Traffic Alert: Powerline down in Butler

The Butler Police Department along with the Butler Fire Department and the City of Butler Electric crews are on scene of a power line in the roadway at Pine and Maple Street.

The area is barricaded at this time so please avoid this area while crew work to fix this problem.

Obituary - Elsie Harris

Elsie Harris 94, of Rogers, Arkansas, formerly of Drexel, Missouri passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Walker Hospice Home in Rogers, Arkansas. Cremation, with a visitation Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:00 am to 10:00am at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Memorial services will follow at 10:00 am Saturday, also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Drexel First Baptist Church. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Elsie Marie Harris was born August 22,1928 to James Oliver and Pearl Gravatt Brewster. She grew up in the Woodland area which she always considered her home. After graduating from Drexel High School in 1947, she got certified to teach elementary school, which she did at Rocky Point. When she married Lester Lee (Windy) Harris on August 21, 1948, she gave up that passion and committed herself to raising their 4 children and serving her church. They enjoyed 64 years together until his passing in 2012.

Elsie accepted Jesus as Lord in her youth and was instrumental in leading her husband to follow her in their walk of faith. She was active in the Drexel Baptist Church; Director of Vacation Bible School, a Soprano Soloist, and many other numerous positions.

As an older adult, Elsie enjoyed bird watching and providing food and shelter to the birds in yard. In the house, she worked to grow flowers, African Violets and Orchids.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lester Harris, 6 brothers, 2 sisters, 2 daughters-in-law and 1 great-granddaughter. She is survived by 1 brother (Earl Brewster), 4 children, Kathy Koopman of Olathe Ks., Tim Harris of Drexel Mo., Wayne Harris (Gale) of Harrisonville Mo., David Harris (Karen) of Rogers Ar., 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Obituary - Jan George

Jan George age 68 formally of Garden City, Missouri departed this life Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

A Celebration of Life will be on April 22, 2023 at Grace United Methodist Church in Lee's Summit, MO at 11:00 am. The service will be informal with a time for family and friends to share favorite memories of Jan. Lunch will follow the service.

Because of Jan's love of music, another gathering is being planned for this summer.

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available.

Obituary - Susan Diane (Friend) McKenzie

Susan Diane McKenzie, 78, of Nevada, MO, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. Susan was born on January 21, 1945 in Kansas City, MO to Roderick Dew and Marjorie Evelyn (Sutherland) Friend. She married Dennis McKenzie on March 20, 1971 and he preceded her in death on September 18, 2015.

Susan was a 1963 graduate of Raytown High School. She worked as purchasing agent for Fram, Allied Signal and Honeywell for 27 years, then for Platinum Aero Structure for a couple of years before retiring.

Susan enjoyed watching her children's and grandchildren's sporting events, bowling, reading and Chief’s football. She liked spending time with her family and having family and friends over for July 4th celebrations.

Survivors include her four children, Kenneth McKenzie (Tammy), Leavenworth, KS; Shalene McGowan (Brian), Appleton, AR; Rheagan Keith, Milo, MO; and Erinn Foster (Paul), Nevada; grandchildren, Kelsi Blew (Spencer), Leavenworth, KS, Bridget and Cristin McKenzie and Cody England, Las Vegas, NV, Bryson McGowan, Appleton, AR, Tracen and Kaylee Nelson, Milo, Connor Irwin, Nevada, Caitlin Miller (Loyd) AR, Eric McGowan, FL, and Aaron McGowan; great-grandchildren, Tillie, Danny, Murphy, and Maverick Blew and Weston Miller.

A Memorial Service will be,at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Roger Beach officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 prior to the funeral.

Cass County business closing after 16 years

After 16 years of serving great home cooked BBQ to our community due to my father having cancer we are putting this great little restaurant up for sale.

This is a great opportunity for someone to have a profitable business right from the beginning and I am willing to train someone if they want to learn how to BBQ.

If interested please PM. I thank everyone for their support over the years and now in this difficult time - Kent Heuser 

Softball Senior Night a Success for the Bears

Softball Senior Night a Success for the Bears
By Cody Morris

On Friday, the 14th, the Rich Hill Tigers made the trip to Butler to take on the Lady Bears on their senior night. The Bears would begin the evening by recognizing the 5 softball seniors on this year's team; Autumn Cumpton, Gracee Lesmeister, Joleigh Barth, Kyreia Robinson and Zoey Fritts. The Bears come into the night touting a 2-6 record, with wins over Windsor and El Dorado Springs, while the Tigers brought an 1-7 record into the contest, with a win over Golden City.

Eldred began the evening on the mound for the Lady Bears once again, and recorded 3 strike-outs to bring out the bats for the Bears. In the bottom of the inning, senior Cloey Fritts was hit by pitch, followed by senior Gracie Lesmeister advancing to first after being pitched 4 balls. Following two wild pitches by the Tigers, Zoey was able to cross home plate, while Lesmeister advanced to third, where she would be left stranded. After one inning of play, the Bears led 1-0.

Eldred would continue rolling in the 2nd, striking out 2 of the batters she faced, and continuing to hold the Tigers scoreless. The Bears rallied in the second, sparked by a lead-off double off the bat of Sydney Davis. Senior Avery Cumpton took a base on balls, followed by Kyren Fisher taking a pitch to the side, and Miranda Foster taking 4 balls as well. With runners in scoring position, Brooke Miller got a 2 RBI base hit. 

The pitching struggles continued in the inning, as Lesmeister was walked, followed by a 2 RBI single from Zoey Fritts. Sydney Davis stepped back to the batter's box, where she was able to reach 1st with an error by the Tigers. Autumn Cumpton was able to get a base hit before the Tiger’s got out of the inning, but the damage had already been done with the Bears now claiming a 9-0 advantage.

The Tigers swung the bats a little better in the 3rd, claiming 2 hits and scoring 2 runs. Eldred collected another strike-out in the inning. The Bears half of the inning was 3 up and 3 down, bringing the scoring total to 9-2 after 3.

In the 4th, Eldred faced four batters, and gave up 1 hit, once again holding the Tiger’s scoreless in the inning. The highlight of the inning was an inside-the-park homerun hit by Zoey Fritts. Zoey’s HR was followed up by Barth being walked, and Sydney Davis getting another base hit. Autumn Cumpton grounded out, but was able to record an RBI for her attempt. Kyren Fisher was able to get an RBI single, followed by Foster reaching on error. Miller was able to then record an RBI single of her own before the inning was retired.

Heading into the 5th, the pressure was on as the Tiger’s must score 3 runs to force a 6th inning and avoid the run rule, with a score of 14-2 heading into the inning. 

Taylor Hudson would now step into the circle for the Bears after missing a few games due to injury. Hudson walked her first couple of batters, before getting into her groove. She gave up no runs in the inning, and struck out the final batter to bring the run rule into effect. The Bears would walk away with a 14-2 victory in 4 and a half innings.

Eldred had a great night, giving up only 2 runs, on 4 hits, and recording 6 strike-outs in 3 innings. Zoey Fritts led the offensive attack for the Bears tallying 3 RBIs on 2 hits in 3 at bats, as well as picking off 2 running Tiger’s on the defensive side of things. Sydney Davis contributed with 2 hits in 3 at bats. 

Brooke Miller was also able to grab 3 RBIs of her own on 2 hits. Kyren Fisher was able to record a hit and an RBI for the Lady Bears as well, and Barth took home an RBI.

Standoff this afternoon in Holden

This afternoon the Johnson County Sheriff's Office provided assistance to the Holden Police Department in response to an armed male subject who had fired several rounds inside his residence while Holden officers were on the scene.

 
The Johnson County and Warrensburg Police Department Joint S.W.A.T Team responded to the scene to support the local authorities.

Johnson County negotiators made several attempts to communicate with the suspect and convince him to exit the residence. However, these efforts were unsuccessful. Therefore, SWAT deployed gas into the residence, and the suspect surrendered without incident soon after.

No harm or injury occurred to any of the police personnel or the residents nearby. The involved agencies are grateful for the coordinated and efficient efforts of each agency, and the outcome was positive without any casualties.

State Farm Student Athlete of the week

We are very excited to announce the first Spring State Farm Student Athlete of the week, senior Annalee Gardner from Butler. Annalee is a member of the varsity track team. Her main events include pole vault, the 300 m hurdles, and 100 m hurdles. 

Annalee was nominated by her head coach Richard Courter. Coach Courter said, "Annalee has broke her own pole vault record and broke the Warrensburg meet record. She also is ranked first in her class for pole vault." We asked Annalee how she stays motivated, “my passion for it is a huge reason and I grew up around it. Also, I know there is always something I can improve and work harder on. Knowing I can get better and knowing where I can be in the future keeps the drive.” 

We asked her to state what it takes to be an elite athlete. She replied with, "their mindset and work ethic. They never stop and elaborate on the fact that some days will be bad and some days will be good, but all that matters is you keep going." Then we asked Annalee what the toughest aspect of sports were. She said, "probably the mindset. Every athlete has a point where their down on themselves. There's always going to be the point you want to give up. 

However, you have to have the mindset, whatever kills you makes you stronger." Finally, we asked her to share her favorite track memory with us. She told us, "winning the state championship, but breaking my pole at sectionals was a close second." 

We wish Annalee and the Butler track team the best of luck finishing their season! Pictured left to right: Kellie Davidson, State Farm; Annalee Gardner, daughter of Glenn and Nadja Gardner; Baylie Pitts, State Farm.