Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Vehicle Pursuit Leads to Arrest and Drug Seizure

 On September 29, 2025, at approximately 2:42 a.m., Deputy England attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Kia Soul in the area of NW 251 and NW 300 Road for a traffic violation. The driver failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

The suspect vehicle traveled north on NW 251 before conducting a U-turn and heading south. The vehicle traveled south on NW 221 and then eastbound on Highway 7. Clinton Police Department responded to assist as the pursuit continued. While on Highway 7, the operator of the Kia Soul executed two U-turns before continuing eastbound and then turning south onto Booth Road.
In the 300 block of Booth Road, the operator fled from the vehicle on foot into a residential area. Deputy England pursued on foot and successfully apprehended the suspect in a backyard. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement located a crystalline substance, packaging materials, and equipment consistent with the distribution of narcotics. Using a 1064 Defender drug identification analyzer, the crystalline substance was identified as methamphetamine.
The suspect was identified as Edward Wiggins, age 56, of Harrisonville. Wiggins was placed on a 24-hour investigative hold pending formal charges. On the same day, the Henry County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges, and a warrant was issued for the following offenses:
• Delivery of a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid – Felony C
• Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention – Felony D
Bond was set at $25,000 cash only.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance of the Clinton Police Department during this incident.

Bates County 4-H could use your help...

 


Bates County 4-H is doing a community service project and we are looking for help from the community. We are needing donations of fabric to make these bears to donate to local organizations. If you have any that you would like to donate please bring it to the Bates County Extension Office, our hours are Monday and Tuesday 8:30-4:30 and Wednesday 8:30-12:30 or by appointment other days.

Discover Nature: Missouri Copperheads

 If copperheads are a fear factor for you, there is hope and help. Since they don’t look like other Missouri snakes, they are easy to identify and avoid.

Contrary to popular belief, snakes do not go looking for people to bite. In fact, snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them. Harmless snakes have round pupils and a double row of scales along the undersides of their tails. But still, it is never a good idea to pick up a copperhead and handle it.

Missouri’s copperheads are pinkish tan with dark-brown markings along their backs that are shaped like an hourglass or bow tie. This camouflage look helps them hide from prey in leaves along rocky hillsides and forest edges. They make excellent exterminators as their diet is mostly mice and voles.

Copperheads are active from April through November and have young from August through early October. They are not aggressive and seldom strike unless provoked.

Keep copperheads away by getting rid of wood or rock piles and tall grass around your home. Wear boots when in woods or brushy fields, and leather gloves when moving rocks, old lumber, and firewood.

There is no one effective mean of eliminating snakes completely, but it is possible to discourage them around homes by the same method effective for controlling other animal pests — eliminating their food and shelter.

And this time of year, inspect foundations, doors, and low windows to make sure there are no openings where snakes might enter.

Learn more about Missouri copperheads at MissouriConservation.org.

Archie Whirlwind Royalty

 


Our Whirlwinds brought home a Homecoming victory!

Huge congratulations to Archie Homecoming King & Queen, Peyton Himes and Lizzy Thompson. The Whirlwinds finished the night with a royal win against Bishop LeBlond 71-22.

Miami County Sheriff’s Office Conducts “Operation Aware” in Osawatomie

On September 26, 2025, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office led Operation Aware, a multi agency operation focused on checking the compliance of registered sex, drug, and violent offenders in and around Osawatomie, Kansas.
The operation was conducted with four teams comprised of personnel from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Osawatomie Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Department of Corrections, United States Marshals Service, Cass County Sheriffs Office, and the Kansas 6th Judicial District Community Corrections.
Teams were assigned multiple offenders and conducted compliance checks at their residences and places of employment to verify adherence to Kansas statutes regulating their convictions.
Operation Results:
28 sex offender compliance checks
10 drug offender compliance checks
8 violent offender compliance checks
4 arrests made
11 cases generated to submit to the County Attorney’s Office
18 electronic devices seized
2 additional cases through Osawatomie Police Department
2 additional cases through Kansas Bureau of Investigation
1 additional case through Kansas Department of Corrections
Arrests Made:
Cassidy Wayne Buckley, 34, Osawatomie, KS
-Possession of Controlled Substance; Unknown Substance (Felony) – K.S.A. 21-5706
-Violate Offender Registration Act; 1st Conviction; Person (5 counts) – K.S.A. 22-4903(a)(c)(1)(A)(i)
John Jon Forney, 59, Osawatomie, KS
-Violate Offender Registration Act; 1st Conviction; Person – K.S.A. 22-4903(a)(c)(1)(A)(i)
Lexington James Laiter, 35, Osawatomie, KS
-Violate Offender Registration Act; 1st Conviction; Person (3 counts) – K.S.A. 22-4903(a)(c)(1)(A)(i)
Jesse James Elkins, 44, Fontana, KS
-Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances – K.S.A. 21-5706
-Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – K.S.A. 21-5709(b)(2)(E)(iii)
-Violate Offender Registration Act; 1st Conviction; Person (3 counts) – K.S.A. 22-4903(a)(c)(1)(A)(i)
-Pending Parole Violation
This was the first operation of its kind for the Sheriff’s Office, designed to ensure community safety through offender compliance. The coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies play a critical role in helping ensure community safety and offender accountability.
The Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in setting up this operation, Miami County EMS for providing staff and an ambulance on stand-by in the event of a medical emergency and to all partner agencies for their participation and support.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - Leon Gire

 Leon Gire, 71, of Sheldon, MO passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at his home doing what he loved, watching Dallas Cowboy football with the woman he loved most, his wife Monty. Leon was born May 2, 1954 in Nevada, MO to Charles Kendall and Francine (Spence) Gire. He married his wife, Monty Heinle on October 3, 1974 in Miami, OK and she survives of the home. They would have celebrated 51 years together on this coming Friday Oct. 3, 2025. 

    Leon, a lifelong resident of Vernon County, graduated from Sheldon High School Class of 1972. Leon received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Missouri Southern State University in 1991, he then attended the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology where he obtained his Master’s and Doctoral degree in Psychology. Leon worked at Nevada Mental Health and Heartland Behavioral Health Services for a time and for the past 25 years at the business he co-owned and operated, The Wellness Company in Nevada. Leon was a Certified Substance Abuse II Counselor, Missouri Licensed Professional Psychologist, and member of the American Board of Psychiatric Professionals. 

     An avid lover of Christ, Leon was a dedicated member and past deacon of the First Baptist Church in Nevada. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and longtime BassMaster Fishing Club member. Leon’s greatest joys in life included quail hunting with his friends and dogs, spending time with family, fishing, watching Gabby horseback ride or sing, and of course, Dallas Cowboys Football. Leon spent his entire life helping those in need, even to the very end as he was an organ donor, he shared a deep love for God and wanted everyone to know there was more after life and there was a God who loved them dearly. 

    In addition to his wife Monty, survivors include one daughter, Gabby Oliver (Dusty), Osawatomie, KS; grand dogs, Motley and Sunny; five brothers, Clayton Hayes, Joplin, Elmer Lee Barker, Joplin, Kendall Gire (Brenda) Lamar, Ernest Gire, Joplin, and Bobby Scholes (Todd Miller), Kansas City, MO; four sisters, Denise Gregory (Wendell), Rachelle Banes, Sheldon, Lenora McKinney, Joplin, Rebecca Scholes, Joplin; and an honorary sister, Regina Watkins, Joplin; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Everett Gire. 

    Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Nevada.  Interment will follow at Moore Cemetery in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 9-10:00 a.m. prior to the service at First Baptist Church. 

    Memorials are suggested in his name to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Heart of America Chapter Gabby’s Guardian Angels Team in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.  

Obituary - Audrey M. Bockelman

Audrey M. Bockelman, 88, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home

Scattered showers later this weekend

 


THE BAND OF LIGHT SHOWERS in north central KS as of 6am will lift off to the north & east, and dissipate within the next few hours.
Sorry bout that.
The stagnant weather pattern is changing, but change we feel is a pretty long ways off.
I see scattered showers *possibly* Sunday night into Monday, but it's iffy.
The pattern does become more active toward the middle of next week, so we may see some rain chances then.
Today though, it's more of the same - winds will shift from the south and it's breezy at times with highs 85-89 today.
I hope you have a great day.
-Greg

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