Obituary - Dean Denis Faia

Dean Faia, age 71, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, at K.U. Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Dean was born July 4, 1952, in Milwaukee, WI. Following high school, he served his country in the United State Air Force for a total of 14 years and served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1972. 

He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Maryland, and an associate degree in electronic engineering. 

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Sr. Field Engineer for Verizon. He had also worked for the Folk, MT Police Department, and worked in residential construction before moving to Nevada, MO in 2016

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Newton Burial Park in Nevada, MO.

Enos signs to play softball at Metropolitan Community College

We would like to congratulate Adrian High School Senior Kaydence Enos signed her letter of intent to play softball at Metropolitan Community College today. Her games will be played at Maple Woods. Congrats Kaydence for taking your talents to the next level!

State Farm student athlete of the week

We are thrilled to announce this week's Athlete of the Week, Dylan Davidson! Dylan was nominated by Coach Dawson who stated, “Dylan is a senior leader for the Butler Bears and a 3-year starter. Dylan averages 11 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, 1 block, and shoots 55% from the floor. Dylan has scored in double digits in more than half of our games this season and highlighted it with a 28-point performance against Pleasant Hill. Dylan has a 3.9 GPA and is signed to play football at Benedictine College. Dylan is a great student-athlete who leads by example on and off the floor, but more importantly, he is a great kid who is a joy to watch.” Congratulations Dylan, we enjoyed speaking with you!

About Dylan:
Dylan is a senior at Butler High School. He is involved in football, basketball, and track. We asked Dylan what he believes it takes to become an elite athlete. He told us, "you have to put in the work when nobody else can see or is around. Strive to be the greatest person on the court and just knowing you can always be better.” Dylan’s favorite athlete is Cody Schrader, a running back from Mizzou. Dylan admires his story and how much work he has had to put in to get to where he is at today. All of the hard work he has put in is paying off. He walked on at Mizzou and has the potential to play in the NFL now.

•Favorite sport: Football
•Who inspires him: “My grandpa, Randy Rader. He is always there to support me. Before a game he will send texts and send scouting reports. As well as comes up to me after games to talk to me.”

•Favorite sports memory: Beating Adrian his sophomore year in Football. He got to play QB and had less than a week to practice as he had to step up due to the starting QB being sick.

•Favorite sonic drink: Cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper
We wish Dylan and the Butler Bears the best of luck as they face Buffalo tonight!

*Each week the athlete is awarded with a certificate and a gift card to Sonic. Each Athlete of the Week will be considered for one $500 scholarship which will be awarded in May.

Pictured left to right: Kellie Davidson, State Farm; Dylan Davidson, son of Michael and Kellie Davidson; Head Coach, Joshua Dawson; Baylie Pitts, State Farm.

Two arrested after police chase in Cass County

On Friday, February 16 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Deputies assigned to the Cass County Sheriff's Office Criminal Apprehension Unit attempted to conduct a vehicle stop in the area of southbound I-49 and 291 Highway in Harrisonville.

Deputies were attempting to stop a truck for an equipment violation — and a pursuit ensued.

The vehicle was traveling at high rates of speed. It eventually came to a stop in the area of E. 103rd Ter. and Blue Ridge Blvd. at approximately 1:50 a.m. in Kansas City. This was after multiple deployments of tire deflation devices.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, its driver began to flee on foot — and a deputy was able to chase him down to make an arrest.
The suspect has since been identified as 42-year-old Ryan Flake of Grain Valley. Flake was taken into custody on several active warrants outside of Cass County.

The passenger, 30-year-old Christopher Holloway of Peculiar was taken into custody on an active warrant previously issued by the Peculiar Police Department.

Both men were transported to the Cass County Jail and are being held pending charges from Cass County prosecutors. The Peculiar - MO Police Department, Belton Missouri Police Department, Kansas City Missouri Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Office assisted with the apprehension of these suspects.

Butler bears basketball finishes up regular season tonight in Buffalo

The Butler bears girls and boys basketball team will make the 100 mile track southeast to play the Buffalo Bison on Friday evening.

On the girls side the lady bears will be looking for their 11th win of the season as the take on the struggling lady bison who have a record of 4-17. 

The night cap of the evening will be the Butler boys (17-6) taking on the Buffalo Bison (4-17). Senior stars Carter Trumbore and Dylan Davidson will look to end the regular season on a high note as district play starts next week in Adrian for both the girls and boys.

Mid America Live News will have photos and game results tonight as soon as they finish. 

#GO BEARS 

Butler Senior Basketball Players.. 

Obituary - Dixie Lorene Black

Dixie Lorene Black, age 90, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024. She was the daughter of Elbert and Nellie Gibson Johnson. Dixie was born in Swan, Missouri on July 5, 1933. Dixie was married to James Black on November 18, 1955. They were going to have a June wedding, but her dad said “No” and said she had to wait until planting season was over.

Dixie and James lived in Kansas City until 1970 and then moved back to Rich Hill. While they lived in KC, she worked at Midwest Research Medical Center. Dixie was famous for her cupcakes on Halloween. Dixie and her mother did plaster at her house until Dixie bought the Cook’s Café and made it into the plaster barn and ran it for 15 years. She delivered Meals-On-Wheels for many years. She also took several people back-and-forth to their doctor’s appointments. She was a member of the Baptist Church in Arthur, Missouri.

Dixie was preceded in death by her husband, James Black; her parents, Elbert and Nellie Johnson; brothers, Arch, Arthur, and Major Johnson.

Survivors include her son, Michael Black and his fiancée Cindy Wheatley; granddaughter, Kristin Huenefeldt and husband Kevin; sister-in-law, Kay Wright; nieces, nephews, and cousins; her dog, Jack, and four cats.

One little funny story: Dixie was in a hurry to go shopping with friends. Mike was very little, and Dixie was feeding him oatmeal. He wouldn’t eat it. He kept spitting it out, eventually throwing the bowl on the floor. Granny picked it up and tasted it. Dixie had put salt in it instead of sugar!

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Rich Hill Memorial Library or the Hume Food Pantry.

Butler hosting class 1 district 2 wrestling tournament tonight and tomorrow

Good luck to our Butler High School Boys Wrestling Team as they compete @ BHS this evening and tomorrow morning in MSHSAA's Class 1 District 2 Boys Wrestling Tournament!

#gobears

Friday snowfall forecast

Light snow will overspread the area early this morning and will continue through mid-afternoon. A dusting up to an inch is expected across eastern Kansas and western Missouri including the KC Metro. Areas of central Missouri could receive 1 to 3 inches.