Adrian man injured in early morning rollover

On Wednesday September 25th around 5:45 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County along with the Bates County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a one-vehicle accident on Route AA, north west of County Road 2001.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the eastbound 2003 Honda CRV SUV driven by a 34 year old Micah P. Guerra of Adrian, Missouri traveled off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, traveled off the left side of the road, struck a ditch, and overturned.

Micah P. Guerra suffered serious injuries and was transported to Cass Regional Medical Center for treatment.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240489939

Belton police officers continue the fight against drunk driving

On 10-7-2023, a Belton police officer stopped David Biggs near N Scott and Carnegie for multiple traffic violations. Biggs was arrested and taken to the station for suspicion of DWI. Biggs' BAC was more than twice the legal limit. Biggs was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while revoked.

On 6-28-2024, another Belton police officer stopped Biggs in the same area after he nearly caused a traffic crash. Biggs was again arrested for suspicion of DWI. Once again, Bigg's BAC was more than twice the legal limit.

On 9-3-2024, Judge Eftink sentenced Biggs to 4 years in the department of corrections for aggravated DWI and felony driving while revoked / suspended.

Our officers remain committed to keeping impaired drivers off your streets. You drink, you drive, you lose.

Obituary - Leon Troyer

Leon Troyer age 62 of Adrian, Missouri departed this life Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 30, 2024 at New Covenant Fellowship, Garden City, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 30, 2024 at New Covenant Fellowship, Garden City, Missouri with interment at Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

In Lieu of Flowers family suggests memorial contributions to be made to Leon Troyer Memorial Fund and make checks payable to Penny Hix and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available.

Obituary - Steven Dunn

Steven Dunn, 55 of Warsaw, Missouri, departed this life on September 21, 2024. A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Monday, September 30, 2024 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). 

Funeral services will follow at Mullinax Funeral Home beginning at 3:00 pm Monday. Burial will take place in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Motorcycles are encouraged, and all who loved Steve are welcome to attend. Although we are heartbroken with his loss, we are encouraged to know he is at peace in the presence of the Lord. Messages may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Steven Eric Dunn was born October 26th, 1968 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. was a 1986 graduate of Walnut Ridge High School. He married Lesa Dunn (Beeler) in 1994, and they celebrated 30 years of marriage on July 23rd. Steve dedicated 18 years to Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) as primary, executive board member, public relations, child liaison and more. As a resident on the Lake of the Ozarks since 2020, he enjoyed taking his friends and family for many rides on their boat. Steve will be remembered as a hardworking, reliable and loving husband, father, son, and a good friend to many.

Steve is survived by his wife Lesa Dunn of Warsaw, Missouri; parents Roger and Cathy Dunn of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; son and daughter-in-law Colton and Amanda Dunn, of Garden City, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law, Caitlyn Dunn and Issac Bailey, of Warsaw, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law Talia and Jack Brown, of Harrisonville, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law Tara and Matthew Whitley, of Joplin, Missouri; six grandchildren, Treven Brown, Ethan Brown, Avery Brown, Makenna Whitley, Kynslee Brown, & Mila Whitley; and two great-grandchildren, Teanna Brown and Owen Brown.

He was preceded in death by his uncle Andy West, of Harrisonville, Missouri; and his daughter Tianna Britt of Harrisonville, Missouri.

Visitation will be held on Monday September 30th, from 1:00-3:00 pm, at Mullinax Funeral Home 10 S. High St., Butler, MO 64730, immediately followed by funeral services with a procession to graveside services at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, Missouri. Motorcycles are encouraged, and all who loved Steve are welcome to attend. Although we are heartbroken with his loss, we are encouraged to know he is at peace in the presence of the Lord.

Obituary - Harold William Fritter

Harold William Fritter, 92, of Richards, Missouri, passed away on Monday September 23, 2024, surrounded by family.

Harold was born on August 29, 1932, to Louis W. Fritter and Stella Gardner Fritter in Ft. Scott, KS. He married Alice Poague on December 10, 1951, in Hood River, Oregon and she survives of the home.

After graduating from Richards High School in 1951, Harold enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Construction Battalion (Seabees) from 1952-1956 in the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed sharing stories from his time in Japan and was grateful to be selected for the Heartland Honor Flight in May of 2017.

Harold and Alice moved back to Missouri from Oregon after his time in the Navy to begin farming. Nearly all his life, he held a second job while farming to provide for his family. Throughout the years, these jobs included working for the State Highway Department, over the road and local trucking and Railway Express Agency. He was also the owner of a grocery store in Stotesbury and Main Street Coin-O-Matic in Ft. Scott.

Harold was baptized in 1964 along with his wife and 2 sons. Over the years he faithfully attended Richards Christian Church where he served as an elder and treasurer and made many lifelong friends. In addition to his leadership in the church, he served as a missionary with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission for many years.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Kenneth and Donald. In addition to his wife Alice, he is survived by his sons, Mike Fritter and wife Joe' of Ft. Scott, KS; Dennis D. Fritter of Nevada, MO; Grandchildren Justin Fritter (Sarah) and their children Hayden and Colin of Holt, MO, Jamie Sisseck (Kris) and their child Konner of Deerfield, MO, Lacinda Schneider (David) of Lenexa, KS, Marc Fritter (Melissa) and their children Derrick and Kali of Nevada, MO, Jill Arnold (Chad) and their child Alivia of Newton, KS, Trevor Swim (Katie) and their children Crew and Cove of Knoxville, TN, and Wesley DeHaven of Ft. Scott, KS. As well as other extended family.

Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct funeral services at 12:00 PM Thursday, September 26th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Tunnel to Towers Foundation or locally to the Jim Meech Agri-Med Crisis Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Statutory Sodomy charges filed

Gregory D. Arnold, 56 years of age and a resident of Chilhowee, Missouri, has been charged with the following: 3 COUNTS- Statutory Sodomy 1st Degree.

Yvonne P. Arnold, 55 years of age and a resident of Chilhowee, Missouri, has been charged with the following: 1 COUNT- Statutory Sodomy 1st Degree.

These disclosures mark the beginning of what is anticipated to be a comprehensive and detailed investigation. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office is actively looking into additional potential crimes that may have been committed as early as 2005.

This is an active investigation. We are diligently working to uncover all facts and ensure justice is served. Any additional crimes related to these allegations will be thoroughly investigated. Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office is committed to ensuring justice and support for the victims in this case.

The above charges are mere accusations and are 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.

RV fire in rural Butler

Around 3:15pm this afternoon the Butler Fire Department responded to a report of a RV that was on fire at a address of 1407 SW CR 4647 in rural Butler. 

When crews arrived on scene they found the RV fully engulfed in flames. 

No one was occupying this RV at the time of the fire and the cause is still under investigation.

Explosive device found after traffic stop in Barton County

On 09-24-2024 Deputies with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a vehicle stop at the corner of Hicks and Main. 

During the stop a suspicious device was located in the vehicle. Springfield Fire Department Bomb Squad was contacted and responded to the scene to inspect the device. 

They determined the device was in fact an explosive device. They rendered the device safe and transported it to their facility.

Suspect information and charges will be submitted to the Barton County Prosecutor’s office and will be released when formal charges are filed.

We would like to thank Springfield Fire Department for their response to the incident. We would also like to thank Golden City Fire Department for assisting with setting a perimeter around the scene. We would also like to thank the citizens of Golden City for their patience and cooperation during the incident.

Sheriff,
John Simpson