George Lewis jury trial moved to Henry county Circuit Court

 A Butler man accused of sex crimes with a child who was previously arraigned in Bates County Mo will now face jurors in the Henry County Circuit Court due to a change of venue as requested by his attorney, Jason Wayne Speer

George W. Lewis, 40,  was taken into custody in November of 2023 in Bates County and held on 9 counts, all unclassified felonies that include one count of Statutory Sodomy, two counts of Sexual Trafficking and six counts of rape with an an underage person.

Lewis is now set for jury trial in the Henry County Circuit Court beginning March 30, 2026 at 8:30 am before judge M. Brandon Baker.

A Bates County grand jury case charging a man with multiple counts of rape, statutory sodomy, and sexual trafficking of a child has been transferred to Henry County following a change of venue.

Court records show George William Lewis is charged in Bates County with nine felony counts stemming from alleged sexual abuse of a minor over several years. The charges were returned by a grand jury and include one count of first-degree statutory sodomy, two counts of second-degree sexual trafficking of a child, and six counts of first-degree rape, including an aggravated sexual offense.

According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred between 2015 and 2023 and involve a victim identified in court records as “Victim 1,” who was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. Prosecutors allege Lewis engaged in sexual acts with the child when the victim was under the age of consent and, in some instances, by forcible compulsion.

The indictment also states Lewis is considered a persistent sexual offender under Missouri law due to a prior felony conviction for first-degree statutory rape in Bates County in 2004. That designation exposes him to enhanced penalties if convicted, including the possibility of life imprisonment. Several of the charges also carry mandatory lifetime supervision, and some require that at least 85 percent of any sentence be served before parole eligibility.

A criminal docket entry filed last July shows Lewis was formally arraigned in Bates County Circuit Court and entered not guilty pleas to the charges. The record indicates Lewis waived a formal reading of the indictment and consented to proceedings being conducted by video while he remains in custody.

Last month, the defense requested a change of venue. Court records indicate the request was granted, resulting in the case being transferred out of Bates County. The case will now be handled in Henry County Circuit Court.

The case is now set for a jury trial on Monday, March 30th, 2026. Lewis remains in custody pending trial.

Obituary - Beverly Griffin

Beverly Ann (Kisinger) Griffin, age 83, La Cygne, Kansas passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at her home surrounded by family. She was born October 7, 1942, the youngest daughter of John Edward and Louella Marie Sandstedt Kisinger. She graduated from Olathe North High School in 1960. After graduation she attended cosmetology school. After working in several salons, Beverly opened her own shop, "The Curly Comb" in Bucyrus, Kansas. Beverly was united in marriage to Tarry Lee Griffin on November 22, 1960. They celebrated their sixty-fifth anniversary last fall. Beverly was an accomplished barrel racer, being one of the first Kansas NBHA members. She served as a district director and was recognized by the national office as a Top Hand for her efforts raising money for state final awards. In addition to her love of horses, she loved the game of golf and crappie fishing. Beverly was well known as an excellent cook and expert seamstress. She gave freely of her time to the La Cygne United Methodist Church, Food Pantry, and Meals On Wheels. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and Linn Valley Ladies Golf. Beverly loved spending time with her family and friends, occasionally enjoying a "small one". She was preceded in death by her parents. Beverly is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, T.L. Griffin, two sons, Tim Griffin and Jody Bloodgood, and Chris Griffin and Carrie Buttron, a daughter, Pam Griffin, two sisters, Barbara Hines, and Betty James, grandchildren, Shannon(Dave), Rhett(Brittany), Madie(Brennan), Maxie(Jarod), Sarah(Austin) and Jaden(Gus), and ten great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held 10:30 am Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at the La Cygne United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday, February 10 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the La Cygne United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Recipe of the Week

 

The Museum Minute: Chickens just 6 cents

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of February 11

1900 The population of Bates County is 30,141 dropping 2,082 since 1890.

1915 The Adrian School Agricultural Class is needing 1,000 to 1,500 eggs per week until May 15. They will be selling chickens at 6 cents each.

1915 A new secret society has been organized in Adrian. It is to be named the Unlimited Gall Society. J.E. Hudelson doesn't make the group, citing he "lacked cheek". 

1922 Rich Hill has a cure for drunks. Instead of eating and sleeping at city expense, they are taken to the cinder pile and must load a number of wagons before going back to their cell. At present, two prisoners have loaded 25 loads.

1922 About 300 people of the Foster neighborhood enjoy and oyster supper given by the Farmers Elevator Co. 17 new members sign up.

1949 Now showing at Fisk Theater, in Butler, Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in "Back in the Saddle" for two showings.

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Whyte, Dan to MLTS IV Str 8-38-32 //Ne

Haddock, Howard S to Hearting, Susan L Trust 09-17-2024 Str 11-39-29 //Ne

Wise, Ian to Wirkkula, James Str 16-40-32 //Ne

Brubaker, Matthew S. to Penner, Rudolph Str 23-38-32

Resz, Joseph Eric to Brown, Gerald Str 16-40-29 //Se

Lile, Derek to S & T Royal Properties Bl 14 Montgomery's Second Addn

Dizney, Warren K. to Dizney, Warren K. & Teresa L. Trust 01-27-2026 Lt 4 Wemola Acres

Sargent, Lance Edward to Jones, Patricia L Str 23-40-31 //Sw+

West Central Investments Group to Kisner, Korbin E Str 23-40-31 //Sw

Swinger, Douglas C to Midcontinent Equity Holdings LLC Str 22-40-31 //Se

Hedges, Floyd S to Spencer, Rhett M Lt 1 Bl 2 Reese's Second Addn+

Clapp, Leona to Clapp, Leona L Str 15-40-31 //Nw

Webb, Dustin D to Webb, Kerra B Str 32-41-31 //Sw

Herr, Sigrid A (Co-Trustee) to Herr, Sigrid Ann Str 8-38-32 //Ne

Herr, Sigrid A (Co-Trustee) to Koehn, Will David Str 10-38-32 //Nw

Haddock, Shay  (Trustee) to Haddock, Howard S Str 6-39-29

Tenholder, James Joseph (Trustee) to Tenholder, Kenneth Lee Str 17-41-30 //Se

S&W Foreclosure Corp to New American Funding, LLC Str 35-42-33 //Se

Nitsche Family Trust 6-10-2009 to Champlin, Teresa Bl 14 Couch's Addn

Marriage license

Cates, Robert Dean Jr and Hoover-Vires, Debra Christine

Dawn, Cole Anthony and Servil, Paola Zaphira

Bates County Court News

Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding
Fines do not include added court costs

St v Tanner Johnson- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Owen Cook- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Owen Cook- speeding, fine $200.50

City of Butler v John Curnutte- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Emily Nevener- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Renee Bush- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Henry Cordes- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Christopher Gardner- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Jesse Egarta- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Josie Wagner- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Charles Jones- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Dylan Wilson- speeding, fine $200.50

St v Darcy Selfridge- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Jonathan Lasiter- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Whitney Pilcher- fail to secure child, fine $10.00

St v Calan Rich- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Chance Russell- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Gustavo Flores- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Marevina Cato- speeding, fine $200.50

St v Roy Gibson- speeding, fine $428.50

St v Bradley Shreve- fail to register vehicle, fine $53.50

City of Rich Hill v Barbara Brooks- defective equipment, fine $138.50

City of Rich Hill v Adam Bridgewater- defective equipment, fine $163.50

Obituary - Carolyn Marie Hill

Carolyn Marie Hill, 76, of Butler, MO, formerly of Thornton, CO, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at her home. Service information will be posted when they are available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home.
Carolyn Marie Hill was born on November 15, 1949, to Clark Amerius Steel and Frances Marie (Lindic) Steel in Spokane, WA. She grew up there on the family farm and graduated from Reardon High School in 1968. After school, she worked at Yellowstone National Park before she joined the United States Air Force and served for 4 years. Later, she moved to the Thorton, CO, area, and she raised her two children, Michael and Megan. Carolyn worked a long career at Kraft Cheese doing procurement until her retirement. She loved spending time doing activities like riding her motorcycle through the mountains of Colorado, shopping, traveling, selling Mary Kay, and loving on her animals.

Carolyn Marie Hill is preceded in death by her father, Clark Amerius Steel; son, Michael Ryan Hill; and sister, Colleen Lindberg. She is survived by her mother, Frances Marie Steel of Reardon, WA; daughter, Megan Bolin of Butler, MO; granddaughter, Marissa Bolin; great-grandson, Kashton Bolin; brother, Craig Steel; and nephews and nieces.

Possible record breaking temps today