Farm Bureau scholarships awarded

Juliana Abend and Brandon Hammett are recipients of the 2026 Bates County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program.  Awarded annually to support Bates County High School Seniors, the Bates County Farm Bureau Board extends congratulations to these college-bound students. Congratulations!

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Recipe of the Week

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Allyson Spurgeon gives worldly performances at Championship show in Oklahoma

Congratulations to Allyson Spurgeon of Adrian, MO and her outstanding horse, Due Good For Certain, on an incredible performance at the American Buckskin Horse Association (ABRA) World Championship Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under the guidance of Tom Williams Show Horses.

Accomplishments:

World Champion Walk/Trot Showmanship (14–18)

World Champion

Walk/Trot Hunter Under Saddle (14–18)

• World Champion – Horse Judging Team

• Reserve World Champion – Walk/Trot Western Pleasure (14–18)

• 2× Reserve World Champion – Team Individual Judging Classes

• NSBA Champion – Walk/Trot Showmanship (14–18)

• NSBA Champion – Walk/Trot Hunter Under Saddle (14–18)

• Two Top-5 World Show Placings

Congratulations!                                                  - Courtesy Adrian News Leader

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Osage Valley Electric Cooperative to Hold 88th Annual Meeting

The 88th Annual Meeting of the members of Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Association will  be a “drive-thru” meeting on August 27, 2026, with members registering from 4:00-6:00pm at  either the Butler or Clinton office. Signage and employees will direct member traffic through the  pole yards at both locations for registration, voting, and receiving a gift. We ask those attending  the drive-thru meeting to bring your registration slip from the August Rural Missouri magazine.  A $20 electric credit will be given to all members participating in the drive-thru meeting.  

Online participation for the OVEC Annual Meeting will also be available again this year from  August 10-25, 2026, for those unable to attend the drive-thru meeting, or for those choosing the  convenience of online voting. Online voters will receive a $20.00 bill credit on their electric  account also. Check out our website (www.osagevalley.com) or Facebook page for a link to the  online voting portal during August 10-25, 2026.  

All drive-thru and online members registering will also be eligible for additional prizes and  electric credit certificates through a drawing. All electric credits for members registering, and  for prize winners, will be applied to the members’ September 1, 2026, electric bill. 

The Cooperative’s 2025 Annual Meeting minutes, the 2026 Official Annual Meeting Notice, the  Financial Report, the President’s Report, and bios on the incumbent directors, running  uncontested this year, are available for member review in the August Rural Missouri edition, on  our website, and on our Facebook page. An abbreviated business meeting will be held by the  board of directors immediately following the drive-thru portion of the Annual Meeting on  August 27, 2026, from 4-6pm. Directors will be present at both offices and will utilize a zoom  meeting to conduct the business meeting.

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The Museum Minute: Meteorite lights night sky

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

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of August 5

1869 A large, curious crowd is in Butler for the laying of the first brick of the new courthouse.

1870 Bates Co National Bank's new safe arrives, it's 7 feet tall, weighs 12,000 pounds and cost $2,000.

1881 The first issue of the Rich Hill Gazette newspaper is printed by George Huckeby & Frank Eldridge.

1915 A young woman is dragged to her death by a team of runaway horses, through the streets of Amoret as many look on in horror.

1937 A large meteorite lights up the skies over Bates Co and is viewed by many.

1946 The Butler Country Club says it has nearly 100 members.

1957 Workmen are preparing the Butler lines for dial telephones, which will save time for callers.

1982 Bank 10, of Drexel, is robbed by a lone gunman at 1 pm.

1987 Two out-of-state activists break into the K-9 missile silo site 8 miles Southwest of Butler, causing minimal damage.

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Obituary - David Pritchard

David Pritchard, 66, son of Jack and Pauline Pritchard, passed away peacefully near his Kansas City home after a battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a wild and rebellious spirit who lived life on his own terms, right up to the end.

David was born on October 2, 1959 and was raised in Nevada, Missouri. He later moved to Jefferson City before settling in Kansas City in 1992 with his parents. He carried his Missouri heritage with pride throughout his life, and Kansas City barbecue held a permanent place in his heart.

He attended law school at Cal State Fullerton in California, where he also developed a lifelong love for the beach. David could always be found soaking up the sun ~ tan and content. Music was another great passion of his, especially rock 'n' roll, which provided the soundtrack to much of his life.

An avid sports fan, David cheered loudly for Alabama football and the Kansas City Royals. Also being a fan of racing, one of the highlights of his life was the chance to drive on the Autobahn in Germany - an experience that stayed with him for the rest of his days.

David was deeply proud of his father's military service and legal career, and he loved his mother dearly. He was married once, for a short time, and had no children. He was a private man who reserved his warmth and loyalty for a select few, forming deep and lasting connections with those he let in.

David is survived by his cousins, Sharon K., Vickie M., and Michelle G.

He will be remembered for his independent spirit, his love of sun and sound, and the quiet devotion he showed to the people closest to him. May he rest in peace.

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Obituary - Larry Law

Graveside service and inurnment for Larry Law of Drexel, Missouri will be 3 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 2 - 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Contributions to St. Croix Hospice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Larry Duane Law, age 76 of Drexel, Missouri died Thursday, July 23, 2026 at his home. He was born April 19, 1950 to Duane Earl and LaVaun Brant Law in Estherville, Iowa.

Larry, one of three children, grew up in Ballard, Missouri. He graduated from Ballard High School in 1968, then attended college for two years in Warrensburg, Missouri. In 1973, Larry joined the Air Force and served until 1979. After his service, Larry began an illustrious 31 year career with Kansas City Power and Light and retired in 2010. He was the proud father of two children. On June 12, 1992 Larry married Lisa Medcalf and together they enjoyed 34 years of marriage.

Larry was a easy-going and laid back guy who simply enjoyed life. One of his favorite things to do was spend time with his family. Larry enjoyed vacations with Lisa–often going to Biloxi, Mississippi–where he would get to see some of his grandchildren. Larry found relaxation in drawing and painting, frequently giving away or donating his work. In addition to taking care of his family, Larry also liked to take care of himself by staying active. He enjoyed things such as riding bicycles and motorcycles to karate . . . which was possibly his favorite sport. In later years, Larry enjoyed relaxing with Lisa and watching television. His favorite shows were Yellowstone and The Price is Right. Larry made sure that hooking up the television was one of the first things that was done after the move to Drexel so he would not miss any episodes. He will be remembered with affection and respect by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Larry is survived by his wife, Lisa Law of Drexel, Missouri; one son, Mike Law and wife Gina of Drexel; one daughter, Melissa Clevenger and husband Nathan of Raymore, Missouri; six grandchildren, Brayden and wife Jenna, Brinna and Kylee Law, Audrey Craker, Billy Lau and Kevin Rockers and wife Skylar; three great-grandchildren, Hayden Anthony, Kase and Hadliegh Rockers; two brothers, Gary Law and wife Lila of Montrose, Missouri and Kent Law and wife Nancy of Blue Springs, Missouri; one aunt, Sharon Bowling of Harrisonville, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Susie Faw and husband Michael of Drexel; brother-in-law, Kevin Medcalf and wife Pam of Drexel; and parents-in-law, Larry and Glenda Wood. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and LaVaun Law; and one nephew, Bobby Bruse.

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Obituary - Ann Tyrer

Funeral services for Ann Tyrer of Amsterdam, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Scott Cemetery, Amsterdam. Contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Priscilla Ann Tyrer, age 80 of Amsterdam Missouri went to see her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Ann was born July 6, 1946 to Frank and Opal Spruk in Joplin, Missouri.

Ann married the love of her life, Terry Tyrer, on November 8, 1964. They started their life together in Merriam, KS where they had their two children. They later moved to Drexel, MO where they raised their children and opened Ann's dream store called Orphantiques. They later moved to Amsterdam, MO where Ann retired. Ann's love of Christmas was always the joy for our family.

Ann is survived by her son, Franklin Tyrer, and wife Stormy of Olathe, Kansas; and daughter, Heather, Cooper, and husband, Jeff of Kansas City, Missouri; a brother, Terry Spruk and his wife Linda of Merriam, Kansas; and four grandchildren, Miles (Heather and son Justin), Keeley, Annalyn and Ally. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Terry Tyrer; her parents; and grandparents; and brother Robert Spruk.

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