EXCELSIOR SPRING – After finding a body Feb. 11, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday identified the victim as Alesha Jane Reade, 45, Independence.

Her death is not believed to have occurred where law enforcers found the body, Sheriff’s Capt. Robert Hays said.

“We don’t have a pure crime scene yet, so we’re assuming the body was probably placed there along the road in the wooded area afterward,” he said.

POLO – At the side of a woman dying from gunshot wounds, Greg Baker, 55, Polo, said he called 911 and then waited more than 20 minutes for help, gave the first deputy to arrive “an ass chewing” and went hunting for the shooter.

In loving memory of James R. Taylor, who passed peacefully at 8:45 p.m. Jan. 19, 2021, surrounded by his family.

James is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Taylor; children, Maranda Gourche, Kimberly Taylor and James Aaron Taylor; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his brother, Jimmie Taylor; and sisters, Bonnie Fuller and Florence Moss.

James was preceded in death by James Sydney Taylor; his mother, Roena Taylor; three sisters, Mary Norris, Delores Cates and Betty Ann Cates; and a son, Sean Ray Taylor.

Jack Ellis Clemons was born in Missouri City, Mo., on May 31, 1923 to Carl Clemons and Julia Chaney. He died at his home on January 16, 2021.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl Clemons and Julia Chaney; his siblings, Emma Jean Garner, Dorothy Hart, Lucille Baillie, Wanda Clemons, and Jimmy Clemons.