Harrisonville High School students participate in Day of Service

Yesterday, more than 150 Harrisonville High School seniors participated in a Day of Service. Community members submitted projects and students spent the morning working on the jobs.

Projects included prepping for the summer reading program at the Cass County Public Library; painting windows at the Chamber of Commerce; washing police cars and painting curbs and parking spots at the Harrisonville Police Department; cleaning up and prepping the city pool for opening and organizing materials for summer camp for Harrisonville Parks & Rec; painting fire hydrants for the City of Harrisonville, landscaping, yard work, and painting for local senior citizens; outdoor classroom clean-up at Harrisonville Elementary School; cleaning Parents as Teachers toys at Harrisonville Early Childhood Center; landscaping and some animal cuddles at Harrisonville Animal Shelter; flower planting at Crown Care Center; landscaping at Hope Haven and Marquette Cottage; moving library books and PAT items at Harrisonville Early Childhood Center; packing and moving boxes for classroom changes at McEowen Elementary and Harrisonville Elementary; and landscaping at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Following the morning of service, the students went to the Harrisonville United Methodist Church for lunch provided by the Harrisonville Rotary Club. Sonic donated hot dogs and buns for the lunch. Shirts for the event were sponsored by Stafford-Leavitt Insurance and Family Center Farm & Home.

Butler Aquatic Center to open May 26

 Pricing and other information below, click to enlarge images

State Farm Athlete of the Week

We are pleased to announce last weeks State Farm athlete of the week, Senior, Andrew Kendrick, from Adrian High School. Andrew was nominated by his head coach Jacob Weeks. Coach Weeks stated “Andrew is an outstanding student-athlete who exemplifies leadership, dedication and excellence both on and off the field. On April 30th, Andrew was named Ozark Highland Conference player of the year where he shot a 75, 6 strokes ahead of the next competitor. He is a true team player, and goes out of his way to support his teammates by sharing tips, techniques and encouragement to help them improve.” When we asked Andrew what he feels it takes to be successful in his sport he stated “it takes mental toughness and consistency. You have to work hard and can’t go a day without playing, and continue to be consistent with how you approach shots, not becoming frustrated if you’re not playing well.” We asked him who his role model is when it comes to the game of golf and he stated “My dad, he introduced me to golf and keeps me pretty humble. He pushes me to work harder.” We asked Andrew what advice he would have for younger classmen and he stated “Don’t give up on it. It’s a really hard game. Play in as many tournaments as you can and get used to the competition.” Andrew plans to attend Kentucky State University in the fall where he will be a member of the golf team. He plans to major in business management. It was a pleasure speaking with Andrew and we wish him and his team the best of luck at Districts.

Pictured: Head Coach Jacob Weeks; Andrew Kendrick, son of Matt and Johanna Kendrick; Kellie Davidson, State Farm

Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

April 28, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

No Scheduled appointments.

The commission worked on phone calls, Senior Tax Credit application approvals and on going road issues.

April 30, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Casey Chastain and Alan Fay with Higgenbotham Insurance came in on their scheduled appointment to touch base with the Commission on the insurance needs for the county. They discussed the challenges of securing insurance for law enforcement and road crews, noting a reduction from 12 to 3-4 carriers. Strategies for managing health insurance costs, emphasizing the need for proactive measures and leveraging relationships with insurance providers were also brought up. Casey extended any help he or Alan could provide with questions or concerns on the subjects.

The rest of the day was completion of the Senior Tax Credit applications. The first year brought 393 people to sign up for the credit. The applicants will need to remember to sign up every year to keep the valuation of the home they own and resided in at the 2024 rate. The fall implementation is to come next.

John reached out to the Solar companies looking to build in our county to learn more about how they work and what it can mean to our county and citizens.

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

Obituary - Aubrey Lee Westmoreland

 Funeral services for Aubrey Lee Westmoreland of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Visitation will be Friday, May 9, 4 - 7 p.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri.  Contributions to Bates County Elks Children’s Fund or American Cancer Society.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Aubrey Lee Westmoreland, age 88 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Butler Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Butler.  He was born September 21, 1936 to Aubrey Lee Westmoreland Sr. and Clarice Pauline Estes Westmoreland in Amsterdam, Missouri.

Aubrey is survived by his wife, Ruby Westmoreland of Butler, Missouri; one daughter, Brenda Sigmon of Butler, Missouri; one son, Charles Westmoreland and wife Beth of Adrian, Missouri; three grandchildren, Heather Steele of Leesburg, Florida, Charles Westmoreland Jr. of Saint Louis, Missouri and Cody Westmoreland of Adrian, Missouri;  three great-grandchildren with one on the way; and two great-great-grandchildren.  Aubrey was preceded in death by his parents and his infant sister.

Traffic stop comes with 'strings attached'

 On May 1st, a Bates County Deputy was on routine patrol in the area of AA Highway and County Road 2001 when he observed a vehicle with defective equipment. As the Deputy pulled in behind the vehicle the driver slowed down to almost a stop and then sped up again. The vehicle then slowed down again almost to a stop a second time. The deputy then made a traffic stop on the vehicle.

The Deputy made contact with the driver identified as Joseph Wyssbrod. Wyssbrod behavior indicated that the driver may have illegal substances in the vehicle. A K9 was requested and arrived on scene. The K9 had a positive alert on the vehicle and a search of the vehicle was conducted. In the back seat of the vehicle in a guitar case the deputies located a clear plastic baggie that contained a white crystal-like substance. A glass pipe was also taped to the baggie.

The crystal substance was tested using a drug testing machine called TruNarc and it tested positive as Methamphetamine.

Wyssbrod was Charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $25,000 Cash only

Brothers conspire to introduce controlled substance into the Bates County Jail

On April 18th Investigators were notified by the Courthouse Security of a small bag of a green leafy substance located in the elevator of the courthouse. The bag was wrapped in tape and it appeared that it was taped to the inside of the handrail. The tape failed, and the small baggie fell to the floor. The courthouse security had watched the video from the morning and observed a subject that appeared to have no legitimate reason to be in the courthouse. The courthouse security team knew this subject had a family member in custody of the Sheriff’s Office, and that family member was due in court later that afternoon. The subject had told the security that he was there to talk with the court clerk but when they watched the video of his actions that day, he never made contact or attempted to make contact with the court clerk. The small bag of green leafy substance was tested and tested positive for marijuana.

During the investigation, a jail phone call was intercepted made on the morning of the incident between Ryan Gabriel and Cole Gabriel in reference to Cole having court in the afternoon. The conversation between the two was about Ryan getting Cole marijuana while in custody of the Bates County Jail. During the conversation Ryan told Cole what corner in the elevator Cole could find the “green” and even bragged “I got some green that is killer”.

Ironically, Cole Gabriel was due in court asking for a furlough from jail to seek drug treatment. After the conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance to the jail between the two brothers was brought to light, the Judge denied the request for the furlough and revoked the bonds on other pending charges for Cole. Cole remained in custody of the jail. Prosecutor Jenkins filed additional felony charges on Cole for Attempting to deliver a controlled substance to a Jail. The Prosecutor requested a bond of $100,000. Cole's bond was set at $4500.00 and was later given a furlough from the jail to seek drug treatment.

Prosecutor Jenkins also filed felony charges against Ryan Gabriel for his role in the conspiracy. A warrant was issued for Ryan Gabriel for Attempting to deliver a controlled substance to a Jail and also Deliver 35 grams or less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid. His bond was set at $100,000.

Ryan Gabriel, who is currently on Parole from prison for Stealing and Unlawful use of a Firearm, is currently wanted by the Sheriff’s Office for the above charges. We will be asking for the Governor's fugitive taskforce for help in locating and arresting Gabriel.

“The County has invested heavily in technology to combat the smuggling of drugs in our Jail. Last year, the Sheriff’s Office purchased a $120,000 full body scanner to scan those who leave for court or are newly booked in. This year we purchased a $60,000 handheld x-ray to assist in cell searches. The Sheriff’s Office has a K9 unit for the purpose of jail cell searches and is also utilized in the schools because it can detect marijuna where, due to legalization of marijuana, the patrol dogs are not trained in that scent.” Says Sheriff Anderson. “I am the first person to try and understand the need for a balance between putting someone in jail for addiction and facilitating them getting treatment. We are one of the first Sheriff’s Offices in Missouri who employs a person whose sole purpose is to help people and their families find resources. But I do think there has to be a hard line from our community, our judicial system and law enforcement when it comes to second, third and fourth chances to change. Without that team work, Law Enforcement will continue to lose this battle. We look forward to working with the courts when it comes to furloughs and treatments to seek successful outcomes”

Rich Hill fares well at State music contest

 

ALL SMILES as these Rich Hill Tigers had a great day at the State music contest last week:

Oscar Green, Junior-Vocal Solo-Gold
Leeanna Bell, Sophomore-Vocal Solo-Gold
Wyatt Feuerborn, Senior-Trumpet Solo-Silver
SAB Vocal Ensemble-Silver (Julianna Abend, Leeanna Bell, Mykenzie Burris, Oscar Green, Mia Gwinn)