tschram

tschram

  • Joined: August 30, 2022
  • Articles: 12101

UK police fail to counter gangs sexually exploiting kids

LONDON – Police across the U.K. have failed to keep pace with the changing ways criminal gangs sexually exploit children, allowing the abuse to become an increasingly hidden problem, a government-appointed panel concluded Tuesday. At a time when perpetrators are using mobile phones, social media and dating apps to groom younger children, bureaucratic responses are preventing victims from getting the help they need and obscuring the scale of the problem, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said in a report.

Carl F. Wilson

INDEPENDENCE - Carl F. Wilson of Independence, passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Beverly and their sons on January 23, 2022 of natural causes.

Wilda Narlene (Leathers) Britton

INDEPENDENCE - Wilda Narlene (Leathers) Britton, 79, died Monday, January 24, surrounded by her family at Research Medical Center after a tenacious battle with pancreatic cancer. Wilda was born in Fairbury, Illinois on October 13, 1942, to John and Olive (Pifer) Leathers. Siblings Otis, David, James, Linda and Bobby followed soon after their big sister. Wilda was a graduate of Dwight Township High School’s class of 1960. Later that year — with her enrollment at Illinois State Normal University — she became the first member of her family to attend college at the age of 17. The summer after her sophomore year Wilda made a fateful decision to attend the Community of Christ reunion with her friend MarJean (Britton) Shute. There Wilda met MarJean’s older brother Wayne. They were engaged shortly after. Wilda and Wayne were married in 1963 at the Community of Christ Church in Aurora, Illinois. Wilda and Wayne welcomed their first daughter Kelly Britton in 1965 and their daughter Michelle in 1967. After a handful of years in Wisconsin and Oregon, the family moved to South Portland, Maine. Here Wilda raised her children, decorated and designed her first true family home and finished her degree in elementary education at the University of Southern Maine. Wilda’s professional life was spent working in banking and for the Community of Christ Church. Wilda and Wayne moved to Washington, D.C. in 1991. With the birth of her granddaughters Meg and Katie Britton-Mehlisch in the late 90s, Wilda decided it was time to head back to the Midwest. In 1999, the couple packed up the D.C. house and settled in Independence, Missouri. When it comes to grandmothers, there is no contest. Wilda was the epitome of grandmotherly love. She taught Meg and Katie how to cook, sew and become mean card sharks. She was endlessly proud of them. Her love for family was boundless. She quickly adopted her Britton family. When her daughter Michelle married Scott Mehlisch in 1989, she gained a son and two lifelong friends in his parents. She was quick to hug and smile. An expert seamstress and quilter, Wilda put her creative talents to use making gifts for her loved ones: sewing wedding dresses, upholstering furniture and making an army of Raggedy Anne and Andys. Wilda was an avid traveler. She visited every state in the United States and four continents. She especially loved the National Park Service. Wilda is preceded in death by her father, mother and youngest brother Bobby Leathers. Wilda is survived by her husband of 58 years and soulmate, Wayne Britton of Independence, Missouri; her daughter Kelly Britton of Laveen, Arizona; her daughter and son Dr. Michelle and Scott Britton-Mehlisch of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; her granddaughter Meg Britton-Mehlisch of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and her granddaughter Katie Britton-Mehlisch of Kansas City, Missouri. A long list of siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews will hold her in their hearts forever. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the spring. In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made to the National Parks Foundation at give.nationalparks.org. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jaswinder Singh and his team at the Sarah Cannon Center at Research Medical Center for their devoted care.

Barbara Lynn Hiles

INDEPENDENCE - Barbara Lynn Hiles, born to Olien and Jennie Peters on November 24, 1936, took Our Heavenly Father’s hand on January 29, 2022. Barbara grew up in Independence and graduated from William Chrisman High School, Class of 1954. She married her husband, Sylvester (“Jack”) Hiles in June of 1955. She worked at the Central Missouri State University Residence Center until deciding to pursue a teaching degree at CMSU. After she went to work as a teacher, she continued her education and achieved a master’s degree, also at CMSU. She touched the lives of countless students across eastern Jackson county as a reading teacher and tutor for many of the years of her decades-long career as an educator. She served as a leader of the Missouri State Council of the International Reading Association and was well respected by many for her passion for helping people learn how to read. In addition to her role as educator, she freely gave her time and resources to the Impact Ministry at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs. Barbara, a beloved wife and mother, was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and her first-born son, Kenneth. She is survived by her devoted granddaughter, Rachel Kathleen Hiles, and one son. She passed away peacefully in her home. Barbara’s visitation will be held at 10:00am, with a service to follow at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, located at 4500 Little Blue Pkwy, Independence, MO. Burial will follow in Mound Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send Memorial Gifts to the Impact Ministry at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, mailing address: 4500 Little Blue Pkwy, Independence, MO 64057; website: fbcbluesprings. org. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)

Jaguars’ Bevley passes 1,000-point milestone

The Blue Springs South girls basketball team had something to celebrate Monday other than remaining undefeated in the Suburban Big Eight Conference race. Senior guard Saneea Bevley surpassed the 1,000-point milestone for her career while helping the Jaguars to a 42-31 victory over visiting Liberty North.