An introduction to Genealogy will be held at the Cass County Public Library Drexel, Friday the 19th of June 3pm.
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Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Want to learn more about Genealogy?
An introduction to Genealogy will be held at the Cass County Public Library Drexel, Friday the 19th of June 3pm.
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La Cygne receives much needed grant
The La Cygne Police Department and the La Cygne Fire Dept. are proud recipients of a grant awarded through First Option Bank and the Louis & Dolpha Baehr Foundation to assist with the purchase of additional portable radios for BOTH departments!
Through this funding, the Police Department received five (5) new portable radios, while the Fire Department received six portable radios along with a six-bank charging station designed to remain onboard a fire apparatus. This setup is especially beneficial for the unique needs of a volunteer fire department, helping ensure equipment remains charged, accessible, and ready for emergency response at all times.
Reliable communication equipment is one of the most important tools our first responders rely on each day. These additional radios will enhance communication capabilities, improve coordination during emergencies, and help ensure the safety of both responders and the community we serve.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to First Option Bank and the Louis & Dolpha Baehr Foundation for their continued support of public safety and rural communities. Grants such as this make a meaningful impact and help provide our departments with the tools needed to better serve the citizens of La Cygne, without impacting our budgets.
Courtesy La Cygne Police Department
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Blackhawk Briana Yoakum welcomed into Mizzou Academic Scholars Program
Adrian Blackhawk Pride shines bright once again for Briana Yoakum! This time, she is participating in an academic honors program before entering her Junior year at AHS! Way to represent, Briana! You'll do great in this program! Congratulations!
Today Briana was officially welcomed into the 2026 Missouri Scholars Academy at the University of Missouri.
MSA is not a typical summer camp — it is one of Missouri’s most prestigious and selective academic honors programs for high school students. Scholars are nominated and chosen from across the state based on exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and intellectual promise.
For the next three weeks, Briana will study alongside some of Missouri’s highest-achieving students while learning from university faculty, researchers, and academic leaders through this nationally respected program.
Sentiments from Briana's parents: "Seeing 'Briana Yoakum — Adrian Senior High School' included among students from Missouri’s most recognized schools was an emotional moment for us. Coming from a small rural community, this opportunity represents years of hard work, discipline, resilience, and determination. We could not be more proud of her. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and she earned every bit of it."
Information provided by Crystal Yoakum via Adrian News Leader
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Tuesday, June 16, 2026
All victim names released regarding plane crash in Butler
The list includes:
Kurt John Roy- 69 year old from Windber, PA
Michael R. Shanahan- 54 year old from Kansas City, MO
David Hershberger- 54 year old from Liberty, MO
Sai Karthik Varma Datla- 24 year old from India
Matthew Swope- 39 year old from Independence, MO
Dustin McKinney- 44 year old from Stilwell, KS
Jennifer L. Sharp- 55 year old from Grand Junction, CO
Blake Thacker- 25 year old from Olathe, KS
Marcus Miller- 30 year old from Lawrence, KS
Nicholas Nash- 40 year old from Harrisonville, MO
William Fischer- 23 year old from De Soto, KS
Dane Cordes- 26 year old from Richmond, MO
The Coroner’s Office continues to work with local, state and federal agencies to investigate the incident. We waited to release the names to allow time for the friends and families to reach out to their extended families. We ask that you allow time and pray for everyone involved as this investigation will take months to complete and has touched people nationwide. God bless you all.
Jerret J Reno
Bates County Coroner
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Obituary - Tannor Thomas
Funeral services for Tannor Thomas of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 2026 at the Optimist Building in Adrian, Missouri with cremation to follow. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Thursday at the Adrian Optimist Building. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to the Thomas Love Fund at Community First Bank. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Tannor Thomas, age 28 of Butler, Missouri died Friday, June 12, 2026 in Butler as a result of a motorcycle accident. He was born December 4, 1997 to James W. and Deborah G. Mohr Thomas in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tannor is survived by his wife, Brooklyn Thomas and two young children, Walker and Rosalie all of the home; mother, Deborah Shaner and husband Brandon of Butler, Missouri; one brother, Zachary Thomas of Butler, Missouri; parents-in-law, Patrick and Michelle Popplewell of Butler, Missouri; sister-in-law, Brianne Phillips (Dalton) and their children, Braxton and Riley; brother-in-law, Peyton Popplewell (Macey Kelso); one sister, Alexandria Thomas; and father, James Thomas. Tannor was preceded in death by his grandparents; and two cousins, CW Mohr and Chase Gilbert.
A full obituary will be published at a later date.
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Bentley Gilkey to advance to 2026 National High School Rodeo finals
This 7-day rodeo competition will be held July 19th through the 25th. Bentley is a small town kid chasing his dream. Bentley is the son of Rashanda Gilkey and Brent Morrison of Rich Hill. His motto is to work hard, stay humble, chase your dreams, and make your hometown proud. He needs our help to reach his dream.
If you would like to be one of many sponsors needed to help Bentley Gilkey reach his dream , we are asking for donations. There are 4 different sponsor levels from $500 gold level to $99 dollars, or any cash amount that you feel led to donate.
The donation dollars will assist this Cowboy pay for travel and lodging expenses, entry fees and equipment. We are Calling on Rodeo Fans and retired Cowboys to help us... help Bentley.
There are several ways to send your donation dollars.
Venmo, Cash App, Phone Email or donations/ checks mailed in any amount will be appreciated. Donations may be mailed to Rashanda Gilkey 201 East Oak Street in Rich Hill 64779. The deadline will be July 10th, as Bentley will hit the road on July 17th for Nebraska.
Bentley will be representing the Rich Hill Community on the national stage , and our hope is for Bentley to bring this title back home to Bates County.
This is more than a rodeo for Bentley Gilkey of Rich Hill, it’s a dream, a journey ,and the opportunity of a lifetime. Every dollar you spend will help this dream become a reality.
Phone number 660-227-3368 that number again 660-227-3368
Good Luck, Cowboy
Courtesy 921news.com
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An opportunity to help as our community mourns
I have talked to other business owners that are also asking “What can I do”. Bates County is made up of mainly small businesses so I want to reach out a request… First responders have carried a HUGE amount of this weight the past few days in our community. I want to put out there that we will offer free food, comfort food, drinks, whatever is needed to first responders, family members, or anyone directly carrying the weight of this tragedy. I also want to invite any other business that would like to share on here (I don’t care if you are considered a competitor or not, that does not matter right now) anything you are offering as well.
If you need a coffee, sandwich, or some ice cream then we want to invite you in Tuesday & Wednesday for a free meal.
The last few days have been extra heavy for Bates County, Mo. Butler in particular. As I filter through the news feeds with a heavy heart for everyone involved, I also realize how beautiful our community is. We are Bates County. When tragedy strikes, someone needs something or if there is a super heavy burden, the citizens around tend to have the initial response of “what can I do to help?”
If you are like me and have been asking this exact question that I know most around here are asking themselves, I also want to point out that we are a praying community. You don’t have to like it or even agree with it but it’s what we do. We are the type to show up as a stranger to a stranger and offer a hug, handshake, and prayer all in one single movement. There is nothing you can say to a victim or first responder to change what is in motion but there is something powerful about praying for them. Pray for peace. Pray for comfort. Pray for honest and truthful answers in the investigations. Pray for first responders that can never unsee what they see on the daily and keep stored in their minds while continuing to do their jobs serving our community.
While I can only imagine but not truly fathom the weight of this emotional rollercoaster, I can say that one of the things I see (and makes me proud to be a Bates County citizen) is the way the people show up. We have our differences, strong political viewpoints, and complaints about each other because we are such a tight knit community. But when there is a need, Bates County SHOWS. UP.
It's a place where we will
- pray for you even if you are a stranger (we don’t care)
- we will offer you a place to stay
- you will give you a hug even if you aren’t a hugger
- we reach out asking how you are doing – prepare for 4,243,478 social media messages because it will happen!
- we will bring you food and encourage self-care at a time of loss and high emotions
- we ask “how can I help?” so many times it practically enters a number into infinity
- community groups will start to pour in at overwhelming numbers asking the previous question and doing the previous items listed
- Bates County citizens have a true desire to carry some of that burden in heavy moments. We look for ways to pick someone up when they don’t have the strength to stand.
- barriers and disagreements are set aside in an instant and everyone is suddenly on the same team regardless of what township they live in, what school they went to, or who they voted for. None of that will matters anymore.
The thing is, unless you have experienced living somewhere else, you think this is normal. This is rare!!! Bates County is very special. So, if you are scrolling Facebook or any other media outlet wondering the same thing most are in this moment…. “What can I do?” please remember that the biggest and best thing you can do is pray.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Byrds Pecan Delights, Adrian MO
Find more on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/byrdspecansdelights
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