Arrest made in Lamar

On 04/11/24 at or about 02:00am Lamar Police Officers responded to an address near 8th and Poplar for a burglary in progress. The offenders had fled prior to the officers’ arrival. However, the officers were able to identify Cody B. Haggard, 22 of Lamar, as one of the people who attempted to gain entry into the residence.

Later, Haggard was located and taken into custody. Formal charges of 2nd Degree Burglary were filed through the Barton County Prosecutor’s Office. Cody Haggard is currently in custody at the Barton County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

This incident was investigated by Lt. Steve Shaw, Cpl. Hockett and Ofc. Carbone.

As is the case in all arrests, charges are based on probable cause and all persons are considered innocent until or unless found guilty in court.

2nd Annual Butler FFA Labor Auction

Butler FFA will be hosting their 2nd annual Labor Auction on April 24th. Supper will be served at 6 with the auction to follow at 7. We appreciate the continued support of the Butler FFA

State Farm student athlete of the week

We are excited to announce our first spring Athlete of the Week, Hayden Bock! Hayden was nominated by Coach Nold. "Hayden Bock is an athlete any coach would be grateful to have the opportunity to coach. Hayden is dependable, coachable, and full of grit. Beginning his sophomore year of high school, Hayden became a leader on our team. As a junior he has continued to grow in his role. He not only leads the team, but is an anchor on our relays and ranked in the top five for the Class 1 State in all of the events he participates in. Hayden’s teammates listen and respect him. Hayden has proven himself time and time again; running through any obstacle out in his path. Hayden is truly determined and will do many amazing things in anything he does.”

Class 1 State Stats:

400 Meter Dash- 4th (51.94)

800 Meter Dash- 5th (2:05.97)

4x200 Meter Relay- 3rd (1:35.72)

4x400 Meter Relay- 1st (3:32.46)

4x800 Meter Relay- 2nd (8:41.31)

Congratulations Hayden, it was a pleasure speaking with you!

About Hayden:

Hayden is a junior at Appleton City High School. He is involved in football and track. We asked Hayden what he believes it takes to become an elite athlete. He told us, "it definitely takes a lot of dedication. You have to have the drive and will to set an example for the guys behind you. Many people will be looking up to you and following your example. They’ll see what you do and follow that. Be the leader, be on time, go to all of the practices, and just put in the extra work." The most influential person in Hayden’s athletic career is Coach Bourland. Hayden explained Coach Bourland is his football coach. He is always pushing kids to be their best and to show up to everything. He also always goes out of the way to ask Hayden how he did at his track meets. Lastly, he taught him how to be a great leader.

•Favorite sport: football

•Favorite sports memory: Last football season. Hayden explained it was fun growing as a team as they are working on getting their program back on track.

•Favorite sonic drink: cherry limeade

At this time Hayden plans to continue working on the family farm after graduation.

We wish Hayden and the Bulldogs the best of luck as they continue on with their track season!

*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; Hayden Bock, son of Jim and Rose Bock; Head Coach, Amber Nold; Baylie Pitts, State Farm.

Obituary - Chester "Chet" Thomas Merriam

Celebration of life service with Military Honors for Chet Merriam will be 3 p.m., April 25, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 2 - 3 p.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Private family inurnment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Fairview Baptist Church. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Chester “Chet” Thomas Merriam, age 78 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday, April 4, 2024 at The Heritage of Overland Park, Kansas after battling Parkinson’s Disease. He was born November 18, 1945 to Chester Henry and Elizabeth Catherine Bendig Merriam in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Chet, the youngest of three children, grew up in Philadelphia and was a high school graduate of St. George Catholic School. He lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as well as Warrensburg and Harrisonville, Missouri before renovating and moving on his wife’s family farm near the Ballard Community in 2002. Chet was a United States Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam Era. While stationed in Missouri he met Karla Loy Poore and they married on June 10, 1967 in Butler, Missouri. They were married for over 56 years and raised two sons together. After his military service he began his working career with Jarold’s Plumbing and Heating in the early 1970s and eventually in 1974, purchased the business with John Gentry. In 1976, Chet and Karla created Merriam’s Plumbing, eventually becoming Merriam’s Plumbing and Pool Supply in Harrisonville. Chet was a member and Past President of the Harrisonville Rotary Club, and was elected and served on the Harrisonville School Board and Harrisonville City Council. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the Antioch Southern Baptist Church, both in Harrisonville, and then after moving to Ballard, he and Karla attended Fairview Baptist Church.

Chet enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, golfing, and playing card games. He loved bird watching and old westerns. You could always find Chet willing to help family, friends and neighbors with home improvement projects.

Chet is survived by his oldest son, Martin T. Merriam and wife Shelly of Lake Winnebago, Missouri and Brant J. Merriam of Harrisonville, Missouri; four grandchildren, Austin, Kennadi, Shannon, and Wyatt; a sister, Lorraine McCay and her son Kenny McCay; and three nieces, Debbie, Carolyn and Cheryl all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Raymond Merriam; and his wife, Karla Merriam who recently passed on December 24, 2023. Chet lovingly took care of his wife through her later years while suffering with Alzheimer’s.

Bates County Sheriff's Office conducted a warrant sweep

 

On Thursday April 11th, 2024 the Bates County Sheriff's Office conducted a warrant sweep. The purpose of the operation was to conduct warrant arrest for those individuals that currently are wanted on Felony warrants out of Bates County. A total of 5 arrests were made during the sweep. The following were the individuals located and arrested. During the operation most of the arrestees were cooperative and were arrested without incident.

One subject, Bryan Ferrel, of rural Butler decided that he was not going to return to jail on his warrants. Earlier in the day, Deputies had attempted to locate him at his residence. That attempt was unsuccessful but a Deputy returned to the area a few hours later and observed a vehicle in the driveway that was not there on the first attempt. While that Deputy waited for additional Deputies to arrive, that vehicle left the residence. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with two females. One female who had warrants told the Deputies that Ferrel was in Texas and not at the residence. Deputies had prior knowledge and video footage of Ferrel in the area recently. Deputies responded back to the residence where they observed Ferrel running across a plowed field toward a creek. Deputies gave chase and cornered Ferrel in the creek where K9 Falco took Ferrel into custody. Ferrel was tranported to the Bates County Hospital to recieve treatment for the dog bite on his buttock. Ferrel refused treatment and was then booked into the Bates County Jail.

Harold Lee Hubbard, 4/13/1952, warrant was for 6 counts of child endangerment creating a substantial risk in the 1st degree. $60,000 cash or surety.

Dianna Lynn Hubbard, 7/14/1958, warrant was for 6 counts of child endangerment creating a substantial risk in the 1st degree. $60,000 cash or surety.

Bryan Colby Ferrel, 8/3/1980, Probation Violation with a No Bond, Additional charges are being filed for resisting arrest by fleeing and possession of a control substance.

April Alden, 02/19/1983, Operating a commercial motor vehicle without a license and without maintaining financial responsibility, Displaying plates of another. Additional Charges for hindering and obstructing an officer for lying to deputies.

Kalena Elizabeth Taylor, 6/12/1983, DWI aggravated offender, failed to proceed with caution/yield right of way/reduce speed approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying lights, failed to drive on right half of roadway, driving while revoked or suspended. $10,000 cash or surety

Obituary - Lola Jean Driver

Lola Jean Driver, age 71, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS. She was born April 29, 1952, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Virgil Jean Wiggans and Lola Camp Wiggans. Jean graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1970. She married Dwight Driver in 1974. He preceded her in death in June 2011. 

Together, Jean and Dwight owned D & D Sales Trucking Company in Fort Scott. She was also the one looking out for the rest of the family. She enjoyed being outside, working in the yard and gardening. She liked to read, travel, visit the casino occasionally, and play with her dogs Buddy and Petey and cats Lucky and Flower.

Survivors include her son, Jimmy Driver, Fort Scott; her siblings, Jimmy Wiggans, and Lavetta Simmons (Jerry) all of Fort Scott; grandchildren Adele Brown and several others; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband Dwight, she was preceded in death by a stepson Dwight L. Driver and her parents.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 PM Monday, April 15th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Cremation will follow with burial later in the Clarksburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Jean Driver memorial fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Public Service Announcement:

Get ahead of the game and clean your AC condenser before summer. I can help. Reach out to Randy at 660-200-5384. Call, text or personal message.

Happy Retirement Rick!

 

The Legend Retires: Rick Bridges...

Thank you Rick for dedicating 11 years to our Midwest Lumber team. Congratulations on an impressive 51 year career in the lumber industry. 

Your work ethic is unmatched. Your legacy is the pride you have in your craft and wanting to be the best.

Best wishes from Brandon, Janelle, & Midwest Lumber Team