Obituary - Rosalie Bernice Herman

Funeral services for Rosalie Bernice Herman of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler.  No visitation.  Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.  Contributions to Butler Senior Center or Butler Public Library.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Rosalie Bernice Herman, age 92 of Butler, Missouri died Monday, April 28, 2025 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.  She was born September 11, 1932 to Milton and Gertie Bernice Rosbrugh Shepard in Johnson City, Missouri.

Rosalie is survived by one stepson, Wilbur Herman and wife Patricia of Butler, Missouri; one grandson, Landon Herman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; one sister, Elsie Fay Peterson and husband Jerry of Warsaw, Missouri; and numerous nephews and nieces.  Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, W. August Herman on January 20, 2016; and two brothers, Milton Elmore Shepard and Lloyd Ellsworth Shepard

City of Harrisonville receives Silver Shovel award

We are excited to announce that the City of Harrisonville has been awarded a 2024 Silver Shovel Award from Spire Gas

This award recognizes organizations who take proactive steps to avoid damage to any gas lines throughout their community during the entire year. This is the 3rd year in a row that Harrisonville has received the award!

Each and every week, our Public Works staff work near underground utility lines, repairing and installing water mains, sewer mains, storm water systems, electrical services, sidewalks, etc, to maintain a safe and reliable community for our residents to call home.

“These municipalities (Harrisonville) made the decision to put safety first for each and every dig,” said Alan Meyer, Spire Damage Prevention Manager.

Accepting the award on the City's behalf were members of our Streets Department, including Supervisor JC Johnson and maintenance workers Dakota Mclelland, Ashlie Graves and Lyle Schow.

We join Spire in thanking our staff for prioritizing the safety of our community as they complete their work day in and day out.

Bates County Officially Receives Missouri Blue Shield Designation

Butler – Today, Bates County officially received Missouri Blue Shield designation from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This prestigious honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety.

“Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow,” said Governor Kehoe. “We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.”

“The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Bates County, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.”

“We are excited to work with the County Commission to move forward with this designation and to further put the Safety of the Citizens of Bates County first. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Public Safety along with other First Responders in the County.” Says Sheriff Anderson. “Working together with the Commission we will be successful in building a radio system so that all first responders in the county have radios and the ability for interoperable communications between each agency within the county. The second portion of this project is to update the aging 911 system to ensure its accuracy so that first responders are able to find the caller and the location of the incident, while getting as much information for those responders as physically capable.”

Eligibility and Program Details

Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.

Participation Incentives

Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program.

About Bates County

Bates County earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through partnerships with our community groups, community policing efforts and financial investments by the Commission, the Bates County community has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting its residents. This designation affirms Bates County’s effort to create a safer, more secure environment for all who live and work here.

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Notice from the City of Rich Hill

Due to staffing change starting May 12th, 2025 City Hall hours will be 8am-4pm. We will NOT be closed during the lunch hour anymore.

However, we will still be closed the 3rd Thursday of every month to the public.

Obituary - Charlotte Ann Showalter

Charlotte Ann Showalter, 80, of Louisburg, Kansas, passed away on April 21, 2025, at Louisburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

Per Charlotte's wishes, cremation is planned and private family services will be held.

She was born on September 11, 1944, in Montrose, Colorado. Charlotte was the second of seven children to Michel and Mary (Porter) Larralde. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1962, and her thirst for knowledge led her to earn a bachelor's degree in business from Metro State College in Denver, Colorado. This educational foundation propelled her into a fulfilling career and life.

Charlotte was a remarkable individual who mastered the art of seamstressing, dedicating many years to her craft as the owner and operator of her own business, High Rise Threads. Her passion for creativity not only allowed her to express herself but also provided joy to many through her work.

Throughout her younger years, Charlotte was actively involved in the Denver Archaeological Society, where she participated in multiple digs, reflecting her love for history and exploration. Her engagement with her surroundings extended beyond this passion; she cherished nature, enjoyed flowers, and delighted in the simple pleasure of watching birds. Charlotte was a social person, often found in the company of friends and family.

As a devoted mother, Charlotte married Wesley Showalter, in 1966 and raised three children, Greg, Eric and Nicole. This marriage ended in divorce. Her family brought her immense joy, especially her four grandchildren, Ethan, Will, Parker Showalter, and Brenden Drozdowski, who were a source of pride and happiness in her later years.

Charlotte was also a vibrant member of her community; she was involved in her children's PTA while they were growing up, demonstrating her commitment to their education and development. More recently, she shared her talents by teaching jewelry bead-making classes at her senior living community, inspiring others to embrace their creativity.

Charlotte is survived by her sons, Greg (Amanda) Showalter and Eric (Jenni) Showalter, as well as her daughter, Nicole (Greg) Drozdowski. She is remembered fondly by her four grandchildren, Ethan, Will, Parker Showalter, and Brenden Drozdowski, along with her siblings: Paul (Carolyn) Larralde, Denise (Michael) McGinnis, Grace Larralde, Suzanne Larralde Jensen, and Marguerite Donley.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Michel and Mary Larralde, and her brother, Pierre Larralde. Her legacy of creativity, love for nature, and dedication to family will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to the Alzheimer's Association, Monarch Hospice, or Louisburg Healthcare and Rehab, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, P.O. Box 669, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.

A Haunting At The Bates County Museum | Part 1

City of Drexel receives much needed grant

 

Today, Drexel Police were honored to receive a grant from Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad (CPKC). This grant will be used to purchase basic equipment. One item that will be purchased are tire deflation devices, also called “Stop Sticks.”

This is the 2nd such grant that DPD has received in recent months, the other being from MoDOT.

Pictured above are Chief Bill Downey Jr, City Administrator Patty Dreher & Sgt Jacob Jones (CPKC). Thank you to our friends CPKC for their partnership & support of small agencies.

Courtesy City of Drexel

Some big wins for local ball teams last night

 Local ball scores from Monday evening

Baseball

Liberal 1
Butler 12

Montrose/Ballard 12
Humansville 1

Appleton City 5
Jasper 1

Leeton 0
Sherwood 15

Adrian 10
Versailles 7

Softball 

Warsaw 18
Adrian 0

Midway 0
Butler 15