Medical emergency ends with truck in field

Yesterday, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a careless and imprudent driver operating a red commercial vehicle swerving on I-49, eventually driving in the median where several signs were damaged. Deputies responded quickly to area which an on duty Detective identified the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

The driver of the vehicle continued northbound on I-49 swerving in the roadway and eventually taking the Nevada exit continuing off the roadway and across Austin Blvd and coming to a stop in the field. Deputies quickly identified the driver to have been experiencing a medical emergency and started evaluating his condition. Due to a quick check on the driver by deputies, medical personnel were requested to respond to the scene. The subject was then transported to Cox Barton County in Lamar, Missouri for treatment and was flown to Springfield for treatment.

The Vernon County Sheriff would like to thank the quick actions of Deputies identifying the medical issue, and the quick response of both Vernon County Ambulance District and the Nevada Fire Department, and the Nevada Police Department. The actions of all the involved agencies saved lives both those on the roadways and the driver of the vehicle.

Courtesy Vernon County Sheriff's Office

Why Dementia Cases Are Expected to Double in the Future

Dementia risk is rising, but here’s what you can do to protect your brain health.

Dementia is a condition that affects memory, thinking and daily activities. It is most common in older adults, and a new study shows that Americans older than 55 have a 42 percent risk of developing the disease. This is a much higher risk than previous studies have shown and it is predicted that the number of new dementia cases per year will double by 2060. But why is this happening?

One of the biggest reasons dementia cases are increasing is that people are living longer than ever before. Age is the most prominent risk factor for dementia, and thanks to advances in medicine and healthcare, more people are reaching their 70s, 80s and beyond. While living longer is a good thing, it also means more people are entering the age group most at risk for dementia. The older a person gets, the greater their chance of developing memory-related diseases.

Another major factor is lifestyle choices. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise can contribute to conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These chronic health conditions can damage blood vessels, affecting blood flow to the brain and contributing to memory loss and cognitive decline. As rates of these conditions rise, so does the likelihood of more dementia cases in the future.

Environmental and social factors also influence dementia risk. Increased exposure to pollution, stress and a more sedentary lifestyle may be contributing to the rise in cases. At the same time, many people are spending less time engaged in mentally stimulating activities. Instead of reading, learning new skills or socializing, more people spend hours on screens. Without regular mental stimulation, cognitive decline can happen more quickly.

Although the number of dementia cases is expected to increase in the coming years and you can’t control the main risk factor—age—there are ways to lower your risk. Making small but important changes in daily life can help protect your brain health and improve your overall well-being.

Here are some tips to lower dementia risk:

• Stay physically active. Regular exercise keeps blood flowing to the brain and supports new brain cell growth. Walking, swimming and dancing are great options.
• Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins can support brain health. Limiting processed foods and sugars is also beneficial.
• Keep your mind active. Activities that challenge the brain, like reading, puzzles or learning new skills, can help maintain cognitive function.
• Stay socially connected. Maintaining relationships with friends and family can support mental health and may reduce the risk of dementia. Joining clubs or volunteering are good ways to stay engaged.
• Protect your hearing. Hearing loss in midlife has been linked to a higher risk of dementia. Using hearing aids if needed and protecting ears from loud noises can help.
• Manage health conditions. Keeping conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol under control can protect the brain. Regular check-ups with a doctor are important.

While aging is unavoidable, lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on long-term brain health and may reduce your risk of developing dementia in the future.

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

They make it look easy...

Thank you to Mr. Wicks and all of our staff who supported Appleton City students during the cup stacking contest in Drexel last week. We had a great group of students attend. Here are the award results:

3-3-3:

Reese Knight - 1st Place

Tate Hawkins - 2nd Place

Grant Tindall - 3rd Place

Kylee Farmer - 1st Place

Kenzie Bourland - 2nd Place

3-6-3:

Reese Knight - 3rd Place

Kylee Farmer - 2nd Place

Cycle:

Reese Knight - 2nd Place

Relay

6th Grade - 1st Place

Courtesy Appleton City Schools

Whitley Randalls places high at state in public speaking

 Congratulations to Whitley Randalls for her 7th Place finish in the state of Missouri in Introduction to Public Speaking. We are very proud of the way she represented Butler High School!

We would also like to Congratulate Easton Woolace for his 10th Place finish in Accounting I at State FBLA.

Courtesy Butler High School

A tidbit of history from the Butler Historic Preservation Commission

Building at 3 & 5 W. Dakota

This building on the square was constructed circa 1910. In 1892, the property was home to Richardson’s Restaurant and a jewelry store. In 1914, this building was used as a barbershop. From 1914 to 1928, the building housed a printing business. State Farm Insurance, with Ed Yoder, and Thrivent, with Mandy Dunlap and Jill Fischer, were located here in recent years. A new tenant is American Family Insurance at #3. Mid America Live/The Shopper with Doug and Nancy Mager has its office at #5. Current owners are Ron and Deborah Dunlap. Many small businesses were located here through the years. Since there were many small businesses here, please comment on your memories of this building.

Busy night for Butler city council

Following the acceptance of the certified April 8 election results, Deputy Clerk Gayle Alexander swore in council incumbents Marlene Wainscott and Scott Mallatt, as well as Timothy Young, who has previously served on the council. Below, Mayor Henry paid recognition to city employees for years of service including Gayle Alexander (10 years) as well as Brandon Berry (20 years), Barbara Scrogham (15 years) and Chad Robbins (10 years).

Hume High School Celebrates Senior Successes on Decision Day

HUME, MO — Laughing, gratitude and applause as Hume High School celebrated its six graduating seniors during the annual Decision Day event. This milestone celebration recognized the future plans of the Class of 2025, highlighting their talents and future path. 

Decision Day is more than just a ceremony—it’s a moment for students to publicly thank the supporters who have helped them along the way, and to share their post-secondary plans with pride. Family members, educators, and community partners gathered to honor the students' journeys and encourage their next steps.

This year’s event was made extra special by two motivational guest speakers: Dr. Rowdy Pyle, Missouri Regional Director for rootEd, and Mrs. A. Sutcliffe, a beloved retired Hume teacher. Both speakers emphasized the importance of building strong, real-world connections (off of our phones) and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

The seniors’ plans include:

• Four students will attend local community colleges, each with a solid financial strategy tailored to their goals.
  
  

• One student is diving into a two-year certificate program in Electrical Technology.
  
  

• Another student will be balancing college and hands-on experience by pursuing an associate degree while participating in an apprenticeship program.
  
  

Every student has crafted a personalized path forward based on their interest and goals—proof that success looks different for everyone and that passion and planning pave the way.

As part of the Step into Your Future initiative, all six seniors were rewarded with a brand-new pair of shoes connected to their future industry. This incentive recognized their commitment to career exploration activities throughout the school year and symbolized stepping confidently into the next phase of life.

Hume High School extends thanks to the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development and the rootEd Alliance for sponsoring this event and supporting rural students with meaningful opportunities and resources.

To our seniors: Congratulations! Your Hume community is incredibly proud of your accomplishments and excited to see all the places you'll go.

Courtesy Hume High School

Obituary - Wilma (Hedrick) Carter

Wilma Jean Landers Hedrick Carter, age 97 of Nevada, Missouri, died Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Medicalodges of Nevada in Nevada, Missouri.  Wilma was born December 17, 1927, in Johnson City, Missouri to Ray and Sophia Landers.

Wilma attended school in Appleton City, and graduated from Appleton City High School.  She married Ralph Hedrick August 2, 1946, and to this union three sons were born, Doug, Dave, and Steve.  

Wilma owned and operated a beauty shop in Rich Hill for many years.  In her later years she worked in the health care field in hospitals in Springfield and El Dorado Springs, Missouri.  She worked in the nursery and loved taking care of the newborns.

Wilma married Oscar Carter on December 17, 1990.  They remained married until his death on September 12, 2006.

Wilma loved her Lord and Savior.  She was baptized June 14, 1936.  She faithfully attended Church and sang in the choir.  Even when she was confined to the nursing home, she continued to attend the church services and Bible study provided for the residents there as long as her health permitted. 

Wilma loved gardening and her flowers.  She enjoyed making arrangements and decorating her home.  She loved her family deeply, always making time to watch her grandkids when needed.  Family and friends were very important to her.  She also enjoyed traveling.

There to meet Wilma as she passed from this earth were her parents, brothers Bob and John, sister Myrtle Lee and special friends Frances McDaniel and Marjorie McGinnis.

Wilma is survived by her three sons, Doug (Cheryl) Hedrick and Dave (Kathy) Hedrick of Nevada, Missouri and Steve (Carol) Hedrick of Butler, Missouri.  Also surviving are grandchildren Lance (Amy) Hedrick, Kyle (Erin) Hedrick, Brad Stephens, Duane (Jen) Hedrick, Natausha Coleman, Jeremy (Megan) Sjeklocha, Jonelle (Brad Walker) Hedrick, Kayla (Colin) McQuillan, Colten (Elizabeth) Hedrick, Shane Quinlan, and Trevor Quinlan, along with 23 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or Gentiva Hospice.

Funeral Service
Friday, April 18 at 12 Noon
Heuser Funeral Home