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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#MidAmericaLive

Obituary - Linda Ann Wymore

 Linda Ann Wymore, 74, of Nevada, MO, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO.   She was born in Butler, MO on June 26, 1951 to Thomas Lee and Dorothy Cleo (Zwahlen) Whitten.

       Linda graduated from Hume High School in 1969 where she enjoyed participating in band, choir, school plays, and basketball.  Linda worked as a legal secretary for Blake Hudson at Hudson Law Firm in Ft. Scott, KS for 49 years, retiring in 2023 after a successful battle with cancer.

      Linda was a member of Foster Christian Church for many years where she enjoyed playing the piano each Sunday and especially for Easter and Christmas programs.  After moving to Nevada in 2002, she joined First Baptist Church.  She loved her church family, especially the ladies in her Sunday School Class.  They would become very dear friends of hers.  Linda was a proud mother and grandmother, attending every event in their lives as their biggest cheerleader and supporter.  She was a wonderful cook and shared her favorites with her family and friends.  Her favorite thing to do was visiting her family and friends.  She enjoyed dancing, preparing meals for family and playing cards and Bingo with them.

      Survivors include her life partner, Dale Neal, Mound City, KS; her daughter, Tammy Hendren (Mike Ward), Nevada, MO; grandchildren, Dalton Hendren (Jordan Crozier), Rich Hill, MO and Melinda Hendren (Baily Solan), Springfield, MO; and three nephews and one niece  and their families who were very dear to her heart, Tom Whitten, Jr., Ronald Whitten, Tonya Jacobs, Doug Norbury, Rich Hill, MO.  Preceding her in death were her parents; one brother, Tom Whitten; a sister-in-law, Rosemary Whitten; and a niece, Deann Cobbs, Mound City, KS.

      The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO. 

     Those who wish may contribute in Linda’s name to Salem Cemetery, Foster, MO in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

#MidAmericaLive

Attention Henry County residents

Obituary - Benny C. Odom

Benny C. Odom, lifelong resident of Cleveland, Missouri, was born August 10, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri and departed this life on February 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 30 days.

He was the son of Robert Carroll and Bessie Edith (Powell) Odom.

Benny was a 1955 graduate of Cleveland High School. After graduation, he worked several years as a brick mason alongside his father and brother and became a member of the Bricklayers Union of Kansas City, Kansas. Benny then served as a Cass County, Missouri deputy sheriff for 10 years before becoming the Cass County Collector, a position he held for 30 years until his retirement. During his time as Cass County Collector, Benny clerked many farm auctions for John Goddard, Rick Cantrell and, Kirk Young. He also held the position of Chief of Police of Cleveland, Missouri.

On October 10, 1958 Benny was united in marriage with Judith Ann “Judy” Cravens and to this union four daughters, Tammy Lorraine, Julie Ann, Amy Lynne and Betsy Carol were born. Benny and Judy were married for almost 60 years before her passing on September 10, 2018.

Benny was a public servant at heart and had served on many committees and was a member of many organizations including Missouri Farm Bureau, charter member of the Cleveland Lions Club, past President of the Missouri County Collectors Association, Board Member of Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), served on the Midway School Board for 12 years and was President of the School Board for 6 of those years, served on the board of P.W.S.D. #7 for 12 years and was President of the Board for 8 years, and was elected Silver Haired Legislator of Missouri. Benny was a Mason and had been a member of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge. He was also a faithful and active member of the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, Missouri and had served as Chairman of Deacons.

Benny was completely devoted to his family. When his girls were young, he spent every weekend taking them to horse shows as well as all their other activities and that trend continued with his grandchildren.

After his retirement, Benny enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop, mowing his lawn, fishing and hunting, but most of all, he loved the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Judy, Benny was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Bessie Odom; brothers, Charles Edward Keeran and infant Donald Earl Odom; sisters, Wilma Jean Bain and Shirley Ann Barthol; great-granddaughter, Sophie Lueker and son-in-law, Dennis Lueker.

He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Lorraine Lueker, Julie Ann Holder and husband Aaron, Amy Lynne Hinkle and husband Mike, and Betsy Carol Frazier and husband Ron, all of Cleveland, Missouri; sister, Ruth Elaine Zimmerman of Cleveland, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.

The family of Benny C. Odom will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 420 W. Main, Cleveland, Missouri 64734. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the church with Brother Henry Green officiating. Casket Bearers will be Mike Hinkle, Aaron Holder, Ron Frazier, Rob Irvin, Tom Suver and Dave Irvin. Honorary are all his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. Interment will follow in the Glenwild Cemetery.

Contributions are suggested to Logan Meerkatz and Clay Palmer Scholarship Memorial Fund. Checks should be made out to Mason Owens and on the Memo line please note “Memorial Scholarship Fund”.

The Museum Minute

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Gori Family Limited Partnership to WR Land Co Str 7-39-33+

Coffelt, John M to Coffelt, Jason M Str 20-41-33 //Se+

On Point Home Design & Contracting to Mcmillin, Kayla R Lt 137 Town Company's First Addn+

Adrian Bank to Four Seasons Of Adrian Lt 112 Adrian, Original Town Of

Skaggs, James Allen to Skaggs, J. Allen  (Trustee) Str 3-40-32 //Sw

Skaggs, James Allen to Skaggs, J. Allen  (Trustee) Str 4-40-32

Wise, Ian to Koehn, Ryan Str 16-40-32 //Ne

Byrd, Mark Anton to Pecan Branch Properties, LLC Bl 42 Walnut Nka Foster+

Binkley, James M to Binkley, James Michael (Trustee) Str 12-41-32 //Se

Southlaw, P.C. to Lakeview Loan Servicing Lt 5 Park South Subd

Tenholder Living Trust 02-18-1994 to Tenholder, James J (Trustee) Str 17-41-30 //Se

Tenholder Family Trust 02-18-1994 to Hughes, Phillip L Str 18-41-30 //Se

Tenholder Family Trust 02-18-1994 to Tenholder Living Trust 11-19-2004 Str 17-41-30

Tenholder Family Trust 02-18-1994 to Tenholder Living Trust 11-18-1997 Str 20-41-30 //Ne

Binkley, James Michael (Trustee) to Ferguson Land & Cattle Co Str 12-41-32 //Se

Marriage license

none

Bates County Court News

Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding

Fines do not include added court costs

City of Butler v Serenity Tiehes- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Heath Maxwell- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Megan Hall- speeding, fine $60.50

St v Morgan Patterson- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Marcus Guein- speeding, fine $200.50

St v Andrew Lane- seatbelt violation, fine $50.50

St v Keira Cumpton- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Justin Kimbrough- receiving stolen property, 7 years DOC, 120 day program

St v Marco Gargano- fail to yield to emergency vehicle, fine $150.50

St v Rusty Mills- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Patricia Thompson- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

City of Butler v Christopher Wimsatt- expire plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Sandy Derr- trespassing, fine $175.00

City of Butler v Gianni Romano- no proof of insurance, fine $150.00

City of Butler v Billy Darr- no proof of insurance, fine $75.00

City of Butler v Victoria Davis- no valid drivers license, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Gianni Romano- expired plates, fine $125.00

City of Butler v Victoria Davis- failure to produce drivers license, fine $75.00

City of Butler v Victoria Davis- fail to register vehicle, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Sandy Derr- domestic assault, fine $225.00

City of Butler v Billy Darr- no valid license, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Dorena Gillis- fail to register vehicle, fine $125.00

City of Butler v Amber Taylor- speeding, fine $150.00

St v Stephanie Turnage- no working horn, fine $144.00

City of Butler v Doris Smith-fail to use signal, fine $75.00

St v Eugene Scott- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

City of Butler v Logan Meyer- excessive noise, fine $125.00

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

An Era Ends

Last Wednesday marked the end of an era at Butler Airport. Ed Robertson’s matched pair of 1977 Cessna 150s, N704EZ and N704SJ, flew away over the western horizon to a new home in Amarillo, Texas, after 48 years of faithful service teaching Butler pilots how to fly and stay current. No longer will the little yellow and white trainers be available to roll out of the hangar. My first flight in EZ was on October 19, 1976; my final trip in her was on August 29, 2025. I took SJ up on November 2 for three night landings. Thus endeth the availability of flight training here, dating back to 1958.

Traffic picked up last week, with the springlike weather that prevailed. The ferry crew from Amarillo arrived in a pressurized Cessna 340, former Butler pilot Cody Barker was down from Lee’s Summit in a Cessna Skyhawk and a nice 1966 Cessna Skylane graced the ramp. Also in were a Cessna Skyhawk, a Piper Warrior and a Beech Musketeer. No local aircraft were observed, other than the previously-mentioned departures.

Looking at national aviation news, we see where a lawyer, on behalf of an injured passenger, is filing suit against the City of Scottsdale, AZ pursuant to a February 2025 accident when a Learjet 35A had a left main landing gear break off while touching down at Scottsdale, causing the Lear to swerve off the runway, across the parallel taxiway and onto an FBO’s ramp where it slid into a parked Gulfstream jet. The suit claims negligence on the City’s part for allowing the Gulfstream to be parked there, as well as the pilot of the Gulfstream and the towing operator. Looks to me like a countersuit would be in order since the Learjet caused the wreck.

And then there was last Wednesday’s comedic episode at El Paso, TX, when the FAA suddenly announced an immediate closing of airspace around ELP for 10 days, for “security” reasons. Airline flights were canceled, a medevac airplane was diverted to Las Cruces, NM, only 45 miles away, and private flights were halted. Then, before the day was out, the order was rescinded. Evidently the brouhaha was over Customs and Border Protection’s nearby firing of a new laser toy to knock drug-runner drones out of the air, without clearing their plans with the FAA. No government agency likes to be ignored.

A leaked story recently surfaced about a Coast Guard Gulfstream jet pilot being fired for taking off without DHS Secretary Christy Noem’s favorite blanket on board. There’s doubtless two sides to the story, but supposedly when she had to change planes for mechanical reasons the Secretary’s wrap got left behind and the pilot-in-command was blamed. Comically, he was immediately reinstated when it was found out that no other pilot was qualified to make the return trip. He graciously agreed.

Late last week we received word of the passing of long-time agricultural pilot Mitch Grainger, local Butler resident who followed his heart to Alabama where he was taught the intricacies of cropdusting by his father-in-law. Mitch was happiest in the cockpit of a powerful agplane, applying spray to a good field, until failing health caused him to retire. Fly high, Mitch!

The week’s unanswered question was “where did the Flight Engineer sit in the cockpit of Douglas DC-6 airliners?” He had a forward-facing seat aft of the console between the pilot and copilot, where he could monitor and operate engine controls and systems. On Lockheed and Boeing planes the FE sat sideways at his own station.  The next week’s question is, “did Anthony Fokker make any German military planes during World War II?” You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.