Thursday, July 17, 2025
Bates County Commission discusses insurance coverage
July 7, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Commissioners were in and out of the office most the day. They also dealt with phone calls on roads. John worked on getting the 2 citizens to sit on Board Of Equalization that is coming up on July 21st and 22nd. The last day to set an appointment for a BOE hearing is the 14th.
July 9, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Northern Commissioner John Gray was on vacation.
Charles Rush with Cook Insurance came in for his scheduled meeting. He rebuts points the other Insurance Competitor had brought up. Every insurance company will do their own risk assessment for Property and Casualty Insurance. He feels as a broker they have no business helping or ensuring how a Policy Handbook is written. He further points out that they cannot claim that as a bigger company they can provide a better rate as they all get their insurance from the same companies. It’s against the law. A quote from the same company would be the same to either broker to the penny. The only difference between the 2 companies is the service they can provide. Trent stated, “100 yards away is better than 100 miles away”. Charles replied, “We’d like to think that”. He also stated that he feels they can improve the service they do provide. He would like to increase communications with the employees and with HR. Check into the health coverages on preventative and wellness, not just focusing on price. Charles stated that there is a software program he is looking into that will help in the process of Health Insurance. He is expecting a bigger percentage rise in insurance this year over the last few and would like to get started in looking for renewals. Jim stated he wants to have all the elected officials in on health coverage this time. Jim also stated that some of the concerns over charges with Bates County Memorial need to be addressed with the CEO and Director. He referred to an email that John received on how the Hospital does not have Critical Care status therefore the cost of transportation is given to the patient and not picked up by the government. Cass Regional and Elliot Hospital have this status. Jim passed that information on to Mark Alford’s office to see if anything can be done about it. Jim stated he personally does not use the insurance coverage by the county as he has other health insurance coverage, however he still is aware of what is going on with the employees and the county. Charles ended up with how he would love to continue to work with the county and will make every effort to improve in any aspect necessary.
Work in progress
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 nothing since April.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. To date 10 people have signed and one resident is declaring he will not sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given nothing since 2/14/2024.
4. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley).
5. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 6/11/25.
The Commissioners were in and out of the office most the day. They also dealt with phone calls on roads. John worked on getting the 2 citizens to sit on Board Of Equalization that is coming up on July 21st and 22nd. The last day to set an appointment for a BOE hearing is the 14th.
July 9, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Northern Commissioner John Gray was on vacation.
Charles Rush with Cook Insurance came in for his scheduled meeting. He rebuts points the other Insurance Competitor had brought up. Every insurance company will do their own risk assessment for Property and Casualty Insurance. He feels as a broker they have no business helping or ensuring how a Policy Handbook is written. He further points out that they cannot claim that as a bigger company they can provide a better rate as they all get their insurance from the same companies. It’s against the law. A quote from the same company would be the same to either broker to the penny. The only difference between the 2 companies is the service they can provide. Trent stated, “100 yards away is better than 100 miles away”. Charles replied, “We’d like to think that”. He also stated that he feels they can improve the service they do provide. He would like to increase communications with the employees and with HR. Check into the health coverages on preventative and wellness, not just focusing on price. Charles stated that there is a software program he is looking into that will help in the process of Health Insurance. He is expecting a bigger percentage rise in insurance this year over the last few and would like to get started in looking for renewals. Jim stated he wants to have all the elected officials in on health coverage this time. Jim also stated that some of the concerns over charges with Bates County Memorial need to be addressed with the CEO and Director. He referred to an email that John received on how the Hospital does not have Critical Care status therefore the cost of transportation is given to the patient and not picked up by the government. Cass Regional and Elliot Hospital have this status. Jim passed that information on to Mark Alford’s office to see if anything can be done about it. Jim stated he personally does not use the insurance coverage by the county as he has other health insurance coverage, however he still is aware of what is going on with the employees and the county. Charles ended up with how he would love to continue to work with the county and will make every effort to improve in any aspect necessary.
Work in progress
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 nothing since April.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. To date 10 people have signed and one resident is declaring he will not sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given nothing since 2/14/2024.
4. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley).
5. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 6/11/25.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
One dandy ham
Congratulations to Isabel Branson, 1st place winner of the "Grand Champion Ham" at the Butler County Fair.
Courtesy Butler Lodge #254 AF & AM
Congratulations from the Bates County Veternary Clinic
The Bates County Veterinary Clinic would like to congratulate these three on getting into Veterinary School at University of Missouri: Kate Bunch, starting her third year; Austin Page, starting his second year; Sudie Callahan, starting her first year in August.
We are so happy for these three and can't wait to see where it takes them!
Obituary - Clarice Knight
She was born on February 6, 1936, in Ottawa, Kansas the daughter of Clarence Edward and Lola May (Underwood) Oswald. Clarice attended grade school at the Rural Acorn School in Franklin County, Kansas. She was very active in Acorn Rustlers 4H Club in Franklin County and was on the 4h Council. She graduated in 1954 as Valedictorian of her class from Princeton High School in Princeton, Kansas.
Following graduation, she married Loy Dean Knight at the Princeton Methodist Church on June 27, 1954. Clarice became an Air Force wife living in Amarillo, Texas; Midwest City, Oklahoma; Misawa, Japan; Topeka, Kansas; Nattenheim, Germany and Spring Lake, North Carolina. After her husband’s retirement they moved back to Princeton where they made their home until 2016, later moving to Ottawa, Kansas.
Clarice was a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church where she played the piano and organ for over 50 years. She also played in various churches and gave piano lessons throughout her life. Music and her faith were always very important to her.
Clarice was also a member of the United Women in Faith, VFW Auxiliary, and Daughter’s of the American Revolution (recently receiving her 50-year pin). Clarice held many offices and served these organizations in several capacities until the end.
During her working career she was with the Appraiser’s Office in Franklin County. She later worked 39 ½ years as an Avon Representative. During that time, she received many District Avon Awards. Her greatest job was raising her family.
Clarice enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, camping, tending to her flowers, Bingo, feeding the birds, and attending her grandchildren’s many sporting events. She and her husband enjoyed camping with the camping club and spending time as Winter Texans. She never missed watching KU Basketball, Royals and Chiefs games.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Lola Oswald, her husband Loy Dean Knight, and a granddaughter Kristi Medlen. Clarice is survived by four daughters, Debbie Stephenson and husband Scott of Scranton, Kansas; Nancy Woolery and husband Sheldon of Princeton, Kansas; Cindy Medlen and husband Dean of Rantoul, Kansas; and Donna Mathena-Menke and husband Marvin of Topeka, Kansas.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brett (Jodi) Woolery, Kurtis Woolery, Christopher (Jessica) Woolery, Ryan (Lacey) Medlen, Johnna Mathena, Brittany (Ryan) Moranz and Lakyn Stephenson, and great grandchildren, Teagan and Tatum Moranz, Carter Medlen, Brooklyn and Hayden Woolery, Kovax and Radley Woolery and Xander and Easton Jackson
Her family would like to thank Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital, Oakley Place, and Midland Hospice for the kindness and care given to her this past month.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Princeton United Methodist Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.
Arrangements are pending and will be available soon.
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