Obituary - Fred Louis Kautt

Fred Louis Kautt, 89, of Centerville, Kansas died on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Fred was a first generation American born on December 8, 1936 to German immigrant parents, John Jacob and Elsa Irma (Miller) Kautt in Lees Summit, Missouri. Fred exhibited a fierce sense of duty to his God, country, and community. Following graduation from high school, Fred enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving as a corporal in Adak, Alaska. He was a photographer for Hallmark Cards, Inc. for 37 years. He is a member of the Professional Photographers Association. Upon moving back to Linn County after retirement in 1995, Fred was active in county government serving on the Linn County Zoning and Planning Committee for 17 years. He was an active member of the Centerville Community Church. After his retirement from Hallmark, Fred and his wife, Jeannie, spent 20 years growing specialty flowers for the top 10 florists in Kansas City and many local functions. They also ran a small custom square bale operation. They employed and enjoyed the camaraderie of many local young men over the years. Fred was a dedicated steward of the land. A lover of all things nature, and all things Kansas. For him, the convergence of those two loves were felt most at the farm. He’d welcome anyone that came to the farm by saying “Welcome, to the center of the universe!”

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Johny Kautt.

Survivors include his wife Jeannie Kautt; son Benjamin J. "Ben" Kautt; three daughters, Kelly I. Kautt, Jean M. Kautt, and Jennifer L. Kautt; four grandchildren, Laura, Katherine, Grace, and Monica; and his beloved and loyal dog Macie, and cat Buddy.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, October 30, 2026 at Schneider Funeral Home and Cremations, Mound City Chapel. A funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at Centerville Community Church. Burial will follow in Centerville Cemetery. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

#MidAmericaLive

Obituary - Delbert Watts

Funeral services for Delbert Watts will be 11 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 9:30 - 11 a.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Boy Scouts of America Troop 238. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

A full obituary will be posted at a later date.

#MidAmericaLive

Just under 12,000 harvested during youth deer season

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 11,878 deer during Missouri’s early youth portion of the 2026 deer hunting season, Oct. 24 and 25. 

Top counties were Howell with 303 deer harvested, Franklin with 276, and Texas with 226. Of the deer harvested, 7,234 were antlered bucks, 3,721 were does, and 923 were button bucks.

Get more harvest information on the 2026 early youth portion at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

Youth hunters have harvested an average of about 14,600 deer during the early youth portion in recent years. Get more information on past seasons at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

According to MDC, above-average temperatures affected this year’s harvest total. 

“Unfortunately, the abnormally warm fall we’ve been experiencing so far continued through last weekend,” said MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle. “Although not as warm as the early antlerless portion, highs in the 80s during the early youth portion undoubtedly suppressed daytime deer movement.” 

Isabelle notes that cooler temperatures are in in the forecast for early November -- peak time for Missouri’s archery deer hunters.

Deer hunting in Missouri continues through Jan. 15. Archery season opened Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 13. It reopens Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 15, 2027. The November Firearms Portion runs Nov. 14-24. The Late Youth Portion runs Nov. 27 - 29 followed by the Late Antlerless Portion Dec. 5 – 13 in select counties. The Alternative Methods Portion Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2027.

Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at  mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.

#MidAmericaLive

Rich Hill Tigers compete in Wheatland over the weekend

RICH HILL JUNIOR HIGH STATE CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

Congratulations to our Junior High Tigers on their outstanding performances at the State Cross Country Meet! There were 108 competitors on Saturday, October 24th, in Wheatland, MO, at Lucas Speedway.

*Cade Gillis – 5th Place

*Tracker Bolser, 30th Place

*Matthew Kithcart, 35th Place

#MidAmericaLive

Butler Bears Competitor of the Week

Her nominator states:

"Kiersten is a true competitor who steps up when her team needs her most. Throughout the season, she has taken on a big role and made a significant impact for the Lady Bears Volleyball Team!"

Kiersten not only excels on the court but also in the classroom, demonstrating what it means to be a well-rounded student-athlete!

Keep up the great work, Kiersten, and continue representing what it means to be a Butler Bear!

#MidAmericaLive

Harrisonville Board of Alderman present proclamation for "Buckle Up Phone Down Day"

At the Board of Alderman meeting last Monday night, Mayor Zaring presented members of the Harrisonville TRACTION Team with a proclamation declaring October 28th as Buckle Up Phone Down day

The "Buckle Up Phone Down Day" initiative promotes two simple actions to enhance road safety: consistently wearing a seat belt and refraining from using a phone while driving.

The Harrisonville TRACTION Team aims to raise awareness and foster a culture of safety by encouraging all individuals to buckle up and put their phones away while behind the wheel. Missouri residents are urged to pledge to "buckle up" and "put the phone down" during every trip.

To join the pledge, visit https://www.savemolives.com/mcrs/AAAShowdown

Thank you to Harrisonville Schools and Harrisonville High School for your continued partnership and support of this great program!

(Pictured from left to right: Mayor Zaring, Alexandria Tieman, Angela Rodriquez, Mariah Coffey, Detective Peter Sumner (Advisor), Police Chief Darla Harris)

#MidAmericaLive

MDC releases new permit requirements

New permit requirements are coming in 2027. The Missouri Conservation Commission approved three new permit requirements at its Oct. 23 meeting that will take effect in 2027. The new requirements will apply to:

- Camping: A new $5 permit will be required to camp on MDC conservation areas.

- Shooting ranges: A small game hunting permit will be required to use MDC’s unstaffed shooting ranges.

- Nonresident hunting: Nonresidents will be required to obtain a new permit to hunt deer on public land.

Learn more here:

https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/campers-will-need-permits-camp-mdc-areas-starting-march

#MidAmericaLive

Keep pests out as temps cool down

As temperatures cool, you may notice more stink bugs trying to sneak indoors. Brown marmorated stink bugs are looking for warm places to spend the winter, and while they're a nuisance, they're harmless to people and pets. They don't bite, sting or spread disease.

The best defense is prevention:

• Seal cracks and entry points with caulk or weather stripping.

• Be sure openings are sealed when removing window air conditioners.

• Trim back vegetation around the inside of your home and clean up yard waste to reduce hiding spots for insects.

• Vacuum up bugs with a shop canister vacuum that make their way inside.

#MidAmericaLive