City of Harrisonville warns of scam

Attention residents - We have been made aware of an individual who is knocking on doors throughout Harrisonville asking residents if they would like to discuss discounted electrical utility rates from Evergy.

THE SCAM: The individual claims that Evergy has purchased half of the City of Harrisonville's utility accounts and that the resident's electrical service is now supplied by Evergy.

THE TRUTH: The City of Harrisonville has not sold and does not plan to sell any portion of its electric utility. This individual also does not have a Peddlers License from the Police Department. This individual cannot sign you up for a discounted electrical rate through Evergy.

Remember, all door-to-door salesmen in Harrisonville are required to get and show a Peddlers License from HPD. Please do not share any personal information with non-licensed salesmen.

Obituary - Steven "Steve" Jay Havens

Funeral services for Steve Havens of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel. Visitation prior to services from 10 - 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Contributions to the Butler Food Pantry or Ohio Street United Methodist Church. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com

Steven “Steve” Jay Havens, age 72, of Butler, Missouri died Monday, August 26, 2024 at Researh Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born January 16, 1952 to Earl J and Evelyn Jean Smith Havens in Butler, Missouri.

Steve is survived by his wife, Linda Havens of the home; two sons, Shaun Havens and wife Sue of Butler, Missouri and Jeff Havens and wife Cecelia of Springfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Tyler, Lynerica, Harlow and Reagan; a great-granddaughter, Kallie-Ann; and an uncle, Everett Smith of Butler, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Obituary - Ron Cook

Ronnie (Ron) Ray Cook, 79 of Sun City West, AZ passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. Ron fought a long, difficult battle with Parkinson’s (and later Dementia). 

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 pm Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Mullinax Funeral Home in Drexel, MO (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow at 2:30 pm. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Ron was the third boy born May 19, 1945, in Buckner, MO to Raymond and Juanita (Howell) Cook. After a brief move to Freeman, the family settled in Drexel, MO when Ron started 1st grade. Then 5 years later, a little girl was added to the Cook family.

Ron graduated from Drexel High School in 1963. He attended Missouri Valley College on a basketball scholarship. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty, on June 10, 1967. They just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

On March 18, 1968, Ron received his draft notice and left for Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Ron served a full year as a front-line infantryman in the jungles of Vietnam.

Upon return, Ron went back to his Information Technology job at Bendix. While living in Lee’s Summit MO, they were blessed with their first beautiful daughter, Angela Michelle. Three years later, they moved to Drexel, where they built their first new home. They were blessed again, with another brown-eyed, beautiful girl, Renee Marie.

While living in Drexel, Ron was an active member of the Lions Club, school board and swimming pool committee.

Ron retired after 30 years with Honeywell (formerly Bendix/Allied Signal) in 1997. The following year, Ron and Betty began wintering in Gold Canyon, Arizona. They also moved to Overland Park KS and spent 14 years there before moving to Sun City West AZ full-time in 2014.

Ron is survived by his wife, Betty of Sun City West AZ; daughters Angela Cook of Chandler AZ and Renee Doonan (Scott) of Gilbert AZ and grandchildren Blake, Brooke and Alex; his sister, Mary Halverson (Harlan) of South Dakota; nephews Aaron Cook (Brenda) of Massachusetts, Bryon Cook (Lorrie) of Drexel MO, Kevin Cook (Donna) of Alabama, Jeremy Gunnels of South Dakota and a niece Joni Smith (Brian) of South Dakota and a host of other extended family and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Cook; mother, Juanita (Howell) Cook; brothers Howard Cook and Robert (Bob) Cook; his Granny, Maude St. Clair; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews.

Ron unselfishly donated his body to Science Care helping with their study of Parkinson’s.

Accident injures two in St. Clair County

On Tuesday August 27th around 10:30 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in St. Clair County along with the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office responded to a one vehicle accident on NE 251 RD 9/10ths of a mile from Highway B in rural St. Clair County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the Honda Utility Vehicle driven by a 23 year old James E. Lysinger of Springfield, Missouri struck an unknown object and overturned.

A driver and an occupant were injured in this crash. The driver James Lysinger sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital for treatment. 25 year old Beverly P. Galate of Osceola, Missouri sustained serious injuries and was also transported to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital for treatment.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240439443

Traffic alert in Butler

Several emergency personal is on scene of a accident on Fort Scott Street near Sunset View Drive at this time, please use caution if you must travel in this area.

Mid America Live will update when more information is made available to us. 

Strong storms possible Thursday night

We’ve got another day of hot and humid conditions expected for Thursday. That heat and humidity could spark some showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. 

Otherwise, more numerous showers and storms will move into the area after midnight as a cold front moves south through the area. That will lead to cooler temperatures for the weekend.

Obituary - Jeffrey W. "Boz" Bosler

Jeffrey W. "Boz" Bosler, 60, of Eagle Rock, MO (formerly of Humboldt, KS; and Chanute, KS) left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, August 26, 2024 after a short but aggressive battle with pneumonia. Cremation has taken place.

A public Casting Ceremony for Boz will be held Saturday, September 14, at 1:30 p.m. at Eagle Rock Park COE, 30925 State Highway 86, Eagle Rock, MO, 65641, with a Celebration of Life taking place immediately after at The Office, 34218 State Highway 86, in Eagle Rock. For those attending Boz's final send off, please park near the boat launch area and proceed to the beach. Light refreshments will be made available, as well as food and drink for purchase. In lieu of cards and flowers, please donate to a local charity or pay it forward to someone in need.

Jeff was born in Kansas City, MO on May 27, 1964. He grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from Raytown High School in 1982. He later married, and of this union had two children, Chris and Heather. In 2005, he married Patricia Sanchez, of Humboldt, KS.

He was a jack of all trades, but spent most of his life in construction and the restaurant business. He enjoyed cooking, a good fire, dad jokes, being on the lake, learning new things, gardening, woodworking, karaoke, and anything and everything electronic, especially his ham radios. He created his own international radio station in the early 2000's and loved to play music, interview guests, and crank call local businesses. He excelled at beating everyone around him at trivia when he wasn't busy being ornery. He was always willing to give the shirt off his back for both friends and strangers alike and will be greatly missed by many.

Jeff is survived by his parents, Mike and Linda Kane, of Peculiar, MO; sister, Lora Espino, of Peculiar, MO; daughter, Heather (Jeremy) Kettler of Peculiar, MO; son, Chris (Inissia) Bosler of Grandview, MO; his partner, Michelle Blythe, of Eagle Rock, MO; nieces: Linda Wilson and Olivia Holtgrieve; and five grandsons: Damien Bosler, Elijah Kettler, Vincent Bauer, Ben Bosler, and Alex Bosler. He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Bosler.

Traffic stop near Warsaw leads to drug arrest

On August 25th, 2024, at approximately 2:05 AM, a traffic stop was conducted on a motorcycle near 7 highway and Karr’s Park, rural Warsaw MO. 

After investigation and computer checks, the driver, Derik Ray Cantrell 39 of Independence MO, was arrested for licensing issues. The motorcycle and it’s accompanying luggage was searched incident to arrest and inventory before towing. 

The deputies recovered over 265 grams of methamphetamine possibly laced with fentanyl, two firearms, one of which was reported stolen out of KCMO, ammunition, paraphernalia and other drugs that were destined for our area. 

Mr. Cantrell is sitting in the Benton County Jail on a $250,000 bond for several felonies including a Class A Felony for trafficking. Thank you to all my staff for your diligent work! It takes a team to get it done, from the deputies who make the arrest, the Jail staff, the cooks, the office staff and everyone in between. I am proud of you.

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.