Report from the Bates County Commission

September 22, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
John attended the Kasinger Basin meeting in Clinton on Thursday September 18.
Sheriff Anderson and Chief Deputy Corbin came over to discuss the Property and Casualty insurance. Law enforcement being a determining factor in insurance coverage, cost and occurrences.
Trent made the motion to approve the Travelers Insurance quote. John seconded. All voted yes. Motion carried with no opposition.

September 24, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Lindsey Chaffin with Great River came in for the bid opening on the TAP Project for the Courthouse Sidewalks. In attendance were Andrew Deihl Buildet, Andy Jones SB Wyatt Contracting, Roger Koehn and Ryan Glass with Koehn Buildings.
Buildet $233,126.75
SB Wyatt Contracting $274,005.00
Koehn Buildings $244,139.00.00
Great River will go over the bids to ensure accuracy and make a recommendation to the Commission in a week. MoDOT will also have to approve.
County Clerk Jami Page came in with information from the Hospital on their upcoming Wellness Event. Jim had asked about the county paying for some of the screening done at the fair for the county employees. The Hospital offered a discounted price for the screening. They ask for a list of people the county would be paying for if approved.
Trent made the motion to pay for the BCMH Wellness blood work screening for every county employee that elects to have it done. John seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion passed with no opposition.
At 1:52 p.m. Trent Nelson made the motion to go into closed session to discuss a personnel issue with Jami Page pursuant to 610.021(3). John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
At 2:31 p.m. Trent made the motion to go back into open session. John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Trent made the motion to pay out Walnut and New Home CART funds as they completed the requirements. John seconded. All voted yes. Motion passed with no opposition.
( West Boone and Mt Pleasant are the last 2 townships that have not completed the requirements for CART Funds)
Work in progress
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 updated 9/10/25.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. As of 8/7/25, nine people need to sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley). ($106,888.79 to date 9/3/2025)
4. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 8/13/25 updated 9/10/25 fixed fee reduced to $9,500.00.

Obituary - Barbara J. Bradfield

Barbara J. Bradfield, 71, of Peculiar, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 1:30pm on Monday, October 6, 2025, with a visitation 1:00-1:30pm at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO. Burial will follow in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, MO. A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Obituary - Jessica Ann Holt

Jessica Ann Holt, 28, passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Toalson Family Farm in Urich, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to Lily's House in Adrian, MO and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Jessica Ann Holt was born May 20, 1997, in Clinton, Missouri, to Richard Allen Paluch and Kendra Leanne Holt. After Rick’s passing in 2011, Jessie was adopted by Thomas Holt and proudly carried the Holt name from then on.

Jessie began school in Adrian, Missouri, later transferring to Sherwood Middle School. High school wasn’t the right fit for her, so she earned her GED in 2014 and then attended Matuska Taxidermy School in Iowa. It was there that her incredible artistic ability truly flourished. Jessie’s creativity was limitless—there wasn’t anything she couldn’t design, build, or bring to life.

Growing up, Jessie shared a special bond with her siblings. She and her sister Krystal—despite their eight-year age difference—shared the same artistic streak and sense of humor. Jessie always looked up to her big brother Kody, whom she lovingly called KOBO. One of their favorite games was “HIKE,” which was really just football, but of course, Jessie made it her own. Kody remembers that Jessie always did things in her own way, and why we are here today is proof of that. The world was truly robbed of her talent and spirit—most never knew just how creative she was.

Her connection with Toalson and Larissa was also inseparable; the three of them were like triplets, always together and usually up to some kind of shenanigans. They spent hours riding four-wheelers, taking back roads with the music cranked up, singing loud, stopping at their favorite spot just to sit and talk.

Jessie was also a devoted big sister to Trystan and Trey, always involved in their growing up—helping with class parties, birthdays, and everyday life. Later, she loved being “Aunt Jessie” to each of her nieces and nephews.

Jessie was happiest outdoors. She loved hunting turkey and deer with Thomas, making memories he will forever hold close. Mushroom hunting was her true expertise—walking miles with Thomas or with her dad at Longview Lake in search of morels. She even earned the title of “best ditch asparagus picker.” Jessie never passed up a fishing trip—whether for bass, crappie, or trout at Roaring River. She proudly called herself an “expert snagger,” and she may not have been wrong, landing many big spoonbill over the years. Every time she came home, the first thing she wanted was to head to Grandma Kay’s lake to fish. Summers at the lake were filled with camping, tubing, and setting jug and limb lines for catfish. Being on the boat was truly her happy place.

Fall was her favorite season—bonfires, hayrides, haunted houses, carving pumpkins, and especially trips to the Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun with her dad. She also loved carving pumpkins with her son, JJ.

Jessie loved animals of every kind. Over the years she had a pet deer, a potbelly pig, and even a mischievous rooster—but most of all she adored her stubby cat, a gift from her dad.

Her Nana was often able to fix just about any crisis—except when Jessie’s beloved “Be-Bop,” which she carried everywhere, got mutilated. After that, we had to call it “Franken-Bop,” and Jessie would accept no substitutes.

In 2018, Jessie gave birth to her beautiful son, Jessie James “JJ” Wilson. Jessie loved JJ with her whole heart. They shared not only a name but a special mother-son bond. She always made their time together deeply meaningful and full of love.

Jessie later became engaged to Ben Whitmore, her soulmate and love of her life. Together they enjoyed working on cars, going to the shooting range, playing video games, and simply being together.

As her mother, I will miss her hugs, her laugh, her beauty, her sarcasm, her love, and her random bouquets of handpicked wildflowers with notes that always assured me how much she loved me. I will miss her sense of adventure and her ability to do anything she set her mind to. I love the way she did everything her own way—in “Jessie style.”

If you were a friend of Jessie’s, or part of her family, and she loved you—she loved you with her whole heart. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to make her mad, because I’m pretty sure she could whip just about anybody!

Jessie’s favorite flowers were daffodils. She couldn't wait for springtime every year so she could pick as many as possible and even believed that her and her sister Larissa discovered a new species when they were younger . If you want to remember her please take some bulbs and plant them and think of her in the spring when the world is beautiful again.

Jessie was preceded in death by her father, Richard Paluch; paternal grandfather, Dale Paluch; maternal grandmother, Mary Lois Simpson Page; and Richard Page.

She is survived by her parents, Thomas and Kendra Holt; her beloved son, JJ; brothers, Trystan and Trey Holt; grandmother, Kay Holt, all of Urich, Missouri; sister, Krystal Cooper (Clinton); brother, Kody (Kortney) Cook of Spring Hill, Kansas; brother, Toalson Holt of Holden, Missouri; sister, Larissa (Mike) Fultz of Conover, North Carolina; maternal grandparents, Ken and Gisela Kalwei of Kansas City, Missouri; paternal grandmother Phyllis Paluch , Independence, Missouri, nieces and nephews, Eddie and Quinton Smith, Isla and Violet Cooper, Kohen Cook, and Carter Fultz; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Jessie fought hard for a long time, and now she is at peace. She will live forever in our hearts.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Weekend showers ahead

Obituary - Gerry Ann Ketron

Funeral services for Gerry Ann Ketron of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler.  Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.  Contributions to Bates County Elks Lodge.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Gerry Ann Moore Ketron, age 87 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at home.  She was born November 21, 1937 to Ralph Edgar and Mary Catherine Miller Moore in Butler, Missouri.

Gerry is survived by one daughter, Judi Warren of Butler, Missouri; four grandchildren, Heather, Megan Jones and husband Antonio of Butler, Missouri, and Sasha and Matthew; 16 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Donna Moore of Butler, Missouri; and many nephews and nieces.  Gerry was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; beloved grandmother, Minnie Miller; one brother, Don Moore; and a sister-in-law, Charmaine Ketron.

More information regarding Adrian Homecoming

 The parade will begin at 2 pm tomorrow. Good luck to all candidates!

The 2025 Homecoming Paint the Town Red winner is...

1st Place: Community First Bank (West Branch)

2nd Place: Steiner's Restaurant & Bar

3rd Place: Kellie Davidson State Farm Agent

Thank you to ALL of the businesses who participated this year. We had the BEST turnout yet and we hope to see you all again next year.

Pictured: Community First Bank (West Branch) and the Traveling Bear Trophy. Congratulations!

Butler Homecoming parade information

 

Butler Homecoming Parade 2025

Business Floats

No political floats will be allowed.

We are excited to invite local businesses to take part in this year’s

Hollywood Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 3rd.

Parade Details:

• Line-Up: Begins at 1:30 PM at the Fairgrounds (enter through the east entrance).

• Business Staging: Businesses will line up on the west side of the rodeo arena and continue south toward the back of the grounds.

• Order: Businesses will follow Alumni entries in the parade. Large trucks are asked to stay near the back, though exact order is flexible.

• Group Entries: If your business is meeting as a group, please gather first at the Fair Building. Once your group is ready, you may proceed to the line-up area.

• Parade Start: 2:00 PM

We would love to see your creativity and spirit represented in this year’s parade!

Questions or Float Registration:

Contact Jalyn Watson or Addison Hawks.

660-679-6121 ext 253

jalyn.watson@butler.k12.mo.us

addison.hawks@students.butler.k12.mo.us

Additional information from FM 921news:

Another Butler Homecoming 2025 activity to add to your calendar!

Butler Alumni get together and hayride. Will be held on ---- October 4th at 5:00 pm. at Poplar Heights Living History Farm, 5250 NE County Road 5004, Butler (Take Mill Street/H Highway East until you come to UU highway. Turn left. Continue on UU until the pavement runs out. Take a right on the gravel road. Go about a mile and the farm will be on the left.) Bring your own drinks, appetizers to share, and lawn chairs. The Butler Alumni will take donations for expenses, and the remaining amount will go to the Butler Alumni Association.

You are also invited to the BHS Alumni Dance!!!

To be held Saturday ,October 4th, 2025 9-12 at Alley Tavern.

DJ Mike Kershner.

Free will donation, all proceeds go to the BHS Alumni Association.

They hope to see you there!