Obituary - Velma L. McCoy

Velma L. McCoy, 88, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Velma was born May 22, 1936 in Independence, MO, a daughter of Dean Lee and Thelma (Smith) Fishback. She was united in marriage to Lorenzo “Mac” McCoy on June 14, 1958 at Velma’s parents’ home in Fristoe, MO.

Velma and Mac moved to Harrisonville in 1971, and owned and operated the Wagon Wheel Restaurant and the Halfway Truck Stop before their retirement. Velma was a member of the First Baptist Church in Harrisonville.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Mac, on January 8, 2019. She is survived by three daughters: Sonya Wendler (Mark), Ava, MO, Shelley Ederer, Lee’s Summit, MO, and Dowlene Wise (Mark), Cleveland, MO; a sister, Carolyn Johnson (Keigh), Lincoln, MO; nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30pm on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO.

Butler JH Lady Bears Basketball A Team gets win tonight over Clinton

The Butler JH Lady Bears Basketball A Team competed tonight against the Clinton Cardinals and were able to come out with a 24-17 win to move to 6-1 on the season. 

The Lady Bears were led in scoring in this game by Kiersten Dubray who had 13 points and Braelynn Isaacson added 8 points to help the team secure the win.

Butler will be back in action tomorrow night as they hit the road to take on the El Dorado Springs Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m.! Best of luck Lady Bears! Enjoy some photos from the game tonight below:

Butler JH Basketball falls short tonight against Clinton

The Butler Bears JH Boys Basketball A-Team hosted a very tough Clinton Cardinals Team this evening and came up short by the final score of 49-33.

Butler was led in scoring by 8th grader Kyson King who had 14 points for the Bears. The Butler JH Boys B Team also fell to the Cardinals with a final score 31-16.

The Bears will be on the road December 9th as they travel to take on rival the Adrian Blackhawks. Best of luck Bears!!! Enjoy some photos from tonight's game below:

Obituary - Robert Garrison

Robert “Bob” Frederick Garrison, of Nevada, MO, passed away on December 3, 2024, at the age of 82. He was born on September 1, 1942, in Goodland, KS to Robert and Dorothy (Williams) Garrison. After graduating from high school, he served his country in the United States Army from 1961 to 1964. He married Kathryn Irene Coady and together they raised three children. 

After working many years as a maintenance supervisor, he retired from Peerless Products, in Fort Scott, KS. Bob enjoyed outdoor activities, including camping, hunting and fishing. He had worked for the Monroe County Iowa Volunteer Fire Department and was of the Catholic faith.

Bob leaved behind two sons, Kevin Garrison and his wife Stacy, Muscatine, IA, Chris Garrison and his wife Tiffany, Moundville, MO; one daughter Kelly Garrison and her partner Cody, Nevada, MO; grandchildren, Mae, Adriana, Aleister, Kye, Atheanah, Brock, Kevin, Ryker and Fallon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathryn and a sister Mary Jane Garrison.

The family will have a private graveside service.

Arrest Made Following Pursuit in Henry County

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 22-year-old Andre Isaac Ahnstedt of Clinton following a high-speed motorcycle pursuit and foot chase on December 2, 2024.

At approximately 2:22 PM, Clinton Police initiated a pursuit of a motorcyclist near Grandriver St. and 7th St. After their pursuit was discontinued, officers remained in the area to locate the suspect. Soon after, Clinton Police Department spotted the motorcyclist, who refused to stop despite activated lights and sirens.

The pursuit resumed when Lieutenant Kubilus of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office located the motorcycle. The suspect evaded officers, reaching high speeds, running stop signs, and performing dangerous stunts in residential areas.

The pursuit ended near Urich Rd. when the motorcyclist lost control and wrecked. Law enforcement, including Deputy Saulters, Captain Bilbruck, and Sheriff Brown, pursued the suspect on foot through residential areas and wooded area. Deputy Saulters and Trooper Henderson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol eventually located the suspect hiding in a creek bed and took him into custody without incident.

Ahnstedt is currently held at the Henry County Detention Center on a no-bond warrant issued by the courts after the Henry County Prosecutors Office filed formal charges for aggravated fleeing a stop.

Lt. Kubilus praised the teamwork involved, stating, “Thanks to the swift response and coordinated efforts of all involved, we were able to bring this pursuit to a safe conclusion.”

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.

King shines as Butler Bears JH Boys Basketball A-Team shuts down Appleton City

The Butler Bears JH Boys Basketball A-Team cruised to a victory tonight over the Appleton City Bulldogs 32-17. Butler was led in scoring by Kyson King who had 16 points.

Butler B-Team tied 10-10 in two quarters of action tonight with Appleton City. Jaxon Wheatley led the team with 6 points.

Butler will be back at it tomorrow evening at home as they take on the Clinton Cardinals. 

Come out and support these young athletes! Enjoy some photos from the contest tonight below:

Thank you kindly

Butler Mayor Jim Henry presented Chairperson Doris Fuller of the Historic Preservation Commission, a certificate from the state certified local government.

The commission has achieved five years of service preserving historic information in our community. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Obituary - Jerry D. Moore

Jerry D. Moore, 66, of Freeman, Missouri, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, MO. Jerry was born June 19, 1958 in Kansas City, MO, a son of Clifford and Dorothy (Ogle) Moore.

Jerry graduated from Van Horn High School in Kansas City, MO. He had lived in Freeman since 1998. Jerry worked in the commercial/residential construction field until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking and drinking beer with his best friend, Bob, in his spare time.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Michael. He is survived by his life partner, Kathy McMillin, of Freeman, MO; son, Patrick Moore (Jessica), of Lawson, MO; two daughters: Danielle Crowder (Brian), Kansas City, MO, and Michelle McFall (Shane), Coffeeville, KS; and 8 grandchildren; extended family: Volynne Bixler (Jeff), Doug Davis (Cheri), Tamara Rast (Alex), and Tatiana Bixler.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.