Hot and Humid Conditions Continue

Good morning, today will be hot, but not as hot as yesterday, but still hotter than what most of us want. Stay safe and stay cool out there.

 
Image Description: Map on right is of the Missouri and Kansas Border region, with shades of red and orange indicating maximum heat index values with values at certain cities.

Most sites are near 100 F. Text to the left of the map reads, Never leave people or pets alone in a closed car.

Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing. Spend time in air conditioning and the shade.

Obituary - Eva Marie (Conley) Frazee

Eva Marie Conley LaMar Frazee passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022. She was born May

16, 1927, in Bacca County, Colorado, the daughter of Arthur Leonard and Ruth Elizabeth (Hensley) Conley. She attended the Mesa View Grade School in Colorado. 

At the age of eight, she moved with her family to Linn County, Kansas. There she attended Stony Point and Fair View grade schools and the La Cygne and Pleasanton high schools.

After graduation from Pleasanton High School in 1945, she was employed by the Braemoor Coat Factory in Paola, Kansas. In 1946, she attended Pittsburg State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas. She then taught in the Boicourt Kansas Grade School. On August 10, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harvey A. LaMar in La Cygne, Kansas. To this union, one daughter and three sons were born.

Eva was a member of the First Christian Disciples of Christ Church in Olathe, Kansas, where she sang in the church choir and was active in many church functions including: Youth Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Librarian, Secretary and President of the Christian Women & Fellowship Group. Eva was active in the Little League Baseball Mothers Club for many years. She was a life member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, VFW Post 3712.

She was a member of NARFE Chapter 2098 and KOFP&S Marmaton Valley, Fort Scott, Kansas. Eva worked for the TG&Ystore and Patrons Insurance in Olathe, Kansas. She worked for the IRS in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1960 to 1964, the Selective Service in Olathe, Kansas, from 1966 to 1968, and the United States Department of Agriculture from 1968 to 1992. After retirement, she worked part time for H&R Block in Paola, Kansas. Eva was united in marriage to John W. Frazee on January 3, 1994.

Eva was preceded in death by her first husband Harvey A. LaMar on January 28, 1988; daughter Ruth Marie Fuller; son Rick LaMar; a granddaughter; a great grandson; parents Arthur and Ruth Conley; siblings Earl Conley, Arthur Conley Jr., Marjorie Prentice, Louise Crisler; and second husband John W. Frazee on January 20, 2021. Eva is survived by two sons Buddy LaMar (Brenda, children Leslie and Andy) and Jerry Lee LaMar (Elaine, daughter Chloe); three stepsons Tommy (Jerri) Frazee, Lonnie Frazee, and Ronnie Lee (Kathy) Frazee; two sisters Marian Hayes and Leola Mundell; sister-in-law Anita Conley; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 11 am Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will immediately follow in the Brooklyn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, June 23, at the Schneider La Cygne Chapel.

Contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Clinton woman killed in Johnson County fatality accident

On June 17th around 6:08 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Johnson County along with Johnson County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover accident at SW 1200 and Missouri 13 Highway in rural Johnson County.

The Missouri State Highway says the accident occurred when the 2004 Mercury driven by 31 year old Carol M. Dixon of Clinton, Missouri attempted to pass another vehicle, driver swerved to avoid hitting oncoming traffic and sustained a blown tire. The vehicle then traveled off roadway, struck several objects and overturned striking a utility pole.

Carol M. Dixon was pronounced dead on the scene of this accident and she was transported to Sweeney-Phillips Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, Missouri.

This is Troop A of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 28th Fatality accident of the year 2022.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220315928

Wright named new police chief of Pleasant Hill

The City of Pleasant Hill has approved the appointment of Thomas Wright, Sr. as Pleasant Hill’s next Police Chief.

Wright, who has more than 28 years of law enforcement experience, comes to Pleasant Hill from the Greenwood, Missouri Police Department.

“The City of Pleasant Hill is fortunate to have both committed department personnel and a community that respects law enforcement. Collectively, we are able to keep this community safe,” Mayor John King said. “Chief Wright will build upon everything good about this community and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.”

When Wright assumes the Police Chief role, his focus will be on assessing the functions of the department, getting to know personnel, city colleagues, and the community.

“Chief Wright’s previous experience, both in a larger department and in smaller communities provides us with a blend of specialized knowledge and proven leadership roles coupled with an understanding of how best to integrate and participate in our community. Chief Wright comes with high praise from other metropolitan police chiefs for his commitment to standards, his professionalism, and his involvement on the regional level. Chief Wright will be professional, consistent, and respectful,” said Pleasant Hill’s City Administrator Shelby Teufel.

Wright spent 19 years rising through the ranks of the Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Office, leaving as a Lieutenant of the Professional Standards/Internal Affairs Division Chief/Commander. His specialized assignments included undercover detective, DARE officer, neighborhood patrol, a multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Tactical Teams, professional standards, and internal investigations. Wright has over 8 years experience as a police chief, serving the Missouri cities of Trenton and Greenwood. Wright has initiated and/or received the standards based CALEA accreditation in two of the three agencies he has worked in.

Chief Wright has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Missouri Baptist University. Wright has also served as an adjunct criminal justice instructor at North Central Missouri College and served as an adjunct academy instructor at the Missouri Sheriff’s Association. Wright is a member of a number of professional organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, ASIS-KC, Jackson County Drug Task Force Board, Metro Emergency Planners Committee, Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, and serves on the Law Enforcement Advisory Board for the Cass County Career Center.

Chief Wright will be sworn in on July 5, 2022, in advance of the retirement of Chief Robert Driscoll on July 8, 2022.

Obituary - Jeremy Michael Blankenship

Jeremy Michael Blankenship, age 44, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 16, 2022, at his home. He was born October 28, 1977, in Ft. Scott, the son of Kregg and Mary Rogers Blankenship. 

He graduated from FSHS with the class of 1995. Jeremy worked as a freelance writer. He enjoyed music, art, online gaming, and doing online research. He was a passionate secular humanist. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his fiancée Beth Parker of the home; his parents Kregg and Mary Blankenship, Ft. Scott; 2 sons, Damion Blankenship, and wife Valorie, Ft. Scott, and Conner Parker and Alyssa Martin, Ft. Scott; a daughter, Marra Parker and fiancée Gabe Holt, Ft. Scott; a brother, Mark Blankenship and Jenna Cuthbertson, Pittsburg, KS; 2 sisters, Lori Smith and husband Jessie, Ft. Scott, and Michelle Heaton and husband Charles, Ft. Scott; 3 grandchildren, Adrionna , Colton, and Mazikeen Blankenship; special nephew Alex Heaton; nieces Samatha, Sarah, and Shenna; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; and his best friend who was always by his side, “Yuffie”.

David Weber will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 22nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Graveside service will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Fulton, KS. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 AM prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Paws and Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative reporting power outage in Peculiar area!

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Members in the Peculiar area are experiencing an outage at this time. 

Crews have been dispatched and they are working on repairs to restore service as soon as possible.

Safety Village In Butler set to start July 18th

Safety Village is a week long safety based educational program for all children ages 4&5.

We will be holding Safety Village at the Old High School gymnasium on Pine Street in Butler. It will start on Monday July 18th from 9am-12pm.

Sign ups will be at the Bates County Elks Lodge (1000 Elks Dr, Butler, MO) on Sunday July 17th 1-4pm

This is a free program sponsored by the Bates County Elks Lodge and support by community sponsors.

The program will give the kids the opportunity to learn about safety in different situations and give them the opportunity to have positive interactions with community helpers.

Follow along with this event on Facebook by using the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/441517514063710/?ref=newsfeed

Bates County Coroner Report For April and May 2022

Hello everyone,

It has been a little while since I’ve done an activity report. The coroner’s office has been busy as usual. This spring I provided a training on our new Mobile Response Unit at Butler Fire. I’m available to provide training to other departments and agencies throughout the County as well, so please reach out to me if you’d like to set one up.

 
Last weekend I also attended an LEPC training on decontamination, there is a separate release and photos from that.

Deputy Coroner Dustin Miller is extremely helpful to me and is working on reaching out to hospice and nursing care facilities to update death notification procedures to those places, as it’s been a few years since we’ve been to visit their staff and answer questions.

This activity report covers the months of April and May 2022.

On April 19, we responded to Foster on a report of a male found deceased in his residence. This case was investigated and death was due to natural causes.

On April 20, we were called to a residence in the city limits of Amsterdam for a male found deceased in his residence. This case was investigated and death was accidental in nature.

On April 26, we responded to a residence in the city limits of Butler on report of male found deceased in his home. This case was investigated and death was natural in nature.

On April 29, we responded to a residence in the city limits of Adrian on report of male found deceased in his home. This case was investigated with death being natural in nature.

For the month of April, we reviewed 5 cases of notification from nursing home/hospice deaths.

On May 5, we received a jurisdictional referral of a death in Jackson County, Missouri possibly originating from an incident in Bates County. This case was investigated with death being natural in origin. 

On May 12, we responded to a county road in Northeast Bates County after a school bus driver had reported a male lying outside his vehicle. This case was investigated with death being natural in origin. 

On May 14, we responded to a residence in Northwest Bates County on report of family discovering a male deceased in his home. This case was investigated with death being natural in nature.

On May 23, we responded to a location in Southwest Bates County where a male was discovered to be deceased inside the cab of a semi truck. The case remains under investigation at this time, however foul play is not believed involved. 

On May 28, we responded to BCMH Emergency Department in regard to a death of a 47 year-old male. The case remains under investigation at this time, with no foul play believed involved.

 
During the month of May, we reviewed 8 notifications of death from hospice/nursing homes.

 
That concludes this activity report. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. I can’t really conclude without the reminder to check on your friends who live alone or have health conditions making them susceptible to the heat. Deaths from hyperthermia can almost always be prevented!

Most sincerely,
Greg Mullinax
Bates County Coroner