Butler Elementary school supply drive

 

Alleged sexual predator behind bars in Cass County

On June 26th at approximately 12:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence in the area of S. State Route J in rural Cass County.

When they got there, they made contact with a man who stated his granddaughter was sexually assaulted by a man who was installing floors in the home.

After an on-site investigation, deputies took 63-year-old Enrique Lopez Martinez of Kansas City, Kansas, into custody.

Lopez Martinez has been charged with two felony counts of Statutory Sodomy Or Attempted Statutory Sodomy with a Person Less Than 12 years old.

He’s currently being held at the Cass County Jail with no bond allowed.

Love model trains? Come to Frontier Village July 12th

 

BCMH Rock Star of the Month

 Please join us in congratulating Josh Seitz, Paramedic, as our June Rock Star! Josh was nominated for always being willing to step up and help out wherever he’s needed within the department. His dependable attitude and team-first approach are part of what makes our Emergency Services team so strong. We appreciate all you do, Josh. Thanks for being someone your team can count on!

Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

June 18, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

The folks related to DGD Racing came in on their scheduled meeting. In attendance, with DGD David Dehaemers, Nick Saleh, Davids personal assistant, Roger Cumpton and Michael Hunter, Attorney, Assessor Carl Bettles and Tammy Mackay, State Tax Commission. David came in to see if he could get his 2024 taxes worked out. He has paid his taxes under protest and has filed a complaint with the state tax commission. His property tax was changed to commercial which resulted in a doubling of his taxes. He states he had understood at the Board of Equalization hearing in July of 2024 they had an agreement on the percentages to be changed to 10% commercial and 90% agricultural. He then received a letter stating the Board had decided to go back on the agreement and to leave it as set. Jim, Trent and Carl state there wasn’t an agreement, it was a proposal along with others, that Carl needed to evaluate and let David know. This was not what was in the notes. Clearly there is an impasse here. John stated that there was not even a legitimate board. They did not have the correct number of people or had even sworn in that one person they did have. John feels we need to work this out and honor the agreement. David stated his group used google earth software to minus out the track from the land and is agreeable to 15% commercial and 85% agricultural. They presented the pictures and print out of the results. He states that he built the track for personal use. Then did rent out the track to a few entities who had asked to use the track. Once in 2023, 4 rented days in 2024 which 3 days was Cass County Sheriff Office for training and one to Extreme Racing. This year has been 15 days. The track was built for his own personal use. He had no intention of making it into a rental business. He equated the rental similar to a rental house to which he stated that the laws show that renting less than 14 times a year they do not even have to report that as a business or income. David also stated this falls under Hobby loss rules as this is his hobby. He does not advertise or sell anything promoting the track. He is willing to take it to court but would rather get this resolved and withdraw his complaint. After looking over the pictures Jim questioned some of the pictures as not being agricultural as he didn’t think they could hay the part that looked steep. Rogers stated that was a lagoon. Carl stated he did see on the internet an advertisement for Hedge Hollow Racetrack. David stated that was one of the people he rents to and it is their business they are advertising not his. Jim ran the numbers trying to make the numbers that David presented match the percentages while Carl looked down at his papers for several minutes. John stated we have had weeks of errors out of the Assessor’s office that the commission has resolved. Carl stated that John likes to blow things out of proportion. Tammy stated the Commission cannot decide only Carl could make a stipulation to change the decision. David asked if we could come to an agreement. Tammy stated Carl would need time to reassess the land to figure out the soil grades on the 5% taken away from the agricultural. Carl stated he would give him an answer in a few weeks. John stated they had already had an agreement previously and yet here we are again. Carl agreed to give David an answer by June 30th. Carl will contact him. 

John made the motion to divide out the CART money by $525.00 per mile in each Township. No additional money to be given. Trent seconded the motion All voted yes. No opposition. 

Work in progress 

Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 nothing since April

Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 

Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given nothing since 2/14/2024

Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024 bids out 6/25 opening 6/30/25

Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley)

EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 6/11/25

June 23, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley was out on vacation.

Casey Chastain and Alan Fay with Higginbotham Insurance came in at their late scheduled meeting to discuss what they could do for the County as an insurance broker. They specialize in working with all insurances and work proactively to help the county get and maintain a low premium. They work with several counties and are ready to add us to their clients. Chief Corbin and Captain Shaffer came in the middle of the meeting to ask about preventive care. Alan stated that they will work on getting the coverage we are asking for as in those weight loss programs and preventative coverages.  They asked for a list of our sites to be covered and the past 5 years of claims. They scheduled a walk-through of the jail with Chief Corbin. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for July 2nd.

Obituary - Duane J. Mann Jr.

Duane J. Mann Jr. was born on April 6, 1953, in Lebanon, Missouri, the son of Duane and Agnes Mann and passed away Monday, June 23, in Nevada, MO.  Duane was married to his loving wife Terri for nearly 38 years. 

Duane grew up in a close-knit family, being one of nine siblings. The family, known as the Mann Clan, enjoyed singing at every family get together while Duane and his brother Don played their guitars. 

Duane built a career in the baking industry and became a lifelong member of Teamsters.

Duane had a passion for animals and loved his dogs fiercely. He enjoyed family vacations in the Ozarks.  His witty and contagious sense of humor often brought joy to those around him. He was a prankster and enjoyed making people laugh. 

Duane is preceded in death by his parents, son, Jacob Mann, sister, Lorie Burr. 

He is survived by his wife Terri, daughter Sarah Mann (Ben), brothers Don Mann (Monica), Mike Mann (Connie), David Mann (Kelly), sisters Kathy Palmer (Richard), Regina Harden (Dale), Peggy Burr, Kelly Derringer. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. 

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Courtesy Ferry Funeral Home.

Pop up storms likely to reappear this afternoon and evening

Bates County Commission meeting June 25, 2025

This video is 1 hour, 16 minutes long. You may have to turn up volume. We will replace this video with one that has better audio later tonight.