Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports

On August 18th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Wesley Parker II (42) of Maryville alleging Burglary (Felony) and Tampering with Motor Vehicle (Felony). Bond was set at $25,000, cash or corporate surety.

On August 19th, Buchanan County Assistant Prosecutor Rebecca Smith-Grantham filed charges against Trevor Wolf (20) of St. Joseph alleging Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Felony). Bond was denied. Subsequently, on August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed a Motion to Revoke Probation. A warrant was issued; bond was denied. The defendant had been on probation in Nodaway County for two counts Burglary (Felony).

On August 19th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Matthew Olson (41) of Hiawatha (KS) alleging Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Felony) and Harassment (Felony). Bond was denied.

On August 19th, Bobby Watkins (41) of Jamesport pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to two counts Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Micha Lea Dixon. Defendant may not have unsupervised contact with minors.

On August 19th, Lisa Reynolds (51) of Winston pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was placed on two years probation by Judge Micha Lea Dixon. Defendant must continue to participate in AA/NA meetings and successfully complete drug treatment.

On August 19th, Dukota Hines (27) of Gallatin pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). He was placed on probation for one year by Judge Micha Lea Dixon. Defendant must complete six hours of community service within 90 days.

On August 19th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Morgan Malloy (30) of Oskaloosa (IA) alleging Violation of Protection Order and a Mahaska County (IA) Warrant for Assault. Bond was set at $10,000 with defendant given leave to post 10% cash.

On August 19th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Trevor Alexander (34) of King City alleging Speeding (50/30) and Driving While Revoked. This is in addition to charges filed the previous week.

On August 19th, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against Virgil Parman (50) of Grant City alleging Knowingly Burning or Exploding (Felony). Bond was set at $50,000, cash only. In addition, Worth County Prosecutor Janet Wake Larison filed charges against Parman alleging Burglary (Felony) and Stealing (Felony). Bond for that case was set at $30,000, cash or corporate surety. On August 22nd, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Parman alleging Receiving Stolen Property (Felony). Bond was set at $50,000, cash only.

On August 20th, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against Michael Updegraff (43) of Bethany alleging Burglary (Felony) and Violation of Protection Order. Bond was set at $15,000, cash only.

On August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Joseph McGrew (61) of Guilford alleging Domestic Assault.

On August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Vengalrao Yelluri (25) of Maryville alleging Harassment (Felony), Tampering with Victim, two counts Violation of Protection Order, DWI, and Driving While Suspended. Bond was denied.

On August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Christopher Mace (35) of Maryville alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Testosterone, Felony) and No Insurance.

On August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Jason Holsinger (41) of Maryville alleging Tampering with Motor Vehicle (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000 with the defendant to be released on his own recognizance.

On August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Timothy Wilmes (33) of Shawnee Mission (KS) alleging DWI (Marijuana) and Speeding (86 mph).

On August 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Jerrod Naze (24) of Maryville alleging Sex Offender Unlawfully Present at Park (Felony).

On August 21st, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Brittany Curtis (34) of Gilman City alleging Forgery (Felony). An affidavit from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department alleges the defendant forged someone else’s name on a Missouri Department of Revenue form.

On August 21st, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Jeremiah Catron (45) of Excelsior Springs alleging Failure to Register as Sex Offender. An affidavit from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department alleges the defendant temporarily lived at a residence in Daviess County. The defendant allegedly failed to update his address when he moved to Excelsior Springs.

On August 22nd, Dawson Vogelaar (22) of Pleasant Valley (MO) pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of DWI. He was placed on two years probation  and 48 hours shock time in jail with credit for time served by Judge Jason Kanoy. 

On August 25th, David Craig (41) of Platte City failed to appear in Nodaway County Circuit Court on charges of Resisting Arrest (Felony), Property Damage (Felony), Driving While Revoked (Felony), Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway, Failure to Signal, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, Failure to Register, Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), and Speeding. Bond was denied.

On August 25th, Judge Micha Lea Dixon ordered Morgan Malloy (30) of Oskaloosa (IA) to be extradited from Daviess County to Makasa County (IA) to face charges of Assault, Harassment, and two counts Contempt of Court (Violation of Protection Order).

On August 25th, Judge Daren Atkins issued a warrant for the arrest of Jimmy Allen (64) of St. Joseph in Daviess County Circuit Court following receipt of a bond violation report. Bond was denied. The defendant was facing charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Tampering with Evidence (Felony), Failure to Register, No Insurance, Displaying Plates of Another, and Speeding.

On August 25th, Judge Micha Lea Dixon ordered the extradition of Brandy Macklin (47) of Kansas City to Johnson County (KS) to face charges of Stealing (Felony).

On August 25th, Jagger Moad (23) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Circuit Court to charges of Involuntary Manslaughter (Felony), No Valid License (Felony), Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), No Insurance, and No Plates. He was sentenced to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and fined $500.50 plus costs by Judge Matthew Krohn. The sentence will run consecutively with his Gentry County case. Defendant was given credit for time served.

On August 25th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 50 year old man and a 46 year old woman from Savannah were injured when their motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve on Route 48 six miles west of King City at around 11:20 pm that night.

Charges listed are merely allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

Addison Cadle Donates Hog to Fight Hunger

After competing at the Missouri State Fair, Addison Cadle of the Allendale Arrows 4-H Club, chose to donate her market hog through Hogs for Hunger, a program that turns livestock projects into high quality protein for Missouri families facing hunger. 4-H and FFA members from across the state have joined with Missouri Farmers Care to make a difference far beyond the showring this year.

 Addison was one of 32 youth exhibitors who joined in the effort to commit 53 hogs, to provide approximately 27, 825 servings of protein and, to prove that even one animal can make a major difference when agriculture and generosity go hand in hand. A single hog is processed into approximately 525 servings of lean, high-quality pork, enough to help feed hundreds of Missourians facing food insecurity.

“Hogs for Hunger shows the heart of Missouri agriculture,” said Ashley McCarty, Executive Director of Missouri Farmers Care. “These young people are doing more than just raising animals, they’re stepping up to serve their neighbors in a powerful, tangible way.” 

"Missouri agriculture is about more than crops and livestock—it's about people," said Governor Mike Kehoe. "The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids opens the door for Missourians to make a difference in the fight against hunger, and Missouri FFA and Missouri 4-H members are leading the way. Claudia and I are proud to join these leaders to make an impact and work toward a stronger, healthier Missouri.”

The pork donated through Hogs for Hunger is distributed to Missouri food banks through Feeding Missouri. Processing is completed by Kempf’s Custom Butchering, Sedalia, and costs are covered by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids, presented in partnership with Brownfield Ag News, ADM and partners across Missouri agriculture. 

Missouri’s agriculture community makes Hogs for Hunger possible through the generous support of: ADM, Brownfield Ag News, American Family Insurance / AmFam Dreams, Nutra-Blend, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, The Poultry Federation, FCS Financial, Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, Smithfield Foods, Missouri Farm Bureau, Martin Rice, Missouri FFA Foundation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, Missouri 4-H Foundation, Missouri Pork, Forrest and Charlotte Lucas and Lucas Cattle Company, Missouri State Fair Foundation, Midwest Dairy, and Empower Missouri. 

For more information on the program or to see how to get involved in 2026, visit www.MOFarmersCare.com/hogs-for-hunger.

 

In 1919, Cleveland Pitcher Survived Lightning Strike

The headline of the Cleveland Plain Dealer of August 25th, 1919 read, in part, “Gets Verdict Over Naylor in Pitching Duel that Sparkles.” What anyone who was not at the game and who was just a casual reader didn’t realize was that the Plain Dealer was speaking literally.

Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell was trying to finish off the Philadelphia A’s, who were mired in the cellar at 28-78, but were putting up a good fight against the solid Indian squad. The score was 2-1 in favor of the Indians in the top of the ninth and Caldwell was trying to put the finishing touches on a four-hitter when a lightning bolt came without warning and made “as much noise as the backfiring of a thousand autos or the explosion of a dozen shells from a battery of big Berthas.”

Caldwell was struck and lay stretched out in the pitcher’s box. Ray Chapman, the Indians shortstop, was left numb in the leg, but recovered and rushed to aid his stricken teammate. After a minute, Caldwell bounced up like nothing had happened and got the final out to preserve the 2-1 win.

Ray Chapman was one of the best-liked players on the Indians squad. However, he would be killed a year later when he was plunked in the head by Yankee pitcher Carl Mays. In those days, players did not wear batting helmets.

 

Gerald Godsey 1929-2025

Gerald Lee Godsey, 96, of Ravenwood, Missouri, passed away peacefully and with family at his side on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the Worth County Convalescent Center, Grant City, Missouri.

Gerald was born west of Pickering, Missouri, on April 1, 1929, and grew up in that area. His parents were Dave and Helen Katherine (Thompson) Godsey. He moved south of Ravenwood in 1960.

He proudly served his Country in the United State Marine Corps.

On February 10, 1951, he was united in marriage to Barbara L. Sierp, at the home of her parents in Hopkins, Missouri. They were married for over 65 years before her death in 2016.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dean Godsey, his 2 sisters, Merilees Oberhauser and Wanda Owens, his granddaughter, Catherine Tadlock in 1979, and his grandson, Cody Lee Stiens, in 2022.

Gerald was a farmer all his life. He had also worked at Uniroyal, and at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville. He had tuned pianos and worked on clocks. He had also worked at the creamery, and at MFA, both in Ravenwood.

He was a member and attended St. Gregory’s Barbarigo Catholic Church, in Maryville. And was a member for over 55 years at the Tri-C American Legion Post 464, Conception Junction, Missouri.

He leaves behind his children, Linda Tadlock, Grant City, Missouri, Timothy (Patricia) Godsey, Ravenwood, Missouri, David (Teresa) Godsey, Ravenwood, Missouri, and Lori (Steve) Sears, Queen Creek, Arizona. Also by his 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, Missouri. The burial, with full military honors, will follow in the Hopkins Cemetery, Hopkins, Missouri.

The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Cody Lee Stiens, Memorial Scholarship Fund.

 

Letter from Defiance in 1876

The Grant City Star had a correspondent who periodically wrote in from Defiance, now Sheridan. The Star was a devout Republican paper, as was the correspondent. The letter was dated July 3rd and published July 20th:

Three weeks ago, Mr. Editor, you were able to publish several communications from your numerous scribblers at this point, but we see nothing in your late issues from the pens of those distinguished writers. Perhaps the nomination of Hayes and Wheeler (1876 Republican Presidential nominees) has so elated your correspondents here as to cause them to forget, for the time being, their great abilities as writers; hence, the Star has failed to keep its readers posted on the condition of affairs in this, the most important part of our county.

We are enjoying, my dear sirs, the finest of growing weather. Corn is doing finely and is making rapid growth. Farmers predict more than an average yield of this great staple the coming season. Oats promise an abundant yield. Wheat has been badly damaged and a great deal of that portion of our crop will not pay for harvesting.

Our public schools are now in session, and as far as heard from, are being satisfactorily taught. The bad consequences of the workings of the school system under the new constitution are, however, being “scented from afar,” and a great deal of grumbling and complaining is being made against it. We must war relentlessly against this offspring of democracy until it is so changed that the youth of our state can enjoy every facility for a good common school education.

Business in the town of Defiance remains good. This is a busy season for Messrs. Crinklaw & Co., who are still doing a good business in their line of trade. We expect to see this firm become one of the permanent institutions of our county — that they will erect buildings at this point and otherwise aid in improving our neighborhood.

The finishing work on the Odd Fellows and Masons’ Hall is about completed. It will be a respectable room and of great advantage to the different orders here.

Our merchants keep up heavy stocks of goods and are having a large trade.

Dr. Skinner is erecting an important addition to his building and is also largely increasing his stock of drugs.

Our blacksmiths and other mechanics find plenty to do.

We have not yet seen a single democrat who says he will take down the St. Louis prescription. The dose is too markedly a fraud on western ideas and interests for any sensible democrat to swallow at present. But we fear they wear the same old harness and we believe that time and persuasion will make the matter right, so that like the editors of the Times, they can embrace the “party nominee,” no matter whether it be Wall Street Sam or Rebel Jeff — party, not the man.

Jacob Bohart Sr. has returned from a visit to friends and relatives in Andrew and Platte counties.

Joseph Engalls and Edith Cooper were untiled by Rev. Mills in the holy bonds of wedlock on the 2nd.

Yours truly for Hayes and Wheeler.

 

 

Sights and Sounds of Worth County for June 1st, 1876

From the June 1st, 1876 Grant City Star:

Mrs. W.S. Austin has the thanks of the editors of the Star for a beautiful bouquet of lowers. She always has the finest collection of flowers in her garden of any other town.

***

Attributed to the Albany Freeman: “On the night of May 2nd, a disturbance of the public peace is reported to have occurred near Denver at Mr. Wooten’s house. Complaint was made against certain parties, in which trial was brought before Esquires Jones and Carver of Howard Township, at which time the accused parties took a change of venue before Judge Hinkey of Albany. On Monday, May 23rd, the case was called for investigation, the evidence was heard, and the case was dismissed — evidence not sufficient to sustain the case.

***

We have been authorized by several leading members of the Methodist Church of this place, among whom we may mention the minister and one or two members of the building committee, to say, that if there has been any agreement to postpone the building of a church house this summer, they are not aware of it; the first intimation of the kind being a notice to that effect in a contemporary sheet. The members with whom we conversed seem to think that the church will not be built until a sufficiency be raised, so that the building may be clear from debt, and they seem to think that there is not much doubt but that the funds will be raised. About $950 is now subscribed. They have a parsonage worth $500 or more, with a prospect of receiving some funds from the church extension fund. Taking the whole matter into consideration, the prospects for a new church building look bright at this time.

***

The grove meeting at the Blue school house south of the town some five or six miles was attended on Sunday last by a number of Grant City people.

***

A vigorous and industrious application of the paint and whitewash brush would not injure the complexion of our town.

***

Mr. Briggs of Maryville shipped from Worth County yesterday 236 head of fine steers, for which he left about $12,000 of Uncle Sam’s circulating medium.

***

Married by Rev. Hollingsworth, at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. John C. Richardson to Miss Anna Robinson. All of Worth County.

***

We were pleased to receive a call yesterday from one of our readers in Union Township — Mr. J.C. Castor. He informs us that everything is prosperous in his neighborhood.

***

There are several nuisances in the city that will endanger the health of the town if not attended to. Heaps of decaying manure around the stables that drain their filth and poison into some of the public wells. An ordinance upon this subject would have a beneficial effect.

 

1876 Necktie Festival for the Grant City Cornet Band

From the June 1st, 1876 Grant City Star:

The citizens of Grant City met at the M.B. Chapel Tuesday evening, May 30th, 1876 to make arrangements for holding a necktie festival for the benefit of the Grant City Cornet Band, when on motion, Hon. R.T. Sloan was elected chairman and Mrs. C.A. Colburn secretary. The chairman stated the object of the meeting and, on motion, the following committees were appointed:

Committee on securing house — A.W. Kelso.

Committee on arranging table — Mrs. Latour, Mrs. P.B. France, Mrs. M.F. Smith, Mrs. Hicks, and Mrs. Colburn.

Committee on music — Mrs. Kelso, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Harrison.

Committee on sights and decorations — Miss Alice Robinson, Miss Annie Harrison, Miss Aletha Miller, Mr. George Bulfinch, and Mr. Charles Craig.

Committee on cleaning and preparing Courtyard — Mr. J.W. Watson, Mr. J.C. Dawson, W.II. Campbell, A.W. Kelso, E.S. Garver, and R.T. Sloan.

Committee on printing — B.F. Meyers and Homer Danford.

Committee to procure provisions — Mrs. Eli Smith, Mrs. J.B. Dawson, Mrs. F.P. Houser, Mrs. Saltman, Mrs. J.C. Dye, and Mrs. E.S. Garver.

On motion, it was ordered that the festival be held at the Courthouse on Tuesday evening, June 6th, 1876 and the price of the supper be 50 cents per couple.

On motion, all the committees were requested to meet at the Courthouse on next Friday at 3:00 pm.

On motion, all the people of the town and surrounding country were invited to attend that we may have a pleasant social time.

The committee of arrangements earnestly requests every lady, either married or single, to make a necktie of the same material as the dress they wear on that occasion; the neckties to be drawn by the gentlemen.

On motion, the meeting adjourned.

—R.T. Sloan, Chairman

—C.A. Colburn, Secretary.