The Sedalia Area’s Top Local News of 2016
As 2016 comes to a close, we've put together a list of some of the year's top local news stories.
Fire Engulfs First United Methodist Church in Downtown Sedalia
One of the biggest news stories of the year took place early in 2016. On March 2, a fire destoryed the historic First United Methodist Church on West 4th Street in downtown Sedalia.
Randy KirbyRandy Kirby Arson Suspects Now Face Murder Charges in Death of Sedalia Man
A June 23 fatal fire at 1903 South Grand Avenue claimed the life of 30-year-old Matthew Eldenburg. 22-year-old Aran Cantrell and 23-year-old Cody Harvey were arrested on June 29 for arson. Both were charged with first-degree murder in September.
Pettis County JailPettis County Jail Armed Robbery at Warrensburg Bank
Warrensburg Police officers were dispatched to UMB Bank on August 25 for a report of a hold-up alarm. The suspect entered the bank, passed a note to the teller saying he had explosives, and demanded cash. The teller passed the suspect an undetermined amount of cash. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
Warrensburg, MO Police Department / UMB Bank - Warrensburg, MOWarrensburg, MO Police Department / UMB Bank - Warrensburg, MO Two Homicides Reported in Slater
Donald Bruce Owens of Marshall was arrested around 9 p.m. on June 10 in connection with a double homicide in Slater. On June 9, a woman reportedly called police around 1:45 a.m. reporting that she heard shots and a man yelling for help. 35-year-old Ryan Sanders was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. Police were then called to a home just north of the Slater city limits around 8 a.m. the same day, and discovered the body of 83-year-old Bonnie Charlene Hupp, who had also died from a gunshot wound.
Read more: Two Homicides Reported in Slater
Randy KirbyRandy Kirby Four Sedalians Arrested on Drug Charges in STING Operation
Four people were arrested by Sedalia Police after detectives with the SPD’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), Criminal investigations Bureau and patrol officers responded to the 300 block of S. Engineer to serve a no-knock, drug-related search warrant. Police said they discovered "a large quantity of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, controlled prescription pills, a .40 caliber handgun and additional evidence to indicate meth and marijuana distribution."
Pettis County JailPettis County Jail Tim Smith in Custody
A series of shootings and a high speed chase in Sedalia led to the arrests of 28-year-old Jordan D. Rhodes and 28-year-old John D. Yager, but an additional suspect, Tim Smith, remained at large for two weeks before finally being apprehended by authorities.
Read more: Tim Smith in Custody
Sedalia Police Dept.Sedalia Police Dept. Sedalia Police Arrest Warsaw AMBER Alert Suspect
A 38-year-old woman is accused of abducting her children from Warsaw on November 14. An AMBER Alert for the children, ages 7 and 9, was issued that night. Carmelita Wilson’s vehicle was located at 16th and Thompson Blvd. in Sedalia. Wilson was arrested after a pursuit that ended when her vehicle struck a minivan. Police say that the two childrenwere located inside Wilson's vehicle. The children were not injured.
AMBER AlertAMBER Alert Track Hoe Demolished After Striking Katy Trail Overpass
At approximately 9 a.m. on September 7, the driver of a flat-bed trailer was northbound on Highway 65 when the cargo on the back of the trailer struck the overpass bridge abutment. A track hoe was pulled off the trailer and was destroyed.
Kurt ParsonsKurt Parsons Generous Donation by Sedalia Businessman Benefits Whiteman Families
Sedalia businessman Jorge Guevara purchased tickets for 200 military personnel from Whiteman Air Force Base for the opening night concert of the 2016 Missouri State Fair. The servicemen and women attended the 3 Doors Down concert, with opening act Shaman’s Harvest.
Randy KirbyRandy Kirby Local Author to Release New Book of Historic Sedalia Images
A new book recently went on sale that features 160 photographs of business, landmarks and sites of interest around Sedalia that date from 1950 to present. The author, Becky Imhauser, was kind enough to share a few of her photos with our readers. Those pictures can be viewed at the link below.
Arcadia PublishingArcadia Publishing Pettis County Deputies and Sedalia Police Detectives Arrest Four Subjects in Ongoing Burglary Investigation
On February 16, deputies from the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office and Detectives from the Sedalia Police Department served a search warrant at a local business located at 809 South Marshall Avenue, in connection to an ongoing burglary investigation. Seized from the business were firearms, marijuana, several grams of methamphetamine, jewelry, coins, and stamps.
Kurt ParsonsKurt Parsons
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