Bates county sheriffs office seeks leads in Ballard school break in

On 03/16/2025 the Bates County Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary at the Ballard School in Ballard, Missouri. Video evidence showed the burglary occurred around midnight on Sunday 03/16/2025. 

The suspect gained entry into the school and took cash from several locations within the school. The suspect also attempted to disable lights and camera systems via a server room in the school, damaging and stealing several technology components and storage devices within that server room. 

The suspect caused thousands of dollars in damage and is believed to have a very good understanding of the layout, and inner workings of the school. The suspect appeared to be a male wearing a green hoodie, blue jeans and tennis shoes. The suspect was wearing a mask and gloves at the time of the crime. The suspect also appeared to be driving a dark in color 4 door sedan. 

If you recognize the person and vehicle in the attached photos or if you have information regarding this burglary, please contact Detectives at 660-679-3232. There is a $250.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/persons responsible for this crime.

We also ask that if you live or have a business in the immediate area of the school and have working camera systems, that you please check them around this time frame for anything possibly related. 

Detectives with the Sheriff's Office have been working with the school since the incident and there is no indication of any type of threat to the students surrounding this incident. 

Sheriff Anderson says "We are working closely with school officials to resolve this case and I am confident that we will identify and find who is responsible for this crime. It is disheartening to see someone commit a crime like this at one of our schools and cause fear for the students, parents and staff."

2 seriously injured as vehicle slams into hair salon in Louisburg

 

Today 03/18/25 around 12:30 PM Officers of the Louisburg Police Department, along with First Responders from the Louisburg Fire Department and Miami County EMS were dispatched to the Safari Hair Salon in the 900 block of W. Amity Street, regarding a motor vehicle crash, where a subject had driven into the business and had struck two people who had been inside the building. On arrival it was learned that a male subject driving his pickup travelling west on Amity Street had left the roadway east of Rogers Road onto the the south curbside and had continued traveling eastbound before they ended up driving though the east business wall of the building. 

The driver continued through the building and struck the two occupants who were inside at a desk, before continuing through the western wall of the business, where they struck a parked car in the parking lot. The two people, a male and a female were both transported to Overland Park Regional Hospital for additional treatment, with one being in critical condition and needing immediate surgery, while the other was listed as being in serious condition. 

The male driver of the pickup was treated on scene for minor injuries by EMS. Due to the serious nature of this accident, assistance was requested of the Miami County Sheriff's Office who provided their CHART and crash reconstruction team to assist in the investigation, and KDOT responded to help with traffic control as the two eastbound lanes of traffic had to be closed while crews were on scene. Appreciation is given to all who had to drive through the location this afternoon where the roadway conditions inconvenienced their travels and temporarily delayed them. 

This crash is still under investigation.

Courtesy Louisburg Police Department

Butler Chamber honors Alley Tavern and event space

IT WAS A BIG DAY at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets in Butler as the Alley Tavern was honored as the Butler Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month. Likewise, a ribbon cutting was performed for the adjacent newly remodeled Tavern Hall event space. Shown are owners Joey and Patricia Plunkett with staff, Chamber President Doug Lawrence, Chamber board member David Eslinger and Chamber Executive Director Cody Morris.

Vernon County Sheriff's Office makes arrest in child abuse case

On 3/17/2025 at 08:30 am deputies were dispatched to rule address in southern Vernon county in regards to a potential child abuse case. After investigating alongside division of family services it was found to be accurate. After following up on All leads and conducting a thorough investigation finding that the child sustained multiple broken bones and was transported to receive medical care, an arrest was made.

Tonya Reynolds of Vernon county.

Charged /w

Abuse or neglect of a child emotional or physical with no sexual contact.

B - Felony

$50,000.00 Cash only bond

All suspects are presumed Innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

Zero turn mower for sale, excellent condition

FOR SALE 2051 Zero Turn Country Clipper Edge XLT mower, 60 inch deck, 172 hours, with mulching attachments. Also includes snow blade, tire chains and extra blades. Oil & air filters serviced recently. Includes Mojack EZ lift. $5,500. ALSO 5 ½ x 8 foot trailer with ramp, $1,200. Call 660-464-0077

Butler Saddle Club Rodeo dates set

 

BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER! The dates for the Butler Saddle Club Annual Rodeo will be June 20th - 22nd, 2025. More information will be posted in coming days.

Crowder FBLA student earns state office

 Neosho, MO – Crowder College Future Business Leaders of America member, Kylie Curtis, earned the title of Missouri Vice President of Membership for the organization.

Curtis is from Nevada and is majoring in Business Administration and Education with plans to teach high school or college level.

Curtis was a member of FBLA in high school and was excited to hear of her recognition. “It feels really cool to become a state officer. This has been a big goal of mine and I am honored,” stated Curtis.

To become a state officer, Curtis had to apply and go through an interview process with the president and Boards Advisors for Missouri FBLA.

Curtis competed in two contests: Business Ethics and Business Issues at the state competition last weekend. She earned the opportunity to participate in the national competition along with the other 11 students who competed. Read more in the FBLA state competition press release.

Obituary - Geraldine Mae Cullison

Geraldine Mae Cullison, 95, Nevada, MO passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada.  Gerri was born August 15, 1929 in Pontiac, MI to Thomas G. and Mamie (Phillips) McWilliams.

     Gerri, who lived most of her life in Bronaugh, attended Bronaugh High School graduating with the Class of 1947. She worked at Nevada State Hospital for 23 years. Gerri had a love for growing flowers and gardening.

     Survivors include her son, Derill Cullison (Bonnie), Nevada; a daughter-in-law, Gloria Cullison, Nevada; four grandchildren, Darrin Cullison (Michelle), Nevada, Amanda Carter (Jeremy), Republic, MO, Zach Cullison, Joplin, MO, and Allie Caster, Butler, MO; great-grandchildren, Layne Carter and Nora Carter, Republic, MO, Trenton Cullison, Nevada, Morgan Green (Devin), all of El Dorado Springs, and Kaiden Cullison, Nevada;  great-great-grandchildren, Laklynn Green, Emmy Green, Ellie Cullison, and Hazel Cullison; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, David Cullison, her parents, and one brother, Donald McWilliams.

     Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. A private committal will follow in Barton City Cemetery.

     Memorials are suggested in her name to Barton City Cemetery c/o Ferry Funeral Home.