Copper thefts on the rise around the area

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of individuals stealing copper piping from A/C units at local churches near the St. Clair County/Henry county line.

Please keep an eye out for suspicious activity around churches and outdoor A/C units. If you see something suspicious, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 417-646-2565.

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Obituary - Freda Mae Elledge

Freda Mae Elledge, of Raytown, Missouri, formerly of Hume, Missouri, age 87, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026. She was born on January 12, 1939 in Hume, Missouri the daughter of Paul Kenneth and Zelma Lucindia Davidson Foote. She spent most of her working career as secretary for the Meyer Boulevard United Methodist Church. She liked to crochet and oil paint. Freda is survived by two sons, Lyn Elledge and wife Melodie, and Jason Elledge and wife Paula, three daughters, Tami Riekena and husband Tim, Stacy Vannoy and husband Doug, and Jami Lam and husband Jim, a brother, Gene Foote and wife Diane, a sister, Maxine Dixon, twelve grandchildren, andtwenty-seven great grandchildren.  She will be missed by her loving family and many friends.

Funeral services were held August 10, 2026 at the Schneider Funeral Home Pleasanton Chapel with burial in the Hume Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hume Food Pantry.

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Obituary - Duwayne Harold Rapp

Duwayne Harold Rapp, known affectionately to friends and family as “Papa Dewey,” passed away on August 3, 2026, at his home in Lone Jack, Missouri, where he currently resided. He was 86 years old.

Duwayne was born on January 31, 1940, in Prairie City, Missouri, the son of Carl Martin Rapp and Paula Christine (Leimer) Rapp. He grew up on the family farm in the Prairie City area, where he attended elementary school at Zion Lutheran School and was later confirmed in 1954. In 1957, his family moved to Appleton City, Missouri, and Duwayne graduated from Appleton City High School with the Class of 1958.

Following his graduation, Duwayne worked with cattle in Kansas for a short time before returning home to Missouri. On August 15, 1958, he married Iola Kreissler, and they were blessed with three children.

Duwayne began his working career with KW Dart Trucking Company and spent a few years hauling milk before joining the Kansas City Fire Department. He found a profound sense of purpose in his career as a firefighter. The fellow firefighters he served alongside became much more than coworkers—they became his “other” family. He deeply valued the people he worked with and was fiercely dedicated to serving those in need. Duwayne ultimately retired with the rank of Captain and remained highly respected and loved by his KCFD brothers and sisters long after his retirement. Even after retiring from the fire department, Duwayne was never one to sit still. He continued working by operating his company D&W that poured and finished decorative concrete. Farming remained an important part of who Duwayne was, reflecting the strong work ethic and dedication he carried throughout his life.

On February 17, 1998, Duwayne married Winnie Thorp. Together, they beautifully blended their families and created a warm and welcoming home. Their “pit” home in rural Appleton City became the heart of countless family gatherings, celebrations, and good times.

Papa Dewey was a man who treasured the simple pleasures of life and, most of all, time spent with family and friends. His family eagerly looked forward to his Saturday night fish fries, wonderful cookouts, exceptional smoked foods, and his “special” pasta sauce. He loved gathering around a table for a good game of cards and if there was music playing, you could count on him to get out on the dance floor and “cut a rug.” He was one heck of a dancer and knew how to have a good time.

An avid fisherman, Duwayne especially enjoyed casting a line in the pits near his home with his children, grands, and great-grands. He also looked forward to his annual summer fly-in fishing trips to Canada, where he chased walleye, pike, and lake trout and made memories that would last a lifetime.

Duwayne was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Victor, Norman, and Jack; two sisters, Bernice Mott and Ardyce Brecko; and one son, Danny.

He is survived by his wife, Winnie; one brother, Dennis (Ruby); and one sister Marylyn Piepmeier; children: Jina Hill (Bill), Jennifer Heiman (Scott), Angela Eiler, Melanie Allwood (Eric), Lance Green (Rebecca), Justin Green, and Tamara Reid; grandchildren: Tiffany Hill-Burkhart (Toby), Nicholas Hill (Becky), Brice Hill (Brad), Abby Ward (Andrew), Heidi Garcia (Nick), Maggie Heiman (Dominic), Andres Heiman, Dalton Rapp (Kelsey), Tanner Phillips-Rapp, Natalie Foland, Chris Foland (Karina), Lauren O’Dell (Daniel), Tiffanie Lester (Corbin), Brittanie DeAngelo (Michael), Courtanie Woods (Nick), Landon Green (Shannon), Lydia Embree (Alli), Lyssa Green (Zach), Kristin Karty, Lane Karty, Estella Green, Jack Green (Rhian), Camille Green, Logan Reid and Ava Oelberg; great-grandchildren: Bryson, Hillsleigh, Raeah, Raeleigh, Renner, Landry, Sullivan, Christopher, Lola, Tyson, Merrick, Eli, Gage, Lexi, Zoe, Max, Morgan, Bethanie, Henry, Jacob, Hayden, Austynn, Leelynd, and Lachlynd; as well as a large and beloved circle of extended family members and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Thursday, August 13, 2026 12:30 - 1:30 pm 213 W 6th St Appleton City, MO 64724

Visitation Thursday, August 13, 2026 1:30 - 3:30 pm 213 W 6th St Appleton City, MO 64724 #MidAmericaLive

Obituary - Lori Deanne Koepsel

Lori Deanne Koepsel, 63, passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Lori was born on July 11, 1963, in Butler, Missouri, where she grew up with a close loving family. Large events with extended family were cherished and frequent. In her teens, she spent summers working as a lifeguard at the local pool and shared special times mowing lawns alongside her grandfather, Eddie.

Lori enjoyed a rich and fulfilling high school experience. She played basketball and volleyball, was active in student government, and was crowned Homecoming Queen during her junior year. In 1981, she graduated as co-valedictorian of her class. Her academic achievements, athletic involvement, and leadership reflected the dedication and enthusiasm she brought to every part of her life.

Lori continued her education at Rockhurst College, where she played volleyball while earning a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She graduated in 1985.

Following graduation, Lori began a distinguished career with Saint Luke’s Health System in the Kansas City area. From 1985 until her retirement in 2021, she served as a medical laboratory scientist and education coordinator at both the Plaza and Lee’s Summit locations. During her 36 years of service, Lori shared her knowledge and experience with colleagues while contributing to the care of countless patients throughout the community.

Lori married her husband on March 23, 1991. Together, they made their home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Their son joined the family in 1993. Lori was an excellent mother.

A lifelong sports fan, Lori especially loved following Kansas City Royals baseball and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. She was also an avid reader who enjoyed gardening and riding bicycles. Lori loved the mountains and treasured her visits to Colorado.

Lori is survived by her husband, Kevin Koepsel; her son, Tyler Koepsel of Joplin, Missouri; her parents, David and Marylyn Engelhart of Butler, Missouri; her sister and brother-in-law, Dana and Dan Megard of Yankton, South Dakota; her brother, Wade Engelhart f Kansas City, Missouri; and many other relatives, friends, and colleagues who will miss her dearly.

A prayer service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, beginning at 1:00 pm at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, at 700 NE Chipman Rd. in Lee’s Summit, MO. The service will be followed by a reception from 1:30 to 3:30 in the Family Life Center of the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to either RedRover.org or CaringBridge.org. Red Rover helps domestic violence victims seeking safety with their pets. Caring Bridge was an invaluable resource for keeping friends and family informed during Lori’s four-year battle with glioblastoma.


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Accident destroys travel trailer near Passaic

Earlier today, first responders were called to an accident in the median near the Passaic exit along I-49 on a report that a travel trailer left the roadway and overturned.

Fortunately no serious injuries were reported, further details are pending per the Missouri Highway Patrol investigation.

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Gravel roads near highways to get dust control

Minutes from the August 3, 2026 Bates County Commission meeting

The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

John made a motion to appoint Wade Chandler to a board member position for the Mt. Pleasant Township. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

Michael Ussery, with Senator Schmidts Office, visited John and Jim on unofficial business to check in. They conversed over local and national elections. No county business was conducted, just an informal conversation.

Charles Rush came in and discussed Insurance and new possibilities. They spoke about Blue Cross, United Healthcare and an add-on to United Healthcare called NonStop. They went over the prices and Charles said that he felt that Nonstop was a no brainer and encouraged the Commission to set up a Zoom meeting with NonStop to learn more about what they offer and how specific things work.

John was interested in doing a Zoom meeting to learn more.

They then discussed having a list of questions to ask during the meeting. They were hopeful of setting something up for Wednesday the 5th. They briefly spoke over the option of changing it to where the employee must pay some expenses out of their own pocket, but Jim said he would hate to take money from the employee. If they were to give the employee a raise, but ask them to start paying out of pocket, they no longer got a raise.

With Nonstop, each employee would have a spending card. Trent asked about the card and made sure that the individual that it was assigned to is the only person that would be able to use it. Trent also mentioned the last time they chose insurance, they involved the Elected Officials, and it went over well. He felt that the Sheriff also deserved an input due to his office being the majority of the employees.

Trent made a motion to purchase more “dust control” to be put on gravel roads that neighbor the highways. This helps keep the highways visible from the gravel dust and helps prevent accidents. This will be applied to the outer roads from Passaic to Adrian, as well as Rich Hill to the river. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

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Local photography showcased at Missouri State Fair

Winning photographs will be on display throughout the Missouri State Fair

JEFFERSON CITY, MO —

A snapshot of a farmer bucket-feeding cows has been named the 2026 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest Best in Show. Jordan Crozier of Rich Hill, Mo., submitted the photo, which was chosen from more than 700 entries to the contest, hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

“Once again, this year’s Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest entries tell the story of Missouri’s dedicated and hard-working farmers,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “We congratulate this year’s winners and look forwarding to displaying their talented work at the 2026 Missouri State Fair.”

Photos were entered in four categories: Beauty of the Farm, Faces of the Farmer, Around the Barnyard and Everyday Life. Photographers ages 12 and under entered their shots in the Kid’s Corner category. In total, 22 winning photos were selected by a panel of three judges from the agriculture industry.  

A special award was also given again this year to the photo selected as the First Family’s Choice. Governor Mike Kehoe and Mrs. Claudia Kehoe chose a photo by Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo. capturing a boy moving cattle on horseback.

The winning photos will be on display in the Agriculture Building throughout the Missouri State Fair, Aug. 13-23, 2026 in Sedalia.

 

The 2026 winners are:

BEST IN SHOW: “A Familiar Sound” by Jordan Crozier - Rich Hill, Mo.

FIRST FAMILY’S CHOICE: “Ranch Work” by Holly Brown - Webb City, Mo.

Kids’ Corner:

1st Place: “Hay Hay” by Kendall Barringhaus - Glasgow, Mo.

Runner-Up: “Animal Stack” by Katelyn Mabrey - Columbia, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Maize Macro” by Tyne Martin - Amity, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “George” by Kendall Barringhaus - Glasgow, Mo.

 

Faces of the Farmer:

1st Place: “A Break in the Rows” by Matti Donnohue - Appleton City, Mo.

Runner-Up: “Big Boot, Tall Tales” by Barbara Dummermuth - California, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “The Office Has No walls” by Jill Barringhaus - Glasgow, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “The Man Up On the Tractor” by Cheryl Schulte - Olean, Mo.

 

Everyday Life:

1st Place: “Branding Day” by Holly Brown - Webb City, Mo.

Runner-Up: “Raising More Than Cattle” by Jill Barringhaus - Glasgow, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Cold Weather Assistance” by Casey Boyd - Grovespring, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Hay Loadin’” by Meleah Francka - Bolivar, Mo.

 

Beauty of the Farm:

1st Place: “River Bottoms” by Carson Fisher - Carrollton, Mo.

Runner-Up: “Emergence” by Lauren Riley - Macon, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Field and Lights” by Cara Hanway - St. Joseph, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Storm Brewing” by Heath Seiner - Bolivar, Mo.

 

Around the Barnyard:

1st Place: “Checking In” by Jordan Crozier - Rich Hill, Mo.

Runner-Up: “Professional Fence Tester” by Jill Barringhaus - Glasgow, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Let ‘em Know” by Jordan Crozier - Rich Hill, Mo.

Honorable Mention: “Supper Time” by Katherine Hogan - Kahoka, Mo.

 

To view this year’s winning photos, visit the Department’s Flickr account.

For more information on the Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest and other Missouri Department of Agriculture programs, visit the Department online.

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BCMH receives Gold Award for stroke response and treatment

In rural areas like ours, patients face unique needs and social risk factors. We’re proud to receive the @AmericanStroke Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award for our efforts to give stroke patients in Bates County the best possible chance of recovery and survival.

Learn how we earned this award: https://www.heart.org/.../get-with-the-guidelines-stroke...

Pictured in the Emergency Department’s Trauma Room are members of the Bates County Memorial Hospital team whose work contributed to the hospital’s recognition with the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award. From left: Tawni Norbury, RN; Dr. Shyam Akkulugari, ED physician; Dr. Benjamin Crary, hospitalist and ED/EMS medical director; Troy Trumbore, RN, ED supervisor; and Jennifer Klinksick, RN, chief nursing officer.

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