Ellett Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for April

Congratulations to Maria Smith being chosen April 2022 Ellett Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month! 

She is a very honest and trustworthy Environmental Services employee. Maria has always had Ellett's best interest at heart, it shows by going above and beyond her job description.

She works whenever needed without complaints and is willing to step up to do what she can to help anyone. Maria is a very compassionate and caring individual with an outstanding work ethic.

She is very much a team player and is involved with all the festivities throughout the year. We have had the honor of knowing and working with Maria since 1998. Once again, Congratulations, Maria!! Well deserved!

Fire Weather Concerns Today

Today is going to be breezy with winds from the west around 25 to 35 mph.

Any fires that ignite could get out of control quickly, so avoid any outdoor burning and prevent against accidental ignition today.

Obituary - Joyce Ann Giaccetti

Joyce Ann Giaccetti, age 71, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Mt. Washington Cemetery in Independence, Missouri.

Joyce was born in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on June 1, 1950 to Lawrence Griffith and Margaret (Long) Griffith. After graduating high school she continued her education briefly. Joyce worked at Hallmark for many years in Kansas City. However the most important job for her was a mother. Joyce enjoyed doing anything with her hands such as quilting, sewing, and puzzles. She was also an avid reader and more than anything enjoyed spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her loving husband, Terry Giaccetti; parents, Lawrence and Margaret Griffith; son, Travis Giaccetti; and brother Allan Griffith.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Tracie Biggerstaff (Nick); three grandchildren, Olivia Biggerstaff, Gianni Giaccetti, and Gino Giaccetti; and daughter in law, Taylor Richter (Giaccetti).

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

Arrest made in Belton

On Monday, April 4, 2022, at about 8:10 a.m. an alert citizen called the police department about a suspect with a mask attempting to steal vehicle(s). 

While officer(s) were in route, the suspect exited a neighbor’s vehicle with some property and was last seen around Stacey Dr. and Monroe Ave. Witness(es) had observed the suspect remove items from one vehicle and put into another vehicle. 

When officers located the suspect, he attempted to flee resisting arrest, but the officers were able to secure him. The officers on scene learned the truck used by the suspect was stolen out of Kansas City.

The officers confirmed prior to their arrival that the suspect attempted to steal a 2010 Ford Ranger by rolling it approximately 20 feet, but he could not get it started. The subject went back to the stolen vehicle where officers were able to take him into custody. This is a great example of valuable information that we get from our citizen(s). Citizen(s) know how to spot suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods since they know what is out of the ordinary.

 
This case led to the arrest of a thief preying on our community.

 
Kayondez R. Avalo (see booking photograph), 21 yrs old last resided at 500 E. 3rd St., Apt #324, KCMO and frequents the 600 block of Trevis, Belton, Mo. Avalo was arrested and charged with the following crimes: Tampering with a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree; Property Damage 1st Degree and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Detention or Stop. The bond for Avalo for these crimes is $10,000 Cash Only by Judge J. Rumley, Cass County.

April 5th 2022 Bates County Election Results:

Precincts reporting: 100%. Turnout 13.91%. Unofficial results

Adrian R-3 School Board:
Samuel Ledesma 124
Kris Saathoff 140
Chris Bridges 85
Ronnie Dennison 182
Brad Ferguson 170
Write In 3

Appleton City R-2 School Board:
Tiffany Frost 8
Ryan Campos 13
Craig Siegismund 23
Catherine Brownsburger 12

Butler R-5 School Board (1 year term)
Jerret Wheatley 340
Write In 26

Butler R-5 School Board (3 year term)
Brad Stephens 283
Dave Randalls 178
Debbie Goldammer 344
Write In 3

Rich Hill R-4 School Board:
Kent Fletcher 71
Slade Coonce 111
Mike Phelps 192
Write In 51

PWSD #2-Sub District 2 Director:

Matthew Kohler 15

Thomas Groves 19

Write In 0

Drexel Community Fire Question:

Yes 66

No 5

Drexel Community Fire District Board Member:

Paul "Ted" Kasper 60

Royce Hettinger 55

Todd Russell 59

Kayla Rhoades 55

Darin Bartholomew 65

Write In 7

Adrian Mayor:

Matt Cunningham 143

Write In 3

Adrian North Ward Alderman:

Jeremy Bridges 76

Write In 2

Adrian South Ward Alderman:

Jeff Vick 53

Write In 5

Amoret Mayor:

Charles "Rob" Vunovich II 12

Write In 1

Amoret Alderman:

Cody Ayers 6

Write In 14

Butler Ward 3 Councilman:

Rebecca Randalls 63

Write In 2

Butler Mayor

James "Jim" Henry 215

Write In 9

Butler Ward 4 Councilman:

Jason Weaver 24

Carmen Berringer 49

Write In 1

Butler Ward 1 Councilman:

Denny Rich 33

Write In 1

Butler Ward 2 Councilman:

Doncella Liggins 50

Write In 1

Hume Mayor:

Michael Wriston 39

Write In 3

Cornland Special Road District Member:

Gary Anderson 13

Justin Coleman 13

Mark Heckadon 0

Write In 0

South Hudson Special District Board Member:

Jerrell Fischer 6

Write In 0 

South Hudson Special District Question:

For the levy 6

Against the levy 0

Hume Alderman:

Jeffrey Dale Davidson 3

Adam Reynolds 34

James Michael Buford 39

Jim Brooks 8

Write In 1

Rockville Alderman (1 year term):

No Candidates

Write In 14

Rockville Alderman (2year term):

Amanda J. Damon 14

Jerry D. Adams 15

Write In 5

Foster Trustee:

Linda Wadel 12

Constance L. Boyles 12

Write In 7

Rich Hill North Ward Alderman:

No Candidates

Write In 12

Rich Hill South Ward Alderman:

No Candidates

Write In 12

Passaic Trustee:

No Candidates

Write In 20

Charlotte TWP Question:

For the Levy 8

Against the Levy 9

New Home TWP Question:

For the Levy 20

Against the Levy 5

Lone Oak TWP Question:

For the Levy 18

Against the Levy 3

Obituary - Tanner Cole Morgan

On Friday, April 1, 2022, our brave little angel was called home to Heaven. “Tator” Tanner Cole Morgan touched many lives in his short 4 1/2 years of life. Defying odds that he would never be able to do what most children his age could. He often vocalized his needs, “Mom, Momma, luv ew, yes, no, hungy, hold Dadda, and several other words. He brightened everyone’s day with his smiles and laughter. He showed all of us he was playful and no one or no thing was going to keep him down.

Tanner loved music, colors of lights, car rides, hugs, and kisses. He especially loved to get his snuggles in, he couldn’t get enough of it; he also loved to be read to and sung to. And his tubby time, always moving around to splash you then get mad when it was time to get out. He liked his chin and tummy rubbed and tried to get away when you tickled his feet or under his arms.

Tanner loved to get his Eskimo kisses, have his forehead rubbed, and Momma’s fingers through his hair. He would kick you to make sure you were there sitting next to him and would even try to scoot himself off the couch to scare his Momma, laughing as he was doing this.

Tanner really didn’t do well meeting new people, so he would play opossum and just peek out to see if they were still there.

Tanner is survived by his parents, Wesley and Amanda (Brown) Morgan, of the home; brothers and sisters, Lynzie Morgan, Isabelle Morgan, and Kaylee Morgan, all of the home, Austin White, Joplin, MO, Gregory Almond, Nevada, MO, Ethan Morgan, Kansas City, MO, Steve Morgan, of the home, and Wesley Morgan, El Dorado Springs, MO; grandparents, Wesley and Beverly Brown, Kansas City, KS; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a nephew, Walker Green. He was preceded in death grandparents, Wesley Morgan, Sr., Herb Beisley, and Barbara Beisley.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April8, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Rev. Jerod Lamb officiating. Interment will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo, MO. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

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

KC Area Forecast

Showers with a few thunderstorms are expected this afternoon, mainly east of I-35. 

A few strong storms are possible into central Missouri. Gusty northwest winds are expected Wednesday and Thursday with high fire danger Wednesday afternoon. 

Quiet and cool for the rest of the week with temperatures in the upper 20s Saturday morning.

Obituary - Helen Edna Jo Schmidt

Helen Edna Jo Schmidt, age 59, of Amoret, Missouri, previously Albert City, Iowa passed away on Sunday April 3, 2022 at the home of her son Micheal Schmidt and daughter-in-law Julie in Amoret, Missouri. 

A memorial visitation will be held Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). There will be no service. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Mullinax Funeral Home. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Helen was born on October 15, 1962 on a military base in Texas, the daughter of Henry and Elisabeth (Grab) Schmidt. She grew up in Amoret, Missouri and attended Miami R1 school. She raised her family in Haywarden and Albert City, Iowa with long time companion Jay Richmond. Helen moved back to Missouri in 2021 where she spent her last year surrounded by friends and family.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Elisabeth, brother Henry, sister Marion Bordelon, long-time companion Jay Richmond, and granddaughter Melanie Garcia.

She is survived by her sons Micheal (Julie) Schmidt of Amoret, MO, John Schmidt of Butler, MO, Jay Schmidt of Lake City, IA, Joey (Sharon) Richmond of Lakewood, CO, daughter Jessica (Dylan) Johnson of Strawberry Point, IA, brother Ernest Schmidt of Nevada, MO, sisters Donna Kenney of Rich Hill, MO, and Judith Wisdom of Nevada, MO, grandchildren Jordynn, Preston, Kyson, Gavin, Londyn, Emersyn, Lizzy, Zackery, Carter, Paige, Molly, Dante, and Gabriel, special friends Deb and Al Meusburger, and many other friends and family.