Structure fire in Clinton

The Clinton Fire Department is currently on the scene of a residential structure fire at the intersection of South Seventh St. and East Franklin St. The fire is under control, please avoid the area.

Hume High School Senior shoutout to Brileigh Rogers

Hume High School Senior shoutout to Brileigh Rogers! She applied and has been accepted into Crowder Community College and plans to pursue a nursing degree. 

Brileigh went on four campus tours and spent time comparing options before choosing the program with the best fit. She plans to work hard throughout college and help others in her career while becoming financially stable. 

Brileigh initiated a job shadow to learn more about the healthcare industry and understand the area she wants to focus. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments so far! We are proud to have you as a Hornet.

Obituary - T.J. Ruch Jr.

T.J. Ruch Jr. age 41 of Raymore Missouri departed this life Monday, February 26, 2024. T.J. was a kind and loving soul and he expressed that through his sparkling eyes and a beautiful smile. He loved his children and family deeply. 

His Passion was his 3-wheeler and loved riding as much as he could. T.J. Graduated from high school in 2004. Anyone who knew T.J. knew his love of Batman as well. T.J. will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

T. J. was preceded in Death by his Brother (Roger Trussell), Paternal Grandmother (Barbara Bradley) Paternal Grandfather (Dale Ruch) Maternal Grandfather (Fred Trussell). He is survived in death by his Daughter (Courtney Cook) his Son (Joey Ruch). He is also Survived in Death by his Father (Toby Ruch), by his Mother & Step Father (Marcia & Wayne Major) his Sisters (Samantha Major), (April & Jason Barnes), (Anessa & Chase Cannon) & Grandparents (Steve & Barbara Clark), his companion Amanda Nations and her children (Cali Irvin), (Maura & Malaki Ceradsky) & many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Raymore Cemetery, Raymore, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Obituary - Wiggins "Butch" Norvell Hatten Jr.

Wiggins N. Hatten Jr. of Peculiar, Missouri passed away Monday, February 26th 2024. W.N. (Butch) was born March 12th, 1942 in Jackson, Mississippi to W.N. Hatten Sr. and Mary Frances Hatten.

W.N. graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He joined the Army in 1960, served in Korea and had top secret clearance as a Teletype Operator. When he finished his service in the Army, in 1963 he went to work for Shanks Communications in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Hinds Junior College where he received a Federal Communications Commission radio license.

He married Sheila Hatten in 1977. In 1979 they moved to Kansas City, MO and he accepted a position with Motorola Communications. He was a Field Technical Representative, then a few years later he accepted a postion as Project Manager within the company. He retired for Motorola after 25 years of service

W.N. is proceeded in death by his Father Wiggins N. Hatten Sr., Mother, Mary Frances Hatten, Sister Betty Case, and daughter, Dede Lindley. He is survived by his wife Sheila of 46 years, son Chris, (Lisa) Daughter, Katy (Lance) and Daughter, Dana Martinson, Brother Raymond Hatten, (Barbara) from Virginia, Sister Doris Ann McRae, (Duncan) from North Carolina, 10 grandchildren, Josh Hatten, Mason Hatten, Lacy Dunsworth, Lance Dunsworth Jr, Jake Winger, Nick Winger, Hailey Lindley (Taylor), Wesley Lindley, Evelyn Martinson, Kelly Martinson and one great-grandchild Nathan Rapp and many many more nieces and nephews.

He will always be a light in our lives and love in our hearts. He was a great man and will be truly missed by so many.

Cremation with a Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with inurnment at Peculiar Cemetery, Peculiar, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

ACHS Bright Future Friday

We would like to congratulate Appleton City High School Senior Peyton Long on her acceptance to Ozarks Technical Community College and Missouri State University. 

Although Peyton has not yet decided where she wants to attend school, she does know she wants to further her education in Springfield, MO. 

Peyton is interested in the health services field and is job-shadowing a Dietitian, Nutritionist, and Esthetician to gain a better understanding of each career. 

Regardless of the path Peyton takes, we know she has a bright future ahead of her.
#rootEd #rootEdMissouri

Obituary - Douglas Lynn Kennedy

Douglas Lynn Kennedy age 68 of Rockville, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, at North Kansas City Hospital. Doug was born on July 16, 1955, in Wheatland to George Robert “Bob” and Norma (Sutton) Kennedy. He grew up in Wheatland where he graduated in May 1973.

Upon graduation, Doug went to work at GM Fairfax in Kansas City and moved on to working for Superior Asphalt where he retired.

Doug met and married the love of his life, Linda Hearting on March 2nd, 1990.

Doug loved to hunt and was an avid fisherman. He especially loved working on the farm, taking care of his cattle and baling hay. Doug’s greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family and friends. He could often be considered the life of the party, whether it be telling one of his many stories or the simplest of jokes.

Survivors included his father George Robert “Bob” Kennedy; two children, daughter Tina Mitchel (Sam Hood) son, Michael Shephard; one sister, Carolyn, brother, Joe (Lisa); sister-in-law, Elsie Berland; grandchildren; Tony Davis, Nickolas Mitchel, and Sara Green (Brian); great grandchildren; Ian Davis, Brilyn and Ellie Green; nieces; Tina DeGraffenreid (Baron) and Jenna Dugan (Eric) and nephew Clifford Pippins, along with a great niece Dakota DeGraffenreid (Austin Gan).

Visitation:
Saturday, March 2, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Hill & Son Funeral Home LLC

Funeral Service:

Saturday, March 2, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Hill & Son Funeral Home LLC

Business Symposium in Butler a great success!

The City of Butler along with the Electric City Downtown, and the Chamber of Commerce, hosted a Business Symposium at the Bates Social Event Center on Thursday evening. 

Several business owners gathered to discuss how to get the city of Butler back on track. They also enjoyed delectable finger foods and drinks catered by DeMicco’s Catering Service and the Blue Truck Cafe. 

This event was sponsored by Osage Valley Electric Cooperative. Several generations of business owners gathered to discuss how to get the City of Butler to thrive and run more smoothly so to speak. 

The words for tonight seemed to be unity and teamwork through out the responses. Another common theme was community involvement. The special guest speaker Jana Rosier from Osage Valley shared her knowledge of economic development with the crowd, and encouraged everyone to be more active and to participate more in their community more. 

The event was led by City Administrator Corey Sneed with Cody Morris from the Chamber and Jamie Morgan from Electric City Downtown providing input as well. 

If you would like to get more involved in your community please contact your local chamber member or a member of the Electric City Downtown. Supporting small business is a huge deal and must be done to make this community thrive. 

Obituary - Mary "Jo" Testman

Mary “Jo” Testman, 84, peacefully passed away on January 6, 2024, in Nevada, MO. She was born on March 1, 1939, to James Leroy and June Reese Dellinger in Ottumwa, IA.

Jo grew up in Ottumwa, graduating from Ottumwa High School where she was actively involved in cheerleading and swimming. She attended college at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Kirksville, MO) from 1957 to 1958, where she met the love of her life, Larry Testman. They were married on May 25, 1958.

Jo continued her education throughout the years while juggling motherhood to her three beloved children. Her educational journey was marked by a near-fatal car accident before graduation. Jo relied on her faith, love from her family, and inner strength to recover. She completed her undergraduate studies at Missouri Southern State College, graduating cum laude in 1971. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Elementary Education, with honors, in 1979 at Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, KS) and pursued additional post-graduate work at Pittsburg State.

She began her teaching career in 1971 at Nevada R-5 School District, primarily as a Kindergarten teacher for decades, touching the lives of thousands of students. She was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Nevada Community Teachers Association, Kindergarten Advisory Council, Young Astronauts, just to name a few. She participated in staff development as a task force member, participant, supervisor, and author of teaching strategies.

She was nominated for Nevada School District’s “Teacher of the Year” twice, winning the award in 1993. She was also honored as the Eisenhower Science and Math Grant recipient for the years 1989, 1990, and 1991. In 1990, she received the President’s Initiative Award for Exemplary Programs. She represented the state of Missouri at a conference in Washington D.C. where she met President Clinton.

Jo was the consummate teacher, and it showed in the love she had for her students. She was particularly concerned for students of all ages who were educationally disadvantaged and strived to impart to each student that they can believe in themselves because she believed in them. She helped children become the best they could be. To quote Jo, “I believe the desire for appreciation is one of the deepest of all human cravings and that I am privileged to be in a position to provide it for my students; I believe that all students possess good qualities and that all students can learn, and I believe that a good beginning never ends.”

Jo participated in many community and church activities throughout her life. As a youth, she attended Davis Street Christian Church in Ottumwa, IA, with several generations of her family. As an adult, she was an active member of the First Christian Church in Nevada, MO, and was elected as one of the first women elders over 50 years ago. For 20 years, she served on the Christian Action and Community Service Committee. She also served on the Drug-Free Schools Advisory Council and the Reading is Fundamental program.

As much as Jo loved teaching, she was truly dedicated to her family. She was thrilled to have family time that often included dinners and special celebrations. One of her most cherished times was her 50th wedding anniversary in Branson, where Jo and Larry celebrated the occasion with a weekend gathering of their children and grandchildren. She loved shopping trips and finding unique special treasures to share. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she decorated with enthusiasm. At Christmas time, or really any time, she thoroughly enjoyed her desserts—especially chocolate—much to the delight of her kids and grandkids!

Jo is survived by her husband of 65 years, Larry, Lee’s Summit, MO; her children, Mark Testman and wife Susan, Charleston, WV, Cindy Pursley and husband Charlie, Holts Summit, MO, Mike Testman and wife Michelle, Greensboro, GA; seven grandchildren, Jason Testman and Nathan Testman, Charleston, WV, Megan Stone, Sulphur Springs, AR, Nicole Becker, Kearney, MO, April Testman, Parkville, MO, Michael Testman, II, Virginia Beach, VA, and Kelli Jo Richardson, Alexandria, VA; five great-grandchildren, Olivia, Tyler, Lucas, and Cole Testman, Charleston, WV, and Jameson Becker, Kearney, MO. The sixth great-grandchild, baby Stone, is expected in February; her brother, James “Jimmy” Dellinger and wife Karen, Milford, IA; Sister-in-Law Patty Samuels; Nieces Deborah Jepson, Tammy Gibson-Allen, Lisa VanWinkle; and Nephews Brian Dellinger and Mike Gibson.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Moore-Few Nursing Home and Good Shepherd Hospice Care. For those wishing to make donations in honor of Mary Jo, Nevada R-5 Foundation or Good Shepherd Hospice Care, Butler, MO, is suggested by the family and may be made c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

“A memorial celebrating the life of Mary Jo Testman will be held at 1:00, Saturday March 2, 2024 at First Christian Church in Nevada. Following the memorial is an informal gathering of family and friends in the Fellowship Hall with favorite desserts and refreshments.”