Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher not running for re-election

Important announcement:
Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher has decided not to run for a fourth term as Vernon County Sheriff. He is endorsing his Chief Deputy, Travis Cole, who will be running in the August 2024 election

El Dorado Springs man arrested after police chase in Vernon County

On Wednesday around 2:00 a.m. Vernon County Sheriff's Office Deputies located a suspicious utility truck at a residence on East KK Highway in rural Nevada. 

The Deputy pulled into the driveway behind the observed vehicle and initiated emergency lights before the vehicle, driven by 27 year old David Smith of El Dorado Springs, turned around in the driveway and drove directly toward the patrol vehicle. 

The Deputy gave the driver commands to stop, and the driver drove around the patrol vehicle onto KK Highway. The Deputy reports catching up with the vehicle and initiating emergency sirens, while Smith continued at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, eventually into Cedar County, where he was later stopped and taken into custody.

After Smith was taken into custody, the Cedar County Sheriffs' Office took possession of the vehicle and later contacted Vernon County Dispatch, and advised they had made contact with the vehicle owner who advised the vehicle had been stolen.

Mr. Smith is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a capias warrant for first degree tampering with a motor vehicle; and resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing- creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person.

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.

Tis the Christmas Spirit

What a wonderful night at the Bates County Historical Society & Museum !! Thank you for all that attended we had around 80 kids come see Santa and the Grinch.

Thank you to all of the Historical Society board members and volunteers that made this night possible and an extra special thank you to Santa and our Grinch!

Archie High School Basketball does well in Midway Tournament

The Archie High School girls basketball team won the Championship against the Appleton City Bulldogs in the Midway Tournament! 

The Archie High School boys fell to Ewing Kauffman in a close game coming away with 2nd place. Congratulations to our Whirlwinds that made the Midway All-Tournament Team! #ArchieStrong

Butler High School Wrestling team does well at the Battle of Katy Trail

The Butler High School boys and girls wrestling team competed at the Battle of Katy trail today in Sedalia. 

They all wrestled well and the boys team took 11th out 48 teams with only 7 wrestlers. 

Congratulations to the following wrestlers for placing today.

Issac Rodriguez- Champion
Kellen Long-3rd
Preston Mallatt-3rd
Damian Alkire- 6th
Zane Nuzum-10th

The future looks bright for Butler in wrestling... Way to go Bears! 

Highlights from a week at the 2nd Butler Invitational Basketball Tournament

The 2nd Annual Butler Invitational Basketball Tournament was held this week with both boys and girls competing. On the girls side University Academy was led by a exceptional player Anonda Ford. The Lady Gryphons defeated Butler in the Championship and remain undefeated on the season 7-0.

On the boys side the KIPP Legacy High School Gators went undefeated through the tournament beating last years tournament champion the St. Michael the Archangel Guardians.

KIPP was very fast and physical scoring a tournament high 101 points in a opening round game against University Academy. KIPP Legacy High School will move to 9-1 on the year and take the trophy back to KCMO. 

Local teams in the tournament Butler, Rich Hill, Nevada and Adrian competed hard and has some great moments. Rich Hill Boys lost two games both of them close going to overtime. 

The home town Butler Bears lost to KC Metro Academy in the first round but was able to fight back and play for and eventually winning the consolation trophy defeating RH in overtime. The Lady Bears made it all the way to the championship game before losing to University Academy.

The Adrian Blackhawk Girls finished 3rd after defeating the KIPP Legacy High School Lady Gators! The Blackhawk Boys finished 4th after dropping a hard fought game against KC Metro Academy.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the 2nd Annual Butler Invitational Basketball Tournament. Thank you to the teams and fans for showing great sportsmanship and integrity. We look forward to doing it again next year. 

We would like to wish all the teams best of luck on the remaining season. Congrats to the girls champions the University Academy Gryphons and the boys champions the KIPP Legacy High School Gators. 

The champs are here...

The champs are here.... We would like to congratulate the Butler 8U Bears on winning the Rich Hill Youth Basketball Tournament today defeating the Lakeland Vikings 27-9. The young bears are coached by Brandon Golladay, Miles Brattin and Brett Isaacson. Way to go!

Obituary - Rhonda Lee Thomas

Rhonda Lee Thomas, age 57, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 with her loving family at her side.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of Rhonda’s life at 4:00 p.m.

Rhonda was born at St. Anthony hospital in Dodge City, Kansas on February 14, 1966 to Robert Stockdale and Eva (Ramey) Stockdale. After high school, Rhonda continued her education achieving her associate degree at Dodge City Community College. She worked for 15 years with JE Dunn as an administrative assistant. In the summer of 1990 she was joined in marriage with her husband Richard on August 11th at Faith Lutheran Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. In life, Rhonda loved flowers, gardening, had passionate love for dogs, and above all she loved her family.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her father, Rip Stockdale; step dad, Don Falke & Larry Burns; father in law, David Thomas; two sisters, Bambi Stockdale and Roquelle Smith.

Here cherishing Rhonda’s memory are her loving husband, Richard Thomas; three children, Blake & Jill Thomas, Preston & Sierra Thomas, and her favorite daughter Sydney Thomas; along with three grandchildren. Her amazing mother, Eva Lou Stockdale; mother in law Penny Burns; brothers in law, David Thomas, Michael Thomas, and Mike Smith; sisters in law Patricia Stewart and Cathleen Bowser.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the family c/o Richard Thomas.