Report from the Bates County Commission

April 7, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Jim came in Friday and filled out the ARPA report for 2025. It was completed and accepted by the Treasury site.

Sheriff Chad Anderson appointment will be rescheduled.

The Commission received a letter from the Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District requesting budgeted funds for years 2023, 2024 and 2025. Only the amount in the current year's budget can be sent.

John made the motion to send the $2,000.00 budgeted for the Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District. Trent seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No Opposition.

April 9, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Frank Sedem from NextEra Energy Resources came to their scheduled meeting. They discussed their 510-megawatt Solar Farm project in Bates County, Missouri. The project is ongoing, with preliminary environmental studies and interconnection studies with SPP underway. Next Era aims to fill the gap left by the potential shutdown of a nearby generation unit. They emphasized community engagement, offering scholarships, and sponsoring local events. Jim Wheatley and John Gray raised concerns about the county's tax benefits and revenue from the project, highlighting the need for a clear contribution agreement and public education on the project's impact.

Sheriff Chad Anderson and Chief Deputy Justin Corbin came in for the scheduled meeting to discuss the Blue Shield resolution and designation, emphasizing the need for extraordinary financial commitment to public safety. The resolution includes supporting local sheriffs, public safety, and regional anti-crime task forces with grants possible to those entities that achieve the resolution. The county's use tax, typically $400,000 annually, was debated for allocating in entirety to law enforcement as they are already getting half. The sheriff's office needs $700,000 for radio systems, potentially funded by a lease program. Chad stated “lets return the funding back the way it was 2 years ago, and I’ll go back and I’ll fund the lease payments. I’ll do all that utilizing our budget”. The discussion included a current project without a determined total for the county. After much discussion about the history of the use tax and establishing the need to back this initiative the Commission has decided to provide the needed funds.

Trent made the motion to give back the ½ of the use tax portion that was taken from the sheriff's office in 2023 starting in the new budget year January 2026. John seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion passed. No opposition.

Jon Roberts with MarksNelson Consulting came to their scheduled meeting. Corey Sneed, Butler’s City Administrator and Jana Rosier, Osage Valley in attendance. They discussed the economic development strategy for the county, focusing on the Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) incentives. They explained the EEZ's benefits, including tax credits and property tax abatements, and highlighted the need to update the EEZ board and resolution to streamline the application process. They suggested tying abatements to wages rather than just employment to attract higher-paying jobs. They also discussed the potential use of Chapter 100 agreements for solar projects to provide consistent tax revenue over 35 years. The group agreed to reactivate the EEZ board and explore regional economic development strategies. The requested information on contracting MarksNelson to work with on the EEZ.

Mark Frost a Lone Oak resident in Rattlesnake Hill, walked in on the open door policy to discuss the easements required for the private drives to be brought into county roads. He expressed frustration from paying taxes for road maintenance without services. As well as being told when he purchased his land that the roads were going to be added to the county and now finding they were not done correctly. Which has led him to pay a filing fee for the easement addition to the deeds. He also is frustrated over the lack of communication. Trent and John explained that without easements, the county cannot legally maintain the roads, and residents must pay additional fees including the filing fee for the easements to have this process achieved. Mark requested the Commission to have a meeting to explain this to everyone as this helped to understand the situation better. They agreed to arrange a meeting with all the residents concerned.

Work in progress

Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 updates current

Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 updates current

Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024

Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024 updates current

EEZ Board 3/26/2025

Young Hornet does well at Quiz Bowl competition

 

Hume High School student Lola Wriston has earned All-District honors for Quiz Bowl after an outstanding performance at the District Class Section 2 event held last Saturday in Fairplay, MO.

Wriston scored the 4th highest overall among more than 40 students who competed, placing her among the top academic minds in the region. The competition featured six out of eight district teams and was a showcase of knowledge, quick thinking, and teamwork.

Hume High School was proud to have five students represent the school at the event, demonstrating strong academic commitment and competitive spirit.

Congratulations to Lola Wriston on this well-deserved recognition!

Courtesy Hume R-8 Hornets

Cass county sheriff's deputies make arrest following pursuit

Sunday night around 10:45 p.m., a deputy with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in Pleasant Hill — the driver didn’t stop and a pursuit ensued.

After the deputy activated his emergency lights, the driver began heading northbound on State Rte 291 at a high rate of speed.

The pursuit continued, and the driver eventually went southbound, then eastbound.

Eventually, the Pleasant Hill Police Department deployed a tire deflation device near the Green Bridge on State Rte 7.

The device punctured the driver’s tires and he came to a stop. He briefly fled on foot before Pleasant Hill Police apprehended him.

While clearing the scene, deputies observed a pistol holster near the suspect’s vehicle. A Cass County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit was called in and located a pistol along with several magazines of ammunition.

The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Lance Alexander of Kansas City.

He’s charged with Aggravated Fleeing a Stop, which is a Class D Felony.

Alexander is being held at the Cass County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

“We’re pleased our collaboration with the Pleasant Hill Police Department led to the apprehension of this suspect. Cass County law enforcement agencies continue to possess an exemplary desire to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Monday night ball scores

 Baseball 

Odessa 5
Adrian 6

Lone Jack 17
Butler 0

Midway 2
Knob Noster 6

Bolivar 12
Nevada 13

Versailles 7
Sherwood 9

Montrose/Ballard 0
Winsor 15

Softball 

Lincoln 5
Butler 6

Golden City 1
Midway 19

Missouri Real ID deadline May 7

Beginning May 7, 2025, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights.

Also beginning May 7, 2025, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities and to enter nuclear power plants.

Learn more here https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/real-id/

Jr. High Bears take 1 rating at Nevada festival

 

Congratulations to the Butler Junior High Band on earning an exemplary (1) rating at the Nevada Middle School Music Festival on Saturday, April 12th. Bravo!

Courtesy Butler High School

Obituary - Robert Dale Meisenheimer

Robert  Dale Meisenheimer, age 66, of Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO.   Dale was born on August 23, 1958 in Mansfield, MO to Ed and Norma Frances (Rodgers) Meisenheimer.  He was united in marriage to Lila Catherine McGowan on January 4, 1992 in Nevada and she survives of the home.  Dale welcomed Lila’s daughters, Jessica and Rachael, as his own.  Later Dale and Lila had a son, Joshua Dale, to complete the family.

     Even before graduating from Nevada High School, he went into business for himself as a Daily Mail-Sunday Herald newspaper carrier/salesman at 10 years old.  He bought the papers at wholesale rates and delivered them to his customers for $2.25 a month.  He later worked at the White Grill as a curb hop.  When he turned 18, he went to work at Pohl Ready Mix as a driver for several years. 

      Dale worked at several jobs before starting his own business, M&M Concrete, Inc., which kept him busy for several years.  He later worked with his brother Dick in his concrete business.  I guess you could say he loved playing in the mud!

     No matter what Dale did, if it was working or helping friends or family, he did it with his whole heart.  Dale’s life was centered around his love for the Lord, his family, especially his grandchildren and his many, many long-time friendships.  Oh, we can’t forget his best fur friend, BOBO!

      Dale will be missed so much by all his family and friends.  In addition to his wife, Lila, survivors include his son, Josh Meisenheimer (Bailey Rodarmel) and his children, Lilly Meisenheimer and Wesley Meisenheimer, Nevada, two daughters, Jessica McGowan (Justin Frane), Busch, AR, and Rachel McGowan (Kyle Milton), Crescent City, CA, and their daughter, Isla Milton; siblings, Doug Thomas (Lilibeth), Donna Moore, Connie Hartline, all of Nevada, Dick Meisenheimer, Milo, MO, Debbie Dahmer (Mike), Durango, CO and Jim Meisenheimer (Marcie), Oak Grove, MO; Uncle and Aunt Dan and Pat Meisenheimer, Nevada; and, many nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends.

     A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada with Debbie Gilbert officiating.  Interment will follow in the Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo, MO. Friends may call now and until time of service at the funeral home.  The family is asking anyone who wants to, to wear a Hawaiian shirt in honor of Dale.

    Those who wish may contribute to the family in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Roberta Ruth Reinmund

Private inurnment for Roberta Ruth Reinmund will be at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Harrisonville, Missouri under direction of  Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions in her memory can be made to Adrian Community Library, 116 East Main Adrian, Missouri 64720, a cause that Ruth cherished, or the animal rescue of your choice.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Roberta (Ruth) Reinmund, a beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025 at the age of 87. Born on May 23, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri she lived a life marked by quiet strength and unwavering dedication to her family.

Ruth was the daughter of Robert Bryan Reed and Eula Frances Wood, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her son, known affectionately as the Bill. Ruth is survived by her son, Bob and her sister, Barbara.

An introverted and sweet soul, Ruth was known for her patient and caring nature. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, including reading, quilting, and the companionship of beloved pets. Throughout her life, she devoted herself to caring for Bill, showcasing her deep love and commitment to her family.

Ruth's legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew her, a testament to her gentle spirit and the love she shared. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered for her kindness and nurturing heart.