Obituary - Chris Anderson

W. Chris Anderson, age 50, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on April 12, 2026, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm, Monday, April 27, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Burial will take place in Steeleville Cemetery, Steeleville, Missouri at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Bates County Industries. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Wallace Christopher Anderson was born to William and Rosalee Agers Anderson. He grew up in the Bates County area, where he spent much of his life surrounded by a community that knew and cared for him. He attended Rich Hill High School and later worked at Casco and BCI, where he took pride in his work and the friendships he made along the way.

Chris was a man with a joyful spirit and a heart full of kindness. He had a great sense of humor and loved playing practical jokes, always bringing laughter to those around him. His lighthearted nature and warm personality made him a loyal friend to many.

He found happiness in life’s simple pleasures—spending time around horses, casting a line while fishing, and cheering on his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Chris also enjoyed bowling and proudly participated in the Special Olympics, where he shared his enthusiasm and determination with others.

Chris will be remembered for his genuine kindness, his laughter, and the joy he brought into the lives of those who knew him. His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the many memories he leaves behind.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lula Hawkins, and brother Joseph Lee Anderson. He is survived by his sister, Tina Anderson, brothers, Henry, Fred, and James Anderson, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

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Obituary - Scarlet LeeAnn Butts

Funeral services for Scarlet LeeAnn Butts of Gladstone, Missouri formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at the King of Kings Lutheran Church in Gladstone, Missouri. Visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Friday. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory (660-679-6555) in Butler. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler at 3 p.m. Friday. Contributions to the American Association for Cancer Research or the American Lung Association. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

On April 9, 2026, Scarlet LeeAnn (Jackson) Butts fell asleep in the Lord at her home in Gladstone, Missouri. Scarlet was born on February 13, 1961, in the small community of Butler, Missouri, to John and Violet Jackson. At age 12, Scarlet and her family moved to Belton, Missouri. Scarlet gave birth to her son, Brian Matthew Jackson, in 1978. She eventually settled in Cameron, Missouri. While in Cameron, Scarlet gave birth to her daughter, Adrienne Rochelle Potts, in 1981.

In 1987, Scarlet started at Missouri Western State College (now University). It was there that she met her future husband, Rodney Lynn Butts, in 1988, and they were married later that year. Scarlet graduated from Missouri Western Summa Cum Laude in 1990 with a degree in Political Science. Three years later, she graduated Cum Laude from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with her Juris Doctorate degree, having served as the Editor of the UMKC Law Review.

As an attorney, Scarlet continued her academic excellence with an amazing legal career, starting with a lifelong private practice. Additionally, Scarlet had a partnership with her friend Kimberly Brown in Hamilton, Missouri; served as the municipal prosecutor for the City of Cameron, MO; was the Assistant Prosecutor for Caldwell and DeKalb Counties; and worked as the Child Support Prosecutor for the Hamilton Project, which served a five-county area.

While these roles were rewarding, the one that she was most proud of was her work as a Guardian Ad Litem, where she liked to think of her work as “on the side of the angels.” Scarlet’s life has been guided by her faith. When she and her husband moved to Gladstone, Missouri, in 2011, they found a home at the King of Kings Lutheran Church of Kansas City, Missouri. Scarlet loved her church, her community, and perhaps most of all her seven grandchildren.

Scarlet is preceded in death by her father, John Jackson, Jr. She is survived by her mother, Violet Irene (Sturm) Jackson-Artinger (Kansas City, KS); her sister, Teresa (Jackson) Honn (High Point, NC) and her family; her brother, John Jackson III (Kansas City, MO) and his family; her son, Brian Matthew and Brian’s wife, Lindsay Hannah (Bair) (Greensboro, NC); her daughter, Adrienne Rochelle (San Diego, CA); and seven grandchildren that she adored beyond words, Brytin David Broussard, Samuel Matthew Jackson, Elijah James Robert Jackson, Bryana Jocelyn Castillo, Chloe Elizabeth Jackson, Hadley Grace Jackson and Noah Finn Jackson. Scarlet is also survived and deeply missed by her husband of 37 years, Rodney.

Scarlet’s obsequies are as follows: Visitation at the King of Kings Lutheran Church (1701 NE 96th St, Kansas City, MO) at 9 AM, Christian Funeral at King of Kings at 11 AM, after which the church will serve a meal. A Graveside Service will follow at 3 PM at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to honor Scarlet’s life by taking time to help the weak or marginalized,

forgiving someone, encouraging others, and being gentle. We would also ask that you consider contributing to the American Association for Cancer Research (https://www.aacr.org/) and/or the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/).
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Flip through this week's News-Review and Shopper

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Tornado warning issued for Bates County

The national weather service has issued a tornado warning for Bates County. A tornado was confirmed on the ground near Worland Missouri moving northeast at about 30 mph. It is recommended that those in the Butler and Passaic areas to take cover. 


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Bates County Memorial Hospital Hosts Lifesaving Blood Drive to Support Local Patients

Community Blood Center urges donors to help replenish the region's supply

Butler, MO -- Community Blood Center {CBC}, the primary provider of blood to 70+ hospitals across Kansas and Missouri, will host a blood drive on Wednesday, April 29 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, located at 615 W Nursery St..

For more than 65 years, CBC has served the region by providing over 150,000 lifesaving blood products annually to more than 70 hospitals, EMS, and healthcare partners.

"A strong, consistent blood supply is the backbone of patient care in our community," said Chelsea Tibbetts, Executive Director at Community Blood Center. "We are deeply grateful to our blood drive hosts for stepping up to help save lives and support patients in our local hospitals."

Every day, nearly 600 donations are needed to meet hospital demand in the Greater Kansas City region. Blood has a short shelf life and must be constantly replenished to ensure it's available when and where it's needed. Just one hour of your time can help save up to three lives.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29

WHERE: Bates County Memorial Hospital, 615 W Nursery St.

WHO: Blood Donors, Volunteers, and Community Blood Center Representatives

WHY: One in three people will need blood in their lifetime, and nearly one in seven hospital admissions requires a transfusion. Blood donations support cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients, new mothers, premature infants, transplant recipients, those living with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease and thalassemia, and many more.
To make an appointment at this drive, donors can visit savealifenow.org/group and enter Group Code: KCBS, or call 1-877-468-6844.

Blood donors can give every 56 days and are encouraged to give at least once per season. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To view current eligibility guidelines or learn more about donating blood, visit savealifenow.org.


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Taylor Zander to face charges in heinous sexual predator case

Due to a change of venue from Vernon county, documents on file in the Bates County Circuit Court indicate that Taylor Wayne Zander, 33, of Rich Hill MO is now facing 14 charges related to  sexual acts with minor children dating back to 2022.

Due to the extreme nature of the accusations and the fact he was listed as child guardian, Zander could receive multiple life sentences.

Charges as filed:

1. Statutory Rape Or Attempted Statutory Rape - 1st Degree - Person Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.032 }

2. Statutory Sodomy Or Attempted Statutory Sodomy - Deviate Sexual Intercourse - Person Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.062 }

3. Statutory Sodomy Or Attempted Statutory Sodomy - Deviate Sexual Intercourse - Person Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.062 }

4. Statutory Rape Or Attempted Statutory Rape - 1st Degree - Person Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.032 }

5. Statutory Sodomy Or Attempted Statutory Sodomy - Deviate Sexual Intercourse - Person Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.062 }

6. Statutory Sodomy Or Attempted Statutory Sodomy - Deviate Sexual Intercourse - Person Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.062 }

7. Child Molestation - 2nd Degree -Child Less Than 12 Yoa
{ Felony B RSMo: 566.068 }

8. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct

9. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct
{ Felony D RSMo: 568.045 }

10. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct
{ Felony D RSMo: 568.045 }

11. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct
{ Felony D RSMo: 568.045 }

12. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct
{ Felony D RSMo: 568.045 }

13. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct

{ Felony D RSMo: 568.045 }

14. Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct
{ Felony D RSMo: 568.045 }

The defendant is being held on a $1,000,000 bond and a motion for discovery was filed on April 7, 2026 in Bates County. 

Zander is represented by public defender Jason Speer of Harrisonville, MO.

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Appleton City Bulldogs Shine at Home Meet Behind Record-Breaking Night from Michael Smith

By Cody Morris

The Appleton City Bulldogs turned in a strong showing Thursday at their home varsity track meet, highlighted by a school-record performance from Michael Smith and several personal-best efforts.

The Appleton City Bulldogs made a strong statement early in the track season. This past week, the Bulldogs hosted a home track meet, and they showed up and showed out.

The night was highlighted by Michael Smith breaking an Appleton City High School record, but Smith wasn’t the only Bulldog with a strong outing on the evening.

Michael broke the school high jump record, clearing 6 feet and 2.75 inches on his way to a victory in the event. Smith also took home 4th place in the 200m, while recording a Personal Best.

Gage Boin was a double winner for the Bulldogs, taking first in both the 110m hurdles in a personal-best 16.69 seconds and the 300m hurdles in a personal-best 44.44. David Connor also claimed first in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 13.55 meters.

Brycen James, secured the silver in Pole Vault

Kate Wareham won the 400m dash with a time of 1:02.66, while Emma Snyder took first in the triple jump and Shea Brownsberger won the pole vault and placed third in the 200m with a personal-best time.

Lanie Swaters added a first place Shot Put finish but wasn’t done there, as she went on to add a 2nd place finish in the Javelin. Ava Uptergrove recorded a 2nd place time in the 100m hurdles.

Appleton City also got strong relay performances on the evening as well.

Overall, as a team, the Lady Bulldogs finished second, while the boys placed fourth out of 13 teams.

This article is sponsored by C&S Graphics, be sure to go follow their Facebook!

Graphic created by C&S Graphics, with pictures from Page Martin!

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Henry County Sheriff seeking whereabouts of Janice Cook

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office continues assisting in the ongoing missing person investigation involving Janice Cook, as concern for her well-being continues to grow.

Those who know Janice have advised that her disappearance is completely out of character, and her family and friends remain deeply concerned for her safety. If you have seen Janice or have any information regarding where she may be, we ask that you please come forward. No piece of information is too small and may be critical in helping bring answers to those who care deeply for her.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office remains actively involved and will continue working hand-in-hand with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Pettis County Sheriff’s Office as leads continue to develop across jurisdictional lines. All agencies involved are actively following up on investigative leads and will provide more substantial information if and when it becomes available.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at 660-747-2265, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 660-885-5587 or Lt. Kubilus at 660-885-7328, or their nearest local law enforcement agency.

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