Blackhawk musicians "Outstanding" at state festival

Congratulations to these wonderful Adrian Blackhawk musicians who performed at the State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival

Results are as follows:

Nathan Bass- Silver, Outstanding
Aydan Bridges-Silver, Outstanding
Leah Ford- Satisfactory, Bronze
Walker Pearce- Silver, Outstanding
Adrian R-III Percussion Trio- Silver, Outstanding

 

Is It Too Late to Protect Your Skin from the Sun?

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

No matter how much sun exposure you’ve had, it’s never too late to prevent future skin damage.

We've all spent time in the sun without thinking much about the damage it can cause. Maybe you used tanning oil in your younger years, skipped sunscreen on cloudy days or were a fan of tanning beds. Now you might be wondering if it’s too late to start protecting your skin.

The fact is that it’s never too late.

Even if you already have sun damage, taking steps to protect your skin now can help prevent further harm. Sun protection isn’t just about preventing sunburn—it also reduces the risk of premature aging and lowers your chances of developing skin cancer. Whether you’ve been a sun-worshiper for years or you’re just starting to think about skincare, making changes today can still make a difference. 

What Sun Exposure Does to Your Skin

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that can harm your skin. When your skin is exposed to the sun without protection, UV rays can reach the inner layers of the skin. Too much sun exposure can lead to sunburns, making your skin red and painful. Over time, these UV rays can cause your skin to age faster, leading to wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone and leathery skin. More importantly, the sun’s rays can increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is a serious type of skin cancer.

How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Even if you've had a lot of sun exposure in the past, starting to protect your skin now can make a big difference. Here are some simple steps you can take:

• Use sunscreen daily. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on all exposed skin every day. Reapply every two hours, especially if you're swimming or sweating. ​
• Wear protective clothing. Covering up can provide an extra layer of protection. Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that block UV rays. Some clothing even comes with a UV protection factor (UPF) rating. ​
• Seek shade. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During these hours, try to stay in the shade under an umbrella, tree or other shelter. ​
• Be extra cautious near water, snow and sand. These surfaces can reflect the sun's rays, increasing the chance of sun damage. Make sure to apply sunscreen and take other protective measures when you're around them. ​
• Avoid tanning beds. It's best to avoid tanning beds to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. ​They emit UV radiation that can be just as harmful (or more!) as the sun.

Your skin is your body's largest organ and taking care of it is important at every age. While you can't undo past sun exposure, you can reduce the risk of future skin problems by taking protective steps starting today.

Adrian Community Theater seeks input for upcoming production

 

ACT Theater’s next production, A Candle in the Window, is preparing to light up the stage — but we can’t do it without YOU!

We’re looking for kids, parents, and friends to jump in and help make the magic happen:

Set building

Costumes

Tech crew

Acting roles

and more!

NOW is the time to step up! We need to know ASAP if there’s enough interest to move forward with this production.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved — this is your moment!

Help us shine a light in the window — and in our community.

Contact us TODAY at actadrian@gmail.com or (816) 239-0555

Harrisonville named as a Silver Level Community

During the 2nd April Board of Aldermen meeting, Harrisonville was named as a Silver level Community for All Ages

The program, organized by the Mid-America Regional Council, encourages communities to respond positively to changing demographics and adopt policy and program approaches that make the region a great place to live and age well.

The silver level requires cities to hold five self-assessment meetings comparing city policies and actions against best practices from age-friendly communities around the world.

Core recommendations include adopting a Complete Streets policy, making improvements to multimodal transportation and improving health care options in the city.

For more information, visit >> http://www.harrisonville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1562

A record breaking year for Kylee Dubray

Kylee broke this record late in April, our apologies for not getting this out sooner!

Congratulations to Butler Bear Kylee Dubray for breaking her own javelin school record that she set last year and now the current mark is 36.76 meters (120’ 7”) thanks to her amazing abilities.

This is the ELEVENTH new school record Bear track athletes have set in 2025!

Courtesy Butler Bear XC & track

MU Extension offers tips for cattle grazing and Summer weather conditions

Recent rainfall across Missouri doesn't eliminate the risk of drought this summer. Planning your forage strategy now can help ensure your operation stays resilient through dry conditions.

Diversifying with warm-season grasses and legumes can mitigate weather-related shortages, cut fertilizer costs and lessen reliance on expensive feeds.

Get details on understanding soil dynamics, selecting the right warm-season grasses and more: https://brnw.ch/21wSln1

Northern Commissioner John Gray shares thoughts regarding solar projects in Bates County

Below are comments related to the commission meeting notes from this week that may be viewed here https://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/2025/05/weekly-report-from-bates-county.html

I know there are many questions on the solar project, this is my response to the solar project. 

1. I am not in favor of any government entity telling a land owner what he can or can not do, I also don't want a hog lot or feed lot next door, the commissioner's will work for what is best for Bates County.

2. I am in favor of solar just not 100%. I know in the next few years we will see a great increase in energy demands solar may be a good way to help with demands.

3. When it comes to this solar project I will only make an informed decision, what's best for Bates County.

I have talked to one landowner and will talk to more, I have been in close contact with Clear Way solar and Nextera solar.

I look forward to visiting finished projects and projects in progress, as well as learning the benefit of chapter 100 bonds and their benefit in our county possibly for this project and others in the future.

I hope this will give a clear understanding of where I stand on this solar project.

Thanks Northern Commissioner John Gray

Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

April 21, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Rain 4 courthouse roof 0. Since the replacement of the roof on the courthouse the roof continues to leak. Courthouse maintenance Gary Ratliff is working on chasing this down and getting a repair. The leaks are coming from the Catwalk outer edge this time.

The commission received a request for the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission membership. With MoDOT bridge repairs, emergency planning and economic development assisted through Kaysinger, it was decided to be beneficial to the County.

John made the motion to continue with the Kaysinger Basin Membership. Trent seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion passed. No opposition.

Resolution 2025-002 Kaysinger Basin Membership signed.

County Clerk Jami Page brought in a court summons she received naming the county. The Commissioners, County Clerk and 4 Bates County Sheriff Office Jailers are all named. A former Inmate is alleging his Civil Rights were violated. The County's insurance has assigned a Lawyer.

The Commission received an email on the Opioid Settlement. Another company had been named in the settlement Janssen, and they required the claimants to file an agreement with them directly before any monies were to be awarded. How or when this information was given out is not known. According to Jim several counties missed out on these payments. The Commission signed and returned the agreement. The county received another payment. We should have $82,786.80. Judge Highley is still working on a board to help determine how to use these funds. There are certain criteria to adhere to.

April 23, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Pivot Tech did not call in for their scheduled appointment.

Jerret Reno and Russ Whisenand came in for their scheduled appointment. They are still working on the process and gathering information from other counties regarding indigent cremations. A few of the other Coroners have their own funeral homes as well where they absorb a lot of those responsibilities and costs out of the county’s budget. They had some conservations on vaults versus mausoleums. The Mausoleums seem to be a better choice. Jerret will look into the costs and burials with Oak Hill. Having a way to identify them as well is needed.

Jerret and Russ recently attended the County Coroners Conference. Collectively the Coroners consider the standards for the coroners subpar and are looking to improve the standards. There is a mandatory 24 hours of training required yearly. If this training, is not completed the Coroner will not be able to sign death certificates. The Association is going to start enforcing this. Jerret was elected the Troop A Director of the Association. There is legislation in the senate to level the salaries for the Coroners equally. Jim asked if they were taking the Coroners out of the Salary Commission as they did the Prosecutors and Sheriffs? Jerret replied he did not know. Russ received some information on grants available for equipment and things. He has experience with writing grants. They are thinking of writing one for a pill identifier. Jerret spoke on the duties the Coroner completes in the community and where improvements are needed. Jerret will get back with the Commission once he has all the information together.

John asked Russ about the Ambulance being hired out at the DGD Racing, LLC Racetrack in Ballard. The manager out there, Nick Faleh hires an ambulance to be there during events as an immediate response, should one be needed. They pay $175 an hour. They have donated money and equipment to the community in several ways and there has been talk of them possibly donating to the ambulance department specifically. The owner of the Racetrack David Dehamers has spoken to John on the issue of the Racetrack and the 80% tax increase he received. He spoke to the Commission and Assessor at the Board of Equalization. They had an agreement that the Assessor did not follow through on.

Joe Macklin with Senator Josh Hawley’s office came in on his scheduled meeting. He states the budget resolution is the biggest thing being worked on right now. Josh is opposed to any budget cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. He would like to see tax breaks for working citizens making under $80,000.00. Joe asked about Bates County. John asked how Josh liked working with Andrew Bailey. He stated that they have a good working relationship. Senator Hawley was Andrew Baileys law professor. Jim asked about the AG bill. Joe responded that he could get his contact information to give to the person that works on that. The bill needs updated information. Jim spoke on Workforce Development. How they had to step into the unemployment lack of centers for people to find jobs. They originally were set up to help the people gain skills needed for jobs not find jobs. More funding is needed and places for people to find jobs. John asked Joe to tell Josh that we appreciate him and the job he is doing. The Commission extended invitations to Josh or any of congress to come visit. County Clerk Jami Page asked about Voter ID. Joe didn’t have any information on that subject but asked if there was a concern. Jami went on to say that in Missouri a person can register to vote with any photo ID yet when time to vote they are to have a Missouri State ID. This causes some confusion and frustration with voters. Also, the License bureaus do voter registrations, and we must trust that they are vetting them as legal citizens. The conversation touched on the Real ID deadline and how this is becoming a requirement in several places. Joe asked about Solar. John stated that he is not for it and doesn’t see that it will benefit Bates County. Jim states that the electricity will be going off to KC or other places, so he is not for it either. The Solar companies are betting on the La Cygne Plant closing in the future. John said that if it wasn’t for the government subsidizing the solar industry’s growth they wouldn’t be here. There are still problems with the taxing portion of the solar farms since the PILTs are being overlooked for Chapter 100 Bonds. The conversation touched on windmills; our county doesn’t have the right set of parameters for them, so they haven’t come back. Jim suggested to Joe all the Associations and Organization meetings the senator should sit in on from time to time. Joe took his leave with many thanks and appreciation for his and Senator Hawley’s work efforts.

The late scheduled meeting for Gayle Beachner was cancelled as the issue was resolved.

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

Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley)

EEZ Board 3/26/2025