A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.
Courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Obituary - Sandra Kay Knisely
A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.
Harrisonville Prom Royalty
Congratulations to Prom King & Queen Bryson Sanders and Katelyn Miller who crowned during festivities on Saturday. Courtesy Harrisonville Schools
Bears and Blackhawks Meet at Conference Tournament
By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV
This past weekend the Ozark Highlands Conference took place in Versailles. The Butler Bears entered the tournament as a 3 seed (behind only El Do and Warsaw). The Lady Blackhawks came into the weekend as the 4 seed. Both Bates County teams fell in the first round, Butler lost to a very good, 2 seeded El Dorado Springs team with a final of 6-0, while the Lady Blackhawks were upset by the 5 seed, Versailles in a tightly contested, 10-8 matchup.
After their losses, the in-county rivals would face each other in the bottom bracket. This would be the second time that the two teams faced off, back in March Adrian came to Butler where the Bears grabbed a big 11-1 victory. The Bears would look to repeat this, while the Blackhawks were seeking to even the series.
Adrian quickly got on the board in the opening inning, as Clifton led off with a single for Adrian, Newkirk reached on an error, before Clifton scored on an an error, and Nelson got an RBI single that scored Newkirk. After scoring 2 quick runs, Adrian was able to sit the bears down in order to hold a 2-0 lead after 1.
2-0 would remain the score until the bottom of the 3rd when the Bears roared loudly, knocking in 5 runs in a 2-out rally. Ragan was walked to lead the inning off, the next two batters were retired, before a Cook reached on an Adrian error that also say Ragan score. Trudell took a base on balls, and Dubray was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases for the hard hitting Taylor Hudson. Hudson singled on a grounder that left the infield and collected 2 RBIs. Dubray would eventually cross the plate via a Blackhawks error. Brooke Miller collected an RBI single that would put the Lady Bears up 5-2.
Both teams grew silent offensively until the 7th. In the 7th Adrian found themselves trailing by 3, and they came out strong, attempting to crawl back in the game. Clifton led off the inning with a single that was followed immediately by McCammon grabbing an RBI triple. McCammon reached home on a ground out by Newkirk, bringing the Lady Blackhawks within just one run, with just 1 out. After a groundout, Nelson singled and Pierce and Engeman worked walks to load the bases up with two outs, and trailing by 1. The Bears were able to get the final batter out, without allowing another run and claimed a 5-4 win.
Adrian did out-hit the Bears, 6-4. Clifton and Nelson both recorded 2 hits for the Blackhawks.
Miller went 2 of 3 for the Lady Bears and recorded an RBI and a stolen base. Hudson went 1 of 3 from the dish and added to more RBIs to her count. Cook recorded a hit, a run, and 2 stolen bases for Butler.
photos by Erin Dubray
Big day for Bulldogs at WEMO track meet
What a Day for a WEMO Track Meet!
We couldn’t have asked for a better day to host our first-ever WEMO Track Meet on our very own track. With beautiful weather and incredible energy, we proudly welcomed JH and HS athletes from across the conference to compete on our home turf.
We’re thrilled to celebrate some outstanding performances:
HS Girls – WEMO Conference Champions
JH Boys – 2nd Place
JH Girls – 6th Place
Watching the crowd pour into our facility was a surreal moment. This meet was more than just a competition—it was a powerful reminder of what a school and community can accomplish together. We are deeply grateful to the AC Athletic Boosters, Inc. and everyone in our community who made this dream a reality by helping fund the track project. Your support brought this vision to life, and we are truly thankful.
A heartfelt thank you to the many hands who made the day run seamlessly. To our coaches, administration, athletic director, gate workers, and staff...your dedication, organization, and attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed. A special shout-out to our Booster Club for organizing so many things that were on display and behind the scenes—from the delicious food to the meticulous planning—we heard so many compliments about how well everything ran.
To our Community: Thank you for continuously showing up for our students. Hearing your cheers from the stands today made me feel proud to be a Bulldog all over again. This community is truly something special, and I never take that for granted.
And last but certainly not least—to our student athletes: Thank You! Your sportsmanship, determination, effort, and pride were on full display. You represented our school with excellence, and we couldn’t be prouder. It’s a GREAT day to be a Bulldog!
Courtesy Appleton City schools
Butler Youth Wrestlers Putting in WORK
By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV
You thought wrestling season was over didn’t you? Think again! For some of the young Butler Bear wrestlers this has become a never ending sport. These young folks are putting in the work to continue to grow, perfect, and nurture their craft. Some of these Butler Youth Wrestlers went up to Harrisonville to participate in the State Freestyle Wrestling Tournament.
The hard work and dedication that these young athletes are putting in is starting to pay dividends as Butler brought back TWO state Champions! Covy Riley and Julius Varns both left Harrisonville as Freestyle State Champs.
Those were not the only two Bears to medal in the event, however, as Myka Morrill was able too ecure a 3rd place finish in the Roman/Greco championships. Myka will also be participating in the Girls Freestyle Championship which has yet to take place.
Great work Bears! Keeping on putting in the work!
Photos submitted by Amanda Coigny
You thought wrestling season was over didn’t you? Think again! For some of the young Butler Bear wrestlers this has become a never ending sport. These young folks are putting in the work to continue to grow, perfect, and nurture their craft. Some of these Butler Youth Wrestlers went up to Harrisonville to participate in the State Freestyle Wrestling Tournament.
The hard work and dedication that these young athletes are putting in is starting to pay dividends as Butler brought back TWO state Champions! Covy Riley and Julius Varns both left Harrisonville as Freestyle State Champs.
Those were not the only two Bears to medal in the event, however, as Myka Morrill was able too ecure a 3rd place finish in the Roman/Greco championships. Myka will also be participating in the Girls Freestyle Championship which has yet to take place.
Great work Bears! Keeping on putting in the work!
Photos submitted by Amanda Coigny
Senior Night for Lady Tigers
By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV
On Monday (April 28) the Rich Hill Lady Tigers were set to host Kingsville. The contest would also serve as Senior Night for the Lady Tigers.
Kingsville was able to start hot and score 4 runs in the top of the first. Rich Hill plated 1 in run the bottom of the inning when Tialino grabbed an RBI Single to score Coonce-Bearce.
Kingsville added 3 more runs in the 2nd, before the Lady Tigers rallied in the 3rd to score 3 of their own after Wheatley doubled and was plated by an RBI Single from the bat of Ephland. Later in the 3rd, Coonce-Bearce and Tialino would come around to score as well, narrowing the Kingsville lead to just 7-4.
Kingsville had a loud 4th and 6th inning, scoring 6 and 5. Rich Hill was able to score in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings, however it just wasn’t quite enough as they would eventually fall to Kingsville with a score of 20-10.
Despite the score, the Lady Tigers did out hit the ladies from Kingsville at a rate of 17-14. However, the plate discipline from Kingsville let them take 11 base on balls.
Offensively, there were a ton of Tigers that had huge nights! Mady Ephland and Ava Tialino both went a perfect 4 of 4 from the plate! Carmen Coonce-Bearce (3/3) and Avery Wheatley (2/2) were also flawless in the batter’s box as well for Rich Hill. Wheatley, Lanie Phelps, and Ephland all three recorded extra base hits for the Lady Tigers as well.
On Monday (April 28) the Rich Hill Lady Tigers were set to host Kingsville. The contest would also serve as Senior Night for the Lady Tigers.
Kingsville was able to start hot and score 4 runs in the top of the first. Rich Hill plated 1 in run the bottom of the inning when Tialino grabbed an RBI Single to score Coonce-Bearce.
Kingsville added 3 more runs in the 2nd, before the Lady Tigers rallied in the 3rd to score 3 of their own after Wheatley doubled and was plated by an RBI Single from the bat of Ephland. Later in the 3rd, Coonce-Bearce and Tialino would come around to score as well, narrowing the Kingsville lead to just 7-4.
Kingsville had a loud 4th and 6th inning, scoring 6 and 5. Rich Hill was able to score in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings, however it just wasn’t quite enough as they would eventually fall to Kingsville with a score of 20-10.
Despite the score, the Lady Tigers did out hit the ladies from Kingsville at a rate of 17-14. However, the plate discipline from Kingsville let them take 11 base on balls.
Offensively, there were a ton of Tigers that had huge nights! Mady Ephland and Ava Tialino both went a perfect 4 of 4 from the plate! Carmen Coonce-Bearce (3/3) and Avery Wheatley (2/2) were also flawless in the batter’s box as well for Rich Hill. Wheatley, Lanie Phelps, and Ephland all three recorded extra base hits for the Lady Tigers as well.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Appleton City 5th/6th Soccer Bulldogs back to back Champions
Coaches: Tiffany Poole & Shelly Scotten
Rich Hill Tiger boys WEMO conference champs, first since 2008
Rich Hill High School Boys Track and Field team take home the WEMO Conference Championship today for the first time since 2008! Congratulations gentlemen!
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