Arrest made in rural Bates County

On 12/26/23 Bates County dispatch received a call in reference to an armed subject in route to an exgirlfriend’s residence located outside of Amsterdam Missouri. 

While deputies were in route to the address the caller stated that the male subject had arrived and appeared to be intoxicated. She then advised that the male subject was definitely armed with a pistol and had began shooting randomly while in the driveway.

 
Deputies arrived and observed the male standing next to his vehicle that was stuck in the ditch. The male subject then attempted to run through a muddy field away from the deputies. 

Deputies made contact with the subject approximately 30 yards from the vehicle, where he began to assault the deputies and resisted arrest. Additional deputies began to arrive and observed the initial arriving deputies in the field fighting with the male.

 
The subject was eventually subdued and taken into custody. The combative subject was then transported by the deputies to the emergency room to be medically cleared to be taken to the jail.

Detectives processed the scene and were able to recover approximately 9 spent shell casings and two bullet fragments. The subject’s vehicle was secured and towed from the scene and on 12/27/23 a search warrant was executed on the vehicle to recover a pistol and two magazines.

 
The subject was identified as, Gerald W Medcalf 1/28/56, of Merwin Missouri. Medcalf was charged with the following:

8 counts of felony assault in the 3rd degree of a special victim.
1 count of resisting arrest for a felony
1 count of assault in the 4th degree of a special victim.

His bond was set at $50,000 cash only.

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.

3rd Annual William D. Gordon Holiday Classic

Here are the boys and girls bracket for the 3rd Annual William D. Gordon Holiday Classic in Drexel. The tournament will run from 12/27 to 12/29.

Obituary - Barbara Lee Wade

Barbara Lee Burch Wade, age 95, Overland Park, Kansas formerly of La Cygne, Kansas passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023. She was born in Butler, Missouri on April 1, 1928the daughter of Carl and Lela Mae Rains Burch. 

She graduated from Butler High School in the Class of 1946. Barbara was united in marriage to Ivan M. Wade on February 15, 1948, and together they spent 72 years devoted to each other.

Together they built a life they loved. It was filled with work, parties, travel and many adventures. A life that centered around the business they started, Wade Quarries in 1958 to 2017. Marking almost 60 years of business and three generations of working with the quarry operations. Barbara will always be remembered as the BOSS. Her motto, work 24/7. 

She loved the outdoors and when not at the quarry you could find her tending to the cattle, the car wash or at home taking care of the pool. She enjoyed hosting parties, everything from bridge parties, pool parties, customer and friend pig roasts, and birthday parties for her grandchildren which she made extra special. They traveled abroad, coast to coast and loved traveling in their motor coach with family and friend. They spent winters in Palm Springs and a few winters in Texas. Barbara was a member of the La Cygne Christian Church, Les Fummes, Red Hats and the Traveling Grannies.

Ivan preceded her in death on October 21, 2020. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Mark Ivan Wade on October 11, 1959, Ron Dean Wade on August 18, 2021, her parents, two sisters, Elizabeth Burch Fisher, Ladine Burch Smith, and brother, Robert Burch. Barbara is survived by two daughters, Gwen Gooding(Craig), and Carolyn Schomaker, five grandchildren, Chad Gooding(Amanda), Jonathan Amborn(Megan), Courtney Henderson, Ashleigh Lollar(Chris), Jacob Wade(Hunter), eight great grandchildren, Caden and Carter Gooding, Berkeley and Carson Henderson, Miles and Jude Lollar, John and Josie Amborn, step grandsons, Ryan Schomaker(Marsha), Ronnie Schomaker(Jamie), nine step great grandchildren, Jasmine, Wes(Sheridan), Rock, Steel, Cannon, Daisy, Stone, Ella and Case Schomaker, brother Leland Burch, two sister in-laws, Janet Burch and Jane Wade, brother in-law Roy Wade and a loving extended family.

Funeral service will be held 1 pm Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation will be held from 12 noon to service time. Barbara will lie in state from 12 noon to 4 pm Monday, January 1, 2024 at the La Cygne Chapel. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to La Cygne Christian Church or Ascend Hospice, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, Kansas 660410. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Snowfall accumulation through Wednesday

Light snow accumulations between 2 to 3 inches are possible in eastern Kansas and northwest Missouri overnight. Temperatures will fall to around 30 degrees overnight possibly resulting in slick roads.

Obituary - Karl Reed Borchardt

Karl Reed Borchardt, 68, of Milo, MO, previously of Springfield, MO, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 23, 2023.

Karl was born September 2, 1955 to Ronald and Jacqueline Borchardt of Toledo, Ohio. He served in the military, US Army, as a radar mechanic, and later his military career saw him as a Drill Sergeant and Drill Sergeant Instructor. 

He later retired from AT&T. Karl was proud of his military service and enjoyed talking about military experiences with other vets. He was a man of three loves, his God, his family, and his country. He was a man of faith, good friend and loving father.

Karl leaves behind his wife, Joyce of the home; five adult children: his son, Michael Muchorsky and his wife Trish of Springfield, daughter, Georgia Borchardt and her husband Michael of Joplin, daughter, Kassie Hanks and family of St. Louis, daughter, Donna Stewart and family of Willard, daughter, Bobby Borchardt of California; one brother and one sister, as well as a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many friends. Karl was a good-hearted man of faith and will be missed by any who knew him.

A private inurnment ceremony with Military Honors will be held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at a later date conducted by the family.

Obituary - Brayden Meyer

Brayden Meyer, 21 of Stilwell, Kansas passed away December 20, 2023. A visitation will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 2;00 pm at the First Christian Church, 602 North First St. Louisburg, Kansas. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm Saturday, also at the church. 

Burial will be in Louisburg Cemetery, Louisburg, Kansas. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). 

Memorial contributions may be made to Brayden's daughter Traci Meyer. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

A complete obituary is pending at this time.

Obituary - Karla L. Merriam

Funeral services for Karla L. Merriam of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to The Cure Starts Now Foundation, Fairview Baptist Church or Alzheimer’s Assocation. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Karla Loy Merriam, age 79, of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, December 24, 2023 at The Heritage of Overland Park, Kansas. She was born March 28, 1944 to Clarence Myrl and Iris Irene Crozier Poore in Butler, Missouri.

Karla is survived by her husband, Chester “Chet” Merriam of the home; two sons, Martin Thomas Merriam and wife Shelly of Lake Winnebago, Missouri and Brant Justin Merriam of Harrisonville, Missouri; four grandchildren, Austin, Kennadi, Shannon and Wyatt Merriam; a sister, Konna Shouse of Butler, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Kristin LaDon Poore.

Update: Drexel man charged after Cass County police pursuit

On December 24th Cass County Sheriff's Deputies assisted the Harrisonville Police Department with a vehicle pursuit.

Deputies used a Grappler Police Bumper to stop the fleeing vehicle. Edward Bailey Jr. of Drexel, Missouri was taken into custody.

He is charged with four felonies below is a full list of state charges against Bailey:

1.) Domestic Assault - 4th Degree - 3rd Or Subsequent Offense (Class E Felony)

2.) Resisting Arrest - Creating A Substantial Risk Of Serious Injury/Death To Any Person (Class E Felony)

3.) Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - No Sexual Conduct (Class D Felony)

4.) Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - No Sexual Conduct (Class D Felony)

Mr. Bailey Jr. is being held in the Cass County Jail on a $25,000 cash only bond.

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.