Sheldon woman injured after striking deer in the roadway

On August 31st around 6:40 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with Vernon County Sheriff Office responded to a motor vehicle accident on Route BB around 10 miles south of Nevada.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the westbound 2019 Buick Envision driven by 60 year old Malinda K. Starbuck of Sheldon, Missouri struck a deer that was in the roadway.

Malinda K. Starbuck sustained minor injuries and she was transported by ambulance to Nevada Regional Medical Center for treatment.

View accident report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220464531

Road work in Archie

Vance Brothers is in Archie today beginning the chip and seal process on W. Pine Street from Butcher Road to Missouri Street, Washington Street, E. Chestnut and E. Elm Street.

They may also get to W. Elm Street and Hi-View Ridge if time allows. Please keep vehicles off of these roadways during construction.

One arrested on Felony Vernon County warrant

A Missouri man faces involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from a 2021 vehicle crash that killed a Nevada woman.

According to probable cause statements from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old Bobby W. West, Jr. was injured in a one-vehicle crash south of Hume in October of 2021 that resulted in the death of 23 year old Angela Pooler of Nevada.

West said on scene that Pooler had been driving at the time of the crash. Officials say they then received information in December about a witness who had seen Bobby West, Jr. driving prior to the crash. 

In June of this year, a written statement was obtained stating West was in the driver's seat when he went north towards Stotebury prior to the crash and the witness stated he thought it was a short time from when he saw West leave his house to when the crash occurred.

The witness also stated West had told him when they were driving up to the crash scene that day after the crash that he had been driving when the crash happened.

A check of West's driving record through the Missouri Department of Revenue indicates West has nine convictions for Driving While Revoked since June 18th, 2012.

West faces a first degree count of involuntary manslaughter and is being held in Vernon County Jail on $100,000 cash only bond.

An arraignment is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1st in Vernon County Circuit Court.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - Kevin Haddix

After a valiant battle with Covid-19 related pneumonia Kevin, 54, quietly passed away with his wife and children near at North Kansas City Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.

Kevin was born in Charleston, South Carolina to Dottie (Pryor) Haddix and Dale Haddix on January 11, 1968. Kevin would become the middle of three brothers having older brother Bob and after the birth of his younger brother Tom. They would become Navy brats until their father retired!

When his father retired from the U.S. Navy his family settled in Schell City, MO in rural Vernon County. Kevin graduated from Schell City High School with the class of 1986. Kevin enlisted in the United States Navy and reported for basic training in August of 1986. His specialty would be Aviation Electronics. 

Kevin served for 22 years in duty stations from Key West, FL to Barber’s Point, HI. From Brunswick, ME to San Diego, CA and other places in between. Among some of his citations and decorations were Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal -2. Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2. Meritorious Unit Commendation-2. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation; Good Conduct Medal-6 and National Defense Service Medal -2. 

He earned many other ribbons and medals too numerous to mention. While enlisted Kevin earned his B.S. in Management/Human Resources from Park University. After retirement he earned his Master of Business Administration from Baker University. Kevin would retire as an ATCS(AW) Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Kevin was united in marriage to Kimberly Jo (Proffitt) Harms on January 3, 1991. Kevin would adopt Kim’s daughter Bryn Noelle in 1994 making her his own. His son, Hunter Charles was born on October 13, 1994 in Key West, FL. His birth would complete their family.

Kevin began his second career in June of 2008 with BNSF Railway. At the time of his death, he was working on the MMSE (Manager Mechanical Service Excellence) Team. As part of the Best Way Team, he helped to facilitate improvements in locomotive repair facilities. Kevin, throughout his careers had mentors that helped him along the way. In turn, Kevin would become a mentor and a good boss. He was respected by his peers and employees. Kevin was a good people person who cared about his employees on and off of the clock.

Kevin was wicked smart, quietly funny and most of the time a man of few words. Kevin had many hobbies and interests. He liked working on projects around the house except plumbing. His last project was a privacy fence around the back yard so their Labrador Retriever would never find out he could clear the chain link fence while jumping. He liked to grill and smoke meat and was getting better at it. He told awful dad jokes and tried to be “punny.” Whenever he would pass a piano, he would stop and play. He played “The Entertainer,” the only song he knew. It would become a family joke. Kevin spent many volunteer hours for the Special Olympics in more than one location.

Kevin enjoyed spending time with family the best. He grew up in the country and was always glad to visit. Fourth of July celebrations were a family favorite. Pot luck dinner, fireworks and kids having fun. His parents and later on just his mom and brothers enjoyed spending time with him. Somehow the conversations would include the things they did in their youth. Their shenanigans made for some funny stories and great memories. His parent’s place was the perfect location for target shooting and fishing. Both of which he did with Bryn and Hunter.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Dale Haddix and his Haddix and Pryor Grandparents. Kevin is survived by his wife, Kimberly Jo Haddix, Kansas City, MO his daughter Bryn N. Haddix, Omaha, NE his son Hunter C. Haddix, Kansas City, MO his mother Dottie E. Haddix, Schell City, MO brothers Bob (Kimberly A.) Haddix, Schell City, MO and Tom (Monica) Haddix. Nephews and niece and great nephews.

A memorial service will be held on September 24, 2022; at the Schell City Christian Church, 243 W. 3rd St., Schell City, MO 64783. Visitation from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the service at 1:00 p.m. It will be followed with military honors at the church.

Honorary pallbearers: Bryn N. Haddix, Hunter C. Haddix, Kirk D. Haddix, Nathan L. Haddix, Morgan A. Dean and Ethan J. Haddix

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: VFW Post 7356, 10125 MO-45, Parkville, MO 64152 or the American Legion Post 318, 11 Main Street, Parkville, MO 64152 in Kevin’s memory. Kevin was a member of both.

Fort Scott Kansas man drowns in Stockton Lake

On August 30th around 2:51 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cedar County along with Cedar County Deputies responded to a drowning at Orleans Trail Cove on Stockton Lake in Cedar County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 60 year old John G. Gray of Fort Scott Kansas was pronounced dead at the scene of this incident. The cause of the drowning is unknown at this time. 

The subject was spoken to a 8:00 a.m. on August 29th. The Investigation continues into this. This is Troop D of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 16th drowning fatality of the year 2022.

View report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP03/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220463522

Obituary - Mary Kathryn Rutherford Murray

Mary Kathryn Rutherford Murray passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022. She was 95 years old.

Kathryn was born May 8, 1927, to Hugh L. and Mary (Goodwin) Rutherford in Stotesbury, Missouri. She graduated from Stotesbury High School. She married Tom Murray on December 18, 1943. To this union they had three sons Thomas Jay, James, and Michael.

Kathryn was a housewife and enjoyed raising chickens and calves. She loved gardening and fishing. She worked at Western Insurance in Fort Scott, Kansas for six years. She was active in her sons’ lives helping with school activities and going to all their basketball games.

She was preceded in death by her parents Hugh Rutherford and Mary Rutherford Fletcher, her husband Tom Murray, two brothers Jay Rutherford and Wilbur Rutherford, one sister Barbara (Fletcher) Fitzgerald, two stepsisters Freda Henderson and Lois Kraus, and stepfather E.A. Fletcher.

She is survived by her sons Thomas Jay (Carol), Lamar, Missouri; James (Esther), Hume, Missouri, Michael, Liberal, Kansas. Eight Grandchildren Sherry St. John (Royce) Golden City, Missouri, Jody Weaver (Barry), Liberal, Missouri, Cindy Gammon (Brad) Lamar, Missouri; Jim Murray (Erin) St. Charles, Missouri; Brian (Ashley) Millersville, Maryland; Lisa Quiroz, (Raul) Wright, Wyoming; Chad Murray, Joplin, Missouri; and Tara Neuman (Jeremiah), Liberal, Kansas; eleven great-grandchildren; three sisters Betty Sheehy, Independence, Missouri; Beverly Fletcher, Raymore, Missouri and Hattie Shaw, Ft. Scott, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral service service will be 11 am Saturday, September 3, 2022 at the Greenlawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10 am to departure for cemetery at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill. Memorial Contributions are suggested to Hume Alliance Ministry. Online condolences can be left at www.heuserfunerals.com.

Huge clean up at the Butler Youth Center

Yesterday we had a huge clean up day at the Butler Youth Center and the place looks and smells much better!! 

Special shout out to Terri Bettles who made sure all of the utilities were turned on and in providing cleaning essentials.

I would like to name all of the volunteers but know I would leave someone out!! We had a crew in the craft room, in the hygiene closet as well as the tutoring room, and kitchen. 

We had donated a lot of our hygiene products, to the Carpenters Cup, so we appear to need deodorant, shampoo, body wash, etc. 

We also threw all of the food products, both frozen an non frozen away due that it had all been setting there for 2 and 1/2 years. The building continues to be in pretty poor shape, but it is all we have at the moment. 

We are continually thankful for the support we receive from the school for allowing us to use it. Anyway, once again I am asking for help.

Any donations of hygiene items would be greatly appreciated. We provide lots of families in the Butler area with lots of things they need. I continue to be humbled by the support we get from the Butler community, in helping support "our" kids!!

From the Butler Youth Center director Kelly Stark..

Obituary - Jerry Marcotte

Jerome Thomas “Jerry” Marcotte, age 55, of Warsaw, Missouri passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 25, 2022. He was born on November 30, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Jerome Joseph Marcotte and Kathryn Marie (Rogers) Marcotte. Jerry moved to Warsaw at the age of 16 and was a graduate of Warsaw High School in 1985.

He was employed for Ozark Disposal for more than twenty years and currently was employed as an over the road truck driver. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed riding motorcycles, golfing, truck driving and spending time with his family and friends when he was home.

He is survived by two children, Derrick Marcotte, and wife Stormy, of Sedalia, Missouri and Ashley Cowherd, and husband Kyle, of Sedalia, his fiancé, Lisa Stone, of the home, six grandchildren; Zadin, James, Xavier, Winter, Cannon and Bryson, three brothers; Pete Marcotte, and wife Melissa, of Evans, Georgia, Tom Marcotte, and wife Jennifer, of Wellington, Florida and Chris Austin, of Banner Elk, Georgia, a sister, Anne Kelligan, of Augusta, Georgia, numerous nieces and nephews other relatives and many friends from all parts of the country.

A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date. Arrangements for his cremation are under the direction of the Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw, Missouri.