Mid America Live

Monday, October 6, 2025

The Museum Minute: Prime farmland $135 an acre

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of October 8

1880 The Rich Hill Coal & Mining Company has over 1,000,000 bushels of coal ready for shipment.

1890 The Border Telephone newspaper, in Hume, has suspended publication due to "non-support of the community".

1920 The "Christy Lake Farm" south of Butler has been sold to Delbert Dooley for $61,000. The 451 acre farm is one of the most beautiful in the area.

1926 Herod E. Hopkins, of Rich Hill, wins the Audrain Fair hog calling contest.

1934 Thieves steal Glenn York's Chevy in Butler and use it in their robbery in Adrian. They got away with a total of $12.

1945 The War Chest drive begins today in Butler. They are hoping to raise $10,250.00.

1971 Lloyd Deems, of Butler and owner of Deems Farm Equipment in Lawrence Kansas dies when his plane collides with another near Topeka, Kansas. Age 51.

2002 The $1.6 million Palace Hotel renovation in Butler is set to begin. The 123 year old structure is at the east end of the north side of the Butler square.

Sunday, October 5, 2025

A special gift on display at Bates County Admin building

In preparation for the upcoming 250 years celebration, this flag was presented to Bates County by Missouri State Representative Sherri Gallick last week and is on display in the Bates County administration building.

To see in person, you'll find it proudly on display in the clerk's office.

LaCygne police release encouraging report

LCPD Community Update – Keeping You Informed

We’re proud to share the latest statistics through 3 quarters, as we continue our mission to serve and protect with Transparency, Ethics, and Professionalism.

Crime Statistics

Year to date, we maintain a 97% clearance rate on reported crimes. We’ve achieved a 100% clearance rate in crimes against persons, society, and property. The only exceptions are two theft cases that unfortunately remain unsolved.

Additionally, officers have served 28 arrest warrants, helping bring those cases closer to justice and accountability. Notably 28 is already 10 more arrests than 2024’s total and 20 more than 2023!

Traffic Stop Statistics

Of all traffic stops conducted, only 12% have resulted in citations. This reflects our department’s focus on education, awareness, and voluntary compliance, rather than punitive enforcement. But also, our dedication to High Visibility Patrol efforts.

Community Services Completed

70 Informational Reports

60 VIN Inspections

50 Fingerprinting or Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Inspections

478 Calls for Service, not resulting in a report or otherwise duplicated.

We have also conducted 370 area/building checks as part of a concentrated effort to ensure every part of town receives consistent patrol coverage, while also allowing officers to become more familiar with our neighborhoods and businesses, and to ensure they are properly secure.

We’re proud of the work our team does every day to build trust and keep our community safe. Thank you for your continued support!

For clarification, a "clearance" or "cleared case" is when probable cause is developed for suspect(s), which could result in an arrest, no charges filed at the request of the victim, or the suspect(s) is not prosecutable.

No bond for fugitive held in Cass county

On October 1st just after 4 p.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested 28-year-old Dylan Lancaster of Kansas City.

Lancaster is charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors related to a pursuit on 09/03/25.

On that date, the Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the vehicle Lancaster was driving as stolen. This initiated a pursuit which ended near E 219th St. and State Route YY in Belton, where Lancaster fled on foot.

Deputies were unable to locate him that day. Then on 10/01/25, deputies with the C.A.U. and the U.S.M.S. Fugitive Task Force arrested him at a hotel near N. Corrington Ave. and 43rd St. in Kansas City.

His felony charges stemming from 09/03/25 are: Tampering With Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree (Class D), Aggravated Fleeing A Stop Or Detention (Class D) and Property Damage - 1st Degree (Class E)

The misdemeanors are Operating A Motor Vehicle In A Careless And Imprudent Manner (Class B) and Leaving the Scene Of Accident (Class A). Lancaster also violated his parole in Missouri.

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force assisted with the apprehension of Lancaster as well.

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

Henry County Sheriff's Office Weekly Arrest and Incident Report

Dates: September 26, 2025 – October 02, 2025

Sheriff Aaron Brown reports the following arrests and incidents for the week:

September 26, 2025 – Warrant:
Deputy Stevens responded to a disturbance in progress and arrested Frank Warburton, age 49, of Blairstown, on a Cass County warrant for fraud.
September 29, 2025 – Resisting Arrest and Possession of a Controlled Substance:
Deputy England attempted to stop a vehicle for a turn signal violation, and the vehicle failed to yield to his emergency equipment. A short pursuit ensued before the operator wrecked and fled on foot. Deputy England deployed his duty-issued Taser, and with the assistance of Clinton PD, the suspect—identified as Edward Wiggins, age 56, of Harrisonville—was apprehended. Wiggins was arrested on a 24-hour hold for resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to signal a turn, and failure to stop at a stop sign. On the same day, the Henry County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges, and a warrant was issued for delivery of a controlled substance and aggravated fleeing from a stop or detention.
September 30, 2025 – Warrant:
Sergeant Richardson arrested Donnie Friend, age 38, of Windsor, at the courthouse on three Henry County warrants for peace disturbance and an additional Henry County warrant for Domestic Assault 2nd Degree.
September 30, 2025 – Failure to Register as a Sex Offender:
Sheriff Brown and Captain Bilbruck conducted a traffic stop in rural Clinton that led to the arrest of Jerimah Vincentry, age 36, of Kansas City, on a 24-hour investigative hold for driving without a license and failing to register as a sex offender.
September 30, 2025 – Possession of a Controlled Substance:
Deputy Murphy conducted a follow-up stealing investigation in the Windsor area that led to the arrest of Eric Barnes, age 41, of Windsor, for stealing. During a search incident to arrest, Barnes was found in possession of a controlled substance and was further charged accordingly.
October 02, 2025 – Trespassing 2nd Degree:
Sheriff Brown, Sergeant Richardson, Sergeant Brandt, Deputy England and Deputy Evans responded to a possible burglary in rural Clinton where the suspect fled in a vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted, leading to the arrest of Michelle Elliott, age 39, of Clinton, on a 24-hour investigative hold for Trespassing 2nd Degree and driving without a license.

All individuals arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The above arrests are allegations at this time.

For additional information or to provide tips, contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 885-5587.

Appleton City cleanup coming this week

Butler Alumni class highlights

More photos to be added as they become available

Class of 95, 30 year reunion L-R: Cory Blakeman, Jeri Jennings Fagler, Shawn McVey, Kelli Kirtley, Casey Koehn, Carin Sutton, Richard Burch, Megan Pursley and Cara Carr.