Cass Career Center fire update

On Friday evening, Oct. 30, a fire occurred at Cass Career Center. Thankfully, no students or staff were inside the building at the time. Since then, our district has been working diligently to coordinate temporary classroom arrangements, adjust transportation, and ensure CCC students can continue their education.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. While the fire damage was primarily in the agriculture area, the entire building was affected by smoke. Extensive cleaning and remediation will be needed, and we do not yet have a timeline for when students and staff can return.

In the meantime, CCC students are continuing their education at temporary locations. Our priority remains providing students with the instruction and opportunities needed to complete their programs and earn their certifications.

A huge thank-you to Harrisonville United Methodist Church, the Harrisonville Community Center, Country Creek Golf Course, and the many other local businesses and organizations helping provide learning spaces and support. We are also grateful to our staff across the district who have stepped up to help! As we continue to identify additional needs for our CCC students and staff, we may reach out to our community for further support.

Thank you to our entire #WildcatFamily for your patience, flexibility, and support as we work to keep our students learning and move forward together.

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Bates County Memorial Hospital Names Nick Head as November Employee of the Month

Bates County Memorial Hospital is pleased to recognize Nick Head as its November Employee of the Month. Nick has been part of the BCMH Information Systems team since 2018, providing technical assistance to employees across the organization.

While many hospital employees work directly with patients, others provide essential support behind the scenes to help keep daily operations running smoothly. Information Systems is one of those departments, helping employees navigate the technology and systems they depend on throughout the workday. 

Nick was nominated by a coworker who highlighted his kindness, patience and willingness to help with everything from minor technology issues to coordinating support with outside vendors.

“Nick’s commitment to excellence and building positive relationships within our health system is top tier,” the nomination stated.

The coworker also expressed appreciation for Nick's ability to explain things clearly and his consistent willingness to provide assistance whenever needed.

BCMH congratulates Nick on being named November Employee of the Month and thanks him for the positive difference he makes for his coworkers and the hospital.

Stay connected with your local hospital! Visit https://bcmhospital.com/news/

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Little Apple news

November 4, 2026

Unofficial St Clair Co election results:   State Auditor: Fitzpatrick 2464  Wilson 732  Coffell 87      State Rep #126: Kalberloh 2512  Perry 777  

US Rep #4: Alford 2429 Herrera 769  Holbrook 100       State Senator #28: Alexander 2412  McCaffree 869   

MO SC Judges: Wilson – yes 1795 no 1555     MO Appeals Judge: Hammer – yes 2132  no 912   

Amendment 3: yes 2117  no  1205    Amendment 6: yes 1427  no 1869    Amendment 7: yes 1433  no 1831    Amendment 8: yes 2098  no 1176  

Prop A: yes 1553 no 1717            *****No other results were available at the time of publication*****

The GFWC-Achievers 46th Auction will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday November 9 in the ACHS West Building Commons Area in Appleton City. You will find gift baskets, baked goods, great gift ideas, door prizes and a chance to win the jackpot in the 50/50.  Col. Jack Fennewald will be the auctioneer/entertainer. Come join them for an evening of fun. Homemade pie will be served.  Everyone is WELCOME, including guys!  As in the past, this group of Federated Women will again be raising monies for another local project. 

The Knights of Columbus will have their monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose on Sunday, November 8, from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  Treat your family to a hot breakfast you don’t have to cook or clean up.  A free will donation will be greatly appreciated

St. Mary’s School (Montrose) Endowment Board are sponsoring a Chili Summer November 7 from 5:00-8:30 in the school basement.  Chili, hot dogs, desserts and drinks will be available for a free will donation.

Ellett Memorial Hospital is hosting a Veteran's Day breakfast to those who have served in the military and their spouses in the dining room from 7:30 to 9:00a.m Wednesday, November 11. They wish to honor those who sacrificed to give us all our blessings we have today.

 

December 5, 2026 is Appleton City’s 30th annual Christmas in the Country. The Depot Craft Show is scheduled 9:00-2:00 and it features handmade items made by area crafts people.  Please call Kenna Bartz at 660-200-6370 for craft show information. This event is sponsored by the Appleton City Museum. All groups and organizations are encouraged to plan activities for this fun filled day. 

Amy Raybourn is Parent Educator for the Appleton City PAT program.  She has been a teacher for 29 years. This is her second year as a Parent Educator for Parents as Teachers. Parents as Teachers is a program for families with children ages birth to kindergarten. They also serve families who are expecting. Whether you have participated in the PAT program in the past or would like to start, PLEASE contact her at 660-476-2108 or araybourn@appletoncity.k12.mo.us.

Growing in Grace Community Center will be delivering Thanksgiving meals, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. Message 660-492-3425  for a meal of turkey, mashed pot and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, roll, and pie

University of Missouri Extension of St. Clair County will host an informational course in estate planning 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17 at the Forest Park Building, 206 E. 5th Street in ACMO.  Participants may register in advance by visiting https://pears.io/events/mu/11210/ or by calling (417) 646-2419.  Walk-in attendees are also welcomed. The cost is $15/person or $25/couple. In this course, participants will see a fictional family who has done no estate planning. As life circumstances occur, participants will see the unintended consequences of having done no estate planning.  After learning what all goes wrong, we’ll examine the tools available in an estate plan, and then apply those tools to our fictional family to see how it might have changed their outcome. The purpose of the course is to demonstrate the importance of estate planning in general, but also to give participants more knowledge about estate planning tools and how they might apply so that they are better prepared when they meet with their own estate planning attorneys.  This course will be taught by a licensed attorney with 20 years of experience in probate and estate planning. 

AC Rural Health Clinic has flu vaccines available. Call 660-476-2121 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

 

Nominations are being accepted for the January 17-23 public election of St. Clair County’s University of Missouri Extension Council. Candidate recommendations may be made by contacting the county extension center, (417) 646-2419. Nominees will then be contacted to secure their permission before being placed on the ballot. Nominations for the 5 open positions must be made prior to December 11, 2026. 3 Candidates are needed from the North District (Appleton, Monegaw, Chalk Level, Butler, Jackson, Center Osage and Taber Townships). 2 Candidates are needed from the South District (Osceola, Polk, Dallas, Doyal, Roscoe, Speedwell, Washington and Collins Townships). In St. Clair County, they are seeking people from all walks of life who are interested in education and the progress of our communities, to serve on the extension council. Council candidates must be at least 18 years old and reside in the district they represent. The St. Clair County Extension Council meets on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December. Missouri state statues create county extension councils to work with University of Missouri Extension. Council members assist in planning and carrying out extension programs in their county, providing local extension governance and representing the diversity of the county’s changing population. 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nov 7     St. Mary’s School (Montrose) Endowment Board Chili Summer 5:00-8:30 in the school basement

Nov 8     Knights of Columbus pancake and sausage breakfast 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. at the Knights Hall in Montrose

Nov 9     GFWC-Achievers 46th Auction 6:00 p.m. in the ACHS West Building Commons Area

Nov 11   Veterans Day Holiday

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Clearway Energy makes monetary donation to Amsterdam, Amoret

Barry Matchett, Head of External Affairs for Clearway Energy Group (on far left) presented a check to the city of Amoret for $125,000 and another $25,000 will soon be presented to the city on behalf of the Blattner Company, who is overseeing construction of the solar farm project in western Bates county. In the photo below, the same presentation was made to the city of Amsterdam on Monday as Matchett presented a check to Mayor Shane Gerleman and likewise, Amsterdam will  receive $25,000 from the Blattner Company as well.

Monday evening Barry Matchett, representing Clearway Energy on behalf of the Swan Solar project which will be located in western Bates county, made a monetary donation to the cities of Amsterdam and Amoret to use for infrastructure and/or upgrades as needed.

As part of the presentation, Matchett noted that the donations have been made to demonstrate that Clearway and Blattner are "Good corporate citizens" and both companies wish to maintain a positive working relationship with the community.

Matchett went on to say that both towns are to expect additional yearly stipends with amounts to be announced.

In the presentations, it was also noted that Bates County is also to receive five new storm sirens with an approximate value of $40,000 each, which Amsterdam and Amoret each will receive one.

Barry Matchett (left) presents a check for $125,000 to the city of Amsterdam, received  by Mayor Shane Gerleman.

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A strong finish for the Jr. High Lady Hornets

Congratulations to the Junior High Lady Hornets as they finished 3rd Place in the Hume Tournament last week.

Courtesy Hume Schools


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Briley Steuck named to WEMO All-Conference team

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Local Class 2 District 13 Honorees

Congratulations to the Lady Bear All-District Honorees

Class 2 District 13 Honorees

1st Team All-District

-Tandee Hiser: Butler

-Kylee Dubray: Butler

-Kendall Roscher: Lone Jack

-Taylor Nichol: Lone Jack

-Grace Engeman: Adrian

-Daisey Fenton: Adrian

-Alexa Rodgers: Adrian

2nd Team All-District

-Brielle Boswell: Lone Jack

-Sydney Gach: Adrian

-Aubrey Rodgers: Adrian

-Kiersten Dubray: Butler

-Allie Thompson: El Do

-Adele Muir: Barstow

-Nyla Ballew: University Academy

Honorable Mention

-Cami Ridenour: Lone Jack

-Mykiah Felton: Sherwood

-Kadyn Cook: Butler

-Maddix Robison: El Do

-Maci Walter: El Do

-Ialynn Howard: University Academy

-Lilly Simpson: Barstow

-Lia Levin: Barstow

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Obituary - Michael Wayne Barber

Michael Wayne Barber was born on January 18, 1947, in Kansas City, Kansas. He made his home in Appleton City, Missouri, where he had lived since 1985. He passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026.

Michael proudly served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1970, completing two tours in Vietnam. During his service, he was a Specialist with the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry and also served as a helicopter gunner with the 229th Aviation.

Following his time in the military, Michael spent many years on the road as an over-the-road truck driver before becoming an owner/operator. He continued working until he was forced into medical retirement.

On June 10, 1978, Michael married the love of his life, Debbie Barber. Together they built a life and family filled with love and memories. They were blessed with two children, daughter Michele, born May 30, 1980, and son Eric, born July 3, 1983. His family continued to grow with the arrival of his beloved grandchildren: granddaughters Avery and Rylan, born July 1, 2009, and grandson Tyler, born November 15, 2009.

Outside of work, Michael enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing, camping with his family, and making trips to the casino. He was a devoted Oklahoma football fan and enjoyed watching NASCAR. He treasured spending time with family and friends, making memories and enjoying every opportunity to be together.

While Michael enjoyed many things throughout his life, nothing meant more to him than his children and grandchildren. They were his greatest pride and joy, and the love he had for them was immeasurable.

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Debbie Barber; daughter, Michele Burnett (Phil); son, Eric Barber; granddaughters, Avery and Rylan Burnett; grandson, Tyler Barber; several brothers and sisters; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald E. Barber; his mother, Virginia Foster; and his stepfather, James Foster.

The family has requested memorials be made to the Disabled American Veterans Association.

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