Fire destroys two structures in Rich Hill

On Friday, March 20th, the Rich Hill Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 100 block of West Hickory Street. Upon arrival, crews found two structures involved. RHFD requested mutual aid from the Butler and Hume Fire Departments. While both structures were a total loss, fire crews successfully prevented the fire from spreading to a third building on the property. Neither structure was occupied at the time, though one was undergoing renovations. As always we are thankful to have a strong working relationship with our neighboring departments. Story and photo courtesy Rich Hill Fire Department

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BREAKING: Missing man, missing money leaves investors with potential losses in the millions

BUTLER MO- What appeared to be an honest investment has left at least two local families approximately $270,000 in the hole, and worse yet, their 'broker' is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, others may be out millions according to the latest information.

One victim, who asked not to be named, said he invested $100,000 with a Butler, Mo.  man who assured the victim a healthy return on his investment in a cattle/feedlot operation in Oklahoma. While the victim did receive three $10,000 payments (minus promised interest) all communication with the broker ceased on February 25th of this year, leaving him to only believe something is terribly wrong.

"Through everything, we asked a lot of questions about the investment, even withheld our investment check once because we had reservations- but he (alleged broker) kept assuring us everything was ok." The victim went on to say that the man he was working with was well known in the community to include acting as a preacher at a Butler, Mo. church.

The victim went on to say that he knows another party who lost about $200,000 in the same investment and speculates there are more who mortgaged their property or invested their nest egg- all with little or nothing in return.

The alleged broker in question, Craig Johnson 40, with a rural Butler Mo. address is nowhere to be found. Mid America Live did find Johnson on Facebook recently but that account now appears to be deleted. Asking around the area has drawn a lot of "We have no idea" answers when asked about his whereabouts.

"We wonder how many more there are like us" pondered the victim. "You have to think this was going on for a long time and there probably are more people who lost even more that we have."

Flipside, it all could have been legit. Maybe Johnson was in an accident or disappeared for another reason. However, there is no current information that might support those possibilities.

As of March 17, records on file in Bates County show that both Craig and wife Karen Johnson have been named in a lawsuit regarding default of three promissory notes on behalf of Plaintiff FSC Financial totaling approximately $3.5 million plus interest. According to the lengthy petition, the Johnson's are accused of "Selling or incumbering collateral without Plaintiff's consent" and "Provided false, misleading or incomplete information to the Plaintiff".

March 20th, separate summons in the above matter were issued to both Craig and Karen Johnson as the court awaits a response.

Records also indicate that Johnson's wife filed for divorce on March 9, 2026 in Bates County. A summons for Craig Johnson regarding this matter is yet to show a response from him as of March 20th.

Lastly, the victim we interviewed said they have no choice except to wait for now and in their case, fortunately the loss will be easier to manage than others who reportedly took out very large loans to invest with Johnson.

As the FBI continues their investigation into the whereabouts of Johnson, anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact them through the FBI tips website here https://tips.fbi.gov/home

Mid America Live new will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.

Copyright 2026 Mid America Live News 

 

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MDC encourages landowners to look for signs of remnant sand prairie habitat on their property

BENTON, Mo. – Around the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and other conservation partners continually work to identify areas of ecological importance. Because of the diversity of Missouri’s natural landscape, there is a broad variety of habitats that MDC and its partners have marked of particular importance.

One such habitat can be found at Sand Prairie Conservation Area (CA) in Scott County, a 200-acre upland area that is managed for natural communities including sand prairie, sand savanna, and sandy swale ephemeral wetlands. Learn more about Sand Prairie CA at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/owB.

Other conservation partners in southeastern Missouri also recognize the importance of sand prairies and have dedicated resources to preserving this type of habitat. The Natural Resource Conservation Service administers the Sand Prairie Restoration Program which focuses on working with private landowners in Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, and Stoddard Counties who may have sand prairie communities on their property. Through this program, qualifying landowners can receive technical and financial assistance to establish permanent easements to protect this habitat on their land.

Preserving sand prairies is critical as they provide rare habitat for many species of conservation concern including: doubleform snoutbean, sand hickory, or jointweed. They also serve as a great home to more common species such as the northern bobwhite quail and the prairie racerunner.

Currently, MDC estimates that fewer than 2,000 acres of medium to high quality sand prairies and savannas remain in southeast Missouri. Of the remaining acreage, all acres have been altered or domesticated for agricultural purposes. Landowners are encouraged to look for prickly pear cactus, splitbeard bluestem or jointweed on their property as the presence of these species may indicate that there is remnant sand prairie habitat. If landowners do discover remnant sand prairie signs on their property, MDC encourages them to contact local Private Land Conservation staff to discuss opportunities for management on the property along with available cost-share options for those management practices.

Find local MDC Private Land Conservation staff by county at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4ok. 

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10 day weather outlook courtesy 660 Weather Spot

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Generous donation helps renew BCMH ambulance fleet

A generous community partnership supported Bates County Memorial Hospital’s ongoing efforts to maintain a strong and ready ambulance fleet in 2025.

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) thanks the Dehaemers Family Charitable Trust for a donation made through the Bates County Community Health Foundation on behalf of the hospital last summer. The gift provided funding to replace the engine in Unit 2, one of the hospital’s ambulances, allowing the vehicle to return to service quickly and supporting the hospital’s continued investment in a well-maintained, countywide ambulance service.

BCMH also extends appreciation to Hedge Hollow Raceway, which helped connect the hospital with the Dehaemers Family Charitable Trust and played an important role in facilitating the donation.

Last week, the hospital presented a shadowbox to representatives of the foundation and Hedge Hollow Raceway as a small token of appreciation for their partnership and generosity.

As a nonprofit hospital, BCMH is mindful of the resources required to sustain Bates County’s ambulance service, including maintaining a fleet of four ambulance units, with two staffed for emergency response 24/7. Community support like this helps strengthen and sustain these services for the people it serves. These efforts reflect the strength of a community working together to support essential services.

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Warmer, fire concerns elevated

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Obituary - Bernard E. “Gene” Post

Bernard E. “Gene” Post, 91, of Mound City, Kansas, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025.

Born on May 2, 1934, in Mound City, Kansas, he lived a life marked by generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to his family.

Gene was the owner of the Post Body Shop in Mound City, Kansas for thirty-five years, where he was known for his integrity, work ethic, and the kindness he showed to everyone he met. Outside of work, he found joy in making things with his hands, traveling/camping, and riding motorcycles, and he shared those passions freely with friends and family.  Above all, he was a devoted husband and family man. He taught his family the value of hard work, humility, and compassion - not through words alone, but through the way he lived each day. His presence brought steadiness, his humor brought lightness, and his love brought comfort.

He is survived by his wife, stepbrother, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, who will carry his memory forward with deep gratitude.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:00am, at Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mound City Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.  Following the service, a celebration of life will be held in his honor at the Mound City Methodist Church from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, and he will be profoundly missed.

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Obituary - Richard Williams

Richard Williams age 84 of Warsaw, Missouri departed this life Sunday, February 22, 2026 at his home surrounded by love and family after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD.

Richard was born on January 17, 1942 to Nelson and Alma Williams in Norborne, Missouri. He grew up in Carrollton, Missouri and graduated from Carrollton High School. Richard married the love of his life, Doris (Ahrens) Williams, nearly 63 years ago on April 27, 1963 in Marshall, Missouri.

Richard farmed and worked as an Operations Manager on the Brunswick River Terminal for 20 years. He helped design and build the fertilizer and grain terminal. After moving to Harrisonville, Missouri in 1995, he worked at Old Mill Fertilizer and Grain as an Operations Manager for 15 years. In 2014, Richard and Doris moved to Warsaw, Missouri to be closer to Truman Lake as he was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Richard was known for his sense of humor and quick wit, he loved his family and the outdoors, and never knew a stranger.

Richard is survived by his wife, Doris Williams; son, Mark Randall Williams; daughter-in-law, Pam (Williams) Kenefake and husband, Brian Kenefake; grandchildren, Molly Brave and husband, Travis Brave, Drew Williams and wife, Melora Williams; and five (almost 6) great-grandchildren: Claire Williams, Kolbe Williams, Adeline Williams, Micah Williams, and Amelia Brave; three brothers-in-law: Conny Ahrens, Darell Ahrens and wife, Marilyn Ahrens, and Timmy Ahrens; two sisters-in-law: Pam (Ahrens) Gulley and husband, Roy Gulley, and Vicki (Ahrens) Arni and Matt Arni; many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mickey Williams; daughter-in-law, Lila Williams; two brothers and three sisters.

Richard will be deeply missed by his family and friends whose lives he touched with his heart and smile.

Cremation with a celebration of life service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with inurnment at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

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