Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

March 17, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

There were no scheduled meetings.

Johnson Controls Contract was signed for fire protection for the Administration building till April 2028.

March 19, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Josh Framel with Clearway came in for his scheduled visit. The meeting discussed the Swan Solar Project, a 600-650 MW development in the north part of the county. Key points included the interconnection study by the Southwest Power Pool, expected to be completed by fall, and the need for a customer, likely Evergy. The project involves 4-5 landowners and 4,000 acres. Tax implications were detailed, with a potential revenue of $2 million in the first year. Legislative bills in Missouri, such as Senate Bill 213 and House Bill 440, could impact taxation. The project aims for completion by 2028, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and community engagement. Clearway is an owner operator that prefers to keep ownership of their projects instead of selling them off after build.

Frank Sedem with NextEra rescheduled for April 9th.

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

Severe weather a possibility over the next few days

SO WE NEED TO BE WEATHER AWARE tonight and tomorrow, but I believe the brunt of the activity probably misses us.

CAN'T RULE OUT a small but powerful cell - or, more likely in my opinion, a passing shower & some wind gusts, both tonight and tomorrow.

SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE is on the way out overnight, and you can see with the incoming pressure gradient that I look for winds to pick up out of the southwest tomorrow: So, it'll feel like "storm weather" and bring an end to our calm conditions.

CHANCES WILL CONTINUE on and off like this until probably Sunday night.

WHILE THERE'S STILL a lot of uncertainty in the weekend's severe weather track & location, I'm more concerned about Saturday night & Sunday, and I'll be focusing on that in tomorrow's livestream for sure.

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Fred Bisby

Graveside service and interment for Fred Bisby of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri.  Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Saturday at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler.  Contributions to Kamp Keirsey.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

John Fredrick “Fred” Bisby, age 89 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at the Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.  He was born April 19, 1935 to William Leslie and Mildred May Ecton Bisby in Prathersville, Missouri.

Fred is survived by three children,  Kevin Bisby and Deborah Gray both of Independence, Missouri,  Brenda Binger and husband Daniel of Butler, Missouri; a stepson, Howard Crepeau and wife Karla of Butler, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.   He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Louise Bisby on August 18, 2023.

Obituary - Robert "Bob" Flint

Funeral services for Robert "Bob" Flint of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Dayton Cemetery near Garden City, Missouri.  Contributions to Living Word Adventist Fellowship in Butler.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Robert “Bob” Jayson Flint, age 81 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at the Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.  He was born February 28, 1944 to Leslie Jayson and Minnie Marie Dant Flint in Stoughton, Wisconsin. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia Lee Flint of Butler, Missouri; three children, Jayson L. Flint and wife Peggy of Sedalia, Missouri, Dorothy M. Paxton and husband Thomas and Jonathan M. Flint all of Butler, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Isaac (Stephanie) Flint of Holt, Michigan, Eleni (Jerad) of Neosho, Missouri, James Paxton and Scott Paxton both of Butler, Missouri, Samuel Tyner and Marshal Tyner both of Belton, Missouri and Rozzeta (Brandon) Calahan of Butler, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Sophia and Corelee; a brother, David W. Flint and wife Judy of Bolivar, Missouri; and numerous nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two granddaughters, D’artagnan Alexander Flint and Vanessa Grey Flint; and a nephew, Burel Koester.

Obituary - Larry Wade Flatt

Larry Wade Flatt, 82, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on March 22, 2025, surrounded by family. 

Born on August 23, 1942, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Larry was the son of Wade and Sidney Flatt. He grew up in Wichita Falls, where he played on the 1958 State Champion Football team and graduated from high school in 1960. He went on to attend Texas Tech University, and in the summer of 1964, while working for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, he met the love of his life, Betty Robey. The two were married on June 1, 1965, and together they built a life filled with love, faith, and purpose. 

 

Larry and Betty raised their family in Overland Park, Kansas, where Larry dedicated over 25 years of service to the City, first as the Parks and Recreation Director and later as the Community Development Director. Following his public service career, Larry combined his professional skills with his passion for golf, founding a golf course design and consulting firm that served communities throughout the Midwest. 

 

In retirement, Larry devoted much of his time to serving others. He was an active volunteer at his church in Archie, Missouri, and also served as a volunteer chaplain at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri - roles that reflected his deep compassion and unwavering faith. 

 

Golf was one of Larry’s great joys - he could often be found on the course on Saturday mornings or practicing his short game on his lunch break. But above all, Larry’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. As he once wrote, “I accepted Jesus' offer of salvation when I was 13 years old and attending Faith Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, TX. When I was 23, I determined to follow Him closer and allow Him to be Lord of my life as well as Savior. He has never disappointed me and I enjoyed an amazingly blessed life under His leadership and love." 

 

Larry lived a life marked by integrity, faith, and love. He served his Lord, his family, and his friends with steadfast devotion, offering his gifts of leadership, planning, and encouragement to those around him. 

 

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Betty; his children, Dave Flatt of 

Cleveland, Missouri, and Ellen Breth (John) of Overland Park, Kansas; and his treasured granddaughters, Hannah and Chloe Breth. He is also survived by his sister, Dianne Walker of Nebraska, and brother, Gary “Cotton” Flatt of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Sidney Flatt. 

 

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Fellowship Church in Archie, MO on Friday, April 11th with a visitation at 10am, followed by the service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Community Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together Combines Tradition, Wellness, and Sustainability

BUTLER, 3/24/2025 – Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together is an innovative program designed to blend traditional homesteading practices with modern health and safety techniques. Offering both virtual and in-person workshops, this initiative helps individuals and families create self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyles while emphasizing personal well-being and environmental responsibility.

The program’s workshops cover a wide range of topics, including gardening, raising livestock, food preservation, and creating self-sustaining systems, all with a focus on well-being. In addition to homesteading skills, participants will learn wellness practices such as mindful cooking and holistic nutrition. Each workshop is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to cultivate a thriving, healthy homestead that nourishes both body and earth.

“At Little Roots, Big Harvest, we are committed to teaching valuable homesteading skills while ensuring participants' mental and physical health,” said Sara Bridgewater. “By combining these elements, we hope to help individuals live more connected, sustainable lives and build stronger communities.”

Safety is a key priority for the program, with expert guidance on tool use, food safety, and best practices in sustainable living. Whether participants are learning how to use garden tools safely or how to store food properly, they will leave each session equipped with the skills to implement them with confidence.

Virtual Workshops Open for Registration

While details for the summer in-person workshops will be available soon, a series of virtual workshops is currently open for registration. These online sessions offer flexibility, allowing people from across the country to participate and learn valuable skills in homesteading, sustainability, and wellness. The tentative schedule is listed below. 

Spring and Summer Virtual Workshops:

• April 15th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Vegetable Gardening

• April 22nd (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Berries in the Garden

• May 13th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Introduction to Sheep & Goats

• May 20th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Freezing Produce & Meals

• June 10th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Dairy Safety & Butter Making

• July 8th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Managing Plant Diseases

• August 12th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Introduction to Honeybees and Beekeeping

• September 9th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Greenhouses

• October 14th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Sourdough Bread & Dehydrating

• November 11th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Keeping Chickens for Eggs

• December 9th (Tuesday), 6-7:30PM: Homemade Soap and Cleaning Products

“We’re excited to offer this series of workshops that are accessible to everyone, no matter where they are,” said Sara Bridgewater “From starting a vegetable garden to learning how to manage honeybees, these workshops will help people connect with their homesteading goals, while also promoting well-being through mindful practices.”

Join Us for a Thriving, Sustainable Homestead

The Little Roots, Big Harvest program offers an incredible opportunity to take the first step toward a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to deepen your skills, these workshops provide the tools you need to create a thriving homestead that benefits both you and the environment.

For more information and to register for upcoming virtual workshops, visit https://extension.missouri.edu/events/little-roots-big-harvest-homesteading-together. Stay tuned for more details on our in-person workshops coming this summer! Contact Sara Bridgewater at batesco@missouri.edu for any questions. 

About Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together

Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together is a program that blends traditional homesteading practices with modern health and safety techniques. Through virtual and in-person workshops, participants learn about sustainable living, food production, wellness practices, and self-sufficiency. The program's mission is to create healthier individuals and communities through knowledge, connection, and empowerment.

Media Contact:

Sara Bridgewater
Nutrition and Health Field Specialist
sbridgewater@missouri.edu

660.679.4167 

Little Apple News

 
March 26, 2025

 The Appleton City 2024-2025 Kindergarten Enrollment and Screenings will be held April 9. Call the Elementary Office, 660-476-2161, for an appointment. If your child will be 5 before August 1, now is the time to begin thinking about Kindergarten enrollment requirements. The following items are required for enrollment: immunization records, state issued birth certificate, social security card and proof of residence. Your child can receive the immunizations that are needed to attend Kindergarten anytime on or after his/her fourth birthday. You do not need to wait until age five. They encourage you to have your child fully immunized now and bring the immunization record to school on the day of Kindergarten screening. 

If you have questions regarding required immunizations, please feel free to contact Nikki Piepmeier, School Nurse, at 660-476-2161, option #7.

The next free Diabetic Education Class will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at in the Ellett Memorial Hospital Conference Room. Reminder: you do not have to be diabetic to come to the class. 

A new Garden Club for Appleton City and surrounding towns will be starting soon. They will incorporate a Welcome Wagon within the Garden Club to welcome new residents. They are looking for anyone who loves to play in the dirt, grow things, make new friends, build relationships and have fun.  If this is you, contact Wanda at 913-526-9029 for more details. A meet and greet will be scheduled soon for any and all that are interested, so let Wanda know if you would like to join them.

The Appleton City UPS Customer Service Desk will be permanently closed as of April 6, 2025.  Pre-packaged, pre-labeled shipments of an appropriate size may be inserted into the nearby drop box.  Packages for pickup will be routed to the nearest UPS Access Point location.  Packages requiring shipping labels or additional packing supplies may be dropped off or serviced at a nearby UPS full-service retail shipping location. 

Children’s Center Casino Night is scheduled for April 5 at the Adrian Optimist Building.  A catered dinner will be from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Casino and mouse races from 7:00 – 9:30.  A raffle and auction will take place after the casino.  The cost is $35 per person. Tickets will be available at the door.  Proceeds benefit Children’s Center serving child abuse victims and their families in Bates, Henry and St. Clair Counties.

Immaculate Conception Church final Lenten Fish Fry Dinners will be served April 4 from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s School Hall, Montrose. They plan to serve dine-in and carry out. The menu is fried fish, Suzy Q’s, cole saw, corn bread, cookies and a drink. Adults eat for $12, children under 10 for $6. They are serving the best fish around!

The next Meet Me On Main, Second Wednesday Shop and Stroll will be 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. April 9. The following businesses will be participating: Jina's Junque, Rural Roots, 3 Wishes, Red Door Salon, Floral & Boutique, 4th Street Fika, Half Baked Take & Bakery, Bluebird Lounge, Cork & Keg, and A.C.TNR. 

The Appleton City R-2 School Board is seeking applications for an interim School Board member position. The interim term begins April, 2025. If selected, service will begin in April 2025 and will continue until the person elected in the April 2026 election is sworn in. To apply for the interim position, please come in and fill out an application in Central Office. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by 3:00 p.m. Interviews of applicants will be conducted by the Board during an open session board meeting on April 16, 2025. Meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. Applicants must be in attendance. For questions, please contact Central Office at 660-476-2161.

Montrose VFW Post 8820 offers the 2025 Poker Run on April 26. Pre-register now until April 7. $25 due at registration. $10 extra hand. Registration on the day of is 11:30 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. First car leaves out at noon. Proceeds go to building repairs. Contact Jason Brashears 660-492-9894 to pre-register or go to the Montrose VFW 8820 Facebook page.

The AC First Christian Church invites area men to the 2025 Men's Conference, "I Am My Brother's Keeper", Saturday, May 3, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Come be blessed!

The AC Spring City Wide Garage Sale dates will be April 25 and 26. Information regarding permits will be posted at a later date. 

All essays for the DbarJ Quilt etc, Elva Huffman Essay Contest must be received by March 30. They must explain the purpose of your group, how you would use a quilt to earn money for your purpose, and when your event will be happening. You can mail the essay to DbarJ Quilt etc, PO Box 48, Rockville MO 64780, or email it to joyce@dbarjquilts.com. If you want more info call 660-598-2222 or 660-679-1809.

Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for March and April, 2025. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. Mar 27-Neurology-Dr. Shoaib, Apr 2 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Vardakis, Apr  3– OB/GYN, Dr. Kallberg, Apr 8 – Rheumatology-Dr. John, Apr 11- Ortho-Dr. Gray, Apr 16 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Apr 17– Podiatry- Dr. Pace, Apr 22- Rheumatology-Dr. John, Apr 23 - Ortho-Dr. Gray , Apr 23 – Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Apr 24-Neurology- Dr. Shoaib.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 4      Immaculate Conception Church Lenten Fish Fry Dinner 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s School Hall

April 5      Children’s Center Casino Night at the Adrian Optimist Building

April 9      AC Elementary Kindergarten Roundup

April 10    Free Diabetes Class 4:00 p.m. at Ellett Memorial Hospital

April 12    ACHS Senior Prom

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