Governor Parson Visits Hertzog Beef Today

 

Governor Mike Parson paid a visit to Hertzog Beef Company in Passaic today and presented a proclamation to owners Jim and Todd Hertzog in honor of their commitment to the community and agriculture in general. In his remarks, Parson emphasized the importance of food in our country and the role producers like the Hertzog's play in keeping our county fed with quality beef.

 Also present today were members of the Missouri Beef Council and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, joining many who enjoyed a free lunch with hamburgers provided by the Hertzog’s and cooked up by the Bates County Cattlemen. 

Obituary - Paige Alexis Brown

Paige Alexis Brown, 23, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at her home in Harrisonville, Missouri.

Paige is survived by her mother and step-father, Carolyn and Tony Hutsell, her father and step-mother, Jason and Felisa Brown all of Harrisonville, Missouri; a brother, Connor Brown, Harrisonville, Missouri; 5 step-sisters, Toni, Breanna, Abigail, Hailey and Alyssa; 3 step-brothers, Wyatt, Morgan and Anthony; her maternal grandfather, Richard Carr, Shawnee Mission, Kansas; multiple aunts, uncles, extended family and multiple friends who love Paige.

Funeral services will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 27, 2022 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. Cremation to follow the service. Inurnment in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri will be held at a later date.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 27, 2022 at the funeral home.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Missouri Mentor in Belton, Missouri and may be left at the funeral home.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

David Cook: 13 Years Past, Family Seeks Closure

Still no answers regarding

the disappearance of 55 year old David 

Cook of Amsterdam Mo. in 2008. The

family refuses to give up  hope that 

evidence will eventually

be found to give closure to the case.

 In our interview last week with Judy Transue, sister of David Cook, she spoke with the same unrelenting passion as she did the first day he went missing on November 19, 2008. “David was always available on his phone. When he didn’t answer, and didn’t show up for work at KCPL where he had worked for 33 years I knew something was terribly wrong.” 

Even in then earliest moments of his disappearance, there was a sinking feeling for Transue and her family. “His two pickup trucks were parked in the same spots as always. His phone, money clip and glasses were also gone, just like he had went somewhere.” 

But none of this made sense. How could someone disappear without a trace? Local authorities and volunteers spent days canvassing the area and following leads. Days then turned into weeks, then months and still nothing.

Not having answers is grueling for Transue “Day to day, your mind goes off in different directions.” However, she went on to point out that staying focused and keeping the public aware may indeed be the key. “We’re still hopeful someone will provide some information. Maybe a person who wasn’t willing to talk back then would reveal something now.”

And that does happen. Many times cases such as this are solved years after the fact because someone slips up and says something; or something is just overheard. Another possibility is that a person who didn’t know about this case actually found some evidence in the woods or somewhere such as a pair of glasses or a phone and thought it was just a lost item.

“If we can just  keep it top of mind for everyone” said Transue “someone is bound to come across something. Someday we’re going to solve this.”

The disappearance of Cook has been called a ‘cold case’ but Judy was quick to point out that is not true. In fact, it is still an active case (open) according to the Highway Patrol, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies. With that, there have been some rumors, which Transue dismissed. She did say that her brother had some cattle stolen earlier that year and the family immediately suspected foul play- however, after a lengthy investigation nothing panned out.

On December 12, 2009 America’s Most Wanted aired a piece on Fox network and while some leads came in following the show, still nothing. Local Kansas City television news have repeatedly aired follow-ups to the story, along with area newspapers and radio stations.

Still, more than a decade later, she remains optimistic. “At some point the information is going to come out and we’re going to know what happened.” 

In the meantime the public is asked to drop David’s name and keep discussions going about what might have happened while keeping eyes and ears open; and of course, any information, no matter how insignificant it may be deemed should be reported to authorities. More information can be found online at www.finddavidcook.com.

Bates County Real Estate Transfers and Marriage Licenses

 City State Bank The to Hr Westside Holdings, Llc Str 21-40-31 //Se

Jacobs, Brent A. to Lily’s House Lt 143 Adrian, Original Town Of+

Sargent, Richard L to Shine, Emily M Lt 3 Bl 2 Montgomery’s Third Addn

Keiser, Forrest D. & Betty S, Trust to Pate, Mark A. Str 26-39-32 //Nw 2002

Bearce, Brian L to Johnson, Matthew T Lt 1 Weeks Addn Ext #1+

Henzlik, Michael to Henzlik, Michael Str 14-39-29 //Ne

Mcdonald, Kenneth E. Jr. to Mcdonald, Kenneth E., Jr. & Sloan R. Trust Str 12-41-32 //Sw

Mccurdy, Allen to Mccurdy, Ervin to Lt 1 Bl 45 Sperrys Addn+

Shoemaker, Carolyn Anne to Worden, Carl James Str 23-40-31 //Sw

Olsen, Haley to Olsen, Diane P Str 35-42-31 //Sw

Rogers, Deanna Michelle to Rogers, Ken Edward Str 22-42-31 //Nw

Dimond, Jeff to Dimond, John Lt 2 Bl 6 Stephens Subd+

Lacy, Dale T. Credit Shelter Trust to Mormon Fork Investments Str 9-42-33 //Ne+

Marriage License

Bise, Jeffrey R. Tyler and Conner, Loren Christine

Thornburg, Dakota Shane and Mumma, Brhett Christine

The Museum Minute: Cheap Meat at Mott’s

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

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of May 25

1881 A second meeting has been held to organize and build an express railroad line from Hannibal that will run southwest, through Butler and into Indian territory.

1869 M. S. Cowles begins work on his new building, 22 ft by 75 foot, Ohio at Main st in Butler (Northeast corner of the square).

1926 Workmen begin laying concrete slab, for U.S. 71 highway, from Butler to finish this part at the Vernon Co line.

1942 The Bates Co Defense Council hold a meeting to set up air raid warning units all around the county.

1949 Charley Fisk, son of Mr & Mrs Chas Fisk of the Fisk movie house in Butler, is spotlighted guest soloist on the television Vincent Lopez show, live from theTaft Hotel in New York City.

1972 Advert in Bates Co News-Headliner newspaper “LOOK who’s back at Bitner-Stark Motor Co! Bud Minor has returned as service manager”. Southeast corner of Lyon and Dakota streets. 

1978 Memorial Day week-end specials at Jim’s Village Meats, in downtown Rockville: Ribs $2.35 a lb; chicken $ 2.25 ea; and brisket $2.65 a lb. The Mott’s.

1990 The new officers of the Butler Business & Professional Women’s Club are: Pres- Ruby Stotmeister, 1st VP Kenna Bartz, recording secretary Carol Ann Winburn, Treasurer Lexye Schell-Davis, and corresponding Secretary Edna White.

2001 Virgil Ward, longtime fisherman of note and well known radio and television personality, celebrates his 90th birthday at his home four miles east of Amsterdam.

What's Up by LeRoy Cook

The active movement of conflicting air masses last week thwarted  many cross-country flights. On Thursday, Springfield and Joplin’s forecasts both warned of strong winds at 2000 feet above ground level, out of the southwest at 50 knots, with surface winds only 20 knots, a setup for at least moderate turbulence. 

For local flights, there were good times between fronts. Some of the transient arrivals were an Army Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, a Piper Comanche 180, a Cessna Skylane, and a Cessna 172.  Among those mounting a defense against such intruders were Eric Eastland, giving student instruction in a Cessna 150, Randy and Betti Miller in the Cessna Skyhawk and ye faithful scribe in the 1946 Aeronca Champion.  

This being the final Saturday of the month, it’s once again time for the Fliars Club to assemble for fly-out deliberations over a breakfast destination. Those willing to arise early for a 7 a.m. gathering on the Butler airport ramp can participate as the spirit moves them. 

Sometimes, when a helicopter is seen flying down the runway and parking on the apron, I get asked “what’s he doing here; why doesn’t he land somewhere else?” I have to explain that airports are for the use of all manner of air traffic, fixed and rotary wing, light sport and jets, trainers and sprayers, even parachutes powered and unpowered. Helicopters must give way and avoid the flow of less maneuverable fixed-wing traffic, and out of courtesy try to minimize rotorwash. They may come in to refuel and pick up passengers or use other services. Although technically able to set down just about anywhere, helicopter pilots prefer to use pre-surveyed landing spots to avoid the risk of unseen obstructions. Also, in this excessively litigious world, landing a chopper in a backyard can raise the ire of neighbors, who may sue over the noise and nuisance. So, airports and charted landing pads are better choices.

Republic Airlines, provider of commuter-class airline service for short routes code-shared by major airlines, which aren’t profitable enough to warrant Boeing or Airbus airplanes, recently petitioned the FAA to allow them to use transport-pilot trained graduates from their own Lift Academy who only meet half the flight-hour requirement for an Airline Transport license. Their rationale is that the FAA already allows this for military-trained pilots, and their academy has equally as rigorous a curriculum, so why not? In truth, given the shortage of qualified pilots, it makes sense to get back to sensible hiring that was in place before Congress over-reacted to the Collgan Air crash years ago and forced all cockpit seats of airliners to be occupied by ATP-rated persons, which meant 1500 hours of often-pointless flying before the real on-the-job training could start. Many retiring airline pilots hired on as 500-hour commercial pilots, under the tutelage of grizzled captains, where they served as copilots while learning the trade. I hold two ATP ratings, but if I was to sit in a 737 cockpit I’d have to learn like any rookie.

Last week’s question was “what was the height of the record parachute jump?” It was 135,890 feet, set in 2014, when Alan Eustace jumped from under a giant helium balloon. For next week, we want to know the reason aircraft microphones are always to be positioned very close to the lips. Send replies to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

Independent Living Facility Now Open in Adrian

 The Baptist Homes Independent Living Facility in Adrian (former Crystal Manor) was officially opened last Thursday and honored with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. L-R: Brandy Parker (front), Andy Braams, Patrick Omwoha, Ron Pence, Robert Maple and Ron Mackey. The 12 room unit will house up to 12 persons and soon will be converted to an assisted living facility, pending installation of a sprinkler system and a few other details.

Cats Remain Free in Butler

courtesy Prolook Studio

From the recent Butler City Council meeting

Guest Rayne Chantel addressed the Butler city council last week with ideas on dealing with the feral cat problem around town, and while she did bring forth some usable ideas, the city is still a long way from finding a solution.

Chantel offered to help the city in what ever way possible but noted that “It will take the community to make it work. We’ll need other volunteers too.” She pointed out that KC Spay and Neuter only charges $20 and she would be willing to help with transportation and  even live trapping. 

However, after a short discussion, it all came back to some issues that came  up in the previous council meeting- which was that the city has only two spots (cages) for holding cats. And when those spots are used, there is a 5 day wait that gives owners a chance to claim their pet, if that is the case. 

And that was only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Even more complications came forth, including ‘what if someones pet gets trapped and then gets spayed or neutered?’ 

As what seemed to be an endless line of questions, it was finally decided that Chantel is openly invited (as is the public) to attend an upcoming public safety committee meeting  to discuss the issue more, then the committee can give the council a recommendation.

In other council news Karen Rayborn, Chamber of Commerce Executive Secretary sought permission to hold a ‘family nerf wars’ game at the Butler city park on June 18th. Permission granted. The area will be cordoned off and nerf guns will be checked before play and she promised the area will be well cleaned when finished.

In the event of a power outage, the Butler water plant has a backup generator to keep things going there; however, there is not a generator at the lake intake location. The intake is vital in getting raw water to the plant and a generator is needed there as well. Mayor Henry had some good news regarding a grant for an intake generator which will only require the city to kick in 10%, opposed to a previously considered grant that required 25%.

The city audit started on May 24th and is expected to go well. Overall results will be made public as soon as they are available.

Remember the Butler City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm, upstairs at the Butler City Hall. Elevator service is available for those with special needs. The public is openly invited to attend.