Update: Swink in custody in Crawford County Kansas

On March 6, 2023, at approximately 11:58 p.m., officers with the Pittsburg Police Department were called to the 100 block of West 23rd St. in reference to a suspect identified as, 39-year-old Aaron Matthew Swink, of Pittsburg, shooting the windows out of a vehicle at that location. Swink fled the area prior to officers arriving. Officers collected statements and evidence from the scene and began actively looking for Swink.

On March 7, 2023 between 1:00 a.m. and 1:15 a.m., two separate calls came into our communications center of several gunshots in rapid succession. One of the calls described the shots in the area around the 900–1100 blocks of West 4th Street. Officers were unable to identify the source or exact location of the shots at the time of the initial calls.

Soon after, at approximately 1:30 a.m., law enforcement officers and deputies from the Pittsburg Police Department and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office located Swink in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, located at 149 S. US 69 Hwy. Swink engaged in gunfire with Officers and Deputies where rounds were exchanged, but no injuries reported. There was a resulting standoff at the cemetery with Swink that lasted for approximately four hours.

At approximately 5:40 a.m., the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Pittsburg Police Department became involved in a vehicle pursuit with Swink, which began from the Garden of Memories Cemetery and continued through Pittsburg, ending just south of Pittsburg city limits, when Swink’s vehicle was disabled by law enforcement and he fled the vehicle on foot. At that time a large scale hunt for Swink ensued.

On March 7, 2023, just after 8:00 a.m., employees of the Probation and Parole Office, located at 1008 W. 4th Street, reported arriving to work and finding several bullet holes through the front glass of the building. Police responded to this location and collected evidence. Investigation into this incident revealed that Aaron Swink is currently on parole and supervised through the Pittsburg office. He is the prime suspect in this incident.

Investigation into all of the incidents, which occurred inside the city limits of Pittsburg, are still under investigation. Our department assisted the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office in the apprehension of Aaron Swink on March 7, 2023 at approximately 6:30 p.m., just southwest of the Pittsburg city limits.

Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

Obituary - Kyle Ledbetter

Kyle Benjamin Ledbetter, age 32, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, passed away on March 4th, 2023. Kyle was born August 6, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Gary Lee "Jake" Ledbetter (1951-2001) and Connie (Reasch) Ledbetter, twin to Meghann Ledbetter, and brother to Clayton Ledbetter and Jaymie Ledbetter.

Kyle married Heather on August 8th, 2018, surrounded by family and friends. He lived his earlier years in Denver and Pueblo, Colorado. He moved to Pleasanton, Kansas, then Nevada, Missouri, in 2000. Kyle then settled in El Dorado Springs with Heather in 2015.

Kyle was a friend to everyone he met and enjoyed making people laugh. He had a talent for voice impersonations and used them every chance he got. Kyle enjoyed billiards, playing in leagues and tournaments when he could. And he loved setting off fireworks. His 4th of July parties were a blast. He also enjoyed golfing, a passion of his since his grandpa introduced him to it as a young boy.

Kyle is survived by his wife, Heather; Mother, Connie; sisters, Meghann (Dave) and Jaymie; brother, Clayton; six nieces and nephews; and his Aunt Robin and Uncle Jim Mitchell.

Preceding him in death were his father, Gary Ledbetter; his paternal grandparents, Edith and Walter Ledbetter; and maternal grandparents, Sandra and Jerry Reasch.

Service:
Date: Sunday March 12, 2023
Time: 5:00 P.M.

Service Location:
Fraternal Order of the Eagles #4279 3310 E 380 Rd.
El Dorado Springs, MO

Cleveland man injured in rollover accident in Cass County

On March 7th around 2:00 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover accident at 25983 State Route D Highway in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the northbound 2008 Chevrolet HHR driven by 50 year old Travis P. Nelson of Cleveland, Missouri ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned.

Mr. Nelson sustained minor injuries and he was transported to Belton Regional Medical Center for treatment. The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by J's Southland Tow.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230121602

Obituary - C.H. Parker

C.H. Parker was born into a Kansas family with a history in the early railroads of southeast Kansas. He was the youngest of four brothers all born to a dance instructor mother, Thelma Parker, and grocery store merchant father, Don Parker, of Pleasanton, KS. 

 C. H. Parker leaves behind a legacy of what a true gentleman can accomplish in a lifetime. In the Pleasanton High School, he participated in debate, drama, basketball and football.

After graduating in 1963, C.H. served in the U.S. Army attaining a rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He received his teaching degree in Theatre/Speech from Pittsburg State University. With that degree he became a young professor of Speech and Theatre at Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, OK.

In 1970, C. H. was accepted into the University of Texas at Austin graduate program for an MFA degree in Theatre. Mr. Parker was with the “Trail of Tears” outdoor drama in Tahlequah, OK for several seasons, where he made professional friendships from the east coast theatre scene and eventually lead to his living and working in New York City in 1972. C.H. Went to New York to break into the directing career but found a job at a Broadway gym, where he became a trainer for several Broadway stars including Glynis Johns and Barry Bostwick who performed in the original “Grease” on Broadway. In late 1973, C.H. was asked to be part of a new pilot program in San Antonio, Texas where urban city youth would be part of a nationally funded program study on Preventive Mental Health. As a charter member of this artistic team of professional arts instructors,

Mr.Parker would guide high risk kids into the disciplines required for the arts and to retain those values along with the right amount of selfesteem. C.H. devoted seven years to this program which received the national award for Most Outstanding Mental Health Center in the nation. President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, bestowed the honor on the pilot program that proved Preventive Mental Health was a worthwhile endeavor to invest in. In 1980, C. H. returned to Tahlequah to become a professor of drama at Northeastern State University until his retirement several years ago. While at NSU, C.H became an advisor to various groups including Native American Studies, Muskogee's Country Music Hall of Fame where he became the staging director for the event getting to work with Oklahoma greats as they were inducted.

Carrie Underwood was a student of C.H.'s university staged country western musicals that featured Underwood before her career took off. Joe Sears, the Tony nominated actor/playwright for the “Greater Tuna” series of comedy plays was a student who always claimed Mr. Parker was his mentor for 54 years of professional friendship.

A champion of smalltown values, C. H. became and lived out the values of his hometown Pleasanton, KS, never faltering on a devoted life to serving God as a Christian and a doer of good works in God's name. He cared for his mother in his home until she died at the age of 102. Mr. Parker will be laid to rest along side his Pleasanton, KS family.

Funeral service will be 2:30 pm Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 pm Friday March 10 at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Northeastern State University Theatre Department, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075.

Vit-A-Zine in Butler is hiring for a mill worker

Vit-A-Zine in Butler is hiring for a mill worker and a CDL driver. Both driver and mill work must be able to lift 50lbs and more to load and unload trucks. There will be some deliveries that are overnight. CDL driver must be able to pass a drug test. 

We are looking for a dependable individual that is willing to come to work everyday and on time. If this sounds like something you are interested in please apply in person at 2648 SW CR 591 Butler MO 64730.

Obituary - Emma Mae Swartz

On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Emma Mae (Kauffman) Swartz of Kansas City, MO, passed away at the age of 78. Emma was born to Dan and Katie Kauffman in Hutchinson, KS, on April 14, 1944. Emma graduated from Goshen College in 1967 with a BA in Elementary Education. She married Keith Swartz on August 19, 1967, in Cherry Box, MO.

Emma taught school in Texas for three years before moving with Keith to Onward, IN. There they served for six years at the Sangralea Valley Boys' Home, including one year as house parents for twelve boys. After four years in Hesston, KS, they moved with their young family to Harrisonville, MO, in 1979. Emma was employed for 15 years at Harrisonville Christian School - 10 years as a teacher and five years as Principal. She retired from teaching in 2007. She was a member of Harrisonville Community Church for 40 years. While there, she taught Sunday School (children and adults), led women's Bible studies, mentored young women, participated in prayer ministries, and led/taught Vacation Bible School. Since moving to Kansas City in 2019, Emma was a member of Colonial Presbyterian Church.

Emma was a relentless encourager, generous hostess, faithful woman of prayer, and diligent worker. She loved God's creation, spending hours in her garden and watching birds. She loved God’s word - reading it, writing it down for loved ones, and sharing it with others. Emma treasured relationships and welcomed many into her home for good food, games, and laughter. She loved well and was well loved. She was a faithful wife and mother, steadily and gracefully working to provide a home that met the needs of her husband and children. Emma embodied humility and service, putting her family first in the often mundane and tedious labor of running a household, cheering the home with her presence and setting a worthy example for her children and grandchildren to follow.

Emma was preceded in death by both parents and twin infant siblings, Maynard and Alice. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Keith; four children; and ten grandchildren: Jennifer and Tom Bennett (Annika and Karis), Luke and Sheri Swartz (Quin and Sadie), Marla and Kevin Rusack (Kate, Ethan and Carson) and Beth and Eric Alm (Mesa, Jaden and Isaac); and five siblings: Larry (Debbie) Kauffman, John (Reen) Kauffman, Mary (Phil) Mininger, Barb (Merle) Weber, and Dan (Shelley) Kauffman.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Harrisonville Community Church in Harrisonville, MO. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, at 1:00 p.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the PKD Foundation or to the Shiloh Center in Harrisonville and may be sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

The Museum Minute: Levy’s is open for business

   

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of March 8

1851 Dr. Samuel Nottingham is hanged at the Papinville Courthouse for the murder of his wife.

1877 Samuel Levy opens a mens store in the second floor of his establishment on the East side of the Butler square.

1882 The Ohio Street Methodist church now has an electric light. Butler.

1895 The Hume “Missouri” exchange news paper begins publication.

1951 In the Butler paper, “Dance old fashioned round and square. G.D. Christopher, 6 1/4 miles West of Passaic. Music by Corbin’s String Band.

1956 There are nine newspapers in Bates Co. Adrian, Butler, Rich Hill, Hume and Rockville are well covered.

1960 In 1948, Bates County had 40 more retail businesses, than now, 275 to 235, but they are now doing $5 million more in sales.

1998 Dr. David Grizzell, 48, local dentist, drowns while kayaking at Lake Winnebago.

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Bears Baseball Season Preview By Cody Morris

Last year, the Butler Bears Baseball team finished the year with a winning record, and a District win over the Adrian Blackhawks. Coach Kevin Hill said, “to get a win against your country rival in Districts was a nice accomplishment.” But this year, Bears fans can set their hopes and expectations even higher than a single district win, Hill says “this year we would like to be in a position to advance to and possibly win a district title.” 

Hill has coached the Bears for the last 6 seasons, and he says he is very hopeful about this upcoming season. The Bears have a plethora of young talent, mixed with some returning veterans, which could possibly prove to be a winning mixture for the Bears this year. When asked about the underclassmen this year, Coach says “we will have 4 freshmen who will have big roles on our team. Jake Chandler, Brock Lines, Bryson Kash and Brandon Hammett.” There is a lot for Butler faithful's to look forward to this year, but according to Hill, “youth and athleticism” are two things that should really draw Bears fans to the diamond this year. Hill goes on to say, “There may be games where we have as many as 7 starters in the game who are underclassmen.” With such young talent, you can expect the Bears to only get better as the season goes on, and hopefully develop into a team that can be a staple for the next few years, “We should only get better the more reps that we get not only this year, but moving forward,” Hill says. 

The youth can be seen as both a blessing and a curse, when asked what the Bears biggest hurdle this season will be, Hill states, “Lots of guys will be getting their first taste of varsity baseball.” While the youthfulness of the Bears may prove frustrating at times as the underclassmen adjust to varsity action, the talent these younger ballplayers possess should prove more beneficial than not. 

With the incoming flux of young talent, the Bears are also able to add some returning players that are going to be able to contribute in major ways as well. Offensively and on the mound, the Bears are going to be seeing some familiar faces that are going to prove helpful. When asked about the team’s power hitters, Hill says, “We have many returning players that I believe will take a big step forward at the plate this year.  Maddox was our team leader in nearly every offensive category a year ago and he is still improving.  Eli Cox was a fixture in the middle of the lineup as a Freshman and I expect that he will see a large increase in his number of extra base hits this season.  Seniors Zayn Carson and Peyton Jackson are also hitters we plan on taking strides toward helping lead our offensive attack.” 

The experienced players for the Bears are not only going to help lead the way at the plate, but on the mound as well. When asked about what the Bears strong suit this year is going to be, he says that it is hard to gauge just yet, but he believes that the Bears pitching depth this year will be better than what they have had in the past. When asked about what the mound would look like this year for Butler, Hill shared “Zayn Carson and Maddox Fennewald will pitch the bulk of our varsity innings this year.  Zayn took a big step forward last year and we are expecting him to get us deeper into games that he starts this season. Maddox had another good year on the mound and was one of the top pitchers in the conference as a Sophomore, the expectations are that he will be at or near the top of the conference again.” 

With the youth coming in, and the veterans taking the lead at the mound and the plate, the Bears focus this off season has been on improving on their defensive play, Hill says, “Our goal is to be better defensively this year.  I believe that our pitching is going to be a strength and if we can limit mistakes in the field we will be competitive every game.” He also says that he does believe the Bears will be a better team this year than in years past. 

The Bears kicked off their season in the Lamar Classic, facing Lamar, Lockwood and Diamond March 17-20. The Bears have been participating in the Lamar Classic for some time now, and when asked about this, Hill says “We have generally competed well in the Lamar Classic.  It’s a good way to start the year with a mix of teams that are around our size and we should be competitive in all 3 games.”

Be sure and check out some Bears baseball this season! They ended up having a decent season last year, and are only looking to take a step forward this year and in the years to come! Butler has a lot to be excited about this year and the community needs to come out and support this young, talented team!