Expect Lane, Ramp Closures on I-49 in Vernon & Bates Counties for Pavement Repairs

Expect Lane, Ramp Closures on I-49 in Vernon & Bates Counties for Pavement Repairs

Where: Various locations on I-49 between U.S. Route 54 (Exit 102) in Nevada in Vernon County and Bates County Routes A/B (Exit 120) in Rich Hill

When: 7 a.m.-5p.m., Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, February 7-9

What: MoDOT crews will be making pavement repairs to I-49 mainline in Vernon and Bates counties and northbound I-49-to-Highland Avenue off ramp (Exit 103) in Nevada

Traffic Impacts: Wednesday, February 7Southbound I-49 driving (right) lane closed between Vernon County Route TT and U.S. Route 54

Thursday, February 8Northbound I-49 driving (right) lane closed between U.S. Route 54 (Exit 102) and Highland Avenue (Exit 103) in Nevada

Northbound I-49-to-Highland Avenue off ramp (Exit 103) CLOSED
Friday, February 9Lane closures in various locations in both north- and southbound directions between U.S. Route 54 (Exit 102) and 

Bates County Routes A/B (Exit 120) in Rich Hill. All lanes of I-49 OPEN during nighttime hours

Drivers should expect slowed traffic and delays where crews are working. No signed detours

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching closure
Drivers should find alternate routes. Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.

Bates County Fair Presents: Tail-Adega Nights Mouse Races

 

Leaving on a jet plane

We would like to congratulate Clinton High School senior, Abby Chiles who is traveling to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of the Honors Performance Series.

Abby auditioned for this opportunity last July, and after a review by the Honors Selection Board was accepted to perform. 

Acceptance to this elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in Abby's application and audition recording. Abby will join performers from all over the world for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. 

The finalists will come together in New York City where they will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other performers, and get a taste of the city. The Honors Performance will take place February 7-11.

Abby has studied music for seven years and is a member of the Cardinal Choraliers, where she is a section leader. She received a gold rating at districts last year and proceeded to state.

“I can’t wait to experience a life changing opportunity. I’m excited to learn so much through this program. I’m definitely going to use this experience to help me teach music in the future. I’m excited to represent my choir in this world-renowned experience.”

Obituary - Joann Delores Vann

Joann Delores Vann, age 82 a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away, Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Fort Scott. She was born September 7, 1941 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Anthony Nelson and Helen Turk Nelson. She married Donald Vann, they had three children, Marsha Vann, Keith Vann and Lynette Vann. Joann worked for 3M in Nevada, Missouri for over 20 years. In her younger years she enjoyed camping and fishing. Joann also loved to go and watch her grandkids and great-grandkids participate in sporting events. The last several years she enjoyed going with her friends to play bingo.

Survivors include her two children, Marsha Vann and Keith Vann and wife Sherry, both of Fort Scott; two brothers, Robert Nelson, and Ricky Nelson, four sisters, Katherine Hopkins, Barbra Cruikshank, Rosemary Bradley, and Victoria Nelson; grandchildren, Tarrell Vann, and wife Erin, of Fort Scott, Darvin Willard and wife Amy, of Paola, Kansas, Trever Vann, of Fort Scott, E. J. Willard, of Omaha, Nebraska, Vanessa Willard, of Fort Scott, Kayla Woody, of Fort Scott, Heather Jackson, of Uniontown, Kansas, Sabrina Jackson, of Colony Kansas, and Greg Jackson of Wichita, Kansas; 30 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Lynette Vann, brother, Anthony Nelson, Jr., and a sister Carol Ford.

Rev. George Proctor will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Butler High School February student of the month

 

Do you recognize these babies?

Do you recognize these babies? They were dumped on the porch of a nice couple outside of Adrian. It’s not their responsibility to find your dogs homes! Go get them, apologize and do what’s right! This couple had cameras. Go get them or we will be sending charges up for animal neglect. Oh and if you need financial help getting the parents of these pups fixed. Ask! There are people who will help cover the cost!

Obituary - Joe Tool

It was the wishes of Joe Tool of Rich Hill, Missouri to be cremated with no public services at this time. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Joe Milford Tool, age 87 of Rich Hill, Missouri died Monday, January 29, 2024 at his home. He was born June 1, 1936 to Milford Conrad and Golden Amanda Tom Tool in Weldon, Illinois.

Joe is survived by three children, Daniel Milford Tool of St. Joseph, Illinois, Teresa Marie Cler and husband Gregory of Mesa, Arizona and Laurie Ann Bongiorno and husband Jay of Santee, South Carolina; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister who just turned 100 years old, Jane Hess of North Carolina; and a good friend, Derek Nelson of Rich Hill, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Harrisonville Police Chief John Hofer retiring after 19 years

The City of Harrisonville would like to announce that after 19 years of dedicated law enforcement service to our community, Police Chief John Hofer will be retiring on March 1, 2024.

During his tenure, Chief Hofer has valued engagement with the community and worked to facilitate new opportunities for the community to band together and strive for a better tomorrow; spearheading programs such as the Harrisonville CARES Coalition, Shop With a Cop, the Harrisonville Police Explorers Program, the refurbishing and rededication of Marler-Wirt-Allen Park, partnering with the Cass Career Center to grow their Criminal Justice program, and many others.

Before coming to Harrisonville in January of 2005, Hofer spent four years working as the Chief of Police in Carl Junction, MO, and over eight years as an Officer, Sergeant and Captain for the Huron Police Department in Huron, SD.

Following Chief Hofer’s retirement, the City Administrator will name an interim Chief to lead the Harrisonville Police Department as the City conducts an extensive search for a new Police Chief.

We thank Chief Hofer for his nearly two decades of service to the Harrisonville community. We are confident that the next individual hired to lead the Harrisonville Police Department will ensure the HPD continues to provide reliable, secure, community-minded policing for our community.