Bates County Newly elected and re-elected Officials sworn in today

Bates County Newly elected and re-elected Officials were sworn into office today. This was the first swearing in ceremony that Jami Page, Bates County Clerk conducted for Elected Officials.

Taking their oath of office was Kacie Robey Collector/Treasurer, Chad Anderson Sheriff, Jerret Reno Coroner, Trent Nelson Southern Commissioner, Bill Lethcho Surveyor, Carl Bettels Assessor, Brenda Doody Public Administrator and Jon Gray Northern Commissioner.

The ceremony was witnessed by many family members and friends of those sworn in. Please help us to congratulate them and wish them the best in their term. There is no greater honor than to be in public service.

Report from the Bates County Commission

Monday, December 16, 2024.

The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Daniel Roberson came in for his scheduled meeting. He is requesting to have the late penalty fees removed from his personal property taxes. He has property in Hume that he is building a house on and had been living in a camper till it was damaged. It was in 2023 that he moved into Bates County and has not received an assessment for any personal property for 2023 or 2024. Nor did he know to come let the Assessor know what he had. He is only requesting the late fee for 2023 be waived. Jim stated that this is like the other one where he moved in and did not know how to report his personal property to the local Assessor.

Ken made the motion to waive the late penalty on the Trailer for 2023 because he never received an assessment sheet. Trent seconded. All voted yes. No opposition. Motion carried.

Jim went on telling him when moving how the counties or states do not talk to one another. It is the person’s responsibility to report what they own to the new county they reside in. Daniel asked how to get his title changed to the new residence. Jim explained you don’t have to necessarily, but you do the driver’s license. However, the license bureau should be able to help you. Jim went on to explain how to do a Transfer On Time of Death title and the benefits of that.

Lindsey Chaffin with Great River came in for the scheduled meeting. She brought an Engineering Services Contract for BRO-23 Bridge # 1260012 over Elk Creek to go over and be signed. The Construction Bid request should be posted in January with closing in late January or early February. Completion date is looking at December 2025. Currently the Contractors that bid these types of projects are back logged to a year out. Jim asked about soft-match money to purchase. Lindsey replied there is some out there. In January they will know how much will be available. Lindsey also gave a status report of the TAP-9901456, Courthouse sidewalk replacement shows all planning and permitting to be completed by May of 2025 and Construction to start in Late fall of 2025. 

This project is funded by 80% MoDOT and 20% County. Estimated cost of $322,000.00. The conversation went to discuss the next bridge to repair with county funds which will be allowed to soft-match money for future bridge projects. After looking over the bridges one was settled on.

Trent made the motion to sign a contract with Great River Engineering to repair/replace the bridge on County Road 11253 over Soap Creek with county funds for soft-match money for MoDOT. Ken seconded the motion. All vote yes. No Opposition. Motion Carried.

The contract was signed by Jim and attested to by Cara Keller, Deputy Clerk in absence of Jami Page, County Clerk with her stamp.
Lindsay added that she has not found any funding for the railroad approaches that the Commission requested her to investigate last visit. She will check in the spring again. 

Rick and Edie Brattin walked in to discuss their property assessment. The Assessor had changed this property over to residential property and they feel it should remain agricultural property. Rick and his siblings gained this property after his dad’s passing in 2019. They share the responsibility of the taxes yearly. They did not know the building had not been reported or assessed. The building on the property is a barn that is used for most of the year as equipment storage. The family will use it for gatherings a few times a year. There is a wood stove for heat. 

A few times it is used for an overnight or stopping point during hunting season. The barn, strip pit and 88 acres were all changed to residential. There is a room in there but there is no water or electricity running to the building nor does anyone live there. Rick stated the girl at the Assessor’s Office stated a pole barn is residential. They looked up the definition of residential property and found it to state defined as “human occupancy”. Rick offered to show the Commission pictures of the barn a few times which were not responded to by the Commission. The taxes on this part went up to nearly double with reclassifying it. 

Looking at the file, Jim stated that they were being assessed for the dock in the pit and the single-story building which increased the value. Jim stated, “the only thing we can do is look into this and get back with them on why the change” The Brattin’s information was taken and will be contacted when the commission has the information for them.

The scheduled Bid Opening for ADS Tubes began at 2 pm. Jim Hargrave with West Pipe, and Thayne Bush with Welborn Sales were present. The bids were West Pipe $24,527.00, Welborn Sales Inc., $25,499.58 and Viebrock Sales & Services, LLC at $24,862.00. All bids being the same. Bids good for one year.

Ken made the motion to go with the lowest bid to West Pipe at $24,527.00. Trent seconded the motion. All voted yes. No opposition. Motion carried.

Obituary - Gladys Winterringer

Gladys Winterringer, 71 of Butler, Missouri passed away December 8, 2024 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial services were held December 14, 2024 at Mullinax Funeral Home Butler. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Gladys to the Winterringer family. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Gladys Vivan (Wort) Winterringer was born July 30, 1953 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Arch and Elizabeth Walker. She graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas.

Gladys was united in marriage to Tommy Winterringer on May 19, 1972. Together they settled in Butler, Missouri to raise their family. Before retirement Gladys worked for Goodwill and preforming custodial work at the Federal Building in Kansas City. She was a dedicated wife and mother, serving many times as a Block Mother. When Gladys wasn’t working or hard at work caring for her family she enjoyed all types of sewing, gardening, and painting, which in her later years included painting by numbers on her tablet.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, son Timmy Winterringer and her sister Vickie Brown.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy Winterringer, her son Kevin Fletcher (Ginny), her brother David Wort, 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, an adopted son, Mark Roby and her beloved dog Harley.

Butler represented in the 2024 National All State Softball Championships in Florida

Something exciting as 4 girls from Butler are competing in the 2024 National All State Softball Championships in Viera, Florida this week.

Jordan Porter is playing on 16u open for the “Blazing Bells. Braelynn Isaacson is playing 14u C for the Santa’s Cookie Crunchers. Aryan Stodgell and Kaidence Hudson (14u C) is playing for the Prancer’s Partyers. 

Jordan’s team went 2-0 for the 1st day of pool play. Braelynn’s team went 0-2 (fought hard) for the 1st day of pool play.

AJ and Kaidence’s team went 2-0 in the 1st day of pool play. They will all play 2 more games tomorrow and then the 31st will be single elimination. We will keep you updated on this! Way to represent ladies!!

Obituary - Clifford McDaniel

Clifford Allen McDaniel, 90, rural El Dorado Springs, MO passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Cliff was born on June 27, 1934, in Schell City, MO to Frank and Leona (Malcom) McDaniel. Cliff was married to Sue Hacker in October, 1953 and she preceded him in death in 1992. He then married Bonnie Culbertson in July, 1996 and she preceded him in death on August 16, 2012.

Cliff grew up in the Schell City area and graduated from the El Dorado Springs High School Class of 1952. He worked at various jobs before going to work for Continental Phone Co./Contel. He retired after 37 years with the company. He was an avid fisherman and was a semi-professional bowling champion. He loved traveling. He will be remembered for his smile, his laugh, and his love for his family.

Clifford is survived by a son, Michael McDaniel, Nevada, MO; 3 grandsons, Shawn McDaniel,Kansas City, MO, Shane McDaniel, Buffalo, MO, and Seth McDaniel (Jenkey), San Antonio, TX; step-son, Rick Culbertson (Diane); numerous great- and great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wives, Sue and Bonnie, Cliff was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Chester McDaniel.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada with Dr. William Cox officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dederick, MO.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to Wounded Warriors or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in c/o Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Wooden porch fire in Belton

On Dec. 27th Belton Fire Department crews responded to a report of a structure fire in the area of the 800 block of N Scott.

Upon arrival, it was discovered that a wooden front porch was on fire.  It was quickly extinguished with minimal damage to the residence.  

No one was injured and the cause is under investigation.

Way to go!

Drexel Lady Cats defeat Miami 63-27 in the first round of the William D. Gordon Tournament last night.  The Bobcats defeated Heartland 56-25 in their first round game.  

Also, congratulations to Junior Kolbi Nichols who scored his 1000th career point last night.

A Huge Thank You!

In the season of giving we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lee & Emily McLain  with Countywide Storage for donating a storage unit for the Butler Elementary PTSO to use. 

As we continue to grow the PTSO program, this will come in handy for all of our totes of goodies. Check out Countywide Storage in Butler for all of your storage unit needs!