Obituary - Stephen "Tank" McGuire

Stephen McGuire, 42 of LaCygne, Kansas passed away unexpectedly January 16, 2025 at his home in LaCygne. Cremation with private family services to be held. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Stephen John McGuire, also known as Tank, was born March 14, 1982 in Kansas City, Kansas to Carla Fewin and Stephen McGuire. He came into this world with a smile on his face.

Tank had the biggest heart and was always doing for others without hesitation. He was always so caring and a listening ear for whoever may have needed it. Tank didn’t always have the best strategies or ways of going about things, but he always had the best intent in mind and heart. His profound ways of thinking were unmatched, his mind worked in ways beyond articulation.

Tank was many things, but above all else he was a rock for his family. He had the ability to help them through the hard times and was able to ensure they saw the value in good. To see someone in such pain create light in the darkness has instilled a light of hope in all of his family.

Tank had a sense of humor that was second to none, and always persistent to make those around him smile and laugh. He always loved telling stories about his childhood. Tank’s favorite things in life were camping, fishing, and shooting guns.

Tank was an amazing son, father, brother, grandpa, uncle, and friend who impacted the lives of many. He will be missed dearly and live in our hearts forever.

Tank was preceded in death by his wife Crissy Newcome, his grandparents Clifford and Martha Fewin, and his cousin Clifford Herrmann. He leaves behind so many people he loved dearly, but most of all his children, Stevie, Paige, and Christopher, his son-in-law Brian, and daughter-in-law Taylor, grandchildren, Bentley, Zoe, and Nevaeh. He is also survived by his mother Carla and step-father Mark, his father Steve, sisters, Heather and Jennifer, sister-in-law Amanda, and his niece and nephews, Alexis, Dallas, Avery, and AJ.

Valentine Skies

 

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

 The radials return

It’s still winter. Flights to the northern states last weekend battled blizzards, and ice accumulation while flying in cloud was a danger at 3000 feet hereabouts. I had a bout with carburetor icing on Saturday, under a left-over cloud layer at 2500 feet; engine backfire from an excessively-rich mixture was the clue, quickly remedied with a shot of carb heat.

Traffic for the week included a fast Aerostar twin, executing a circle-to-land maneuver out of the VOR-A approach, along with a Cessna Skyhawk and a Piper Archer. Tim Hill brought his Cessna Skylane over from Drexel and I ferried Josh Poe’s 1960 Cessna 172A. Locally, Danny Ferguson had the family Cessna 182 up, Carter Coffman flew a Cessna 150, a Piper TriPacer was rolled out and Jon Laughlin’s Piper Cherokee departed.

Meanwhile, Flight Instructor Delaney Rindal continued teaching at Butler in her Cessna 150, despite weather delays. Her company, SKY4 Aviation, LLC, now has a web presence, accessed at www.flysky4.com. Check it out.

Newswise, at press time a Cessna Caravan turboprop was involved in a fatal crash on the sea ice 34 miles out of Nome, Alaska, going down last Friday with 10 aboard. That is the maximum load allowed by FAA regulations for a single-engine aircraft, limited to 9 passenger seats plus crew. In other countries, as many as 14 are crowded into a Caravan. 

Two occupants of a burning Cirrus SR22 escaped after it came down under its CAPS whole-plane parachute last week, aided by a California highway-patrol trooper who happened to be working a traffic stop nearby. Other details were sketchy until the NTSB completes its investigation. 

The back-and-forth about the use of GAMI’s G100UL unleaded 100-octane aviation fuel continues, particularly in California, which is always on the self-appointed cutting edge of environmental concern. Now a Cirrus airplane owner out there has convinced the Chinese-owned Cirrus factory that G100UL has weakened his plane’s composite structure. So, despite demands by the State that only no-lead avgas is to be sold, Cirrus says not to use it. Fuel developer GAMI insists that 15 years of testing has shown no damage to fiberglass or carbon fiber, and company president George Braly flies a Cirrus SR22 himself. 

It was a good week of announcements for airplanes powered by Wright R3350 radial engines. Both of the two flying Boeing B-29 WW-II bombers will be at the Oshkosh airshow next July, a rare conjunction of Wichita-based “Doc” and “Fifi” from Texas. And the only giant Martin Mars flying boat is the process of being ferried from Canada to its final resting place at the Pima Air Museum in Arizona, powered by four R3350s. 

Last week’s question was about the oldest airport in the U.S. That would be the field at College Park, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., where the Wright Brothers demonstrated their craft to the Army in 1909. For next week, what was the biggest piston aircraft engine ever used in production planes? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

The Museum Minute: Coal is plentiful

 

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of February 12

1857 The Bates Co Court orders the old courthouse, at Papinville, be sold and a new courthouse be built in Butler.

1876 The Bates Co Record newspaper prints "Coal is so shallow in southwestern Bates County that it is struck digging a pond or well, or even a drainage ditch".

1927 Otto Frank of Rich Hill, is arrested after an investigation of his restaurant reveals several quarts of corn whiskey, wine and considerable home brew.

1954 Teachers and students of the Passaic school watch it burn to the ground after safely escaping. (McBee's location)

1976 The West Point township board members vote to build a community building. The property is purchased from Jack & Opal Armentrout for $2,000.

1993 news-Xpress contributor Nadine Meade writes that all homes in Ballard are occupied and the population is now 18.

1996 The Senior Center in Butler extends its services to Adrian, with 25 using the center. The Adrian Bank and SW Bell Telephone have supported the project. Also, State Rep. Jason Klumb presents a Missouri flag to the center in a special ceremony.

1998 Brad Vermaas, Butler grocer, is named president of the Bates Co Historical Society. He is also a member of the local Civil War re-enactors group.

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

 

Martin, Bryan K to Freeze, Daryl B. Str 9-39-32

Magoffin, Daris to Tailfeathers Duck Club, LLC Str 14-38-29 //Ne+

Norbury, Shane to Norbury, Kyle L Str 31-39-33

Hollon, Thomas Lee to JGAKZK, LLC Lt 9 Bl 4 Amsterdam, Original Town Of+

Hollon, Thomas L to TLHALH, LLC  Lt 6 Subd Lt 32 Of Amsterdam Town Co 1st Addn+

Bartz, Gregory A (Member) to Bartz, Gregory A Str 26-39-29

Bartz, Gregory A to Bartz, Timothy J Str 26-39-29

A&S Land Holdings, LLC Berger, Phil Str 22-38-29+

Tinker, Donald Rex to Garbe, Robin L. Lt 10 Bl 48 Rich Hill, Original Town Of+

Newkirk, A Dale to Boyles, Larry L Str 22-40-31 //Se

Skinner, William to Lewis, Keith Allen Lt 6 Bl 1 Harper's (Albert) Subds 23-40-31

Taylor, Bart A & Susan E Trust 05-09-2019 to Sears, Matthew Str 33-42-31

Brownsberger, David to Brownsberger, Ashley Lt 17 Quail Run Estates+

Brownsberger, Ashley to D & S Concrete Str 33-42-31 //Sw+

Marriage license

none

High speed chase ends in Butler

On February 2nd at approximately 12:30 am Bates County Dispatch received a request for assistance from the Linn County Kansas Sheriff’s Office in reference to a pursuit that was entering Bates County. The pursuit began on 69 Highway and was entering Bates County on 52 Highway. Deputies got into position to assist and to attempt to deploy tire deflating devices. Per policy additional staff was called from home to assist in the pursuit.

The pursuit continued from the Kansas state line to Butler. During the pursuit the passenger began to throw items like flashlights and canned vegetables. One of the canned vegetables struck a patrol vehicle’s windshield causing it to shatter. The pursuit continued with speeds over 100mph and entered the City of Butler. The vehicle continued through Butler with speeds over 80 mph. At the intersection of Austin and Broadway the vehicle came head on with the Sheriff’s truck. The vehicle attempted to swerve around the patrol truck when the Sheriff initiated a PIT maneuver on the vehicle. The vehicle and Sheriff’s truck came to rest in the yard at that intersection.

The driver, Shelby McGee 06-15-96 out of Independence, MO was taken into custody. The passenger, Chad Thompson 04-20-94 out of Smithville, Mo, was also taken into custody.

McGee has active warrants out of Clay County for Larceny and Burglary in the 1st Degree with a bond of $75,000 cash and surety.

Thompson has active warrants out of Clay County for Property Damage and Burglary in the 1st Degree and his bond is $100,000 cash or surety.

During a search of the vehicle multiple bags of a white crystalline substance were located on them and in the vehicle. Both McGee and Thompson face multiple felony charges in Bates County. The Sheriff was seen at the hospital for an injury to his hand that occurred during the arrest and released.

“This was team work with Butler Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office. Tonight we stopped a dangerous pursuit and took career criminals off the street.” Said Sheriff Anderson.

Recipe of the Week

 

Utility price hike should be temporary

 All Butler city council members present except Liggins and Hall for the February 4 session

A discussion was held regarding a recent spike in utility bills as residents have expressed discontent regarding the uptick in prices. City Administrator Corey Snead explained to the those present that power is purchased based on a monthly estimate of usage and the January cold snap increased demand, and now it's time to 'catch up' so to speak.

He went on to say the cold snap happened at the same time as the monthly wholesale bill was paid, which likely will result in a higher/slightly higher bill again this month as it will be split between the two billing periods. He added that a spike in billing typically happens a couple times a year, during extremely cold and hot snaps as well.

Representatives of the Student Advisory Committee spoke before the council, recapping their efforts of community involvement which has included the comprehensive plan, pickleball tournament, Brick Street Bash with more on the calendar for this year. 

The SAC is a group of local students who are sponsored by select council members working together to better our community by sharing ideas while combining some 'elder wisdom with young energetic minds' to which everyone benefits.

One member of the group said their goal is to help find more for everyone to do in Butler, to which the council wholeheartedly agreed and based on goals set for this year, it's highly likely to happen as some plans include a scavenger hunt, plants for the green space and more. 

Parker Byron, owner of apartments at 113 S. Orange street was issued a conditional use permit last year that included four quarterly updates to the council to insure that all guidelines/codes were being followed. During this meeting he gave his final update on the project to which the council found satisfactory. 

Future plans for Byron include the conversion of four regular apartments into two ADA compliant apartments which will certainly help with those needs locally and he also said their implementation of better vetting practices for new tenants is beneficial as well.

A leak at the water plant will be repaired soon as a considerable amount of water is leaking into the ground. A valve on the clearwell tank will be repaired to the tune of about $10,000 but it was noted that once the repair is done it should permanently fix the issue.

An individual inquired about haying 44 acres of land owned by the city along Elks Drive and the decision was made to put it out for bid. Those interested should contact city hall or look for upcoming notices in the News-Shopper.

Also discussed was the 1/2 cent sales tax which will be on the April ballot. The money would greatly help to offset ever growing expenses related to operation of the Butler fire department as well as help insure our future safety needs are met; more on this will be coming in an upcoming article.

Department heads have turned in necessary paperwork as the '24-'25 budget gets closer to being finalized, more on this in the upcoming February 18 council session.

The Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm at city hall and the public is highly encouraged to attend.