Clinton Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years In Federal Prison

A Clinton, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender has been sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography over the internet.

Roger Lee Kempke, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, July 31, to 25 years and five months in federal prison without parole. 

The court sentenced Kempke to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration and ordered him to pay $81,000 in restitution to his victims.

Kempke, who has a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a minor, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6, 2023, to one count of receiving child pornography.

Kempke admitted that he uploaded an image of child pornography to Microsoft’s Bing Image search on March 16, 2022. A Cyber Tip was issued to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

On June 7, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kempke’s residence, which was within 1,000 feet of three different elementary and high schools. Officers seized three desktop computers and numerous USB thumb drives. Investigators found 5,521 images and nine videos of child sexual abuse material on Kempke’s electronic devices.

A forensic examination of one of the hard drives in Kempke’s desktop computers found that, on three separate occasions in November 2021, Kempke downloaded hundreds of files of child pornography. He saved these images to a USB storage device that was connected to his computer. One of the USB drives contained thousands of images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 10 and infants.

Officers also found 16 marijuana plants in Kempke’s residence, along with other equipment consistent with growing, harvesting, and consuming marijuana.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Obituary - Joshua David Bittle

Joshua David Bittle, age 32, Hume, Missouri passed away August 5, 2024 along with his mother Mary Ann Bittle. He was born on April 26, 1992 in Nevada, Missouri the son of Gary and Mary Bush Bittle. He was an avid gamer. He was preceded in death by his brother Matthew. 

Joshua is survived by his father Gary Bittle, an uncle, Gerald Bittle, two aunts, Sharon Coberley and Maria Mock, extended family and friends.

A gathering to celebrate the life of Joshua and Mary Ann will be held 3 pm Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Gary's home in rural Prescott, Kansas. Please bring a side dish and lawn chairs. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

  

Obituary - Mary Ann Bittle

Mary Ann Bittle, age 58, Hume, Missouri passed away on August 5, 2024 along with her son Joshua. She was born on February 23, 1966 in Jackson County, Missouri the daughter of Wallace and Lucille Hicks Bush. She worked as a semi trailer mechanic. 

She was united in marriage to Gary Bittle on May 20, 1982. He survives. The marriage ended over forty years later. She enjoyed crocheting, DIY, and collecting owls. She was preceded her son Matthew.

A gathering to celebrate the life of Joshua and Mary Ann will be held 3 pm Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Gary's home in rural Prescott, Kansas. Please bring a side dish and lawn chairs. 

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Stockton man charged with Domestic Assault And Unlawful Use Of A Weapon

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Jason L. Johnson, 49, of Stockton, Missouri. 

Johnson was formally charged on August 8, 2024, with one count of third degree domestic assault, one count of unlawful use of weapon, one count of first degree harassment, and one count of armed criminal action. 

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Troop D Criminal Investigations Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.

On June 23, 2024, Cedar County Sheriff James McCrary requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control investigate an alleged assault involving Johnson. 

The St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case. On August 7, 2024, after reviewing the Patrol’s investigation, a Cedar County warrant was issued for Johnson’s arrest. On August 8, 2024, Johnson turned himself into the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, where he posted a $5000.00 bond.

The above charges are a mere accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Obituary - Zechariah Taylor Wood Kellerman

Zechariah Taylor Wood Kellerman, age 31, of Centerville, Kansas passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024. He was born on January 14, 1993 in Bellingham, Washington the son of Janet Sue Brownback. He graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School. He then attended Pratt Community College receiving an Associate of Arts in Applied Science as well as a Lineman's Certificate. 

He was united in marriage to Alisha Brown. A son, Flint Matthew Kellerman, was born to this union. His favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed riding horses, Chiefs and Kansas State football, and smoking meat.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, a nephew, Marion Brownback, and a nephew Truitt Kellerman. Taylor is survived by his son, Flint Matthew Kellerman, and Flint's mother, Alisha, his mother, Janet Brownback Kellerman and Tom Kemper, four siblings, Matthew Kellerman(Bailee), Abby Kellerman(Coleson Wiggin), Garrett James(Kelsey), and Sara Ellis(Preston), maternal grandmother, Carlene Brownback, paternal grandparents, George and Donna Kellerman, nine nieces and nephews, Nolan, Emberlee, Lucas, Emma, Axel, Gage, Gannon and Krew, other extended family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel.

Obituary - Cathy Lynn Eisenhauer

Cathy Lynn Eisenhauer, age 66, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Cathy's wishes were to be cremated. 

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cathy's Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Cathy was born on March 7, 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri to William and Jean Dernier. Cathy worked for Yellow Freight for years, was a school bus driver for Clinton and Shawnee Mound schools and formerly employed at O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Cathy loved her family and friends dearly and she lived life to the fullest her way! She enjoyed fishing, music and her favorite team-The Chiefs! Cathy spent her last years enjoying her family, friends, animals, and her home.

She is preceded in death by her father, William E. Dernier.

Survivors include her husband Royce Eisenhauer, her son Matthew Dernier, her mother Jean Dernier, two brothers; Bobby (Stacey) Dernier, and Mike (Cheryl) Dernier, three nephews; Dustin Dernier, Derek Dernier, and Chase Dernier, along with her great nephew and nieces, an uncle and cousins and a host of other family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Butler Elementary School Popsicles at the park a great success

Several Butler Elementary Students joined the staff and teachers tonight for popsicles in the big park in Butler.

The students enjoyed some great popsicles and they also learned who their teacher would be in the upcoming school year that starts Tuesday August 20th.

The attendance was great as well as the weather. Enjoy some photos from this event below:

Obituary - Kevin Joseph Kuehn "Keener"

Kevin Joseph Kuehn (Keener) died peacefully at home from complications of Heart disease.

He was brought into this world by his mother, A Kay (Cook) Kuehn and his father Ken Kuehn along with loving grandparents aunts and uncles, and cousins, in Cape Girardeau, MO. His brother Kris Kuehn (married to Kim Kuehn and together had three children Korbin, Kailee, and Kelsey) was born when Kevin was a toddler, and he loved being a big brother.

After moves to St. Louis and Michigan, he met and married Shari Kuehn, and with this marriage had their beautiful daughter, Kristyn Kuehn. Later, Kristyn and James Olin, would marry and bring into this world Kevin’s grandsons, Kaleb Olin and Rigby Olin.

After moving to Kansas City in the 80’s, he met his second wife, Angie (Hardesty) Kuehn, with whom he celebrated 35 years of a loving marriage and friendship.

He would also want to give love and credit to his “bonus” parents, Bob Mason (Kay)and Barb Kruessel (Ken) on Kevin’s side, plus Bill and Sandy Hardesty and Barbara and Charlie Ward on Angie’s side. He also loved Angie’s sister Jill Hardesty and her clan (Mike, Emma, and Anna Cormack) and her brother Teague Hardesty as his family, too.

Keener had a lot of friends in addition to his family, but notably his “other brother” Mike (Ace) Acinger plus his “other sister” Christol Acinger for their years of friendship and laughter.

Kevin was a master printer who worked for elite printing companies before owning and operating “Keener Printing” for many years before retiring.

His passions were his family, hockey, photography, trains, ships, and planting anything he could get his hands on. He has been a true steward of the “little patch of land” that he loved.

He will be missed by all who loved him, but would want all of us to love life and remember the joy!