Car bumps building, minor injuries reported

 

Just after noon yesterday, a vehicle struck the side of the Archie, Mo. library resulting in minor injuries to one person seated at the computer workstation shown above. Fortunately, the vehicle eventually came to a full stop thus avoiding further damage or injury. Photos submitted with our thanks.

Obituary - Jennie Morgan

Jennie Bess (George) Morgan, aged 92 of Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, KS. She was born October 28, 1933, in Amarillo, TX to Rentie and Amy George.  Jennie graduated from Amarillo High School in 1951, then continued her education at Amarillo Junior College where she met Hayden Morgan, whom she married in 1953.

Jennie and Hayden established their family while he served as a US Army Ranger. They lived at Fort Polk, LA and Fort Benning, GA. Upon completion of his military service, Jennie and Hayden returned to Tulia, TX, where they began farming and ranching.

Jennie and Hayden moved to Nevada in 1965 to farm and ranch and raise a still-growing and happy family. She worked most recently for the Vernon County Assessor. Jennie was very independent, living in her home, driving, and participating in bridge and garden clubs until her passing. 

Jennie is survived by two sons, John Morgan and his wife Evelyn, Lexington, MO, and Sam Morgan, Nevada; one daughter, Linda Thornburgh and her husband Jerry, Roeland Park, KS; seven grandchildren, Taegan Morgan, Tyne Hulsey and her husband James, Taylon Morgan, Melissa Youngworth and her husband Andy, Sam Morgan, Jessica Chilcoat and her husband Aaron, and Erin Thornburgh-Fast and her husband Paul; nine great-grandchildren, Samantha, Gage, Brandon, Gavin, Hayden, Kinsler, Kimbrel, Rosa and Coen; several great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A graveside committal service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Marvin Chapel Cemetery with Pastor Phillip Sigmon officiating. 

Those who wish may contribute in her memory to Make-a-Wish Foundation or Quality Products, Inc. in care of Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Very special gifts presented to Drexel schools

 
Drexel K-12 Principal Jenny Wheeler proudly accepts one of dozens of new coats from Spire to be gifted to students in need. Each year around this time, Spire delivers more than 600 new coats to schools in western Missouri. Pictured L-R is Spire employee Aaron Hall, Jenny Wheeler and Aaron Revels. Below, bagged and ready, the coats are brought in for distribution.

Learn more about the Spire coat program HERE. 

Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

November 10, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Mike Totten with Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. met with the Commission. Mr. Totten introduced himself and explained the services he offers and left a business card.

Jami Page met with Commission and discussed a reimbursement issue with State Tax Commission. There is currently a reimbursement check on hold due to a $20,000 Emergency Budget amount. This issue came as a shock since this has never been an issue before. When Jami dove headfirst into figuring out where this was coming from, she found some interesting concerns.

Debbie with the State Tax Commission informed Jami that the Assessor had told them to withhold the reimbursement until the $20,000 from the County was deposited into his fund. The $20,000 was budgeted for EMERGENCY ONLY so it is being discussed that next year it will not be in the budget since it is seemingly forced to be spent this year.

Jami asked the Commissioners to discuss this issue and for them to come up with a letter for the transaction of $20,000 from the County into the Assessors fund.

Trent made a motion to accept Dewey’s Bid of $3,600 for tree removal for a tree that is causing issues in the courtyard. He had spoken with Gary about the limbs and such falling and dinging vehicles, and it was starting to be seen as a liability. The bid included tree and stump removal. John seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

Sonia Lalla with Small Business Administration (SBA) for Disaster Recovery, Located in Nevada Missouri, met with the Commission to discuss Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These loans are meant for Businesses, Homeowners, Renters, and Nonprofits who have paid for or is paying for natural disaster damage. Sadly, Farmers are not eligible due to not being considered a business or a nonprofit. Sonia did mention that Farmers with an LLC could possibly be approved.

Jim requested a phone meeting with Sonia and her SBA Leader for more information.

Jim has started looking into SB3. He is figuring out information for the April ballot and how SB3 is going to affect individual property tax throughout the county. 

November 12, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Perry Workman and Josh Hines with Federal Protection met with the Commissioners to discuss the lack of security involving the Court House, previously discussed on Wednesday November 5th, 2025. Mr. Workman and Mr. Hines discussed and explained the software that they had to offer and the advantages the software provided.

A good portion of software that they discussed with the Commissioners would still be within the maintenance lease, meaning there wouldn’t be any more costs to the Commission if they wanted to upgrade to certain cameras.

Mr. Workman and Mr. Hines along with Gary Ratliff from Maintenance took a stroll over to the Courtyard to see the best place to put these cameras.

Mike Irick came and discussed his Deceased Fathers Estate, Bruce E. Irick. The Estate was not on any lists for Probate; it had just sold for more money than taxes owed, therefore Mr. Irick feels as if he is the one who should receive that certain amount of money when it becomes available in August of 2026.

It seems, though, that a lawyer has caught wind of said Estate selling for over tax price and has hunted down very distant nieces of Mikes deceased Step-Mother and informed them of what has happened, and the distant nieces have lawyered up and are doing their best to receive that amount of money instead of it going to Mr. Irick and his siblings.

The Commissioners reassured Mr. Irick that they would do everything in their power to help him with whatever.

Dan Kisner spoke with the Commissioners today and let them know that he would donate a good portion of his free time to help build a shooting range. He told them that he had previously built one and could certainly build another if that was something they felt moved to do.

John made a motion to pay MarksNelson for the EEZ Board Advisory. Trent seconded. All voted in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

More rain to be further north for now

 

Rain amounts have trended UP for the NORTHLAND, while holding steady at 1"+ south of I-70.

Here's hopeful rain amounts through Friday.

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Leroy Dale Hetherington

Leroy Dale Hetherington, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Clinton Healthcare in Clinton, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:30 AM at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM. Burial to follow in the Paul Cemetery in Huntingdale, Missouri, (north of Clinton). In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Cornith Baptist Church of Chilhowee or Paul Cemetery in Huntingdale and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Leroy was born August 20, 1935, in Henry County Mo to Ralph (Dutch) and Mary Lucille (Moore) Hetherington. He was raised in the Huntingdale community with his siblings, Billy, Junior, T Richard (Dick), Nina, Sandy, Lynda and Jim.

Leroy married Thelma Faye (Loyd) on March 30, 1958, in Norris Mo. This union was blessed with Leroy Dale Jr. Ronda Jane, David Wayne, and Margie Lynn.

Leroy, along with his parents, started Hetherington Butchering where he worked with his family, along with on farm butchering. He hauled cattle and hogs to Kansas City Mo stockyards along with other sale barns in the area. During this time, he had Hetherington Feeds selling Sweet Lassy Feed. He hauled hay for local farmers in the Henry County area. Raising cattle and hogs north of Clinton in the Huntingdale area.

Leroy and Thelma were active with the Missouri and Henry County Pork Producers. Helping at the Pork Place at the Mo State Fair, Ozark Empire Fair. The Henry County Fair, local 4H, FFA chapters in the area. Cooking pork burgers at county fairs. Volunteering was a passion for Leroy, from helping young kids with their fair projects to helping at the church and different community events throughout the years.

Leroy was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church Chilhowee Mo.

Leroy was preceded in death by his wife Thelma (2018) son Leroy Dale Jr. (2020) daughter Ronda (2018). His parents. siblings Billy, Junior, T Richard, Nina Reese.

Leroy is survived by his son David (Susie) of Clinton, his daughter Margie (William Thorne) of Lincoln Mo. His siblings Sandy Carter of Holden, Lynda (Bruce) Robertson of Buckner, Jim Hetherington of Clinton, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 5 great- great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Obituary - Ramona Simmons

Ramona "Mona" Marie Simmons, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Raymore, Missouri, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the age of 71. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with visitation beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, MO. Memorial donations are suggested to Lord of Love Lutheran Church in Belton, MO.
A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

Butler approves container based homes within city limits

During the Butler city council meeting this week, container type homes were approved within city limits following a lengthy debate amongst council members. The ordinance passed with two no votes coming from Jeff Hall and Denny Rich, citing concerns that the homes could affect adjacent property values.

While previous discussions were held regarding specific locations, the final ordinance will allow them to be placed on any residential lot with provisions noted in the ordinance shown here: