Last Chance!

Estate sale goodies are still available at 925 E. Pine St in Butler. Thursday, Sept. 25th through Saturday Sept. 27th. Come by 8 to 4 pm and fill a tote for just $20! We'll supply the tote! 

Kithcart Breaks Another School Record

The stars aligned on Saturday, September 20th, at the Cross Country meet hosted by Missouri Southern State University, as Rich Hill sophomore Andrew Kithcart etched his name into the record books once again.

After a strong week of practice, Coach Green felt confident about his team’s potential. “I knew after a great week of practice there was a chance, but not quite like this,” he shared.

The previous record, held by 2024 graduate Brayden Chandler with a time of 17:36.1, had stood strong—until this weekend. With Chandler in attendance to witness the moment, Kithcart crossed the finish line at 17:21.54, setting a new Rich Hill school record.

This achievement highlights not only Kithcart’s talent but also his relentless work ethic and determination. As just a sophomore, his future in cross country looks incredibly bright, and the Tiger community is excited to see what he will accomplish next.

Rich Hill Homecoming 2025 Rich Hill vs Northland Christian
September 29th - October 3th
Theme: “We got the beat to beat the trailblazers”

Candidates: picture below
Freshmen: Sophie Green & Bentley Gilkey
Sophomore: Sadie Gillis & Cayden Velez
Junior: Briley Steuck & Will Klinksick
Senior: Kaydence Fleischer & Morgan Steuck
Dress Up days:
Monday: “Wildest Dream” PJ Day
Tuesday: “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue” Country Club vs Cowboys
Wednesday: “Thrift Shop” Mis-Match Day
Thursday: “DeJaVu” Throwback Day
Friday: “Eye of the Tiger” Tiger Pride Day

Hs Homecoming dance after the game, oct. 3rd
Jh homecoming dance-Saturday, Oct. 4th, 6-7:30 pm

Photo highlights from Bates County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo

The 2025 Bates County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo held on Saturday went off without a 'hitch' and was attended by what is said to be the biggest crowd yet. See more photos here:

 https://crazycmphotography.pixieset.com/adriansheriffsposserodeo2025

Report from the Bates County Commission

9/15/25 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Trent did not return after the Lunch hour.
Jim, Trent and John attended a West Central Commissioners Association meeting on Thursday 11th.
Sean Mcgonigle with MAC Trust stopped in.

9/17/25 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Bid Opening for the TAP Sidewalk Project was rescheduled.
Charles Rush walked into update the Commissioners on the Property Insurance. The meeting discussed insurance premiums and deductibles for a county's assets. Three companies were considered: Travelers, Tokyo, and a MO Perm. The main decisions revolve around law enforcement liability and property deductibles, with Travelers offering lower deductibles and lowest premiums.
Work in progress
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 updated 9/10/25.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. As of 8/7/25, nine people need to sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley). ($106,888.79 to date 9/3/2025)
4. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 8/13/25 updated 9/10/25 fixed fee reduced to $9,500.00.

Much needed rain to stay awhile

 

Areas under a thunderstorm (or a couple thunderstorms) will receive more than this.

But here's a realistic look.

A widespread 1-2 inches, with the bullseye being SW Missouri and NW Arkansas with this round.

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Shirley Faye Heathman

Shirley Faye Heathman, 87, Nevada, MO passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Cox South in Springfield, MO. Shirley was born July 23, 1938 in Nevada to William Clifford and Lela Fern (Pyle) Porter.  She was united in marriage to Robert Wesley Heathman on April 23, 1971 in Nevada and he survives of the home.

     Shirley grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School Class of 1956. She worked at the Graphic Arts Studio in Nevada right out of high school where she worked her whole life until her retirement 25 years later. Following retirement Shirley drove cancer patients to treatment through Vernon County Cancer Relief and was voted Rotary Club Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work. She also helped with tax returns for the elderly for several years. Shirley loved to bowl when she was younger and that was where she met her husband Bob.  She was a lifelong member of Community of Christ Church and was an active member of the women’s group and sang in a quartet.  

     In addition to her husband Bob, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Dorothy Jones; and an infant brother, Kenneth Lee Porter.

     Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m. on Friday prior to the service.

     Memorials are suggested to Community of Christ Church c/o Ferry Funeral Home.  

Obituary - Donald Eugene Plunkett

Donald "Don" Eugene Plunkett, 93, of Peculiar, Missouri, left this world on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 10:30 - 11:00 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO. This will be followed by a graveside service, with military honors, at 11:30 AM at Peculiar Cemetery in Peculiar, MO.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

2 hurt when vehicle hits tractor near Rich Hill

 

On September 22nd around 8:30 pm, the Rich Hill Fire Department, Bates County EMS, Bates County Sheriffs Office as well as the Missouri Highway Patrol responded to WW highway and county road 10508 for a motor vehicle accident.

According to the MSHP report, a 2025 Jeep Compass with two occupants, ages 70 and 71, from Tempe AZ struck a John Deere tractor in the roadway resulting in minor injuries for both, who were transported to Bates County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

A 14 year old male, who was operating the tractor, was not injured. The Jeep was totaled and towed from the scene.

Photo courtesy Rich Hill Fire Department.

Due to a policy change, the MSHP no longer provides names of victims in publicly available accident reports. Hardcopy detailed reports are available from the MSHP at a cost of $6 with an unknown delivery time due to a severe backlog, according to the MSHP website.