Records, records, records!

During Rich Hill's famous pie auction last night, auctioneer Larry Hacker made a plea when there were just a few pies left for bids

"Folks" he said "We're down to 10 pies and we're not where we want to be", as the auction seemed to be falling a bit short. He went on to encourage the audience and boy howdy, it worked.

In Larry's own words today:

ONCE AGAIN the “Famous for the 4th” celebration pie auction has out done itself!

55 pies was a RECORD number of pies sold.

$46,950 was a RECORD total for the sale.

$5,100 was a RECORD price for a pie sold (surpassing our Guinness World Record pie that sold for $3,100 in 2012).

As always, it “takes a village”, as they say. Those baking pies are the unsung heroes (without them we have no pies to auction), the unsuccessful bidders are as important as our winning bidders (it takes two bidders to have an auction), and our winning bidders (open their pocketbooks to push next year’s 4th to an even BIGGER and BETTER celebration)!

This year marked 30 years of Rich Hill pie contests and auctions, and I’ve been allowed to conduct ALL 30 of them! Over those years it has turned into one of the most amazing fundraisers around. Initially sponsored by our local supermarket, Food Fair, and then turned over to our local financial institution, Citizens Bank, whose team does fantastic work organizing, getting the pies entered, judged, and the proceeds collected. Then there are the various individuals who have worked along with me over the years catching bids, like this years team of Riley Cameron, Greg Weaver, and Randy Bell (who also has worked EVERY ONE of the auctions).

This town proves EVERY YEAR that “working together ANYTHING can be accomplished”, and THAT’S why Rich Hill is “Famous for the 4th” and amazes so many other communities for what we do!

Thank you to everyone who had a part in this incredible evening!

#MidAmericaLive

Head on collision near Adrian results in serious injuries for both drivers

Around 8:30 Thursday evening a head on collision resulted in serious injuries for two Adrian drivers on 18 highway just west of KK highway.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 2019 Jeep driven by a 65 year old Adrian woman crossed the center line, hitting a 2007 Chevrolet truck driven by a 72 year old Adrian man.

Both drivers were transported by air ambulance to Research Hospital in Kansas City for treatment.

The Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Adrian Fire Department and the Bates County Sheriff's Office.
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Reminder: Montrose fundraiser today

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What to Know Before Lighting Fireworks and Sparklers

These tips help keep everyone safer while you’re celebrating.

There’s something exciting about fireworks on a warm summer night. They’re loud, colorful and often part of holiday celebrations with family and friends. But fireworks can also be unpredictable and dangerous. Every year, thousands of people are treated for burns, eye injuries and other serious accidents due to fireworks and sparklers.

Many fireworks injuries can be prevented by taking a few safety precautions. Before you light any type of fireworks, here are some tips for keeping everyone safer:

• Always have a responsible adult supervise fireworks activities from start to finish.
• Light fireworks outdoors only and keep them away from homes, garages, vehicles, dry grass and trees.
• Have a bucket of water, hose or fire extinguisher nearby in case something catches fire.
• Only light one firework at a time to lower the chance of accidents.
• Never lean directly over fireworks while lighting them.
• After lighting a firework, move away quickly and keep a safe distance.
• Never point fireworks at another person, even as a joke.
• Don’t hold lit fireworks in your hand unless the product is specifically designed for it.
• If a firework doesn’t go off, don’t try to relight it. Wait several minutes, then soak it in water before disposing of it.
• Avoid using fireworks while drinking alcohol or using drugs because impaired judgment increases the risk of injuries.
• Don’t let young children handle or light fireworks, including sparklers. They can become hot enough to melt metal and are one of the most common causes of fireworks injuries in children. Consider safer alternatives such as glow sticks or LED wands.
• Soak all used fireworks in water before throwing them away to help prevent fires later.
• Keep pets indoors during fireworks displays because loud noises can cause fear, anxiety and panic.
• If someone burns their skin, cool the area with running water. Don’t use ice, butter or ointments.
• If a firework injures the eye, don’t rub it or try to remove debris. Get emergency medical care immediately.
• After the celebration is over, check the area carefully for small fires or hot debris that could still cause burns or start a fire.

Fireworks can be a fun part of summer traditions, but safety should always come first. Taking a few extra precautions can help protect you, as well as your family, friends, neighbors and pets, making the night more enjoyable for everyone. Also keep in mind that the safest choice is watching a professional fireworks display from a distance and leaving the lighting of fireworks to trained experts.

Copyright 2026 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks® Heart Healthy Recipes® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

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Meet Waylon Greer, contender for Mr. Bates County

Waylon Greer for Mr. Bates County!

Waylon Greer is running for Mr. Bates County at the Bates County Fair!! July 7th he will ride in the parade and there will be a bash after. Waylon will have a box set up along with his buddy Noah!! The boy with the most money will be crowned July 10th!

From his mom, Bailey Reed: Please let me know if you will be around on the 7th so Waylon can come ask in person for your vote!! Call 660-424-4249. We appreciate any and all support for our sweet boy!!

Waylon will also be showing a sheep this year with the help of Miranda Foster, and playing dodgeball with a group of his friends!! Come out to the fair and support all the kiddos.

Courtesy Adrian News Leader

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ACHS welcomes Travis Searles

Please welcome our new School Nurse for the 2026-2027 School Year, Mr. Travis Searles. We are excited Mr. Searles has chosen Appleton City to continue his School Nursing career! Welcome to AC!


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Notice from the City of Harrisonville

Due to a scheduling conflict, the Harrisonville Board of Aldermen meetings for July 6, 2026 have been cancelled.

The Board will meet again on July 20, 2026

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Preliminary report released regarding Butler plane crash

The National Traffic Safety Board has released preliminary information that indicates normal operating procedures appear to have been followed just prior to the crash of a skydive jump plane that claimed the lives of the pilot and 11 passengers just before noon on June 14th at the Butler, MO airport

The report also indicates the engine was making full power upon impacting the ground however, the aircraft banked sharply to the left as it began its climbout for reasons still unknown. Some critical controls related to wings and tail section were badly damaged, requiring further forensic study that will hopefully provide clues.

As the investigation continues, NTSB specialists are continuing to review all available data, possibly including GoPro video taken on board during the flight.

During a press conference on June 16th, it was emphasized that the final report may take 12 - 18 months to complete.

Official NTSB report verbiage

On June 14, 2026, about 1125 central daylight time, a Pacific Aerospace Limited 750XL airplane, N221BN, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Butler, Missouri. The pilot and 11 passengers sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 local parachute jump (skydiving) flight.

On the day of the accident, the operator had planned to conduct 8 parachute jump flights. The operator's landing zone (LZ), a flat grass field, was located at the Butler Memorial Airport (BUM), Butler, Missouri. All the flights were planned for the parachutists to land at the LZ at BUM.

At 0730, the manager of the operation obtained a fuel sample from their fuel truck that they had staged at BUM. The Jet A fuel sample was clean with no sediment or debris observed. Also at 0730, the pilot arrived at the operator's facility, he completed the preflight of the airplane with no issues reported. He also researched and posted the various wind speeds and directions on a whiteboard in the operator's building for the various loads (see figure 1). According to the operator, the pilot utilized ForeFlight for his preflight planning work.

Figure 1. Image depicting the various wind speeds and directions on a whiteboard, for the different altitudes that the pilot researched and posted on the morning of the accident, located in the operator's building at BUM.

At 0920, the first flight of parachutists, which included the pilot and 9 passengers, departed in the airplane. They conducted their parachute jumps successfully, and the airplane landed back at BUM.

At 1032, the second flight of parachutists, which included the pilot and 10 passengers, departed in the airplane. They conducted their parachute jumps successfully, and the airplane landed back at BUM.

At 1055, the manager of the operation assisted the pilot with refueling the airplane. According to the manager, 15 gallons of Jet A fuel were added to the left-wing fuel tank, and 45 gallons of Jet A fuel were added to the right-wing fuel tank. The total fuel quantity was documented by the pilot on a personal clipboard.

At 1125, the third flight of parachutists departed. A review of security video footage from a nearby aerial application operation hangar at BUM showed the airplane takeoff about mid-field from runway 36. During the initial climb, the airplane began a gradual turn to the left (to the west). A security video showed the airplane continuing to turn to the left, with both wings eventually becoming approximately perpendicular to the ground (see figure 2). The airplane then impacted a flat grass field in a nose down profile and a postimpact fire ensued. A search revealed no ADS-B data or track data for the accident flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Figure 2. Image depicting the security video footage screenshot showing the airplane in flight shortly before impacting terrain (security video footage courtesy of BCS Aerial). The airplane is annotated inside the red circle.

The accident site was located about 445 ft to the west of the southern end of the operator's landing zone, near a north to south running barbed wire fence on BUM property. A postimpact fire consumed the wreckage.

Figure 3. Image depicting the wreckage at the accident site, with various airplane components labeled. Several airplane components were moved to facilitate the initial emergency response.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed that all major structural components of the airframe were identified at the accident site; however, they had sustained significant thermal damage. Both the elevator and the rudder control systems sustained significant thermal damage. Measurements were obtained for the length of the flap gearbox jack screw extension, the length of the pitch trim actuator extension, and the length of the roll trim actuator extension to potentially determine the respective system positions at the time of the impact. The yaw trim system sustained significant thermal damage. The cockpit, the cabin, and the airframe fuel system all sustained significant thermal damage. The left and right direct aileron cables were removed and were transported to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination.

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop engine displayed contact signatures to its internal components characteristic of the engine developing power at the time of the impact. There were no indications of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures to any of the engine components that would have precluded normal operation. The four-blade controllable-pitch composite propeller was destroyed during the impact sequence. A postaccident sample from the operator's fuel truck found the Jet A fuel sample to be clean with no sediment or debris present.

Multiple damaged GoPro cameras (of various models) were recovered from the accident site and were transported to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and it was transported to a secure location.

A postaccident review of the operator's Burble Drop Zone Management software showed that the airplane met the weight and balance limitations for the accident flight. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook and Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand-Approved Flight Manual AIR 2825, the airplane has a maximum takeoff weight limitation of 7,500 lbs. According to the operator, the pilot utilized a small personal clipboard to record load notes and fuel load calculations, however, that clipboard was not identified in the wreckage.

The airplane was configured with two seats in the cockpit (the pilot seat on the left side and the copilot seat on the right side), and the cabin of the airplane had two benches installed for the parachutists to utilize. According to the operator, the parachutists would have sat rearwards, straddling their respective benches, with a latched restraint system (a lap belt). The airplane was not equipped with a crashworthy voice or data recorder, nor was it required to be.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate (airplane single engine land rating with an instrument rating). The pilot had accumulated over 4,100 total flight hours and his most recent flight review was on October 5, 2025. According to the operator, the pilot worked as a contractor, and this was his second consecutive jump pilot season working for them. During the first jump pilot season (which typically occurs from April to October for that geographic area), the pilot operated both the Cessna 182 series and the Cessna 208 series airplanes. The operator reported that they did not have any pervious concerns with the pilot, he was safety oriented, and he was also conservative with his decision making as a jump pilot.

Parachute jump flights, which are revenue passenger-carrying operations, are conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. These operations do not require FAA-issued operating certificates, FAA-issued operations specifications, and FAA-approved training and maintenance programs. #MidAmericaLive