Need Childcare Clock Hours? Join PALS!

Early care and education (ECE) professionals are invited to attend Physical Activity Learning Sessions (PALS) — a virtual learning series focused on physical activity, active play, and child development.

Session Details

When: Tuesdays

February 3, 10, 17, 24 & March 3

Time: 4:30–6:00 PM (Central Time)

Where: Virtual via Zoom (link sent after registration)

Clock Hours:

6 Childcare Clock Hours available

Please plan to attend all 5 sessions

What is PALS?

PALS is a series of learning sessions that explores eight best-practice areas for physical activity and addresses challenges ECE professionals face when supporting active play.

Sessions focus on:

• Supporting physical development in young children

• Understanding your role as an early childhood educator

• Communicating with families about physical activity best practices

PALS was created by Nemours Children’s Health, Dr. Diane Craft, and Katherine Falen, and is taught by trained professionals.

Registration Information Needed

• Name

• Email

• Childcare center

• MOPD ID

Register Here

https://pears.io/events/mu/2777/

Winners in the Butler Parks and Rec Holiday Home decorating contest

1st Place 405 E Nursery Street - $100.00 off electric bill
2nd Place  801 S Parkview - $75.00 off electric bill
3rd Place  2 S. West Street - $50.00 off electric bill

All who registered will receive $20.00 off their electric bill as well.

Blackhawks Outlast Bears at Butler Tournament

By  Cody Morris, Tailgate TV

After both teams suffered first round losses, the Butler Bears and Adrian Blackhawks were slated to duel it out on the hardwood for the second round of the Butler Tournament. Both Bates County Teams were searching for an early spark to their seasons, as the winner of the showdown would certainly receive a momentum boost for the remainder of the year. The Butler-Adrian rivalry is a storied one, and each team was ready to duke it out for the title of ‘Best in Bates’.

The Bears controlled the tip and Lucas Davidson started all scoring with a hard drive to the basket, the Blackhawks followed by a pair of interior buckets of their own. The opening few moments saw each team trade baskets with a score of 4-4 with 4 minutes to go in the opening. Davidson again found the bottom of the hoop on two consecutive trips down the court to take an 8-4 Butler advantage. Ryan Kramer earned an and-one basket to pull Adrian back with-in 1 with an 8-7 score before he would drive to the rack and gift the Blackhawks a 9-8 lead. In the final minute of the quarter each team again traded scores leading to an 11-10 total in favor of Adrian after 8 minutes.

Jake Chandler would give the Bears the lead back with a quick finger roll to open the 2nd period. After yet another Blackhawks post score, a triple by Talley, and a drive by Kendrick the Blackhawks found themselves with their largest lead thus far at 18-12. The Bears would finally respond and it was Davidson once again who scored for Butler, but it was answered by continued dominance in the painted area by the Blackhawks. At halftime, the Blackhawks were in control with a score of 22-16.

Out of the locker room, the Bears showed some offensive aggression as Chandler drove the lane and earned a trip to the free throw line where he buried a pair to close the margin to just a 4 point Adrian advantage. Hubbard sunk a corner three, after which both teams traded scores until Chandler drove home a trifecta and then took a charge for the Bears which he followed up with another three pointer. Jake’s heroics led to a 6-0 Butler run that brought them within 2 as the scoreboard read 28-26. Adrian, feeling the momentum shift, took a time out to try and regroup. Following the time out, Adrian again looked inside and earned a trip to the line, however they would miss of a pair of free throws, giving the ball back to Butler where Chandler found himself with a pair of free throws as well. Jake tied the game at 28-28 with his trip. To close out the 3rd, Engelhardt went baseline for a bucket and gave the Blackhawks a 32-31 lead going into the fourth and final.

After multiple empty possessions for each squad, Talley finally opened the cup with a post score for Adrian which led to a 13-0 Blackhawks run. Trailing by 14 the Bears finally scored their first points of the 4th with a three by Jesse Carter with just at 3 minutes to go. Carter followed up his triple with a steal, after which Wisdom converted a conventional 3-point to bring the score to 45-37. After an Adrian time-out, the Blackhawks regained composure and continued to control the closing period. Jesse Carter sunk another shot from range, but with just 43 seconds remaining the Blackhawks felt comfortable with a 48-40 lead. Adrian would emerge victorious with a final score of 51-40.

Kramer led all scores with 23, followed by Chandler with 16 points. Engelhardt pitched in 13 for Adrian while Lucas Davidson finished with 10 for Butler.

The Bears and Blackhawks proved to be a highly competitive contest, with the Bears roaring back in the third to push Adrian. However, in the end the Blackhawks outlasted Butler on their way to a win.

Report from the Bates County Commission

December 10, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Commissioners sat down to discuss Patricia Pike stepping down from the Bates County Senior Services Board, effective immediately. John made the motion to appoint Annette Schwander to the board to finish out the two-year term. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No
opposition.

December 15, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Judge Julie Highley met with the Commissioners to confirm where invoices should be sent and discuss corrections that are suggested to be made to the Opioid Applications.
Trent made a motion to pay Linda Howard for the Employee Meeting Dinner. Jim seconded the motion. John was absent at the time of discussion. All were in favor. Motion passed. No opposition.
Trent also made a motion to pay the Township Cart Funding. Jim seconded the motion. John was absent at the time of discussion. All were in favor. Motion passed. No opposition.
Kyle Osborn, with Fountain City Tinting, met with the Commissioners to discuss darker windows in the courthouse. There have been a few complaints about light and heat coming through the windows during work hours. While discussing which tint they felt was best, Trent suggested that Gary and Kyle get the opinions of the ones that are dealing with the issue. Gary took Kyle to the courthouse to gather the opinions of the workers, and it was decided that they were going to go with a 5% tint on the windows.
Trent made a motion to accept the proposal from Federal Protection regarding the Security Cameras involving the Court House. They will be moving the cameras on the interior and adding an updated camera to the Court Room, as well as three new exterior cameras. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Jacob and Caitlyn Lacy, with KW Southland Partners, came in to discuss a title issue on 80 acres outside of Adrian. Coffelt Land and Title deeded out and split up the 80 acres backwards and each 40 acres is now in the wrong party’s name. Caitlyn and Jacob wanted to make sure that their client with one 40-acre half would not get stuck with late fees or penalties since this is not their fault, when it comes to owing/paying property tax. They are working with the Assessor’s Office and the responsible parties to try and get this error corrected.

Gusty winds ahead

Obituary - Alice Cummings

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alice Annette Cummings, who departed this world peacefully at the age of 86, at St. Luke's East in Lee's Summit, Missouri. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Freeman Cemetery in Freeman, MO. Prior to the service, family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions are suggested to Harrisonville Animal Shelter.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

Rich Hill Senior Spotlight Jaiden Rivera

 

Miami County Wanted Wednesday