Parson urges vaccinations amid spiking COVID-19 cases

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says the state wants to increase the vaccination rate for COVID-19.

The state’s rate that lags behind the rest of the nation and Missouri is in the midst of a big spike in cases and hospitalizations. Missouri reported 854 newly confirmed cases Wednesday, one of the largest one-day totals since February. The state reported nine new deaths. The increase is driven largely by a big jump in cases in southwestern and northern Missouri Those areas have been hit hard by the fast-spreading delta variant.

Hospitalizations have risen sharply over the past month, mostly in southwestern Missouri. State data shows 334 people are hospitalized in southwestern Missouri, compared with just 86 in mid-May.

Missouri Republicans face heat over Planned Parenthood money

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Anti-abortion advocates are pushing Missouri lawmakers to block Planned Parenthood funding during a special session.

Missouri Right to Life Executive Director Susan Klein on Tuesday questioned whether the GOP-led House is willing to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood during the special session. Republican Gov. Mike Parson called lawmakers back to work to renew a tax on hospitals and other medical providers.

The tax money is used to drawn down federal Medicaid funding. But the tax renewal has become entangled with debate over Planned Parenthood funding. Senators last week passed the tax renewal without acting on Planned Parenthood.

Four-State Symphonic Winds returns with Thursday concert

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – If you’re looking for some live music, you should know the Four-State Symphonic Winds is hosting a concert Thursday.

The group is a regional, adult wind band created in 2017. They haven’t done a live concert since before the pandemic so the group is excited to get back on the stage.

“For me personally, it’s just enjoyable,” said Missouri Southern associate professor Cheryl Cotter. “It’s a time where you can get together with your friends for one, so it’s very sociable for us. But then we get down right to our business of making music, and it’s at a much higher level than probably most of us had experienced even in college.”

The concert will be at the Stark Performing Arts Center in Carl Junction on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Johnny W. Reynolds

Johnny Warren Reynolds, age 58, Joplin, passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021 at Mercy of Joplin after a sudden illness.

Johnny was born January 13, 1963 in Joplin, son of the late John and Shirley (Gillion) Reynolds. He grew up in Neosho and graduated from Neosho High School in 1981. He worked all of his adult life in construction, working 38 years for J.E. Reynolds Construction, and most recently working for Ed Lloyd Construction. He was a very gifted organist, playing organ for the churches where he was always actively involved. Currently he was attending Pentecostal Life Center. He could play any music and was especially good at following any religious song for whomever was singing. He was also fond of collecting die cast cars and had quite a collection. Above all, he believed in the good news of the gospel, and was eager to share his belief with anyone he could. He will be greatly missed by many in his church family, along with his personal family.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Rebecca “Becky” (Barringer) Reynolds; sons, Caleb Reynolds (Brooklynn) of Aurora, MO, and Elijah Reynolds of Joplin; grandson, Abner Reynolds; brother, Mark Reynolds (Rhonda) of Joplin; nephews, Stephen Reynolds (Faith) and Ethan Reynolds; niece, Abigail Reynolds all of Joplin.

Funeral service will be Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in Pentecostal Life Center, 5505 Gateway Dr., Joplin, MO with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The family requests that funds be sent to the family to help with final expenses.

Margret Golden

Margret Ann Golden, 80, Seneca, MO passed away June 25, 2021 at the Joplin Gardens Nursing Home after an illness.

Margret Ann Rogers was born October 27, 1940 in Peoria, OK the daughter of Frank and Phyllis (Lankford) Rogers. Margret was a retired special needs school teacher. Margret was a member of the Seneca Church of Christ. She loved her family and took care of them.

Margret was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Phyllis Rogers; one daughter Lois Ann Golden; one son David Golden and one brother, Jimmie Rogers.

Survivors include two sons, Perry Golden, Seneca, MO and Carl Golden, Baxter Springs, KS; 26 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

The body has been taken for cremation under the personal direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO.

The family will be holding a celebration of life memorial service at the Seneca Church Of Christ Monday, July 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm.

Delbert Roles

Delbert G. Roles, 84, Neosho, MO passed away June 18, 2021 at Jacob’s Lader in Springfield, MO after an illness.

Delbert Gene Roles was born November 24, 1936 in Topeka, KS the son of Thomas and Anna (O’Donald) Roles.

Delbert formerly worked for Montgomery Wards where he was a tire and battery representative in the Automotive Department. Delbert was a United States Air Force Veteran.

Delbert was preceded in death by his wife Mary (Hooten) Roles, his parents Thomas and Anna Roles; siblings Dale, Florence, Ella, Nellie, Charles and Mary.

Survivors include three sons; Larry Roles, James Roles and Thomas Roles all of Neosho, MO; one brother, Roger Roles, Erie, KS; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.

The body has been taken for cremation under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO

The family will hold a Celebration of Life Memorial Service later this year.

Barton County Jail to close for repairs

LAMAR, Mo. – The Barton County Jail will temporarily close July 2, 2021 as it repairs a number of issues with the jail building. Most of the detainees will be housed at the Cedar County Jail in Stockton, Missouri. Depending on their population at the time some may need to be housed at another surrounding jail.

Repairs:

  • Replacing small portions of some of the walls that have rusted away
  • Glass that has been broken causing safety concerns allowing detainees to reach out of their cells and allowing them to be able to throw items at staff
  • Malfunctioning doors that do not allow staff to lock down detainees in certain situations
  • Several of the lights have quit working in the cell area; all lights will be fixed or replaced with newer lights
  • Plumbing in the cell areas is also deteriorating, causing water to leak from the cell area to the office area of the building
  • Fixing/replacing security cameras in the cell areas are not working.

Officials will also be addressing problems with staffing. The jail will hire additional staff to maintain constant supervision of detainees. The Sheriff’s Office will also be raising the salary of detention officers to be more competitive in hiring and retaining personnel.

(Previous Story: Barton County Sheriff working to put tax question before voters for new jail)

George Walter Danley

George Walter Danley, age 63, resident of Mapleton, KS, died Tuesday, June 29, 2021, as the result of a traffic accident south of Fort Scott, KS. He was born January 27, 1958, in Fort Scott, the son of Don and Eleanor Wunderly Danley. George worked as a heavy equipment operator all his life. He always had a story to tell. He never met a stranger and never held a grudge. George was funny and easy to love.

Survivors include his wife Elaine of the home; 2 sons, Raymond and wife Candice, and Josh and wife Katy; a daughter, Rachel and husband Aaron; 8 grandchildren, Luke, Kiptyn, Kellyn, Taegan, Jaxon, Koltyn, Korbyn, Karly, and one granddaughter on the way; and many cousins and that were as close as siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 6th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Bourbon County Fair and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Emma Lou Hale-Case

COLUMBUS, KANSAS: Emma Lou Hale – Case, age 93 passed away at 7:35 am, Sunday, June 27, 2021 at her home following an illness.

Mrs Case was born September 2, 1927 at Treece, Kansas. Her parents were Amos Sterlng and Ethel Marie Catherine (Stewart) Wyrick. She had lived most of her life in Columbus, KS.

Beside living in Treece, she had lived in Wyoming, Missouri, and Melrose, KS. She graduated from Columbus High School with the class of 1946. AS a young woman, she worked at the Cherokee County Courthouse, and later at the Columbus Telephone office. After her first marriage, she worked as the wife of a farmer.

She was the oldest member of Calvary Baptist Church, Columbus, KS. She also used to bowl at the Columbus Bowling Alley and square dance at Baxter Springs, KS. She was a leader with the 4-H, and was a member of Farm Bureau and the Co-op association.

Emma Lou was married to Gordon Earl Hale on November 25, 1948 in Columbus. He passed away March 22, 1983. On February 19, 1994, she married Robert “Bob” Case in Columbus. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2011. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, Ronald Gene Hale, and two brothers, Carl Wyrick and Bob Wyrick.

Surviving is one daughter, Teresa West (Rob) Columbus; one daughter-in-law, Patty Hale, Columbus; her boyfriend, David Martin, Columbus; one brother, Buford Wyrick, North Olmstead, OH; 3 grandchildren, Eric Hale, Brea Kimbrough (Marc), and Jason Hill, 11 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 11:30 am, Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus KS. Pastor Jim Bowles will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 am, Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus, KS.

Maxine Scott

Maxine H. Scott, 94, Seneca, MO passed into eternal rest June 28, 2021 at her residence in rural Seneca after an illness.

Maxine H. Rogers was born February 14, 1927 in McNatt, MO the daughter of Arthur R. and Vinita S. (Stillions) Rogers. Maxine was a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and seldom missed watching a game. She loved watching birds, gardening and doing crosswords. Maxine loved her family and traveling.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Vinita Rogers; four brothers, Roy Rogers, Ed Rogers, Bob Rogers and Tod Rogers and two sisters Helen Laughlin and Eva Wylie.

Survivors include her daughter Diane Scott, Seneca; one granddaughter, Courtney Beyer and husband Chris, Linn, MO; one brother, Jim Rogers, Seneca, MO.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7pm, Thursday, July 1, 2021 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, MO

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, July 2, 2021 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplin Roger Flint officiating. Burial will be in the Seneca Cemetery with JD Dempster, Chris Beyer and Justin Beyer serving as pallbearers.