Thank you from the Drexel Fire Department

 

Last Tuesday, Drexel Fire was called to the residence of one of our own for a structure fire. During an incredibly difficult time, the support shown to our department and our firefighter’s family was overwhelming and deeply appreciated.

We would like to personally thank all of the following departments and individuals who assisted our crews on scene. Whether you provided apparatus, manpower, water, food, or support in any other way, we are extremely grateful.

Thank you to:

Dolan-West Dolan Fire Protection District

Central Cass County Fire Protection District

Adrian Fire Department

West Peculiar Fire Protection District

Western Cass Fire Protection District

Bates County Ambulance

Drexel Casey’s

Bartholomew Oil

Patty Dillon Dreher

Dwight McCubbin

Jonathan Mccubbin

Shelbi Evans & son

Your generosity, teamwork, and compassion are a powerful reminder of how strong the fire service and our community truly are.

Thank you!

Chief Sheryl Booker

Big night for Adrian wrestling

The Adrian Blackhawks hosted the Ozark Highlands Conference tournament tonight! It was a great night of wrestling! The boys finished in 6th place and the girls are your OHC Champions finishing with 154 points!

Individual results:
106 - Jaxon Disney 6th place
113 - Corbin Russell 4th place
120 - Jaxon Combs 4th place
132 - Sebastian Dougan 6th place
144 - Will Trotter  3rd team All-Conference
285 - Tyler Todd 4th place

100 - Danika Keyton  Conference Champion
105 - Dallys Shaffer  2nd Team All-Conference
115 - Nyiomi Bradley  2nd Team All-Conference
120 - Mia Bosch 4th place
125 - Libby Nebocat  2x Conference Champion
130 - Kendall Bailey  2nd Team All Conference
135 - Tayler Essenpries  2x Conference Champion
140 - Abygail Patterson  2nd Team All-Conference
155 - Addie Davis  Conference Champion
170 - Jayden Murray  2nd Team All-Conference
190 - Macy Schipper  2nd Team All- Conference
235 - Rona Shelton  2nd Team All-Conference

Rich Hill announces change regarding council meeting date

 

Starting in February, city of Rich Hill Council meetings will be on the 2nd Wednesday of each month unless otherwise announced.

Be extra careful when shoveling snow

Snow shoveling leads to over 11,000 injuries annually. Before you reach for your shovel, take a moment to review these essential safety tips to safeguard your heart, back, and shoulders.

Know Your Limits:

Experts warn that shoveling snow can exert as much energy as sprinting at nine miles per hour! If you smoke, have high blood pressure, or suffer from a heart condition, consider seeking assistance.

Safety Tips:

• Take regular breaks, warm up your muscles and stay hydrated.

• Opt for a lightweight shovel and avoid overfilling it.

• Bend at the knees instead of the back to minimize strain.

• Dress in layers and cover your nose and mouth to warm the air you inhale.

For more resources on preparing for and responding to severe weather, including tips on preventing frozen pipes, creating a disaster supply kit and first aid for storm-damaged trees, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wZjgF

Weather related closings and cancellations

This page to be updated as information becomes available

Adrian Kreisler pharmacy closed Saturday

Adrian School District JV girls games at Louisburg have been canceled due to impending weather. They will not be rescheduled.
Butler Youth basketball grades 1&2 9 am Saturday game vs Fort Scott has been cancelled

Cottey College Saturday's Home Basketball Game has been RESCHEDULED due to impending winter weather. The game has been moved to Tuesday, January 27th, with a 5:30pm tipoff.

Fort Scott Livestock Market Cow sale Friday; Saturday sale canceled due to incoming weather.

Sherwood Cass R-8 Ties and Tiaras event postponed until February 1st

Summers Pharmacy, Butler MO closed Saturday

 

Obituary - Joan B. Nixon

Joan B. Nixon age 88 of Lee's Summit, Missouri departed this life Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at her home surrounded by love and family. 

Cremation with a celebration of life will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 2, 2026 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Lee's Summit, Missouri with inurnment at Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery, Lee's Summit, Missouri. 

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 2, 2026 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Lee's Summit, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs or American Heart Association. Donations can be made through the links or mailed to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701. 

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available. 

Obituary - Richard Scott (“Rick”) Zellmer

Richard Scott (“Rick”) Zellmer passed away on December 26, 2025, at his home in Hondo, Texas.

Rick was born on October 16, 1962, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri, to Jack and Patsy Zellmer. He graduated from Butler High School with the Class of 1981 and went on to attend the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1984. He later received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. While at Mizzou, Rick was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity, where he formed lifelong friendships.

Rick worked for several years in New York and Connecticut. During that time, he met and married Jill Rosenbluth, and together they had a son, Jacob Cameron (“Jake”) Zellmer. Following their divorce, Rick returned to Missouri and later settled in Texas, where he purchased land, raised crops, and fully embraced the Texas life he loved.

In December of 2023, Rick was diagnosed with cancer. He faced his illness with strength and determination and received a clear PET scan in November of 2025. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who supported Rick during this time—those who stayed in touch, offered prayers, accompanied him to medical appointments, and provided care during his chemotherapy and radiation treatments, while also supporting his family.

Rick is survived by his son, Jake Zellmer; his mother, Patsy Zellmer; his sister, Pam Zellmer and her husband, Rex; his brother, Mike Zellmer; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Zellmer.

A memorial service will be held in Butler, Missouri, in the spring. The date will be announced at a later time.

Report from the Bates County Commission

January 14, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Jami Page sat down with the Commission for the Budget Hearing. They reviewed the finalized budget and signed off on it.
John made a motion to approve the budget. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Jami will submit the budget to the State.
Jami designed and typed up a Resolution for a Property Tax Credit question to be added to the ballot. They discussed Senate Bill 190 and Senate Bill 3. Jim stated that they had violated the statute on Senate Bill 190 because they didn’t include all the tax levies, just the county’s levy. Jami asked Jim if they were going to revise their ordinance on the Senior Tax Credit. Jim said it would be up to the other two commissioners. He feels that changing the ordinance would violate the Hancock Amendment.
John made a motion to approve Resolution No. 26-001. Trent seconded the motion. Trent and John were in favor, but Jim said that he was only in favor if it did not have any conflict with the Hancock Amendment. Motion carried.