Obituary - Arlinda Kay Johnson

Arlinda Kay Johnson, age 49, the daughter of Clarence Wilson Blakely, Jr., and Donna Kay (Schlotzhauer) Waterhouse was born Thursday, May 17, 1973, in El Dorado Springs, MO, and passed from this life at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.

Arlinda lived her early life in El Dorado Springs and Schell City, then spent many years as a “Military Brat” after her mother remarried. She graduated from high school in Bitburg, Germany, but through the years had lived in Arkansas, Michigan, Texas, Oregon, and Washington, before making her way back to El Dorado Springs to stay. Once back in this area she met her future husband, Paul Johnson. They were married in 1997 and Arlinda gained a son, Adam, before she and Paul added Jeremiah and Hannah Joy to complete their family. All three children survive to mourn her passing.

Arlinda’s career path was always in the banking industry. She was well known at Community National Bank and Trust in El Dorado Springs where she had long held the position of Assistant Loan Officer. She made countless friends with her outstanding and caring customer service manner. The loss of this selfless professional who cared deeply for those she served will be felt in the community and beyond. When Arlinda could find a bit of spare time, she enjoyed traveling, photography – mostly only when she was behind the camera – and also had a great love of the ocean, especially when sitting in a beachside chair enjoying the view. Beyond those things, number one was her love of family – and of special mention are her six grandchildren who were “the lights of her life.”

Aside from her three children: Jeremiah, Hannah, Adam and his wife, Meagan, and the six grandchildren, Arlinda is survived by her mother, Donna Waterhouse and husband, Rick; adopted dad, Greg Wright; brothers: Kevin Harms and wife, Sue; Randy Harms and wife, Tracy; and Blake Waterhouse; a sister, Chauntae Waterhouse; many extended family members; and a host of dear friends. Arlinda was preceded in death just last year by her father, Jr. Blakely, who passed away February 13, 2022.

Visitation:
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 5:00-6:00 P.M.

Visitation Location:
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home

Service:
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 6:00 P.M.

Service Location:
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home

One vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in rural Bates County

On Saturday April 22nd around 5:40 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County, Bates County EMS and Bates County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle accident on BB Highway at CR NE 12004 in rural Ballard.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2013 Ford Mustang driven by 61 year old David W. Meade of Butler, Missouri traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck the ditch and several trees before coming to rest.

Two occupants in the vehicle 19 year old Anselmo C. Lopez of Salinas, California and a 17 year old juvenile male from Butler both sustained minor injuries and both were transported to Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler for treatment.

The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by Adrian Tow.

View crash report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230206775

Rich Hill FFA Receives Top Chapter Award

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 20, 2023 – The Missouri FFA Association awarded the Rich Hill FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem, a Top Chapter Award. Rich Hill placed 31st out of 355 chapters. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation annually.

The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. Chapters improve operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasize growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership. The award is sponsored by FCS Financial. The Rich Hill FFA advisor is Lora Rapp.

The Rich Hill FFA growing leaders activities included Collaborative Leadership. The Rich Hill FFA invited multiple FFA chapters for leadership and team-building activities. Erik Robinson, a 2021-2022 National FFA Officer, spoke to students regarding leadership perceptions and how to live up to the roles given. This event acknowledges leadership inside and outside of the chapter. It also emphasizes the importance and value of collaboration within the club.

Building communities activities included the Compliment Crew. This event prompted by the Citizenship Committee challenged FFA members to write compliments on three candy bars. The candy bars were distributed to an FFA member, school personnel, and a community member. This engages the FFA members with the community and builds a stronger relationship with the community by showing appreciation.

Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included Pressing to Learn. The FFA members partnered up with the Support Group Committee to teach people how to make apple cider and the practices behind it. In collaboration with supporters, FFA members demonstrated how to use the manual cider press, inform people about apple production, and handed out samples.

The top chapters in Missouri will compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. Winners will be announced this fall at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The Missouri FFA has 26,716 members representing 356 chapters. The national organization has more than 850,000 members representing 8,995 chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Pictured is Rich Hill Senior Hayden Schapeler

Kansas woman arrested on child sex crimes

On Wednesday April 19th around 10:37 p.m. the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office arrested 19 year old Samantha J. Ludeman of Fort Scott Kansas.

She was arrested for 1.) four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a child between 14 and 16 years of age 2.) Criminal sodomy with a child 14 or 15 years old.

Samantha J. Ludeman booked into the Bourbon County Jail in Fort Scott and she is currently being held on a bond of $25,000.

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.

Vernon County woman injured in Greene County Crash

On Friday April 21st around 5:10 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Greene County along with Greene County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on Missouri Highway 13 about four miles south of Brighton.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2013 GMC Terrain driven by 65 year old Frances J. Belk of El Dorado Springs turned into the path of, and was struck by a southbound 2016 Honda CR-V driven by a 17 year old juvenile female from Springfield.

Belk's passenger, 64 year old Laura E. Cook of Milo, Missouri, was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield with minor injuries.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230204582

5-Day Forecast

Seasonal afternoon temperatures return Monday after a weekend of record-breaking min highs and lows. By Tuesday, temps will jump back below seasonal normals as the chance for rain enters the forecast.

2023 Butler High School Prom Royalty Crowned

We would like to congratulate the 2023 Butler High School Prom Royalty seniors Lane Gregory (King) and Keyarah Shobe (Queen).

The Prince and Princess were juniors Maddox Fennewald and Macey Kelso! Way to go!

Fatality ATV accident in Vernon County

On Saturday April 22nd around 9:50 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with the Vernon County Ambulance District and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office responded to a ATV accident on private property around 8 miles southwest of El Dorado Springs, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the eastbound 2004 Polaris 330 Magnum driven by 61 year old Mark D. White of El Dorado Springs, Missouri overturned onto the rider.

Mr. White was pronounced dead at the Nevada Regional Medical Center around 11:29 a.m. He was transported to Ferry Funeral Home.

This is Troop D of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 30th Fatality crash of the year 2023.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230205750