Missouri
‘I was on that plane last weekend’: Topeka skydiver reacts to fatal Missouri plane crash
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Topeka man Chris Phelps knew the passengers killed in Sunday’s Butler, MO., plane crash well.
“I was on that plane last weekend, on that specific plane,” he said.
Phelps has been skydiving 318 times, including several jumps with the late passengers.
“I’ve got friends of mine not only that passed away in the drop zone, but I got friends of mine that were at the drop zone that witnessed it, and they couldn’t do anything,” he said. “From what I understand, the fuel was too hot, and they had to sit there and watch their friends perish.”
He says the friends he’s made skydiving are like family.
“It’s been very rough, you know,” Phelps said. “The skydiving community is a family. We’re a bunch of, I call it, to the people I describe to my friends and family, we’re a bunch of misfits that found a place to fit in.”
And he’s relying on the skydiving community as he grieves Sunday’s incident.
“We’ve been talking to people on the phone, calling or texting and through Facebook, things like that,” Phelps said. “Just kind of be there and support each other, tell stories about each other, everybody that we know.”
Phelps said he could have actually been on the plane with them if not for other plans this weekend.
“My prayers go out to them, for sure,” he said.
Phelps says he plans to continue skydiving, as he calls the crash a plane incident, rather than a skydiving incident.
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A 69-year-old staff member at Valley Springs Youth Ranch in Reynolds County was found dead in the afternoon on July 1 in what authorities are investigating as a homicide, and a juvenile has been detained in connection with the case.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the ranch at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, where they found the woman deceased. Authorities have not released her identity.
The patrol said a juvenile has been detained. Investigators believe the incident was isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. The case has been classified as a homicide.
Valley Springs Youth Ranch, located in Black, provides short- and long-term residential care for children and young adults ages 6 to 21, with a capacity of 84 residents.
Authorities have released few additional details as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Cpl. Dakota Nash of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G at 417-469-3121.
The case remains under investigation.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 4, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 4 drawing
17-38-46-50-69, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 4 drawing
Midday: 1-8-7
Midday Wild: 6
Evening: 5-7-4
Evening Wild: 4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 4 drawing
Midday: 5-6-2-5
Midday Wild: 2
Evening: 0-2-3-0
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 4 drawing
Early Bird: 09
Morning: 13
Matinee: 09
Prime Time: 14
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from July 4 drawing
05-12-13-15-26
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 4 drawing
04-19-24-25-41, Powerball: 09
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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