Details released in early morning arrests in Adrian

Just after 6 am this morning the Adrian Police Department, assisted by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant in the 600 block of N. Houston inside the city limits of Adrian. The search warrant was in regard to school windows and a bus being shot with a firearm on Saturday evening.

During the search warrant three subjects were taking into custody and transported to the Bates County Sheriff's Office. The Adrian Police Department then completed a search of the home where multiple firearms and ammunition were located. Outside the home spent casings were located beside the front porch.

One person of the home was placed on a 24 hour hold while the Adrian Police Department will be filing a probable cause statement to forward to the prosecutor’s office to initiate charges.

The investigation is ongoing. Today is a great example of the two agencies working together to keep our community and children safe.

Chief Dillon


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Michael A. Kocurek sentenced to life in prison for child sex crimes

Michael A. Kocurek was sentenced today in the Bates County Circuit Court before Judge James Journey as Kocurek was found guilty on four charges related to sex crimes with a juvenile minor following a bench trial held in early January.

In fairly short order the sentence was handed down as follows:

Count 1 - Sodomy Or Attempted Sodomy - 1st Degree
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.060 } Life in prison with no parole

Count 2 - Endangering Welfare Of Child-1st Degree- 1st Offense -Sexual Conduct { Felony C RSMo: 568.045 }  7 years DOC

Count 3 - Statutory Rape-1st Degree-Sexual Intercourse With A Person Less Than 14 Yrs Old
{ Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.032 } 10 years DOC

Count 4 - Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk - 1st Degree - 1st Offense - Sexual Conduct
{ Felony C RSMo: 568.045 } 7 years DOC

All sentences are to run concurrent.

During the impact statement, the victim cited "It destroyed every aspect of my life. Stripped me of my innocence. I felt disgusting and ashamed. The damage it has caused me has not stayed in my past, it is with me every day."

The defendant will likely file an appeal based on stated inconsistencies related to his former attorney, Richard Koehler and current attorney Jeffery Martin. 

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Head-on crash sends 2 to hospital

Around 7:30 on February 16, the Butler Fire Department and first responders were summoned to the east 52 highway overpass on I-49 on a report of a two vehicle head on collision. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a Ford F-150 driven by a 37 year old Butler woman stuck a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 52 year old Warsaw, Mo. man. 

The female, along with a 38 year old Butler man who required extrication, were transported to area hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. According to the report, the Chevrolet driver sustained minor injuries.

It is being reported that one person fled from the scene however, additional details are unknown at this time.

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Obituary - Debbie Maxine Savant

Debbie Maxine Savant, 68, Nevada, MO passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Nathan Richards Healthcare Center of Nevada.  She was born on September 25, 1957 in Nevada, MO to Darrell and Ramona (Long) Harden.   

    She was married to Richard Savant and from this marriage they had one daughter, Crissy Savant.   Debbie grew up in Nevada and lived in Nevada and El Dorado Springs.  She worked at the Nevada State Hospital for many years and also for Heartland Hospital for a time.  She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, loved to fish and be outdoors, but most of all she loved being with her family.

    Survivors include one daughter, Crissy Savant, Nevada, MO; two grandchildren, Levi Flanagan and Brooklyn Flanagan, both of Republic, MO; one great-grandson, Colton Flanagan, Republic, MO; and her brother, Chester Harden, Joplin, MO.   She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Logan Flanagan.

    Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Pastor Dennis Engelbrecht officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Walker, MO.  The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

     Memorials are suggested to the Nevada Animal Shelter c/o Ferry Funeral Home.  

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Obituary - Rex McCulley

Rex McCulley, age 79, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Saturday, February 14, 2026.  He was born on November 27, 1946 in Pleasanton, Kansas the son of Oscar and Clara Culbertson McCulley.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam as a helicopter mechanic.  Rex was united in marriage to Donna Bradley on July 1, 1986.  For most of his working career, he was a truck driver.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Daniel, and two brothers, Ray and Roy McCulley.  Rex is survived by his wife, Donna, a son, Michael McCulley, a daughter, Ginger Neal-Cox, two sisters, Kay Phillipson, and Fay Benbrook, eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.  

Funeral service will be 11 am Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel.  Burial will be in the Centerville Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, February 18 at the Pleasanton Chapel.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  

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Adrian schools seeking information regarding vandalism

Dear Staff Members, Parents, and Community Members:

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, at approximately 8:20 p.m., four windows on the west end of the Adrian School building were intentionally shot out. The district is working closely with the Adrian Police Department to investigate and resolve this incident.

If you have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact the Adrian Police Department.

Please be assured that this matter is being taken very seriously. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and we are committed to identifying the individual(s) responsible.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation,

Don Lile

Adrian R-III School District Superintendent

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Hume Fire Department makes another upgrade

Over the weekend, the Hume Fire Department took advantage of a rainy day to get a new skid pump/tank unit mounted in 'Ol Reliable', a 1976 Chevy brush truck. This truck has been serving the community for almost 30 years and the old skid  unit stopped working last spring. Now, thanks to the  Adrian Fire Department who donated a unit, the rig is once again back in operation.

"A special thank you goes to the Adrian Fire Department and Chief Dizney for the donation and always looking out for us!" 

Courtesy Hume Fire Department


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Coming Soon: Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at BCMH

Bates County Memorial Hospital is preparing to launch a Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic this summer, expanding access to focused evaluation and care for suspicious skin lesions and certain skin cancers.

Services through the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will be provided by Laura Noble, FNP, and William Joyce, Jr., DO, General Surgeon. Appointments will focus on identifying concerning skin lesions, performing biopsies when appropriate, and guiding patients through next steps in care. Services may also include removal of select benign lesions, such as skin tags or moles, when clinically appropriate.

This clinic is designed specifically for the evaluation and management of skin lesions and possible skin cancers. It is not intended for diagnosis or treatment of general skin conditions such as rashes, acne, or chronic dermatologic disorders, and does not replace care provided by a dermatologist.

Every day, more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States, underscoring the importance of early detection and timely evaluation. These numbers highlight why improving access to focused skin lesion evaluation and coordinated treatment services, such as those being introduced through the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at Bates County Memorial Hospital, is important for our community.

For patients who are diagnosed with skin cancer, providers will review treatment options and help coordinate the most appropriate next step. Depending on the type of cancer and individual factors, this may include referral for Mohs surgery or consideration of image-guided superficial radiation therapy through GentleCure by SkinCure Oncology. Currently, GentleCure treatment locations are available in the Kansas City area and in Springfield, Missouri.

As part of the clinic’s development, BCMH is working toward the long-term goal of offering image-guided superficial radiation therapy locally through a partnership with GentleCure. In the meantime, the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will serve as the starting point for evaluation, diagnosis, and care coordination.

Scheduling for the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at BCMH will begin on May 1, 2026.

Additional information about image-guided superficial radiation therapy is available at gentlecure.com.

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