Be Extra Vigilant When Driving In Inclement Weather

Missouri’s weather forecast indicates freezing rain and snow is expected. For some of the state, this could be the first snow of the season. Whether it’s a dusting or several inches, it can affect travel. Be sure to increase your following distance as you drive; stopping quickly on wet, snowy, or icy roads can be hazardous or impossible. 

Be aware that elevated roadways such as bridges and ramps may freeze faster, and a roadway that appears wet could be icy. Leaving at least five seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of you is always a smart idea, especially in inclement weather.

Troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol urge everyone to pay attention to weather conditions and make smart decisions regarding travel. If conditions dictate, avoid driving on Missouri’s roadways. When you travel, make sure your vehicle is completely clean of snow, use your headlights to increase visibility, and reduce your speed when the roadway appears wet or snow is present. Lower overnight temperatures may cause wet roadways to freeze and become slick. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.

Please adjust your speed to the weather. Increase your following distance and do not use cruise control. Allow extra driving time, enabling you to reach your destination at a slow, safe speed.

Troopers suggest keeping your fuel tank at least half full. In preparation for winter weather, place battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, ice scraper, first aid kit, flashlight, small shovel, and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk now, before an emergency occurs.

Before you travel, make sure your cell phone is fully charged and keep it with you. Do not use your cell phone when you are driving; park your vehicle well off the roadway or in a parking lot before placing a call. The Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number is *55 on a cellular phone. This number rings at the nearest troop headquarters. Troopers are available to assist you.

Motorists are encouraged to check road conditions before driving to help determine if the trip can be completed safely. MoDOT’s Road Condition Map can be viewed at http://traveler.modot.org/map/. The MoDOT Traveler Information Map app can be downloaded free of charge to your smart devices. The Traveler Information Map reflects the most current road conditions and is utilized by communication officers to provide road conditions. Motorists are encouraged to download the Traveler Information Map or view the map online instead of contacting law enforcement to inquire about road conditions. Missouri State Highway Patrol communication officers are very busy during winter weather events.

Please remember to buckle up, pay attention, be courteous, and obey all traffic laws. When weather conditions make driving hazardous, drive only when absolutely necessary.

Incident Involving Possibly Armed and Dangerous Subject Successfully Resolved by Cedar County Sheriff's Office

Incident Involving Possibly Armed and Dangerous Subject Successfully Resolved by Cedar County Sheriff's Office.

On January 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Cedar County deputies responded to a report of a possibly armed and dangerous individual threatening to kill others. The reporting party (RP) advised that the subject, who had recently been released from prison and was reportedly under the influence of a controlled substance, was experiencing homicidal thoughts and making threatening statements. 

The RP also reported a firearm missing from the residence, heightening the seriousness of the situation.

Sgt. Elder, accompanied by trainee Deputy Bryant, was the first to arrive on the scene, followed closely by Chief Deputy Clay Jeffries and Sheriff James McCrary. Upon their arrival, the subject fled on foot after spotting the marked patrol vehicle. Deputies immediately began searching the property, including over 12 outbuildings, but were initially unable to locate the individual.

Recognizing the need for advanced resources, Chief Deputy Jeffries deployed the Office's thermal-equipped drone to assist in the search. Undersheriff Lowe arrived to provide additional assistance. Using thermal imaging technology, the drone scanned the area for heat signatures, significantly enhancing the search's effectiveness. Shortly thereafter, Sheriff McCrary visually located the subject in a field south of the property.

Despite multiple verbal commands to surrender, the individual refused to comply and attempted to flee once more. Utilizing the drone to maintain visual contact, deputies tracked the subject until Sheriff McCrary and Sgt. Elder successfully apprehended him with the assistance of a Taser deployment.

Following the subject's apprehension, the Cedar County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Missouri Department of Conservation to utilize their tracking K9 in the search for the missing firearm. Despite an extensive search, no firearm was located in the areas the subject fled through.

The subject was transported to a nearby hospital for a injury to the wrist and was later transferred to a separate facility for a mental health evaluation. No injuries to law enforcement personnel were reported during the incident.

This incident underscores the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology, and rigorous training to ensure community safety.

Sheriff McCrary commended all personnel and agencies involved for their swift and coordinated response.

Chief Deputy Clay Jeffries
Cedar County Sheriff’s Office

Fatal stabbing and shooting under investigation in Benton County

On January 3, 2024, Deputies of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, alongside officers from the Warsaw Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, responded to reports of a stabbing and shots fired at the Lake Hills Motel, located at 31535 Highway 83.

Preliminary investigations reveal that a verbal conflict escalated into a physical altercation between Shawn Murphy, 55, of Illinois, and Kevin Noland, 55, of Warsaw. Tragically, Kevin Noland sustained a fatal stab wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene. It is believed that the fatal injury was inflicted by Shawn Murphy.

During the altercation, Robert Hurr, 61, also of Warsaw, intervened, shooting Murphy in the leg. Murphy was treated on the scene by emergency medical personnel before being airlifted to a regional trauma center for further treatment. Murphy will be taken into custody upon his release from medical care.

Robert Hurr was Taken to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for questioning and has since been released as the investigation continues.

This is an ongoing investigation and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about this incident to come forward or contact Detective Johns.

Search warrant served in Cass County

Yesterday around 5 p.m., Cass County detectives assigned to the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (WMICAC) served a search warrant in rural Pleasant Hill, regarding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). They arrested 29-year-old Jeremiah Ordonez.

He’s charged with six felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography (B Felony). Ordonez is also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (D Felony).

He’s currently being held at the Cass County Jail on a $200,000 cash only bond. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team assisted in the service of this search warrant.

The Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (WMICAC) Task Force is spearheaded by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and consists of personnel from agencies within Cass, Johnson, Bates, Henry, Saline, Lafayette, and Pettis counties. WMICAC is an affiliate of the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (MOICAC).

How many more times?

On 1/3/25, a Deputy on routine patrol, observed a vehicle fail to yield for a stop sign. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop for the violation. The vehicle was occupied by two male subjects. The Driver was identified as Robert D Gillispie. Mr. Gillispie is very well known by all the Deputies. 

Mr. Gillispie is out on bond and has at least 8 pending cases in the 27th District Court that range from assault to trafficking narcotics. Mr. Gillispie's behavior during the traffic stop led the Deputy to believe there was illegal activity going on, leading the Deputy to gain consent to search the vehicle.

Upon the search, the Deputy recovered approximately 43 grams of a white crystal substance that tested positive for Methamphetamine. Mr. Gillispie was taken into custody where he advised the Deputy that the Methamphetamine was his and not the passenger's.

Mr. Gillispie has a long history of narcotics use and distribution of Methamphetamines. His regularly scheduled court hearing for his many previous arrests is January 27, 2025. Mr. Gillispie has been released previously from the Bates County Jail to get treatment at a rehabilitation center.

"Mr. Gillispie is an example of a career criminal. He has had many opportunities to get clean and become a productive member of society. This community is fed up with him dealing drugs to others and I look forward to the day that he can be remanded to the Department of Corrections. 

Until then, he has a home with us here at the Bates County Jail. He is no longer just ruining his life, but the lives of many others and their families. Drugs rob people of their loved ones and we will continue to do our part in taking the drug dealers off the streets of Bates County" Says Sheriff Chad Anderson.

Robert D Gillispie of Butler Mo was charged once again with Trafficking Drugs in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety.

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.

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Obituary - Donald Lee McDaniel

Donald Lee McDaniel, age 88, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. He was born September 17, 1936, in Fort Scott, the son of Andrew Galen McDaniel and Donna May Stephens McDaniel. Don served in the U. S. Army from 1959 until 1961. He married Barbara Wolfe on December 23, 1959. 

She preceded him in death on May 21, 2013. Don retired from the Postal Service after 28 years of service. Because of his evening work schedule, Don cherished morning breakfasts and late-night bowls of ice cream with family. He enjoyed farming, working on cars, and watching PGA golf on tv. He had great affection for all animals, especially the family dogs. 

He liked walking in Walmart, catching up with friends. He also helped care for many foster children over a 10-year time span while adopting 2.

Survivors include 3 sons, Randall McDaniel, Carthage, MO, Ricky McDaniel, Fort Scott, KS, and Ronald McDaniel, Pittsburg, KS; 3 daughters, Patricia Flanigan, Carthage, MO, Jeanise Malone, Fort Scott, and Tanya Lockwood, Fort Scott; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren, with one on the way; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Mark McDaniel; 2 brothers, Andrew “Junior” McDaniel and Robert McDaniel; 2 sisters, infant Rosalee McDaniel, and Silva May Modica; and his parents.

Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, January 3rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the Bethel Church Building Fund 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.

Obituary - Edward E. Owen

Edward E. Owen, age 67, Mound City, Kansas passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024. He was born on August 9, 1957 in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Glenn and Ola Jean Caffee Owen. 

Ed was a self employed contractor. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Lucas Owen, and a grandson, Abel Owen.

He is survived by three daughters, Christy Burk, Estell Owen, and Ashley Owen, a brother, Glenn Owen Jr, three sisters, Sandy Harding, Paula Owen, and Melody VanDyke, fifteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ed Owen Memorial Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075.