Report from the Bates County Commission

December 23, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Calee McElwain with the Health Board stopped in to chat with the Commission. No notes were given on the conversation.
The Commission worked on the vacancies and appointments for the following.
The Commission received a letter of resignation from David Kauffman on the Senate Bill 40 Board. To fill the vacancy for the reminder of the Term it was proposed to appoint Toni Huber to this period of One year.
Trent made the motion to appoint Toni Huber to fill in the remainder of the vacated Term on the Senate Bill 40. Jim seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion carried. No Opposition.
Trent made the motion to appoint Patricia Pike to the Bates County Senior Services Board for a 2 year term. Jim seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Trent made the motion to appoint Sharon Tourtillott to the Bates County Senior Services Board for a 2 year Term. Jim seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Trent made the motion to keep Ivan Schraeder Law as their attorney. Jim seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried no opposition.
The Commission is tabling the Senior Tax Credit Ordinance till next year. They are wanting to get the Incoming Northern Commissioner, John Gray, in on the process.
Jerry Wiedenmann came in for his scheduled appointment. He is wanting to have a family cemetery on his property. He shared some of his family history. He was here to get direction from the Commission. He was told to have the parcel surveyed out for a legal description and needed easements. Then have a title drawn up giving it over to the County.
Work In Progress
Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023
Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024
Bid for Hallway lights given 2/14/2024
Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024
Senior Tax Credit 9/9/2024
Office's desk window remodel/ Security 9/11/2024

December 30, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Jim and Trent revised the Township CART money contract and Detailed Financial Statement. To the contract was added the requirement of filing a completed budget for the year, a certificate of insurance, advisement to the commission on any bridge or culvert needing repair or replacement as soon as detected and if all requirements are not met the Commission will withhold CART funds until they are completed. Also added was witnessing signatures. To the Detailed Financial Statement it was added that under Other the Townships provide a separate sheet listing all other items purchased or funded.
Jim made the motion to approve the updated Township Contracts and Detailed Financial Statement. Trent seconded them motion. All voted yet. Motion carried. No opposition.
Schraeder Law Firm Agreement Signed and sent.

Power out in the Amoret area

 

Crews are working to restore power in the Amoret area and while there has been a slight delay, it is being reported that it should be back on in fairly short order. 

Mid America Live will provide updates as they become available.

Regarding closures and cancellations

 

If anyone has something to be added to our list of closures and cancellations, please email them to midshopper@gmail.com or call/text 660-492-8758 thank you!

Appleton City R-2

Archie R-5

Ballard R2 

Bates county health center

Bates County Thrift Store 

Belton 124 AMI day

Butler R-V 

Cass Midway R-1 

Chilhowee R4

Clinton band clinic cancelled Friday and Saturday 

Clinton 124 AMI day

Drexel R-4 AMI day

Harrisonville Cass R-9

Holden R3

Hudson R-IX

Hume R-8 

Miami R-1 AMI day; Friday BB games cancelled

Old high school thrift shop in Butler

Orrick R11

Pleasant Hill R-3 AMI day

Rich Hill R-IV

Sherwood Cass R-8

This page will be updated as we receive more information. If you have something to be added, email midshopper@gmail.com or call/text 660-492-8758 thank you.

Obituary - Karen Marie Hargrove MacDonald Webb

Karen Marie Hargrove MacDonald Webb was born 2/19/1954 to Marie (Nettleton) and John “Jack” Hargrove in Helena Montana and left this world on 1/5/2025 in Overland Park Kansas after battling COPD and cancer for the last decade.

Karen was a unique individual, a person whose inner beauty outshone her physical beauty, who found joy in everything life threw at her and had a never quit attitude. Most people faced with the challenges Karen had would have given up, become angry and bitter, but not Karen, she just kept moving forward, never acknowledging the possibility of defeat, “well we will just have to deal with it.” Her unwavering faith in God, her love for her family and friends, especially her daughter Michelle, and her joy in helping others, is what carried her through life.

Her first challenge at the age of 8 was surviving open heart surgery to repair a congenital birth defect in her heart. She survived because she kept fighting for what she wanted, which was to go home to her dad even if it meant hiding from the nurses under the bed (and allegedly screaming).

Her strength of spirit helped her overcome the grief of losing her beloved dad and having her daughter, Michelle, all in the same year. When she became a single mother, she didn’t let anything stand in her way from providing the best life for her daughter, giving her anything a little girl could ever want, while still pushing Michelle to be strong and independent woman in her own right. 

The last few years of her life, Karen was often challenge with debilitating health issues that would have left most just sitting in their houses. Not Karen, her home was always decorated (and organized) to perfection inside and out, usually with things she made herself or crafted by dearly beloved friends. One of her favorite things to do (other than mowing her lawn with her riding mower) and re-designing her patio space with cinderblocks!

Even when she was a frequent visitor to the hospitals, she continued to bring joy to all, calling all of the nurses “honey.” Karen’s good humor, smile and wink she left a lasting impression, her last ICU nurse remembered that she always had a laugh, good word, a quirk of an eyebrow or a wink to brighten the day.

Throughout Karen’s life she had many careers, but they all centered around one thing-caring for others. Caring for those in a nursing home, in the hospital as a PT Technician, to taking care of kids in her daycare, to caring for her sister-in-law and bringing her into her own home, and taking care of the staff and kids in the Blue Valley School District. 

After her official retirement, Karen continued her caring career within her beloved town of Pleasanton, Kansas. Baking for her church and local events, bringing water and cookies to the police officers and sharing her craft creations with the library. Karen loved the library where she participated in several clubs, for quilting, making cards, reading books, and playing games.

Karen is survived by her daughter Michelle Johnson, sisters Brenda Hargrove and Robin Petkewich, nephews: Jeff and Chelsea (nee Chandler) Hargrove, their daughters Kennedie and Hannah, Bryon Hargrove, his children Ellison, Charlotte, and Korbyn, Connor and Cheyenne (nee Guilick) Gentry, their son Elijah and all of the kids that called her “grandma or Auntie Karen” even though they were not related to her. Karen is preceded in death by her mother Marie, father Jack, brothers John and Melvin.

Karen touched so many lives, bringing joy and laughter with her kindness, mischievousness, and thoughtfulness of others, she will be deeply missed.

Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Pleasanton United Methodist Church. The family suggests memorials be made to the Pleasanton Lincoln Library and may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home P.O. Box 525 Pleasanton, Kansas 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com 

Obituary - Joseph Wayne Wilkes

Joseph Wayne Wilkes, age 63 of Pleasanton, Kansas passed away at this home on January 7, 2025.  He was born in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Lloyd and Cleva Baker Wilkes on October 15, 1961.  Joseph was an avid reader with science fiction and fantasy realms being his favorites, but read from all genres as well.  He spent a lot of time online and was an avid hardcore gamer.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bryan Wilkes.  Joseph is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Becky Wilkes.

There are no services scheduled at this time.  Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

Obituary - Bonnie Sue (Frost) Heiserman

Bonnie Sue (Frost) Heiserman was born at her family home on October 11, 1934, in the Spruce area. She attended the Cumpton School in elementary and was active in the Skyline 4-H program, where she first developed a passion for cooking and sewing. After graduating from Appleton City High School in 1953 Bonnie worked as a switchboard operator at Farm & Home in Nevada, MO. Bonnie also worked at Citizens Bank of Appleton City for a period of time. Bonne married Donald “Bud” Heiserman on April 4, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church in Butler, MO. To this union, four children were born: Dudley, Denice, Chris and Diane.

With the transition to wife and mother, Bonnie was always working on the farm and taking care of others. Bonnie maintained a talent for cooking her entire life. Her family will always remember her delicious BBQ sauce, chocolate cake with caramel icing, Christmas candy, and strawberry jelly. Another 4-H skill that Bonnie mastered in adulthood was her talent of sewing as evidenced by the many beautiful quilts that she made, which will be forever treasured by her family. She was a member of the quilting group at her church and loved attending every Thursday.

Throughout her life, Bonnie enjoyed picking up pecans and attending auctions to add to her many antique collections. She especially loved visiting her sister in California. Bonnie and Bud spent a lot of time fishing and camping with family. Whenever Bonnie went to the lake, she put anyone to shame when slalom water skiing. Most of all, Bonnie loved her family. She loved hosting family get-togethers and fish fries. Even when her memory began to fade, Bonnie always knew that she belonged with family.

Bonnie developed a relationship with Christ from a young age. She was baptized at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church as a young girl. Bonnie was a talented piano player and used her talents to serve God. She played piano at the Spring Grove Presbyterian Church until it closed. She continued to play piano at the Rockville United Methodist Church, where she attended until her death. Bonnie was welcomed into Jesus’ arms on January 3, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Cleo Frost; her husband of 53 years, Bud; a brother, Jimmy; and a great-great-grandchild, Rowan. She leaves behind, a sister, Patty; her children: Diane (Shawn) Johannigmeier, Chris (Karen) Heiserman, Denice (Mark) Nitchals, and Dudley (Cindy) Heiserman; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous other family and friends.

The family suggests memorial to Rockville United Methodist Church or Appleton City Cemetery Association and may be left at the funeral home.

Obituary - Robert E. "Bob" Ketchum

Robert E. "Bob" Ketchum age 97 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Forsyth Nursing and Rehab, Forsyth, Missouri. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri. A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available.