bates County Coroner Greg Mullinax

On 12/31/2021 at approximately 11:07 pm Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in reference to a person being shot across the street from 1326 NW Elm Street in Amsterdam Missouri. Deputies and Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol were dispatched. 

Upon arrival at the location they found one male subject suffering from a gunshot wound to the face laying on the ground. The victim was initially breathing but unconscious. 

A short time after law enforcement arrived the victim stopped breathing and CPR was initiated by first responders and law enforcement. The victim, Identified as Michael R Strup, was transported by Bates County EMS to St. Luke’s Trauma Center on the Plaza.

Yesterday, 1/2/22, I was notified that Mr. Strup passed away. I have initiated the death investigation and an autopsy will be conducted. My office is currently regarding the investigation as a homicide. I will provide additional information as it is finalized.

Greg Mullinax
Bates County Coroner

Update: Subject charged in New Years Eve shooting in Amsterdam

On 12/31/2021 at approximately 11:07 pm Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in reference to a person being shot across the street from 1326 NW Elm Street in Amsterdam Missouri. Deputies and Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol were dispatched. 

Upon arrival at the location they found one male subject suffering from a gunshot wound to the face laying on the ground. The victim was initially breathing but unconscious. 

A short time after law enforcement arrived the victim stopped breathing and CPR was initiated by first responders and law enforcement. The victim, Identified as Michael R Strup, was transported by Bates County EMS to St. Luke’s Trauma Center on the Plaza.

 
A witness identified the shooting suspect as Christopher E Cutshaw (DOB 10/29/1995) of Amsterdam, Missouri. Additional deputies were called out to help search for Cutshaw who fled the area on foot. Working with the community to track the last known locations of Cutshaw, deputies were able to track his path and located Cutshaw hiding in the garage of a family member approximately 2 miles from the shooting incident. Cutshaw was taken into custody without incident.

 
On 1/1/2022 the Bates County Prosecutor Hugh Jenkins filed 1st degree assault charges along with armed criminal action and bond was set at $500,000.00 cash only.

 
On 1/2/2022, the Bates County Coroner was advised that Michael Strup had passed away from the injuries suffered from the shooting. The Sheriff’s Office is treating this as an intentional homicide. Once the investigation is complete it will be submitted to the Prosecutor for upgraded charges on Cutshaw.

 
During the investigation it was determined that while Cutshaw was fleeing on foot he entered the Amsterdam bar. The Sheriff's Office is asking that if you were in the bar at the time he ran through please contact the Sheriff’s Office to speak with a detective. If you are a citizen who encountered Cutshaw on the street or if you have home video footage please contact the Sheriff’s Office to speak to a deputy. Deputies and Detectives will be in the Amsterdam area today to identify potential witnesses on this case. If you have any information please contact us at 660-679-3232.