Large meth bust in Nevada

On Tuesday, January 30th, Nevada Police officers on patrol conducted a traffic stop at mile marker 101.6 on Interstate 49 and spoke with the driver, who said they and a male passenger, identified as 42 year old Jamie Figuero of Carthage, were on their way back from Kansas City after visiting Figueroa's cousin and were on their way back to Carthage.

The officers later deployed K-9 Edo to conduct an open air sniff around the vehicle, and Edo gave multiple changes of behavior at the trunk of the car, alerting officers to the indication of illegal narcotics. Based off of K-9 Edo's alert to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle, a hand search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers allegedly located a plastic grocery bag that contained approximately 6.6 pounds of a crystal-like substance identified as methamphetamine. 

Officers also allegedly located a black and grey FMK 9mm pistol in a Dewalt bag next to the methamphetamine. While reviewing the pistol, the officer observed that the serial number plate had been defaced, removing all identifying numbers.

Figueroa was taken to the Vernon County Jail, and is being held on a capias warrant for the felony charges of second degree drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm.

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.

Rhyno Tire two year anniversary!

We would like to congratulate Rhyno Tire who has been in business for 2 years now! 

Thank you to everyone who has supported this business and who continues to.

We appreciate you! 

Obituary - Kenneth "Ken" Brown

Graveside service and interment for Kenneth "Ken" Brown, age 79 of Garden City, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2024 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, February 1 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler (660-679-5555). Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com

Kenneth “Ken” Wayne Brown, age 79 of Garden City, Missouri died Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at his home. He was born July 1, 1944 to Billy Walter and Carrie Alfaretta Jones Brown in Overland Park, Kansas.

Ken is survived by a daughter, Heather Moss of Porter, Texas; two granddaughters, Jackie Moss and Julia Moss; and friends, John and Rickie Bratcher of Harrisonville, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Obituary - William (Bill) Volker King

William (Bill) Volker King, of Peculiar, Missouri was born September 4, 1944 in Norwood, Missouri the son of James C. and Loretto I. (Haefner) King. He departed this life on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Lees’ Summit Medical Center in Lee’s Summit, Missouri at the age of 79.

Bill grew up on the family farm and was a 1962 graduate of Blue Springs High School. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed his training in Texas. He returned to the Kansas City area where he worked as an aircraft maintenance mechanic at Richards-Gebaur Air Force base. He later joined the Air Force Reserves, worked briefly in civil aviation and spent the rest of his career mainly in sales roles. Bill was also a recreational pilot and for many years owned an airplane. Aviation was a lifelong passion which he shared with his family and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his former spouse, Donna D. King (Wright) and a brother, James F. King. Bill is survived by his brother, Jeffrey W. King of Blue Springs, Missouri; a son, Matthew King, his wife Laura-Kate; two granddaughters, Annika and Genevieve all of Perth, Western Australia; other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 10 am, Friday, February 9, 2024 at the Peculiar Cemetery in Peculiar, Missouri.

Progress made on pump station at Schell Osage Conservation Area

The relatively dry conditions through this fall and winter, until the recent wet patch, has helped progress the construction of the pump station at Schell Osage Conservation Area. 

A good amount of this work is located underground as it connects the river intake to the pumps. 

The most recent accomplishment was the finalization of the intake structure and a large 48-inch pipe. This completion allowed contractors to remove the temporary cofferdam on the side of the Osage River.

Crews have now turned to their attention to the concrete work that involves the two chambers of the pump station itself. After this, the pump installation, electrical, and surfacing work around the pump station will follow.

Missouri State Highway Patrol announces the following retirement: Captain John J. Hotz

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces the following retirement:

Captain John J. Hotz, director of the Public Information and Education Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO, will retire effective February 1, 2024, after more than 34 years of dedicated service.

Hotz was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1989. After graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 7, Bates County. On November 1, 1994, Hotz was promoted to corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 5, Ray and Carroll counties. On January 1, 1997, Hotz transferred to Troop A Headquarters and was assigned as one of the public information and education officers. He was promoted to sergeant on August 1, 1998. 

On August 1, 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant and designated assistant director of the Public Information and Education Division, General Headquarters. On March 1, 2015, Hotz was promoted to Captain and designated the director of the Public Information and Education Division, General Headquarters.

Captain Hotz was born in Camden, New Jersey. He graduated from Lowndes County High School, Valdosta, GA, in 1985. In 1989, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg, MS. Capt. Hotz and his wife, Paula, have two children: James and Emily.

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative First Year Apprentice Lineman job opening

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative currently has a job opening for a First Year Apprentice Lineman at our Butler Office location. 

The selected candidate will be required to reside within 20 minutes of the Butler office location. 

A class A CDL driver’s license is preferred, but not required. Applicant must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. 

To apply, please submit a resume to: Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Attn: Human Resources PO Box 470 Butler, MO 64730 or email to humanresources@osagevalley.com by Friday, February 16, 2023 at 4:30pm.

Obituary - Michael Craig Gaddy

Craig Gaddy, 54, of Clinton, Missouri, formerly of Kansas City, Mo., passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 19, 2024 at his home.

Craig found immense joy and fulfillment in the open road, having dedicated nearly 9 years of his life to driving trucks at Yellow Roadway Corporation, (YRC). The hum of the engine and the endless highways were more than a job to him; it was pure passion. Another passion of Craig’s were his projects he would start and finish with his son, Spencer.

Both Craig and Spencer had a recent endeavor, Craig’s dad’s Chevy truck. Countless hours were spent in the garage, working side by side, making Craig’s vision for this truck into a reality. Craig would brag time after time about this project. It meant the world to him, and he loved being able to share those countless days and nights putting this truck together with his son.

Family was the greatest accomplishment of Craig’s life, and he leave behind so much love in his wife, Alisa Gaddy; his sister, Lorri Gaddy; his two children, Spencer Gaddy and Michaela Hugill. His pride and joy extended to his three grandsons, Presten Hugill, Liam Hugill and Carter Hugill. He was preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Janice Gaddy.

Craig had many people who loved him and thought very highly of him. He would walk into a room and instantly brighten it with his smile. You could always count on him saying “Kickass!” in almost every conversation.

Dad, you will be missed beyond words. You left all of us with memories that we will never forget. We all love you so very much.

Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Turning Point Church, 9150 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64138. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.