Reality Day in Hume ends on high note

A huge THANK YOU to all of the incredible employers and community partners who showed up as the boots on the ground for Reality Day. You are the reason this event was possible!

Because of you, almost 200 students had the opportunity to build real-world financial skills, explore careers, and connect with opportunities beyond high school. This truly was something bigger than any one person or organization… COMMUNITY IS STRENGTH.

Schedule included opening speaker Josh Cook, Pick-A-Panel sessions by various industry partners, team building through Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, a budget simulation, excavation demonstration, social media brand demonstration, a Planetarium by Missouri S&T, panel of students who shared their post high school experience and lunch.

Thank you to the MU Extension in Bates County, rootEd, and the Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation for hosting at Hume R-8 Hornets along with our amazing community partners—focuses on helping students build financial skills and explore post–high school options.

All of us together through time, energy, and willingness to invest in students made a lasting impact.

We also appreciate your patience with the emails, phishing hiccups, and any confusion leading up to the event —thank you for rolling with it!

Thank you again for showing up, giving back, and making Reality Day such a success!

Social media will not let me tag everyone, but we will list the community partners who showed up: up: Peerless Products, Inc., MoDOT Southwest, MissouriWalnut Creek Agri Service LLC, Bates County Memorial Hospital, Bates County Sheriff's Office, Dirks Heavy Contractors, West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, Thomas Industrial Coatings, 9F Manufacturing, Ozarks Technical Community College, Ellett Memorial Hospital, Bates County Memorial Hospital, Josh’s Vault Joshua Rushing - Clinch Realty, Mystical Misfits, Midwestern Ox Productions, State Technical College of Missouri, Pittsburg State University, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, Fort Scott Community College, Lusso Porcelain & Design, Murphy Family Ventures, Washington University, and Deems Automotive.

Submitted with our thanks

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Special operation insures registered sex offender compliance

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the United States Marshals Service – Western District of Missouri, conducted Operation Accountability, a multi-agency sex offender employment verification operation in northern Cass County

The operation included participation from nine additional law enforcement agencies across Missouri and Kansas.

Deputies verified employment information for 41 registered sex offenders working within the 64012 and 64083 zip codes, including the communities of Belton, Raymore, and Lake Winnebago.

As a result of the operation, nine state and two federal violations were identified and remain under investigation.

“These types of operations are essential to ensuring and verifying the accuracy of offender registration information that they provide, and maintaining compliance,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Operation Accountability demonstrates the strong collaboration among regional law enforcement agencies and their shared commitment to protecting the community and holding offenders accountable.

Anyone with information regarding a non-compliant or absconded sex offender is encouraged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office or their local Sheriff’s Office.

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Drying out for now, but more rain incoming next week

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Obituary - Gary Page

Gary Page passed away peacefully on Friday, March 27, 2026 at his home in Clinton, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri and are pending at this time.

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Obituary - Tevina Marie Eicher

Tevina Marie Eicher, age 46, Mound City, Kansas passed away Monday, March 23, 2026.  

A benefit dinner will be held 5 pm to 9 pm Saturday, March 26, 2026 at the Sugar Valley Lakes Club House.  A memorial service will be held 1 pm April 4, 2026 to celebrate Tevina and her recently deceased mother, Vickie.  The gathering will be held at the First Baptist Church, Mound City.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Tevina Eicher Memorial Fund.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  

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Bates County Courthouse sidewalk project update

By all appearances, the sidewalk project at the Bates County Courthouse is compete with easy steps and full hand rails. In coming weeks, new grass will appear giving a very 'complete' look all the way around. 

Remember, main Courthouse access is on the South side but thanks to new sidewalks, you'll have an easy walk from any direction.


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Obituary - George Hagerman

George Wendell Hagerman, 61, of Moundville, MO, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, MO.

George was born on June 23, 1964, in Dallas, TX, to George D. and Sharon (Yocum) Hagerman. He married Kimberly Ann Hull on July 11, 2015.

In 1974, George D. and Sharon moved their family to Bronaugh. George attended Bronaugh schools, where he was involved in band, basketball, baseball, and Boy Scouts. His senior year, he chose to attend Nevada High School to play football, which was his passion. He graduated with the Bronaugh High School Class of 1983.

After graduation, he joined the United States Army with plans to serve and travel before returning home. He later shortened his military career due to family obligations. George proudly served as an  E-3 from 1985 to 1987.

George was truly a jack of all trades. Over the years, he worked in many roles, including laborer, manager, chauffeur, and direct care staff. No matter the title, he was known for being hardworking and dedicated.

Family meant everything to George. He supported his family through every stage of life and took pride in being present for their activities, milestones, and memories. He was preceded in death by his parents, George D. and Sharon Hagerman, and his two beloved dogs, Holly and Buddy.

George is survived by his brother, Tony Hagerman of Chelsea, OK, and his sister, Teressa Hagerman of Bronaugh, MO; his wife, Kimberly Ann Hagerman; his children, Chad (Sarah) Hendrix of Marysville, WA, Amber (Danny) Parkes of Waverly, MO, George (Jolee) Hagerman of Nevada, MO, Michael (Sarah) Hagerman of Nevada, MO, Tommy Hagerman of Stanwood, WA, Nathan Hagerman of Nevada, MO, Jordon (James) Downs of Higginsville, MO, and Tori (Baylee) Wall of Moundville, MO; his stepchildren, Glenn Hull of Nevada, MO, Crystal Rivas of Nevada, MO, Kevin (Jane) Henry of Minnesota, Trevor Hull of Nevada, MO, Chance (Chrissy) Forrester of Nevada, MO, and Joshua (Alyssa) Forrester of Nevada, MO; 42 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

George will be remembered for his love for family, his hardworking spirit, and the support he gave so freely to the people he loved.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 5th, 2026, at the Elks Lodge in Nevada.

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Obituary - Scarlett Cousins

Scarlett Belle Cousins, beloved infant daughter of Shawn W. Cousins and Maryea C. Garrison was born September 26, 2025, in Aurora, MO, and passed from this life on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, a few days shy of being 6 months old.

     Scarlett is survived by her parents, Shawn and Maryea, and her sister, Maeleigh, all of the home in Nevada, MO. She also leaves behind her grandparents, Ashley and Jerry Jones, Huntsville, AL, Theresa and David Garrison, Aurora, MO; great-grandmother, Leslie Clemons, Daphne, AL; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

     A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

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