Happy Retirement Terry!

Happy Retirement and best wishes to Mr. Mayfield in his next chapter. Thank you for your dedicated service to the Drexel School District.

Pursuit today ends in Raymore

Today just after 5:00 p.m. a Cass County Sheriff's Office Deputy observed a vehicle heading northbound on I-49 displaying a stolen Missouri temporary license plate.

 
The suspect fled and a pursuit ensued. After a tire deflation device punctured one of the tires, deputies used the grappler to bring the vehicle to a stop near S. Madison St. and Preakness Dr. in Raymore.

The vehicle, license plate and a second license plate found inside the vehicle were all determined to be stolen out of Kansas City, Missouri.

 
The driver has been identified as 29-year-old Trenton Lane of Kansas City. Lane had an active felony probation violation warrant and was taken into custody.

He is currently in custody at the Cass County Jail, with charges from today’s incident still pending.

Sawyer Brown one month from today in Rich Hill

Save the date on July 6th at 8pm is country music band SAWYER BROWN!!!

Sawyer Brown won Star Search in 1983 and the rest is history.

Sawyer Brown was named the Vocal Band of the Year from 1993-1998. They have had 3 #1 singles, "Step That Step", "Some Girls Do", and "Thank God For You".

Sawyer Brown will be performing a FREE concert on July 6, 2024 at 8 pm in Rich Hill's Park Place (West Park).

Obituary - Deann Eilene Cobbs

Deann Eilene Cobbs, age 54, Garnett, Kansas passed away Friday May 31, 2024. She was born on September 12, 1969 in Fort Scott, Kansas the daughter of Larry and Rosemary Stuart Norbury. 

She graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School in the Class of 1988. Deann was united in marriage to Michael W. Cobbs in August of 1988. She was employed as a CMA.

Deann enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband, Michael W. Cobbs, a son, Chance Cobbs, a brother Doug Norbury and wife Denise and their children, Tyler Andula, Trevor Norbury, and Michaela Norbury, and an aunt, Roberta Krull.

 
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel.. Memorial contributions are suggested to Care To Share, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, KS 66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Bates County Health Center Presents.... Summer Splash

 Call today to sign up by July 8th!

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative reporting power outages in Peculiar

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Members in the Peculiar area are currently experiencing an outage. 

Our Crews are working to repair the issue and will restore power a quickly as possible.

Missouri to observe Summer Safety Day June 12th

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As summer weather arrives, Missourians are reminded to be aware of the dangers posed by extreme heat and humidity and take precautions as they spend more time outdoors.

 

“Extreme heat and humidity are dangerous seasonal hazards in Missouri that can place a lot of stress on the body, especially for more vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions,” State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said. “It’s important for Missourians to learn about these risks in advance and know how to protect themselves to stay safe and healthy.”

 

To help Missourians prepare, the state will observe Summer Safety Day on Wednesday, June 12. SEMA and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourage all Missourians to pay attention to local forecasts and plan accordingly when activities are outside. Humidity can amplify the feeling of heat measured by a heat index, so it is especially important to keep a close eye on friends and family and know the signs of heat-related illnesses.

 

Remember, never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Even on a cooler day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in 10 minutes and pose a real threat to anyone left inside. Stress, distraction and being out of a normal routine can all contribute to forgetting a child in a car seat. Always “look before you lock” and check the back seat each time you exit your vehicle.

 

Remember these other safety tips to protect yourself and your family during the summer heat:

• If the weather forecast calls for heat and humidity, limit outdoor exposure.
• Drink plenty of water and limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Eat light, well-balanced meals at regular intervals.
• If left outside, make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water and access to shade.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head. Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use the buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
• If you do not have air conditioning, consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls or other community facilities. Find a nearby cooling center near you here.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who may not have air conditioning or spend much of their time alone.
• Be aware of medications that may impair the body's response to heat, including antihistamines, tranquilizers and some medications for heart disease.

Obituary - Mary Evelyn Koopman

Mary Evelyn Koopman, 86 passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on June 4, 2024, surrounded by her family at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. A visitation will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). 

Funeral services will follow at 2:30 pm Saturday, also at the chapel. Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Drexel Fire Department, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or Boy's Town. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Evelyn was born May 16,1938 to Jewell and Marie (Van Slyke) Gillogly in Bates County. She attended Drexel School and graduated in 1956.

She moved to Kansas City, Missouri and went to work for Hallmark Cards in 1956 and worked there for 15 years. Evelyn later went to work for Bass Buster in the early 1970’s and worked for 22 years until the plant closed. She worked for Caseys for over 10 years before her retirement.

In 1958, Evelyn married Richard E. Riley. To this union, two children were born – Deborah Renee and Shelly Theresa. They moved from Kansas City to a farm outside Drexel, MO. This marriage ended in divorce. She married Wayne Koopman in 1985 and they have made their home in Drexel ever since.

Evelyn had the most generous and giving heart. She loved to talk and visit. She enjoyed fishing and eating the catch. She also loved to garden, cooking and canning the food. She loved her family so much and enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandson Adam. They had a special bond. She worked hard to provide for her girls, and she never stopped worrying and caring for them. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all that loved her.

Evelyn was proceeded in death by her parents and infant granddaughter, Andrea Alonge.

She is survived by her husband Wayne Koopman of the home, daughters Debbie Alonge and husband Jerry and Shelly Anderson and husband Kerry, her beloved grandson Adam Alonge, sister Marlene Shannon (Cecil) and brother Ralph Gillogly (June) and many other relatives and friends.