Rain this morning, snow this evening

Ellett Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month

Ellett Memorial Hospital is proud to announce their February Employee of the Month, Becky Collins, RN. She is a very dedicated RN and she makes her patients a priority. Becky's compassion for those in her care is second to none. She is very reliable for her shifts and helps out whenever there is a need. She always participates in EMH activities and meetings on or off shift. 

Becky meshes very well with ancillary staff and shows appreciation when other department techs need to come in for patient care. Becky has been with Ellett since August of 1996 and has countless hours of outstanding patient care with her tenure. We truly thank Becky for her big caring heart, compassion and teamwork she has provided to the patients as well as the Ellett Family. We have been blessed to call Becky our staff member & friend. 

Once again, congrats Becky Collins!

-Courtesy Ellett Memorial Hospital

Arrest made following garage encounter

 

On February 28 at approximately 5:25AM, a Butler Officer made contact with a male subject in the lobby of the Police Department who advised the Officer that he was getting ready to leave his residence on W. Clark Street to go to work and when he walked into his garage, there was an unknown male standing in his garage.

The male then began to run from the residence while being chased by the victim. The victim then stopped chasing the male and came to the Police Department.

Based on a description and positive photo identification, the suspect was determined to be Travis Herman.

Multiple items to include tools and a wallet were stolen.

On 03/02/2025, Butler Officers spoke to Herman about the incident. Herman admitted to being in the garage and chased away by the victim. Herman was then placed in custody and transported to the Bates County Jail.

On 03/03/2025, a warrant was issued for Herman with for Burglary 1st Degree with a bond of $25,000 Cash or Surety.

Obituary - Barbara Ann Cobb

Barbara Ann Cobb ascended to the heavens on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Left to celebrate her life and spirit are her daughters: Toni Cobb and Shannon McCoy; granddaughter, Bayleigh McCoy; and Shannon's husband, Martin McCoy, of Broken Arrow, OK; sister, Phyllis Vescovi, and her daughter-in-law, Lisa Vescovi, and her sons of Pleasant Hill, MO; along with other beloved family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her soul mate, Hugh Cobb, and parents, Lucille and Jack Cook, as well as, many friends and family members she treasured.

Barbara was born on September 19, 1940, in Hicks, Arkansas. She started school when she was 4 years old. Her Aunt was the teacher in the little one room school and Barbara was a very bright child. She took pride in being a good student which paid off when she became Valedictorian of her Senior Class of 1957. She also played basketball in school; they played 3-on-3 back then and she always commented on how different the girls' game was now and how wished she could have shot the ball instead of playing defense.

She met the love of her life, Hugh, at 12 years old in school at Elkins and they were together for over 70 years. She graduated from college at SMS in Springfield with a Teacher's degree. She taught PE and History in Harrisonville, MO, for many years. She also coached the girls' track team which was very successful for its inaugural seasons. Education was very important to Barbara, and she continued to feel that way her entire life.

Barbara and Hugh raised 2 daughters, Toni and Shannon, in Harrisonville. She was a very loving and supportive Mother, always being very involved in her girl's lives. When Toni and Shannon moved to Oklahoma, her and Hugh burnt up the road between Harrisonville and Tulsa for several years. However, once the apple of her eye, her granddaughter, Bayleigh was born; it did not take long for them to relocate to Oklahoma to be with their girls. Barb and Bayleigh became best friends and that continued until she passed away. No one could make her light up when they walked in the room like Bayleigh. While living on the Cobb Compound, Shannon snared a fellow, Martin, from Arkansas that fit right into our family since he was a Razorback. Barbara was especially happy because now she had another handy man to help Hugh out on all of her projects she dreamed up. Barbara loved working in her yard; and she worked very hard to make her yard and home look like a Better Homes & Gardens special.

Her family will miss seeing those beautiful blue eyes and that wonderful smile. She will be missed. "So, when tomorrow starts without me don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart."

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 am at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 am.

Structure fire in northern Bates county

Additional units from Butler and Central Cass have been summoned to 16560 NW county road 5001 to assist Adrian fire department with an outbuilding structure fire, use caution if traveling through the area.

Unedited video of Bates County Commission meeting regarding ARPA fund documentation

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