News from Michael G's Greenhouses

Our average last frost free date is mid April, so we may have had our last one for the spring. We have had a tremendous amount of people out, but as we sell a hanging basket or flat we replaced them with new things, so all four greenhouses are still basically full.

Everything is coming into its prime now, it is always amazing to see how God makes things grow this time of year, even after 37 years I am always surprised at it. 

We have a very large assortment of succulents, many at only $1 each. Our flats still average $20. We hear over and over how good everything looks compared to elsewhere, so come see us soon.

On a separate note, due to bad experiences I had not had a farrier out to work on my horses for many years until a week ago. I found a very good one on Facebook, his name is Cisco, his phone number is 816 405 0009. He was proficient and gentle with my horses, I highly recommend him.

 - Michael G

Need a job?

Come Join Our Amazing Team & Help Us Shade The World One Structure at a Time

Solar shade USA is looking for an individual to join their busy fabrication sewing room. Candidate must be able to lift & handle up to 50lbs at times.

Sewing experience is preferred but not mandatory. Will train right candidate. Must be a team player as well as being able to work independently.

Starting pay $13/hr with room to grow. Some benefits offered after 1yr of employment. (Vacation, sick days, Aflac etc)

Fulltime/40hrs Mon - Fri 8-4:30pm.

Please apply in person @ 7606 N 14th St Rich Hill (can't miss us! ) OR email accounts@solarshadeusa.com for an application.

Serious inquiries only.

Arrest after traffic stop in Cedar County

On April 8th after a short pursuit, Cedar County Deputy Tabitha Johnson stopped a vehicle on 125 Rd in western Cedar County. 

Sgt Clay Jeffries also responded to assist. Investigation at the scene lead to the arrest of the driver, Charles B. Gillan of Jerico Springs. 

Illegal drugs including meth, cocaine and related paraphernalia were recovered. Gillan has been charged with three felony drug possession and one misdemeanor charge. Gillan is in Cedar co. jail on $50,000 bond.

Boil Water Advisory lifted in Drexel

This notice is to inform those residence that were are the boil advisory, Maple street and North, that the advisory has been lifted.

The water test came back normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

Localized Flooding Possible Tonight

It's a cool start to the day with temperatures in the low to mid 40s this morning but it will become a very pleasant afternoon with highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s. 

However, another round of showers and thunderstorms will move into the area tonight. These storms are not expected to be severe however they will be capable of producing 1 to 2 inches of rain which may lead to localized flooding.

Two Charged with Sexual Trafficking of a Child

CHARGES FILED:

From Assistant Henry County Prosecuting Attorney LaChrisha Gray, April 8th Two Charged with Sexual Trafficking of a Child

​The Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed sexual trafficking of a child charges against Derek B. Roberts, 41, and Kimberly O. Gray, 42, both of Clinton.

Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the State of Missouri.

On March 26, 2021, after review of the allegations presented by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray filed twenty-three (23) felony charges against Derek Roberts, including seven counts of sexual trafficking of a child under the age of twelve in the first degree, ten counts of sodomy of a child under the age of twelve in the first degree, four counts of rape of a child under the age of twelve in the first degree, and two counts of promoting child pornography in the first degree.

On April 5, 2021, Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray filed a seventeen (17) count felony complaint against Kimberly Gray charging her with six counts of sexual trafficking of a child under the age of twelve in the first degree, seven counts of sodomy of a child under the age of twelve in the first degree, three counts of rape of a child under the age of twelve in the first degree, and one count of incest.

​The charges stem from an online investigation conducted by the Division of Drug and Crime Control of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which then led investigators to execute multiple search warrants of the home and devices of both Kimberly Gray and Derek Roberts.

​According to the probable cause statements filed in the cases, Highway Patrol investigators, through analysis of the devices, found multiple files containing what appeared to be photographs and videos of graphic child pornography, including numerous videos that appeared to have been created by the defendants involving at least one of the children of the home. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.

​Each sexual trafficking of a child charge is punishable by a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole until the offender has served twenty-five years in prison. Because the victim is alleged to have been under the age of twelve, each of the rape and sodomy in the first degree charges are punishable by life imprisonment without the eligibility of parole until the offender has served thirty years of such sentence.

​Kimberly Gray is currently being held at the Henry County Jail on a $2,000,000 cash only bond. Derek Roberts is currently being held at the Pettis County Jail on charges of possession of child pornography stemming from this same investigation filed by the Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney, but Roberts also has a warrant in the Henry County case with a $2,000,000 cash only bond.

​Kimberly Gray is currently set for a bond reduction hearing in front of Judge Harold Dump on April 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM.

The Museum Minute: Governor orders militias to organize

Museum Minute

April 8, 2021

Museum Minute presents:  This Week in History (According to Herrman’s Archives)

Early April in the Year…

1871 – The property known as the Pickett Hotel in Butler, is for sale.  It contains 17 rooms, with a large dining room and parlor.  It also has a good well & cistern, together with an outhouse 16 x 32 feet.  Also an adjoining lot 140 x 150 feet, together with a one livery stable 68 x 32 feet and 26 stalls, plus a 70 x 100 foot lot, with a good frame 4 room house.  Inquire of Mr. Pickett at the hotel.    ////    1872 -  A. L. Lindsay had his headquarters in the Pickett Hotel with service to Papinville and LaCygne, Kansas. (see Pickett Hotel photo)
1882 – Friends in Bates Co are shocked to hear of the murder of Jesse James at his home North of Kansas City. (Murdered April 3rd)
1847 – The city plat for Papinville is approved and recorded in Bates County, named for Peter Melicourt Papin, who gave the land for the town.
1912 – The Moore Brothers, proprietors of the Hume Opera House, show the “Passion Play” silent moving picture.
1918 – A body, found in the Marais des Cygne River, near Athol, has been identified as R. F. Moudy, a perennial fishing visitor from St. Louis.  His boat indicated he had a large supply of liquor with him.
1859 – Missouri Governor Stewart orders counties to organize militias; especially noted is Bates and Cass counties.
1913 – Temperance workers of Bates County meet to promote drying up the last bastion of booze in the county – Rich Hill.
1884 – A government steamboat inspector inspects the Steamer Grange, at Rockville, and orders it repaired before it leaves with its cargo of 100 tons of railroad iron and 2,700 barrels of salt.
1890 – The town plat of Amoret is filed and recorded by the Missouri Coal & Construction company.
1877 – Butler City Marshal Smith is called to quell a big row over a card game at Glass’s Saloon.
1942 – In the Amsterdam village election 30 voted for electric lights and 5 voted against.
1927 – The Passaic High School basketball team wins over Harmony School, 26 to 22.
1881 – The Rich Hill Mining Review newspaper says Rich Hill is only ten months old and has a population of over 3,000, due to the flourishing coal mines.
1872 – A. L. Betz, bridge examiner, states in the Bates Co Record newspaper, “Whoever built the relatively new bridge over the Grand River was so incompetent that he and whoever approved it should be lynched.”
1909 – The Flooding of the Marais des Cygne River, the Missouri Pacific railroad trains are prevented from traveling through Bates County.  

Our thanks to Peggy Buhr, Bates County Museum Curator

Classic Car Show set for May 15th in Butler