Monday, March 3, 2025
Structure fire in northern Bates county
Heated exchange today in Bates county commission chambers regarding ARPA funding snafu
It was standing room only in the offices of the Bates County Commission this morning as local residents demanded answers regarding a lack of required reporting for $3.14 million the county received in ARPA funds since 2020.
Note the discernment is not that the funds were abused or misallocated, but necessary reporting to the Treasury was not completed by the Bates County Commission and included are over 90 emails regarding the reports that went unanswered by the Commission.
It was also revealed that the failure to do the reports has resulted in Bates county not being eligible for other grants in the meantime however, according to information revealed today the county could be 'on the hook' to repay a large portion of the money due to the lack of required documentation.
Many in the room repeatedly asked Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley to resign immediately citing incompetence on his behalf to which he stated that he would like stay until Wednesday to resolve the issue, if possible.
As the discussion ensued, it was agreed also by Wheatley, that action will be taken by a group of citizens along with Northern Commissioner John Gray to contact the Treasury to see if any lenience can be given regarding the circumstances and determine if a time extension may be given to provide the missing reports.
With that, the Bates County Sheriff's Office is working to find an outside agency to conduct an investigation for the purpose to recover receipts for expenditures made by the receiving entities which would aid in the documentation process.The situation will be revisited this Wednesday, March 5th in the commission chambers with time to be announced as the meeting agenda is yet to be published.
The meeting will be open to the public.
Obituary - Jerrold (Jerry) Lee Dickey
Mr. Jerrold (Jerry) Lee Dickey, of Archie, Missouri, was born September 28, 1939 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Fred Efton and Pearl Ann Dickey (Hart). He departed this life Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, surrounded by family, at the age of 85 years, 5 months and 1 day. On August 12, 1967, Jerry was united in marriage to Marty Zook in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jerry spent most of his life as a carpenter and contractor building homes around the area. He liked to fish and hunt and sometimes played golf in his free time. He loved spending time with family and especially his with his grandson. Jerry also loved to play the guitar and sing country music. His family loved to hear him sing. He was a charter member of the Harrisonville Elks Lodge. He had a deep commitment to the Urantia Papers and enjoyed sharing it with others.
He was preceded in death by his father Fred Dickey and his mother Pearl Dickey; a brother Freddie Dale Dickey, and brother Jim Dickey, a niece Sarah Ann Wright, and nephew Christian Wright.
He is survived by two sons, Timothy Sean Dickey, Archie, Missouri, Donald Gene Dickey and wife Cheryl, Harrisonville, Missouri; a grandson Travis Timothy Dickey; 2 brothers, Delmer Gene Dickey and wife Jacque, Kansas City, Missouri, Richard E. Dickey and wife Beverly, Clinton, Missouri; a sister Patricia Ann Wright and husband Don, Raymore, Missouri; a former spouse, Marty Dickey, Garden City, Missouri; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Cremation with a celebration of life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.
Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Ships and may be made through the link or sent in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Rich Hill Reaches District Championship Once Again
The Rich Hill Tigers entered the Class 2, District 13 tournament as the 2 seed, with a record of 22-5. The Tigers were in a District loaded with talent, such as, Lincoln, Osceola, Weubleau, Appleton City and Lakeland. As the second seed, the Tigers had earned a bye, and would face Osceola in round of the tournament after Osceola defeated Appleton City 62 to 53 in the first round.
This would be the 3rd time that the Tigers and Indians would face off this season. In the first two meetings, the Tigers would emerge victorious with scores of 59-50 and 56-54.
Following the opening tip, it would appear that these two teams would be set for another close one, as the Tigers led 11-7 after the opening 8. The contest would remain tight through the first 2 quarters, as Rich Hill would take a 20-19 lead into the break.
Out of the intermission, the Tigers were able to dominate defensively and hold the Indians to a whopping ZERO points for the entirety of the period. While they ratcheted up the defensive pressure, the Tigers were also able to put up an impressive 17 points, pushing their lead to a comfortable 37-19 heading into the fourth and final. During the 4th period, the Tigers coasted to a 55-30 win.
Zane Becker led the Tigers with 22 points, Dillon Coonce finished the night with 14 points, 19 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 4 assists. Lane Hardin also pitched in 14 points for Rich Hill.
With this win, the Tigers had earned a spot in the district in the Championship game, and now they had a date with Lincoln. The Tigers would end up falling to Lincoln with a final of 56-43, ending Rich Hill’s season.
Wise Words from State Runner-Up
By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV
The Butler Bears sent multiple wrestlers to the State Tournament this past weekend, where they were able to shine and represent Butler High School well. Preston Mallatt (132), Damian Alkire (138), Kellen Long (150), and Phineas Goertz were the athletes that would be taking the trip to Columbia for the Bears.
Mallatt, Alkire, and Long would each make it the quarterfinals where Mallatt would loose by decision (10-8), Alkire won by decision (15-3), and Long would win by pin.
In the end, Goertz would go 0-2 in the tournament, Mallatt would go 2-2, Long would claim a 3rd place finish, and Alkire would be a State Runner-Up with a 2nd place finish.
Alkire, who obviously had high hopes of bringing home a state title, wisely states, “Not what I planned for State but Jeremiah 29:11 teaches me that the plans I have are not always the best or right plans, for God has even greater plans for me in the future that I need not want. After losing my father this past year I really put this season and State Tournament towards Him because I believed it would fulfill the hole in my heart and the goals me and him set together of being a State Champion. The Lord taught me that I don’t need a State Championship for him and a State Championship won’t make the grief any easier. Only the Lord can fulfill the hole in my heart and give me the strength to overcome the grief I mistakenly thought being on top of a podium would fix. Philippians 4:13 shows me this. I ask you to learn from my mistake and give Jesus the chance to save you too. Back to work and more to come.”
Alkire finished his Junior campaign with a record of 36-5. The entire Butler Wrestling team is LOADED with youthful talent, as the team has zero seniors, and hopes to return all of these wrestlers next year!
We would like to congratulate all of the BHS Wrestlers on their season!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13
photos by Mallory Taylor
Warm to start the week...
FIRST, TONIGHT AND TOMORROW:
The surface low bringing any precip chances for tonight is taking a much more southerly track than previously indicated, so our counties stay dry, clear and in the 40's this evening.
MONDAY starts off sunny, but by noon we're covered in about 75-80% cloud cover as the Tuesday system approaches to our south and west.
STILL, Monday is around a 60-degree day with some winds out of the south around 10-12mph, with occasional gusts.
ATTENTION THEN turns to Tuesday, . . . next post!
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