House fire just west of Virginia

The Butler Fire Department along with the Adrian Fire Department and Rich Hill Fire Department and the Bates County Sheriff's Office is on scene of a house fire at a address of 8284 NW State Route 52 Highway just west of Virginia.

The house is said to be fully engulfed with flames at this time. No one is said to be injured and we will update when we know more.

Obituary - Edward Dale Parks

Edward Dale Parks of Urich, MO went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2022 at Clinton Healthcare and Rehab surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old.

Known to many from his youth as “Rose,” Dale was born in Leeton, MO and was raised and lived the vast majority of his life on the family farm in Henry County, MO. 

He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Ballard, MO. 

His favorite pastime was telling stories. When he wasn’t telling stories about his time in the military, he could be found sitting on his tractor in the field, sitting in his easy chair in the house, or sitting in pretty much any place where there was coffee and conversation. Dale also loved spending time with his family and grandkids on the family farm.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosco and Ninnie (Whitaker) Parks, three siblings (Gilbert Lee Parks, Louise Johnson, and Charlene Wetzel), and his wife of nearly 60 years, Bettie Lois (Campbell) Parks. He is survived by two sons: Brian (Eileen) Parks of Urich, MO and Randy Parks of Clinton, MO; one daughter, Jenifer (Kevin) Anderson of Lowry City, MO; five grandchildren (or “little rascals”): Leslie Neal, Michael Urton, Brooke (Travis) Shepherd, Matthew (Amelia) Parks and Brandon Parks, and ten great-grandchildren: Lexi Judy; Josie, Priscilla, Clara, Solomon and Bliss Parks; Lillian, Evalynn and Guy Shepherd; and Axel Parks; and many other extended family members and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, MO. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, January 2, 2023 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, MO. Military honors with the Clinton VFW Post 1894 will be at 7:00 PM with a memorial service to follow. Memorial contributions can be made to the Warrensburg MO Veterans Home-Canteen and can be left in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Obituary - Judy Karen Andersen

Judy Karen Andersen, 75, of Harrisonville, MO, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, while being cared for by her three loving sisters and cousin. 

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. 

Memorial contributions may be made to One Community Hospice, 14700 E 42nd St S, Independence, MO 64055.

Judy was born on May 15, 1947 to Gerald and Geneva (Fletcher) Andersen in Gassville, AR. She graduated from Harrisonville High School with the Class of 1965 and went on to attend cosmetology school, obtaining her cosmetologist license. 

She spent many years being a cosmetologist and the "family" stylist, but also worked for Arrow Fork Lift in Kansas City, MO as part of their sales team. Although, her favorite profession was that of Aunt, insisting pretty much everyone who met her call her Aunt Judy. She was a very colorful person by nature, although getting her to say her favorite color was purple wasn't always the easiest task. 

Her collection of owls grew to a size that cannot be counted easily and she enjoyed being a member of the Worship Center in Harrisonville, MO. Judy would have said that her absolute favorite pastime was that spent with her family, treating most of her nieces and nephews as they were her own children, and then the great-nieces and nephews, although her love and compassion for kids could extend to someone she randomly met as well. She will always be remembered and loved for her caring and bright personality.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Geneva. She is survived by her sisters: Pam (Wayne) Rieschel of Buffalo, MO; Gerri Melichar of Lee's Summit, MO; and Patricia Leach of Harrisonville, MO; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

Update: Alabama man arrested after wild pursuit with police

On the morning of December 31st the Bates County Sheriff's Office along with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers, the Adrian Police Department, Cass County Sheriff's Deputies and the Henry County Sheriff's Office were involved in a pursuit with a lifted black dodge pick up truck. The pursuit spanned the area south of Archie and entered Cass County then returned back to Bates County.

The pursuit continued through Bates County and into Henry County around rural Ballard area. The pursuit ended with two separate single car accidents with the patrol vehicles causing injuries to the police officers.

The suspect vehicle continued to flee from the scene. Multiple reports continue to come in about locations of this vehicle currently speeding down multiple gravel roads.

The suspect was apprehended by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The vehicle was traveling at slower speeds and came to a stop when it apparently ran out of gas.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 23 year old Kyler C. Greeson of Russellville, Alabama.

We would like to thank all of those citizens who worked with law enforcement to give continued information about the last known location of the suspect vehicle.

 
We would like to thank all of those who have reached out and offered prayers and support to the injured Deputies and Officer.

 
This is a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers across this country face everyday in the line of duty. They continue to perform these dangerous duties daily at personal risk of injury or death to continue to fight career criminals and to do their part to make our communities safe. We welcome continued prayers for all our law enforcement in Bates County an across the country.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220682470

View arrest report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I459025A

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.

Rockville man arrested in Cass County

On January 1st around 3:30 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County arrested 29 year old Trent A. Lewis of Rockville, Missouri.

Mr. Lewis was arrested for 1.) Driving While Intoxicated 2.) Fail to yield to an emergency vehicle 3.) Speeding.

Trent A. Lewis was booked into the Cass County Jail in Harrisonville and he was later cited with tickets and released.

View arrest report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I459110A

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 - Edna Lee Emick

Edna Lee (O’Bannon) Emick age 102 passed peacefully on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Crown Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Harrisonville, MO. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Emma Faye & George Floyd O’Bannon, her husband Kenneth Fern Emick, sons, Michael David Emick and Kenneth Lee Emick, siblings LaDon Townsend, Floyd Gene O’Bannon and Helen Smith.

Edna Lee was born November 7, 1920 near Norris, MO. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Fern Emick on March 8, 1940 in Creighton, Missouri.

Edna Lee was baptized into the Christian Church in 1954. She was very involved in the church from being a Sunday school teacher, secretary, treasure and deaconess. One of her fondest memories was celebrating her 80th birthday and family and friends surprised her and filled the church. 

She was a member of the Grand River Homemakers, Red Hats, did volunteer work at the Henry County Museum in Clinton and Golden Valley Hospital and was also a news correspondence for the Clinton Daily Democrat. She was a school cook for several years and also worked at K7 Drive Inn.

She was Woman of the Year in 1994 and Grand Marshall of Urich in 1993. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Edna Lee loved performing and she was always a big hit as Minnie Pearl at the Urich Reunion.

Surviving are 2 daughters, Dixie Durward (Jim) of Raymore, MO and Sheryl Helm of Urich; 7 grandchildren, Shannon Fox, Erin Fox (Terry), Kelly Durward (Andrea), Stacy Stewart (Glen), Shawn Graham (Chuck), Brecklyn Conner (Dale) and Mikka Malone (Dan), 25 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Dickey Funeral Home Harrisonville, Missouri, interment in Urich Cemetery, Urich, Missouri.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to Urich Reunion Committee, or Urich Museum and may be sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

Update: Police Pursuit from today

Update from pursuit earlier today. 

During the pursuit the pursuing officers visibility was reduced due to road dust. The two patrol vehicles failed to negotiate a T intersection and struck the embankment. 

The initial patrol vehicle was driven by a deputy and the second patrol vehicle was a municipal officer assisting in the pursuit. 

The deputy and a passenger that works in the jail were transported by other deputies to the hospital where they were treated for fairly minor injuries. The municipal officer was transported by deputies to the hospital for more serious injuries. All three were later released.

The suspect was apprehended by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The vehicle was traveling at slower speeds and came to a stop when it apparently ran out of gas.

We would like to thank all of those citizens who worked with law enforcement to give continued information about the last known location of the suspect vehicle.

 
We would like to thank all of those who have reached out and offered prayers and support to the injured Deputies and Officer.

 
This is a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers across this country face everyday in the line of duty. They continue to perform these dangerous duties daily at personal risk of injury or death to continue to fight career criminals and to do their part to make our communities safe. We welcome continued prayers for all our law enforcement in Bates County an across the country.

Obituary - Specialist E4 Terry Lee Bowman Jr.

Specialist E4 Terry Lee Bowman Jr., 39, or T.J. as those closest to him knew him by, passed away unexpectedly in Independence, MO on December 28, 2022.

T.J. was born on May 7, 1983 in Frankfurt, Germany to Terry and Diane (Vogeler) Bowman. T.J. grew up in the Pleasant Hill area where he attended the Strasburg and Pleasant Hill schools, eventually graduating with the Pleasant Hill High School Class of 2001.

On June 9th, 2001 T.J. was united in marriage with Melissa D. Luikart for 10 years and although the relationship wasn’t permanent they had two children together, Haley D. Bowman and Joshua L. Bowman.

On September 11, 2001, he joined the Armed Forces and was assigned to the U.S. Army Infantry School out of Fort Benning, GA. After graduating from special training in 2002, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, CO. He was the driver of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. T.J. eventually was deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2004 as a “Room Raider” as he would so often call it in Operation Iraqi Enduring Freedom. He was discharged with full honors in 2004.

T.J. was a defender especially of those he loved, his children, family, the list could go on. T.J. had an avid love for all things hunting related. You could often find him in the garage tinkering with cars or other projects. T.J. tried to be brave and act like nothing bothered him while struggling with severe PTSD. He will never know the true impact that he made on other people’s lives. He was loved, will forever be loved, and forever missed.

T.J. was preceded in death by many relatives but most recently his beloved grandmother, Brenda Bowman.

T.J. is survived by 2 children, a daughter and a son, Haley and Joshua Bowman, and their mother, Melissa Bowman of Harrisonville, MO; his parents, Terry Bowman of Harrisonville, MO, and Diane Bowman of Pleasant Hill, MO; 2 sisters, Miranda Patterson and her husband, Craig, of Lake Lotawana, MO and Ashley Sims and her husband, Justin, of Pleasant Hill, MO; 2 nephews and a niece, Craig Patterson Jr. (C.J.) of Lake Lotawana, MO and Jaxson Sims of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Mckenzie Sims of Pleasant Hill, MO; many other relatives and friends.

Cremation will be accorded per his request. A graveside service with military burial will take place at a later date and time. The service will be officiated by his Brother in Law, Craig Patterson.

Family suggests contributions to be sent to his two living children and/or veterans suffering with PTSD. Please make any contributions payable to Haley Bowman. Please mail all contributions in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.