Obituary - Anita Lavon Lightwine

Anita Lavon Lightwine, age 84, resident of Moundville, MO, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, in Nevada, MO. She was born December 4, 1939, in Deerfield, MO, the daughter of Gaylord Franklin Pettibon and Erma Roberts Pettibon. 

She lived and raised her family in various locations with her husband Howard’s Naval career. They finally settled in Moundville, MO in 1976. Anita worked as an LPN for the Nevada State Hospital until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening in her free time. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her 4 sons, Leslie Lightwine (Mary), Clever, MO, Lee Lightwine (Anne), Zionsville, IN, Anthony Lightwine (Jamie), Nevada, MO, and Michael Lightwine (Jamie), Moundville, MO; 9 grandchildren, Patrick, Gavin, Dustin, Victoria, Rachel, Megan, Shelby, and Tristan Lightwine, and Alyshia Rosales; and one brother, Jack Pettibon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lee Lightwine; 4 brothers, Burl, Grover, Keith, and Forrest Pettibon, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Thursday, December 28th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, KS. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to the Arbor Day Foundation 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 left online at cheneywitt.com

From the desk of Butler Fire Chief Jason Bennett

 If anyone has any information on this incident please contact the Butler Police Department at 660-679-6131.

MSHP Reports Two Traffic Fatalities Over Christmas Holiday Weekend

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Christmas holiday weekend:

Two people died in traffic crashes during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023.

2023 Christmas Holiday Traffic Statistics
Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes — 124
Traffic Crash Injuries — 71
Traffic Crash Fatalities — 2
DWI — 81

[Note: Last year during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 1,017 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, four people were killed and another 318 were injured. During the 2022 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 306 traffic crashes which included three fatalities and 84 injuries. Troopers arrested 52 people for driving while impaired in 2022.]

There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2023 Christmas holiday counting period.

Of the two fatality traffic crashes investigated by troopers, one occurred in the Troop D, Springfield, MO, area, and one occurred in the Troop G, Willow Springs, MO, area.

There were no traffic fatalities on Friday, December 22, 2023, during the holiday counting period.

There was one traffic fatality on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Brian E. Powell, 28, of West Plains, MO, died when the vehicle he was an occupant of traveled off the road in a curve, struck three fences, and overturned. Powell was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries. Two additional occupants in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries. One was wearing a seat belt, and one was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred on Route ZZ, eight miles east of West Plains. Powell was pronounced dead at the scene by Howell County Deputy Coroner Michael Pauly. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Howell County Rural Fire Department and South Howell Ambulance.

One fatality occurred on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Mary L. Smith, 70, of Dupo, IL, died when the vehicle she was traveling in failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the roadway, and struck an abandoned house. Smith was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries in the crash. The crash occurred on Route H in Freistatt, at the south city limits. Smith was pronounced at the scene by Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin.

There were no traffic fatalities on Monday, December 25, 2023.

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back.”

Cass County Sheriff's Office assists in early morning pursuit

This morning around 4 a.m., Cass County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the area of Highgrove Rd. and Raytown Rd. to assist the Grandview Police Department on a police pursuit . 

Officers requested the assistance of the Grappler Police Bumper after one of their patrol cars had been rammed. Moments later, the Lee’s Summit Police Department deployed tire deflation devices to slow the vehicle down. 

Our Deputies arrived in the area of Pryor Rd. and Scherer Rd. in Lee’s Summit at approximately 4:15 a.m. and successfully grappled the vehicle. 

Three suspects have been taken into custody. It was later determined the vehicle was reported stolen by the Overland Park Police Department. The Grandview Police Department is investigating this incident

Flashback: One big digger

 

MoDot Work in Clinton postponed due to weather

UPDATE 12/26: Due to potential weather the traffic shift has been POSTPONED.

Here are the traffic impacts for the third phase of intersection improvements in Clinton starting Tuesday, December 26th

• At least one through lane OPEN in all directions
• No right turn available at northbound 2nd Street to
Missouri Route 7/13.

• All other right turns available
• All left turns available

Obituary - Deborah Sue Murray

Deborah Sue Murray, 68, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Services will be held at a later date.

Deborah was born April 22, 1955 in Lockwood, Missouri, a daughter of Albert and Joan (Hall) Frock. 

She was a lifelong area resident and a 1973 graduate of Raymore-Peculiar High School. Deborah worked as an administrative assistant in sales before retiring in 2013. Deborah enjoyed her horses, gardening, outdoor activities and time with her grandkids.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two sons, Justin Hershberger (Jen), Belton, MO and Lucas Hershberger (Lori), Harrisonville, MO; two brothers, Bruce Frock, Tightwad, MO and Greg Frock (Nicci) Frock, Raymore, MO; one sister, Theresa Matthews, Blue Springs, MO; and three grandchildren: Desiree Hershberger, Justin Hershberger and Lucas Hershberger.

Anyone missing this dog?

Anyone missing this dog? She showed up at a farm on State Route 52  on Saturday!

If your missing this dog please call Randolph Finkle 816 509 3083