The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2013 Cadillac DTS driven by 65 year old Cathy J. Stonebraker of Sheldon, Missouri ran off the right side of the road and struck a fence and an embankment.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Sheldon woman injured in Vernon County crash
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2013 Cadillac DTS driven by 65 year old Cathy J. Stonebraker of Sheldon, Missouri ran off the right side of the road and struck a fence and an embankment.
Obituary - Beverly June Herrmann
Beverly June (Houston) Herrmann, 86, of Ballard Missouri on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 with family by her side departed with angels taking her home from the Medicalodge of Butler Missouri.
Beverly was born on March 6, 1938, to Thurman Roscoe Houston and Pearl (Hudson) Houston at their rural home in Leeton Missouri. She would say she was the son her daddy never had as she would ride her mare Ginger taking water to thrashers, informing when lunch her mother had prepared was ready and any other jobs that were given. She and Ginger enjoyed many rides together until she passed away at age 32.
Beverly was 14 when she met her future husband, John Dale. He was smitten and like the postman neither sleet, snow, hail or rain would keep him from driving to Leeton to see his girl. Beverly graduated valedictorian from Leeton High and one week later they were married on May 25, 1956, at Highpoint Baptist church by John Dale’s uncle James Willett.
After marriage, they lived northwest of Ballard on Highway 18 in Shortie’s house. Beverly went to work for Henry Radio in Butler and 3 years later Uncle Sam called John Dale’s number and the Army sent them to Fort Bragg at Fayetteville, North Carolina. Twelve days before returning to Missouri, their first child Misty Dawn was born. About 3 weeks later John Dale sailed the Atlantic to Bad Kissingen, Germany and Beverly with newborn soon followed by plane where they would live the next year and a half. This was a scary yet rewarding time in their life as in their spare time they traveled to many countries and made numerous lifelong friends. Upon returning to the states, they bought a farm 5 miles west of Ballard, which they later named Herrmann’s Hideaway, and began farming the land and raising hogs and cattle. Beverly was John Dale’s right-hand helper running a tractor in the field and doing various other farm activities. About three years later they were blessed with the arrival of their son, Darren Dale making their family complete.
Beverly had a strong love for God and began attending Johnstown church of Christ where she heard the gospel preached, confessed Jesus Christ as God’s son and was baptized for the remission of her sins. She was faithful in her daily bible reading, teaching Sunday school class for several years, attending worship service, and being hospitable to visiting gospel preachers and their families and the congregation with meals and fellowship.
Meals have been enjoyed by many families, friends and neighbors as Beverly loved to cook and entertain. She held many celebrations for birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions including extended stays by out of state/country relatives and friends. Some family favorites of hers were homemade spaghetti and meatballs, hot rolls/bread and homemade ice cream. She was known to put on a spread of food and the community youth Christmas carolers would make her home their last stop as they knew she would have lots of sweet treats.
She is Memaw to her grand and great-grandchildren and she was their biggest fan. She so enjoyed their sporting and school events seeing the grand’s high school and college graduations and their weddings, which one was held outside on their farm. She was a babysitter, confidant, cheerleader, and a christian example to her family whom she loved fiercely. She enjoyed listening to Elvis, going to bluegrass festivals, being outside picking up limbs, mowing and picking dandelions out of the yard. She was never idle, always having lists and projects to complete. She loved having all her various flower beds and enjoyed it when they were in bloom. She and John Dale enjoyed traveling, which included all 50 states and many different countries through Globus tours where they made many new friends and always looked forward to the next new adventure. She always thought of others and one way was by sending birthday, anniversary, thinking of you cards and was especially known for her yearly Christmas card. She put John Dale and the family in some unique poses, but many looked forward to seeing what she had thought up for each year.
God richly blessed Beverly in so many ways during her life and her family will miss her tremendously. She is survived by her husband, John Dale of almost 68 years of the home; a daughter, Misty Wainscott (Rick) of Ballard; a son, Darren Herrmann (Brenda) of Blue Springs, Missouri; grandchildren, Nathaniel Wainscott (Erin), Preston Wainscott (Haley), Dallas Herrmann (Carrie) and Kara Benson (Lance); great-grandchildren Macie and Maxton Wainscott, Brynlee, Blaise, and Brecklyn Pearl Wainscott; sisters-in-law, Willa Dean Everts and Marlyn Strope; nieces Teresa Bond (Terry), Joyce Cote’, Nancy Mckeehan (Jim), Pam Everts, Kim Bogue (Jeff), Sheryl Fajen; nephews, Alan Everts (Jill) and Bill Everts (Beth); and a special friend, Shirley Umstattd.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Barbra Combs; brothers-in-law, Ray Combs, Dale Everts and Jim Strope; a niece, Karan Combs Miller; and a nephew, Danny Everts.
Friday, April 26, 2024
Obituary - Herbert Bond Ferguson, Jr,
Herb was born in Springfield, Missouri, August 25, 1945 to Herbert and Aletha (Haynes) Ferguson. The family moved to Raytown, Missouri, where Herb graduated from high school in 1963. Herb worked a variety of jobs throughout his life but was most well known as a bail bondsman. Herb enjoyed fishing and spending time with family, friends, and his dog, Farrah. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones and all who knew him.
Herb is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Jill Lewis. He is survived by his daughter, Jeni Coble; his four grandchildren: Caitlin, DJ, Olivia, and Jax; and his brothers: Dan, Mike, Stephen, and Mark Ferguson.
Two from Nevada injured in Cass County crash
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the northbound bound 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 51 year old Charles Jones of Nevada, Missouri ran off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment.
Mr. Jones sustained minor injuries, while his passenger, 65 year old Ethel Voigt of Nevada, Missouri sustained moderate injuries in the accident. Both were taken by ambulance to Cass Regional Medical Center.
Search warrant served in Lamar
As a result of an investigation conducted by The Lamar Police Department and the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, with assistance from the Barton County Sheriff’s Department K9 team, a search warrant was served in the 600 block of W 9th on Monday 04/22/24. The officers recovered illegal drug paraphernalia items along with items previously reported stolen from another residence in Lamar.
The Lamar Police Department has submitted for the consideration of a formal charge of Receiving Stolen Property, through the Barton County Prosecutor’s Office, for Brian E Neher, 46 of Lamar Mo. The attached photo is a previous booking photo of Neher.
This incident was investigated by Sgt. Oliver Cornell, Sgt. Johnny Bray, Chief Deputy Justin Ehrsam along with members of the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team.
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.
Obituary - Michael Todd Banker
Todd was born on August 25, 1963, in Independence, MO. Todd was adopted by Don and Helen (Baker) Banker, and was blessed to have them as his parents. He spent his career as a truck driver, having worked for APEC before eventually owning and operating his own rig. He had a love for hunting, fishing, and music, finding joy in the simple pleasures of life amidst his travels.
Todd found true happiness in the births of his children, Brandon and Amanda, and the arrival of his cherished granddaughter, Spencer Hennessy. Todd was a kind soul who treasured moments spent with loved ones and his four-legged companions, spoiling his dogs rotten all the time. Todd held firm in his belief that Jesus' sacrifice granted eternal life to all who believed and he always sought to comfort those around him, telling them not to cry but to share memories, laugh, and take solace in the knowledge that they would be reunited in the afterlife.
Todd is preceded in death by his father, Don Banker, and his dog, Macon. He is survived by his mother, Helen Banker; his sister, Donna Stearns; his son, Brandon Banker; his daughter, Amanda Banker; his granddaughter, Spencer Hennessy; his nephews: Mike Muller and Mason Stearns; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and his beloved dogs.
Big day for Papinville June 8th
The Papinville Historical Association will be having a 5k walk/ run, corn hole tournament plus many more activities on June 8th. This will be a benefit to help with our expansion project that the association voted on at our annual meeting April 11th. The project is to build a new museum and use what is now the museum for a hall that can be used for indoor events., programs and for people to rent for family gatherings. We would be able to have more events with an indoor facility.
This event will be the first activity to help us get started on this project of expansion. Registration for the 5k walk/run can be picked up at the Rich Hill and Butler Citizens Bank locations or go to Facebook to the Papinville Historical Association and print out a form. If you would like a t-shirt it is $20 per person and no shirt will be $15 per person. Send in form with fee by May 20th if you would like a shirt.
If you want to be in the corn hold tournament you will sign up the day of the event on June 8th by 10:30 am there will be 2 people to a team and the entry fee is $25 per team. A prize will be given to the winning team.
There will be food served starting at 11:30. Menu will be hot dogs and hamburgers with several sides. Menu and additional events will be in the Mid America Shopper, through the FM 92.1 radio station as well as their Facebook page and web site. There will be a short history series about the trail through the newspaper and radio station in the next few weeks as well.
We hope that you will come out and enjoy these events. If you would like to be a sponsor to help with this project call 417-395-2594 or 816-590-1029 and your business or family name will do on the shirts, Papinville is where Bates County was Founded. Until next week you will get the rest of the story. If you have never been to Papinville this would be a good time to see the history area that the missionaries came to in 1821.
-Submitted by Phillis Stewart
Notice from Bates County EMA
The 2nd meeting will be held in Rich Hill (in the Dome, we are planning), and the last meeting in Adrian, we are planning to use the Optimist Building. Please forward this to as many stakeholders you can, I will be sending several to various groups myself. -Dennis Jacobs, Director Bates County Emergency Management Agency
Dear stakeholders and residents of Bates County,
Every five years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency requires Bates County to have an updated and approved Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose of this plan is to identify those natural hazards that have the greatest impact on life in Bates County, whether this is a tornado, wildfire, earthquake, floods, all possible hazards that could impact your daily lives. This plan seeks to update the previously approved hazard mitigation plan that was approved on May 13th, 2020.
In collaboration with the Bates County Commission and the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, a kickoff planning meeting will be held May 1st at 10:00 AM at the Masonic Lodge (1203 N. Orange Street) in Butler.
Due to the comprehensive nature of the planning process, we are encouraging the following individuals to help take part in this planning process: County Commissioners, City/Village Clerks or Administrators, School District Superintendents, Neighboring Communities (Drexel, Archie), County and Local Emergency Management Staff, Floodplain Management Personnel, General Public, Township Elected Officials, Special Road District Commissioners, First Responders, Major Employers, Transportation Officials (MoDOT), Electric Co-Ops, Public Works Officials, etc. Anyone is welcome to attend, even if you have never participated in a plan like this, this is a good opportunity to get involved in your community.
In order to receive any funding from FEMA after a disaster for mitigation projects, or in some cases before the disaster, participation in the Hazard Mitigation Plan is MANDATORY.
If you have any questions concerning the planning process before the first meeting, please feel free to contact me by phone at 660-885-3393 or by email at dharness@kaysinger.com and I would be happy to assist your entity in any way I can.
Humbly yours,
Dillon J. Harness
Regional Planner – Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission







