Morris Cemetery Donations

Donations for Morris Cemetery can be mailed to:  Wes Chandler1069 NW County Road 2 Butler MO 64730

Cass County Crime Coalition set to go

Wednesday night elected officials from around Cass County signed a resolution to create the Cass County Crime Coalition. The Cass County Crime Coalition provides support and guidance for programs that partner the community and public safety agencies working together to keep Cass County safe. 

The Cass County Commission, Prosecuting Attorney Ben Butler, Sheriff Jeff Weber, and mayors from Belton, Harrisonville, Lake Winnebago, Peculiar, and Pleasant Hill will form the advisory board of the Cass County Crime Coalition.

The Coalition Advisory Board will work together to develop a comprehensive plan and coordinate activities related to the improvement of criminal justice administration among state, county and municipal agencies.

The program is funded by the Cass County Commission and the program is administered through the Cass County Sheriff's Office. The program provides funds for law enforcement and judicial resources. Those include salary reimbursement for additional law enforcement officers assigned to a task force and dedicated staffing to the prosecuting attorney's office.

“This is just the first step in our collaborative efforts to address matters of public safety in our communities. In the coming weeks will seek partnerships with the 11 remaining municipalities, seeking their contributions to the Cass County Crime Coalition. 

We will focus on legislative issues that affect public safety, working with our State Legislature as they work for us in Jefferson City. And finally, our participating law enforcement agencies will collaborate to provide problem oriented response to crime using Focused Deterrence of high risk individuals” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Homicide Investigation ongoing in Pittsburg Kansas

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE
Homicide Investigation
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Released by Lt. Rebekah Lynch

Over the course of the last several days, investigators from the Pittsburg Police Department and from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, as well as, agents with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, have actively followed up on numerous leads and have conducted numerous interviews related to the murder of Stephanie Marie Short and the shooting of Velma Marie Cubie on May 13, 2022. A number of search warrants were also executed at various residences in Pittsburg, directly related to this incident. A number of arrests have been made by police during this investigation, which are unrelated to the shooting incident.

On May 14, 2022, a search warrant was executed at 111 W. 24th Street in Pittsburg; during which time approximately three pounds of marijuana, distribution amounts of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm was located. On May 17, 2022, 32-year-old Kentorian Contrell Hamilton, of Pittsburg, was arrested by investigators on charges related to the search warrant at 111 W. 24th Street. Hamilton was transported to the police station where he was interviewed concerning the on-going homicide investigation. Hamilton was transported to the Crawford County Jail where he was booked in for distribution of marijuana and distribution of cocaine. He was issued a $25,000 bond and has since bonded out.

On May 14, 2022, a search warrant was executed at 113 W. 23rd Street. During the execution of this search warrant, investigators located two firearms, approximately one pound of marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine. On May 16, 2022, 30-year-old Steven McArthur Taylor Jr., of Pittsburg, was arrested on charges related to this search warrant. Taylor was transported to the police station where he was interviewed concerning this on-going homicide investigation. Taylor was then transported to the Crawford County Jail where he was booked in for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Taylor was issued a $5,000 bond and has since bonded out.

On May 18, 2022, 21-year-old Matthew Robert Watkins, of Pittsburg, was picked up at his place of employment for two outstanding failure to appear traffic warrants, one out of Pittsburg and one out of Frontenac. Watkins was questioned related to the homicide and later transported to the Crawford County Jail where he remains in custody in lieu of a $1,320.00 bond.

On May 19, 2022, Pittsburg investigators responded to an address in the 800 block of West Euclid Street to locate a person of interest related to this investigation. Upon arrival a male subject fled the area in a vehicle, and in doing so, struck a police vehicle. Police pursued the vehicle to the 700 block of West 9th Street where it stopped and the driver fled on foot into a residence. Investigators pursued the subject into the residence and was informed he was hiding in the attic. 

The subject refused to come out of the attic and forceful entry was made through the attic door. The subject was apprehended, without incident, and identified as 47-year-old Michael Allen Wilson, of Pittsburg.

Wilson was found to have two active no bond warrants out of Crawford County for violation of bond supervision. Wilson was arrested on the warrants and transported to the Crawford County Jail. He was subsequently charged with felony fleeing and
attempting to elude an officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. Wilson is being held without bond.

On May 19, 2022, while conducting follow up on the homicide investigation in the 800 block of West Euclid, investigators also made contact with 32-year-old Tyler Dornez Smith, of Pittsburg. Smith was found to have one active warrant out of Pittsburg for
failure to appear and one active warrant out of Crawford County for failure to appear. Smith was also interviewed concerning the on-going homicide investigation. He was then transported to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, where he is being held in lieu
of a $2,933.00 bond.

This homicide investigation is on-going and investigators are asking that anyone with information pertaining to this investigation contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

MSHP:ATV, UTV Safety

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to remind the public about laws pertaining to the use of all-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles.

Missouri laws define utility vehicles as any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use, which is more than 50 inches, but no more than 80 inches in width, with an unladen dry weight of 3,500 pounds or less, traveling on four or six wheels, to be used primarily for landscaping, lawn care, or maintenance purposes. The width is measured from the outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim.

Utility vehicles can be operated on the highway if owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use, and for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premises purposes between official sunrise and sunset. (Can operate at night if equipped with proper lighting.)

Utility vehicles may also be operated within three miles of the operator’s primary residence. The provisions of this subdivision shall not authorize the operation of a utility vehicle in a municipality unless such operation is authorized by such municipality.

A UTV driver must possess a valid driver license to operate on the highway. A valid driver license is NOT required when operated by handicapped persons for short distances occasionally, only on the state’s secondary roads (state’s lettered routes), and only between the hours of sunrise and sunset.

Cities may issue special permits to operate on the highways within city limits by licensed driver. Counties may issue special permits to operate on county-maintained roads. Municipalities may by resolution or ordinance allow utility vehicle operation on the streets or highways under the governing body’s jurisdiction. Any person operating a UTV pursuant to a municipal resolution or ordinance shall maintain proof of financial responsibility.

Utility vehicles cannot be operated at speeds greater than 45 miles per hour. Operators must obey the rules of the road (use turn signal, obey stop signs, etc.). It is illegal to operate a UTV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Additional requirements for UTVs include:

A slow-moving triangle is required only if operating under 25 mph after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This does not apply to dirt or gravel surfaced roads.

UTVs cannot be operated in a stream or river, unless the waterway flows within the boundaries of land, which the operator owns, or upon the land owned by another for agricultural purposes with the permission from the landowner.

Missouri law defines all-terrain vehicles as any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use, with an unladen dry weight of 1,500 pounds or less, traveling on three, four, or more nonhighway tires, with either a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering, or a width of 50 inches or less measured from the outside of the tire rim to the outside of the tire rim, regardless of seating or steering arrangement.

Those operating an ATV must possess a valid driver license to operate on the highway.

However, a valid driver license is NOT required when operated by handicapped persons for short distances occasionally, only on the state’s secondary roads (state’s lettered routes), and only between the hours of sunrise and sunset. ATVs cannot be operated on the highway at speeds greater than 30 mph. In addition, it is illegal to operate an ATV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

An ATV operator must obey the rules of the road (use turn signal, obey stop signs, etc.). Missouri law also requires:

* A bicycle safety flag mounted on the rear of the vehicle for operation on the highway. The flag must extend not less than seven feet above the ground, be triangular, have an area of not less than 30 square inches, and shall be day-glow in color.

* Helmets for drivers under 18 years old.

* A lighted headlamp and taillamp any time it is operated on the highway or street.

* An equilateral triangle displayed on the rear of the vehicle at least two feet above the road. It shall be fluorescent yellow-orange and have a reflective red border at least one inch in width. Each side shall measure at least 10 inches.

* A braking system maintained in good operating condition.

* An adequate muffler system in good working order, and a U.S. Forest Service-qualified spark arrester.

* Be registered with the Department of Revenue (sticker).

Passengers are NOT allowed, except for farm purposes, unless the seat is designed to carry more than one passenger. ATVs cannot operate in a stream or river, unless the waterway flows within the boundaries of land the operator owns, or upon land owned by another for agricultural purposes with the permission from the landowner.

An ATV can be operated on the highway:

* If it is owned and operated by a government entity for official use.
* For agricultural purposes or industrial on-premises purposes between official sunrise and sunset.
* If a city has issued a special permit to operate on the highways within city limits by licensed drivers.
* If a county has issued special permits to operate on county-maintained roads.
* If a municipality, by resolution or ordinance, allows ATV vehicle operation on the streets or highways under the governing body’s jurisdiction. Any person operating an ATV pursuant to a municipal resolution or ordinance shall maintain proof of financial responsibility.

While there is no age requirement for driving an ATV, this does not mean a child of any age can safely operate one. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure their children are prepared mentally and physically to drive an ATV. 

These vehicles come in many sizes, and it is important to match the rider with the ATV. The Patrol strongly urges parents to have their children attend a certified safety course before operating an ATV. As with operating any vehicle, safety should come first.

Happy Retirement Wesley

Wesley McDaniel a lifelong resident of Butler is retiring from the Butler R-5 School District after 50 years of janitorial service. 1972 ~ 2022

He'll spend retirement working in his garden, and doing yard work, and will do a little road tripping.

When asked how he could work so long for one place he said, " I did it one day at a time. "

Obituary - Irma Jean Zollicker

Irma Jean Zollicker, age 90, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022. She was born to Clark William and Elsie Mable (Kimzey) Parks, September 4, 1931, the youngest of four girls.

Raised in the Tightwad and Coal area, Irma Jean learned the meaning of hard work growing up on a farm. Later, she moved to Clinton, living with her oldest sister, Zona, to attend high school. Irma worked at J. C. Penney during high school and later at Union State Bank after graduating. It was in her early twenties that her sister Mary and her husband, Kenny McLain introduced her to Thomas Marion “Slugger” Zollicker. They were married October 5, 1952. Together, they raised 3 daughters all red-headed, Martha Ann, Marilyn Aileen and Margaret Allison. During their early years together and after their daughters were born, Irma and Slugger spent many nights at the old Artesian Park ballpark and later Optimist Park, where she cheered him on as he pitched and managed softball. One game we fondly remember is when Slugger was pitching, a foul ball was hit over the backstop and hit Irma, giving her a black eye as she shielded Marilyn, who was sitting on her lap, from the ball. This was family entertainment at its finest and we loved every minute of it. Irma enjoyed being at home, raising her daughters, canning food from the garden, cooking and sewing. She loved making matching dresses for herself and her daughters. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as well as being a member of The Lorna Kemper Club for many years. Since the girls were members of Campfire, Irma helped in every way she could from leading the groups to helping them earn their beads and badges. In 1964, she and Slugger began their own business with the purchase of Fitzgerald Propane Company. They later added property purchased from Mel Ball where the Northwest Trailer Park is located and Stull Gas and Propane in Warsaw. Irma was the bookkeeper and later the sole proprietor after Slugger passed away, working for over 40 years in the oil, gas and propane industry. She received the distinguished honor of being recognized as Henry County Businesswoman of the year. Irma enjoyed visiting with each and every customer that came through the doors. She knew a lot of people and they knew her. Irma retired shortly after her 80th birthday to enjoy her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved spending time reading and could get lost for hours in a good book, especially a mystery. Irma dreamed of traveling and she and Slugger won many trips through Phillips 66. These opportunities took them to Hawaii and abroad enjoying the world afar. Irma wanted to experience the opportunity to host a foreign exchange student with our family. Bianca Croe’ of Eupen, Belgium joined our family in 1981 for a year abroad in Missouri. Irma took great pleasure in sharing our community, state and country with Bianca and made sure she experienced it all. She took great pleasure in making Bianca’s dress for prom and but especially wanted Bianca to have as many opportunities as possible for a lifetime of memories. Irma and Slugger visited Bianca and her family in later years and Bianca has made many a trip to Missouri to visit family. After Slugger passed Irma was able to travel as she had hoped and was able to make a trip to Ireland with her sister Mary and niece Linda. Irma Jean is survived by her three daughters, Marty McKee of Wichita, Marilyn (Tom) Gunter, Meg (Alan) Edwards both of Clinton and Bianca Croe’ of Eupen, Belgium. Also, her 8 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Josh) Bezdek, Alex McKee, and Andrew McKee; Jillian (Justin) Wells, Garrett (Megan) Gunter and Elyse Gunter; Kate Edwards and Scott Edwards and 6 great-grandchildren. Irma’s wishes were to be buried at Parks Chapel Cemetery next to her husband. The family will hold a private graveside service. Her book is available to sign through 5:00 p.m. Friday at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family suggests memorial donations to Good Shepherd Hospice, Henry County Museum or Parks Chapel Cemetery. These donations may be left in care of the funeral home.

Hudson R-IX School District seeking a cook

Hudson R-IX School District located at 15012 NE State Route 52, Appleton City, MO 64724 is seeking a cook to work 20-25 hours per week beginning in August, 2022. 

Please call (660) 476-5467 for more information.

Stolen vehicle in rural Nevada

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office has taken a report of a theft in rural Nevada of a gray in color 2003 extended cab Chevrolet Silverado with a black in color trailer along with a 72-inch Grasshopper mower, multiple Stihl weed eaters, and a Stihl leaf blower.

Actual photos of the truck and equipment are attached below. If anyone sees this vehicle or has any information on this theft, please call the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 417-667-6042.