Distribution of Controlled Substance Causing Death Arrest in Kansas

On April 21, 2023, an investigation was initiated by the Frontenac Police Department into the death of 18-year-old Kooper Campiti, a resident of Frontenac. 

Soon in the investigation it was believed that Kooper died due to a fentanyl overdose, and that the fentanyl was sold in the Pittsburg Kansas city limits. The Pittsburg Police Department assumed the investigation with numerous other law enforcement agencies assisting.

On April 10th, 2024, Pittsburg police detectives and Crawford County deputies arrested 40-year-old Tabitha Renee Wilson, of Frontenac, and 49-year-old William Allen Davis, of Arma, in relation to Kooper Campiti’s death. 

Both Wilson and Davis were transported to the Crawford County jail and charged with Felony Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Felony Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Felony Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Facility. Both Wilson and Davis are currently being held without bond.

The Pittsburg Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this case: Frontenac Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, Wichita Police Department, and the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

Obituary - Evelyn Garnetta Miller

Evelyn Garnetta Miller of Drexel, MO was born June 25th 1944 in Harrisburg PA the daughter of Edward and Ann Gathagan. She departed this life on Thursday April 11th, 2024 at Golden Years Center for Rehab and Healthcare in Harrisonville, Missouri surrounded by love and family at the age of 79.

On January 29,1965, Evelyn was united in marriage to William John Miller in Ashtabula, OH.

Evelyn was employed by Sprint as an event planner until her retirement. She was formerly employed as a civilian contractor for the United States Navy. Evelyn enjoyed reading, listening to country music and going to the casino’s, she also loved riding motorcycles, playing darts and spending the winters in Yuma, AZ with the love of her life Corky. Evelyn was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.

Besides her husband William Miller and her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by 5 sister’s Betty Lefebvre, Emogene and Alice Gathagan, Lois Mathews, Lorraine Kensinger and 1 bother Edward Gathagan and granddaughter Ashley Miller.

Evelyn is survived by 2 sons, William P Miller (Joann) Spring Hill, KS, Chat Miller (Susan) Harrisonville, MO, step- children Ogden Miller (Cynthia) KCMO and Leona Herman Lane, KS. 6 grandchildren Jason (Billie Jo), Sarah (Larry), Derick, Michael, Austin (Biancia)Ryan (Chely); 10 great-grandchildren Owen, Cash, Barrett, Melody, Rhoda, Mateo, Issabella, Nasheili, Graceson and Canaan and a host of extended family Shane (Nicole), Tiffany (Daniel), Seth, Georgia, Ryder, Preslee, Henlee, Enzlee and MarleeCremation with a Celebration of Life Service will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Three Rivers Hospice, or JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and may be sent to Dickey Funeral Home P.O. Box 432 Harrisonville, Missouri 6470.

Butler Bears Baseball was victorious tonight against Versailles 7-4

Butler Bears Baseball was victorious tonight against Versailles 7-4.

The Bears opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. The Butler Bears first got on the board when Sophomore Brandon Hammett singled, scoring one run.

Butler added to their early lead in the top of the second inning when Sophomore Jake Chandler singled, scoring one run, and Senior Maddox Fennewald doubled, scoring two runs.

Fennewald earned the win for the Bears. The right-handed pitcher allowed eight hits and four runs over six and one-third innings, striking out eight and walking one. 

Tyrus Ollison led things off on the mound for the Tigers. The starting pitcher allowed six runs and five hits over four innings, striking out four and walking two. Jake Chandler collected the save for Butler.

The Butler Bears piled up nine hits in the game. Fennewald provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Bears with two runs batted in. The number three hitter went 1-for-4 on the day. Junior Eli Cox and Chandler each collected two hits for the Butler Bears.

Fennewald and Chandler each stole multiple hits for the Butler Bears. The Bears ran wild on the base paths, piling up four stolen bases in the game.

Butler will have a home game on Monday against the Harrisonville Wildcats.

Obituary - Gary Neil Comstock

Gary Neil Comstock, 77, of Bronaugh, Missouri, peacefully departed this world on April 11, 2024, at 4:15 a.m. in Bronaugh, MO, after a very brief battle with cancer.

Gary was born on May 22, 1946, to Nona Mae (Baker) and Harry Neil Comstock in Bronaugh, MO. Gary was a lifelong farmer and resident of Bronaugh. He attended Bronaugh schools, graduating in 1964. He married Mary Ellen (Willson) Comstock on April 12, 1970. They enjoyed almost 54 years of wedded bliss and welcomed their two beloved children, son Jason and daughter Janeil.

Gary was an avid farmer, making a name for himself in both the swine and cattle industry. But he never forgot his roots, doing all he could to help area 4-H and FFA students succeed. Gary served on the Vernon County Pork Producers board, the Vernon County Youth Fair board, the MFA Livestock board, the Bronaugh Christian Church, and the Bronaugh school board for twelve years. He also won numerous awards, including the Agri-Business Pacesetter award in 1982, the Pork All-American in 1984, the Farm Family Merit award in 1986, the Bronaugh FFA Blue and Gold award in 1999, and an Honorary State FFA Degree in 2005.

Gary was a loving husband, a best friend to his children and grandchildren, and a mentor to many. He was an amazing grandpa, and his two grandsons were the pride of his heart. He was a wonderful father, sharing his love of basketball and livestock with his children. Gary’s great sense of humor and incredible laugh will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Survivors include wife Mary of the home; one son, Jason (Tracy) Comstock of Pittsburg; one daughter, Janeil (James) Comstock-Booth of Walnut Grove; and two grandsons, Garrett and Trevyn Comstock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Neil and Nona Mae Comstock, and his sister, B. J. Clevenger.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 17, from 5-7 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested in his name to 4-H or an FFA Booster Club of Choice c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Walk-Off Seals The Deal In Butler Lady Bears Softball Victory Over Versailles

Walk-Off Seals The Deal In Butler Bears Victory Over Versailles..

It came down to the wire on Thursday, as the Butler Bears grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 11-10, over the Versailles Tigers. The Bears were down 10-9 in the bottom of the eighth inning when Senior Cloey Fritts tripled, scoring two runs.

Bats blistered as the Butler Bears collected 15 hits and the Tigers tallied 13 in the high scoring game.

The Lady Tigers got on the board in the top of the first inning when Frankie Shewmaker tripled, scoring one run, Mady Rayl singled, scoring one run, Brooklyn Yoder tripled, scoring two runs, and Ragen Wilson singled, scoring one run.

The Tigers added one run in the second after Erin Bland singled on a 0-2 count.

Freshman Kylee Dubray doubled on a 0-2 count, which helped the Butler Bears tie the game at six in the bottom of the fourth.

The Lady Bears took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Taylor Hudson doubled, scoring two runs, to give the Bears the edge, 8-6. The Lady Tigers tied the game up in the top of the sixth thanks to two errors. The Tigers tied the game at eight on an error.

The Butler Lady Bears took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Haven Humphrey tripled, scoring one run, to give the Bears the advantage, 9-8.

Jazzy Lutjen singled, which helped the Lady Tigers tie the game at nine in the top of the seventh. The Tigers took the lead in the top of the eighth. Ashlynn Davidson scored after tagging up, to give the Lady Tigers the edge, 10-9.

Dubray led things off in the circle for the Bears. The starting pitcher allowed 13 hits and 10 runs (seven earned) over eight innings, striking out nine and walking one. Davidson took the game for the Lady Tigers. The starting pitcher gave up six hits and six runs over three and one-thirds innings, striking out five and walking five.

The Lady Bears amassed 15 hits in the game. Dubray drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Butler Bears with five runs batted in. They went 3-for-4 on the day. Leadoff hitter Hudson led the Bears with five hits and five at bats.

Fritts and Humphrey each collected multiple hits for the Bears. Butler had a strong eye at the plate, collecting seven walks for the game. Freshman Gabbie Carmichael and Senior Miranda Foster led the team with two free passes each.

Harrisonville Police Department warns of scam

The Harrisonville Police Department has taken several fraud reports recently. In particular there have been several fraud reports involving houses for rent or sale on social media like Facebook. In these cases, the victims were asked to pay a deposit via different methods, before viewing the house that was for rent or sale. 

This is not typically how people who are selling or renting houses or apartments operate. Therefore, you should always avoid making any kind of payment in these situations until you have met the property owner in person and viewed the house or apartment that is for rent or sale.

 
As always with ALL SCAMS, if it is too good to be true it is probably a scam! If you are ever unsure if your situation is a scam or not, error on the side of caution before making any kind of payment. If you need help, you can always call the Harrisonville Police Department at 816-380-8940 and speak to an Officer.

Cass County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy Graduates

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate our latest Citizens Academy class on finishing the eight week course.

On Wednesday night, we had dinner and played a game while reflecting on our time together. 

After learning invaluable lessons about how the Sheriff’s Office works, these graduates can now join the Sheriff’s Auxiliary. It’s a chance to volunteer, organize and help bring smiles to the faces of residents across Cass County.

If you’d like to enroll in the Citizens Academy, applications for the Fall class will open later this year.

Nearly 100 attendees for 2024 SWCD Appreciation Banquet

 By Elizabeth Davis

The Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Cooperator Appreciation event was held March 7, 2024 at the Adrian Optimist Building, Adrian, MO.  94 people attended and enjoyed a catered meal served by Bates County Cattlemen’s.

The program included speakers from partner agencies. An update on staffing in her 4 county Field Office Service Area (FOSA) was given by Katrina O’Farrell, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Katrina mentioned NRCS in Bates County is currently managing 20 CSP contracts and 33 EQIP contracts. NRCS has issued about $400,000.00 in EQIP and $200,000.00 in CSP payments since our FY24 started which was October 2023; Mike Finely, Farm Service Agency (FSA), gave a brief overview of conservation programs and upcoming deadlines, talked about other programs like NAP and other Safety Net programs, mentioned Farm Loan programs available and handled out of the Nevada office, mentioned there were two job opening in Rural Development office in Butler and encouraged attendees that if they ever had any questions to contact the USDA office.  Cody Tebbenkamp, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), updated us on the FY23 State Cost Share spending of $39,999,999.34 state wide, for FY24 we are looking to spend nearly all or all of our $50,000,000.00 spending appropriation. Bates County has $17,700.00 in ACT NOW contracts. DNR is monitoring the appearance of another drought in 2024 with over 90% of the state in either abnormally dry or D1 drought status contentions; Jim Plassmeyer, DNR Director of the Soil and Water Program, gave us some history of cost share practices implemented in the county since 1985. There have been 3,853 contracts addressing 179,201 acres which is just over 3 times the size of Truman Lake. There have been 1,182,153 tons of soil saved. With 14 tons per load, that would be 84,440 dump truck loads. This is enough soil saved to cover 3 football fields with an inch of soil. There were 737,657 feet of terraces installed which is approximately 140 miles. Here are some Highlighted changes since 1985: Trends in farming – no-till, cover crops, rotational grazing; New Technology used in farming – GPS, seed hybrids, autonomous tractors; Fewer Farmers; Parks Soils and Water Sales Tax passing 4 times; Brad Powell, District Technician for the Bates County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), explained how we help landowners address and implement practices to reduce soil erosion; State Representative, Dane Diehl, introduced himself and talked about what it’s like to be a farm boy, discussed the counties that he covers as a representative, mentioned a couple of bills that he’s sponsored, talked about the life of a being a representative and what  his typical daily and weekly schedule on capitol hill looked like. 

The Annual Fourth Grade Poster Contest is always a favorite part of our banquet and this year was no exception.  This year’s theme was “May The Forest Be With You Always” 189 fourth graders from eight area schools participated.  A first place winner is selected from each class; four county winners are then selected from this group and announced at the banquet.  The top contest winners from each class receive a ribbon and a cash prize.

This year’s Bates County winners are as follows:

4th Place – Braxton Schenker – Rich Hill Elementary, son of Scott & Brittany Schenker

3rd Place – Nichole Luper – Ballard Elementary, daughter of Lindsay Luper

2nd Place – Stella Jennings – Zion Lutheran, daughter of Dallas & Suzanne Jennings

1st Place – Hannah McBrayer – Butler Elementary, daughter of Jared & Kayla McBrayer

Each county winner received a plaque in addition to the ribbon and cash prize for their first place class win.  The first place county poster will advance to the State level competition.  State Poster Contest winners will be announced at the Annual Training Conference held in November, at TanTarA Resort.  We would like to thank the schools, teachers and parents for allowing their students to be a part of this activity.  We are especially thankful to all the students who submitted a poster.  You are the future of our Conservation nation.  Each and every one of the posters showed a genuine interest in preserving our Natural Resources through good conservation practices.  

Board Members in attendance were: Mike Rapp, Chairman; David Yarick, Vice-Chairman; Ramon Arancibia, Secretary; Tyler Reinke, Treasurer and David Thurman, Member. 

Personnel attending were NRCS Staff: Katrina O’Farrell. SWCD Staff: Brad Powell and Elizabeth Davis.

We would like to thank everyone that attended our Appreciation Banquet.  Your presence was much appreciated and we hope the evening was as enjoyable for our guests as it was for our Board Members and Staff.