The Museum Minute: Thieves get a lot of nothing

 

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

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of July 16

1860 The population of Bates County is 6,773. In 1850 it was 3,528.

1881 The Rich Hill Lodge #479 is organized.

1916 The last service of the Ohio Street Baptist Church is held, as the land has been sold to build a new post office (current location). The church will build at Delaware and Pine sts. Butler.

1921 Someone dynamites the safe at the Passaic bank, but got little or nothing for their efforts.

1922 Butler's free tourist campgrounds opens on the Jefferson Highway.

1931 The Peoples Grocery is advertising beef roast, 15 cents a pound, hamburger 2 pounds for 25 cents and bologna 15 cents a pound. West side of the Butler square.

1988 12 teams defy heat and humidity to take part in Grizzell's buddy fishing tournament. Troy Minor and Dale Craft take honors with just over 25 lbs of bass.

1993 Tina Reed, daughter of Bill and Robin Reed, of Adrian, is crowned Bates County Fair Queen. Princess is Angela Plunkett, daughter of Rick & Stella Plunkett, of Butler.

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

 

Wingfield, Wesley H to Wingfield, Wesley Hughes (Trustee) Str 29-40-32 //Se

Bunn, Shane to Bunn, Shane Lt 1 Bl 9 Town Company's First Addn+

Beshroe, John M to MRBWB Str 30-39-30 //Sw

Fischer, Lowell D to Fischer, Gregory D Str 4-38-29 //Nw

Fischer, Gregory D to Fischer, Lowell D Str 24-38-30 //Nw

Marks, Jillian L. to Peckman, Nathan Str 17-42-33 //Se

Leonard, Judy to Leonard, Judy Bl 34 Butler, Original Town Of

Gorman, Todd Michael to Real Estate Assistance Str 2-42-32

Talley, Carol L. to Satrum, Marissa Str 21-42-31 //Ne

West, Michael to Sharp, Geoffrey Lt 1 Bl 38 Rich Hill, Original Town Of+

City State Bank to SC Hardin Properties, LLC Str 21-40-31 //Se

Morris, Caleb to Stump, Charles G Str 23-40-31 //Sw

King, Jozie to King, Jered Str 1-40-33 //Ne

Brooks Chapel Ame Church to Liggins, Doncella Wright Lt 1 Bl 7 Cogswells Addn

Warren, Jamie Lee to Gains, Patricia Ann Lt 28 Conklin's First Addn+

Long, Thomas E to Long, Thomas E  Str 17-38-32 //Se

Cramer, Dennis K to Hutchinson, Tommie Str 22-40-33 //Se

Hennessy, Kristina J Trust 10-22-2010 to Kemin Industries Str 32-40-31 //Ne

Marriage license - none

What's Up by LeRoy Cook

 Helicopter Taken Out By Drone

After skirting around us all week, thunderstorms rolled in for the weekend, thwarting some flights. We had been enjoying smooth early-morning air, and even atop the haze in the afternoon it was tolerable. But a lingering front finally moved down to our area Friday evening. 

We heard a report of a C-130 Hercules transport flying over, accompanied by a pair of Marine Osprey powered-lift assault aircraft. The tilt-rotor Osprey converts from helicopter mode to fixed-wing for cross-country flight, and it is capable of mid-air refueling from equipped C-130s. Among the week’s airport visitors were Tom and Patty Bowles, who flew down from Kansas City in their Cessna Skylane RG. A Cessna Caravan 208B turboprop showed up for the weekend to haul skydivers for SkyDive KC.

Local flyers were Delaney Rindal in one of her Cessna 150s, me in the club’s Cessna Skyhawk and Roy Conley in his Grumman Tr2. Gerald and Sally Bauer took the 172 to Miami County Saturday morning. The BCS AirTractors had a busy week doing aerial application. 

The investigation into the terrible after-takeoff accident of Air India flight 271 a few months ago has revealed a strange turn. From what they’ve found, it appears that both fuel-shutoff controls were in the “off” position, which explains the sudden loss of power. The mystery remains; why were they turned off? 

One of the rescue helicopters working to find victims of the flash-flood disaster in the Hill Country of Texas was taken out of service last week after it ran into a drone flying illegally. There was the usual FAA flight restriction in place, so no aircraft, including drones were supposed to be in the area. But eager drone operators frequently want to get a picture and go where they’re not supposed to be. Our heart goes out to the grieving folks of Kerr County; I’ve spent considerable time in Kerrville visiting the Mooney Aircraft factory. Good people down there.

Congress has approved the appointment of Bryan Bedford, former CEO of Republic Airlines, as the new FAA Administrator, even though he’s only a private pilot. His administrative credentials seem to be impressive, and he wouldn’t be flying in his headman position. Republic always said he was a commercial pilot, but it turns out he only had taken the written. 

Last time, we asked how many runway threshold stripes were painted on the ends of Butler airport’s pavement. After all, we fly over them all the time. But nobody told us there were six strips, two sets of three flanking the centerstripe. That’s standard for 75-foot wide runways; 100-footers get eight. For next week, we’d like to know why some radial engines on early airplanes were called “rotary” engines.  You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com. 

Toasty again by mid week

Video: Harrisonville Board of Aldermen, first July meeting

Soybean yield killer 'Kochia' as showing up in our area

Kochia, a fast-growing, drought-tolerant weed, has been found in Atchison County soybean fields.

Why it matters:
- Competes for resources, potentially reducing yields by up to 70%.
- Produces up to 30,000 seeds per plant, can spread as tumbleweeds and may be herbicide-resistant.
Recommendations:
- Early detection and removal through spot spraying or hand removal.
- Use crop rotation, tillage, fall cover crops, and apply pre-emergence herbicides.
- Target small, newly emerged plants to prevent seed production.
Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wU4Hx

Adrian woman sustains minor injuries in early morning crash

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, this morning around 8:25 a 2019 GMC pickup driven by a 37 year old Adrian woman left the roadway and struck a culvert.

The woman sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment on scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by deputies of the Bates County Sheriff's office.

Due to a policy change, the MSHP no longer provides names of victims in publicly available accident reports. Hardcopy detailed reports are available from the MSHP at a cost of $6 with an unknown delivery time due to a severe backlog, according to the MSHP website.

Obituary - Wallace "Wally" Bauer

After a short battle with cancer, Wallace Walter (Wally) Bauer of Urich, MO passed away at University of Kansas Hospital on Thursday, July 10th, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones.

Wally was born on August 30, 1960, to Walter H. and Evelyn R. (Propeck) Bauer, the youngest of four children. He grew up in Montrose, MO, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Montrose High School, class of 1978. Shortly after high school, Wally took a job with Clearfield Cheese in Clinton, MO working as a mechanic. He transitioned to Freightliner of Springfield, MO in 1985 and served as their night Service Manager for a few years before returning to Henry Co in 1988 and becoming the manager at the Kansas City location. Wally served as a Service Manager for KC Freightliner for nearly 40 years, making lifelong friendships that were more like family. Through hard work, dedication, and a self-taught approach, Wally was able to turn his passion into a lifelong career. He married Nancy (Ross) Bauer on May 28, 1988, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Urich, MO. To this union, two children were born, Michael Bauer in January of 1991 and Erin (Bauer) Schell in February of 1993.

Wally was a passionate and loving soul who cherished time with his family and friends. He was born and raised in the Catholic faith; in later years he served as a CCD teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and right-hand man to the priests of Holy Trinity Church. He enjoyed trap/skeet shooting, playing guitar, racing, and most of all telling stories and making others laugh till there were tears in their eyes. Wally had an exceptional racing career, starting shortly after high school and hanging up his racing suit in the fall of 2008. He raced pure stocks, street stocks, late models, and modifieds. He met and made many friends through this passion, and they all say he was a phenomenal driver and a clean racer. Wally also hosted an annual clay pigeon shoot at his home every fall, inviting anyone he met. He never met a stranger; in fact, his wife and children still laugh about the encounters on family vacations out of state, far and wide, always running into someone he knew.

He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Evelyn, his older brother Robert (Bob) Bauer, Sister-in-Law Ann (Tindall) Bauer, and niece Karla Bauer.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children: Michael (Mollee) Bauer and grandchildren Shelby and Samuel of Urich, MO, and Erin (Darren) Schell and grandchildren Andrea and Theodore Schell; sister Mary (Bill) Harris of Montrose, MO, Rick (Joanne) Bauer of Montrose, MO; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.



The family suggests memorial donations be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Urich, Missouri and may be left at Hill & Son Funeral Home or at the the church the day of Mass.

Spotty showers and a bit cooler

SUNDAY: Highs around 81 today. Cloudy, then clearing toward the afternoon.

Here's a positively-tilted trough over northern Oklahoma right through SE Kansas and West Central MO. This image is right before it possibly forms a closed low over very SW Missouri.
That should keep us in scattered showers with a few T-storms today. These start out on the Kansas side this morning, then the MO side for the afternoon.
No severe weather expected - watch out for flash flooding, as storms will be very efficient rainmakers.
Have an awesome Sunday!

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Ronnie Kahn

Ronald “Ronnie” Fox Kahn, 88, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 2, in Rancho Mirage, California, where he had maintained a winter home for many years.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 4, 1937, to Lester and Ethel Kahn, Ronnie grew up in Butler, Missouri. He attended Wentworth Military Academy, graduating in 1955, and later pursued his education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a member of the ZBT Fraternity. He proudly served in the United States Army, primarily stationed in France. Upon returning home, he married the late Barbara C. Kahn, his devoted wife of 65 years, who died in September 2024.

A successful entrepreneur and business leader, Ronnie was the principal owner and chairman of several transportation and logistics companies, including Kahn Transportation Company, Central States Thermo King (CSTK), Double Check Company, Tri-State Equipment Company and Velociti Inc.

A passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan, Ronnie was a longtime season ticket holder, having secured his seats on the first day they became available in 1963. He also served as a Chiefs Red Coater, embracing his love for the team and community. In retirement, he became an avid golfer and canasta player, and he spent much of his time traveling the world and visiting Michelin-starred restaurants with Barbara.

Throughout his life, Ronnie remained actively engaged in philanthropy and business leadership. He was a member of the Thermo King and Chevrolet Dealer Advisory Councils, as well as a director of Boatsmen Bank in Butler, Missouri, and Tamarisk Country Club. His dedication to charitable causes was reflected in his service and dedication to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Kansas City), the Mayo Clinic (Phoenix) and Beit T’Shuvah (Los Angeles). In 2023, he and Barbara were honored with the Harriet Award for their longstanding philanthropic efforts.

Ronnie was an unstoppable whirlwind of energy and mischief, delighting in playful antics and sparking joy in everyone he met.

Ronnie is survived by his children, Michael L. Kahn and Shelly Kahn Tessel; his grandchildren, Alexander “Sasha” Kahn, Lucie Tessel, Jonah Tessel and Teddy Tessel; his sisters, Lenita and Marcia (Mel); his brother-in-law, Edwin (Susan); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is survived by a wide circle of cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents and his favorite dog, Bogie.

A private family burial took place at Rose Hill Cemetery on June 6, officiated by Rabbi Kramer of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kahn Family Fund for AI Research and Innovation at the Mayo Clinic, a fund dedicated to Alzheimer research (Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905 or give.mayoclinic.org), or to Beit T’Shuvah (8831 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034 or beittshuvah.org/support/donate).

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Ronnie’s dedicated healthcare aides — Crystal, Lupe, Karen and Charlotte — his physician, Dr. Christopher Flores, and his nurse Jennifer at Mission Hospice Services for their compassionate care.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

BCSO assists with Vernon county arrest

On 07-09-2025 The Vernon County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to area of Indian Springs in regards to a possible assault in progress. After arriving on scene, the suspect fled on foot. The suspect was identified as Christopher L McCurdy who had an active warrant. After a quick response from Bates County Sheriff's Office and our deputies, we were able to apprehend McCurdy in the town of Rockville, MO without further incident. McCurdy is being held on his current charges.

Numerous other charges have been sent over to the Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney for review.

I would like give a special thank you to the Bates County Sheriff's Department for assisting our deputies. Having an interworking relationship with surrounding counties and other law enforcement agencies aids in quick and safe action to resolve issues. I still remain committed to protecting the citizens of Vernon County.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

25VE-CR00301

569.160 Burglary 1st Degree, Felony B

565.074 Domestic Assault - 3rd Degree, Felony E

565.054 Assault - 3rd Degree, Felony E

569.120 Property Damage - 2nd Degree, Misdemeanor B

Bond $100,000 Cash Only

Scattered showers and cooler temps for the weekend

Bates County Fair royalty

 

Princess Laney Kohler and Queen Miranda Foster

Little Miss and Mister Bates County Addy Wainscott and Neil Kohler

Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

June 30, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Bid opening for Phone systems and Network systems. iNetVisions were the only bidders. Shane Balk with iNetVisions came in to go over the bids. The first bid for the Courthouse network systems is for $21,460.00 (1893), this will mirror what the administration building is running. Replacing the network and installing firewalls and power protection. There won’t be a central location due to the logistics they have being an old building. All the excessive cables will need to be identified and determined what is needed. This will make things easier for changes or repairs by cutting out the need to loop Lumen into the work order. Something that would take them 30 minutes takes days to get Lumen to do their part of the processes.
Trent made the motion to accept the Courthouse bid (1893) for $21,460.00. John seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Second bid is the Phone systems for the Administration building, Courthouse and EMA building. $48,905.00 (1892) This should bring the phone bill down by eliminating all the rented and leased equipment. This will take some time to learn how each office utilizes their phone systems. Determining what equipment suits those needs more efficiently. This system should pay for itself in 18 months with monthly reoccurring payment savings.
John made the motion to accept iNetVisions proposal for the County’s phone systems for $48,905.00 (1892)
With the phone system moved to iNetVisions the monthly recurring charges will be $435.00 (1903) down from $3,222.26. This is mostly monitoring the system and making changes or repairs as needed.
John made the motion to accept the iNetVisions proposal for monthly reoccurring services for the Phone system of $435.00 (1903). Trent seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
The final proposal is for the internet service point-to-point with the county buildings. $42,465.00 (1900) after some discussion it was decided to drop the EMA building from point-to-point and go with fiber or Starlink. The total drops to $27,925.00 with just the Courthouse and Administration building.
Trent made the motion to accept the point-to-point internet connection with the Courthouse and the Administration Building for $27,925.00. John seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Shane will check into putting fiber and Starlink into EMA. He will start on the project and suspects to have it completed by November 1.
During the wrap up of the meeting with iNetVisions an upset citizen later identified as Meredith Yarick barged in spouting his discontent with how the Senior Tax Credit was done. He stated that “the state deadline is the 30th of June, and I’m told now to sign up for the tax deal for senior citizens on your Property Assessment, Bates County’s got a different date. Is that true?” After calling the Commissioners’ names and stating his opinion of the elected officials he was told that the Ordinance was put into effect in January and the application period was from the first Monday in February to the last Monday in April. Official announcements were made in the Mid-America Shopper Paper, on the County Clerks Website and Facebook page. Next year at the same time he can apply then. He feels that it should have been left open till the 30 of June like Vernon County. He threw the pen down on the table which bounced off and hit one of the people sitting at the table and stated Trent would never get a vote “outta me again”.
Charles Rush with Cooks Insurance came in at this scheduled meeting to discuss the county's insurance policies, focusing on property and casualty and health insurance. Cooks have been serving the County’s insurance needs for 35 years. He states no other insurance broker in the county has all the coverage the county needs. Key points included the need for a comprehensive inspection before quoting new policies and the importance of choosing the right broker. The health insurance concerns highlighted were deductibles, out-of-network costs, and specific coverage issues like weight loss shots. The discussion also touched on the brokers’ financial contributions to local community projects and the importance of local representation in insurance services. Jim stated that with the upcoming policy renewal he would like to see all the elected officials sit in on the health insurance renewal. Charles stated he would like to have a health insurance representative there as well to better answer their questions.
Sheriff Chad Anderson, Chief Justin Corbin and Captain Shaffer came in to get the answer from the Commission on the Rodeo Invoice as stated last Wednesday. Chad started out by going over other the US Marshalls contract and how that progresses. He has talked to them about how he spends the money their reply was as long as he is following the contracted care, delivery and confinement of the inmates they have no interest in how it is spent. Chad stresses the importance of positive interaction with the community. Events like the Rodeo allow that to take place. Jim asked if with the funding that the Posse gets could they potentially pay part of this funding? Chad stated, “I don’t know that they would disagree with it.” Jim added, “We get the whole entity, everybody working together.” Chad offered if he could get the Posse to pick up $2500.00 (note in a later post from the Sheriff's Office it was determined to be $3,000.00 to make the full total of the Invoice which is $10,500.00) the County would pick up the rest? John stated “that blows a hole in the you can’t do this with federal money out of the water. Your still doing half of it” Jim asked if the Posse could come up with $5,000.00. Chad came back with how about $2,500.00 this year and next year doing more. Trent personally offered to put a donation into the Posse for $1,000.00. After some more discussion the motion was made.
John made the motion the County will pay $7,500.00 towards the Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo with the Posse paying $2500.00 ($3000.00) this year and next year paying 50% and the County 50%. Trent seconded the motion. Trent and John voted yes. Jim voted no. Motion carried. One opposition.

Weekly report from the Henry County Sheriff's Office

Dates: July 04, 2025 – July 10, 2025

Sheriff Aaron N. Brown reports the following arrests and incidents for the week:

• July 06, 2025 – Delivery of a Controlled Substance:

Sergeant Brandt and Deputy Moree conducted a vehicle check in the rural Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of John Hale, age 50, of Forest City, and Cristal Burgess, age 26, of Marshall, on a 24-hour investigative hold for delivery of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following further investigation, on July 7, 2025, the Henry County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges, and the court issued warrants as follows:

John Hale: Charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class C Felony). A warrant was issued with a $25,000 cash-only bond.

Cristal Burgess: Charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class C Felony). A warrant was issued with a $10,000 cash-only bond.

• July 08, 2025 – Warrant:

Deputy England conducted a follow-up investigation in the Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Jacob Bailey, age 22, of Clinton, for a Henry County failure-to-appear warrant for careless and imprudent driving.

• July 10, 2025 – Animal Neglect/Abandonment:

Sgt. Brandt conducted a follow-up investigation in the Clinton area and arrested Joseph Ash, age 30, of Clinton, and Mechele Sankey, age 23, of Clinton, on 24-hour investigative holds for animal neglect or abandonment.

• July 10, 2025 – Warrant:

Deputy Saulters arrested Kenneth Reed, age 60, of Clinton, at the courthouse on a Henry County felony warrant for leaving the scene of an accident.

All individuals arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The above arrests are allegations at this time.

For additional information or to provide tips, contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 885-5587.

Big night ahead at the Bates County Fair, see you there!

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

 ATTENTION BATES COUNTY CHURCHES!!!- We are compiling a Church Directory for Bates County Missouri . If your church would like to be included, please contact us to insure yours is included .

Contact Jennifer @ 660-227-3852 or email us at midshopper@gmail.com

Sitting pretty at the Cass County Fair

 

New bleachers have been installed at the Cass County Fairgrounds making for a much improved experience for spectators. The fair continues now through Sunday at 308 W Commercial St, Pleasant Hill, MO, Missouri. 

The fair schedule can be viewed here https://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/2025/07/cass-county-fair-schedule.html

Possible severe weather tonight, a look at the weekend

Sorry kids: No cell phone use at public schools law kicks in this year

 

In Missouri, the new law banning cell phone use in schools during the school day includes exceptions for students with disabilities, emergencies, and when authorized by a teacher or district for educational purposes. The law does not mandate that phones be locked away, leaving it to individual districts to determine how to handle phone storage, according to the Newspressnow.com.