Obituary - Randall Edward Kiger

Randall Edward Kiger, 65, of Nevada, MO, passed away on March 13th, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Kansas City surrounded by family.  He was born on May 6, 1959, in Nevada, MO, to Virginia Steele and Francis “Duck” Kiger.

    After graduating high school, Randy proudly served his country in the United States Navy, where he dedicated his career before retiring. Following his retirement, he returned to Nevada, MO, where he was known for his kind heart, strong work ethic, and dedication to his family and friends. He was an active member of the Nevada Church of the Nazarene and was involved with the On My Own organization, where he made a positive impact on those around him. A passionate sports fan, Randy loved cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs and never missed a chance to support his team.

    He is survived by his brothers, Troy Kiger and wife Katie of Raymore, MO, and Jack Kiger and wife Tammy of Indiana; as well as nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, who loved him dearly and will miss him deeply. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother, Clarence Peterson Jr.; his brother, Glen Kiger; his sisters, Linda McCormick, Rhonda Farmer, and Kathy Zoglmann; their husbands, Brent McCormick, Ron Farmer, and Len Zoglmann; and his son, Zane Kiger.

   The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00p.m., Monday, March 17, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.    Funeral services will be held at 10:00a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Ferry Funeral Home, with Bob Beaver officiating.    Interment with military honors will follow at Newton Burial Park.

    Memorial contributions may be made in Randy’s honor to On My Own, Inc. in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Report from the Bates County Commission

March 12, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.Dean Fischer with Pleasant Gap Township came in on open-door policy to discuss discrepancies in the allocation of CART fund money for township road maintenance. Dean states that Prairie Township received $15450, while Pleasant Gap received $20450.00, despite Pleasant Gap having nearly two and a half times the road miles. Dean argued that the funds should be distributed based on the number of miles, as per an audit from 15 years ago. Instead of letting a smaller township without the need for the funds build up capitol. Jim Wheatley explained that the current formula, set by Terry Wheatley and Larry Berry, considered township assessments. The discussion emphasized the need for accurate and fair distribution, with Dean suggesting a return to the original mileage-based formula.

  Dean further added, the requirement of an insurance policy was something that at times their township was not able to achieve financially. Individually the cost of insurance is very high. He asked if there was a way to make it a group effort with the county. The Commission states that they could not make a group policy with the county. They did agree that if several townships wanted to go in together on maintenance and insurance that would be a good idea. This would be up to the townships to agree on.

  The Commission extended an offer to use the road groomer equipment to repair the roads. They would need to pay for the fuel and get with Road and Bridge on what was needed.
John states he knows of a company Fortera that is willing to donate some concrete culverts to the county.

  Stacy Mcguire came in on the open-door policy to discuss the matter of her and her son’s personal property error that she had given to them weeks ago. She brought the paperwork to show he had listed his new truck on his assessment sheet, and it never got put on his property listings. However, his mother’s explorer got put on hers and his. She states the errors are now corrected but is asking for the penalties and interest on his truck to be waived as they clearly followed all instructions. This was an assessor’s office error.

  John made the motion to remove the penalties and interest on Colby McGuire’s truck. Trent seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion carried. No opposition.

  The Commission asked Public Administrator Brenda Doody, County Coroner Jerret Reno and County Clerk Jami Page to come over to work on the Indigent Remains Policy. County Coroner could not make it at short notice. The remaining convened to go over the policy and procedures brought up the last discussion on 8/25/2023. Items brought up were using Oak Hill Potters Field, where to store till burial, time frame for burial, how to bury them and headstone ideas, legalities of holding remains and possible relatives’ interest. Time needs to be set to loop Jerret into the discussion. Work remains in progress.

Work in progress
Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023
Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023
Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024
Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024

Red Flag conditions prompt burn ban

Butler Fire Chief Jason Bennett is advising everyone to postpone any outdoor burning as high winds along with dry conditions pose a fire threat that can get out of control quickly.

Conditions are bound to be better in a few weeks when things green up a little.

Obituary - Donald Eugene Cornell, Jr.

Donald Eugene Cornell, Jr., son of the late Donald Eugene, Sr. and Helen May (Scarnier), was born on July 15, 1960 in Kansas City, Missouri and departed this life on January 28, 2025.  At the time of his passing, he was 64 years, six months, and 12 days of age.

 Donald spent his early years in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Melrose Park, IL when he was 12.  He graduated High School and went on to work as a Teamster driving a forklift.  He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Judy Latham and together they spent a short time before her unexpected passing in 2001.  He moved back to Kanas City in 2008 to help care for his parents.  Don was an outdoorsman and loved to fish and camp.  He was also an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan.  Don resided with his sister Kathy for the last 17 months at her home near Pittsburg, Missouri.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Judy and his parents.  He is survived by his sister, Kathy Heflin; his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and lifelong friends, Steve and Danny Clodfelter.

Memorials may be made to the Hope Lodge Kansas City, Missouri. 

Celebration of Life will be held at his sister Kathy's Home (24457 Co Rd. 292 Pittsburg, Missouri 65724) on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 12pm.

Cremation rites were entrusted to Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, Missouri.

Butler Lions Club Radio Auction coming later this month

The Annual Butler Lions Club Radio Auction, a long time tradition, is set to happen March 31st-April 3rd nightly 5 to 7 pm.

Tune into 92.1 FM nightly, place your bids and have fun as all proceeds raised go directly to our community.

Ballard school seeks subject in weekend break in

According to a letter penned by Ballard school superintendent David Andrade, authorities are looking for a subject related to a weekend break in at the school.

The person of interest is thought to be a white male from the Ballard area, just over 6 feet tall, driving a dark colored car and at the time of the break in was wearing a green jacket/hoodie.

If anyone has information, please contact the Bates County Sheriff's Office at 660-679-3232. 

Gusty today, Red Flag Warning in effect

 TUESDAY, What to Know:

**WIND ADVISORY 9am today to 5pm Wednesday: up to 50mph gusts possible

**RED FLAG WARNING from 11am today through 8pm tonight

GUSTS are strongest in West Central Missouri, where we're already seeing stout gusts this morning.

AFTERNOON HIGHS of 77-80 with partly sunny skies today.

It's one more day we must be vigilant about fires before we get at least a little precip Wednesday afternoon, and these gusty winds finally clear out toward Thursday.

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Debra Sue Sanders Richards

Debra Sue Sanders Richards, 68, of Rockville, Mo. passed away on March 16, 2025.

Debbie was born on January 22, 1957, in Kansas City, MO. She was the oldest child of Donald Ray and Deloris Sanders.

Debbie had two children: Scotty Lee and Jackie Sue (as she called them).

On July 4, 1989, she married the great love of her life, David Richards. David had two children of his own: David and Debbie. Now there were 4 kids in the family! At this time Debbie decided to become a full-time stay-at-home wife and mother.

Debbie enjoyed the time spent with family. However, time with her grandchildren gave her the most joy. She also loved collecting things, the Chiefs, and Elvis.

Debbie is proceeded in death by her beloved husband David, her parents Donald Ray and Deloris, her sister Donna, and granddaughter Jackie.

Debbie is survived by sons: Scott (Deanna) Anderson, David (Tammy) Richards, daughters: Jacqueline (Donald) Dines, Debbie (Dennis) Howard, brothers: Don (Melissa) Sanders, Derek (Vickie) Sanders, Darren Sanders, her grandchildren: Kaylea (Josh) Dines, Emilea (Arleigh) Dines, Truman Dines, Lillea Dines, Britany (Josh) Bradley, Mason Richards, Jackson Richards, Coleson Richards, Jayden Anthony, Zakori Anthony, and several great grandchildren.

The family suggests an memorial donations be made to Lily's House (women's recovery shelter) in Adrian, Missouri.

Courtesy Hill and Son Funeral Home