19 years ago today....

Today is the 19th anniversary of the May 4th, 2003 Tornado Outbreak across the region. 

5 Total tornadoes in the Kansas City Metro, including one F-4, and 4 additional tornadoes south and southeast of the metro occurred. 

All 9 tornadoes occurred between 3:50 and 7:30pm.

Miami County Kansas Sheriff's Office Wanted Wednesday

 

Obituary - James "Jim" M. Downing

James "Jim" Marshell Downing, 82, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie Downing of the home; a son, Mike Downing and wife Cherri, Harrisonville, Missouri; a daughter Nicki (Downing) Holden and husband Bill, Adrian, Missouri; 3 grandchildren, Jennifer (Downing) Packham and husband Jeremy, William Marshall Holden and wife Elisie, Samantha Rae (Holden) Thompson and husband Jason; 4 great-grandchildren, Hayden Marshall Lee Ware, Jackson Duane Ware, Riley Kay Packham, David William Holden; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at the First Baptist Church, 504 W. Wall Street, Harrisonville, Missouri. Burial will be in the Orient Cemetery with Military Honors.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at the church.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Obituary - Lewis (Louie) Leon Danner

A private family celebration of life for Lewis Danner of Butler, Missouri will be held at a later date. Arrangements under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Lewis (Louie) Leon Danner, age 68 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at his home. He was born February 12, 1954 to Lewis Benjamin and Orpha Waneta Stewart Danner in Bates County, Missouri.

Louie grew up in Rich Hill, Missouri where he attended school. He lived in Garden City, Kansas, Hugoton, Kansas and Butler, Missouri throughout his life. Louie was a truck driver by occupation and worked for Paul King hauling hay in the 1960s, Cheyenne Drilling, TOK and Trinidad Drilling 1988-2016 and Champlin Trucking until 2020. On October 16, 1986 he married Mary Lynn Hoffine and raised five children. Louie was a member of the Baptist Church and served in the United States Army.

Louie enjoyed hunting, shooting, camping, boating, ATV riding and dancing. He loved telling stories and giving people a hard time!

Louie is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Danner of Butler, Missouri; five children, Russel Meyers of Azle, Texas, Michelle Burg of Wakeforest, North Carolina, Edward (Ed) Carnes of Greybull, Wyoming, Jimmy Meyers of Garden City, Kansas and Kasidy Danner of Butler, Missouri; seven brothers; four sisters; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Orpha Danner; and two sisters, Emily Ann Stewart and Waneta Hanson.

National Safe Boating Week begins May 21-27

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to stress the importance of safe boating and make the public aware of National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 21-27, 2022. National Safe Boating Week is purposefully scheduled just prior to Memorial Day weekend, which many people consider the kickoff to the boating season.

Boaters are encouraged to make time for a thorough inspection of their boat prior to taking it out on the water this boating season. Weather, time, and other elements may affect the readiness of your boat. The Patrol’s marine operations troopers are available to inspect the required equipment on your boat, at your request, to make sure you’re in compliance with state law. To help facilitate these inspections, marine operations troopers will be at the following locations on Saturday, May 21, 2022 (unless otherwise noted):

TROOP A
Truman Lake — 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Shawnee Bend Boat Ramp
Warsaw, MO

Smithville Lake — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Camp Branch Marina Boat Ramp
17201 Paradesian Street
Smithville, MO

Longview Lake Marina — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
9898 Longview Road
Kansas City, MO

TROOP B
Mark Twain Lake ¯ 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ray Behrens Boat Ramp
20642 Highway J
Monroe City, MO

TROOP C
Meramec River ¯ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
George Winter Park
401 Allen Road
Fenton, MO

Yacht Club of St. Louis ¯ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
105 Lake Village Drive
St. Charles, MO

TROOP D
Stockton Lake ¯ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
State Park Marina Boat Ramp
19100 South Highway 215 (then follow signs to marina)
Dadeville, MO

Pomme de Terre Lake ¯ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hermitage Boat Ramp
23697 County Road 218
Hermitage, MO

Table Rock Lake ¯ 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
State Park Marina Boat Ramp
380 State Park Marina Road
Branson, MO

Elk River — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cowskin Access
Missouri Highway 43 and Langley Road
McDonald County

TROOP E
Wappapello Lake ¯ 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Redman Recreational Area Boat Ramp
Missouri Route T
Wappapello, MO

Current River — 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Doniphan City Boat Ramp
Jefferson Street, Doniphan, MO

TROOP F
Lake of the Ozarks State Park Public Beach #2 ¯ May 21st 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Old U.S. Highway 54
Osage Beach, MO

Mari-Osa Access — May 22nd 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
10599 Marina Road
Jefferson City, MO

TROOP G
Bull Shoals Lake ¯ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Theodosia Marina Boat Ramp
509 L.B. Cook Memorial Drive
Theodosia, MO

Clearwater Lake ¯ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Piedmont Park Boat Ramp
State Hwy Spur HH
Piedmont, MO

TROOP H
Big Lake State Park ¯ 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Boat Ramp
7181, 204 Lake Shore Drive
Craig, MO 64437

TROOP I
Gasconade River ¯ 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bell Chute Conservation Access
CR 513
Vienna, MO

Additional information on equipment inspection stations may be obtained from your local troop headquarters.

In addition to an inspection, boaters should familiarize themselves with Missouri laws regarding boat operation and traditional navigational rules. Missouri law requires everyone born after January 1, 1984, who operates a vessel on Missouri lakes to possess an approved boating safety identification card. This includes those operating a personal watercraft. When boaters understand and obey the law, and vessels are in good operating order, everyone’s experience becomes safer.

A life jacket for everyone on board is a must! Children under seven years old are required to wear a personal flotation device while in a boat, but you are never too old to wear a life jacket! Although not required by law, children playing along the shoreline or on a dock should wear a life jacket. A drowning can occur quickly, with little or no sign the victim is struggling. Life jackets save lives, please wear yours!

It is important for each boat operator to know the capabilities of their boat. Reducing your speed in unfamiliar areas and being aware of unusual water conditions respective to the size and type of boat you operate are just a couple of environmental considerations.

Extended time in the sun and the constant motion of the water effects every vessel operator. It's important to recognize the dangers of boater fatigue. Stay alert while enjoying Missouri's lakes and rivers. Additionally, if you combine alcohol with boater fatigue your reaction time and thought process will be much slower. Designate a sober captain if you choose to consume alcohol.

Additional safe boating tips:

1) Be a defensive boat operator ... creating distance from other boats gives you more reaction time.

2) Adjust your speed for the conditions ... if visibility is poor, or the water is rough, slow down!

3) Turn off the boat while passengers are entering/exiting the water.

4) If you will be out on the water after dark, check your navigation lights before you leave the dock or ramp.

5) Each boat operator is responsible for doing whatever they can to avoid a crash. Don’t expect other boats to move out of your way.

6) Be courteous with your wake.

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Twitter for the most current news @MSHPTrooperGHQ.

Grand opening of Mark Alford for Congress campaign headquarters

Come join us for the grand opening of the Mark Alford for Congress campaign headquarters! 

Music, hot dogs, drinks, and great family activities to help us kick off the last 90 days of the primary!

Be sure to get signed up for Alford's Army and help us make calls, knock doors, and inch us further to getting Mark Alford elected as our next Congressman.

Date: May 7th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: 1272 W Foxwood Dr, Raymore, MO

#AlfordsArmy #Mark4MO #TruthMatters

Obituary - Charles "Buddy" Milton Rothermel

Charles "Buddy" Milton Rothermel, age 76, of Warsaw, Missouri, passed away Saturday evening, April 30, 2022 at his home in Warsaw. He was born on July 3, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Charles William and Frances Lee (McCubbin) Rothermel.

He grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Class of 1963. He was united in marriage to Mary Mackey at the Linwood Methodist Church in Kansas City, Missouri on September 28, 1964. They would make their home in Kansas City where he worked for the Fred Harvey Restaurant at Union Station. In 1968 his job would take them to the Chicagoland area where in 1972 he began working for Electro-Motive Diesel in La Grange, Illinois where he would retire in 2002 as a payroll supervisor.

He was a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan even while living in the Chicago area. He was also involved in his community and he served as a Federation Chief for the Illinois State Indian Princesses.

When he retired they would often make trips to their lake home in Warsaw and in 2012 they made it their permanent residence. He also served as Treasure of the Cold Turkey Acres HOA for several years during retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, JT Mackey.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home, two children, Deborah Dea (David) of Willowbrook, Illinois, Alicen Newman (Shawn) of Kansas City, Missouri, 3 grandchildren, Shana, Sarah and William, 5 great grandchildren, Mayson, Logan, Aubree, Levi and Damien, his mother-in-law, Alice Mackey of Lee's Summit, Missouri, several cousins in Springfield, Missouri, Massachusetts and Connecticut, other relatives and friends.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to the Reser Funeral Home and services will be held at a later date with interment in the Longview Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Osage Valley Fire Department c/o Reser Funeral Home, P.O. Box 910, Warsaw, Missouri 65355.

Obituary - Betty Lou Bunert

Betty Lou Bunert, age 86, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2022 at Belton Regional Medical Center. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Private family services will take place.

Betty was born in Sterling, Illinois on October 12, 1935, to Glen P. Ridge and Clytie E. Schertner. Betty earned her bachelor's degree in education and taught middle school for thiry years. Betty was the owner of SanDStar Cockers and was an avid lover of the American Cocker Spaniel breed. She bred and showed her dogs for many years as this became her passion when she retired from teaching. She enjoyed her special dinners, and dog showing events with her closest friends, Deb Podratz, Pat Berger, and Arlene Vauthier. She also enjoyed music, bingo, and playing bunko.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Clytie Ridge.

She is survived by her two children, Debi Jochim (Donald) and Steve Tholen (Carol); five grandchildren, Stephanie Pryor (Jeff), Katherine Prokop, Ava Tholen, Ridge Tholen and Tess Tholen; three great-grandchildren, Emylia Prokop, Matthew Pryor and Luca Pryor.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278