What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

 Cooler climbouts

Having to shut the vents during climbout was a different experience last week, after the heat experienced earlier. Airplanes perform more spritely in the denser air, and the post-cold front skies are clear and clean. Don’t worry, it’s still August so it’ll heat up again.

Arrivals seen this week included a nice Piper Cherokee 140, a Cessna 182, a Piper Archer and a Zenith homebuilt. Tom Bowles was in from New Century with his Cessna Turbo Skylane RG, Darrel Yeltsin flew from his Taylorcraft 20 down from Pleasant Hill, and a Cessna Stationair came by.

Locally, Randy and Bettie Miller were out in the Cessna Skyhawk, Les Gorden’s Beech Twin Bonanza was up, the SkyDive King Air flew a few loads and BCS’s AirTractor sprayplane was up working. I took a Cessna 150 for some proficiency.

Nevada airport is now shut down for reconstruction of the crosswind runway, 13/31, and Harrisonville remains closed, but we observed paving in progress last week, so they hope to reopen ahead of schedule. Clinton’s new terminal building is coming along nicely and GLY remains a viable alternative fuel stop if Butler’s out of reach.

Plan ahead for September fly-ins and airshows. St. Joseph Rosecrans Field is hosting big airshow on the 14th and 15th, competing with a show at Jefferson City on the same dates, so check NOTAMS (Notices To Air Missions) for closure times. And Lamar is putting on a fly-in breakfast and open house on Saturday, September 21.

In national aviation news, the union representing FAA inspectors has announced that the agency has agreed to a $5000 bonus for the GS-scale workers, and they will continue to go in to the office only two days per week, as they started doing during the Covid scare. The other days, they’ll work from home or be out in the field.

ALPA, the Airline Pilots Association, has sent a we-object letter to the European airplane maker Airbus, which is thinking of developing single-pilot airliners. Replacing the co-pilot with a computer would save air-carriers money, of course, and heaven knows, Airbus’ are already mostly computer-driven, lacking mechanical controls and programmed to overrule pilot mistakes. I wonder if we passengers get a vote in the debate...

Last week’s question wanted to know the difference between DME and the military’s TACAN distance-finding equipment, the mileage-measuring feature of the Butler VORTAC station and most others. The answer is, there isn’t any; DME uses military Tactical Air Navigation signals, but pairs VOR azimuth information to the TACAN channel by tuning the associated  frequency. For our next brain-teaser, what was the name of the founder of Lockheed Aircraft? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

Auction offers “Buy a town”

A listing with West Central Auction Company is offering “Multi Properties Bates County Missouri - Main Street Amsterdam and in Hume Mo in an online auction to be held August 28th at 12:30 pm that includes the north side of Main street in Amsterdam along with at least two lots in Hume, Mo.

It came on the heels of an announcement that the Amsterdam Cafe will be closing August 16th and now, the entire north side of the business district in Amsterdam along Main street as seen above will be on the auction block.

 While puns regarding the popular TV sitcom Schitt’s Creek have garnished local coffee shop chatter, the seriousness of the sale has certainly caught the attention of residents and business owners alike, leaving everyone to wonder just what does the future hold for Amsterdam, population 220.

“I hope whoever buys it keeps the momentum going” was overheard with “My heart hurts” last week indicating that concerns are high among local residents.

Mid America live combed over the listing which indicates that bidding will be opening soon and the auction will be held entirely online; however no reserve price is stated but certainly one is expected be revealed.

Flipside, the new owner(s) likely will have a vested interest and continue to build on what is already a wonderful thing in western Bates county.

More info can be found at https://www.westcentralauctionco.com/ 

Obituary - Steven F. Bucklinger

Steven F. Bucklinger, 69, of Warsaw, Missouri, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024. Born on July 9, 1955, in Humansville, Missouri, to Frankie Lee Bucklinger and Margaret (Howard) Bucklinger, Steve grew up in Independence and later Odessa, Missouri.

Steve enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and received an honorable discharge. Afterward, he attended Linn Technical School and earned an Associate's Degree in Aviation Maintenance. He later worked for Tyson's Food in Sedalia and was involved in the initial plant setup. In 1997, he began his twenty-four-year career with Ditzfield Trucking.

On June 5, 1993, he married Beverly Rushton. Steve enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, and was an avid collector. If you were to ask him, he would say his favorite hobby was cheering at sporting events for any of his grandchildren. Steve was a longtime and very active member of the Lincoln Church of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Donald R. Gibson, and a grandson, Luc Gemes.

Steve is survived by his wife, Beverly, of the home; three children: Jason Logan of Herculaneum, Missouri, Jennifer Volcko and her husband, Jr, of Sedalia, Missouri, and Julie Gemes and her husband, Scott, of Warsaw, Missouri; a sister, Sandy Sandberg, and her husband, Todd, of Fulton, Missouri and four grandchildren: Avery Logan, Brenden and Zoe Volcko, and Logan Gemes; his stepfather, John Gregg, a niece, Jessica A. Langdon, and her husband, Tim, of Fulton, Missouri; and two great-nieces: Haley and Addison.

A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at the Lincoln Church of Christ at a later date.

Bates County Democratic Central Committee August 22nd

The Bates County Democratic Central Committee will hold their reorganization meeting on August 22nd @ 5:30 p.m. 

We will be meeting at Luna Umbra Winery on the Butler Square located at 1 W Dakota Street. 

We will be voting to elect a new County Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Please plan to attend this meeting and consider running for a office.

BCMH Employee of the Month for August

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) recognizes Carly Murdock, RN, BSN as the Employee of the Month for August. Carly has worked for BCMH since 2021 when she was hired to the Outpatient Specialty Clinic Department.

Before joining BCMH, Carly gained valuable experience working in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Endoscopy and Coronary ICU. She works with patients in the Long-Nissen Infusion Center and other specialty clinics at BCMH.

Carly was nominated by a coworker, who said, “Carly consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellent customer service and safe, high-quality care of patients. She gleans positive comments from patients because of her gentle, compassionate demeanor.

She explains things clearly and factually in a way that puts patients at ease. Co-workers are drawn to her kindness and her easy grasp of the importance of helping each other do the best work possible. It’s easy to trust Carly’s instincts because they are usually right on target with improving the patient experience.”

Carly takes pride in the work that is being done at BCMH and takes her responsibility as an RN very seriously, and she deserves this recognition.

Obituary - Lela Marie Lusby

Lela Marie Lusby, 65, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. A Memorial Visitation in celebration of Lela's life will be held 2:00-4:00pm on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO.

Lela was born on February 1, 1959 in Harrisonville, MO, the daughter of James Clifton and Frances Dean (Sanders) King. She grew up in Harrisonville and graduated from Harrisonville High School with the class of 1977. After high school, Lela attended nursing school and received her LPN degree. Anyone who knew Lela personally might say that she was born to be a caretaker. She had her nursing degree over 45 years which included E.R., Internal Medicine, clinic care, home health for handicapped children, and hospice care.

In the midst of her career, she married and had two children, Emily and Kyle, followed by a son-in-law, Ryan. She was also a grandmother (Mima) to 5 beautiful grandchildren: Lili, Kylee, Chase, Ryan, and Emmett.

She truly enjoyed loving and spoiling them all. Whether you called her daughter, wife, mom, Mima or friend, you knew she would always be there. So, we say goodbye for now, only to reunite one day. We love you!

Multiple rounds of storms late tonight through Wednesday

The hits keep on rolling with additional chances for storms this evening and overnight, and again Wednesday evening and overnight.

Main risks tonight: heavy rain/flooding, strong winds.
Main risks Wed/wed night: strong winds, hail, heavy rain/flooding.

Obituary - Jim D. Grindley

Jim D. Grindley, age 94, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Solon Nursing Care Center in Solon, Iowa. Graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the St. Mary's Cemetery in Montrose, Missouri.

Jim Donald Grindley was born in Kansas City Missouri on November 28, 1929, the third of four sons to Frances (Goth) Grindley and Frank J. Grindley. Of his brothers, he is survived by Kenneth "Jack" Grindley of Porter Ranch, California. He is also survived by his children Debra, Carol, and Erick from his first marriage to Elizabeth (McDonald) Grindley, and a son James F. Grindley from his second marriage to Maria P. Moreno-Rojas. He also leaves two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Jim followed in his father's patriotic footsteps (Frank was a WWI veteran) as a proud Korean War Veteran, serving in the armed forces April 1951 to April 1953. Jim was a hard worker but was happiest out of doors: fishing, hiking, observing the local wildlife and fauna, and working the land on his farm in Chilhowee. His twinkling blue eyes and beaming smile will be dearly missed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.