The city of Rich Hill MO is under a boil order until further notice.
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Monday, September 21, 2026
City of Rich Hill under boil order
The city of Rich Hill MO is under a boil order until further notice.
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Obituary - Naoma Suzanne Nelsen
Naoma Suzanne Nelsen was born on May 26, 1965, in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, to Royal and Wyona Nelsen. On September 11, 2026, surrounded by God's love and grace, Naoma peacefully entered her heavenly home.
From an early age, Naoma's faith was the foundation of her life. She attended Pape Christian Church, where she was active in the youth group and was baptized at the age of 12. Her love for the Lord guided her throughout her life and was reflected in the kindness, humility, and servant's heart she shared with others.
Naoma attended school in El Dorado Springs and graduated as valedictorian of her senior class. Her dedication to learning earned her a four-year Presidential Scholarship to Southwest Missouri State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. While at SMS, she was active in Campus House Ministry and participated in mission trips to Mexico and Haiti, experiences that deepened both her faith and her desire to serve others.
After graduation, Naoma worked at CCMH before pursuing graduate studies at Texas A&M University, where she earned a Master's degree in Microbial Genetics. She later received her Ph.D. in Genetics from Clemson University. Her passion for science, discovery, and education led her to continue her research at Clemson until 2008. She then joined the faculty of Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina, as an Associate Professor of Biology, a role she cherished and faithfully fulfilled for the remainder of her life.
Teaching was far more than a profession for Naoma; it was a calling. She invested deeply in her students, encouraging them academically and personally. Many knew her not only as a professor but as a mentor, a trusted advisor, and a friend. Her enthusiasm for learning and her genuine care for others left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Beyond the classroom, Naoma found joy in nurturing both nature and community. She co-sponsored a Garden and Nature Camp for local children, sharing her love of the outdoors with younger generations. She delighted in birdwatching, reading, solving puzzles, crafting, and gathering with friends through her local book club. Whether tending a garden, spotting a favorite bird, or discussing a good book, Naoma found beauty in God's creation and joy in life's simple blessings.
While living in Donalds, South Carolina, Naoma was a faithful member of Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Her gentle spirit, warm smile, thoughtful encouragement, and unwavering faith touched the lives of family, friends, colleagues, students, and neighbors alike.
Naoma was preceded in death by her father, Royal W. Nelsen; her brother, Royal C. Nelsen, and his wife, Judie; her sisters-in-law, Melissa Nelsen and Carmen Nelsen; and her niece, Kathy Page.
She is lovingly remembered by her mother, Wyona Nelsen; her sisters, Joyce Heuser and husband Larry, and Janice Nelsen; her brothers, Carl Nelsen, Loren Nelsen, and Matthew Nelsen and his partner, Rebekah Oehring; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, colleagues, and former students.
Though Naoma's earthly journey has ended, her legacy of faith, learning, service, and love lives on in the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.
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McGennis Youth Center Barbecue is this Sunday
The McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction Is set for this Sunday, September 27.
Activities start at noon with registration for the 10th annual car show. For more information on the car show contact Jared Rankin at 417-448-4903 or email rankinfarms@hotmail.com.
Children’s games start at 12:30 as do the horsedrawn wagon rides.
Serving for the barbecue is at 1 p.m., and the auction will start at 1:45.
2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the McGennis Youth Center. Along with the traditional events listed above, several presenters will be on hand Sunday to demonstrate blacksmithing and quilting and to answer questions about the team and wagon. In addition, board members will provide information about the Center and its founder, Mary McGennis.
The meal of barbecued beef, pork and chicken, along with beans, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and bread, is catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill. Everyone is invited to bring a cake for the dessert table, if they’d like.
Larry Hacker will be our auctioneer. A popular feature of the auction is the Mad Hatter which will feature ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Jeff and Jana Droz. These caps are numbered and will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win this year’s gun, an Impala 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun donated by Bell Farms and Pony Keg
A similar format will be used for a diamond ring donated by Bob Schyler.
Another special item for the auction will be two tickets to the July 24, 2027, Kenny Chesney concert at Arrowhead Stadium, featuring Sheryl Crow, Eric Church and Greylan James. The format for bidding on this item will be announced Sunday.
For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.
Admission to the barbecue is $13 for adults and $7 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.
From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.
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Some impressive stats
In all, Butler had 499 yards of total offense in this dominant victory!
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Six HHS vocalists selected for All-District Choir
Congratulations to six Harrisonville High School vocalists selected for the West Central Missouri Music Educators Association All-District Choir
HHS went 6 for 6 at All-District Choir auditions! Congratulations to:
- Mia Schnelle
- Domonick Brandes
- Lorraine Hall
- Lilly Mears
- Olivia Barlett
- Gabriella Hankins
The students will perform with the All-District Choir on Oct. 17 at Oak Grove High School. Way to represent HHS.
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Posse rodeo goes off 'without a hitch'
The 6th annual Bates County Sheriff's Posse roped in a record crowd and went off without a hitch. The Posse wishes to thank everyone who contributed including the Adrian Optimist Club, Tom Williams, Code 1 Wellness, Max Motors, American Dreams Spray Foam, American Family Insurance, Bates County Memorial Hospital, Blackhawk Lanes, Cook Insurance, Ethan's Auto Repair, Grand River Fencing, Heritage Tractor, Installation Plus, Kustom Signs, Melton's Plumbing, Adrian Muffler, Dirks Heavy Contractors, Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Willow Creek, Midwest Lumber, Moose Electrical, Osage Valley, Shellie White, Steiner's Restaurant, A Pro Wash, Blowin Smoke, Corbin Excavating, Jarhead Wood Design, 93 Customs, the Butler Saddle Club, all Friends of the Posse members and anyone not mentioned that helped make for a great night.
We'll see you next year!
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Ballard new teacher spotlight: Haley Wainscott
Let’s get to know her a little better…
Favorite Hobby: Reading — because after a day of Pre-K, sometimes you need a quiet chapter (and maybe a locked door
Favorite Memory: A family vacation to beautiful Colorado! From the mountains to the memories, it sounds like one for the books!
Favorite Snack: Oatmeal Cream Pies! Because teaching little ones requires energy… and we fully support getting that energy from a delicious snack!
We are so excited to welcome her to our Ballard family and can’t wait to watch her make learning fun, create special memories, and survive the wonderful chaos of Pre-K.
Welcome to the team Mrs. Wainscott, we’re so happy you’re here!
Courtesy Ballard schools
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Records were meant to be broken
Adrian Freshman Alayna Patterson broke a school record last week in Cross Country with a running time of 20:46.28.
Way to represent the Blackhawks, Alayna!
Photo by Jessica Patterson
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