Obituary - Randy Dwayne Hilburn

Randy Dwayne Hilburn, age 71, of Clinton Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning, March 10, 2024. A graveside funeral service with military honors will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Randy was born in Fort Worth, Texas to our loving parents James and Myrna Hilburn. Randy graduated from Belton High School in Belton, Mo, with the class of 1971. Randy served in the Air Force from 1971- 1975.

Randy is preceded in death by his parents, James and Myrna Hilburn and his nephew, Sonny Reed.

Randy is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Rhonda and Mark Hinken of Warsaw, Missouri, his x-wife, Chris Witham Watson of Illinois, his daughter and son in law, Jennifer Hilburn O'Bryan and Danny O'Bryan and 2 grandchildren, Cole and Raegan O'Bryan of Illinois, as well as many other relatives and friends.

As his sister, I have to share Randy's testimony that his beautiful caregiver, Kaley, shared with me. She said that on Friday evening, before he passed on Sunday, he told her that God spoke to him. He said that a voice came across and said, "It's your time, my son!" He also said he heard music and asked Kaley if she heard music. God is good! May you rest easy my precious brother and I love you!

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.

Updated Obituary - Suzan Melissa Moore

Celebration of life for Suzan Melissa Moore of Adrian, Missouri will be 4 p.m. Friday, March 15 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel. Visitation prior to celebration of life 3 - 4 p.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Inurnment at a later date. Contributions to animal shelter of choice. Online condolences at www.schowengerdtchapel.com

Suzan Melissa Moore, age 66 of Adrian, Missouri died Friday, March 8, 2024 at the Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. She was born December 8, 1957 to John Samuel and Maggie Louise Barnett Horner in Butler, Missouri.

Suzan, one of two children, grew up in Rich Hill, Missouri where she attended school and later obtained her GED. She lived in Rich Hill and Butler before moving to Adrian, Missouri where she lived more than half her life. Suzan was an optician for Walmart Vision Center in Harrisonville, Missouri and was a homemaker for the past 20 years. On January 4, 1991 she married Stanley Eugene Moore.

Suzan was caring, giving, self-less, beautiful, charismatic and angelic but also could be stubborn, strong willed and ornery. She enjoyed making animation drawings, cooking, playing video games, fried chicken and watching movies and the Kansas City Chiefs. Suzan loved spending time with her cats, dogs, and family.

Suzan is survived by her husband, Stanley Eugene Moore of the home; a daughter, Misty Dawn Welcher and husband Jeremy of Adrian, Missouri; two grandchildren, Matthew Timothy Thorup of Harrisonville, Missouri and Haley Dawn Thorup and fiancé Brendan of Peculiar, Missouri; a great-grandson, Gannon James Chivington; parents-in-law, Stanley W. and Reva Mae Moore of Adrian, Missouri; and two stepdaughters, Savanna Marie Thompson and Kendra Dawn Owens. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Johnnie Carvey Horner; and an aunt, Agnes Barnett.

8th graders from Butler High School spend the day at the capitol in Jefferson City

8th graders from Butler High School spend the day at the capitol in Jefferson City...

Several 8th graders from Butler High School boarded a bus before 6:00 a.m. this morning on a field trip to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. 

While touring the capitol the group was met by the 125th District State Representative and Butler High School Alumni Dane Diehl. 

Dane showed the group around and how things was done around the capital. The group enjoyed pizza for lunch and ofcourse ice cream for dessert. 

Thank you Dane for showing them around! 

Featured Business of the Month

 

KC Woman Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Two Child Victims

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to charges related to the sexual exploitation of two child victims.

Jessica Ann Young, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to two counts of the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Her husband, Houston Wade Young, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor on Jan. 30, 2024.

According to today’s plea agreement, Houston Young, while detained at the Vernon County, Mo., jail on March 5, 2020, was found to be in possession of a cell phone that contained images of child pornography. On March 7, 2020, law enforcement officers received information that Jessica Young had sent pornographic images of a 7-year-old child (identified in court documents as “John Doe 1”) to Houston Young’s cell phone.

Investigators found text messages on the cell phone between Jessica and Houston Young that discussed sexually abusing John Doe 1. During the text messages, Jessica Young sent Houston Young two pornographic images of John Doe 1. Multiple other images of child pornography sent by Jessica Young also were found on Houston Young’s cell phone.

Jessica Young admitted she had sexually abused two child victims, John Doe 1 and 13-year-old John Doe 2, on multiple occasions at a residence in Clay County, Mo. Jessica Young also admitted that she had recorded video of herself sexually abusing John Doe 2.

A forensic analysis of Houston Young’s cell phone also determined that he sent images of child pornography to Jessica Young and a 16-year-old child victim (identified in court documents as “Jane Doe”). Houston Young sent pornographic images of himself to Jane Doe, solicited child pornographic images of her that she sent to him, and engaged in sexual conversations. 

Jane Doe told investigators she met Houston Young on a game room chat, League of Legends, and started talking via that forum. They communicated via text, the Kik and Whatsapp applications, and video chat.

Houston Young has two prior felony convictions related to the sexual exploitation of children. He was convicted of child molestation in Wright County, Mo., in 2005 and of possessing child pornography in Jackson County, Mo., in 2016.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the state has agreed to dismiss charges against Jessica Young of statutory rape and statutory sodomy in Clay County Circuit Court after she has been sentenced in federal court.

Under federal statutes, Jessica Young is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 years in federal prison without parole, on each of the two counts. Due to his prior convictions, Houston Young is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in federal prison without parole, up to life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Vernon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Investigations.

Slight risk of storms Wednesday

Another round of storms are forecast late this afternoon, and will continue through the evening into the overnight hours. Heavy rainfall may also lead to flooding potential. Please remain weather aware.

Obituary - Victor Hyde Foley

Victor Hyde Foley, age 86, of Belton, Missouri passed away on March 10, 2024, at the Kansas City Hospice House surrounded by his loving family.

A private celebration of life will take place on a later date.

Victor was born in Warrington, England on June 26, 1937, the son of Harold Foley and Eva Hyde. Shortly after graduating high school at the age of 15, Victor continued his education in the art of carpentry work. He completed his apprenticeship to become a carpenter in England before packing up his toolbox and luggage and taking the Queen Mary to the United States. 

He met and fell in love with Carolyn R. Jackson, and they later were married on December 19, 1969. Together they started their family and were blessed with two sons, Christopher and Michael. Victor continued his work as a carpenter and joined the Carpenters Local Union #777 and after his retirement of 40 plus years he continued to build and work on all his family’s homes. 

Victor was a man of strong faith in the Belton Christian Church. He was a member of the Raymore Optimist Club where he helped start the soccer program through the club. He was a passionate fan of English Premier League football and loved cheering for his favorite club, Liverpool FC. Victor loved spending all his spare time with his family and friends. He will be loved and missed by all.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eva Foley; four brothers, Harry, Bill, Eddie, and Fred Foley; two sisters, Lily Poston and Christine Solomon.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Carolyn Foley; two sons, Christopher Foley (Tisha) and Michael Foley (Shanna); one sister, Maureen Roberts (Ivor); six grandchildren, Kaelyn, Joseph, Kimberly, Nathan, Kali, and Ethan; and numerous nieces and nephews in the U.K. and the U.S.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Belton Christian Church 409 Airway Ln, Belton, MO 64012 or the Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care 9001 State Line Rd #300, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

BHS Softball alumni scrimmage in the books

Butler High School Softball hosted its annual alumni scrimmage last night. This event is quickly becoming one of my favorite nights of softball season.

Our new girls getting the chance to take the field with some of our “more experienced” former players and learning some lessons about tradition and being a part of things that are bigger than themselves. There’s just so much to love about it.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out as a participant for making this evening a possibility and to the community that continues to support, and grow this program. So much Bear pride!

- Coach Adams