One dead following accident west of Butler overnight

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 35 year old female from San Luis, AZ succumbed to injuries sustained when the vehicle she was a passenger in left the roadway and struck a tree on 52 highway near county road 3502 around 1:40 this morning.

The driver, a 37 year old male, also from San Luis, sustained minor injuries and received treatment at Bates County Memorial Hospital.

The accident remains under investigation at this time. The MSHP was assisted at the scene by the Butler fire department and the Bates County Sheriff's Office. 


#MidAmericaLive

Whoooooo are you?

Ginger Zellmer of rural Butler has not once, but twice had a special visitor that stopped for a look-see around her deck in recent days. The owl seemed totally at home even as her grandson moved closer to take the picture.


#MidAmericaLive

What's Up by LeRoy Cook

If It Bleeds, It Always Leads

Last week’s storms came and went without undue hazards to stored aircraft, but they did discourage cross-country travel. As the big 0shkosh, Wisconsin airshow starts up next week, we can expect an influx of travelers stopping through. It’s be just in time for the winding up of the airspace confusion surrounding the World Cup Soccer matches, which will relieve pilots’ minds about all the Temporary Flight Restrictions.

The only transient visitors noted this week were a Cessna 340 twin and a Piper Archer. Local aircraft taking wing were the BCS AirTractor agplane and the club Cessna Skyhawk.

As usual, last week’s worldwide aviation news was only reported if it was something bad. Accordingly, we heard ad nauseam about the demented flight instructor in Argintina who opened the door of a Cessna 150 at several thousand feet and jumped out, leaving his inexperienced trainee to go back and land with shaken nerves. Personally, I don’t know how he could get the door open far enough against the 100-mph slipstream to squeeze himself out. 

And then there was the Ryan Air 737 that was departing Greece for Germany when a cabin window lost all three of its panes at 16,000 feet. The resulting sudden depressurization reportedly sucked the closest passenger halfway out the small opening before his wife thought better of it and hauled him back in. The while affair was precipitated by an engine’s uncontained compressor fan blade disintegrating, throwing debris against the window. All the more reason to keep your seat belt fastened when sitting in an airliner seat.

In less-sensational news, Chinese-owned Cirrus Aircraft announced that it will be building the previously-announced TRAC10 trainer plane in Duluth, with deliveries next year. It will have the hot-rod Rotax 916 160-hp (takeoff only) engine and all the usual Cirrus amenities; glass cockpit, parachute, three seats for include an observer in back. All for a base price of only $500,000.

Another new airplane  unveiled last week is the coming CubCrafters Carbon Cub ULT, a Piper Cub lookalike for the well-heeled. This one will be powered by a TurboTech TP-R90 turboprop engine. Price and horsepower are yet to be announced, probably expected at AirVenture next week. In an age of half-million dollar Super Cub clones, it’ll probably be above that.

Boeing’s Australian-built MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone fighter flew alongside USAF F-15 and F-35 manned fighters in an Operation Valiant Shield joint exercise last week. Looking like a small squattened F-22, the Ghost Bat is to fly as wingman for conventional aircraft.

Last week’s question was why the old Beech Model 17 was called the “Staggerwing?” As Rodney Rod responded, the big cabin biplane had the lower wing ahead of the upper wing, to improve visibility. Actually, most all biplanes are staggerwings; Beech’s 17 was unique in having negative stagger, rather than the usual positive stagger. For this coming week, who was the designer of Israel’s first fighter planes, in 1948? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

#MidAmericaLive

Bates County Court News

Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding

Fines do not include added court costs

City of Butler v Kathryn Wheeler- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Katherine Holub- fail to stop at stop sign, fine $60.50

St v Zia Mehmood- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Brayden Denayer- fishing without a permit, fine $49.50

City of Adrian v Ambrielle Vickers- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Butler v Hunter Nissen- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Blake Shaffer- no proof of insurance, fine $90.50

St v Alexey Moussikhine- no working horn, fine $200.00

City of Butler v Kevin Gonzales- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Alesia Drake- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Kadin Saderstrom- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Valerie Craft- defective equipment, fine $190.50

St v Garrett Green- receiving stolen property, 7 years DOC

St v Ashley Kidd- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Dallas Kidd- no working horn, fine $144.00

St v Tylor Wrobleski- possession of controlled substance, SIS, 3 years probation

St v Brenda Watson- using electronic device while driving, fine $157.50

#MidAmericaLive

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Pasteur, Tomi to Tarantino, John Lt 2 Bl 3 Page, Louis F. Addn+

Ferguson, Larae D to Vagher, Troy Lt 1 Bl 19 Sperrys Addn+

Musick, Robert A. to Musick Trust 06-29-2026 Str 34-41-31 //Ne

Vision Construction Properties to Vision Construction Group Lt 36 Deer Creek Lake 22 Thru 72

Mannino, Carl J to Duncan, Matthew Str 24-42-31 //Ne

Mccoy, Aaron T to Buford, John T Lt 11 Bl 6 Atkison Park Addn P3/10+

Nothwehr, Nicholas to Miller, Brett Lt 6 Rolling Meadows+

Home Bridge Real Estate to Cahill, Samantha B Str 4-39-32 //Ne

Kassner, Nathan L to Bonham, Terry Lt 9 Bl 83 Rich Hill, Original Town Of+

Danforth, Jimmie to Xanders, Russell Lee Str 4-41-31 //Ne

West Central Investments Group to Foster, Harold Str 23-40-31 //Sw

Delong, Debra to Kamrath, Dustan Lt 57 Town Company's First Addn+

Meade, Jeramiah to Coon, Keith M Str 9-41-29 //Sw

Eastwood, Timothy to Shipley, Austin Lt 1 Bl 8 South Drexel+

Willhite, Bradley to Lup, Brandon Str 15-42-31 //Ne

Boehler, Jana to Boehler, Michael K (Trustee) Str 13-40-32 //Sw+

Chadwick, Dale to Chadwick, Wesley J Lt 10 Bl 5 Huston's 2nd Addn+

Drayer, Douglas to Wilkin, Matthew D Lt 52 Deer Creek Lake 22 Thru 72

Pasteur, Kevin to Pasteur, Tomi Lt 2 Bl 3 Page, Louis F. Addn+

Mize, Darrill to Green, Eric Lt 8 Bl 7 William's Addn+

Beckwith, Kayla to Faulhaber, Justin Str 19-42-29 //Se

Boehler, Gary F to Boehler, Gary F (Trustee) Str 25-41-29 //Ne

Stark, Jared Landis to Delong, Debra Elaine Lt 57 Town Company's First Addn+

Arnold, Dana (Trustee) to Sutton, Wayne Lt 26 Country South+

Jordan, Sherri (Trustee) to Schrodt, Andrew Str 13-40-31 //Nw

Marriage license

Burnett, Larry Allen III and Vunovich, Emma Sue

#MidAmericaLive

The Museum Minute: Longest fight ever

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of July 15

1869 As the cornerstone is being laid for the first brick courthouse, in Butler, some iron rods fall and knock a woman unconscious.

1884 Jim Fell & Hugh McManus, of Rich Hill's mine #13 engage in the longest prize fight, to date, 133 rounds, just over the line in Kansas. The fight was banned in Missouri.

1914 The financial statement for Amoret shows $344.97 taken in, and $343.62 being spent, with a balance of $1.35.

1935 The Fisk Theater now has a new cooling system, the best in Butler.

1937 George Christopher, of the Elkhart community, and his sons Homer & George, are making regular 15 minute broadcasts on KMBC radio station in Kansas City. The are called the Miami Valley Hound Dog Band.

1980 Country music star Ernest Tubb, The Texas Troubadour, performs at the Bates County Fair.

2000 The Bates County Fair Queen is Danielle Jones of Amsterdam, and Princess is Krista Fischer of Appleton City.

#MidAmericaLive

Obituary - Jadonna Lee (Conrad) Essenpries

Jadonna Lee (Conrad) Essenpries, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 10, 2026, at the age of 89. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral service. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jadonna's life at a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Downey Carriage House in Adrian.

Born on February 6, 1937, to Clarence Floyd and Della Pearl (Wilkerson) Conrad, Jadonna grew up in Rich Hill, Missouri. She dedicated her career to caring for others as a nurse, a profession that reflected her compassionate heart and quiet strength. While she spent much of her life serving others, her greatest joy was always her family. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Ronald Dean Essenpries, and together they raised 7 children and built a family that became her greatest pride.

Jadonna found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She loved spending time at the family lake house, relaxing on the swing on her back deck, crocheting, creating pottery, and listening to Willie's Roadhouse. More than anything, she treasured the moments spent surrounded by those she loved.

Anyone who knew Jadonna knew she was a woman of few words, but when she spoke, her quick wit, dry sense of humor, and perfectly timed sarcastic remarks could leave everyone laughing. Her quiet presence, unwavering love for her family, and unforgettable personality will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Dean Essenpries; her daughter, Sherry Lynn Widner; her brother, Eldon Conrad; and her sister, Beverly Dunlap. She is lovingly survived by 6 children, Sheila (James) Wackerman, Doug (Rose) Essenpries, Dick (Shari) Essenpries, Teresa (Roger) Dyer, Tracy (Jason) Chamberlain, and Ronielle (Brandon) Bettels, 22 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory.

Though our hearts are heavy with her passing, we find comfort in the countless memories she leaves behind. Her legacy of love, strength, humor, and family will continue to live on through the generations she helped shape.


#MidAmericaLive

July is watermelon month!

Nothing says summer quite like a juicy slice of watermelon. This refreshing fruit is about 92% water, making it a great way to stay hydrated during hot summer days. Watermelon also provides vitamin C to support immune health, vitamin A for healthy vision and skin and lycopene, an antioxidant that gives watermelon its vibrant red color.

Did you know? Watermelon has been enjoyed for more than 4,000 years. Seeds and paintings of watermelons have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs.

Ready to celebrate Watermelon Month in the kitchen? The Seasonal and Simple app features unique recipes, including:

• Grilled Spicy Watermelon

• Watermelon Cake

• Watermelon Fire & Ice Salsa

Download the Seasonal and Simple app from the App Store or Google Play and discover delicious new ways to enjoy this summer favorite.

#MidAmericaLive