Obituary - Raymond Millam

Raymond Millam, age 68, of Raytown, Missouri, passed away Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at the Alpine Breeze Care Center, Raytown, Missouri. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service. 

Burial to follow in the Deepwater Cemetery in Deepwater, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor (C.A.R.E.) and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Ray was born June 3rd, 1955, at St Mary’s hospital in Kansas City, Missouri the son of Raymond Millam and Kathryn (Hills) Millam. Ray was a Methodist. He was active in Boy Scouts of America troop 75 and graduated from Raytown South High School in 1974. Ray then pursued a career in security which he thoroughly enjoyed until retirement in 2009. His hobbies were ham radios and wrestling. Ray was a member of the Xtreme Wrestling Center and often assisted with security and other projects where he could.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond and his brother, Marvin.

He is survived by his mother, Kathryn (Hills) Millam of Raytown, Missouri, his brother Todd Millam and wife Diana, nieces Lexi and Annie of Argyle, TX.

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

Appleton City Carousel - Last Weekend

 Appleton City Carousel will be open for the last weekend of the season.  Friday, September 1st thru Sunday, September 3rd.  Hours of operation are 4pm - 7pm.  Go out and enjoy some beautiful weather and have some family fun! 

Obituary - Mina Dell Lacy

Mina Dell Smith Lacy, 89, of Belton, Missouri, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, passed away Friday, August 25, 2023 at Beautiful Savior in Belton, MO. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, followed by burial in Grant Cemetery, Creighton, MO. 

The family will receive friends from 9:00-10:00 am on Tuesday at the funeral home. Donations to honor Mina may be made to Faith Baptist Church or Beautiful Savior Manor.

Mina was born January 1, 1934 in Deepwater, MO, a daughter of Leo and Mattie (Tally) Wirsig. She spent her early years in Deepwater where she attended Shiloh Grade School and was a 1952 graduate of Deepwater High School. She was united in marriage to Donald Smith on October 23, 1953 in Deepwater. Don preceded her in death on October 30, 1999. Mina had lived in the Missouri towns of Raytown, Clinton, and Harrisonville before moving to Belton. Throughout her life, Mina enjoyed reading, writing, and music. As a teenager, Mina made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, a decision that influenced the rest of her life. Wherever she lived, she always found a Baptist Church to join and support, teaching Sunday School, volunteering, and serving on church boards. She also served on the board of the Harrisonville Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. Mina was most recently a member of Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville. She was united in marriage to Marvin C. Lacy on April 28, 2001 in Clinton. They made their home in Harrisonville until his passing on March 19, 2018.

Mina is survived by her four daughters: Linda Tappmeyer and her husband, Mark, of Brownsburg, Indiana; Dell Ann Melvin and her husband, John, of Arma, Kansas; Kay Jean Bontrager and her husband, Gerald, of Xenia, Ohio; and Nancy Schroder and her husband, Keith, of Lee's Summit, MO; a sister, Dixie Atchison, and her husband, Gerald, of Clinton, MO; a sister-in-law, Barbara Wirsig, of Deepwater, MO; Marvin's children: Ron Lacy, Marvina Beckerdite and her husband, Ron, and Kendall Lacy and his wife, Melodee; eight grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings: Eugene, Lyle, and Ruth Ann.

Obituary - Betty Lue Kagarice

Betty Lue Kagarice, 84, of Peculiar, MO, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023 at her home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Freeman Cemetery in Freeman, MO.

Betty was born January 24, 1939 to George and Evelyn (Lee) Zimmerman in Carthage, MO. She grew up in Peculiar, MO. She married John Edward Kagarice on November 24, 1961 in Harrisonville, MO, officiated by Rev. George Monroe, and they lived in Harrisonville together until moving back to Peculiar in 1978. She had worked for Vaughn’s Drive In and the Wagon Wheel restaurant in Harrisonville and was a cook at Crown Care Center for a time, but mostly she enjoyed spending her time being a mom and a grandma. She loved life on the farm. Everyone knew her husband as “Farmer John”, and they could be found raising cows, cats, and dogs. She spent her free time gardening and sewing.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, John Kagarice, on October 31, 2019; and her parents. She is survived by her son, John Greg Kagarice of Garden City, MO; her grandchildren: Rebecca Kagarice and John J. Kagarice; and her brothers: George Zimmerman of Freeman, MO; and Richard Zimmerman of Texas.

Update: One arrested after pursuit in Bates County

On Sunday August 27th around 11:00 p.m. the Butler Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop near Fran Avenue however the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit began.

The pursuit traveled out 52 West Highway at speeds over 100 mph at times. The driver was stopped by the sheriff's office grappler and was taken into custody without incident.

The driver was identified as 23 year old Arizona Lane Booher formerly of Butler. Mr. Booher was booked into the Bates County Jail and he is currently being held on the following charges.

1.) Trafficking Dangerous Drugs (2nd Degree)

2.) Resisting arrest by fleeing- Creating a substantial risk

Mr. Booher remains in jail and he is currently listed as bondable.

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.

Structure fire in Nevada

Last night just after 8pm the Nevada Fire Department was called to the 200 block of south oak for a working structure fire.

Engine 219 with 4 personnel and Chief Denney arrived on scene and found fire coming from the second story of a residence.

Personnel made an interior attack and was able to bring the fire under control shortly after. Rescue 214 and Engine 212 responded with 3 off duty personnel.

Thank you to Milo and Compton Junction firefighters for responding mutual aid!

Obituary - Christopher Lee Groom

Christopher Lee Groom, age 41, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away, Thursday, August 17, 2023 at his home. Christopher's wishes were to be cremated. Inurnment with military honors will take place at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 1, 2023 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri.

Christopher Groom was born on March 4, 1982 in Kansas City, Missouri to Russell Groom Sr. and Violet Jean Noe.

Christopher joined the US Marines after high school and spent some time in Iraq. He enjoyed reading books, roller coasters, cooking, but most of all he loved his daughter Isabelle.

He is survived by his wife Lizzy Hurbert, his daughter, Isabelle Groom, mother, Violet J. Noe, his brother Russel D Groom Jr., two aunts, Linda Zucco and Mary Bryant, two uncles, Robert Noe, and Jewel Groom, nieces, Eliza and Elissa Groom, and nephew, Donovan Groom.

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

From the Peculiar Police Department

On the evening of August 9, our officers responded to a disturbance at the Peculiar Farmer's Market, during which a man was reported to have pointed a gun at another man. A complete and exhaustive investigation was conducted, which included obtaining what little video footage was present in the area and obtaining statements from all persons who were present.

 
Since the original allegation was made very publicly on social media, we feel it is our duty to respond publicly at this point. We have received numerous questions and comments about the matter, but to maintain the integrity of the case, we did not want to release any information without having facts. The investigation concluded today, and there is no evidence to support the initial allegation.

 
To be very clear: This does NOT suggest that any of the parties involved were being untruthful. The evidence available just does not support the allegation of a crime occurring. The Peculiar Police Department is committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens and visitors, and we take this kind of report very seriously.

At the request of the reporting party, the case will be sent to the Cass County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review, as a matter of “second opinion.” If their review and/or findings differ from ours, we will certainly release that information as well.


- Peculiar Police Department