From the Drexel Police Department

On the morning of Wednesday July 10, employees of Stark Boring reported to DPD that a Bobcat “skidloader” was missing from their jobsite. The Bobcat had been present when they left the jobsite the prior afternoon, but was missing upon their arrival the next morning.

In the days that followed, we had been in contact with Overland Park PD who believed they had identified two (2) persons of interest. OPD also believed that they had located the skidloader at a property in Grandview. OPD checked the property in question. They did in-fact locate a Bobcat skidloader, but the serial # did not match the machine that was stolen from Drexel. After further investigation, OPD continued to look at these two individuals for other types of crimes, however we were unable to connect them to our theft case.

In early August, we had received information from the owner of the machine, as well as a ranking officer from another law enforcement agency, that Tyler D. Veach may be the individual responsible for the theft of the Bobcat.

On Friday August 16, we had communications with members of the Richmond Police Department, who informed us that the Bobcat was supposed to be in their area, and that they were looking for it. During this conversation, we learned that Mr. Veach was in-custody in Kingston at the Caldwell County Jail, on an unrelated matter.

Later on in the evening of the 16th, RPD reported to our dispatch that they had in-fact recovered the Bobcat in Richmond. We later learned from RPD detectives, that the Bobcat was recovered at the home of Mr. Veach’s future in-laws. The Bobcat was subsequently returned to its owner, Stark Boring.

On Tuesday, August 20, Mr. Veach was interviewed by DPD at the Caldwell Co Jail. The result of that interview is prompting us to seek charges against him in this case from the Cass County Prosecutor's Office.

Charges will be sought this week. Mr. Veach is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. He remains in-custody in Kingston.

Our case is not yet complete, thus our investigation is on-going. If you have any information about this matter, please contact us at DPD or via Facebook Messenger.

-Drexel Chief Downey
816-619-4444

2024 Week 1 Missouri State High School Football Preview

Week 1 of the Missouri State High School Football season will happen Friday evening. 

If your looking to watch some local high school football action in the area this Friday you can check out the games below:

Friday August 30th:

Adrian at Sherwood

Archie at Lockwood

Belton at Excelsior Springs 

Butler at North Platte 

Cabool at El Dorado Springs

Clinton at Booneville

Crest Ridge at Holden

Drexel at Liberal

Greenfield at Appleton City 

Harrisonville at Richmond 

Lamar at McDonald County 

Lees Summit North at Ray-Pec

Lone Jack at Windsor 

Mid-Buchanan at Midway

Monett at Nevada 

Osceola at Jasper

Pleasant Hill at Savannah 

Rich Hill at New Heights Christian Academy

Warsaw at Lawson

Osceola Indians Football paying respect after rough year

It’s been a rough year for Osceola to say the least….We lost Don Carney who brought football to Osceola and had a hand in so much of this community that he will be forever remembered.

We then we lost Scott Bush who would’ve been a huge piece to our team this year and will always be a huge piece of our hearts…it’s not much, but it’s the least we can do to honor them and carry their memories and legacies onto our field of battle.

#WeAreOsceola

#WeAreIndians

#TogetherForever

17th Annual Drexel Pumpkin Festival Classic Cruisers Car/truck/motorcycle Show

It's time to get that vintage car/truck/motorcycle out of storage and get it all shined up for this year's Drexel Pumpkin Festival Classic Cruisers Car/truck/motorcycle Show. See you October 5, 2024

One last day of dangerous heat today

One more dangerously hot day is expected today with highs in the low to mid 90s and heat index values between 100 to 110 degrees. 

Scattered strong storms will be possible this evening/tonight with the main threats being gusty winds, small hail, and heavy downpours.

Rich Hill woman arrested on assault charges

On Sunday August 25th around 7:40 p.m. the Bates County Sheriff's Office arrested 25 year old Katen L. Whitaker of Rich Hill, Missouri.

According to a probable cause statement Whitaker allegedly got into an altercation with one of her neighbors in which she was allegedly armed with a broken pry bar.

Katen L. Whitaker was arrested and she has been placed on a $25,000 cash or surety bond and is to have no contact with the alleged victim. She is being held in the Bates County Jail at this time.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative annual meeting winners

Thank you to everyone that participated in Osage Valley Electric Cooperative's annual meeting this year! We had a total of 1270 members register. 828 members participated by registering online while 442 members joined us for our first drive-thru meeting. Below are the winners that were drawn for prizes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sheldon FFA Chapter Helps Feed MO Families in Need

Sheldon FFA Chapter Helps Pack 193,000 Meals for Families in Need at Missouri State Fair 2024 Drive to Feed Kids Raises 700,000 Meals...

Members of the Sheldon FFA Chapter joined more than 725 FFA members and agricultural leaders at the Missouri State Fair on Tuesday, August 13, for the Missouri State FFA Food Insecurity Day of Service. The event is held in conjunction with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids, a year-long effort to stand in the gap for the one in seven Missouri children facing food insecurity.

“Missouri FFA Day of Service is an amazing opportunity for students from across the state to give back to their communities and support Missouri agriculture,” said Missouri FFA State Vice President Mikayla Rojas. “It was such an honor to watch members pack meals with such dedication and pride. This day is a reminder to all that some of our best stories can come from living to serve.”

During the eighth annual Day of Service, FFA members from 88 chapters joined agricultural leaders to pack family-sized portions of single dish meals to help neighbors in need. Together, members packed 193,084 meals for food insecure Missouri families.

"Seeing these FFA members talking, laughing and singing as they pack meals for those in need brings a sense of hope and optimism about the future,” said Cyndi Young, director of Brownfield and Learfield Ag. “It is inspiring to see this next generation engaged, compassionate, and willing to make a difference not only during Missouri FFA Day of Service, but when there is need in their local communities."

In addition to meals packed by FFA members, 626 pounds of fresh produce were donated from award-winning exhibits at the Missouri FFA building. Through the Missouri Farmers Care Food

Drive $2 Tuesday at the Fair, FFA member volunteers collected food and monetary donations from fairgoers to provide more than 49,840 meals.

“As we see the energy and compassion of Missouri FFA members in action during the FFA Day of Service, we are reminded that the future is bright,” said Ashley McCarty, Missouri Farmers Care Foundation executive director. “Hundreds of students from across the state spend one of their last days of summer in service to Missourians facing hunger. The impact of the Drive to Feed Kids is a reminder that, collectively, individual efforts can make a big impact.”

The meals included rice generously donated by Martin Rice, a generational family farm located in the Missouri bootheel near Bernie in Agri-Ready Designated Stoddard County. The family grows and mills their long-grain and jasmine rice crop to ship worldwide. The fortified beans and rice casserole included pinto beans and textured vegetable protein produced by ADM. The generous partnership of these two companies expands and amplifies the resources used to help fight hunger in Missouri.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation to support the Drive to Feed Kids and to provide nutritious meals to those who are in need,” said Richard Ramthun, Commercial Manager for ADM. “This effort is a testament to our volunteers and all the organizations involved who are enthusiastic about their communities. It’s an amazing feat to see how this effort has grown throughout the years, and to see multiple ADM divisions and groups join with Missouri High School FFA members for the common purpose of alleviating childhood hunger. We are proud to be among the groups committed to standing in the gap of food insecurity.”

In addition to the activities at the Missouri State Fair, Missouri FFA members statewide participated in the Drive to Feed Kids earlier this year through the Missouri Farmers Care 4-H and FFA Mini Grant Program. Between January and May, eleven chapters used matching grant resources to provide over 15,000 meals in their communities.

Following the Governor’s Ham Breakfast, over 3,000 meals were packed by elected leaders, farmers and agribusiness members. The Drive culminated Saturday, August 17, with an announcement of the 700,000 meals provided to Feeding Missouri food banks in 2024 through the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids. The meals were distributed to Missouri’s six regional food banks through Feeding Missouri.

"Our six food banks are working tirelessly to ensure that no child in our state needs to wonder where their next meal will come from," says Heather Hargrove, Executive Director of Feeding Missouri. “However, rising food prices are making it harder for families to put food on the table, and more neighbors are turning to the more than 1,200 community and faith-based programs supported by the food banks. To ensure our network can continue providing hunger relief to these programs, our food banks rely on partnerships and initiatives like Missouri Farmers Care and the Drive to Feed Kids to keep our shelves stocked and ensure no child has to go to bed hungry in Missouri.”

The food packing and food drive are held in partnership with Missouri Farmers Care Foundation's Drive to Feed Kids, presented with ADM and Brownfield Ag News. Support of the Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids was provided by: American Family Insurance, MFA Incorporated, NutraBlend, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, FCS Financial, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Farm Bureau, Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, Martin Rice, Missouri FFA Foundation, Forrest and Charlotte Lucas – founders of Protect the Harvest, Missouri Pork Association, Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri State Fair, Missouri 4-H, Missouri State Fair Foundation, Feeding Missouri, and the contributions of many Missouri farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.