Hugh Jenkins honored for 39 years of service to Bates County

L-R: Robert Russel, Johnson County Prosecutor and President of The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Hugh Jenkins, Bates County Prosecutor; Tim Garrison, Executive Director, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services.

On September 3, 2026 at the annual meeting of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Bates County Prosecuting Attorney Hugh C. Jenkins was recognized for his 39 years of service as Prosecutor and has officially earned the title of the longest serving elected Prosecutor in the state of Missouri.

The meeting was held September 1-3 at Margaritaville in Lake Ozark, MO. Jenkins was recognized with a plaque and was given a mantle clock as a memento for his years of service.

Jenkins will finish his term on December 31, 2026 after 39 years as elected prosecutor and 1 year as an assistant. Following the finish of his term, Jenkins will assist upcoming prosecutor Cody Johnson in a limited role as an assistant.

Congratulations!

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Deepwater man charged with involuntary manslaughter

Formal criminal charges have officially been filed in Cass County Circuit Court. Defendant Larry Martin of Deepwater MO has been grand-jury indicted and charged with Class E Felony Involuntary Manslaughter in connection with the death of Alissia Schrock of Harrisonville MO on September 18, 2025 following an automobile accident.

Key Case Details:

• Charges: Involuntary Manslaughter - 2nd Degree (Class E Felony)

• Jurisdiction: Cass County Circuit Court

• Status: Defendant arraigned; bond review hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 17.

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Obituary - Toni Worthington

Toni Gay Worthington, 81, formerly of Mound City, Kansas died on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Kansas City Hospice House after experiencing declining health. Toni was born on March 16, 1945 in Mound City, KS. She was the youngest of four children born to William Wesley Wallace and Munsey Pauline (Koontz) Worthington. On October 14, 1967, Toni married Kenney Schmitz. They were blessed with two sons, Jason of Kansas City, KS and Galen (Pam) of Kansas City, MO. She was raised in Mound City, but traveled the world. When she and her family came back stateside after living for over three years in Saudi Arabia they resided in Shawnee, KS. Toni worked as a secretary at various places before working at Shawnee Mission East High School from which she retired. She has been a bright light, full of fun and love. She loved to travel, antique shop, garden, and catch misbehaving squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks in her garden. Though she and Kenney later divorced, they remained close and had season tickets to the New Theatre where they spent many happy hours.

Toni was preceded in death by her parents, brother Wesley Worthington, and sister Sharon Johnson.

Toni is survived by Kenney; her two sons, Jason and Galen; her sister, Judy (Phil) Neidermier; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Schneider Funeral Home & Cremations, Mound City Chapel. A Celebration of Life will follow at 6:00 pm. Toni will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Quaker Cemetery, Osawatomie, KS at a later date. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfuneral

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Obituary - Frank Denman

Francis “Frank” Byron Denman, 78, of Nevada, MO passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Nevada Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.  Frank was born on June 13, 1948, in Garnett, KS, to Albert and Mildred (Lentz) Denman.  He married Sharon K. Cecil on October 14, 1988, in Glenrose, Texas.  She survives of the home.

    Frank was raised in the Kincaid, KS area and graduated from high school there.  Following high school, he served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.  Frank worked as a welder at various nuclear power plants throughout the United States.   After his time in the service, Frank graduated from Callaway County Community College.  He was a longtime member of the VFW.

    In addition to his wife, Sharon; survivors include his children, Connie J. Knight (Paul), Moran, KS, LaNora Valdez, state of Arkansas, and Frank Carl Denman (Carla), Goshen, AR; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Denman; a sister, LeAnn McGee; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

    A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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Obituary - Janet Lorene Carroll

Janet Lorene Carroll, 90, of Adrian, MO, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, September 14, 2026 at Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, MO. Graveside Service will be on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association.

Janet Lorene Carroll was born December 30, 1935, to Homer L. Foote and Blanche F. (Lawson) Foote on the family farm west of Archie, MO. She attended Archie High School and graduated in 1953. During school, she watched kids for various families over the summer and weekends during the winter, and worked at Walters Grocery Store. After graduating, she moved to Kansas City to attend IBM School, where she worked at Continental Oil Co. (Conoco) with keypunch machines and Computers. In 1955, she married Charlie Mitchell, and from this union they had three children: Larry, Gary, and LeaAnn. As the children grew, Janet stayed active in their activities, becoming the community and project leader for their 4H, and a Sunday School teacher at Adrian Christian Church. In 1966, she started working for Bill Marr at the Adrian Agency Insurance Office, and in 1975 she purchased the business. In 1994, she married Elden Carroll and was with him until his passing. Janet was also a member of the Antique Tractor and Machinery Association Ladies Auxiliary.

Janet Lorene Carroll is preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Donald and Wallace Foote; and grandson, Ashley Blane Mitchell. She is survived by her sons: Larry (Ella Mae) Mitchell of Butler, MO, and Gary Mitchell of Adrian; daughter, LeaAnn West of Adrian, MO; grandchildren, Lindsey (Chris) Chasteen, Lance Mitchell, Dustin (Maggie) Mitchell, and Melissa (John) Gerke; great-grandchildren: Blair Mitchell, Piper Becchina, Kadance, Thomas, Howie, and Loretta Gerke, Henry, Louie, and Janie Mitchell; and nieces: Janette Gwin and Cindy Drury.

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Obituary - Betty Routen

Betty Routen, 86 of Butler, Missouri passed away Friday, August 28, 2026 at Medicaloge Butler. Services are pending at this time. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

A complete obituary is also pending at this time.

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Join us in Amsterdam this weekend

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Blood drive coming to Butler Sept. 23rd

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, September 23 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, September 23

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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