Way to go Huntlee!!

We would like to congratulate Huntlee Myrtle on his 3rd place finish in the 10u 50lbs weight class this weekend at the Missouri USA State Youth Wrestling Championships held in Kansas City.

Huntlee is the son of Cody and Aerial Myrtle!

Monday Maximum Temperatures

Well it still doesn't quite feel like late March, but we can't complain too much about Monday's temperatures.

Update: Water rescue a success in Bates County

At approximately 1300 hours Deputies were notified of an overturned boat in the water approximately 500 yards east of the Old Town Access Boat ramp with 4 people in the water that were unable to get out( including an elderly man). 

Upon the arrival of deputies, they were able to coordinated with Butler Fire and Rich Hill Fire. Butler Fire was able to utilize their boat and safely assist with the transfer of multiple people to shore where they were later lifted over the side of the cliff and moved to awaiting ambulances. 

One person (the 85 year old male) was transported to the hospital.

Agencies that responded:
Bates County Sheriff’s Office
Butler Fire
Rich Hill Fire
MSHP
Conservation
Bates County EMS

Multiple citizens in the area also helped with the rescue and the carrying of victims to EMS.

“This is great example of our agencies working together to bring a positive outcome.” Says Sheriff Anderson.

Obituary - William E. "Bill" Akin

William Edward Akin—known as Billy to family and Bill to friends—passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Rock Island, IL. Billy was born to William Albert and Alberta Elaine (Cropp) Akin, in Wichita, KS, on August 18, 1962. He had two younger sisters, Anita and Lola.

When Billy was 6 years old, he was welcomed into the home of foster parents, Bill Racer and Connie Racer (now Hamilton). Living with educators as parents and a church organist for a dad, Billy liked school, participated in church activities, and enjoyed traveling with his family. When his parents moved to Missouri to teach, Billy attended Belton Public Schools, where he participated in youth football, wrestling, and school plays, and made lifelong friendships. He graduated in the Belton High School Class of 1980.

Billy particularly liked math, so putting that interest to good use, he attended Central Missouri State University and later graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accountancy. Recognized as an outstanding student, he was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1987-88. During his career, he worked as an accountant at John Hardwick Accounting in St. Charles, MO, and for Doug Sutton, CPA, in Olathe, KS.

In 2014, due to physical disabilities, Billy moved to Generations Rehabilitation Care Center in Rock Island. While there, he was chosen as a leader among the residents to advocate on their behalf. He enjoyed playing cards and watching sports with fellow residents, and because of his cheerful personality, many of them and their family members say they counted him among their friends. As a hobby, he often made needlepoint coasters to give as presents.

Early this month, Billy was hospitalized, and a few days later, he passed peacefully with three of his siblings at his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Bill Racer, his grandparents, Herschel and Alice Racer and Ernie and Fern Rogers; his aunt Elaine Gosney and a special cousin, Patrick Greene.

Mourning his passing are his mother Connie (Al) Hamilton, his sister Holly (Art) Valdivia, brothers Tim (Sara) Racer, Brent (Erin) Racer, Jay (Ashley) Mullinix, Jon Mullinix, and sister-in-law Melissa Racer. Among his relatives, the children of aunts Elaine Gosney, Roberta Patterson, and Iris (Ron) Jackson were his childhood cousins, and later in his life, he was especially close to aunts Phyllis Racer (whom he lived with in St. Charles) and Mary Alice Racer Lyon and cousins Dr. Cary Lyon (Stephen) Chelladurai and Linda (Gordon) Gregory; extended family Rev. Paul and Kay Greene, Pam Greene, Scott (Lawna) Greene and Jeff (Stacey) Greene; and a multitude of school, church, work, and care center friends. He will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 10:30 A.M. on May 6 at Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, MO. His cremains will be buried in the Racer family plot. Donations in Billy’s memory will be appreciated to FosterAdopt Connect at https://www.fosteradopt.org or sent to Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, 1410 E. DZF Rd., Clinton, MO 64735.

Billy was a member of Mid-Rivers Baptist Chapel, and as a man of strong Christian faith, he looked forward to the assurances found in the lyrics of “Finally Home”:

“Just think …
Of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven,
Of touching a hand and finding it God's,
Of breathing new air and finding it Celestial,
Of waking up in Glory and finding it Home!”

Obituary - William "Bill" Lloyd Elam

William "Bill" Lloyd Elam, 72, of Harrisonville, MO, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Heartland Baptist Fellowship in Harrisonville.

Bill was born September 8, 1950 to Clarence Elam, Sr. and Betty (Hughes) Elam in Harrisonville, MO. He grew up in Sedalia, MO, graduating from Smith-Cotton High School. He married Angela Riggs on December 15, 2007. He spent most of his career as a laborer, working for the Union in construction. His true passion was fishing and being out on a boat on the lake. He had a great love for God, his family, and his grandchildren and will be missed by all those who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Elam. He is survived by his wife, Angie Elam; his daughters, Missy Elam-Welch and Megan Elam; his step-children: Jerramy Ruel, Travis Ruel, Amber Ruel, and Nicole Ruel; his siblings: Clarence Elam, David Elam, Cathy Lemler, and Cricket Sanders; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.

Water rescue happening now near the Old Town Access Boat Ramp

The Bates County Sheriff's Office along with the Butler Fire Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting a water rescue at Old Town Access Boat Ramp north of Rich Hill on the Marais Des Cygnes River.

Four occupants including a 85 year old male are said to be in the water after their boat sunk.

Mid America Live News will update when more information is made available to us.

This story has been updated:

https://www.midamericalive.com/2023/03/update-water-rescue-success-in-bates.html

Obituary - Michael Chatfield

Michael Chatfield, 74, passed away at his residence in rural Blairstown, Missouri, with his wife Judy at his side.

Michael was born October 30, 1948, in Raytown, Missouri, to Kenneth and Betty “Moyer” Chatfield. Michael graduated from Cass Midway High School. He served in Vietnam in the US Navy as an Electricians Mate on the USS Long Beach.

Michael spent his working life as a Systems Engineer in the Computer Industry for Xerox and other companies. He did custom seeding work on CRP grounds as a side job. He was a muscle car enthusiast and owned a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible, and a 1971 Buick GS (Gran Sport) 455 himself. He was a Ham Radio operator. He was a member of the Holden VFW Post 5844.

Michael is survived by his wife, Judith “Judy” Gordon Chatfield; son, Travis Chatfield, stepchildren, Damon Gordon, Kansas City, MO., and Brandes Gordon, Kansas City, MO.; brothers, Lowell (Sherry) Chatfield, Raytown, MO., Kenneth Chatfield, and Donald Chatfield, Drexel, MO.; sisters, Joanne Chatfield, Wichita, KS., and Clara Chatfield, Wichita, KS.; as well as many other family and friends.

He was preceded by his parents, Kenneth and Betty Chatfield; and step-son Dennis Gordon Jr.. Services will be scheduled by the family at a later date.

Structure fire in rural Dayton

In the overnight hours the Adrian Fire Department was dispatched on mutual aide to assist the Central Cass Fire Department on a structure fire at a address of 29411 East State Route B Highway in the Dayton area of Cass County. 

Mid America Live News will update this story when more information is made available to us.