Obituary - Mary Lou Bricker

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Lou Bricker, 86, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, who left this world peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Health & Rehab in Pleasant Hill, MO. Funeral services will be held at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, MO. Memorial donations are suggested to St. Croix Hospice.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

Obituary - Joy Maybon

Graveside services for Joy Maybon of Rich Hill, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Monday, November 24, 2025 at Greenlawn Cemetery, Rich Hill.  No visitation.  Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to the American Kidney Fund.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Joy Maybon, age 84 of Rich Hill, Missouri died Friday, November 21, 2025 at her home.  She was born December 29, 1940 to Albert Lee and Mae Sue Rex Bishop in Wellsville, Missouri.

Joy is survived by two daughters, Vicki Kidd and husband Sonny of Rich Hill, Missouri and Jackie Braley and husband David of Oak Grove, Missouri; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and friend, Richard Colin of Rich Hill, Missouri.  Joy was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Robert Maybon.

Obituary - George Rives Jr.

Funeral services for George William Rives Jr. of Peculiar, Missouri, formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler.  Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.  Contributions to Raymore-Peculiar Athletics or Fellowship Church, Raymore.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

George William Rives Jr., age 80 of Peculiar, Missouri died Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Overland Park Regional in Overland Park, Kansas.  He was born May 25, 1945 to George William Rives Sr. and Roberta Vanessa Fisher Rives in Lamar, Missouri.

George is survived by his wife, Linda Rives of Peculiar, Missouri; one daughter, Kathy Todtenhausen and special friend Jerry of Kansas City, Missouri; one son, Jeff Rives and wife Ashley of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; four grandchildren, Gabriel and Annabelle Todtenhausen and Chloe and Reece Rives; one brother, Wayne “Luke” Rives and wife Sally of Butler, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.  George was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn daughter; and niece, Leslie Beard.

New Hertzog retail and processing location coming to fruition

Mid America Live was afforded a sneak peek inside the new Hertzog Meat Company location under construction on west 52 highway in Butler which is slated to be open for business beginning the first of February, 2026.

The former Walmart building is in the process of a complete makeover that will leave no visible traces of its beginnings; and in short order, provide a one-of-a-kind experience for all who visit. When entering, customers will find a friendly, ergonomic layout displaying hundreds of choices of beef and chicken, as well as other favorites such as lobster tails, frog legs, cheese, deli meats and more in a somewhat rustic, family friendly environment.

Beyond the retail section however, lies a refined, high tech processing and packaging area that will use state-of-the-art equipment insuring safety and satisfaction not only for retail customers, but wholesale customers as well; Hertzog Meat Company currently supplies a variety of meats to popular restaurants, the number of which is expected to double in coming months.

The specially engineered facility will allow for these wholesale buyers to experience, hence 'taste test' if you will, new cuts and recipes on site. Hertzog offers additional services including special cuts and marinates- all of which can be 'taste tuned' in the kitchen with buyers present. Most importantly, Hertzog will work with  customers to provide the lowest plate cost (a restaurant term) while insuring the best possible quality.

By all appearances, your visit to Hertzog Meat Company will certainly provide a very unique experience while offering the very best in local meats and more, at prices that will fit your budget. 

Updates to be provided; and in the meantime, be ready for a Grand Opening announcement in coming months. 

Photo highlights:

Above, the entrance to the retail center is nearing completion with signage coming soon.

A specially designed conference room (above) will also serve as a training area for wholesale buyers as well as access to a carefully designed test kitchen that will insure that all products, whether retail or wholesale, exceed customer expectations.

A special passageway (above) from the huge cooler (below) will allow for immediate transfer of products to the test kitchen and retail section of the facility, thus streamlining operations overall.

Jim Hertzog is proud to say that this incredible undertaking includes the use of many local vendors for HVAC, electricians, plumbers and others who are doing an excellent job of keeping the project on track.

Above and below, artist renderings of what will greet customers when they visit the new Hertzog Meat Company retail center on west 52 highway in Butler beginning in early February.

Hume man arrested on outstanding warrant

On November 13th, Bates County Deputies responded to a residence in Hume, MO in regards to a disturbance. While on scene, a wanted subject was located in the residence. Deputies gave commands for the subject to come out of the residence and the subject did comply. Michael Grady of Hume, MO was placed into custody for his outstanding warrant.

Grady was booked into the Bates County Sheriff's Office Jail and is being held on his warrant:

Probation Violation; Possession of a Controlled Substance/Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

$15,000 Cash/Surety Bond

Henry county authorities seek fugitive

 

𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐔𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 – 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐃

The U.S. Marshals Service is actively seeking Steven Andrew Bowman, wanted on multiple felony charges connected to investigations by the Bates County Sheriff's Office, St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, Clinton Missouri Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff's Office.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact:

Henry County Sheriff’s Office

Clinton Police Department

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Lead Fugitive Investigators listed on the wanted poster

Do not approach. Report tips immediately.

Stolen backhoe leads to arrests near Archie

 

On November 12, Bates County Deputies were notified of a John Deere back hoe that had been stolen from the KCMO area. Deputies were advised that the back hoe had a GPS tracker on it and it was pinging at a residence in rural Archie, MO in Bates County.

While Deputies were in the area waiting for additional resources and units, a deputy observed a vehicle coming from the area that had a license plate belonging to the property owner of where the back hoe was pinging.

A traffic stop was conducted on the the vehicle. While investigating, a John Deere key was located in the pocket of the driver. Both subjects in the vehicle, Justin Kimbrough of Amoret, MO and Tony Thomas of Butler, MO, were detained for further investigation.

A search warrant was received and executed on the property in Archie, MO. The stolen John Deere back hoe was located on the property as well as a trailer associated with Kimbrough, which was believed to have hauled the back hoe. Also located on the property were illegal narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia. The property owners were also placed into custody and they are identified as Sean P. O'Riley and Patrick O'Riley of the Archie, MO address.

Justin Kimbrough was issued a citation for Driving While Revoked/Suspended. A warrant was issued for Receiving Stolen Property; $10,000 Cash/Surety.

A warrant was issued for Tony Thomas for Receiving Stolen Property; $10,000 Cash/ Surety.

A warrant was issued for Sean P. O'Riley for Receiving Stolen Property and Possession of a Controlled Substance; $15,000 Cash/Surety.

A warrant was issued for Patrick O'Riley for Receiving Stolen Property; $15,000 Cash/Surety.

Adrian woman arrested after leaving children unattended

On November 15, Bates County Deputies responded to a residence in rural Adrian, MO in regards to a disturbance. While Deputies were enroute they were informed that the suspect, later identified as Ashley Runyon of Adrian, MO, had left the scene. Deputies responded to her residence in an attempt to locate the subject, but the subject was not home. Her two minor children were found to be home alone.

A MSHP Trooper had located Runyon and stopped the vehicle a short distance away from the initial location of the disturbance. After interviewing all parties involved, Ashley was placed under arrest for DWI and for Child Endangerment. After placing Ashley in the patrol vehicle, she became non-compliant. She began to kick the window out of the patrol vehicle and when confronted by Deputies, she then kicked the Deputy in the chest.

Ashley was transported to a local hospital to be cleared for confinement. While there she continued to yell profanities at hospital staff and law enforcement, attempted to free herself from handcuffs, and attempted to leave the room multiple times.

Ashley was transported to the Bates County Sheriff's Office and booked into the jail. A warrant was later received for Assault 3rd Degree- Special Victim with a bond of $25,000, but was later released on a signature bond.

Courtesy Bates County Sheriff's Office