Way to go Harlee

We would like to Harlee Newkirk, Adrian High School DAR Good Citizen. Harlee was recognized at a DAR reception, on Monday, November 11th for outstanding attributes in dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.

Miami JH Lady Eagles Basketball Finish the season strong

Miami JH Lady Eagles Basketball placed 2nd in the Hume Invitational Tournament. Congratulations on a great season! Way to represent lady eagles! 

Harkrader receives Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award

ACHS Senior Hallie Harkrader was recognized on Monday, November 11th with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award. The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. 

This award, extended by the Butler, MO Harmony Mission DAR Chapter, recognizes and rewards high school seniors who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Hallie was selected by her teachers because she demonstrates these qualities to an outstanding degree. 

Hallie's father, Brett Harkrader, presented her with a DAR Good Citizen pin just before Hallie read a speech she wrote about the importance of service. Congratulations, Hallie

Way to go Lanie!

Rich Hill Senior Lanie Phelps was selected as the daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award recipient for Rich Hill High School.

School staff selected Lanie based on her dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Congratulations, Lanie

Update: Missing woman located safe in rural Amoret

On 11/11/24 at approximately 2pm Bates County Dispatch received a call in reference to a missing female from Miami County Kansas. The females vehicle was located in the trees east of County Road 12761 south of County Road 1002. This location is south of Amoret Missouri.

The female, a 47 year old from Kansas, was reportedly having a medical condition and was at risk. Deputies began to search the area and requested a drone operator respond to the area. The area is very rural and surrounded by heavy trees and crop land. A drone operators with Maple Ranch and the Sheriffs Office worked together to start covering the very large area.

Within an hour, the decision was made to call out every deputy and request assistance for manpower from other agencies. Over 25 deputies and command staff responded. Amoret Fire responded with personnel and a UTV. Adrian Police Department sent personnel and 2 UTVs. The Sheriff’s Posse responded with horses, ATVs and over 10 personnel. Request were also sent to Adrian Fire, Butler Fire and Rich Hill Fire. Butler Fire and Rich Hill Fire were diverted to an accident on I49.

At approximately 5:15pm search crews located the female subject. The female was transported by UTV to the command staging area where she was reunited with her husband and children. Bates County EMS was called to evaluate the female where she was determined to be stable enough to be transported for medical care by family.

We would like to Thank the Volunteers and First Responders who arrived to assist in the search. Many of the volunteers brought their own UTVs for the search. We would like to Thank those agencies who were en-route to assist but were canceled before they arrived. This is the outcome we prayed for knowing we were losing daylight and the temps were dropping.

Obituary - Thomas Edward Ray Johnson

Thomas Edward Ray Johnson, age 67, of Moundville, MO passed away at his home on November 11, 2024 after a brief bout with cancer. Tom was born on February 8, 1957 in Harrisonville, MO to Dorothy Jean Doring. As a child he lived in Butler, MO, and later moved to Jasper, MO where he attended school and graduated with the Class of 1975. 

Following high school, he became an over-the-road trucker and traveled throughout the country for many years. Driving big trucks was something he loved doing and made many friends along the way. Tom later moved to Nevada where he worked at Crane Plumbing for 12 years.

Tom loved the rodeo’s; his cowboy hat and boots were a staple. He was also an avid Dallas Cowboys fan along with the Texas Longhorns.

Tom was married to Margaret Phelps on February 8, 2000 and she preceded him in death on May 4, 2012. Tom had two children, Anthony Major and Chelsea Johnson; four step-children, Sue (Shawn) Havens, James (Tracy) Washburn, Zeb Roberts, and Joe (Nicole) Roberts. He had four siblings, Stephen Collins, Cynthia Cole, James Doring, and Lori Hartung; and 16 grandchildren.

In 2017, Tom moved to Moundville, MO with Deb Allen and their fur baby, Molly. He had a stepson, Jimmy (April) Ragan; five grandchildren, Nick (Katie) Ragan, MacKenzie (Cole) Rogers, Samantha (Keenan) Guilfoyle, Landon Ragan, Lexi Ragan, and two great-grandchildren, Riley and River, which he adored. In addition are his self-adopted parents and neighbors, Carl and Arlene Kraus.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Jean Doring; daughter, Chelsea Johnson; and his late wife, Margaret Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Sheriff's Office seeking public assistance

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for missing 47 year old female, Elizabeth Mark. She is described as a white female approximately 5’9 120 lbs. she has dirty blonde hair down to the small of her back. She typically wears dentures but did not have them in at the time she went missing. 

She may be wearing a gray shirt and work boots. She has no visible tattoos. Last seen in the area of Amoret near County Road 12761 south of County Road 1002 this afternoon. 

If you have seen this female or know her whereabouts please contact the Sheriffs Office by phone immediately at 660-679-3232.

Traffic Alert: Semi truck rollover on I-49 south of Butler

Traffic Alert: Semi truck rollover on I-49 south of Butler...

Several emergency personnel are on scene of a overturned semi truck on northbound I-49 at mile marker 127 at this time. Please slow down and use caution around this area!