Marionville Man Escapes Serious Injury in Two Vehicle Accident

On Friday July 26th around 11:30 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol along with the Bates County Sheriff's Office, Rich Hill Fire Department, and Bates County EMS responded to a two vehicle crash at Route B just west of Route O in rural Bates County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occured when the west bound 2014 Ford F250 driven by a 61 year old Franklin R. Sellers of Marionville, Missouri failed to yield on a single lane bridge and side swept an east bound unknown tractor trailer.

Mr. Sellers sustained minor injuries but refused medical attention at the scene of the accident.

View crash report here:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240379808

From the Barton County Prosecuting Attorney

July 26, 2024

Lane R. Bronson entered a guilty plea on October 7, 2021, in the Circuit Court of Barton County, Missouri. Bronson pleaded guilty to the felony of murder in the 2nd degree for causing the death of Terry G. Harless. Harless was shot and killed on July 13, 2020, at his residence in Lamar, Missouri. The investigation was conducted by the Lamar Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

On July 23, 2024, Judge Dean Dankelson sentenced Bronson to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, concurrent with his sentence imposed by the United States District Court on a separate criminal matter.

Bronson is the second of three defendants who have been sentenced in this case. The third defendant, David William Morris, is currently in custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Morris will be returning to Barton County to answer his charges in this case.

Mike Smalley

Cass County Sheriff's Office Deputies Participate in Active Shooter Training

This week, our deputies had the opportunity to host an Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) at Midway R-I School.

ALERRT has spent over two decades refining its techniques to negate active shooter threats, training over 300,000 first responders.

During this week’s training, Cass County deputies worked on their communication skills and procedures under duress as they navigated through the hallways and classrooms of Midway School in mock scenarios.

“We appreciate our partnership with the Cass County Sheriff's Office. We're glad to provide space for the ALERRT Training. Whatever we can do to partner with local law enforcement agencies to keep kids safe is a key benefactor. We’d like to thank the Cass County Sheriff's Office for its professionalism and commitment to keeping citizens safe”, said Cass Midway Superintendent Heath Oates.

Deputies were tested, going through several scenarios to ensure their preparedness in critical moments.

“Protecting our community is of the utmost importance. Schools are for learning, socializing and growth. No kid should ever have to worry about a threat like this. But we want to make sure our deputies are prepared if an active shooter threat arises. We’re grateful for every opportunity to improve at Keeping Cass County Safe,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Obituary - Shelley A. King

Shelley A. King, age 71, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away peacefully at the Kansas City Hospice House on July 25, 2024.

There will be a private family celebration at a later date.

Shelley was born in Kansas City, Kansas on January 17, 1953, the daughter of JP McWilliams and Meriba Smith. In life, Shelley was a homemaker early in life raising her four children, Cody, Christopher, Abby and Katie. She also worked as a secretary for the Kansas City School District for several years. Shelley was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and KU Jayhawks fan. She loved spending her time with her loving family and friends.

Shelley was preceded in death by her parents; and stepmom, Margaret McWilliams; brother, Bobby McWilliams; and two sons, Cody Johannes and Christopher King.

She is survived by her two loving daughters, Abby Jones and Katie Ellison (Christopher); and three grandchildren, Christopher, Rylee, and Maddie.

Inmate body scanner installed in the Vernon County Jail

Inmate body scanner installed in the Vernon County Jail.

An x-ray body scan machine will soon be part of the intake process at the Vernon County Jail. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher announced on Thursday that a jail facility body scanner has been installed in the intake area of the jail.

Mosher said the body scanner, which works like an x-ray machine can pick up objects such as drugs, weapons and other illegal items hidden on a suspect’s body. The $185,000.00 machine was purchased on a grant that Chief Deputy, Travis Cole applied for earlier in the year.

“We have been trying to obtain a jail body scanner for several years and it’s nice to finally have one installed at no cost to the taxpayers,” said Cole.

Chief Deputy Cole said inmates are searched as part of the intake process, but body cavity searches are not part of that process. “This is a common way for suspects to smuggle drugs into jail facilities all around the country.” Cole said the machine was somewhat like the scanner you go through at an airport. This will make the intake process faster and more secure at the same time.

Jail staff are scheduled to start training on the new device next week before it becomes part of the regular intake process.

Obituary - Judy C. Siemon

Judy Catherine Siemon was born in Butler, Missouri to Arley Eugene and Anita Velma Elton on October 18, 1944. She passed from this world into GOD’s hands in the early morning of July 20, 2024.

Judy married Wilbur Dee Gaylord at Finey Baptist Church November 14, 1965. She gave birth to and raised three sons; Wilbur Dee Gaylord Jr., Robert Lee Gaylord, and Kelvin Jay Gaylord. She later married Bill Siemon on May 17, 1986 and for 21 years, they enjoyed camping, dancing, and just being together.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Robert, sister Joan, brother Ronnie, and brother John. She is survived by two sons, one sister, and 17 grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Judy was raised on a farm outside of Osceola, MO and lived of farms all of her life. She had a passion for horses and cattle (no fondness for hogs), participating in trail rides, and raising her boys in 4H and FFA. She was tough as woodpecker lips, determined, persistent, and wasn't afraid to tear into anything, working on motorcycles with her boys, her cars, trucks, and farm machinery. 

Judy was a member of the Osceola Community Church, and supported the "Helen M. Johnson Memorial Animal Shelter" in Osceola, MO. She retired as a Missouri State Employee in 2000 but found she still needed something to do and returned to work several more years at the St. Clair County Courthouse. 

Memorial Service
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel
Osceola, Missouri

Visitation
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 from 1-2 PM
Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel
Osceola, Missouri

Inurnment
Osceola Cemetery
Osceola, Missouri

Obituary - Berry L. Dennis

Berry Leighton Dennis, 71, of Adrian, MO passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at his home.

Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 31st at 10 AM at Adrian Christian Church in Adrian Missouri. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Adrian Christian Church or the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association (WMATMA) Railroad.

A full obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Cash Money Late Models Series at Nevada Speedway

The Cash Money Late Model Series stops at Nevada Speedway for their only visit of the season this coming Saturday, paying $1,000 to win, $325 to start (30 lap) feature event! The Summer Enduro series Enduro race will take place after all of the features!

Don't miss the exciting Late Model class at Nevada Speedway for the final time of the season on the track!

It is also CARB Night at the races, which means all C.A.R.B. Central Auto Racing Boosters members will get free general admission into the grandstands! You will have to present your membership card at the gate.

Pit Gates Open: 4:00pm
Grandstand Gates Open: 4:30pm
Hot Laps: 7:00pm
Racing: 7:30pm

**NO RESERVED PARKING IN THE PIT AREA, AND NO PERSONAL VEHICLES IN THE PITS.**

Running Order 7/27/2024
1. Midwest Mods
2. Pure Stocks
3. Cash Money Late Models
4. Mini Stocks
5. B-Mods

Enduro after races
The Outlaw and Super Stock classes are OFF!

General Admission:
Adults (13-up) $15
Kids (6-12) $5
Kids (0-5) Free
VIP Seating: $20
Pit Passes
Drivers $35
Enduro Drivers $60
Adults (13-up) $40
Kids (6-12) $15
Kids (0-5) Free