Bates County voting places

Notice is hereby given that a Municipal General Election will be held in Bates County, Missouri on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for the purpose of voting on candidates and ballot issues.

The polling places for the election will be:

ADRIAN PRECINCT: Adrian Optimist Building, 11092 NW County Road 41, Adrian (Adrian R-3 & Archie R-5) All voters in the Adrian R-3 and the Archie R-5 school districts vote here.

AMORET/AMSTERDAM PRECINCT: Amsterdam Community Building, 8524 NW State Route Y, Amsterdam, (Miami R-1) Voters in the City of Amoret, City of Amsterdam, and Homer, Charlotte, West Point, Elkhart Townships vote here. Note: All West Boone Township votes at the Drexel Community Center in Drexel.

BALLARD PRECINCT: Ballard School (Ag Building), 10247 NE State Route 18, Butler (Ballard R-2) All voters in the school district vote here.

BUTLER PRECINCT: Butler High School Gymnasium, 420 S Fulton, Butler (Butler R-5) All voters in the school district vote here.

DREXEL PRECINCT: Drexel Community Center, 410 E. Bates, Drexel (Drexel R-4 & Miami R-1) Voters in the City of Drexel, Village of Merwin, and all West Boone Township vote here.

HUDSON / ROCKVILLE PRECINCT: Hudson School, 15012 NE State Route 52, Appleton City, (Hudson R-9, Appleton City R-2 & Rich Hill R-4) All voters in the City of Rockville and Rockville Township vote here.

HUME PRECINCT: Hume Legion Hall, 9355 SW 1ST Street, Hume (Hume R-8) Voters in the City of Hume and Howard and Walnut Townships vote here.

RICH HILL PRECINCT: Rich Hill 4th of July Building, 501 E. Park Avenue, Rich Hill (Rich Hill R-4) Voters in the City of Rich Hill, Village of Foster, and Osage, Lone Oak, Pleasant Gap, Hudson, Prairie, New Home South, Walnut, Howard Townships vote here.

The polling places will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. during which time any person properly registered to vote in Bates County, Missouri and has an acceptable form of identification, will be given the opportunity to cast his or her ballot.

Done by order of the County Clerk of Bates County, Missouri this 2nd day of March, 2026

Jami Page

Bates County Clerk

Election Authority

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Bates County: Notice of election

Notice of No Election Per RSMo 115.124

Notice is hereby given that the following political subdivisions will not have an election for the following positions at the April 7, 2026 General Municipal election. That candidates shall assume responsibilities of their office at the same time and in the same manner as if they had been elected.

Bates County Memorial Hospital Board

Rock Marquardt

Adrian School Board

Dave Knuth

Troy Engelhardt

Appleton City School Board

3 year term

Nick Oehring

Catherine Brownsberger

Stephanie Preson

1 year term

Cathy Grishow

Ballard School Board

Jill Hill

Preston Wainscott

Amy Borland

Hudson School Board

Bridget Merryfield

Matthew Green

Kathy Knox

Hume School Board

Greg Fillpot

Franklin Dirks

Zachary Terry

Rich Hill School Board

Marty Tourtillott

Landon Swope

Bryan Brocka

City of Amoret

Mayor

Charles (Rob) Vunovich

Alderman

Cody Ayres

Steve Crawford

City of Drexel

Alderman

Steven Graham

Jim Harris

PWSD #1

PWSD #2

PWSD #3

PWSD #4

PWSD #5

PWSD #6

PWSD #12

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Staying socially connected can be quite healthy

Staying socially connected is key to aging well. Strong social ties help older adults live longer, stay mobile and reduce the risk of depression and dementia, while isolation is linked to a 29% higher risk of early mortality.

MU Extension offers programs that help adults stay active and connected, both in person and online. Options such as Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention, Wits Workout, Stay Strong Stay Healthy and Osher@Mizzou support physical and cognitive health while creating opportunities to build relationships.

These programs have meaningful impact. Stay Strong Stay Healthy has served more than 20,000 older adults and improves strength, balance, flexibility, sleep and confidence while reducing fall risk.

Osher@Mizzou gives adults 50 and older a way to stay mentally engaged and socially connected through in-person and online classes that keep minds active and participants connected.

Learn more ways to stay connected as you age: https://brnw.ch/21x0CKj

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Evening forecast update

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Obituary - Christina Lynn Lukenbill

Christina Lynn Lukenbill, 66, Nevada, MO passed away on March 9, 2026, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO following a lengthy illness. Christina was born April 26, 1959, in St. Joseph, MO to Roger A. Lukenbill, Sr. and Eunice May (Adkins) Lukenbill.

Having come with her family from St. Joseph in 1975, Christina was raised in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School. She worked at 3M for 36 years until her retirement. Christina was an avid gardener, and especially loved family gatherings.

Survivors include two daughters, Ariel Poe (Robert), Nevada, and Rachel Dade, Nevada; grandchildren, Freya Poe, Carli Guajardo, Toby Guajardo, and Brody Guajardo; great-grandson, Julien Guajardo; two sisters, Janet DeSpain, Nevada, and Brenda Lukenbill, Nevada; two brothers, Eddy Lukenbill (Marcella), Bronaugh, and Shawn Lukenbill, Nevada; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Roger Lukenbill, Jr. and Douglas Lukenbill; and a sister, Lorinda Lukenbill.

Private family services will be held at a later time.    

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Obituary - Peggy Joan Gardner

On March 9, 2026, after spending the past 42 years in a wheelchair, Peggy Joan Gardner—known to all as Joan—quite literally ran into the arms of Jesus.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1976, and in 1984, after a fall and the tragic loss of her husband in an accident, she lost the ability to walk. Despite these challenges, Joan continued to raise her three teenage daughters, teaching them to live a life that put Christ first. She often said, “I am healthy, I just do everything sitting down,” reflecting the positive outlook and determination that defined her life.

Joan lived independently for many years before spending the final three and a half years of her life at Lincoln Community Care Center, where she continued to impact those around her through her steadfast faith and witness.

Joan was born on February 15, 1940, in Treece, Kansas, to F.O. and Carrie Ryan. She spent her early years in Houston before moving as a teenager to Lowry City, where she graduated with the Lowry City High School Class of 1957. She later met Russell Gardner, and they were married on January 30, 1959, raising five children: Russell “Rusty” Gardner, Ryan Gardner (Phyllis), Kelly Lasswell (Scot), Pam Grace (Tim), and Nancy Gardner.

Joan is survived by her children Rusty, Kelly (Scot), Pam (Tim), and Nancy.

She was incredibly proud of her grandchildren: Christina VanBuskirk (Jeremy), Adam Holmgren, Leroy Holmgren, Zachary Grace (Lindsay), Kyer Lasswell (Johnna), Tyler Grace (Shelby), and Camryn “Cammie” Lasswell; great-grandchildren Haydee (Keelan), Drew (Mallory), Kelsey (Gabe), Parker, Charlotte, Mark, and Reagen; and great-great-grandchildren Kenlyee, Emery, Winry, and Rolan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Gardner; her son, Ryan Gardner; her grandson, Adam Holmgren; her parents, F.O. and Carrie Ryan; and her sister, Mary Lynn Brock.

Joan’s life was a testament to perseverance, faith, and love, and her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched. Those who knew her take comfort in knowing she is now whole and running free.

(Memorials may be directed to Lincoln Community Care Center – Dough For You, benefiting the residents’ Christmas gift fund.)

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Obituary - Michael Ryan King

Michael Ryan King, 76, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at St. Luke's East in Lee's Summit, MO. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 3:30 PM at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Princeton, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blood Cancer Society (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as it is available. 

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Obituary - Margaret Jean Brewster

Margaret Jean Brewster, known lovingly to so many as Jeanie, passed away on March 7, 2026, at her home in Adrian, Missouri. She was 88 years old, and she leaves behind a legacy of love, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to the people she held dear. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jeanie, to Lily’s House. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Jeanie was born on July 17, 1937, in Miami County, Kansas, to Charles Joseph Hartman and Mary Ethel Carter. She grew up alongside her siblings, JE Hartman, Jane Ellen Lane, Mary Jo Poindexter, and Anna Marie Fink, in a household that shaped her generous spirit and grounded her in the values she would carry throughout her entire life. Jeanie was the kind of person who made you feel like you mattered, and that gift started early.

She married Earl James Brewster in 1952, and together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and love. Theirs was a partnership that weathered every season, including many years spent dairy farming, ranching, and crop farming, and Earl remained her steadfast companion through all seventy-three years of their marriage! Together they raised a large and lively family, welcoming nine children into the world: Mike Brewster, Jim Brewster (Katie), Debbie Arnold (John), Mary Kendrick (Monty), Diane Ferguson (Jim), Becky Martens (Carl), Tom Brewster (Terri), Sara Vick (Jeff), and Sam Brewster (Candi). Being a mother was not just something Jeanie did; it was who she was. She poured herself into her children with a devotion that never wavered, and as the years passed, that same love extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each one a treasure to her.

If you were looking for Jeanie on any given day, chances are you would find her surrounded by family, whether gathered around a table, celebrating a milestone, or simply enjoying the comfort of being together. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren more than anything else in the world. She loved each one, so much that every grandchild is sure they are grandma's favorite. She was also an avid reader, someone who found joy and peace in the pages of a good book. But it was her kindness, her loving heart, and her remarkable strength of character that people will remember most. Jeanie had a way of holding things together with grace, of showing up when it counted, and of loving without condition.

Her Christian faith was the bedrock of her life. Jeanie was saved by Jesus on February 24th, 1973, and she was a devout believer whose relationship with God guided her steps, comforted her in difficult times, and gave her a peace that she shared freely with those around her. She lived her faith not with loud words but through quiet, steady example.

Some of her favorite Bible verses are "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me besides still waters." Psalms 23:1-2 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Chances are if you are reading this, you or someone in your life has a baby blanket that was lovingly made by Jeanie. She made hundreds of flannel receiving blankets for anyone she knew that was expecting and even sent them to the NICU where her granddaughter worked. Babies were her joy. To her, a baby was never a bad idea.

Jeanie is survived by her beloved husband, Earl James Brewster; her children, twenty-seven grandchildren, fifty-one great-grandchildren and counting (three on the way), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her son, Mike Brewster and her child, Baby Brewster, her great grandchildren: Judah Arnold and Spencer Ferguson

The family welcomes all who knew and loved Jeanie to join them in celebrating her beautiful life. Rest now, Jeanie. You are home.

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