Bates County August 2026 Primary Election Results

Turnout 35.49%  100% precincts reporting. Unofficial results

State Auditor (R)

Scott Fitzpatrick 1,769

Gerald Wistrand 1,101

US Rep Dist 4 (R)

Mark Alford 2,521

Heather Shelton 436

Scott Vera 123

State Rep Dist 62 (R)

Sherri Gallick 1,161

State Rep Dist 125 (R)

Dane Diehl 1,523

Associate Circuit Judge (R)

Julie Highly 2,579

Presiding Commissioner (R)

Christopher Gach 2,528

Jim Wheatley 631

County Clerk (R)

Jami Page 2,640

Circuit Clerk (R)

Shelli White 2,676

Recorder of Deeds (R)

Danyelle Baker 2.535

Prosecuting Attorney (R)

Cody Johnson 2.562

State Auditor (D)

Quentin Wilson 429

Gregory Upchurch 219

US Rep Dist 4 (D)

Jordan Herrera 222

Wayne Russell 54

Hartzell Gray III 85

G Rick 12

Jeanette Cass 101

Ashleigh Rogers 110

Randy Miller 93

State Rep Dist 62 (D)

Liz Davenport 258

State Rep Dist 125 (D)

Lynda Jones 385

Presiding Commissioner (D)

Mary DuBray 644

State Auditor (L)

Dustin Coffell 20

US Rep Dist 4 (L)

Thomas Holbrook 21

Amendment 1

Yes 3,335

No 787

Amendment 2

Yes 3,191

No 881

Amendment 4

Yes 971

No 3,198

Amendment 5

Yes 767

No 3,406

New Home Township question

For the levy 37

Against the levy 28

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Nevada police make arrest following gunshots in neighborhood

On Monday, August 3, 2026, at approximately 3:41 p.m., officers with the Nevada Police Department responded to the area of Maple Street and Cedar Street following reports of a subject discharging a firearm multiple times in a residential neighborhood.

Witnesses reported that after firing the weapon, the suspect returned inside the residence before re-emerging wearing body armor and carrying a shotgun. As numerous law enforcement officers responded to the area and began searching for the individual, it was reported that the suspect had gone back inside the residence.

Officers quickly identified the residence involved and began making contact. A short time later, the suspect exited the home unarmed and was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives with the Nevada Police Department obtained a search warrant to continue the investigation. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives recovered multiple spent shell casings, two firearms, and the body armor believed to have been worn during the incident.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported to law enforcement officers, members of the community, or the defendant.

The individual arrested has been identified as 57-year-old Brian Gregory of Nevada.

On August 4, 2026, the Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Gregory with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class B Felony. Gregory is currently being held at the Vernon County Jail without bond.

The Nevada Police Department would like to recognize the professionalism and restraint demonstrated by the responding officers. This incident had the potential to escalate into a tragic situation, and the coordinated response by law enforcement allowed the suspect to be taken into custody safely.

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Bates county voting places

ADRIAN PRECINCT: Adrian Optimist Building, 11092 NW County Road 41, Adrian (Adrian R-3 & Archie R-5) All voters in the Adrian R-3 and the Archie R-5 school districts and City of Adrian vote here. 

AMORET/AMSTERDAM PRECINCT: Amsterdam Community Building, 8524 NW State Route Y, Amsterdam, (Miami R-1) Voters in the City of Amoret, City of Amsterdam, and Homer, Charlotte, West Point, Elkhart Townships vote here. 

BALLARD PRECINCT: Ballard School (Ag Building), 10247 NE State Route 18, Butler (Ballard R-2) All voters in the school district vote here. 

BUTLER PRECINCT: Butler High School Gymnasium, 420 S Fulton, Butler (Butler R-5) All voters in the school district, City of Butler and Village of Passaic vote here. 

DREXEL PRECINCT: Drexel Community Center, 410 E. Bates, Drexel (Drexel R-4 & Miami R-1) Voters in the City of Drexel, Village of Merwin, and all West Boone Township vote here. 

HUDSON / ROCKVILLE PRECINCT: Hudson School, 15012 NE State Route 52, Appleton City, (Hudson R-9, Appleton City R-2 & Rich Hill R-4) All voters in the City of Rockville and Rockville Township vote here. 

HUME PRECINCT: Hume Legion Hall, 9355 SW 1 ST Street, Hume (Hume R-8) Voters in the City of Hume and Howard and Walnut Townships vote here. 

RICH HILL PRECINCT: Rich Hill 4 th of July Building, 501 E. Park ST, Rich Hill (Rich Hill R-4) Voters in the City of Rich Hill, Village of Foster, and Osage, Lone Oak, Pleasant Gap, Hudson, Prairie, New Home South, Walnut, Howard Townships vote here. 


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A formal introduction of Mark Mathies, Butler City Administrator

Mark M. Mathies serves as the City Administrator for Butler, Missouri, bringing more than three decades of progressive local government leadership to the position. Following his retirement from Kansas municipal service, Mathies continues to apply his extensive experience in city management, fiscal oversight, and infrastructure development to strengthen Butler’s administrative operations.

His current focus includes standardizing departmental operations, improving utility billing accuracy, and advancing infrastructure projects with transparent fiscal accountability. Mathies emphasizes structured planning, defensible documentation, and collaborative governance to ensure efficient service delivery and long-term community growth.

He holds a Master of Science in Management from Colorado Technical University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Kansas State University. A Certified Public Manager through the University of Kansas and a 2005 graduate of the FBI National Academy, Mathies remains active in professional associations including ICMA, MCMA, and FBI National Academy Associates.
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Nieder family shows well at Ozark Empire Fair

Congratulations to Myla & Lawson Nieder! Myla’s Charolais won Reserve Supreme and her Chiangus, shown by Lawson, placed 4th Overall at the Ozark Empire Fair.

Courtesy V-52 4-H club


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Weekly market summary from the Missouri Department of Agriculture

Click images to enlarge, save or print. You can also see the report online here https://agmarketnews.mo.gov/

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Don't forget to vote today

Polls will be open until 7 pm for the August 2026 primary election. It's your right and duty to vote!

Election info for Bates county here www.batescounty.net


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Obituary - Debra Miller

Debra "Debbie" Lynn Miller, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of Friday, July 31, at the age of 69.

Debbie was born on March 20, 1957, in Rich Hill, Missouri, to Delbert "Deb" and Mary "Joan" Swarnes.

She married Dennis Coonce in March 1975, and together they welcomed two children, Slade Coonce and Shylah Fuqua. In 1986, Debbie married Larry Miller, and they shared many happy years together until Larry's passing in 2010.

Debbie was the third of five children. She is survived by her siblings: Tom Swarnes (Marilyn), Teri Neil, Nancy Fillpot (Bud), and Brenda "Pettie" Burkholder.

She is also survived by her children, Slade Coonce (Michelle) and Shylah Fuqua; her beloved grandchildren, Taryn Brown (Bryan), Kylie Smith (Ryan), Taylor Coonce, Dezirae Fuqua, Deidra Shepard (Coltin), Kayden Coonce, and Dillon Coonce; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Kynzlee Woods, Camden Woods, Ella Fuqua, Lawson Shepard, and Kolson Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Deb and Joan Swarnes; her husband, Larry Miller; and her nephew, Buddy Edward Fillpot, Jr.

Known affectionately as "Sugarplum" by those who loved her most, Debbie found her greatest joy in supporting her grandchildren. Whether it was a ball game, school event, or any activity they participated in, she was always there—often as one of the loudest and most enthusiastic fans in the stands. Her unwavering love, generous heart, and joyful spirit touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She leaves behind countless cherished memories and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 5, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill, Missouri. A graveside service will immediately follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, west of Rich Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Debbie Miller Memorial" through Heuser Funeral Home

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