Drexel R-IV School District Awarded Safety Grant

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday that 169 school districts and charter schools have received grants from the state's newly created School Safety Grant Program.

“Improving the safety and security of our schools is an issue we can all support, and these grants help ensure our schools remain safe environments for Missouri children to learn,” Parson said in a press release.

In March, the state of Missouri made $20 million available to local education agencies to promote school safety. Funds were distributed through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and opened up applications for school districts.

The Drexel R-IV School District was awarded $50,000. The grant funds will be used to replace several of the district’s aging exterior doors.

"We're obviously grateful for the funding," Drexel Superintendent Terry Mayfield said. "It's much needed and it's reassuring to not only our community, our staff, students, the state in general, it's such a positive move forward for us."

Obituary - Russell Allen Hughes

Russell Allen Hughes, age 67, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Saturday, April 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. He was born June 3, 1955, in Ottawa, KS, the son of Victor Ross Hughes and Freda Ella Fletcher Hughes. Russell was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fishing, hunting, and trapping. He never knew a stranger characterized by his traditional wave, tipping his hat and his greeting “Howdy.” He enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and his beloved German Shepherd Angus. He especially enjoyed babysitting his granddaughter Elsie Mae and was able to watch her fish for the first time.

Russell was an accomplished athlete in track discus, shot, and javelin. His passion was wrestling and was a true ambassador for the sport, encouraging and supporting youth interest through coaching and mentoring. He coached various sports through the Fort Scott Recreation Program and played a key role in the development of love of sports in the youth of the community as well as in his children. He avidly supported his children’s sport careers in high school and college, travelling to attend their tournaments. Russell attended Fort Scott Community College and was among the first group of wrestlers to qualify for the National Junior College Wrestling Championship tournament.

Russell was part of the creation of the Fort Scott Bass Fishing Club and developed many enduring friendships. He was a member of the Kansas BASS Federation, placing first in the 1987 Hillsdale Lake tournament obtaining a chance for the BASS Master tournament. He fished many tournaments during his lifetime and had an innate old school skillset and shared this knowledge with his children and youth of the community. His motto was “Feed a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” He also developed a love of local history and enjoyed searching local fields and secret areas for relics through metal detecting with a keen eye for finding Indian arrowheads with his dear friend Thomas Karleskint.

Russell married Deb McBride in 1980. Though this relationship wasn’t permanent, they had one child, together, Ashley, whom they adored. He married the love of his life Patricia Anne Repasky in Gunn Park amongst the wild blooming delphinium on May 15, 1993, and would have celebrated 30 years of love and friendship.

He took pride in his work performance during the 33 years of employment for the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant and Groundskeeper at Gunn Park. After retirement, he worked part time as a janitor at the Fort Scott middle School and continued coaching track. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No.8 in Iola and Lodge No. 18 in Ottawa.

Survivors include his wife Patricia of the home; a daughter, Ashley Marie Hughes (Jenn Hall), Hutto, TX; 2 sons, Victor Russell Hughes (Bailie), Gardner, KS, and John Ross Hughes (Jada), Overland Park, KS; granddaughter Elsie Mae Hughes; a brother, Randall Hughes, Ottawa, KS; nephews Bob and Colin Hughes, and Anthony Seigrest; and niece Jenny Seigrest. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pastor Danny Brown will conduct memorial services at 5:00 PM Friday, May 5th, at the Fort Scott Middle School. The family will receive friends Thursday evening May 4th, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Tu Casa 2nd year anniversary May 2nd

Tu Casa in Butler is celebrating 2 years be sure to Join them this Tuesday May 2nd. to celebrate our Second Anniversary!! 

We will have lime margarita on the rocks 10oz. for just $2.00 and Street Tacos with your choice of chicken, steak or pork for $2.50 each.

Come to see us!

Warsaw man seriously injured in Benton County motorcycle crash

On Monday May 1st around 8:14 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Benton County along with Benton County Sheriff's Office responded to a motorcycle accident on Pratt Avenue just west of MM Highway in rural Benton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the northbound 2012 Honda Rebel driven by 45 year old Justin D. Eversole of Warsaw, Missouri struck a dog in the roadway and was ejected from the motorcycle.

Mr. Eversole sustained serious injuries and he was transported to University Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri for treatment.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230222121

Miami R-1 School District celebrates Emery Bowers 50th year of bus driving

 

Obituary - Ann Emily (Boyer) Catron

Ann Emily Catron, age 68 of Pleasanton, Kansas passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Ann was born the daughter of William Howard and Alice Louise (Sparks) Boyer on April 1, 1955 at Sturgis, South Dakota.

She married Rickie Catron on December 31, 1976 in Kansas City, Kansas, he preceded her in death in 2020. Over the years, Ann was a nursing assistant, housewife, she coached the special olympics for several years, loved playing yahtzee and solitaire, she enjoyed biking with Rickie and taking care of her family. She was the "Best Grandma Ever".

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters, Marilyn and Janet. She is survived by two daughters, Regina and Julie Catron, a brother, Bill Boyer, three sisters, Jill, Ellen and Julie, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be from 1 pm to service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Hume Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ann Catron Memorial to help defray funeral expenses, and may be sent to Schneider Funeral Home P.O. Box 525 Pleasanton, Kansas 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

Obituary - Linda M. Bailey

Linda M. Bailey, age 78 of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 28th, 2023 at the Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Clinton, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton with visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. 

Burial to follow immediately in the Englewood Cemetery in Clinton. memorial contributions can be made to the Clinton Public School Milk Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Linda Mae Bailey, daughter of Richard Eugene and Jewell Edna Dalton was born on April 5th, 1945, on their family farm, in Clinton MO. Linda was a member of Drakes Chapel United Methodist Church. She attended Clinton schools where she graduated in 1963. Her first job was an after-school job at Clearfield Cheese. She was then employed by United Telephone Company as a telephone operator. She became a stay-at-home mom and then worked as a childcare provider for 23 years. When Lesa and Lonnie had both graduated, she took a job for the Clinton School District in the Media Centers spending her days between all three schools for her 21 years of employment there. She retired in 2008 to spend more time with Lester and her family. She loved being retired the best! She always said her best job ever was being Grandma and Great Memaw to her wonderful grandchildren and all their fur babies.

On June 14th, 1964, Linda was united in marriage to Lester. He was the absolute love of her life! They shared a never-ending love and would have celebrated 59 years together this year. She said, “our rings form a small circle, but the circle was overflowing with love for each other and our family.” To this union they shared a daughter and a son. They lived and breathed for their children! They enjoyed camping and anything that involved their family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard, an infant brother Larry Dale and a granddaughter Natalie Nicole. Also, her mother and father-in-law Shandy and Marian Bailey.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Lester, of the home. A daughter Lesa (Doug) Burke of Clinton. Her son Lonnie (Gayle) Bailey of Ashland Missouri. Grandchildren Emily (Aaron) Burke, Tyler Burke, Amiee (Jeremy) Neace, Megan (Rob) Countz, Joshua (Brandi) Bailey, great grandchildren Damian and Hunter Bailey, Eloise Neace as well as several nieces and nephews and many friends and neighbors.

Linda loved her family and friends! She was a very dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great memaw. She worked very hard to see that her children and grandchildren always had what they needed in life. She always put others’ needs before her own. She was a wonderful cook and took great pleasure in preparing family meals whenever possible.

She enjoyed sewing and very proudly made all the bridesmaid’s and flower girl’s dresses for Doug and Lesa's wedding. She enjoyed crocheting and made each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren a personal afghan in their choice of colors; Even the family pets were blessed enough to have a blanket made by her. She enjoyed long drives with Lester. They loved going to Branson and watching the shows. As well as organizing the family garage sales and making a day with Lester to go out looking for treasures during garage sale season. She enjoyed working on family history and kept very meticulous records and enjoyed organizing! We gave her a hard time about how organized she was; However, we always knew who we needed to call if we needed any information because she undoubtedly had it on record on one of her many calendars. We as a family are quite certain that if heaven wasn't organized when she got there, it is now!

We as her family are truly proud and honored to call her Wife, Mother, Grandma and Great Memaw. she will be missed beyond words!

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.

Obituary - Sara Brewer

Sara Brewer, 60, of Nevada, MO, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023. Sara was born on April 26, 1963 in Fort Scott, KS to Robert Eugene and Jewell Sharon (Marshall) Peters. She was married to John Brewer for 28 years and together they had two children, Kara and Kaleb.

Sara grew up in Nevada and attended Nevada School District, where she graduated with her GED and went straight into nursing school. She worked as an LPN most of her life until her retirement due to a disability. She worked at several surrounding healthcare facilities in a variety of positions, but Obstetrics was her favorite. Her compassionate spirit was a blessing to all those she cared for throughout her career. Sara used her nursing skills by caring for her mother after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Sara was quick to take those in need under her wing, becoming a mother figure to several people through the years.

She enjoyed being outdoors, flower gardening, going on vacations with friends, and most of all being with her family. She loved all animals, but horses in particular. She shared this passion with her daughter, Kara, and many weekends were spent going to horse shows together. This love of horses and animals has been passed down to her three grandsons.

If you saw Sara out and about, she always had a Sonic Route 44 in her hand! I’m sure everyone at Sonic was on a first name basis with her. Sara was a loyal friend who was quick to laugh and loved having fun. She treasured her time spent with friends. Her understanding and giving heart were a blessing to all that knew her.

Sara loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and would do anything for them. Sara lost her 20-year-old son, Kaleb in a tragic car accident in 2009, her broken heart was never whole again.

Survivors include her daughter, Kara Jones (Ryan), Nevada; three grandsons, Renner, Sawyer and Keaton; one half-brother, Randy Peters, Lee’s Summit, MO; and several aunts and uncles including her Aunt Janet McIntosh of Nevada, who was a special caregiver. Preceding her in death were her parents and son, Kaleb Brewer in 2009.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Antioch Cemetery in Nevada with Pastor Roger Beach officiating. Friends may call now and until noon on Friday at Ferry Funeral Home.