Missouri road conditions report

6:00 a.m. (2/20): Many roads across the state are partly covered to mostly clear this morning. Be sure to give plows room to continue doing their jobs safely on your morning commute. Drive for road conditions in your area by taking it slow and not driving distracted. Check the Traveler Information Map before you go: traveler.modot.org

Obituary - Raymond “Ray” Eugene Holsman

Raymond “Ray” Eugene Holsman 80 years old of Pleasanton, KS entered into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 following a brief illness of cancer. Raymond was able to return home and live out his final days under the care of his two daughters and Mount Carmel Hospice staff. Raymond was the youngest of four children born to William Louie Holsman and Ella “Babe” Ada (Umphenour) Holsman. Raymond graduated Pleasanton High School in 1962. Two days after graduating, Raymond began his service with the United States Navy. During his naval service he was stationed in San Diego, CA, Jacksonville, FL, Oceania, VA, and even as far as Iceland. During his four years of service he attained the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer and trained as an aviation electrician.

While serving his country he married his high school sweetheart, Elda Kay (Dudley) Holsman on December 27, 1964. After his naval service, Raymond worked for LearJet in Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Southeast Kansas to begin a 34-year career with Trans World Airlines (TWA). He retired from TWA in 2001. Following his retirement Raymond enjoyed working for Neal Manufacturing wiring trailers and later working in the parts department for Cox Motor Company. Raymond enjoyed hunting, trapshooting, and farming, but his greatest joy was making memories with his family. Raymond was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton, Kansas, but he also regularly attended services via television with his special friend Carmen and with family and friends at other churches. Raymond was a member of Masonic Lodge #33, Mound City, Kansas, the Supreme Council Scottish Rite Temple, Fort Scott, Kansas, and IAM Local #778, Kansas City, MO. 

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife of 49 ½ years, both of his parents, and a sister, Kathryn Irene Holsman. Survivors include his two daughters Kathy Secrest (Jesse) and Heidi Martinez both of Pleasanton, KS. He is survived by ten grandchildren: Kelsey, Kaitlyn, Autumn, Shawn, Hunter, Jacob, Caleb, Mason, Morgan, and Erika, as well as six great-grandchildren: Hudson, Emmi, Colton, Kinlee, Axel, and Ancil. He was also looking forward to the arrival of another great-grandson. Raymond is survived by two siblings: Lorene Dean of Desoto, KS and James Holsman of Pleasanton, KS. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Funeral service will be 2 pm Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Masonic service will be 5 pm Friday, February 21 at the Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will follow until 7 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to Pleasanton High School Trap Shooting. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Obituary - Randolph "Randy" S. Flint

Randolph "Randy" S. Flint, 75, of Garden City, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at his home. Services are pending at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Service information and a complete obituary will be posted when they become available.

Obituary - Paul Richard Miller

Paul Richard Miller, 89, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with a visitation beginning at 1:00 PM.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

BCMH February Rock Stars

These healthcare heroes were recognized for consistently bringing their "A" game, delivering the exceptional care that sets BCMH apart, both with our patients and fellow coworkers! Join us in congratulating these outstanding team members:

Jessica Nieder, Med/Surg CNA - Nursing

Pam Gray, ER Registration Clerk - Patient Access

Sandy Burk, Clinic Receptionist - Adrian Family Care Clinic

Taylor Lockard, Nutrition Aide - Nutrition Services

A heartfelt thank you to Jessica, Pam, Sandy, and Taylor for helping us provide excellent care to our community!

-Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

Have something old or unusual? Come have some fun

The museum's annual Show & Tell event will be held Sat. March 1st. We invite you to bring your favorite peice of history, family heirlooms, photos or even the unknown to share. This event is a fun way to share and gather information while supporting the museum. A free will donation lunch of homemade soup and sub sandwiches will be served after the presentation. The museum will also be open for tours. Come join in on the fun!

-Courtesy Bates County Museum

Join MDC webinar about Missouri birds and their habitats

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),the Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join in a special series of free birding webinars in preparation for the first ever Missouri Birding Challenge (MBC) -- May 1-15! The free webinars will introduce participants to birding and educate them on key issues around birds and bird conservation in Missouri.

Register in advance for each webinar and then join the webinar live. Registered attendees will receive a reminder email before the webinar.Missouri Birds and Habitats with USFWS Ornithologist Sarah Kendrick – Thursday, March 6, 6-7 p.m. Does birdwatching seem overwhelming? Too many species and habitats? Join Sarah for a primer on bird identification by sight and sound using clues about the bird and its habitat. Whether new to birding or experienced, there are always tips and tricks to learn in the world of birds. Register in advance at mdc.webex.com/weblink/register/r8e00480b27a066090d833f8f953298a6

The Full Annual Cycle of Bird Conservation with MDC Ornithologist Kristen Heath-Acre -- Thursday, April 3, 6-7 p.m. Join Kristen to learn about the incredible journeys that Missouri’s migratory birds make every year. Learn where these birds go, why, and how researchers are investigating the full annual cycle of migratory birds to better understand, and hopefully reverse, troubling declines in bird populations. Register in advance at mdc.webex.com/weblink/register/rbef953b3747d347adfd98137ee461694

Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds at Home with Dana Ripper of the Missouri River Bird Observatory, Thursday, May 1, 6-7 p.m. Birds are in trouble. Research shows a loss of nearly a third of North American birds over that past 50 years. Don’t lose hope! Learn how to help bird populations at home and how to make a big impact with just seven simple actions. Register in advance at mdc.webex.com/weblink/register/r1d047279e4ce9428de97c3c38ded815a


MORE ON THE MISSOURI BIRDING CHALLENGE

The Missouri Birding Challenge (MBC) has been created through a partnership among MDC, USFWS, MRBO, and the MCHF. MBC participants will compete alone or on a team in different birding categories based on their ages, birding experience, and comfort levels. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their lists of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. There is a fee of $10-$25 per person or team depending on the category. Fees go toward migratory bird conservation efforts.

Once participants complete a category, they will be entered into a drawing for fun, bird-related prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. The Columbia Audubon Society (columbia-audubon.org/) and the Missouri Birding Society (mobirds.org/) are prize sponsors of the MBC.

Learn more about the MBC and related topics at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/birdwatching/missouri-birding-challenge. Registration will be open April 1-30 through the webpage.

Obituary - Donna Deems

Funeral services for Donna Deems of Garden City, Missouri formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Fairview Cemetery or Gunn City Christian Church. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Donna Lee Deems, age 89 of Garden City, Missouri formerly of Butler, Missouri died on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Medicalodge of Butler. She was born October 20, 1935 to Iris Earl and Eleanor K Grove Thomas in Independence, Missouri.

Donna is survived by two sons, Thomas K. Deems and wife Theresa of Butler, Missouri and Daniel S. Deems and wife Kelly of Blue Springs, Missouri; two grandsons, Justin Deems and wife Samantha of Hume, Missouri and Kenton Deems and wife Bethany of Butler, Missouri; and four great-grandchildren, Garrett, Korah, William and Denis. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clyde Deems on March 31, 2010; a grandson, Nathaniel Deems; and a brother, James “Jimmy” Thomas.