Obituary - Jo Ann Weddington Bonner

Jo Ann Weddington Bonner departed this life at the age of 89 Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Parkway Senior Living Retirement Community—Memory Care, Blue Springs, Mo. Jo Ann was born April 3, 1937, to David Leon and Ruby Lee McClendon Weddington near Harrisonville, Mo., in the Lone Tree community.

The family Jo Ann grew up in was large, and times were tough, especially after her mother passed away in 1942. She and her siblings were raised by their aunt, Daisy Hammontree. Jo Ann’s strong work ethic was forged early on when she began working to help support the family. After completing the 8th grade, her first job was washing dishes in a restaurant. She was so small she had to stand on a chair to reach the sink!

Though Jo Ann lacked a secondary education, she spent most of her adult life working in physicians’ and dentists' offices in the Kansas City metro area. When she worked for a successful dentist’s practice on the Plaza, she was the lead assistant, advancing to the position of office manager.

Jo Ann met her husband, Benjamin J. Bonner Jr., in Kansas City, and they were married soon after. In the early years, they lived in Wichita, Kan., but returned and settled in the Kansas City area. They had one son, Eric, who was born in 1959. For a number of years, the family lived on the east side of Kansas City but moved to South Kansas City in 1972 near Longview Lake.

Before Ben passed away in 1988, the couple decided to build a new home in Raymore, Mo. Interestingly, Jo Ann served as the general contractor for the project, hiring the sub-contractors and supervising the entire construction process. Even more interesting, the house was an earth contact structure, which garnered attention as a new type of home being built at the time. When completed, the home was surrounded by Jo Ann’s beloved flower gardens.

Following Ben’s death, Jo Ann met Berry Garrison and they formed a close bond, enjoying each other’s company at their place on Pomme de Terre Lake, where they fished for white bass and crappie. They also loved traveling, taking their RV to various places throughout the country. They spent several winters in Florida and Texas where they made many friends and square danced away!

Known for her quick wit and engaging personality, Jo Ann had a smile for everyone she met, especially her family. She loved family dinners, reunions, and spent countless hours chronicling the family’s genealogy. She also was deeply loved by her extended family, which included Fluff the Persian cat, who lived to be 20 years old, and Baron the German shepherd.

One of Jo Ann’s other lifelong passions was gardening. She had a greener thumb than most and won numerous awards for her efforts, including being named a master gardener in the state of Missouri. She also served as president of the Raymore Garden Club, and throughout the city she was known as the “flower lady.”

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Scott Leon Weddington, Kenneth Weddington, Ollie Elizabeth Osburn, Barbara Jean Hill; and half-brother John Weddington.

She is survived by her son, Eric Bonner and his wife, Diann, of Blue Springs, Mo.; two granddaughters, Beth Ann Cook and her husband, Gabe, and their children, Charles and Dean of Blue Springs, Mo.; and Sara Bonner and her husband, Stuart Washington, and their son, Sylvan, of Kansas City, Mo. She is also survived by three half siblings, Lyle Dean Weddington, Sandra Asher and Holly Weddington, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

The family hopes that when you think of Jo Ann, you’ll lovingly remember her warm smile, quick wit and the beautiful flowers she shared with so many of us.

The family suggests contributions be made to Monarch Hospice & Palliative Care (Shawnee Mission, Ks.), Catholic Charities, Wayside Waifs or Powell Gardens.

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Former Director accused of stealing $200k from Bates County Industries

A former employee of Bates County Industries located in Butler, MO has been accused of stealing $200,972.42 during her time serving as director beginning in 2021.

Documents indicate that Donna Maciel, 57, sold back vacation and sick time which was prohibited, as well as giving herself cash advances without paying it back, charging for mileage while driving a company vehicle, as well as abuse of company credit cards among other allegations all totaling over $200,000.00 during approximately a three year period.

Charges filed in the Bates County Circuit Court as as follows:

Count 1 - Stealing - $25,000 Or More { Felony C RSMo: 570.030 }

Count 2 - Stealing - $25,000 Or More/Teller Machine Or Contents { Felony C RSMo: 570.030 }

Count 3 - Stealing - $750 Or More { Felony D RSMo: 570.030 }

A warrant for Maciel's arrest was issued on June 12, 2026 indicating a $100,000 cash only bond.

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Commission adds clarification to senior tax credit questions

Minutes from the June 1, 2026 Bates County Commission meeting

The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Layne Anderson came in and spoke with the Commission about the recent passing of his dad and the position that he held. Layne shared his story of the background his family had with the Cornland Special Road District and his passion for filling the role his mother and father played on the Road Districts Board, as well as his grandfather before them.

Layne had reviewed a lot of paperwork and information about the Road District Board and asked the Commission about a few individuals on the board and asked if there was a way that he could be appointed. Jim asked if he was living in the township to which he assured the Commission he was. Jim then grabbed the township chart and checked out the positions available, spoke over what the positions required and told him to go back and speak with the other members of the board to see what they felt he should do. In doing so, they could have an official meeting, so everything is documented and backed up by the entire township board on paper.

He also asked about past minutes that were turned into the Commission, but they quickly informed them that every township fails to turn anything into the Commission. He then asked if that was supposed to be happening to which the Commission informed him that was correct, but as mentioned before, townships just don’t. Lastly, he asked about the Audit that was done and wondered what they thought. After conversation over that, they reminded him that Townships are their own governing body.

Jami Page, the Bates County Clerk, came in to discuss Resolution No. 26-001 involving Senate Bill 3. She revised the property tax section of the resolution and added a date.

John made a motion to add the date to the resolution. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

Jami then asked that the Commission consider ceasing the application process for the Seniors that had already applied the previous year. She informed them the Cass County has it that way and encouraged them to reach out and ask them questions on how things would work moving forward. She expressed that this was just something she wanted them to consider and did not expect an answer yet.

She also clarified that her office will not be the one to take the applications for Senate Bill 3.

Jim found a statute that stated individuals cannot apply for Senate Bill 190 and Senate Bill 3, they can only do one or the other. The Commissioners and Jami then discussed the better choice being Senate Bill 190 for anyone 62 or older to completely freeze their property tax instead of applying for Senate Bill 3 and having a 5% cap instead of 0%. While Senate Bill 3 is for all ages, they feel as though the office that is distributing the applications needs to encourage anyone 62 years of age or older to apply or reapply for Senate Bill 190 and educate them on why that’s best for them.

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Missouri Response to New World Screwworm Detection in U.S.

NWS does not affect the safety of the U.S. food supply.

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has confirmed the presence of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. On June 3, 2026, USDA confirmed NWS in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas.

NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses to producers.

The Texas case is the first detection of NWS in the U.S. since northward progression from Central America was observed in 2023. In preparation for the potential re-emergence of NWS in the U.S., Missouri assembled a New World Screwworm joint working group. Led by State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg, the working group is comprised of representatives from USDA, Missouri Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The working group prepared a Missouri NWS Response Plan. In light of the U.S. detection, Missouri has activated the Response Plan.

Animal movement into Missouri

• Any domestic animal originating from a state with an infested zone, but not within an infested zone, can enter Missouri with a Certificate of Veterinary inspection (CVI) that includes the statement “All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation and have not originated from or transited through a NWS infested zone.”

• Any domestic animal originating from within an infested zone must meet the movement requirements for the state of origin and obtain an entry permit from the Missouri State Veterinarian’s office and a CVI that includes the statement “All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation.

Steps to protect your animals

• Prepare.
  • Develop and implement strong fly and tick protocol for animals.
  • Clean, treat and cover open wounds.
  • If possible, delay practices which cause skin openings such as castration, dehorning or branding. Treat areas where these practices are performed.
  • Register your farm for a premises ID so the Missouri Department of Agriculture can notify you if NWS is confirmed in the state.
• Inspect.
  • Regularly monitor animals for signs of infection or maggots, especially around areas of castration, dehorning, branding, umbilical site, scrapes, lesions or a tick-feeding site.
  • Know the signs:
    • Bloody or light-colored drainage from a cut or wound.
    • A cut or wound that rapidly enlarges for seemingly no reason.
    • White or cream-colored runny substance (the eggs) in and around a wound.
    • Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds.
    • Irritated behavior and signs of pain.
    • Head shaking.
    • Reduced appetite.
    • Fever and other signs of secondary infection.
    • Foul odor or smell of decay.
• Act.
  • If you see a live animal with signs of infestation, report it immediately.
  • For livestock and pets, contact your local veterinarian or the MDA Animal Health Department at (573) 751-3377.
  • For wildlife, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation at (573) 522-0142 or report it online.

 

It is important to note that this detection does not impact food safety and the U.S. food supply is safe.

For more information about the NWS, visit the Missouri New World Screwworm website.

For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the Department’s website.

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Poison Hemlock: What you need to know

Those tall plants with delicate white flowers popping up along roadsides and field edges may look harmless. They are not. Poison hemlock is a toxic plants in Missouri and every part of it is poisonous, whether green or dried. This plant spreads aggressively, with a single plant producing up to 38,000 seeds.

How to identify poison hemlock:

• Height: Can reach 6 feet or taller

• Stems: Smooth, hollow, hairless with distinctive purple blotches or streaks

• Leaves: Fern-like, finely divided, with a strong unpleasant odor when crushed

• Flowers: Small white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters

• Growth cycle: Low rosette the first year, tall flowering plant the second year

• Poison hemlock is often confused with Queen Anne’s lace, but that plant is shorter, hairy and not toxic

How to get rid of it safely:

• Hand removal: Only for small infestations and with full protective clothing

• Mowing or tillage: Can help reduce spread

• Herbicides: Most effective in the early rosette stage before flowering

Safety tips:

• Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when handling

• Avoid inhaling plant material during removal

• Never burn poison hemlock — inhalation can be dangerous

• If unsure, do not touch the plant

Get more info: https://brnw.ch/21x3mpV

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Adrian 4th celebration set for June 27th

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Rich Hill firefighters escape serious injury while working accident on I-49

Shortly after 11:00 a.m., the Rich Hill Fire Department (RHFD) was dispatched to a single-vehicle accident at mile marker 123 on I-49. While on the scene, a second accident involving two vehicles occurred, narrowly missing Rich Hill Fire Engine 2. Emergency personnel immediately notified Bates County Dispatch and requested additional resources. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported from both incidents.

While on the scene of the highway accidents, Bates County EMS and RHFD also responded to a separate medical call within Rich Hill.

These incidents highlight the significant dangers emergency responders face when working on highways and interstates. Please use this as a reminder to remain vigilant and avoid distracted driving.

The following departments assisted at the highway scene: Rich Hill Fire, Vernon County EMS, Bates County EMS, Rich Hill Police, Bates County Sheriff's Office, and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Courtesy Rich Hill Fire Department

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Highlights from the Butler Chamber of Commerce car show on Saturday

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