State Farm Student Athlete of the week

Today we went to Adrian to award Senior Colton Bass with this week’s State Farm Student athlete of the week. Colton was nominated by his Coach Jacob Weeks after his performance last week going 6 for 8 with a double, 4 RBI’s, 4 runs scored, 2 SB’s and one of those hits being a walkoff 2 run homerun vs Butler at the bottom of the 7th. Clinching the win in a big district and rivalry game. Colton plans on attending Missouri Southern in Joplin in the fall to play football and major in accounting.

When we asked Colton what he has learned from playing sports that he can apply later in life he said “leadership skills and being able to work with other people.” He says “to become an elite athlete it takes dedication and the right mindset.

You have to go in every day and give it your all to get better.” Colton said one of his favorite memories from sports in high school is the big hit against Butler at the bottom of the 7th.

We are so happy to award Colton this week and wish him and the Adrian Blackhawks the best of luck as they play in post season games.

Pictured: Kellie Davidson State Farm and Colton Bass, son of Jennifer Cates and Terry Bass

Obituary - Patricia Ann Davis

Patricia Ann Davis, 82, passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at her home in Nevada, MO. Patricia was born July 29, 1939 to Pauline and Ollie Burns in Monticello, Arkansas.

Patricia was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where she later married Jack A. Craven June 8, 1961. Together the couple had three children Ronnie, Vicki, and Richard. 

Later in life she met Francis J. Davis and the couple was married in August of 1981. Francis preceded her in death in October 2008. Patricia was a homemaker who enjoyed doing arts and crafts, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include daughter, Vicki Keys (Paul) Nevada, MO; Son Richard Craven (Kristen) Baton Rouge, Louisiana; 4 grandchildren, Dustin Keys (Staci) Nevada, MO; Richele Craven Virgina, Chase Craven Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Victoria Forester (Jonathan) Nevada, MO; 4 great-grandchildren, Reese Keys, Hadley Keys, Tripp Forester, and Wrenn Forester.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis J. Davis, and son, Ronnie Herkender.

There will be a private family gathering.

Happy Retirement Tammy!

 

Tonight's severe weather outlook

Scattered thunderstorms are possible this morning, but are not expected to be severe. 

Stronger storms are possible tonight, with damaging winds and large hail being the primary threats, though a brief tornado and localized flooding can't be ruled out. 

Be sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings before you go to bed.

Sad news to share from the Benton County Sheriff's Office

At approximately 8:06 PM tonight, Thursday, April 28th, Benton County Central Dispatch was notified of an un-responsive male in the parking lot of our Warsaw Walmart. I am sad to report it was our own Cpl. David Jones of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the caller was his wife.

Dave, a resident of Warsaw, drove the short distance from his residence to Walmart but did not return home. After over an hour and a half passing, Mrs. Jones went to look for Dave and found him in his vehicle, he never made it into the store. No foul play was involved, his passing was of natural causes.

Cpl. Jones at age 65, with a birthday coming next month, had over 40 years in law enforcement with 17 of those years as Warsaw’s Chief of Police. Dave loved his work, his community and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement and his family. Law enforcement was his life, he will be missed beyond words.

If you would like to help Dave’s family in their time of need, please feel free to visit the Friends of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office website (friendsbcso.org) and hit the donate button or send your donation to 27214 OO Hwy Warsaw, MO 65355.

Obituary - Mark Paul Koca

Mark Paul Koca, age 59, passed away April 25, 2022. He was a member of First Christian Church in El Dorado Springs and was baptized on April 24, 1977.

Mark was born to Paul and Ruth Koca in El Dorado Springs, MO and raised on the family farm. After graduating from El Dorado Springs High School, he attended CMSU in Warrensburg, MO, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in technology education with a minor in manufacturing and construction.

He began teaching industrial technology in 1985, teaching for 21 years. He taught in several districts before returning home, teaching middle school and high school students in El Dorado Springs. During that time, he earned his Masters degree in Education Administration from William Woods University. He was honored to receive the International Technology Educators Association Teacher of the Year award in 2004, traveling to New Mexico to accept it.

In 2006 he accepted the position of high school principal at Humansville public schools, and a year later stepped into the superintendent position there. He earned his Education Specialist degree from William Woods University during this time.

In 2011 he was honored to again return to El Dorado Springs public schools, this time as superintendent. During his nine years in this position, he took pride in the many improvements made to the building and grounds. He was surprised and honored to receive the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Mark retired July 1, 2020 after 35 years in public education.

Mark met the love of his life, Jennifer Knight at a church Christmas program in 1978. They were married soon after he graduated high school in May of 1981 and were blessed with two children. Mark wore many hats: husband, father, grandpa, teacher, administrator, farmer, builder, craftsman, musician, friend, and more. Of these, the first three were his favorite. He was a lifelong learner and born teacher; his love of education was evident in all he did. He was the rock of his family, the go-to guy. The first person called with questions on how to do something, or, more often, how to fix something. Many people have said he was the smartest person they knew, but also humble, approachable and entertaining. He truly loved learning new things, and was blessed with the ability to retain what he learned.

As you might expect, having been raised by a farmer and music teacher, he loved both of those activities. His favorite places were outside (unless it was cold) and his work shop. He had a deep love and appreciation for music and enjoyed playing trumpet throughout school and for many years in the El Dorado Springs Municipal Band.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ruth Koca.

Surviving is his wife Jennifer of the home, daughter Tegan (Josh) Rand of Mt. Vernon, MO, son Alan (Megan) Koca of El Dorado Springs, grandchildren Harrison, Elli and Asa Rand and Lincoln and Landry Koca, sister Jana (Paul) Robinson of Andover Kansas. He is also survived by brothers and sisters- in- law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation:
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

Visitation Location:
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home

Service:
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Service Location:
El Dorado Springs High School

Interment:
Virgil City Cemetery

Structure Fire in Nevada

On April 28th around 7:43 a.m. the Nevada Fire Department responded to a report of possible smoke coming from a roof of a house located at 714 South Spring Street in Nevada.

When crews arrived on scene they found smoke coming from the roof and the attic vents. Crews were able to gain entry and get the owner's car out of the garage.

Access was found to the attic and the fire was extinguished. Cause of the fire was found to be an electrical short in the wiring of the home. No injuries were reported; no one was home at the time of the fire.

Harrisonville Police seeking public assistance

Please Help Identify:

On 4/26/2022, around 6 p.m. (1800 hours), the male subject in the photographs left some property at Harrisonville Casey's (1801 N Commercial St.).

The subject’s vehicle was described as an older black SUV or minivan. We would like your help identifying the subject and a way to contact him.

If you know who the subject is or how to contact him, please contact Detective Hunziker at 816-380-8950. Thank you.