Bates County Court News

Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding

Fines do not include added court costs

St v Carlos Sanchez- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Brandon Brewer- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v David Neddenriep- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Haley Foster- fail to stay in lane, fine $60.50

City of Appleton City v Tyler Hembree- fail to display trailer plates, fine $50.50

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

St v Jeffrey Hays- fail to stop at stop sign, fine $60.50

City of Butler v Paul McCracken- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Brian Baber- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Kyle Shockley- window tint violation, fine $50.40

St v Lareesa Riley- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Samari Washington- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Daici Bercianerazo- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Daici Bercianerazo- no valid license, fine $30.50

St v Ethan Thomas- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Realiti Allen- speeding, fine $200.50

St v Malory Wince- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Carol Sharos- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Realiti Allen- fail to secure child, fine $10.00

City of Rich Hill v David Miller Jr- disorderly conduct, fine $63.50

City of Rich Hill v Stephanie Fritts- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Butler v Patrick Mathis- expired plates, fine $50.50

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Papinville celebration all set for September 26h

Plans have been made for the Papinville Picnic on Sept. 26. We will be celebrating AMERICA'S 250th BIRTHDAY with a few changes, but we will keep a lot of the same enjoyable activities. Events will be printed at a later date. We will have a lot to do for young and adults.

If you have not been to Papinville lately you need to come out and see the new Papinville sign and the new fence at the cemetery. They are both beautiful sights. We thank all the people that put the fence up and the donations given to help with the cost. The people of this community love this area  and are always willing to help in labor or donations. Thank you. We want to thank Jerry Stangle who passed away  June 8th, 2026 for all his help since the beginning of the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association was organized. Thank you, Jerry.

This year the stories will be about the things that happened from 1673 (when explorers from France came to this area) to the present. If you have not seen the stepping stones of history around the museum you need to come out and walk the journey of history. Each stone was sponsored by a family or person. We hope  to continue the stepping stones as history develops. WE have several stones that need to be added to the sidewalk.

Next week the time line will be from 1673 to 1820. There is no doubt that the earliest occupants of the area were the Osage Indians. There were many explorers that explored the area. They all recorded findings and drew maps of the area. A lot of the information will be from our "History of Papinville" book that we will have on sale at the picnic. We are selling tickets on a patriotic quilt and we havea Papinville patriotic t-shirt and hat. 

Write down the date for the Papinville picnic  Sept. 26th. Until next week for the first story.  -Submitted by Phyllis Stewart

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Rich Hill fire department staffing issue resolved

Following a mass exit of a large portion of Rich Hill volunteer firefighters a few weeks back, the city of Rich Hill announced earlier this month that replacements have been made bringing the current total to 15 firefighters, up from 13 prior to the exodus.

The original issue surrounded the naming of John Simon as fire chief the last week of July, much to the dismay of those who left- either way, the city now has the needed personnel to maintain proper coverage.

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Obituary - Sherry Alkire

Sherry Alkire’s wishes were to be cremated. A celebration of life service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Contributions to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Sherry Lee Alkire was born on October 18, 1944 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Silas Clinton & Elizabeth Lee ((Hayes) Dickerson. She departed this life on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 26 days at her home in Adrian, Missouri with her husband by her side.

On September 28, 1985, Sherry was united in Holy Matrimony to David Lee Alkire on their land outside Adrian, Missouri. They shared 41 years of wedded bliss.

Sherry was the eldest child of five. She was born in Norfolk, Nebraska and lived there until 1948 when her family moved to Pickstown, South Dakota. They then moved to Kansas City, Kansas and then to Nashua, Missouri. Sherry started her academic career at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas then attended Nashua Elementary School in Nashua, Missouri when the family moved there. She attended Liberty High School in Liberty, Missouri. Sherry proudly earned her GED from the Harrisonville, Missouri Education Department.

She was employed by the Harrisonville, Missouri Department of Education as a crossing guard and at Harrisonville Monument Company as a designer from 1975 to 1984. She then worked at Bell & Howell in Mission, Kansas as a microfiche developer from 1984 to 1986. Sherry attended the Butler Church of the Nazarene in Butler, Missouri.

Sherry enjoyed spending time with her husband, sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, reading her Bible and western books, Colorado mountains, float trips, being outdoors in general and hunting. She and her husband also taught archery to 4-H students.

Sherry will be remembered, not only for who she was, but for the meals she prepared, the lessons she taught, and the love she shared. As thoughtful and caring as she was, though, she could also be a little stubborn when offed advice - she would still do what she wanted. Sherry was loved and admired by family and friends. She had a heart of gold.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, S. Clinton & Elizabeth Lee (Hayes) Dickerson and her brother, Norman Gene Dickerson.

She is survived by her husband, David Lee Alkire, of the home, 2 sons - John Edward Pemberton (Cheryl) and James Lee Pemberton (Mary), 2 daughters – Bonnie Faye Morris (Jerry) and Sherry Anne O’Neill (Pat), 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild on the way, 3 sisters – Debra Henderson (Frank), Diane Meek (John), Martha Bowles (Ron), other relatives and a host of friends.

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Obituary - Terry James Highley

Terry James Highley 82, was born in 1944 to William James and Uva Mae (Dade) Highley at Butler, MO.

Terry attended several rural schools in Bates and Cass Counties as his parents moved for jobs. He graduated eighth grade at Hickory Grove School, rural Archie, MO., Attended Archie High School graduating in 1962.

He worked at Limpus Quarry for a short time. Farmed with his dad, and summer hay jobs. Got married to Lela Gilmore of East Lynne at Gunn City, MO. on 4-5, 1964, Then he started working at Anaconda Wire and Cable in Harrisonville, MO. in January of 1965, because of a baby was on the way, needed insurance. Anaconda closed after 23 years. He took a part-time job at Archie, MO. with no insurance, wife nagged him to get a better job. He then applied at Sioux Chief at Peculiar, MO. He worked as a Machinist for 15 years. As he got closer to retirement he cut down to 4 days a week then 3 days, he really didn’t want to work out, just farm. He raised hogs and had cattle.

In 1965 Ronald James was born. In 1969, Melanie DeAnn was added to the family. Our family was complete for 15 years until Randy Lee surprised them in 1979.

Terry was a prankster and liked to play jokes on everyone. Sometimes if people didn’t know him, very well the jokes backfired.

Terry liked to horseshoe pitch; bowl; golf once in a while. He attended two World Horseshoe tournaments. For our 50th Anniversary in 2014. Ron; Victoria and little Warren took us in (our truck and camper) to New York. Ron paid Terry entry fee to pitch, my gift was to see Niagara Falls and get drenched with the rest with very COLD water. At the World Tournaments in 2015 in Topeka, Kansas, 4 generations of his family pitched, Terry; Ron, Granddaughter Paige and great grandson Warren.

Several summers were spend in Colorado high country trails with friends and almost relatives on 4-wheelers. Terry guessed we did about 600 miles there over the years. Terry was baptized on 31st of August of 2010 in very cold pool of water on a mountain top, get this, called Lost Canyon, by Pastor Larry Hess of Everett Church. God thought it was about time for this. He lit the sky up with beautiful blue and pick colors, tried to capture a picture, but this was between him and God.

Terry leaves behind his wife, Lela of 62 years; son Ron; daughter Melanie. Losing Randy Lee in 2022. Also, three Daughters-in-law Victoria; Lindsey and Cari. One Son-in-law Stacy Troby. 5 granddaughters, 4 grandsons; 4 great-grandsons and 7 great-granddaughters.

Terry’s greatest fun was making trouble, not forgotten!!

No services are planned at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Western Missouri Antique Tractors & Machinery Association.

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Obituary - Diane Morgan Brennan

Diane Morgan Brennan, 65 of Harrisonville, Missouri passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at her daughter's home in Butler, MO. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages and condolences may be left for the family and friends at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.




A complete obituary is pending at this time.

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Obituary - Dean Myers

Dean Myers, 43 of Butler, Missouri passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at his home in Butler with loved ones by his side. Cremation, with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for family and friends at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Dean Allen Myers was born July 16, 1983. He grew up in the Kansas City area and worked most of his life as a mechanic specializing in tire repair. He seemed to know how to work on or fix just about anything. Dean’s greatest love was for his daughters, Mariah, Paeton, and Keylea, along with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching the KC Chiefs, and Royals. When he wasn’t spending time working, or with family he could be found fishing or hunting, no matter the weather. He found his greatest peace on a boat with a fishing pole. When he could no longer fish he would be watching it on tv.

Dean is survived by his girlfriend Angela Rusher and her family of Butler, MO., his daughters Mariah, Paeton, and Keylea Myers all of Independence, MO., along with his grandchildren, and by his mother Florence Gilchrist, brother Jimmy Gilchrist, and sister Alicia Porter, his nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.

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