Obituary - Carl Lyle Covey

A celebration of life service for Carl Lyle Covey of Rich Hill, Missouri will be 11 a.m. July 25, 2026 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to service from 10 - 11 a.m. July 25. at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Carl Lyle Covey of Rich Hill, Missouri, passed away on April 28, 2026 at Research Medical Center surrounded by his family. Carl was born July 9, 1946 to Otis Carlyle and Georgia Allene Covey in Kansas City, Missouri where his big sister Gayle was there to welcome him home. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and attended East High School where he graduated in 1964. Carl had a great love of music and could play several instruments. As a teenager, he played guitar and sang in a rock and roll band. It was at a concert in Blue Valley Park that Connie first saw him and even though she had never met him, she knew she would one day marry him. She told his mother that day, “I’m going to marry your son.” They got married in 1967 and were together for 55 years before Connie passed away.

Carl enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1966 where he was an active serviceman until 1971. After he got married, he wanted to learn a trade and first worked as an apprentice to become a glass glazier which became his full time job. He put windows in many of the buildings in the Kansas City area. Carl and Connie both got saved and attended Friendly Assembly of God fairly early in their married life. Carl was called into the ministry and they attended Bible school together. When Friendly Assembly of God went through a split in 1974, they began traveling to Rich Hill to attend the local Assembly of God, and in 1975 began pastoring there. In 1979, Sweetwater was started by the hand of the Lord. He gave Carl the dimensions, made it possible to purchase the land, and acquire a loan during the recession of the 70s and 80s. Carl, along with the congregation, took on the task of building the church with their own hands from the ground up. For 47 years, Carl was a faithful shepherd to his flock at Sweetwater.

Carl loved people and had a heart for soul winning. Once he got saved, it was his lifelong passion to witness to those who had not yet met Jesus. He was blessed with many gifts and talents. He was a singer, musician, woodworker, artist, carpenter, and so many other things. He could see something, draw it, and figure out in his head how to build it. He was very creative. Throughout the years, he built many pieces of furniture for his family. If he didn’t know how to do something, he would figure it out until he could. He loved his doggie Remington and would faithfully take him for a ride in the car every day. He went to breakfast at the local café where he ordered the same thing every single day and then took his bacon home to share with Remington. He enjoyed his morning visits with what they called ‘the liars club’. He loved going to the Kern Center to play dirty bingo. He had such fun setting his sights on something and then trying to win and keep it. Carl enjoyed playing music at the nursing home in Nevada once a month and practicing with his music group.

Carl is survived by two daughters, Carla Toppass (Matt) and Shelly Schmitt (Jim) all of Rich Hill, Missouri; sister, Gayle Wright of St. Louis, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Ferlinda Turley (Brandon) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Emily Brucks (Michael), Caleb Schmitt (Tierra), Evelyn Tholen (Matthew), Andrew Schmitt (Abbagail), Allie Siegismund (Levi), Joshua, Jacob, Jonathon and Joseph Covey; five great-grandsons, MJ and Macklin Brucks, Elias and Everett Schmitt, Rhett Schmitt and one on the way, nephews, nieces, his doggie, Remington, his church family, and many friends from the Kern Center, his music group, and the café. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Connie of 55 years, and a son, Timothy L. Covey.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Sweetwater Tabernacle of God.

Obituary graciously provided by the family.

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Obituary - Paul Risko

Paul Risko, age 79 passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026 at Medicalodge of Butler, Missouri. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday July 24, 2026 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

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Obituary - William Lee "Bill" Anderso

William Lee "Bill" Anderson, age 84, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026.  He was born on May 8, 1942 in La Cygne, Kansas the son of Clarence Edward and Lula Mae Morris Anderson.  He worked for the City of Pleasanton for over forty years as the water superintendent.  Bill was united in marriage to Sharon Kay York on May 16, 1964.  He enjoyed mowing grass, and watching westerns and football.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Tim Anderson, a brother, Ray Anderson, and a sister, Judy Miller.    Bill is survived by his wife Sharon, a son, Terry Anderson and wife Jeannie, a daughter, Chelli Rice and husband, Rick, a brother, Bobby Anderson, two sisters, Joyce Pratt, and Janice Turner, and several grand and great grandchildren.  

A funeral service will be held 11 am Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel.  Visitation will be held from 10 am to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bone and Cancer Foundation.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. 

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Alert from City of Adrian: Boil Advisory Lifted

Alert from City of Adrian: Boil Advisory Lifted

Date: Jul 22, 2026

The City's Boil Advisory has been lifted. The system has been tested several times and the water is safe for normal consumption. 

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State auditor gives Bates County Sheriff scathing report

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick finds the Bates County Sheriff wasted more than $178,000 in public funds to create a mounted patrol, subsidize a not-for-profit posse, hold rodeo events, and throw parties

The report gives the office the lowest possible rating of "poor" as it recommends the Sheriff ensure all county assets are used only for law enforcement purposes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., July 22, 2026

What do horses named Bandit, Tater, and Duck have in common with a sno-cone machine, a dunk tank, and a go-kart? They're all part of the wasteful spending by the Bates County Sheriff's Office uncovered in a new report released today by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. 

The audit conducted by Fitzpatrick's office gives the Bates County Sheriff's Office the lowest possible rating of "poor" and notes how Sheriff Chad Anderson wasted public resources to maintain a Mounted Patrol (MP) and fund a Sheriff's Posse (Posse), as well as fund rodeo and community events, donate to various private organizations, hold parties, and use county assets for personal use.

"A county sheriff is entrusted with the duty to promote public safety and protect the lives of county residents, and using taxpayer funds to purchases horses, hold rodeos, and throw holiday parties is clearly a betrayal of the public's trust and a misuse of funds that could have been better used for legitimate law enforcement purposes or by Bates County taxpayers," said Auditor Fitzpatrick. "I'm sure there are people in Bates County who enjoyed seeing Bandit, Tater, and Duck, and attending some of the events the Sheriff financed with public funds but they may be less thrilled when they realize how much money he diverted away from law enforcement efforts to purchase and care for these horses, and to buy items that have no law enforcement purpose like a dunk tank, a sno-cone machine, and a go-kart."

Fitzpatrick added, "I would like to think Sheriff Anderson would take responsibility for the poor decisions he has made, but the truth is he has gone to great lengths to delay our audit and to refute the findings contained in our report that are intended to improve the function of his office. It required multiple subpoenas to obtain the Sheriff's testimony and relevant documents to complete the audit, and it is disappointing that instead of accepting responsibility for the issues we identified, Sheriff Anderson chose to question our office's auditing expertise."

The audit report documents how the Bates County Sheriff's Office used more than $110,000 in county funds to establish and maintain the MP unit that was rarely used for law enforcement purposes. During the time period covered by the audit the MP attended 8 parades, 6 tractor shows, 4 rodeos, 4 fun horse shows, and 1 family fun day. During that same period of time the unit performed only one search and rescue and no crowd or traffic control. The report notes the unit was used for a second search and rescue effort in May 2026, but points out the number of ceremonial events significantly outnumbers the official law enforcement uses. The report also points out that many of the horses purchased by the office were at an advanced age and some had to be euthanized shortly after purchase. Of the current horses, only Bandit, who is 24 years of age, is search and rescue certified, while Duck and Tater have no experience or training. In total, the office has spent nearly $42,000 to purchase horses and at least another $53,225 to board, feed, and care for them. The Sheriff also spent $15,000 to purchase a horse trailer and have it wrapped with Bates County Sheriff Mounted Patrol signage.

The report also looks at how the Sheriff has used county resources to pay some of the expenses of the Posse, which is a not-for-profit entity without a written agreement with the office. The Sheriff used county funds to pay invoices addressed to the Posse totaling $16,848 including $7,406 for shirts with the Posse badge logo, $4,543 for medical training and equipment, $1,749 for Posse badges, $1,477 for customized saddle pads, $1,150 for supplies, and $523 for awards. The Sheriff also assigned the county-owned 2005 Chevy Tahoe to the Posse and used county funds totaling $605 to have the vehicle wrapped with the Posse's lettering and insignia. The report questions what safety or law enforcement purpose requires the Sheriff's office to pay to outfit Posse volunteers with realistic badges and Bates County Sheriff's office identification. In our audit period, the Posse has only been deployed to assist in 1 search and rescue mission and has not otherwise been used for documented law enforcement activities.

The audit report takes issue with the Sheriff's use of $23,788 to finance annual fundraising rodeos for the Posse and other community events such as Family Fun Days. Neither the county nor the Sheriff's office were reimbursed for funds spent on the events and all proceeds went to the concession vendor or the Posse from advertising sales. The Sheriff used county funds totaling $1,075 to advertise the events and rent portable toilets for monthly Rodeo Fun Shows for the Posse, and used county funds totaling $653 on 75 shirts in various sizes and colors for a dodge ball tournament hosted by the Bates County Sheriff's Posse. Additionally, the Sheriff maintains assets with no law enforcement purpose to facilitate the hosting of or participation in the community events. The Sheriff's asset list includes a dunk tank, a popcorn machine, a sno-cone machine, a roller grill, a cheese warmer, and a go-kart.

The audit also uncovered how the Sheriff donated $23,268 in county funds to local youth sports programs, and other not-for-profits. Included in that total is $5,045 for the construction, maintenance, and holiday decoration of a replica 1880's Sheriff's office located at the Adrian Frontier Village in Adrian, Missouri. The Sheriff's Office could not provide any law enforcement purpose for the construction, maintenance, and decoration of the replica building. The report also documents how the Sheriff used county funds to purchase food from local restaurants and rented event venues totaling $4,356 for parties. Additionally, the Sheriff used county assets for personal or non-county purposes and did not store all county property at approved county locations. The Sheriff used county assets for Posse and community events (dunk tank, vehicles, and MP horses) and used the county's armored vehicle for his son's high school prom. He also failed to consistently store the horse trailer at county approved locations.

The report points out the Sheriff attributed the extensive expenditures for community events, donations, and purchases of promotional items to community policing efforts, but does not have any policies or procedures for such a program or documentation to support how the expenditures supported his office's community policing goals, activities, or mission. The Sheriff used county funds to purchase promotional items totaling $13,735 to give away at community events. Items purchased include ink pens, lip balm, hand sanitizer, toy sheriff badges, hand fans, cups, beach balls, stress balls, string bags, stickers, mood bracelets, and flying discs as part of his office's community policing program. However, he does not have any documentation to support what community policing goals the items achieve.

Other findings in the report include a significant cash reserve in the Law Enforcement Fund without a plan for use of the balance or to reduce the Law Enforcement Sales Tax rate; improper uses of restricted Inmate Security Fund money to purchase items; lacking payroll controls and procedures; improper waiving of concealed carry weapon permit fees for some applicants; insufficient accounting controls and procedures; and inadequate inventory controls and procedures over commissary items sold to inmates.

The complete audit report for the Bates County Sheriff's Office is available here. 

Story by Office of Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick
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Something new coming to Hume Fair & Rodeo

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You're invited!

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New MDC hunting booklets available for deer, turkey, dove, waterfowl

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters that new booklets for upcoming hunting seasons are now available. Hunters and others can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from the MDC 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the MDC Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026-2027.

Deer and Turkey Hunting

MDC’s 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet has detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease (CWD) updates, and more. The booklet is available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

What’s New for 2026

• The CWD Management Zone has been removed. Regulations still apply in some counties. 
• During the November Portion, hunters who harvest deer in designated counties must take the deer or head(s) on the day of harvest to a mandatory CWD sampling station. 
• Grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round in counties that are within 10 miles of where CWD has been detected. 
• The CWD portion of firearms deer season has been removed. 
• The antler-point restriction has been removed for all counties. 
• Hunters using a Nonresident Archer’s Hunting Permit and/or a Nonresident Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit may now take only one antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer seasons combined. 
• Permit prices have increased to keep pace with the rising costs of goods and services. 
• New managed deer hunts have been added, and others have been removed or modified.
• Deer hunting regulations have changed for some conservation areas.

Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting

MDC’s Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026-2027 has detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock. It also has information on needed permits and duck-stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, and more. The digest is available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

What’s New for 2026

• Permit prices have increased to keep pace with the rising costs of goods and services.
• The Migratory Bird Hunting Permit has been replaced by a Resident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Nonresident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit.
• Duck hunting zone boundaries have changed slightly for the 2026–2030 seasons.
• Duck season date formulas have changed for the 2026–2030 seasons.

Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state or online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.

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