Henry County Sheriff Department Welcomes 5 New Deputies

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the graduation and swearing-in of five new deputies from Class 168 of the Central Missouri Police Academy (University of Central Missouri). Their training is complete, but their journey of learning, growth, and community engagement will continue as they step into their roles as deputies. Please join us in congratulating Henry Counties newest deputies:

Billy Tucker
Spencer Brooks
Ian Murphy
Aidin Hinkle
Nicholas Caldwell

UTV accident claims the life of 44 year old Lamar man

The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a single-vehicle Barton County UTV accident resulting in the death of a Barton County man.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8th on Northeast 40th Road, 10 miles north of Lamar, as a 2011 Polaris UTV, driven by a 44-year-old man of Lamar, travelled off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned.

Following the accident, the driver was pronounced deceased on scene by the Barton County Coroner and was transported to Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar. The driver was not wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. Next of Kin Notified. 

Due to a recent policy change of the Missouri Highway Patrol, the name of the man involved was not released.

View Crash Report Below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240616577

Celebration of life for Mike Taranto December 15th

 

Body found near ball field in Osceola

On Saturday, December 07, 2024 around 3:45 p.m., Osceola Police Department received a call about a deceased body located near a ball field in Osceola, MO

The Osceola Police Department along with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating. 

There will be an autopsy this week to determine cause of death. At this time no foul play is suspected, pending the outcome of the autopsy.

We will update when we know more information.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Route U CLOSED in Bates Co. for Pipe Replacement Dec. 11th

TRAFFIC ALERT: Route U CLOSED in Bates Co. for Pipe Replacement Dec. 11th

Where: Bates County Route U between Southwest County Road 6508 and Southwest County Road 7508
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday, December 11
What: MoDOT crews replacing damaged pipes underneath the road
Traffic Impacts: Route U CLOSED where crews are working

Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances on either end of the work zone but will not be able to travel through the work zone

No signed detours

Drivers urged to find alternate routes

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone. Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts.

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Rich Hill Varsity Boys Basketball back to back winners of the 82nd Annual Dennis Cornish Classic in Lockwood

We would like to congratulate the Rich Hill Varsity Boys Basketball Team! The boys placed first for the second year at the 82nd Annual Dennis Cornish Classic in Lockwood.

The team's opponents for the week were Golden City (score 82-32), Thomas Jefferson (score 67-40), and Lockwood (score 60-52). Way to go Rich Hill.

 

Obituary - Janet L. Rankin

Janet L. Rankin, 76, passed away from health complications on December 4, 2024 at Freeman Hospital. She was born November 10, 1948 to Violet Maxine (Snow) Issacson and Irvin Isaacson. Janet graduated from Rich Hill, Mo in 1966.

Following graduation, she married James Walter Rankin in November of 1967 and settled in Foster, Missouri. They celebrated 52 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2020. During that time, Janet worked as a school bus driver for the Rich Hill School department and then at the Hospital in Butler, Missouri until she retired.

She was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church. Janet enjoyed crafts and cooking, believing that so long as the family was fed and happy, all things could be accomplished. She oftentimes could be found in the kitchen making sweet treats, out in the pecan grove picking up pecans, or reading a book. She also enjoyed camping and being at the lake with her husband and family when the weather permitted.

Surviving her are her son, Jared L. Rankin and his wife, Janett L. (Nachbar) Rankin of Moundville, Mo. One granddaughter, Dr. Janessa L. Rankin of Colorado Springs, CO, as well as three great grandchildren, Kinsley J. Rankin, Kaiden J. Rankin and Jayden D. Rankin. She is also survived by her beloved adopted fur-child, Thumper, of Nevada, Missouri.

A memorial will be held at 2PM on December 14, 2024, at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 1:30 pm until service time. Those who wish to remember Janet and pay their respects in a special way may make gifts in her memory to United Methodist Church in Hume, Missouri. Arrangements by Heuser Funeral Home

Obituary - Berniece Adeline Smalley

Funeral services for Berniece Smalley of Butler, Missouri will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. There is no visitation. Burial in Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, Missouri. Contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Berniece Adeline Smalley, age 97 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Medicalodge of Butler. She was born June 9, 1927 to Fred and Ida Alice Brewer Clark in Detroit, Michigan.

Berniece is survived by a son, Larry Smalley and wife Kathie of Harrisonville, Missouri; a daughter, Deb Hess of Hume, Missouri; two grandsons, Jess Smalley and wife Michele of Harrisonville, Missouri and Justin Smalley and wife Erin of Springfield, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Rylee, Alex, Luke, Kennedy, Caitlyn and Cole; a sister, Loeva McGinnis of San Antonio, Texas; a sister-in-law, Carol Wilson of Tacoma, Washington; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert Smalley Jr. on February 4, 2011; an infant daughter, Ronda Ranay in 1954; three sisters; and three brothers.