A silent honor

 

 On June 17th Gary Ratliff , John Gray and Jami Page hung a wreath at the tragic crash site on the Butler Memorial airport property.  The wreath was made by Alicia Lindsey  for the Welcome Home Ceremony at The Wall That Heals and it seemed fitting to leave the wreath at the site since Alicia and Travis were such good friends with the pilot.  

  May God give peace and comfort to the family and friends of those lost.

                                                                                                                        Jami Page

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Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Leonard, Judy to Kelce Investments, LLC Bl 34 Butler, Original Town Of

Park West Estates II, L.P.Sargent, Ericka R. Lt 5 Bl A Park West Re-Plat #1 P4/61

Evans, Bobby to Mcelwain, Dalton Str 15-40-31 //Se

Nitsche Family Trust 6-10-2009 to Christopher, Linda Lt 16 Country South+

Gilmore, Walter D to Gilmore, Curtis Str 22-40-29 //Se

Berry, Maigen N. to Settles, Jasmin N. Lt 7 Bl 2 Mccoy's Addn, Resurvey & Resubdiv

Herrell, Jacob to Heiman, Scott Str 15-40-32

Herrell, Jacob to Herrell, Jacob Str 14-40-32 //Ne

Means, Sarah to Norris, Ralph Str 14-38-29 //Ne

Hamersley, Tracy to French, Paul B Bl 2 Wyatt's First Addn

Ridgway, Beverly A to Mckinzie, Ethan Lt 1 Bl 21 Amoret, Original Town Of+

Christopher, Stephen K to Collett, Sean D Lt 1 Bl 6 Warner's, J. A. Addn+

Berry, Kellie to Mathies, Rhonda Str 5-39-31 //Se

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

Hough, James D to Hough, W Ryan Str 35-39-29 //Ne

Blevins, Evelyn Renae to Arney, Mark L Str 34-42-31 //Ne

Thompson, Gary L to Cumpton, Justin Lt 25 Town Company's First Addn+

Marriage license

McCoy, Aaron Thomas and Cahill, Samantha Blake

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Bates County Court News

Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding

Fines do not include added court costs

St v Samari Washington- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Ethan Thomas- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Andrew Miller- no working horn, fine $144.00

St v Dara Knight- no working horn, fine $144.00

City of Rich Hill v Kaylynn Allen- defective equipment, fine $188.50

St v Timothy Murphy- speeding, fine$80.50

St v Brielle Teh- speeding, fine $200.50

St v Bridger Collins- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Marwin Novacarreno- no working horn, fine $200.00

City of Rich Hill v John Williamson- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Addilyn Hargis- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Butler v Mellenie Estes- no proof of insurance, fine $150.00

City of Butler v Kyle Thompson- no proof of insurance, fine $100.00

City of Adrian v Grant Stacey- expired plates, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Kyle Thompson- equipment violation, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Mellenie Estes- expired plates, fine $125.00

City of Butler v Kendra Dunn- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Jennifer Phelan- expired plates, fine $75.00

City of Butler v Jennifer Phelan- no proof of insurance, fine $100.00

St v Luke Mouton- speeding, fine $50.50

St v Connor Black- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Rich Hill v Kimberly Brashear- animal at large, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Patricia McGuire- zoning code violation, fine $125.00

City of Rich Hill v Bonnie Miller- no animal license, fine $75.00

St v Henry Hubbard- fail to display plates, fine $64.50

City of Rich Hill v Jason Courter- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Angelque Yelloweyes- speeding, fine $200.50

St v Steven Ifamilik- speeding, fine $80.50

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What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

Bearing Up and Carrying On

It was a somber, subdued week at the Butler airport, after the terrible tragedy of the previous weekend. There was a three-day FAA-imposed closing of airspace up to 3000 feet that expired Wednesday evening, after which normal operations resumed. NTSB investigations concluded after Tuesday so road access could resume. Any findings will be announced only after the agency finishes its work, which can take a year or more. Meanwhile, the twelve families of the deceased and everyone affected deserve continued prayers and support.

As far as transient traffic was concerned, the mostly open flying weather saw quite a few visitors coming and going, including a Cirrus SR-22 from St. Louis, a Cessna Skylane from Ft. Collins, Colorado and a nice homebuilt Van’s RV-7 from Mt. Vernon. A Piper Archer and a Cessna 172 were also in. Locally, the BCS AirTractor sprayplane was back hard at work, Jeremie Platt had his Grumman Tiger out and Gerald Bauer was up in the Cessna Skyhawk. 

World-wide, there was news last week out of Nigeria, where a 1988 Challenger 601 business jet landed on a newly-built unopened concrete roadway, rather than the nearby airport, for undisclosed reasons. Then it was turned around after a three-hour stay and took off for repositioning; Nigerian officials are not happy over the stunt. The pilot was 70 years old, overage by Nigerian rules. The airplane is registered to a Salt Lake City ownership.

Stateside, the Air Force is not happy over the latest round of TFR busts in New Jersey, where our President frequents one of his golf courses. Pilots are supposed to keep track of his comings and goings and avoid the intermittent no-fly zone, but as can happen, some people don’t get the word and F-16s and Black Hawks have to be scrambled to identify the intruder. It happened 15 times in the first half of June.

Also, the FAA is getting serious about drone incursions over World Cup locations, which are supposed to be covered by no-drone notices. Homeland Security has logged 145 violations in the first week of the games. Confiscation and interdiction measures are being taken, and as soon as the perpetrators can be located, heavy fines and license revocations are levied. The cheap and easily-flown Chinese drones are often in the hands of operators who don’t care about rules and security, just grabbing videos and gaining notoriety.

The F-35 fighter jet program is in trouble. The Government Accountability Office found that of the 800 F-35’s that have been delivered, only 25-percent are fully flyable at any given time. The highly complex Lightning II is fragile and parts are in short supply, as are people to work on the planes. This aircraft was supposed to serve all branches of our military and allies air forces as well, but it hasn’t worked out so well. The USAF’s eventual solution may be the General Atomics’ FQ-42A unmanned fighter/bomber and Anduril’s FQ-44A, of which they plan to buy 1000 units.

From last week’s column, we wanted to know if there any instrument approach procedures for seaplane bases. Yes, there’s one at Ridgely Lake in Minnesota. For next week, do you know why there’s a aviation-related monument out in the Kansas Flint Hills with the date March 31, 1931 on it? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

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That's a wrap: 2026 Butler Saddle Club Rodeo ends on high note

 Butler Saddle Club Princess Reid Davis and Queen Allyson Spurgeon were crowned Sunday evening as part of the annual Butler Saddle Club Rodeo festivities

Threatening skies and muddy conditions didn't hamper the 73rd Annual Butler Saddle Club Rodeo over the weekend as the turnout was great despite it all with reports that some folks traveled a considerable distance to the Bates County Fairgrounds.

Weekend winners included:

Mutton bustin - Tinlee Liles, 6, daughter of Jack and Charlie Liles of Adrian MO

Queen - Allyson Spurgeon, 17 year old daughter of Anthony and Amber Spurgeon of Adrian

Princess - Reid Davis, 13 year old daughter of Shelley Davis of Rockville, MO

Wild Horse Race - Osage Outlaw Colten Haman of Dayton, IA; Dalton Bogan of Pawhuska, OK and Hoss Henry of Skatook, OK.

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Code 1 Wellness Continues Support Following Tragic Butler Plane Crash

Following the tragic plane crash that occurred Sunday in Butler, Missouri, Code 1 Wellness is reminding the community that support services remain available for those impacted.

Code 1 Wellness was on scene Sunday evening assisting families, the Bates County Sheriff’s Posse, first responders, and others involved during the response to the incident. The organization provided emotional support during what was described as an extremely difficult and traumatic time for families and responders.Code 1 Wellness is a rural Missouri behavioral health organization that provides mental health services, substance use support, peer support, crisis response, trauma-informed care, telehealth services, and community-based wellness resources. The organization serves first responders, veterans, families, court-involved individuals, and community members facing trauma, grief, stress, substance use, or mental health challenges.

Organization leaders said traumatic incidents can have a lasting impact not only on the families directly affected, but also on first responders, witnesses, friends, neighbors, and the broader community. Emotional responses to tragedy may happen immediately or may surface days, weeks, or months later.

Code 1 Wellness stated that there is no specific timeline for grief, shock, or emotional processing, and the organization wants residents to know help remains available.

“When tragedy strikes, people need to know they are not alone,” said Vanessa Kennedy, CEO and Founder of Code 1 Wellness. “Whether someone needs support right away or weeks from now, we want our community to know we are still here. We will continue to be here for the families, first responders, and anyone affected for as long as we are needed.”

Code 1 Wellness extends its condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy. The organization also recognized the work of first responders, sheriff’s posse members, emergency personnel, volunteers, faith leaders, and community partners who came together to assist during the incident.

Community members who need support or would like more information about available services are encouraged to contact Code 1 Wellness. Services may be available in person (peer-supported) or through telehealth, depending on individual needs and availability.

Code 1 Wellness
Adrian, Missouri
(816) 372-2948
info@code1wellness.org 
www.code1wellness.org

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Obituary - Jack Cherry

Jack Holden Cherry, 91, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield, MO.

Graveside services will be at 3:00p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, MO.

Additional family information will be announced by Ferry Funeral Home.

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Obituary - Carolyn Jean (Claxton) Snyder

Carolyn Jean (Claxton) Snyder, 82, former teacher in the Nevada R-5 School District, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Addington Place of Shoal Creek in Kansas City, MO. Carolyn was born on April 9, 1944, in Lebanon, MO to Bud and Alice (Barkley) Claxton. She married James E. “Jim” Snyder and he preceded her in death on June 11, 2025.

No services are planned at this time, courtesy Ferry Funeral Home

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