Auditor Galloway finds conflicts of interest and lack of transparency in audit of Cornland Special Road District

Citizens requested an audit of the board that oversees 12 miles of gravel road in rural Bates County

JEFFERSON CITY MO- Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released the findings from an audit of the Cornland Special Road District. Taxpayers in Bates County petitioned Galloway's office for an audit of the district, which oversees 12 miles of gravel road outside the city of Butler. The audit resulted in a rating of "fair."

Auditors found that two commissioners were paid for performing road repair and maintenance work in 2021. Commissioners receiving payments for road work services while also serving on the board creates an apparent conflict of interest. Missouri law prohibits elected officials from performing any service for compensation, other than compensation for the performance of their duties. Additionally, the board did not prepare and file IRS 1099 forms to report the payments made to these commissioners.

Additionally, auditors found that the board only held one public meeting in 2021, but did not keep an agenda or meeting minutes in compliance with the Sunshine Law. One commissioner indicated to auditors that the board met informally on other occasions throughout the year to discuss and vote on district business without providing public notice or keeping meeting minutes. In one of those informal meetings a vote was taken that awarded road work business to a vender owned by a family member of a commissioner.

The district also does not have a formal bidding policy and bids or proposals were not solicited for gravel and rock hauling. After flooding damaged district roads in 2019, the district applied for and was awarded up to approximately $130,000 in federal and state disaster assistance grants to reimburse repairs to roadways. The grant requires the district to have a documented procurement policy that complies with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and publicly solicit competitive bids. At the time of the audit, federal and state disaster assistance reimbursements actually received by the district were below the total amount approved and much of the repair work remained unfinished. In 2020, the board asked residents living in the road district to donate money for the repairs.

A complete copy of the audit is available here.

Two arrested after traffic stop in Bates County

On Sunday March 26th around 9:26 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County arrested two men from St. Joseph, Missouri for the following charges.

37 year old Levi T. Roscoe was arrested for 1.) Felony possession of a controlled substance -Methamphetamine 2.) Felony possession of a controlled substance - Fentanyl 3.) Possession of drug paraphernalia 4.) No seatbelt 5.) Driving while suspended 6.) Failure to display valid license plates 7.) Failure to affix front license plate.

49 year old Christopher S. Luke was arrested for 1.) Felony possession of a controlled substance -Methamphetamine 2.) Felony possession of a controlled substance - Fentanyl 3.) Possession of drug paraphernalia 4.) No seatbelt.

Both Roscoe and Luke were booked into the Bates County Jail in Butler and both were cited with tickets and released.

View arrest reports below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I464036A

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I464037A

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Photo album from the 2023 Wheels of Thunder Racers Show

The Wheels of Thunder Racers Show was held today at Family Center in Harrisonville! You can enjoy some photos of the event below courtesy of Norma Davis. 

Long finishes 3rd in state wrestling championship

We would like to congratulate Butler Bears wrestler Hunter Long on his 3rd place finish in the 12u 175lbs weight class this weekend at the Missouri USA State Youth Wrestling Championships held in Kansas City.

Hunter is a 7th grader at Butler High School and the son of Dale and Lindsey Long!

Way to go Huntlee!!

We would like to congratulate Huntlee Myrtle on his 3rd place finish in the 10u 50lbs weight class this weekend at the Missouri USA State Youth Wrestling Championships held in Kansas City.

Huntlee is the son of Cody and Aerial Myrtle!

Monday Maximum Temperatures

Well it still doesn't quite feel like late March, but we can't complain too much about Monday's temperatures.

Update: Water rescue a success in Bates County

At approximately 1300 hours Deputies were notified of an overturned boat in the water approximately 500 yards east of the Old Town Access Boat ramp with 4 people in the water that were unable to get out( including an elderly man). 

Upon the arrival of deputies, they were able to coordinated with Butler Fire and Rich Hill Fire. Butler Fire was able to utilize their boat and safely assist with the transfer of multiple people to shore where they were later lifted over the side of the cliff and moved to awaiting ambulances. 

One person (the 85 year old male) was transported to the hospital.

Agencies that responded:
Bates County Sheriff’s Office
Butler Fire
Rich Hill Fire
MSHP
Conservation
Bates County EMS

Multiple citizens in the area also helped with the rescue and the carrying of victims to EMS.

“This is great example of our agencies working together to bring a positive outcome.” Says Sheriff Anderson.

Obituary - William E. "Bill" Akin

William Edward Akin—known as Billy to family and Bill to friends—passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Rock Island, IL. Billy was born to William Albert and Alberta Elaine (Cropp) Akin, in Wichita, KS, on August 18, 1962. He had two younger sisters, Anita and Lola.

When Billy was 6 years old, he was welcomed into the home of foster parents, Bill Racer and Connie Racer (now Hamilton). Living with educators as parents and a church organist for a dad, Billy liked school, participated in church activities, and enjoyed traveling with his family. When his parents moved to Missouri to teach, Billy attended Belton Public Schools, where he participated in youth football, wrestling, and school plays, and made lifelong friendships. He graduated in the Belton High School Class of 1980.

Billy particularly liked math, so putting that interest to good use, he attended Central Missouri State University and later graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accountancy. Recognized as an outstanding student, he was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1987-88. During his career, he worked as an accountant at John Hardwick Accounting in St. Charles, MO, and for Doug Sutton, CPA, in Olathe, KS.

In 2014, due to physical disabilities, Billy moved to Generations Rehabilitation Care Center in Rock Island. While there, he was chosen as a leader among the residents to advocate on their behalf. He enjoyed playing cards and watching sports with fellow residents, and because of his cheerful personality, many of them and their family members say they counted him among their friends. As a hobby, he often made needlepoint coasters to give as presents.

Early this month, Billy was hospitalized, and a few days later, he passed peacefully with three of his siblings at his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Bill Racer, his grandparents, Herschel and Alice Racer and Ernie and Fern Rogers; his aunt Elaine Gosney and a special cousin, Patrick Greene.

Mourning his passing are his mother Connie (Al) Hamilton, his sister Holly (Art) Valdivia, brothers Tim (Sara) Racer, Brent (Erin) Racer, Jay (Ashley) Mullinix, Jon Mullinix, and sister-in-law Melissa Racer. Among his relatives, the children of aunts Elaine Gosney, Roberta Patterson, and Iris (Ron) Jackson were his childhood cousins, and later in his life, he was especially close to aunts Phyllis Racer (whom he lived with in St. Charles) and Mary Alice Racer Lyon and cousins Dr. Cary Lyon (Stephen) Chelladurai and Linda (Gordon) Gregory; extended family Rev. Paul and Kay Greene, Pam Greene, Scott (Lawna) Greene and Jeff (Stacey) Greene; and a multitude of school, church, work, and care center friends. He will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 10:30 A.M. on May 6 at Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, MO. His cremains will be buried in the Racer family plot. Donations in Billy’s memory will be appreciated to FosterAdopt Connect at https://www.fosteradopt.org or sent to Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, 1410 E. DZF Rd., Clinton, MO 64735.

Billy was a member of Mid-Rivers Baptist Chapel, and as a man of strong Christian faith, he looked forward to the assurances found in the lyrics of “Finally Home”:

“Just think …
Of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven,
Of touching a hand and finding it God's,
Of breathing new air and finding it Celestial,
Of waking up in Glory and finding it Home!”