Power restored in Henry County

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Crew Members in southeast Henry County are currently experiencing a power outage. 

Crews are assessing the issue and will restore power as quickly as possible.

Please do not report outages on Facebook or Messenger. Check here for outage reporting options. https://osagevalley.com/report-an-outage/

Update 10:35 - Power is starting to be restored at this time. Thank you for your patience.

Update 10:00 - Crews are still working as fast as possible to safely repair the damaged insulators. Power will be restored as soon as possible.

Update 9:20- A bird made contact with equipment in the substation causing damage. Crews are in the process of replacing two damaged insulators.

MSHP: Plan A Safe July Fourth Weekend!

The July Fourth holiday weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy one of Missouri’s recreational opportunities or a backyard barbecue. Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe July Fourth holiday.

Everyone should place safety at the top of their list when planning how to celebrate our nation’s freedoms. No matter how you decide to spend the long weekend, your smartest choice is to follow all Missouri traffic and boating laws.

During the 2021 counting period, seven people were killed and 532 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,139 traffic crashes. Over the 2021 July Fourth holiday, troopers arrested 80 people for driving while intoxicated. In 2021, there were 12 boating crashes, which included eight injuries and one fatality. One people drowned during last year's July Fourth holiday. Troopers made nine boating while intoxicated arrests over last year’s July Fourth holiday weekend.

The 2022 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6 p.m., Friday, July 1, to 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 4, 2022.

The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) and Operation Dry Water over the July Fourth holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water specifically targets impaired vessel operators. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri roadways and waterways to enforce traffic and boating laws, and offering assistance as needed.

Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. Never operate a vessel if you’ve consumed alcohol. Boaters need to be aware that it is illegal to discharge fireworks from a vessel. Leave all fireworks in a safe place on shore. Remember to share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

Anyone needing assistance or who witnesses criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways or waterways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. Motorists may call 1-888-275-6636 to check for road construction along their travel route.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back …”

Obituary - U.S.M.C. Retired Major Ben D. Daugherty, Sr.

Major Ben D. Daugherty, Sr., United States Marine Corps, Ret., passed away at the age of 94. He was born in Eldorado Springs, Missouri on April 3, 1928. 

He passed away peacefully on June 25, 2022 with his daughter by his side and his granddaughter Megan holding his hand. His cause of death will read congestive heart failure, but his family believes he died of a broken heart exactly 5 weeks after losing his wife Florene.

As a child he grew up in Lowry City, Missouri, likely giving his parents and teachers a run for their money. He enlisted in the USMC on January 16, 1946 fortuitously setting a path for the rest of his life. He met the love of his life, Florene, while being stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington. 

They were stationed on numerous bases around the US and internationally in Japan, the Philippines and several other countries. Aside from his family, his biggest devotion was to the USMC. The saying “Once a Marine, always a Marine” was not lived more honorably than by Major Ben. He diligently worked up through the ranks from enlisted to officer.

He bravely served his country in the end of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Of his multitudinous honors and awards, some of proudest were the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Four Star Good Conduct Medal, and the Patriotic Service Award. Major Ben retired from the USMC on January 31, 1967.

Major Ben went on to achieve a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in Community Development from the University of Missouri. Post-military retirement he worked in community development. During this period he was instrumental in the formation of many facilities and services in a 5 county area including Lake Regional Hospital, Ambulance Services and Camdenton County Park. Following this he later worked in real estate around the Lake area.

In 1967, Major Ben and Florene settled their family of two daughters and one son in Camdenton, Missouri. They finished raising their children in Camdenton and then were blessed to be a part of each of their grandchildren’s lives. Major Ben lived his life first and foremost with honor, integrity, honesty, wisdom, moral fortitude and in trying (and usually succeeding) to keep up with the kids, used phrases like “It’s so cool it’s frozen!”. His eyes would light up when he saw his family, but also when he was in the midst of detailed historical storytelling. Restoring military jeeps and hunting with family were other hobbies he enjoyed. Major Ben leaves behind a legacy of love to his family and dedication to his country.

Opening the gates of Heaven will be his wife Florene, along with their son Ben (Skip) Daugherty, Jr. and their daughter Joy Sweigart, his parents, 2 sisters and other family members. Major Ben/Dad/Papa is survived by his daughter Linda Hulett of Osage Beach; daughter-in-law Darlene Daugherty of Macks Creek, 8 grandchildren Megan Berge (Todd), Kevin Hulett (Katie), Nicole Bishop, Sydnee Mitchell (Austin), Jammie Weight (Mike), Jennifer Pugh (Paul), David Neuenschwander (Jody) and “adopted” son Larry Jefferson (Julie); 18 great grandchildren Lux, Hazel, Miranda (Chris), Sloane (Josh), Braydlinn, Shelby (Cecil), Ashly, Dylan, Hayden, Austin (Alicia), Brandon, Danielle, Jessica, Paige, Cambrie, Mackenzie, Kialah and Kennedy; and 5 great great grandchildren Greyson, Lucas, Gwen, Stella and Ashtyn.

Visitation
Wednesday July 20, 2022
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Hedges Funeral Home
Camdenton, Missouri

Service
Wednesday July 20, 2022
11:00 AM
Hedges Funeral Home
Camdenton, Missouri

Interment
Lowry City Cemetery
Lowry City, Missouri
2:00 PM

Obituary - Shelby Michelle Purtle-King

Shelby Michelle Purtle-King age 26 of Greenwood, Missouri departed this life Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the University of KS Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.

Shelby is survived by her two sisters, Elizabeth Klinger and her husband John of Creighton, Missouri, and Cheyenne King of Urich, Missouri; her maternal Grandmother, Bette Purtle of Greenwood, Missouri; and her boyfriend, Jesse Miller of Peculiar, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. Celebration of Life services will be held at a later date.

A complete obituary and services times will be posted here when that information becomes available.

Rich Hill Pie Auction a huge success!

A big group of (approximately 50) pies was sold tonight, totaling just under $29,000, at the 2022 World Record Pie Auction in Rich Hill.

The highest priced pie to sell was baked by the 1st Place winner, Mary Fischer, bringing $3,100 (which incidentally is the exact amount of the Guinness World Record pie in 2012).

Thank you to all who baked, bid, and bought pies this year! I personally want to give a special “thank you” to three candidates for public office who are exhibiting “a commitment to supporting Bates County” right from the start;

Connie Pruden - for Presiding Commissioner
Jami Page - for County Clerk
Dane Diehl - for State Representative And to Bates County Memorial Hospital and Medicalodge for donating pies.

NOTE: This was the 20th year of the pie auction which has raised IN EXCESS of a quarter million dollars to continue this annual celebration.

Courtesy of Larry Hacker 

Ellett Memorial Hospital Dr. Dailey retirement reception

Save the date! Dr. Dailey retirement reception Wednesday, July 20th from 1-3pm at Ellett Memorial Hospital. Come and help send Dr. D. off with warm thoughts as he heads out to pasture....We love him and will miss his smiling face and great wisdom.

Obituary - Charlotte Ellen (Siegismund) Hirni

Charlotte Ellen (Siegismund) Hirni age 99, formerly of Nevada, Mo , passed away in Albuquerque, NM on June 29, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Charlotte was born at her family farm home in Rockville, Mo on November 1, 1922. She always pointed out that she was born on All Saints Day.

She was born to Myrtle (Russell) Siegismund and Walter H. Siegismund who preceded her in death.

She was married to Harold E Hirni from December of 1945 until his passing in October of 2005 in Nevada, Mo.

Soon after their wedding, Harold and Charlotte moved to Adrian, MO. Harold and his cousin Bill Gench then established the Hirni & Gench Hardware and ran it as partners until the store was sold. Charlotte and Bill’s wife, Betty, served as the store’s bookkeepers. Charlotte and Harold retired after selling the store in 1977. They spent winters in Texas until Harold passed in 2005.

Charlotte later moved her winter home to Mesa, AZ to be with her daughter Charlene and her husband John Flynn.

Charlotte, Charlene, and John lived happily together as a family for 18 years. During that time Charlotte and Charlene took the trips that they never had time to take while they were working.

They toured Switzerland and northern Italy, took a Danube River cruise, then a Mediterranean cruise with a much anticipated tour of the Holy Land, followed by riding a camel the following day (at age 89) at the pyramids! Later, she took cruises closer to home through the Panama Canal, Alaska’s Inner Passage, and a New England cruise where the ship docked in Bar Harbor, Maine. Here, her daughter and niece had arranged for a city proclamation to be presented to recognize that day when Charlotte E. Hirni had finally visited all 50 states – Maine being the final one! Years before she had taken her mother on a New England bus trip, but her mother got sick and had to return home to Missouri, thus missing the opportunity to visit Maine.

Charlotte served on many committees of the United Methodist Church in Adrian, and was on the Adrian RIII School Board . She was a substitute teacher, a founding member of the Rollin’ Bobbins Extension Club, a 50 year member of Order of Eastern Star, in the Rebecca’s, and the aforementioned bookkeeper for Hirni and Gench Hardware. But mostly she was a great wife and Mom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold and two brothers, Russell Dale Siegismund and Charles Richard Siegismund. She is survived by her daughter, Charlene Flynn (John), of Albuquerque, NM, Grandson, Michael Flynn of Kansas City, MO, Granddaughter, Trudi Flynn of Belmont, NC, Great grandsons Jameson Malo and Parker Malo of Belmont, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Arrangements will be announced at a later date by Ferry Funeral Home. Contributions to the Hospice organization which serves your area, or the Legacy Hospice in Albuquerque are suggested.

Obituary - Gary Bruce Charles

Gary Bruce Charles, 71, El Dorado Springs, MO passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at his home in rural El Dorado Springs, MO in Vernon County. Bruce was born April 12, 1951 in Exeter, MO to Kenneth L. “Don” and Bernice C. (Cooper) Charles. He was united in marriage to Janice Diane Hanson on December 5, 1969 in Kansas City, MO and she survives of the home.

Bruce was raised in the Kansas City area and Grandview, graduating from Grandview High School in 1969. He worked many years in construction as a drywaller and also as a home builder. Bruce enjoyed fishing, metal detecting, tinkering with cars, wood, metal, tractors, and loved mushroom hunting.

In addition to his wife Janice, he is survived by four children, Jerri Beth Donahue (Darrin), and their children, Hannah and Jesse of Pleasant Hill, MO, Gina Henson (Jon), and their children, Courtnenay and Jordan of Kansas City, MO, Becky Reasoner (David), and their children, Tyler and Mia of El Dorado Springs, MO, Andrew Bruce Charles (Lacey), and their daughter, Lily of El Dorado Springs, MO; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Judy Wheeler, and Donna Jean Smith.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nevada, MO with Pastor Mike Carner and Pastor Dennis Mix officiating.