Harrisonville police seeks help in locating subject

The Harrisonville police department is asking for help to identify this subject in regards to a fraud investigation at Wal-Mart. The facial photograph is grainy, but the subject has distinct tattooing on both hands.

If you know who this person is, please contact Lt. Mikelson at the Harrisonville Police Department at 816-380-8940.

Rich Hill Cross Country athletes advance to State

 

High School Cross Country Team Advances to State

The Tigers are headed to State! The team finished 4th overall at Districts, earning a spot to compete at the State Meet in Columbia this Saturday, November 8th.

This marks the first time in Rich Hill’s short Cross Country history that the entire team has qualified for the state meet!

Individual Results:

Andrew Kithcart — 7th Place (18:22.3) — All-District

Caisen Gwinn — 12th Place (18:43. — All-District

Cooper Gillis — 40th Place (20:50.1)

Kaiden Fry — 45th Place (21:05.6)

Grant Steuck — 67th Place (22:41)

John Fletcher — 96th Place (25:48.3)

Way to go, Tigers!

Large field fire near Amsterdam

Amsterdam fire has requested mutual aid from neighboring agencies to assist with a a large field on fire just south of town on the west side of Y highway.

Use caution and expect to see emergency vehicles if in the area. 

Due to high winds today, please avoid outdoor burning and exercise care when discarding cigarettes.

Obituary - Eloise Avalynn Applegate

Eloise Avalynn Applegate, infant daughter of Justus Applegate and Alyssa Jones was born October 23rd at KU Medical Center where she entered the Gates of Heaven on November 1st , 2025.

     In addition to her loving parents she is survived by her maternal grandparents, Adam and Marti Jones of Milo; paternal grandmother, Kristi Applegate of Schell City; maternal great-grandparents, Glen and Nettie Chad of Milo, and Mary Jones of Nevada; paternal great-grandparents, Larry and Marla Applegate of Schell City; aunts, Chance (Coy) Starlin and family of Milo, and Tyler Jones (Amanda) of Lamar; as well as numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by an aunt, Marisa; and her maternal great-grandfather, Adam Jones.

     Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo, MO.

     In lieu of flowers those who wish may donate to the family  care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Bates County Sheriff's Office to help with Henry county investigation

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Bates County Sheriff’s Office conduct a full and independent investigation into matters involving potential misconduct within the City of Windsor.
Because the Henry County Sheriff’s Office currently provides municipal police services to the City of Windsor under contract, Sheriff Aaron Brown made the decision to request an outside agency to lead the investigation in order to remove any question of bias, conflict, or influence.

“Transparency and public trust are cornerstones of our service,” said Sheriff Brown. “By requesting assistance from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, we ensure this review is handled with complete independence and professionalism. Bates County is a strong partner in public safety and is well-equipped to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation.”

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the swift and responsible actions taken by the Windsor City Counsel and will continue to fully support the process.

As this remains an active investigation, both the City of Windsor and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office will refer all inquiries to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.

Windy today, rain incoming

Obituary - Wanda Lee Fleischer

Wanda Lee Fleischer, 86, of Butler, Missouri, passed away November 2, 2025. She was born October 22, 1939 in Rich Hill, Missouri to Merle Charles and Lorene Alice (Steuck) Kline.

Wanda attended Happy Hill School and later graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1957. Wanda married her sweetheart, Roy Paul Fleischer, on May 25, 1958. They enjoyed 62 years of married life and were blessed with three children, Rick, Kelly, and Traci. After some time living in Grandview, Missouri, the family settled in Butler, Missouri, where they worked and farmed together for many years. Wanda had a strong work ethic and held several jobs over the years, but could always be found alongside Roy helping on the farm. Wanda was a faithful member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Missouri.

Family was very important to Wanda, and her favorite title was “Nanny.” She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She never missed one of her grandkids' ball games, dance recitals, or fair events.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Lorene; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Lillie Fleischer; son, Rick Fleischer; grandson, Bradley Hunt; great-grandson, Eli Fleischer; sisters, Genavie (Melvin) Ruehling and Kathy (Dale) Seider; in-laws, Irene (Leo) Rapp and Everard Fleischer.

Wanda is survived by daughter Kelly and husband Fred Hunt, daughter Traci and husband Roger Tippie, and daughter-in-law Robin Fleischer; 7 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, Todd (Mary) Hunt, Caroline and Lydia; Brooke (Kash) Dubray, Hunter, Drake, and Lila; Josh (Megan Silver) Fleischer, Presley, Jacklyn, Lexi Mae, and Silas; Keith (Amanda) Fleischer, Riley and Sawyer; Hailey (Brian) Gillis, Cooper, Sadie, and Cade; Brodi (Jose) Mendez, Maysi, Bryan, Isabell, Alex, and Tilli; Kiley (Luke) Tourtillott, Bowen, Logan, and Noah; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral Service will be held at 10 am, Thursday, November 6th at Zion Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Missouri.  Visitation will be from 6 pm - 7 pm, Wednesday, November 5th at the Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill, Missouri

A simulation: Bombing at Butler city hall

 

What started as a normal evening ended in tragedy with several arrests following an 'explosion' at Butler city hall around 7 pm last night- all part of a training exercise involving the Butler police department, Butler fire department and a handful of crisis actors who played their roles to perfection

As the city council session was ready to begin, one member was still downstairs and met a horrible fate- at that moment, an unknown individual tossed a bomb in a window resulting in fatal injuries.

The photos below show how the rest of the scenario played out:

Council members and others in the building were moved to a safe location as the police investigation began

As police worked to identify the perpetrator, several variables came into play including some bystanders who did not abide their orders by not cooperating with the investigation- which resulted in an arrest seen below

In the meantime, firefighters gained entry to city hall to locate the 'victim' and check for other hazards

As the victim was brought outside, lifesaving measures began. Unfortunately, efforts were in vain as the person met their fate seen below

Meanwhile, police continued working to find the person responsible for the bombing; there were some intense moments

In short order, the primary suspect was taken into custody following an extensive foot chase

Once the suspect was in custody and the building cleared, first responders met with those present to help assure the situation was over and the area was declared safe.

This exercise was the brainchild of the Butler fire department spearheaded by Brenda Cecil, who said that the goal is to better prepare everyone in our ever-changing world where these types of situations play out, which could include a close knit community such as Butler.

She went on to say that the evening was "a success" in terms of efficiency and cooperation between the police and fire departments; mostly likely more such training sessions will be forthcoming.

And a hearty thank-you goes to everyone involved.