Obituary - Justin Byram

Justin Raymond Byram, 44, Sheldon, MO, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada. Justin was born June 20, 1981 in Nevada to Harry R.  Byram and Kimberley L. Nordyke.

     Justin was raised in Vernon and Barton Counties and graduated from Lamar High School in 2000. He lived most of his adult life in Sheldon. Justin was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed coon hunting, his dogs, horses, fishing, and hunting. He also loved watching the Kansas City Chief’s and being with his family – especially his nieces and nephews.

      Survivors include his mother, Kimberley of the home; father, Hal Byram of Sheldon; a brother, Tracy Byram (Ashley), Nevada; three nieces, Leah Byram (Chase), Donna Byram, and Tracy Lynn Byram; one nephew, Garrett Byram; and a great-nephew, Eli Hinman; grandmother, Mary Buckner, Sheldon; an uncle, Kenny Buckner;  three aunts, Karen Jeffries (Bruce), Sheldon, Lisa Gardner (Larry), Sheldon, and Loretta Murray, Milo, MO;  and several other great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry and Helen Byram, Raymond Buckner,  Bud Nordyke; and uncle Jesse Murray, Jr.

     Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Sheldon Baptist Church in Sheldon with Dr. Jerod Lamb officiating. A private committal will be held at a later time at the Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo.

Traffic stop results in two arrests

 On 09/05/25 at around 8:30 a.m., deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for expired tags as it was traveling northbound on I-49 from Archie.

Deputies pursued the car into rural Peculiar, where it went off road and the driver got out of the vehicle.

The driver then fled on foot for a short time before deputies caught up with him.

He’s been identified as 34-year-old Shannon Barwick of Exeter, Missouri.

The vehicle and trailer attached to it were confirmed to be stolen.

Barwick has been charged with Aggravated Fleeing a Stop/Detention (D Felony) and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree (D Felony).

He’s being held at the Cass County Jail with no bond allowed.

The passenger has been identified as 39-year-old John Gray of Goodman, Missouri.

Gray had four active felony warrants from two separate counties at the time of his arrest. Gray had two from McDonald County, Missouri (Stealing/$750 or more and Domestic Assault - 3rd Degree) and two from Newton County, Missouri (Burglary - 1st Degree/Domestic Assault 3rd- Degree and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree/Motor Vehicle Stealing/Watercraft/Aircraft).

He’s currently being held at the Cass County Jail.

Quiet weather until Sunday or so

 

SUNDAY, this surface low drifts across Kansas west to east beginning late Saturday night.

With daytime heating Sunday, these storms could drift into an unstable environment somewhere around East Central Kansas Sunday.

Currently watching the late afternoon / evening Sunday for some potentially strong thunderstorms.

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Jack Swait

Jackie O’Neil Swait, 84, formerly of Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Jack was born on November 9, 1940 in Nevada, MO to John Earnest and Daisy Irene (Felton) Swait. He married Beverly K. Scism on August 20, 1960 and she preceded him in death on August 14, 1984. He then married Jodene Ketchum on January 12, 1987 and she also preceded him in death on November 9, 2005.

     Jack grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1958 where he was a member of the NHS Band and played the tuba., Jack attended Pittsburg State College for two years. Following his marriage to Beverly they moved to Independence and soon after he went to work at FORD Motor Company in Claycomo, MO. After 40 years of employment, he retired in 2005.  Jack moved back to Nevada in 1994 where he lived until 2023 at which time he moved to Freistatt, MO where he has continued to reside. Jack was an avid Chief’s fan, he enjoyed participating in tractor pulls for a number of years, and also enjoyed being a chef.

     Survivors include two sons, Darrin Swait, Springfield, MO, and Kevin Swait (Kimberly), Freistatt, MO; five grandchildren, Joshua Swait, Hannah Swait-DeWeese, both of Springfield, Jeremy Swait, Norman, OK, Brooklyn Trued, Nevada, and Ashlyn Wools, Girard, KS; eight great-grandchildren, Cohen, Ali, Kynsli, Catherine, Jocelyn, Griffin, Parker, and Spencer; and  numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his two wives, Beverly and Jodene, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nellie Hall; and a brother, Earnie Swait.

     Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Ray Dean Scism officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Truck collision sends one to hospital

Photo courtesy Marissa Bolin

Just after 1 pm today two large trucks collided at the 18 highway and FF intersection west of Adrian sending a 62 year old Butler man to the hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The report indicates that a 2019 Kenworth driven by a 21 year old Paola, KS man turned into the path of a 2006 Peterbilt driven by the Butler man.

Both vehicles received extensive damage and were towed from the scene. The Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted by the Bates County Sheriff's Office and the Adrian Fire Department.

Due to a policy change, the MSHP no longer provides names of victims in publicly available accident reports. Hardcopy detailed reports are available from the MSHP at a cost of $6 with an unknown delivery time due to a severe backlog, according to the MSHP website.

Eli Ferrell: Stronger every day

 The power of prayer is shining through this boy!

We are now allowed to eat and slowly working on getting a few things down. Last night he even drank chocolate milk—which we all know is a big deal for him.

Orthopedics has been less than communicative, and I’ve had to advocate hard. At first, surgery was set for Monday, then pushed to today, and now we’re being told tomorrow. The good news is that Madonna called, and thanks to all of your prayers, insurance approved the transfer no waiting no delays/denial/appeals . Now we are just waiting on ortho to do the surgery on his foot.

His speech is improving every day. We’ve given him his phone back, so please be patient as he navigates communication with his friends. He is struggling with depth perception and dexterity, so typing is a challenge. When you receive a message in from him, know that it’s his effort to connect. Please be kind and understanding as he relearns and finds his way.

Keep praying for his brain. Keep praying for ortho. Keep praying that the transfer goes smoothly and for a full recovery for our boy.

Update courtesy Savannah Ferrell

Hurts Donut to hold fundraiser for Eli Ferrell this Friday

 BUTLER UPDATE! We are hosting a fundraiser for the family of Eli Ferrell THIS FRIDAY!

We will be donating 100% of the proceeds from a special tribute donut in honor of Eli. These will be sold at a marked up price to financially assist his family during recovery.

In addition to that, we will donate 10% of all hurts dozens sold.

The amount of product we bring is based on the amount of shares and engagement this post gets.

THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH at 11:00am until we sell out!

Parking at: Dollar General, 905 W Fort Scott St, Butler, MO 64730

Line up early! Some popular items will be limited supply!

We will be completely loaded with:

The most delicious, homemade, JUMBO chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cream pies and fudge rounds you’ve ever had in your life!!

8 flavors of HUGE cinnamon rolls (including strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls, caramel apple pie cinnamon rolls, Cherry Cheesecake, blueberry, lemon & more!)

MASSIVE fritters

COOKIE DOUGH DONUTS!! 4 flavors! Chocolate chip, sugar cookie, birthday cake & monster peanut butter dough!

Our famous maple bacon bars & dozens of our most popular donuts

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY DONUTS & STRAWBERRIES & CREAM!

Double stuffed cream sticks!!

Accepting cash, card, & cute puppies!

FOR DAIRY OR GLUTEN FREE! Please call ahead! Allergy friendly donuts are pre-order only so we can keep them separate from the rest of the donuts! 417-368-0279 orders must be placed before 4pm Thursday! (this is the only thing that requires a pre-order!!) Tell your GF/DF friends!

Thank you so much for your support. Please help us spread the word about this event and engage with our post so we have a better idea of how much to bring!

We feel blessed to be included in your community, as you uplift this family. This fundraiser is our chance to stand beside them and lighten their load, just as Eli has always lifted up those around him. Every act of kindness helps, let’s return the same care and generosity he has poured into others.

Harrisonville police recover stolen vehicle

 

On September 8, at approximately 1602 hours, Officers with the police department were dispatched to an area of water near the road in the 3000 block of East Mechanic Street (7 Highway) for a call for service.

On scene, James with Echo Divers informed Officers that he had been flying his drone in the area and located a possible vehicle submerged in the water that appeared to have been there for some time.

Officers obtained permission from the property owner to locate and retrieve the vehicle from the water. With the assistance of the Lee Summit Underwater Recovery and J’s Southland Tow Company, the vehicle was removed from the water and determined to be a stolen truck reported in 2012! The vehicle appeared to have ran off the roadway into the water, most likely back in 2012. The vehicle owner has been notified.

There are no suspects at this time.