Obituary - Dawn Rafferty

Dawn Marie Rafferty, 63, of Adrian, MO, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at her home. A Celebration of Life will be on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bates Social (18 N. Delaware St.) in Butler, MO.

Dawn Marie Rafferty was born May 30, 1962, to Donald E. Rafferty and Ardith Ruth (Dollinger) Rafferty in Toledo, OH. She grew up in the Toledo area and graduated from Whitmer High School in 1980. She later moved to the Kansas City area as she found a job with KCPL/Evergy. She worked there until her retirement in recent years. In 2006, she and her daughters, Taylor, Brooke, and Bailey, moved to Adrian, MO. You could catch her cheering on her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or watching Netflix to pass the time. Dawn also loved tending to her flowers and spending time in the sun. She loved living life, listening to country music, and especially her grandchildren.

Dawn Marie Rafferty is preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother, Ardith Drollinger; daughters, Taylor Hill of Adrian, Brooke (Hunter Townsend) of Denver, CO, and Bailey (Dylan) Enlow of Adrian, MO; grandchildren: Hadley, George, Dawson, Millie, Rumi, Daxtyn; brother, Steve (Shawn) Rafferty.

Obituary - James Edward Paxton

Funeral services for James Edward Paxton of Butler, Missouri will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Visitation will be 5 - 7  p.m. Tuesday, September 16 at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri.  Contributions to Alzheimer’s Association.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

James Edward Paxton, age 90 of Butler, Missouri died Friday, September 12, 2025 at his residence.  He was born January 26, 1935 to Edward William and Harriett Louise Maddy Paxton in Butler, Missouri.

James is survived by one son, Tom Paxton and wife Dorothy of Butler, Missouri; four grandchildren, Isaac Flint and wife Stephanie of Houghton, Michigan, Eleni Province and husband Jerad of Neosho, Missouri, James R. Paxton and Scott Paxton and fiancé Ariah all of Butler, Missouri; sister, Louanne Elefson of Butler, Missouri; and numerous nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by wife, Merle Paxton; and parents, Edward and Harriett Paxton.

24 Years After: Lest We Forget

 

A long line of emergency vehicles slowly passed through Adrian on Thursday in a silent salute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The annual event is hosted by the Adrian Fire Department bringing first responders, firefighters, veterans and police from all around the region.

Above, local veterans received special recognition and below, Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney served as Master of Ceremonies for the event that has been held each year since the tragedy unfolded 24 years ago.

Above, Harrisonville Chaplin and firefighter Chris Pinion spoke of courage needed to do the job as well as the fact that in difficult times, we must be able to lean on each other for support. Below, Garden City Fire Chief Mark Lopez discussed the necessity of first responders to leave a legacy that can be carried on for generations.

Above, Assistant Adrian Fire Chief Brian Dizney and below, Jim Henry together performed the ceremonial Ringing of the Bell to honor our heroes that have passed on.

Below, Faith Hutchins provided acapella music to complement the ceremonies including God Bless America.

Mostly clear skies through Sunday

AN UPPER-LEVEL HIGH over Texas is spreading upper-level ridging directly over our heads today.
Temperatures soar into the 90's for the weekend!
Little to no chance of rain. The exception is Sunday evening into Monday for some scattered showers and some possible T-storms.
I'll be keeping an eye on those over the weekend!

660 Weather

Obituary - Karla Hader

Karla Suzanne Hader, age 80, of Nevada, MO passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in Nevada, MO.  Karla was born February 25, 1945, and lived in Kansas City, before moving to Nevada, MO in 2007. 

     Karla was a lifelong student, who had taken college courses for 30 years, because she enjoyed learning.  She researched her genealogy back to the year 900 AD.  Karla was a world traveler and had learned to fly a Cessna airplane. She also supported a Big Cat Rescue facility by donating to the care of the animals. In her younger years, Karla worked at the perfume counter in a department store in Kansas City.

     As an only child, and having no living relatives, her close friend Nicole Colopy had taken good care of her for several years and will miss her dearly.

Courtesy Ferry Funeral Home

Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel to be under new ownership

 

It's now easier to find MU Extension events in your county on the website!

Find hands-on learning and credible programs that help Missourians:

Grow healthier gardens and crops

Build stronger families and communities

Develop leadership and career skills

Improve health and wellness

Support youth through 4-H and other initiatives

How to find events in your county:

1. Go to the MU Extension Events page: https://extension.missouri.edu/events

2. In the Host dropdown, select your county

3. Click Filter to see what's happening near you!

No bond following Cass County arrest

Yesterday around 3:15 p.m., a Cass County deputy attempted to conduct a vehicle stop and the vehicle fled as it headed southbound on I-49 near Mile Marker 171 in the area of 195th St.

The vehicle came to a stop in rural Pleasant Hill near E Hubach Hill Rd. and S State Route 291. The suspect fled on foot and was later taken into custody by deputies.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 45-year-old Brian Dahmer of Pleasant Hill.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, deputies found a large amount of cash along with drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics. Dahmer has been charged with Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention (D Felony) and Operating a Motor Vehicle in Careless or Imprudent Manner (B Misdemeanor).

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