Happy Retirement Julie!

Today we say goodbye to our fearless leader and Meteorologist-In-Charge, Julie Adolphson, as she heads into retirement. 

Her leadership and expertise are irreplaceable and she will be greatly missed by all the people of NWS Kansas City and all those she worked with and mentored along the way. 

We wish her all the best, and congratulate her on her retirement!

Obituary - Jennie M. Schmidt

Jennie M. Schmidt, 96 formerly of Kankakee, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Moore-Few Carre Center in Nevada. She had resided at the Barone Alzeheimer’s Care Center in Nevada for the past two years. Jennie was the oldest living member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nevada.

She is survived by three children, her daughter, Chris Emery of Nevada, two sons, Tony Schmidt and his wife, April and Ray Schmidt and his wife, Jorie both of Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Schmidt and a son, John Schmidt.

A visitation will be held at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, IL on Monday, March 13, 2023 and Mass of Christian Burial will held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the St, George Catholic Church in Bourbonnais. Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee, IL.

Memorials are suggested in her memory to the Good Shepherd Hospice c/o Ferry Funeral Home. You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com

Bomb squad called to Belton today

On 02/24/2023 at approximately 10:14 a.m., police and fire were dispatched to a commercial business located on 155th, west of I-49 for a report of unknown cylinders found inside a vehicle thought to be dynamite.

Belton Police and Fire personnel evacuated the building and set up a safe parameter until the KCPD Bomb Unit arrived. 

What was found was deemed safe and not a threat to our community.

Obituary - Joann Gregory

Joann Gregory 84, of Drexel, Missouri passed Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at her home in Drexel. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Monday, February 27, 2023 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Monday also at the chapel. 

Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Drexel Public Schools Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

It is with great sorrow and gratitude, the Lee, Gregory, and Pelton families announce the passing of our kind, funny, caring, and unimaginably generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Joann Pelton Lee Gregory.

Joann was born on January 16, 1939 to Albert and Ethel (Louise) Pelton in Galesburg, Illinois. She was the oldest of five children and was born at home, while her twin sister, Jeanette, waited to arrive at the hospital.

As a child she grew up in the Drexel Community, graduated from Drexel High School, and her roots would keep that community near and dear to her heart throughout her life.

After graduation Joann worked in Kansas City as a Harvey Girl. She married Lewis Lee and to this union 4 children. Debra, Mark, and like Joann, twins, Rickey and Randy Lee were born. This union would end in divorce.

Joann would go on to marry the love of her life, Kellis Gregory on July 18, 1986, This marriage gifted Joann with Kellis's three children, Marty, Kelly, and Connie. Joann and Kellis very successfully blended two families. 

As family was very important to both, there was always some type of family gathering and Joann was famous for her easter baskets, Christmas stockings, pumpkin bread, homemade rolls, cakes, and pies.

She loved to sew, crafts, flowers in her yard, fishing, the lake, visiting with family and friends, and cooking. She had many jobs over the years, many involved cooking. One of her last jobs was working at her daughter's convenience store (Texaco station), for 9 years, near LaCygne, that allowed her to reconnect with many old friends and create many new friendships. 

Many memories were made, and experiences occurred, such as the baby born at pump 6 in September of 2000, the drug bust with guns pulled in the back lot, meeting Gary Lezak, and other celebrities, and the morning coffee drinkers. To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement.

She was preceded in death by her father Albert, mother Louise, brother Ivan, brother Butch, niece Dianna, great grandson Mason Gregory.

Survivors include husband Kellis, daughter Debbie (Jr) May, sons Mark Lee, Randy Lee Rickey (Sandy) Lee, Marty (Jami) Gregory, Kelly (Jeff) Sims, Connie (Steve) Koken, seventeen grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, sisters Caroline Showalter, and Jeanette Bartles.

Light freezing drizzle this afternoon and evening

 Some light freezing drizzle will be possible later this afternoon and this evening. Ice accumulation will be minimal, but roads later this evening could get slick.

Update: Charges filed in armed robbery at Archie gas station

At approximately 4:00am Thursday morning the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received an alarm call from a gas station in Archie. A vehicle was located and a pursuit ensued. 

The vehicle was stopped using the Grappler Device on Northbound I-49 just south of J Highway. Two males fled on foot. A handgun and ATM were recovered from the scene.

Both suspects have been taken into custody. Deputies have transported them to the Cass County Jail for processing.

UPDATE:

On 02-24-23, Cass County Prosecutors charged:
Sean Dwayne Johnson III, 25, Grandview with:
Burglary - 2nd Degree - D Felony
Stealing - $750 Or More - D Felony
Resisting/Interfering With Arrest For A Felony - E Felony
Property Damage 1st Degree - E Felony
Possession Of Burglary Tools - E Felony
Tampering With Motor Vehicle 2nd Degree - A Misdemeanor

Andre Maurice Fell, 38, Grandview with:
Burglary - 2nd Degree - D Felony
Stealing - $750 Or More - D Felony
Resisting/Interfering With Arrest For A Felony - E Felony
Property Damage 1st Degree - E Felony
Tampering With Motor Vehicle 2nd Degree - A Misdemeanor

Both subject’s are still being held in the Cass County Jail with a bond of $100,000 Cash Only.

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 - Ila Chastain

Ila Chastain, of West Line, Missouri passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2023 at Golden Years Nursing Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. 

A visitation will be held 10:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday March 4th, 2023 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). 

Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Saturday also at the chapel. Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, Missouri. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.








A complete obituary is pending at this time.

Rodriguez finishes 5th in state wrestling for the Butler Bears

We would like to congratulate Butler Junior wrestler Isaac Rodriguez on finishing 5th in the state 175lbs wrestling tournament yesterday in Columbia, Missouri.

Isaac will finish his Junior wrestling season with a record of 38-5 and we will for sure be looking forward to his senior season next year and a run at the gold! Way to go Issac!! 

Photos courtesy of Mallory Taylor