Missouri
Visalia native heads to Missouri to help storm victims with Red Cross
VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) — A powerful storm system has caused violent tornadoes and devastating wildfires over the weekend across the Midwest and South. The tornadoes destroyed entire neighborhoods, and volunteers like Wesley Hammer are stepping in to help those that’ve lost everything.
Westley Hammer packed his bags and left for Missouri on Wednesday.
Volunteering for the Red Cross is something Hammer has chosen to do in his retirement. He says it fulfills his call to serve.
“I feel like what I’m here for is to help people, and I really get fulfillment from doing that, and I’d do it every day if I have to. I don’t want disasters; I hope that there’s not disasters, but when there are I know that I’m going to be there I’m going to do everything I can to help them that day just to get through,” says Hammer.
While the danger of severe storms has passed, critical wildfire conditions will continue through the week.
In Missouri, Hammer will serve as a logistics sourcing supervisor focused on ensuring all of the shelters are fully stocked with the necessary supplies.
In over the last several years, Hammer has traveled across the country helping disaster victims from Hurricane Helene to the Los Angeles Wildfires.
So far this year, the local red cross has deployed close to 100 volunteers to disasters all across the country.
Right now, The Red Cross is not accepting donations of food, household items or clothing for this disaster due to distribution challenges. Currently, financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to those in need in the Midwest.
Copyright © 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Missouri
Twelve people killed in Missouri plane crash, state highway patrol says | The Jerusalem Post
Twelve people reportedly died in a plane crash on Sunday in Butler, Missouri, the state highway patrol said on social media.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash occurred near the Butler Memorial Airport.
“At this time reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished,” the agency wrote in a post on X/Twitter.
The plane that crashed was a Pacific Aerospace 750XL, a single-engine turboprop that is popular for skydiving, the Associated Press noted.
The plane was taking people to skydive, Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing told the media.
Emergency responders received a call at approximately 11:30 a.m. that the plane was down and engulfed in fire, Ewing added, calling the scene “brutal.”
“It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they’re shutting down the roadway just as a precaution,” AP cited Ewing as saying.
Butler is about 60 miles south of Kansas City, Missouri.
This is a developing story.
MEXICO, Mo. (KY3) – Strafford High School graduate Tabitha Crain is the new Miss Missouri.
She won the title late Saturday night in Mexico, Mo. Crain, 24, competed as Miss Pulaski County. The University of Missouri graduate is enrolled in Mizzou’s School of Law program.
Crain’s platform is for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
She will compete for the Miss America crown in West Palm Beach, Fla., from August 28 to September 6.
The week was a clean sweep for the Ozarks. Anna Hall of Branson won Miss Teen Missouri on Friday night.
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Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.
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