Ballard Student of the Month

The Ballard Student of the Month for January is Senior, Katlin Blankenship, the daughter of Kimberly and Randy Blankenship. This month's special theme is "Courage and Resilience". Katlin currently participates in Basketball and Volleyball and in her free time she enjoys staying home with her dogs. Her future plans are to get certified as a para-professional and Substitute teacher. Katlin's statement of inspiration is that she would like to say "However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do to succeed at."

The Ballard staff have said about Katlin:
"Katlin Blankenship is a leader. Her positive attitude is contagious, she encourages everyone she meets. Her interactions with her peers and teachers is respectful and kind. She is well deserving of being student of the month." and, "Katlin is eager to participate and to get the job done successfully and with a smile!" another says "Katlin has always been respectful in all my interactions with her. She’s quick to greet me when I see her. She works as a teacher aide supporting a classroom teacher. During this time she works with elementary students helping them, encouraging them, and caring for them with a gentle hand and calm demeanor. I look forward to seeing her growth and progress after she graduates this year! Keep up the great work Katlin!"

For Katlin’s hard work in school, she has received a certificate of recognition from the Adrian Optimist Club and $20.00 gift certificate to be used in Adrian. Presenting the certificate is Vice-President of the Board, Courtney Shriver.

-Courtesy Ballard Schools

Rich Hill Royalty

 

Congratulations to 2025 Rich Hill Courtwarming King Mark Arnold and Queen Abi Reed who were crowned during ceremonies last night.

-Courtesy Rich Hill Tiger Talk

Two taken into custody in Vernon county

On February 6th at approximately 2:00pm The Vernon County Sheriff's Office along with the Nevada Police Department conducted a search warrant for 2 subjects located at 13023 E Patrol Rd Nevada Mo.

Both subjects were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Vernon county sheriff's Jail where they are currently being held on $2500 cash only bonds for felony theft.

Taken into custody were Dustin Pike, charged with Stealing $750 or more, Felony D and Madalyn George, Stealing $750 or more, Felony D.

Sheriff Buehler says the Sheriff's Department and Nevada Police have been working as a cohesive team and will continue on cleaning up our county. Sheriff says " I WILL NOT TOLERATE THE THEFT AND THE DRUGS IN THIS COUNTY "

-Courtesy Vernon County Sheriff's Office

Henry County Sheriff's Office weekly arrest report

Sheriff Aaron N. Brown reports the following arrests and incidents for the week of 01/31/2025 to 02/06/2025:

• February 1, 2025 – Burglary 1st Degree:

Sergeant Brandt, Deputy Evans, and Deputy McQueen responded to a reported burglary in the Windsor area. Dylan Hampton, age 26, of Windsor, was arrested on a 24-hour investigative hold for first-degree burglary, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful use of a weapon. A $25,000 cash-only warrant was issued for Hampton in connection with this case.

• February 3, 2025 – Receiving Stolen Property:

Sheriff Brown conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of NW 221 in Clinton. Joshua Foley, age 42, of Appleton City, was arrested for receiving stolen property.

• February 3, 2025 – Warrant Arrest:

Sergeant Logan and Deputy Chaney conducted a follow-up harassment investigation at the Sheriff’s Office. Tyler Gibson, age 34, of Harrisonville, was arrested on a Henry County warrant for first-degree harassment.

• February 5, 2025 – Endangering the Welfare of a Child:

Deputy Evans conducted a follow-up investigation in the Windsor area, resulting in the arrest of Chandra Harvey, age 33, of Windsor, on a 24-hour hold for second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. A $15,000 cash-only warrant was issued for Harvey in connection with this case.

Note: All individuals arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The above arrests are only allegations at this time.

Jail Administrator reports 77 male and 19 female inmates being held at the Henry County Detention Center, for a total of 96 inmates.

Snow coming this week

 

Tuesday night into Wednesday brings the possibility of the most snow accumulation, which as of now is guessed to be up to 3 inches or so. Plan accordingly as you head out this week.

Friday night basketball scoreboard

 

Boys:

Appleton City 55
Archie 53

Chilhowee 39
Bronough 65

Oak Grove 62
Harrisonville 68

Osceola 67
Jasper 39

Drexel 48
Liberal 45

Nevada 58
Monett 60

Miami 52
Northeast Vernon County 51

Midway 22
Rich Hill 51

Adrian 73
Sherwood 35

Girls:

Appleton City 20
Archie 49

Chilhowee 61
Bronough 31

Oak Grove 52
Harrisonville 42

Montrose/Ballard 22
Hume 37

Drexel 18
Liberal 51

Miami 42
Northeast Vernon County 50

Midway 52
Rich Hill 39

Happy Birthday Jim Platt

 

Age unknown (some carbon dating required?) Bates County Tax Collector Jim Platt celebrated a birthday this week as seen here with staff.

Another milestone is coming soon as Platt will hand the reins over newly elected Tax Collector Kacie Rice Robey (far right).

Happy birthday and enjoy your upcoming retirement as well.

Osceola police make fentanyl bust

Within the last two weeks, the Osceola Police Department received information regarding fentanyl at a residence inside Osceola City Limits. Chief Shumaker conducted a knock and talk at the residence and located two baggies. One baggie field tested positive for cocaine and the other baggie field tested positive for fentanyl and heroin. The Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdictional Drug Task Force was asked and generously agreed to assist with the investigation.

The investigation came to an end when the suspect's vehicle was stopped inside Osceola City Limits by Chief Shumaker and Officer Kauffman. Chief French with the Fair Play Police Department also assisted with the traffic stop and had K9 Bek conduct an open-air sniff on the vehicle, which resulted in an alert for the odor of narcotics. A probable cause and consent search was conducted on the vehicle. During the search, Officers located several capsules loose in the vehicle. A substance from one of the capsules field-tested positive for fentanyl. A consent search of the residence was also conducted with findings of more fentanyl paraphernalia.

The capsules from the vehicle weighed approximately .13 grams. We at the Osceola Police Department understand that .13 grams does not seem like a lot but the potentially lethal dose for fentanyl is 2 milligrams. The .13 grams is approximately 130 milligrams, which could potentially be lethal for 65 people. Due to this investigation ongoing, we are unable to give out the name of the suspect at this time. A Felony Trafficking Drugs 2nd Degree charge will be sent to prosecuting attorney Daniel Dysart. According to DEA and CDC more than 107,000 people lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023, with nearly 70 percent of those deaths attributed to opioids such as fentanyl, and 57,997 from September 2023 to August 2024.

-Courtesy Osceola Police Department