Mary Ebrecht 1954-2024

Mary Ellen (Crenshaw) Ebrecht, 69, of Ravenwood, Missouri, and formerly of Maryville, Missouri, passed from this life on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at her home with family at her side.

Mary was born in Parnell, Missouri, on October 16, 1954, her parents were Curtis and Lela Maye (Maxwell) Crenshaw and preceded her in death.  She was also preceded by her 2 brothers, Eugene Crenshaw and Walter Crenshaw.  

Mary graduated from Northeast Nodaway High School, Ravenwood, Missouri and she received her Registered Nursing certificate in 1993.  

Mary worked for 2 years at the Maryville Living Center, then retired after 37½ years at the St. Francis Hospital in Maryville.  Besides being a Registered Nurse, she was also a Respiratory Therapist.  

She was a longtime member of the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville, and she enjoyed attending the Wednesday Night Bible Study at the Ravenwood Christian Church women’s group.

Mary was an author of many published children’s books over the years.     

On September 18, 1981, Mary was united in marriage to John Robert “Bob” Ebrecht, at the Judah Park in Maryville. He survives of the home.  

Other survivors include her children, Gregory (Amelia) Ebrecht, and Debbie (Travis) Burns, and her grandchildren, whom she especially enjoyed spending time with, Alexander Ebrecht, and Lily and Craig Burns.  

Mary’s funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville.  The burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Parnell, Missouri.

The family will receive friends for one hour prior to services on Monday at the Church.

Services are under the direction of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for May 1st, 2024

On April 8th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Joseph Strubberg (22) of Redding on a charges of Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. Bond was set at $2,000, cash only.

On April 22nd, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Lyndsey Kalvig of Mount Ayr on charges of Drug Distribution to Person Under 18 (Felony), two counts Child Endangerment, Exhibition of Obscene Material to Minor, Possession of Marijuana, Contributing to Delinquency of Minor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $31,000, cash only. The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department also arrested Bryan Alden of Mount Ayr on charges of Drug Distribution to Person Under 18 (Felony), two counts Child Endangerment, Possession of Marijuana, Contributing to Delinquency of Minor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $30,000, cash only. 

On April 22nd, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Leslie Potts (36) of Rosendale alleging DWI and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). 

On April 23rd, human remains were found in Mercer County on private property. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Mercer County Sheriff’s Department are investigating. A turkey hunter discovered the remains. On April 26th, the remains were identified as Sebastian Tyrese Husted (18) of Centerville (IA). He had been missing since January 2018. 

On April 24th, an outage in St. Joseph and Savannah left 30,000 customers without power that morning. The cause was a failed breaker at a substation. Classes were canceled in St. Joseph and Savannah.

On April 24th, United Fiber said that the recent Internet outages were a result of power outages in the area which disrupted modem service. They were restoring service to people one by one as of April 30th.

On April 24th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Caden Wilson (24) of Albany alleging DWI. 

On April 25th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Justin Brodrick (43) of Skidmore alleging two counts No Valid License (4th & 5th Offense, Felony). 

On April 25th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Jennifer Miller (37) of Ravenwood alleging Forgery (Felony). An affidavit from the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department alleges the defendant forged a check purporting to be from someone else and attempted to cash it at a bank.

On April 25th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Lisa Coots (39) of Maryville alleging Trespassing.

On April 25th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Gage George (20) of Maryville alleging Stealing. Bond was set at $172.34, cash only. An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges that on five occasions, the defendant took a combined total of $172.34 worth of merchandise from a local store and left without paying for it.

On April 26th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Anthony Bodle (35) of Maryville alleging Assault.

On April 26th, tornadoes struck near Arkoe and Tingley with damage in both cases.

On April 27th, there were multiple tornado warnings issues for the area. There was one issued for west of Burlington Junction, Hopkins, and Bedford. There was another issued for near Barnard, extended to Ravenwood, Stanberry, and later extended to Parnell and Sheridan. Power went out in Sheridan at around 3:15 pm; it was restored at 4 pm. The alarm siren was set off in Sheridan at around 3:30 pm. Later, another tornado warning was issued for 11 miles east of Grant City, between Allendale, Denver, and Hatfield. The community storm shelter was opened in Eagleville.

On April 27th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Dominic Cole (22) of Hamilton alleging Rape (Felony), Statutory Sodomy (Felony), four counts Statutory Rape (Felony), and Child Molestation (Felony). Bond was denied.

On April 28th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2016 Buick Enclave driven by Pat Ray (81) of Sheridan was northbound on I-229 in St. Joseph when a tire blew out, causing it to cross the centerline. The driver overcorrected, crossed the east side, and struck a concrete barrier. Ray had minor injuries in the accident.

On April 29th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Jessica Bram (30) of Maryville alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Valid License. Bond was set at $2,000, cash or corporate surety.

On April 30th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Shane Reynolds (49) of St. Joseph alleging two counts Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $30,000, cash only. Prosecutor Van Zandt also filed charges against Anthony Reynolds (62) of St. Joseph  alleging two counts Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $30,000, cash only. 

On April 30th at around 10:38 am, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2004 Oldsmobile Aero driven by Adrienne Bryson (42) of Eagleville was southbound on Route 69 four miles south of Eagleville. The vehicle left the west side of the roadway and overturned. Bryson received moderate injuries and was taken to Harrison County Community Hospital. Subsequently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Bryson on charges of No Valid License, Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway (Accident), and DWI (Felony).

On April 30th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reported that they collected 19 pounds worth of unused prescription drugs during a recent Prescription Drug Takeback Day. They have a prescription drug drop box available to the public 24/7. 

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. 

Tate Richardson Goes Deep, Kayson Sims Gets First Career Hit as Shamrocks Break Skid

North Harrison broke a long nine game losing skid as they have battled the elements and a brutal schedule this year. Tate Richardson hit a home run, his second this year, Kayson Sims got his first big league hit, and Lucian Sweeney provided the finishing touch as the Shamrocks beat winless North Andrew for their second win of the year 13-3 in five innings. 

The Shamrocks started out with an impressive 17-7 win over North Nodaway, but then ran into a stretch in which seven of their next nine opponents were at or better than .500. They were run-ruled 11-0 by South Harrison 11-0, were edged out by King City 9-5, run ruled by the new three headed monster Gilman City 19-9 and by powerhouse Putnam County 17-2. They showed some improvement over the next three games. Against a solid Princeton squad, they fell 8-6. At their home tournament, they faced off against perennial powerhouse Green City and played a good game before losing 5-4, before going the distance this time in a rematch with South Harrison before losing 11-3. They then had a match with Trenton, who has been a doormat in recent years. But Trenton was on a hot streak and is much better this year, and they beat the Shamrocks 14-4. They then had a chance against Albany, which is struggling to get above .500. But after playing them tough for three innings, the floodgates opened for the Warriors in the later innings and they won 15-2.

Meanwhile, North Andrew had not won a game coming into Monday’s game. The Cardinals had been run ruled in all of their games, gave up 30 runs in one of their losses, and had not scored more than three runs in a game. North Harrison came in having lost nine straight, while North Andrew had lost nine straight as well. Something had to give.

When Jarom Russo, Alexander Sportsman, and Blake Hunzinger all reached on scratch hits to start the game for North Andrew, it looked like it would be one of those games again for North Harrison. But when pitcher Jerry Gilpatrick tagged out Russo trying to come home on a passed ball and struck out the next two to get out of the inning, the momentum swung back in North Harrison’s favor.

Tate Richardson singled to start off the Shamrock first, stole second, and came home on Jerry Gilpatrick’s pop fly single to make it 1-0. 

The Shamrocks added to their lead after Landon Johnson walked and Kayson Sims got his first ever varsity hit, a shot between third and short to put runners on first and third. Tate Richardson doubled to right center to score one and put Sims on third. A flood of errors let in three more Shamrock runs before a fluke play nearly derailed the Shamrocks. Karson Ury hit one that looked like it was in the gap, but center fielder Blake Hunzinger made a great catch and in the chaos and confusion, one of the Shamrocks was out passing Gilpatrick trying to scramble back to third. 

The Shamrocks led 4-0 after two, but that play gave North Andrew some hope, and they took advantage of a walk, an error, and a botched rundown to make it 4-1. Jerry Gilpatrick had started off strongly on the mound, striking out five in 2 2/3 innings of work, but was lifted when he plunked back to back Cardinals to load the bases. Tate Richardson came in to strike out Colden Ramsey to get out of the inning.

North Andrew handed the momentum right back to the Shamrocks when back to back hit batters and a single started the Shamrock third. Dustin Hamilton struck out, but a walk and a hit batter put North Harrison up 6-1. North Andrew got a force at third, but another run scored. Kyler Kimbrough beat out a scratch hit and a hit batter and a wild pitch let in another run to make it 10-1.

The Cardinals threatened in the fourth, but Kyler Kimbrough made a running catch from center field, sprinting clear into left, to kill the rally. Tate Richardson hit a shot that landed just inside the right field foul pole to make it 11-1 in the fifth. It was his second home run of the year; his first was against Trenton. 

A wild pitch dropped third strike, a hit batter, and a dropped force loaded the bases and Rhyder Hughes’ single scored two to cut it to 11-3. But Tate Richardson seemed to be at his best pitching with his back to the wall; he struck out the next two batters to get out of the inning.

Andrew Craig walked for the Shamrocks. Kyler Kimbrough popped out, but Craig stole second and Karsyn Ury singled him home. Landon Johnson reached on an error to put Ury on third, and then Lucian Sweeney hit a grounder to the pitcher. With North Harrison up 12-3 and Ury off on contact, the Cardinals had to come home with it, but Ury dove in safely under the tag to end the game on the ten run rule.

Playing in their last home game as Shamrocks were Keygun Johnson, Jerry Gilpatrick, and Karsyn Ury. Also honored was Erica Gerken, who is a senior on the Track squad. Johnson is also on the Boys Golf team.

Governor Extends Drought Alert for Missouri

On Friday, Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 24-05, extending Missouri’s drought alert to September 1, 2024. The action directs continued coordination of resources and combined response efforts across state government until conditions improve in drought-impacted areas.

“Issuing a drought alert last spring was quite unprecedented, and unfortunately, the reality is we’re facing conditions worse now than a year ago,” Governor Parson said. “We welcome what rain Missouri has received in recent weeks, but this drought alert will continue so long as Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are struggling from the effects of prolonged dryness and concerns persist over commercial navigation along our riverways.”

Lack of precipitation and below normal streamflow over the past year have kept Missouri under a drought alert continuously since May 31, 2023. Prior to that, a drought alert was active from July 2022 to March 2023.

In accordance with the Missouri Drought Mitigation and Response Plan, Friday’s executive order will continue the drought alert in Missouri counties with areas experiencing moderate or greater drought conditions. It will also extend to any other county that begins experiencing drought conditions consistent with the drought plan’s phases and triggers table.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Drought Assessment Committee coordinates a combined state and federal response to the drought. At its April 17 meeting, the committee recommended the drought alert’s extension after hearing expert testimony that conditions within the state haven’t significantly improved due to unseasonably warm weather and continued dry conditions. Low streamflow within Missouri and a lack of plains and mountain snowpack were also cited as points of concern warranting the committee to continue its work into summer.

To date this year, Missouri has experienced fairly typical precipitation based on historical trends. However, groundwater, streamflow, and precipitation levels are not where they need to be to lift the state out of drought conditions, given the multi-year drought Missouri and other states to our northwest whose snow pack melts feed the Missouri and Mississippi rivers have experienced. 

Many rains in this area have been spotty. On Thursday, anticipated rains prompted the cancellation of the Junior High Tiger Relays and the NEN-Platte Valley baseball game. But it didn’t rain a drop in Eagleville, where the game with Albany was played.

As of April 25, 11 Missouri counties are experiencing severe drought, 71 counties are experiencing moderate drought, and 86 counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

Over the past year, the Drought Assessment Committee has overseen and helped coordinate multiple actions to mitigate the drought that will continue under this Executive Order:

–Bringing together subject matter experts across public and private agencies to collect information and promote collaboration to find solutions to drought-related issues.

–Emergency water pumping and haying opportunities have been made available to farmers on public lands, including select state parks and conservation areas.

–Variances have been approved by the Soil and Water Districts Commission from its regular grazing school requirements, pond cleanout practices, and cover crop and livestock exclusion practices. Money has also been allocated to each Soil and Water Conservation District to help with soil and water resiliency.

–The Department of Natural Resources is monitoring drinking water reservoir systems to ensure drinking water capacity remains unaffected.

–The Department of Transportation continues to offer permits for over-width loads to allow hay to be transported.

–The Missouri Hydrology Information Center partnership is also working to expand the soil moisture and stream gauge networks to provide a more accurate account of water resources across Missouri.

–The Soil and Water Conservation Commission have obligated over $3.6 M to landowners and cooperators in communities to help mitigate the effects of drought.

–The University of Missouri and Missouri Department of Agriculture have both developed hay directories to help farmers and ranchers locate hay. 

Local condition reports are crucial to understanding drought impacts to provide timely and appropriate assistance. The public can submit information about local drought conditions at Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR).

In addition, a variety of helpful resources are online at www.dnr.mo.gov/drought. The Department of Natural Resources is adding information on drought mitigation and assistance opportunities as it becomes available. The one-stop drought website features links to CMOR, current drought-related news, the current United States and Missouri drought monitor maps, the Missouri Drought Mitigation and Response Plan, and other resources, including information on previous droughts.

The Missouri Department of Conservation also warns of the increased risk for wildfires that drought conditions can cause. For more information on how best to prevent wildfires, visit MDC's wildfire prevention website: www.mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/wildfire-prevention.

New Sheridan Post Office to be Built at Old Location

The US Postal Service announced Friday that they plan to rebuild the Sheridan Post Office at the site of the former building, which was torn down. They plan to construct a modular post office at that site, have the same hours, and offer the same services that they offered at the previous post office. Until then, they will continue to serve the community out of the Grant City Post Office.

The plan to rebuild the Post Office at the old location is contingent on whether they can negotiate a satisfactory deal with the owner of the property, and whether the site is suitable for the new building. If not, the Post Office will look at other sites.

Seal Coat Project for I-35 in Harrison County to Start

A seal coat project to extend the life of Interstate 35 in Harrison County is scheduled to begin Wednesday, May 1. The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Vance Brothers, Inc., to complete the project on north and southbound I-35 from Harrison County Route N to U.S. Route 136 in Bethany.

During construction, the roadway will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock in various locations. Crews will work from dawn to dusk from Monday-Friday.

A 16-foot width restriction will be in place for all project work zones. The project is anticipated to be completed by June. 

All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.

While at modot.org, sign up online for work zone updates. Information is also available 24/7 at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or via social media.

Route YY Now Open to Traffic

The Bear Creek Bridge on Gentry County Route YY was reopened to all traffic Wednesday, April 24. The bridge that closed in January 2023 due to structural deterioration was replaced by Gene Haile Excavating, Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Learn more about the project at https://www.modot.org/missouri-route-111-missouri-route-46-and-route-yy-bridge-replacement-atchison-and-gentry.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.

While at modot.org, sign up online for work zone updates. Information is also available 24/7 at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or via social media.