A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.
Friday, October 3, 2025
Obituary - Gunner Gordon Lee
A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.
Report from the Bates County Commission
John attended the Kasinger Basin meeting in Clinton on Thursday September 18.
Sheriff Anderson and Chief Deputy Corbin came over to discuss the Property and Casualty insurance. Law enforcement being a determining factor in insurance coverage, cost and occurrences.
Trent made the motion to approve the Travelers Insurance quote. John seconded. All voted yes. Motion carried with no opposition.
September 24, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Lindsey Chaffin with Great River came in for the bid opening on the TAP Project for the Courthouse Sidewalks. In attendance were Andrew Deihl Buildet, Andy Jones SB Wyatt Contracting, Roger Koehn and Ryan Glass with Koehn Buildings.
Buildet $233,126.75
SB Wyatt Contracting $274,005.00
Koehn Buildings $244,139.00.00
Great River will go over the bids to ensure accuracy and make a recommendation to the Commission in a week. MoDOT will also have to approve.
County Clerk Jami Page came in with information from the Hospital on their upcoming Wellness Event. Jim had asked about the county paying for some of the screening done at the fair for the county employees. The Hospital offered a discounted price for the screening. They ask for a list of people the county would be paying for if approved.
Trent made the motion to pay for the BCMH Wellness blood work screening for every county employee that elects to have it done. John seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion passed with no opposition.
At 1:52 p.m. Trent Nelson made the motion to go into closed session to discuss a personnel issue with Jami Page pursuant to 610.021(3). John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
At 2:31 p.m. Trent made the motion to go back into open session. John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Trent made the motion to pay out Walnut and New Home CART funds as they completed the requirements. John seconded. All voted yes. Motion passed with no opposition.
( West Boone and Mt Pleasant are the last 2 townships that have not completed the requirements for CART Funds)
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.
Obituary - Barbara J. Bradfield
Obituary - Jessica Ann Holt
Jessica Ann Holt was born May 20, 1997, in Clinton, Missouri, to Richard Allen Paluch and Kendra Leanne Holt. After Rick’s passing in 2011, Jessie was adopted by Thomas Holt and proudly carried the Holt name from then on.
Jessie began school in Adrian, Missouri, later transferring to Sherwood Middle School. High school wasn’t the right fit for her, so she earned her GED in 2014 and then attended Matuska Taxidermy School in Iowa. It was there that her incredible artistic ability truly flourished. Jessie’s creativity was limitless—there wasn’t anything she couldn’t design, build, or bring to life.
Growing up, Jessie shared a special bond with her siblings. She and her sister Krystal—despite their eight-year age difference—shared the same artistic streak and sense of humor. Jessie always looked up to her big brother Kody, whom she lovingly called KOBO. One of their favorite games was “HIKE,” which was really just football, but of course, Jessie made it her own. Kody remembers that Jessie always did things in her own way, and why we are here today is proof of that. The world was truly robbed of her talent and spirit—most never knew just how creative she was.
Her connection with Toalson and Larissa was also inseparable; the three of them were like triplets, always together and usually up to some kind of shenanigans. They spent hours riding four-wheelers, taking back roads with the music cranked up, singing loud, stopping at their favorite spot just to sit and talk.
Jessie was also a devoted big sister to Trystan and Trey, always involved in their growing up—helping with class parties, birthdays, and everyday life. Later, she loved being “Aunt Jessie” to each of her nieces and nephews.
Jessie was happiest outdoors. She loved hunting turkey and deer with Thomas, making memories he will forever hold close. Mushroom hunting was her true expertise—walking miles with Thomas or with her dad at Longview Lake in search of morels. She even earned the title of “best ditch asparagus picker.” Jessie never passed up a fishing trip—whether for bass, crappie, or trout at Roaring River. She proudly called herself an “expert snagger,” and she may not have been wrong, landing many big spoonbill over the years. Every time she came home, the first thing she wanted was to head to Grandma Kay’s lake to fish. Summers at the lake were filled with camping, tubing, and setting jug and limb lines for catfish. Being on the boat was truly her happy place.
Fall was her favorite season—bonfires, hayrides, haunted houses, carving pumpkins, and especially trips to the Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun with her dad. She also loved carving pumpkins with her son, JJ.
Jessie loved animals of every kind. Over the years she had a pet deer, a potbelly pig, and even a mischievous rooster—but most of all she adored her stubby cat, a gift from her dad.
Her Nana was often able to fix just about any crisis—except when Jessie’s beloved “Be-Bop,” which she carried everywhere, got mutilated. After that, we had to call it “Franken-Bop,” and Jessie would accept no substitutes.
In 2018, Jessie gave birth to her beautiful son, Jessie James “JJ” Wilson. Jessie loved JJ with her whole heart. They shared not only a name but a special mother-son bond. She always made their time together deeply meaningful and full of love.
Jessie later became engaged to Ben Whitmore, her soulmate and love of her life. Together they enjoyed working on cars, going to the shooting range, playing video games, and simply being together.
As her mother, I will miss her hugs, her laugh, her beauty, her sarcasm, her love, and her random bouquets of handpicked wildflowers with notes that always assured me how much she loved me. I will miss her sense of adventure and her ability to do anything she set her mind to. I love the way she did everything her own way—in “Jessie style.”
If you were a friend of Jessie’s, or part of her family, and she loved you—she loved you with her whole heart. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to make her mad, because I’m pretty sure she could whip just about anybody!
Jessie’s favorite flowers were daffodils. She couldn't wait for springtime every year so she could pick as many as possible and even believed that her and her sister Larissa discovered a new species when they were younger . If you want to remember her please take some bulbs and plant them and think of her in the spring when the world is beautiful again.
Jessie was preceded in death by her father, Richard Paluch; paternal grandfather, Dale Paluch; maternal grandmother, Mary Lois Simpson Page; and Richard Page.
She is survived by her parents, Thomas and Kendra Holt; her beloved son, JJ; brothers, Trystan and Trey Holt; grandmother, Kay Holt, all of Urich, Missouri; sister, Krystal Cooper (Clinton); brother, Kody (Kortney) Cook of Spring Hill, Kansas; brother, Toalson Holt of Holden, Missouri; sister, Larissa (Mike) Fultz of Conover, North Carolina; maternal grandparents, Ken and Gisela Kalwei of Kansas City, Missouri; paternal grandmother Phyllis Paluch , Independence, Missouri, nieces and nephews, Eddie and Quinton Smith, Isla and Violet Cooper, Kohen Cook, and Carter Fultz; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Jessie fought hard for a long time, and now she is at peace. She will live forever in our hearts.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Obituary - Gerry Ann Ketron
Gerry Ann Moore Ketron, age 87 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at home. She was born November 21, 1937 to Ralph Edgar and Mary Catherine Miller Moore in Butler, Missouri.
Gerry is survived by one daughter, Judi Warren of Butler, Missouri; four grandchildren, Heather, Megan Jones and husband Antonio of Butler, Missouri, and Sasha and Matthew; 16 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Donna Moore of Butler, Missouri; and many nephews and nieces. Gerry was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; beloved grandmother, Minnie Miller; one brother, Don Moore; and a sister-in-law, Charmaine Ketron.
More information regarding Adrian Homecoming
The parade will begin at 2 pm tomorrow. Good luck to all candidates!
The 2025 Homecoming Paint the Town Red winner is...
1st Place: Community First Bank (West Branch)2nd Place: Steiner's Restaurant & Bar
3rd Place: Kellie Davidson State Farm Agent
Thank you to ALL of the businesses who participated this year. We had the BEST turnout yet and we hope to see you all again next year.
Pictured: Community First Bank (West Branch) and the Traveling Bear Trophy. Congratulations!
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