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What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

What Is That Thing?

Until the weekend, the past week’s flying weather was near perfect, prompting a lot of traffic and encouraging airplanes being pulled out to go fly. Summertime flying has finally showed up; puffy white clouds floating in blue sky, shirtsleeve attire and wide open air vents.

In addition to daily B-2 bomber overflights, considerable transient movements were seen. A Piper Archer, a Piper Cherokee, and a St. Louis-based Piper Saratoga were in, as were a Cessna 172 and a Cirrus SR22. From the local sheds, Roy Conley flew his Grumman Tr2, I exercised the 1946 Aeronca, the Koehn Cessna Skyhawk made multiple sorties and the Club 172 got drug to the wash rack for scrubbing. The BCS AirTractor agplane flew from dawn to dusk almost daily, servicing farms over the area.

The unusual turboprop-powered single now parked on the Butler ramp drew curious looks last week. It’s a Pacific Aerospace XL750 jump plane, serving as SkyDive KC’s load hauler in the absence of their Cessna Caravan. The PAC 750 holds 9 jumpers or more, climbs quickly with 750 hp up front, and has a distinctive purpose-driven shape. Built in New Zealand, it was developed from the Fletcher Aircraft FU-24 designed in California by John Thorp in the 1950s. The Fletcher was specifically made to spread fertilizer over hilly sheep pastures, with a single pilot seat up front and a big hopper in the back. Over the years, it grew heavier and bigger, swapping a Lycoming piston engine for the Pratt & Whitney turboprop. Now it’s been adapted for parachuting.

In national news, an outfit called Hermeus is flying an unmanned fighter/bomber prototype that looks somewhat like a delta-wing F-16. The little drone combat vehicle has hit Mach 1.21 over New Mexico in testing and is supposed to demonstrate deploying ordinance while supersonic. It may replace piloted aircraft in theater. 

Meanwhile, NASA is about to go supersonic at Edwards AFB with its X-59 boomless test airplane, a needle-nose manned experimental craft doing research on flying at Mach 1.4 without generating a sonic boom, paving the way for possible commercial supersonic transports. Currently, U.S. law prohibits exceeding Mach 1 over land. The X-59 has no windshield; the pilot uses video screens to see out during takeoff and landing. The test plane may not make a sonic boom, but the chase aircraft flying alongside certainly will.

Last Wednesday, the Marine Corps held a retirement ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina,  for the AV-8B Harrier vertical takeoff ground support jet. The screaming British-developed hover-jet has been in service for 50-some years and is being replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B, which uses a lift-fan to make VTOL operations.

Our question from last week was “how fast do jet airliners move when taxiing with idle power?” Probably an average of about 35 mph, but with the residual thrust at idle you have to ride the brakes to keep speed down. For next time, why don’t jets use reverse thrust instead of brakes for ground operations? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

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Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Rickman, Michael P.A. to Rickman, Michael P.A. Str 14-38-29 //Nw

Lemon, Mark to MTL Trust 05-22-2026 Str 21-42-31 //Se

Lemon, Mark to MTL Trust 05-22-2026 Str 21-42-31 //Se

Zirschky, Willis to Fink, Roger Lt 6 Bl 10 South Drexel

Neely, Cathy G to Kershner, Randy Str 36-40-31 //Ne

Szudajski, Lowell R to Szudajski, Gavin Str 14-42-32 //Sw

Huggins, Helen L to Huggins, Robert Lt 1 Worland, Original Town Of+

Nissen, Hunter to C & Ds Properties Lt 2 Bl 10 William's Addn

Carlson, Samuel to Wicks, Zachary Lt 5 Bl 2 Harper's (Albert) Subds 23-40-31+

Simons, Patrick A to CTC  Rentals Lt 7 Bl 1 Scott's Addn

Vick, Jeffrey H to Swezey, John A  Jr Lt 173 Town Company's First Addn

Bremer, Jared S to Seitz, Joshua D Str 22-40-31 //Sw

Umbenhower, Timothy to Umbenhower, Timothy Bl 7 Couch's Addn

Demicco, Bryan Jeffery to Demicco, Lyndsi Dale Str 22-40-31 //Ne

Hill, Joy Belk to Wackerman, James A Str 4-41-31 //Ne

Porter, Nicolas B (Trustee) to Kelce Investments, LLC Lt 1 Bl 1 Henry's, Lida First Addn

Marriage License

Maddick, Zachary and EvansFink, Samantha Jo

Lightcap, Kane Anthony and Harris, Karalee

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Bates County Court News

Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding

Fines do not include added court costs

St v Suellen Cedenogray- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Butler v Victoria Kimbrough- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Adrian v Reilly Patry- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Randall Yokley- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Noe Garcia- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Glenn Yokley- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Jasper Lechner- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Sabrina Epperson- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Brandi Graham- defective equipment, fine $190.50

City of Butler v Joshua McCarl- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Alainya Chamberlain- fail to register vehicle, fine $75.00

City of Butler v Dorianne Blum- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Jacob Halterman- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Marc Krantz- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Rich Hill v Charles Stout- animal at large, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Angel Contreras- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Ryan Koehn- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Joshua Cantrell- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Randi Overton- no working horn, fine $200.00

City of Butler v Alexander Skocy- expired plates, fine $52.50

City of Butler v Ryan Patterson- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Austin Campbell- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Timothy Highfill- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Rich Hill v Loran Burnett- defective equipment, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Christopher Looney- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Andrew Dixon- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Olivia Rollo- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Tyler Cumpton- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Tristan Kauffman- speeding, fine $80.50

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From Bates County Presiding Commissioner, Jim Wheatley

Clearway/Swan Solar LLC Project

I want to address several concerns related to this project.

First, I can speak only for myself, not for the other Commissioners. I want to make it clear that I do not support solar projects in general, and I am also not in favor of wind or turbine projects. In my view, there are better approaches to alternative energy.

Because Bates County is not zoned, the company can lease land from private owners for this purpose, and the Commission has no authority to stop it. Private property rights are protected.

Bates County was selected tor two reasons:

- Bates County is not zoned

- The location is close to an existing distribution system at Evergy's La Cygne power plant, with power lines running north and south.

The Commissioners were presented with three options for distributing funds related to Bates County and the two directly affected townships, West Point and Homer. These are the only taxing jurisdictions directly involved in the project.

Option One: State Assessment of Project Value. Under this option, the State would assess the project's value. As a result, funding would be distributed  among all school districts in Bates County, as well as the Appleton City, Archie, and Drexel school districts, in addition to Bates County and the West Point and Homer townships. The State would retain its portion and send the remaining balance to Bates County  for distribution to those taxing jurisdictions. The amount being $1,016,067 as the projected amount.

Option Two: Local assessment of the Project Value. Under this options the County Assessor would asses the project's value. As a result, funding would be only for Bates County, West Point and Homer townships and the taxing jurisdictions within, which Miami School is the only school to receive funds. These funds would be distributed accordingly. The amount being $78,713,489.

With these two options, the value of the project decreases each year by depreciation and there is no guarantee that funding would continue if the Project was sold to another Company or Utility. There are no formal agreements for protection. If it would be sold to another Utility, all power lines in their distribution system would be given money first.

Option Three: Chapter 100 Bonds. Under RSMo Statute 100 Bonding, the Commission can negotiate to receive an amount per rated capacity of the project, megawatts (MW). That is what we did and put in an annual escalation percentage rate to allow for additional funds.  If the project is sold, the new Company must follow the Chapter 100 plan, thus guaranteeing continuing funding. The amount being $81,155,673 as a projected amount. Also, if the project increases in size, a new PILOT is implemented and revenue goes up.

If you have any questions, come talk with your Commissioners. We will discuss the plan with you.

Sincerely,

Jim Wheatley
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A must read...

Couple of announcements in this one.

First of all, today's severe weather outlook has been upgraded to include a slight risk (2/5 on the scale) in a line covering Nevada to Osceola and southeast on the Missouri side. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. A couple of tornados cannot be ruled out, but the main threats are strong wind gusts and large hail. Timeframe? Around 4pm, and another round of strong storms may come through tomorrow morning 3-6am.

Second, and this one is harder. This will likely be the last post from 660weather, at least for now. The amount of time required is steep, and I've been funding this mostly myself as a community service for the last couple of years; that and through the community's huge support of my business, Mullinax Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. We've been proud to do it, it's been a lot of fun for me, and I hope it's helped you especially during severe weather. But my photography side hustle is really starting to take off, and it's something I've really missed doing a lot. Only so many hours in the day!

I want to thank everyone, especially those that have followed since day one. I've loved all the messages and support and the friendships I've made. What a ride it's been!

Take care all,

-Greg@660weather

Editor's note- As obligated, Mid America Live will continue to provide accurate and up to date weather information. That said, we'll certainly miss your expertise, Greg!
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McGennis Youth Center fishing derby postponed

Due to the rainy weather, the McGennis Youth Center’s annual fishing derby has been postponed until next Sunday, June 15. Please help spread the word! Thank you.

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Adrian earns Blue Shield community status

On behalf of the City of Adrian, I am pleased to express our excitement and gratitude for Adrian's inclusion as a Blue Shield Community. This designation represents an important milestone for our city and reflects the commitment of our residents, leaders, businesses, and community organizations to fostering a healthy, vibrant, and resilient community.

Being recognized as a Blue Shield Community provides Adrian with valuable opportunities to strengthen local initiatives that improve the quality of life for our citizens. We are especially enthusiastic about the potential for grant funding that accompanies this designation. Access to these resources will help us invest in projects and programs that support community health, economic development, public safety, recreation, and overall community well-being.

The City of Adrian looks forward to collaborating with Blue Shield partners and other participating communities to identify innovative solutions, share best practices, and maximize the impact of available funding opportunities. We believe these investments will create lasting benefits for current and future generations of Adrian residents.

We are honored to be included in this initiative and are eager to begin the work ahead. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this achievement possible. Together, we will continue building a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous Adrian.

Sincerely,

Chief Dillon

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