Lack of Interest

 By Doug Mager

A proposed wind turbine project that was to cover over 60 square miles located generally east of Passaic has been scrapped due to a "lack of interest"

Mid America Live got wind of the project last February as the Butler airport commission had received a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration seeking their comment, considering that the 700 foot tall turbines certainly could create a hazard for local aircraft. While it had already been determined that the closest turbines wouldn’t be directly in a flight path, it was requested by the commission that the closest one or two be moved a bit further out just for safety’s sake. 

Short of more information, we made contact the company in charge of the project, Harvest Ridge Wind Farms of Lenexa KS for comment. The reply was yes, indeed plans were moving ahead and that all information available online was correct, which included some 53, roughly 700 foot tall, electricity generating wind turbines spread out over 40,000 acres north of Butler and east of Passaic.

Wanting to know more, we paid a visit to the Bates county Recorder of Deeds to find that there were 109 land leases on the books for the project. Subsequently, those leased areas were shaded onto the pages of the Bates county plat book and there appeared to be a lot of gaps, indicating many more would be needed to get this thing off the ground.  

To confirm this, Mid America Live placed a call to the recorder of deeds in Jasper county (home to many turbines near Joplin) to get an idea of how many leases would be needed to make the Bates county wind farm a reality. The answer, followed by a giggle, was “it would need to be lot more than 109. Like 100 times that many.”

As word of the wind farm spread, many locals were quick to voice their opinion which generally brought a quick yes or no, and our very informal survey garnered a lot more no’s. But would that be enough to kill the project?

Apparently so, it’s official- over the past few weeks those who did sign leases were informed by Harvest Ridge by certified letter that yes indeed, the project is off the table due to a lack of interest by the majority of landowners in the area.

As an added note there are two solar panel farms in the works located near Amsterdam and both of which, encompassing about 4,000 acres each, are on track with a completion date yet to be announced. Mid America Live will provide updates on those as they become available.

Normal Temperatures Thursday

Mild conditions for Thursday afternoon.

Friday morning, light rain enters the area, and transitions to light snow by Saturday. Snow accumulations for Friday-Saturday are forecast less than 1 inch.

Monday-Tuesday, stronger system is expected to move across the area. Accumulating snowfall is likely. Exact amounts remain very uncertain. Impacts to travel possible Monday-Tuesday.

MDC reports 12,465 deer taken during alternative methods portion

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows deer hunters in Missouri harvested 12,465 deer during the alternative methods portion of firearms deer season, Dec. 23 – Jan. 2. Of the 12,465 deer harvested, 3,130 were antlered bucks, 1,450 were button bucks, and 7,885 were does.

Top harvest counties were Callaway with 296 deer harvested, Franklin with 250, and Macon with 228.

The harvest total for last year’s alternative methods portion was 8,724. This year’s harvest total was eight-percent higher than the previous five-year average.

For current ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at https://extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

For harvest summaries from past years, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

The archery deer and turkey season runs through Jan. 15.

Find more information on deer hunting from MDC’s 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/2023FDT.pdf.

Vandalism reported in Belton

Recently City of Belton equipment at Memorial Park was vandalized and we're seeking information to identify the responsible party.

Belton's parks are some of our finest community spaces. The welcoming atmosphere and well-maintained amenities are part of what makes our city exceptional. Let's work together to preserve them!

If you have info, please visit https://www.wetip.com/submit-a-crime-tip/ or call 1-800-782-7463 to anonymously report. Your support ensures the safety and beauty of our community spaces.

Obituary - Rose Marie Thomas

Rosie Marie Thomas passed away peacefully on January 1, 2024 at Bates County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. Rosie was born April 13, 1955 to Herschel Maxwell Thomas and Bessie Jane (Church) Thomas in Butler, Missouri.

Rosie grew up with her three brothers in a small farmhouse in Foster, MO. She lived most of her life in Rich Hill, MO. Her hobbies were riding her bike around town and going to the Opera. 

She would sell coupon books for the Boys’ Home. She kept a notebook of names of all the people who bought and how many coupon books she sold. She also loved doing puzzles, word search books, and watching her soaps on TV (a time of day you didn’t want to interrupt her). She was very proud of her new trailer and wanted to have Thanksgiving Dinner there, and she did.

She is survived by brothers, Art Thomas and Cindy of Rich Hill; Jack Wessel and Linda of Independence, MO; and Allen Thomas of Blackfoot, ID; many nieces and nephews: Travis and Natalie, Nicole and Jeremy, Joshua and Natalie, Chris and Jessica, Oakley and Rachel; great nieces and nephews: Jarren, Shelby, Katelynn, Sabrina, Kipton, Skylar, Kyle, Darren, Addison, Elizah, Trinity, Charlene, Steven, Taylor; great-great-niece, Kennedy; and cousins, Kathy Rost and Bill Church, and Jennifer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herschel & Bessie Thomas; grandparents, James Thomas and Rosa (Cobb) Thomas; and Edgar Church and Luty (Hilt) Church.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 pm Friday, January 5, 2024 at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri. Interment at a later date in Salem Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at www.heuserfunerals.com.

Winter Weather Possible Early Next Week

Winter weather is becoming more likely to impact the region Monday into Tuesday of next week. We are still ~5 days out, so forecast details will change. Stay tuned for updates and follow trusted weather sources.

Obituary - Vicki Sue Conley

Graveside services for Vicki Sue Conley of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2024 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Friday, January 5 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Contributions to Susan G. Komen or Charity of Choice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Vicki Sue Conley, age 74 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at her home. She was born August 14, 1949 to Henry Joe and Louise Margaret Timken Mammen in Kansas City, Missouri.

Vicki is survived by her husband, Roy Lee Conley of the home; a son, John Johnson of Harrisonville, Missouri; three daughters, Donna Litel and husband Mike of Independence, Missouri, Paula Dietrich and husband David of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania and Gina Martin of Mission, Kansas; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a brother, Thomas Mammen of Blue Springs, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents.

One arrested in Vernon County

On Thursday December 28th, 2023 the Vernon County Sheriff's Office received a call from a person who was concerned about his girlfriend being held against her will by 33 year old Bobby West, Jr. in Horton, Missouri. 

The individual told the Deputy that Mr. West had brandished a firearm and had told them to leave the property.

When Vernon County Deputies made contact with Mr. West he stated that he had brandished a firearm at the individual and knew he was a felon who was not to be in possession of firearms. 

Mr. West also allegedly stated he had not pointed the weapon, and the gun was unloaded. Upon asking West's father for consent to retrieve the firearm, it was found by West's bedside.

Bobby West Jr. was arrested and booked into the Vernon County Jail in Nevada and he is currently being held on the following charges 1.) Unlawful Possession of a firearm by a felon 2.) No bond Capias Warrant.

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.