Friday, February 6, 2026
Obituary - Chester “Lee” Bowen
After graduating from Bronaugh High School, Lee was drafted and served in the United States Marines. Upon his return from the service, Lee owned and operated Bowen’s Motor for over 25 years and operated Skelly Gas Station for a time. Following his retirement, he and Melba moved to Stockton. He was a longtime member of the Nevada Elks Lodge.
Survivors include a son, Doug Bowen (Michele), Fairway, KS; two grandchildren; two nephews, Bob Bowen (Arlene), Nevada, and Duane Bowen, Madera Ranch, CA; a niece, Beverly Moon, Raytown, MO; and a special friend and caregiver, Tom Addington, Nevada.
Visitation will be from 11:00-12:00 on Thurs., March 5, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO. Committal will be at Moore Cemetery, Nevada.
Obituary - Earl Herrell
Earl Milford Herrell was born on January 7, 1941 the son of Lewis Milford and Nora Iona (Lucas) Herrell at the Amarguia home place near Everett, MO. He was the 5th child born to them. He joined two sisters and two brothers at home.
Earl moved in March of 1971 to near Dallas, Texas to work with his brother Virgil, at his mechanic shop. Later he had his own shop near Grand Prairie, TX. where he spent the rest of his life.
He was the devoted partner to Vandylene Perdue for 41 wonderful years, sharing countless adventures together, including road trips to their favorite casinos, where they enjoyed gambling and the thrill of chance.
Besides his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his partner Vandylene Perdue on March 27, 2025; his brother, Floyd A. Herrell; and a brother Virgil Herrell.
Earl is survived by his 2 sisters, Opal Wiskur of Raymore, MO and Hazel Moreau of Lenexa, KS; His partner’s two sons, Billy Perdue and his wife Janet, of Texas and Rodney Perdue and his wife Nichole, of Washington, along with several other relatives and a host of friends.
MDC announces changes to Montrose Conservation Area
MDC noted that the changes will better serve hunters, anglers, and other area-users and will allow angling, open waterfowl hunting, archery deer hunting, wildlife viewing, and other activities on the area.
The Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval to the proposed changes at its Feb. 4 open meeting in Jefferson City.
The proposed changes are a result of significantly low-water levels of the lake over the past seven years resulting in key areas that were once under water now being dry ground.
In the early 1950s, the utility company, Evergy (formerly KC Power and Light), bought nearly 4,000 acres of land along Deepwater Creek in Henry County as a site for a coal-fired electrical generating plant. A 1,600-acre lake was built to provide the water necessary to cool the plant.
In 1957, the company leased land to MDC for public use with a renewed lease in 2007 that includes 2,750 acres of habitat managed for public use such as fishing, bird watching, camping, and hunting for waterfowl and other game. Plant operations included a warm-water discharge that promoted waterfowl use by maintaining open water during cold periods in the fall and winter months.
The plant was decommissioned in 2018 and Evergy’s approach to managing the lake level changed. Now water is released downstream to prevent fish kills from low dissolved oxygen during the summer months, which has led to much lower water levels. The past few years of drought have also resulted in minimal stream flow and surface water runoff to recharge the lake and wetlands, creating historically low water levels. This has sharply reduced opportunities for fishing and waterfowl hunting with the lake levels currently too low for boat use. This has made it impractical to continue a managed waterfowl hunting program for designated blinds and pools.
Waterfowl blinds will be removed from the area, except the disabled-accessible waterfowl blind. It and the related pool will remain open but only to qualifying hunters and their parties. The area will be designated a Waterfowl Refuge when not in use and will be closed to all other uses from Oct. 15 – March 1.
MDC reminds hunters participating in open waterfowl hunting at Montrose to know the following:
Waterfowl hunting opportunities will be strictly on a first-come, first-served basis
Habitat conditions will be variable, based on rain events, stream flow, and lake levels
The lake and wetlands will be considered “open area hunting” and there will be no blinds or designated locations.
All waterfowl hunters must self-register upon arrival and possess a Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag, which must be turned in at the end of the hunt
The Disabled-Accessible Waterfowl Blind and pool will be available only to qualifying hunters through the online waterfowl reservation system.
The waterfowl refuge zones will remain intact and be closed to all use from Oct. 15 through March 1.
MDC will be seeking public comments on the proposed regulation changes for Montrose CA from March 17 through April 15. Get more information and submit comments for proposed regulation changes during the timeframe at http://mdc.mo.gov/.../wildlif.../proposed-regulation-changes
MDC will then compile comments received and share them with the Commission prior to its May 29 open meeting when the Commission will give final consideration to the proposed regulation changes. If approved, the changes would become effective Aug. 30.
Learn more about the Montrose CA at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/montrose-conservation-area.
Learn more about waterfowl hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl.
Montrose pre 2018
This image of Montrose Lake viewed from the concrete boat ramp on the south side of the lake shows regular water levels prior to the energy plant closing in 2018.
Montrose 2023
This image of Montrose Lake viewed from the concrete boat ramp on the south side of the lake shows the mostly dry lake in 2023.
Thursday, February 5, 2026
MSHAA responds to lawsuit filed by Attorney General
The lawsuit filed by the Attorney General seeks to impose state control over the internal governance of a private association. Missouri did not create MSHSAA, does not fund it, and does not oversee its operations. Nonetheless, the state now asks a federal court to dictate who may serve on MSHSAA’s volunteer Board of Directors and how its 724 member schools structure their leadership.
This action raises serious concerns about governmental overreach and the precedent it would set for all private, voluntary organizations across Missouri. Allowing the state to restructure the leadership criteria of a private nonprofit organization it did not create, fund or control would mark a significant expansion of state authority into areas historically governed by local schools and private associations.
At a time when policymakers are actively debating state control of high school athletics and activities in Missouri, this lawsuit represents a fundamental threat to the system of interscholastic activities as it has existed for generations. If the state succeeds in asserting control over a private organization it neither created nor funds, it would fundamentally alter high school athletics and activities in Missouri and undermine the voluntary, school-driven model that has long served students and communities across the state.
MSHSAA respectfully disagrees with the claims made in the complaint and believes the lawsuit mischaracterizes both the Association’s role and the law. Because this matter is now pending before the court, MSHSAA will not litigate it in the press.
The Association remains focused on its mission of supporting member schools — public, private and charter — and providing safe, fair and meaningful interscholastic opportunities for Missouri students.
For reference, here was our response to the Attorney General’s investigation announcement in November.
Vernon County Sheriff's Office completes Operation Ice Storm with several arrests
After three month-long investigation into illegal narcotics activity in rural Milo, Missouri, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Nevada Police Department, and Missouri probation and parole executed two search warrants on 02/04/2026.
As part of this investigation, Drug Task Force agents with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office conducted controlled purchases of suspected narcotics at one location within the past two months, resulting in the purchase of an approximate total of 54.3 grams of suspected narcotics prior to the execution of the search warrant.
As a result of the execution of these search warrants, investigators seized approximately 175.5 grams of suspected illegal narcotics and one firearm. One location resulted in the seizure of approximately 130.5 grams of suspected narcotics and a firearm, while the second location resulted in the seizure of approximately 45 grams of suspected narcotics.
Formal Charges
As a result of this investigation, the following individuals have been formally charged:
Elizabeth Jester
• Case Number: 26VE-CR00066
• Charge(s): Trafficking Drugs, 2nd Degree
• Bond: $250,000.00 cash only
Jeramie West
• Case Number: 26VE-CR00067
• Charge(s): Trafficking Drugs, 2nd Degree
• Bond: $100,000.00 cash only
Melissa McCartney
• Case Number: 26VE-CR00068
• Charge(s): Trafficking Drugs, 2nd Degree
• Bond: $100,000.00 cash on
**All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to aggressively targeting illegal drug activity and removing dangerous drugs and weapons from our communities.
Sheriff Buehler would like to thank the Vernon County Emergency Management Director for assistance with drone operations, the Nevada Police Department for their assistance during the execution of the search warrants, Missouri Probation and Parole and the Vernon County Ambulance District for being on standby while entry was made.
Sheriff Buehler says "I made a promise to the citizens of Vernon County to do my best to make Vernon County a safer and better place and I meant that. I will not tolerate this in our community!
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