St.Clair County Sheriff's Office: Collins man arrested on felony assault charge

Leslie Besser

On Sept. 27, Leslie Besser, 82, Collins, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with a class A felony of assault-first degree. Bond is set at $50,000 cash or surety. The charge stems from an incident earlier the same day when a St. Clair County deputy was dispatched to the Pilot Truck Stop, Collins, in reference to an individual being shot at. Dan Reese explained he had an agreement with Besser to stay at his property on SE 1200 Road, Collins. Reese reported Beeser came inside his residence uninvited and started yelling at him. Reese said Besser left the residence and later returned with a revolver. There was an altercation and Besser allegedly discharged the revolver into a wall of the residence.

St.Clair County Sheriff's Office: Stolen Vehicle Recovered

On the morning of September 27th a St. Clair County Sheriff's Deputy was on patrol near H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, Osceola, and noticed an unoccupied 2003 Ford Expedition on NE Boy Scout Camp Road. 

A check of the vehicle discovered it was reported stolen from Bolivar on Sept. 19.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office: Misdemeanor arrest

Aundranecca Walker

On Sept. 28, Aundranecca Walker, 41, Kansas City, was arrested at the St. Clair County Jail on three outstanding Missouri State Highway Patrol warrants. Walker’s charges include no insurance, driving while suspended and no seat belt. The warrants were issued in February and total bond is set at $4,000 cash or surety and $50 cash only. 

Rail Safety Week Declared in Missouri September 29 - October 3

The Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Operation Lifesaver have declared September 29 through October 3, 2014, as Missouri Rail Safety Week.

These three agencies along with local law enforcement and railroad companies are partnering together to raise public awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.

Collisions between vehicles/pedestrians and trains are preventable,said Missouri Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Rick Mooney. Missouri law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings during Missouri Rail Safety Week. We are hoping to change the public's mindset regarding rail safety. Rail Safety Week is a great opportunity to get our message out there!

Missouri Operation Lifesaver will also air radio messages across the state for the next two months to stress the fact that it is to try to beat a train or even to share a walkway with trains. These ads focus on the new safety campaign theme of  See Tracks? Think Train! Enforcement events are scheduled to deter violations of crossing safety laws and to curb trespassing on the railroad tracks. Other safety events have been held during the past couple months around the state to promote this new theme.

We are constantly striving to reduce crashes and eliminate deaths and injuries with both crossing collisions and trespasser incidents,said Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Information and Education Director Captain Tim Hull. We encourage everyone to take these warning devices seriously and pay attention at all railroad crossings. Also please remember railroad tracks are private property and trespassing is dangerous and illegal.

In 2013, there were 64 crossing crashes and trespass incidents resulting in 14 fatalities and 38 injuries in the state of Missouri.

MoDOT works with the railroads to upgrade public crossings with lights and gates, LED lights, and more reflective signing. With our limited funding, we do 30-35 signal upgrades per year, said Missouri Department of Transportation Railroad Administrator Eric Curtit. 

MoDOT continues to work with local communities and railroads to reduce the number of railroad crossings to improve safety. A closed crossing is the safest crossing.

Missouri Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement. To learn more about Missouri Operation Lifesaver, please visit them online at www.oli.org. For more information, contact MoDOT Customer Relations at 573-751-2840, MSHP Captain Tim Hull at 573-526-6115 or Missouri Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Rick Mooney at 573-634-4113.

Fatality Accident In Rural Vernon County

A Nevada resident was killed and another was seriously injured as the result of a one vehicle accident Saturday evening in Vernon County.  According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Route “E” about five miles East of Milo, Missouri in rural Vernon County. The accident occurred when the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville driven by 33 year old Gary Drake of Nevada, Missouri.  

A passenger in the vehicle, 26 year old Whitney York of Nevada, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Vernon County Coroner’s Office.  

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Drake was Eastbound on Route E when he traveled off the left side of the road, struck a driveway and became airborne.  

The vehicle struck a utility pole and then a tree ejecting York from the vehicle.  Drake was said to have serious injuries and was transported to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.  

The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Fire Department and Milo Fire Department at the scene.

Obituary - Virginia Ailleen Brazeal

Virginia Ailleen Brazeal, 82, Peculiar, Missouri, died Friday, September 26, 2014 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri with visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. (A complete obituary will be posted when available).

Bates County Museum to Dedicate the George Ann Fisher Memorial Exhibition Building at the 6th Annual Heritage Dinner

Lee Ward

On Thursday evening, October 2^nd at 6:00 pm the Bates County Museum will hold a very special dedication service prior to the annual Heritage Dinner and program. One year ago, Butler and Bates County said goodbye to a woman who was and is irreplaceable. George Ann Fisher lost her battle with cancer after a long courageous fight with the disease. George Ann, husband Jim and mother-in-law, Louise Fisher, always supported the museum with their time, talents and gifts. As a loving remembrance to George Ann’s life, Jim Fisher graciously donated the funds necessary to build a structure on the grounds of the museum that will now house many of the artifacts still held in storage.

Jim currently serves as the Bates County Historical Society & Museum’s President and he will be among the guests present when the new building is dedicated. The Board and many other volunteers are working to have several artifacts moved and positioned by the October 2^nd dedication. The museum is extremely grateful to Jim and his family for this wonderful addition that will allow visitors to view even more of Bates County’s rich history.

Following the brief dedication ceremony, the 6^th Annual Heritage Dinner will begin at 6:30 pm. The Free Will Donation dinner is sponsored and catered by Ritchie and Debbie Davis, Butt-Head BBQ, of Adrian. A variety of desserts prepared by Society members will top-off the meal. Reservations are not necessary but would be appreciated so please call the museum to save your seat.

Once dinner is concluded, Mr. Lee Ward of Independence will present a program titled, Jesse James: Alive then Dead. Many will remember Lee from a program in 2010 about Civil War embalming practices. His book, “Coffins, Kits and More,” will be available that evening. For forty-five years, Lee worked as a funeral director and embalmer and owned Ward Funeral Homes in Chilhowee and Urich. He also owns and maintains a private museum dedicated to the Civil War and funeral merchandise up to the 1960s.

The museum extends an invitation to the public to attend these special events and thanks everyone who supports the museum and assists in Preserving Our History and Sustaining Our Heritage. Call for reservations. 660-679-0134.

Republican Party Pot Luck Dinner

There will be a Bates County Republican pot luck dinner and meeting on Tuesday, September 30th at 26 N. Delaware in Butler. 

The meeting will begin at 6pm and will feature Patricia Pike, 126th State Representative candidate and Senator Ed Emery