Showers possibly returning tomorrow

Toasty for the foreseeable future

 

City of Archie working to contain water leak

 City of Archie crews are working a water leak at the corner of Jefferson Street and East Chestnut Street.

We will attempt to isolate the leak. If we cannot isolate, we will schedule a full town shut down for 9:00PM tonight, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Thank you for your patience.

Updates to be posted as they become available.

Paige Switzer earns title of Registered Nurse

 

Big congratulations to Paige Switzer, RN!

Paige recently passed her state board exam to become a registered nurse, and we couldn’t be prouder! While studying at Crowder College, she worked in our Emergency Department as a CNA and in our Lab as a phlebotomist.

Now, she’s officially joined our ED team as a full-time RN. Way to go, Paige! Your dedication and hard work are inspiring.

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

From the Rich Hill Fire Department

I'm writing to share some insights into the dedicated work of the Rich Hill Fire Department and the increasing demands placed upon our volunteer firefighters.

Our department is staffed by incredibly committed men and women who selflessly dedicate their time to preserving life and property within our community. These individuals spend countless hours of their personal time in rigorous training sessions and regularly visit the station to familiarize themselves with our trucks and equipment. When a call comes in, they drop everything and rush to provide aid to whoever needs assistance. This unwavering dedication is a cornerstone of our community's safety.

As you can see from the data below, the volume of calls for service has risen significantly over the past few years. The numbers reflect the period from January 1st to July 21st of each respective year:

* **2020:** 87 calls

* **2021:** 96 calls

* **2022:** 90 calls

* **2023:** 128 calls

* **2024:** 181 calls

* **2025:** 218 calls

This consistent increase in call volume underscores the growing need for our services and highlights the commitment of our firefighters, who continue to respond effectively to incidents. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and for the support of our community.

Sincerely,

Operations Chief Entrikin

Final two Christmas in July winners

 

The Hume Fair & Rodeo committee would like to congratulate the last two Christmas in July winners Nevaeh Hinds and Kora Deems! The kids have done a spectacular job of finding ornaments around the city park and have been rewarded for their efforts.

The games were all in preparation for the upcoming Hume Fair & Rodeo which kicks off next week; see the full schedule HERE.

We'll see you there!

Clearing skies, much warmer

Butler students participate in Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience

Kalie Korkmaz and Breanna Werner, both of Butler High School, were among the 96 high school students from across Missouri who participated in the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) program. The conference was held July 15-18, 2025, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City. They were sponsored by the COOPERATIVE, TOWN.

Each year, this action-filled four days provides high school students opportunities to learn what it is like to be involved in politics, the cooperative form of business and being a leader. The program included nationally known speakers and time at the Missouri State Capitol learning how a bill goes through the process to become a law. To learn more about electric cooperatives, the group was divided up into teams that competed in various events such as the “build a cooperative” game.

Another highlight was hearing from the Rachel’s Challenge Organization. The presentation details the story of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine school shootings. Rachel’s family and friends speak to youth around the world about her legacy of being a positive role model to everyone she met in life.

Students toured the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. They also saw a live powerline demonstration and learned all about electric vehicles at Central Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters.

The learning didn’t end in Jefferson City. Students took a day trip to St. Louis to tour the City Museum and St. Louis Arch. They also enjoyed an evening of food and games at Dave & Buster’s.

The CYCLE program is in its 22nd year and is a recipient of the National Community Youth Service award for the top youth program among all electric cooperatives in the country.

Local back-to-school dates

Adrian R-3 August 19
Appleton City R-II August 19
Archie R-V August 20
Ballard R-2 August 20
Butler R-V August 19
Drexel R-IV August 19
Harrisonville August 18
Hume R-VIII August 28
Louisburg 416 August 14
Miami R-1 August 19
Midway R-1 August 19
Montrose XIV August 19
Nevada R-V August 19
Pleasanton 344 August 20
Prairie View 362 August 14
Rich Hill R-IV August 19
Sherwood R-VIII August 20

Local '25-'26 football schedules

 Midway

Nevada

Harrisonville

Butler

Drexel/Miami

Adrian

Appleton City/Montrose

Archie

Cow out on west 52 highway

 As the rain pours down, there is an extra hazard as a cow is reported out and along 52 highway west of Butler about a mile west of K highway. 

Use extra caution if traveling through the area.

The Museum Minute: Safe combination easy to find

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

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of July 23

1813 In a special treaty, the Osage Indian tribes give up claims to several Missouri counties, including Bates.

1840 The first official post office opens in Bates County, and is located at the village of Pleasant Gap.

1949 Pierre Papin, for which Papinville is named, dies of cholera.

1871 O.D. Austin, Bates Co Record newspaper editor, rips into the city council for the horrible stench from hogs allowed within the city limits of Butler.

1898 The Hume Border Telephone newspaper is offering subscriptions for $1 per year. 

1915 Work is being rushed to complete the $5,000 school in Amsterdam.

1967 Bates county has 15 manufacturing establishments with a payroll of nearly $800,000.00

1978 An early morning robbery at the Passaic MFA elevator reveals $115 taken and the combination to the safe is found written on a piece of paper nearby.

1999 The Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association 21st show begins at the grounds east of Adrian (Frontier Village).

BCMH Announces Additional Community Meetings

 Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) has announced two additional community meetings following its successful series of summer town hall events in Adrian, Rich Hill, Butler, and Hume.

These meetings are part of the hospital’s continued effort to reintroduce residents to their local hospital — offering updates on services, addressing questions about healthcare access and sustainability, and opening the door for more direct communication between hospital leadership and the communities they serve.

The newly scheduled events include:

Amsterdam Area Community Talk

Tuesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m.

 Amsterdam Community Center, 8524 NW State Rt. Y, Amsterdam, Mo.

 Residents of Amsterdam, Amoret, Virginia, and nearby areas are encouraged to attend for a conversation about local healthcare and hospital services.

Elected Officials Briefing

Thursday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m.

 BCMH Education Center, 615 W. Nursery Street, Butler, Mo.

 All city, county, and township elected officials in Bates County are invited to attend a focused briefing and open discussion on hospital operations, challenges, and future planning.

The August events build on the momentum of BCMH’s June community talks, which brought forward valuable questions about mental health care, EMS funding, physician recruitment, and hospital stability in today’s rural healthcare landscape. Leaders from across the organization were on hand to speak directly with attendees and share how the hospital is responding to these challenges and opportunities.

“These meetings have been a meaningful way for us to listen, share information, and connect with our community in a personal and transparent way,” said BCMH CEO Greg Weaver. “We’re grateful for the turnout and the honest questions we’ve received so far — and we’re looking forward to continuing those conversations this August.”

Please note: These corrected dates replace those included in an earlier announcement. BCMH appreciates the community’s attention and understanding.

For more information and ongoing updates, visit www.bcmhospital.com/news.

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

Time for Oshkosh, bygosh

This being Oshkosh Week, the annual pilgrimage from far and near heading toward the AirVenture convention in Wisconsin, the usual expected impediments like fog and thunderstorms prevailed to keep pilots from getting there. There was a dearth of transient traffic at Butler associated with the show, since it has been eight months since we’ve had fuel for travelers available here. Notwithstanding, a nice old 1956 Cessna 172 did stop in over the weekend.

As far as fly-over traffic is concerned, we saw a couple of B-2 Stealth bombers flying out to heaven-knows-where, and a distinctive twin-rotor CH-47 was heard beating along under the Thursday overcast. Randy Shannon was planning on flying his CH-750SD homebuilt up to Oshkosh, and Mike Newman of Harrisonville was taking his Cessna Skyhawk to the show. Last Monday, Delaney Rindal and I flew two Cessna 150s home in loose formation after refueling them at Nevada.

If you’re flying up to Harrisonville, be aware that their Common Traffic Advisory Frequency is no longer 123.0 megacycles. They have given up their unused Unicom station in favor of 122.9 Multicom, just like Butler, Lamar, Warsaw and most everyone else. We presume the pilot-controlled-lighting made the switch as well, but be prepared either way.

In national news, the most-popular kit airplane seller, Van’s Aircraft, has announced that it no longer will offer kits for the early RV-3, -4 and -6 models. Improved RV-8 and -9 kits took their place years ago, along with the RV-12 light-sport. Parts and customer support for the flying fleet will continue.

A sad loss of a Cessna Columbia airplane last week seems to be a pilot incapacitation event. The pilot and only occupant received a radar vector prior to landing to the west at San Diego’s Montgomery airport, but never touched down. Instead, the unresponsive airplane continued out to sea on autopilot at 2,600 feet, crashing into the Pacific 470 miles from shore, presumably after the fuel ran out.

The on-going investigation into the Air India Dreamliner crash seems to have zeroed in on the Captain being the one whose hands moved the fuel-control switches, briefly shutting down the engines. Unable to relight them in time, the automated airplane did its best to fly but settled into a schoolyard. How the mistake happened, assuming it was here human error, may always be a mystery.

Our question from last time wanted to know why certain World War I airplanes with radial engines were termed to have “rotary” motors. As reader Terry Bishop was first to point out, those powerplants had the propeller fixed to the crankcase, not the crankshaft, and the whole engine rotated around the stationary crankshaft for cooling and lubrication, at about 1200 rpm. For next week’s brain teaser, why did the twin-engine Lockheed P-38 fighter of WW-II use a control wheel in the cockpit instead of a joystick?  You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com. 

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Gonzales, Shaun to Sign'd By Charlie Lt 8 Bl 2 Atkison Park Addn P3/10+

Davis, Amanda to Sign'd By Charlie Lt 8 Bl 2 Atkison Park Addn P3/10+

West, Autumn Nicole to Davis, Nathan Lt 53 Town Company's First Addn+

L & W Property Management, LLC to Tucker Qualified Spousal Trust 02-21-2024 Bl 4 William's Addn

Schmid, Nicholas to Quillen, Samuel Jack Lt 1 Bl 7 Littles Addn+

Dickinson, Robert Ross to Hartegan, Heather Str 22-40-31 //Sw

Us Solutions to Nameth, Marie Ruth Str 20-40-31 //Nw

Jarrell, Arlene to Jarrell, Arlene (Trustee) Str 11-41-31 //Ne+

Four Rivers Rentals to Bridgewater, Houston Lt 7 Bl 47 Town Company's First Addn

Kauffman, Mona Lynn to Mcelwain, Marcia Lea Str 14-40-31 //Sw

Thomas, Robert E. Trust 02-28-2009 to Atkinson, Cheyene Lt 5 Bl 6 William's Addn

Gabriel Family Trust 07-10-2014 to Coy, Michael Str 31-40-31 //Sw

Allen, Russell Dean Trust 02-12-2007 to Hollenbeck, Morgan R Str 29-40-31 //Nw

Millsap & Singer, P.C. to Pennymac Loan Services, LLC Lt 1 Bl 4 William's Addn

Arnold-Deems, Theresa L (Trustee) to Petty, David Lt 8 Bl 56 Rich Hill, Original Town Of+

Marriage license

Thompson, Andrew Jonathan and Gallagher, Elizabeth Larryn

Thunderstorms possible this morning

Hume’s Baileigh Rogers Named Youth Athlete of the Year Candidate

By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV

Hume, MO – The Hume community is rallying behind Lady Hornets basketball standout Baileigh Rogers, who has been selected as a candidate for the prestigious Youth Athlete of the Year award.

Rogers, just a sophomore, has already built an impressive athletic résumé. This past season she was named District Player of the Year, along with earning multiple conference honors for her standout performance on the court. Her work ethic, leadership, and determination have made her one of the top young athletes in the area—and now, she’s getting recognized on a national level.

Being selected as a candidate for Youth Athlete of the Year is a high honor, but the final award will come down to votes from the public. The Hume community and surrounding area are encouraged to get involved and help support Rogers in this exciting opportunity.

To learn more about Baileigh’s nomination and to cast your vote, visit: athleteoftheyear.org/2025/baileigh-120f.

Let’s help bring this award home to Hume!

Lady Bears Go Undefeated at Tri-Lakes Shootout

By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV

Branson, MO – The Butler Lady Bears Basketball team made a statement at the Tri-Lakes Shootout in Branson last week, with the varsity squad going undefeated in the summer tournament.

The Lady Bears varsity team played six games in just two and a half days, finishing with an impressive 6-0 record. Their wins came against a tough lineup of opponents, including Ozark (AR), Woodland (MO), Dardanelle (AR), Crest Ridge (MO), Ozark Mountain (AR), and a competitive travel team from Arkansas known as the Lightning. One of the highlights of the weekend was an overtime victory against Ozark Mountain, where the Lady Bears showed grit and determination to pull off the win.

Beyond the wins, coaches praised the players for their teamwork, communication, and their ability to make in-game adjustments. The girls have been working hard all summer, setting the stage for what looks to be an exciting winter season ahead. Coach Lacey Cook tells Tailgate TV that the girls are “really looking promising for next year!” – and we agree!

The trip wrapped up with a well-earned visit to Silver Dollar City, where the team celebrated their success.

Dangerously hot this afternoon

Bates County Community Health Foundation Awards 2025 Scholarships

Each year, the Bates County Community Health Foundation (BCCHF) designates a portion of its donations and fundraising proceeds to support local students pursuing careers in health care. For the 2025–2026 academic year, BCCHF is proud to award scholarships to the following Bates County students:

Mackenzie Davis, from Butler, MO, is attending Rockhurst University, where she is pursuing a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Mackenzie has shadowed in the Rehab Services Department at Bates County Memorial Hospital several times over the past one to two years. She is a second-year recipient of the BCCHF Scholarship.

Jenna Shipley, from Adrian, MO, is attending the University of Central Missouri and working toward a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition to become a registered dietitian. Jenna is also a second-year recipient of the BCCHF Scholarship.

Brooke Miller, from Butler, MO, has been accepted into the six-year Pharmacy Assurance Program at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Scholarship criteria include:

• Residency in Bates County

• Acceptance into a healthcare-related program

• Pursuit of a career in the healthcare field

• Minimum 3.0 GPA (verified with transcript)

• Strong communication skills

• Essay outlining motivation to pursue a healthcare career

• Three letters of recommendation

BCCHF congratulates Mackenzie, Jenna, and Brooke on their achievements and their commitment to the field of healthcare.

Learn more about the foundation and its efforts at https://www.bcmhospital.com/foundation/