Maxwell back as head coach of the Harrisonville Wildcats Football Team

During a special meeting this morning, the Harrisonville School District Board of Education approved Brent Maxwell as the head football coach for the Wildcats. Maxwell is the district Activities Director and returns to the head coaching position after a three year absence.

Coach Maxwell said, “I stepped away a few years ago. It was the right decision for me and my family at the time. I never thought this opportunity would present itself again, but when it did, I got excited about the prospect of working with kids again. I have missed that.”

Maxwell was the head coach for the Wildcats from 2014-2018 and prior to that was an assistant for eight years. He compiled a 48-17 record and led the team to the 4A state championship in 2016.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with our student-athletes on a daily basis and I hope to lead them in a positive manner to help them become successful - not just in terms of wins and losses - but as people.”

TRAFFIC ALERT: Northbound I-49-to-Eastbound Route 52 Ramp (Exit 129) CLOSED Guardrail Work May 2nd

TRAFFIC ALERT: Northbound I-49-to-Eastbound Route 52 Ramp (Exit 129) CLOSED Guardrail Work May 2

Where: Northbound I-49-to-eastbound Missouri Route 52 ramp in Bates County near Butler (Exit 129)

When: 7a.m.-7 p.m., Monday, May 2

What: Ramp CLOSED to allow contractor crews to install new guardrail on the ramp

Traffic Impact:
Northbound I-49-to-eastbound Missouri Route 52 off ramp CLOSED (Exit 129) Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching work zone 

No signed detours

Drivers urged to find alternate routes to avoid work zone
Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule.

Reminder Butler Elementary School Parents

Next week begins MAP testing and Teacher Appreciation Week. Let’s show our teachers how much they are appreciated. Any small act is appreciated….weather it’s a kind note, a colored picture, a gift card, flowers, or their favorite drink/snack sent to them.

PTSO will be supporting our staff at the Elementary, High School, and Preschool by supplying lunch on Monday for them. We truly appreciate all the staff at each school.

Bates County Republicans Meeting set for tonight

 

Next Meeting will be 6 pm Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at the Bates County Fair Building located on Nursery Street in Butler.

Information is attached. It should be a great night, lots of speakers and candidates! So come on out for some good food and Republican fellowship!

Details attached. See you there!
Mark Goebel
Bates County Republican Chairman

Obituary - James "Jim" Arthur Burke

James "Jim" Arthur Burke, 88, of Peculiar, MO passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Private inurnment will take place at Peculiar Cemetery in Peculiar, MO.

Jim was born March 22, 1934 to Arthur and Edna Burke in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Kansas City, graduating from Rockhurst High School. After high school, he married the love his life, Joyce Harness, on August 1, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri.

He spent 60 years in several avenues of carpentry, home building, trim work, furniture making, cabinet making, woodcraft and wood carving. Jim had a passion for the quality of his work and making people happy with his results. Following retirement, Jim and Joyce owned and operated an RV park in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where they also created a wood craft business, JB Wood Products. They traveled to hundreds of crafts shows selling both retail and wholesale. Jim's was most proud of his hardwood boxes, one of his passions for many years.

Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church of Peculiar. The legacy Jim leaves behind is that of hard work, constantly helping others and love for his family.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; sons: Rusty and Mike; brother, Bob; sisters: Katherine, Shirley, and Glennie. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce; son, Kenny (Lynn); his daughter, Debbie (Steve); grandchildren: Michael, Jeff, Hannah, Jason, and Kristin; 8 great-grandchildren; and sisters; Helen and Mary.

Miami County Kansas Wanted Wednesday

 

Arrest made in Benton County

On April 16, 2022, at 4:51 PM, Lieutenant Lowe of the Benton County Sherriff’s Office responded to 40704 Highway VV in the Edwards area in response to a 911 call. 

The caller alleged that a female was being held against her will and being physically abused by Nathan G. Hammond Jr, 38 of Edwards. Lieutenant Lowe contacted and interviewed the alleged victim, Misty Orcutt, 30. Both Orcutt and Hammond stated that all was well and there was no visible physical evidence to prove otherwise. Orcutt chose to take her minor child and leave the residence in her vehicle. Lieutenant Lowe departed the address and resumed his duties.

At approximately 6:08 PM the same evening, a second 911 call was received from the same residence. The caller, Cheyenne E. Smith, 25 stated she had been physically assaulted and needed an ambulance. Lieutenant Lowe returned to the residence, separating the victim from the suspect for an interview. Once the distance was sufficient for Smith to feel safe, she asked Lieutenant Lowe to help her. Smith stated she was being held against her will, had been physically assaulted and that she witnessed the assault on Orcutt. Smith alleged that both she and Orcutt were threatened with death and the death of Orcutt’s child by Hammond.

Hammond was taken into custody without incident and placed on a 24-hour hold pending further investigation. Lieutenant Lowe petitioned for and received a search warrant which was served on the residence in the early morning hours of April 17th. Physical evidence was collected to support the allegations of the victims.

After collecting statements from the victims and assessing the facts of the case, multiple charges were filed on Hammond. They are as follows: 2 counts of Kidnapping in the 1st Degree (Class A Felony); Child Kidnapping (Class A Felony); Rape or Attempted Rape in the 1st degree (Unclassified Felony); 2 counts of Assault in the 3rd Degree; 2 counts of Harassment in the 1st Degree (Class E Felony); Stalking in the 1st Degree, First Offense (Class E Felony) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. Hammond is being held in the Benton County Jail on a one-million-dollar cash or surety bond.

On April 19, 2022, Detective Snyder of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office served an additional search warrant on the same residence in search of further evidence pertaining to this case, this investigation is ongoing. If you have knowledge of this alleged crime or any other crime or have been a victim of Hammond please call the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 660-438-6135, extension #3.

Eric Knox

Benton County Sheriff

Obituary - Carol Ann Burton

Carol was born on July 4, 1938 in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth and Zed Campbell Gibson. Carol’s battle with cancer ended when her spirit departed this earth on April 11, 2022.

Carol is survived by her son, Ricky Painter; her daughter Penny Painter Wright; her grandchildren, Tucker Painter (Ashley); Austin Painter, Jeremy Brown (Sally); Lindsey Brown Klinksick (Chad); Mindee Lyle, Amanda Blaine, Rebecca Blaine; and Melissa Wissman (Derrick). Carol is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, Sydney, Sterling, Kody, Lane, Alyssa, Louis, Kaden, Amelia, Vivian, Parker, Avery, and Owen.

Carol was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary & Zed Gibson; her husband, Jimmie Burton; her brothers, Jack, Don & Jerry Gibson; and her daughter, Mary Carol Painter.

Carol was an amazing painter, she enjoyed home decorating, arts & crafts, and playing the piano. She truly cherished her time going to dinners and playing Bunco with her dear friends. Carol was a former member of the Red Hat society, the Harrisonville Art Society, and the Harrisonville Golf Club. She also loved camping and exploring rivers & creeks in the great outdoors. Carol had a young, beautiful soul and she was a wonderful woman, wife, mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed and will forever remain in our hearts & souls.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2022 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2022 at the funeral home.