Obituary - Sandra "Sandy" Kay McLain

Sandra "Sandy" Kay McLain, 71, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at University Health - Lakewood Care Center. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home

#MidAmericaLive

The Museum Minute: Sandy celebrates

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

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of October 7

1863 There have been 3 large battles in Bates County so far this year.

1875 The second annual Bates Co Fair opens, at the fairground East of Butler.

1948 The Fritts Garage and Adrian Locker burn.

1949 The Bates County sesquicentennial time capsule is encased by the Underwood-Steinbeck Funeral Home.

1988 Five years old and growing, the Butler news-Xpress newspaper started with just a few subscribers, now sending papers to over 3,700.

1989 The Butler Saddle Club hosts the Missouri High School Rodeo Association rodeo at the fairgrounds. A big event lasting two days.

1994 "Tax deferred Annuities now paying just over 10%" Call Clifford Cummings in Butler 679-xxxx.

2000 Sandy Fenton's "Sandy's Herb Shop" celebrates her 19th anniversary located at north Main & Chestnut streets in Butler. Still open today at 507 S. Orange, Butler.

#MidAmericaLive

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Hall, Christopher John to Hall, Christopher John & Rebecca Lee Trust 05-08-2025 Str 10-40-31 //Nw

Asset Exchange to Yarick, A.f. Trust 02-05-2024 Str 19-38-32

Lake, Sharon R to Duett, Curtis Lt 8 Bl 13 Merwin, Original Town Of+

Smith's Properties to Gilmore, Evelyn Gail Lt 1 Bl 3 William's Second Addn+

Christopher, Linda to Crust, Robert W Jr Str 12-41-33 //Nw

Booth, Jimmie Charles Sr to Booth, Jimmie Charles Sr Trust 09-23-2026 Str 2-40-33+

Rinauro, Brian to Rinauro, Brian Str 13-42-33 //Sw

Knauff, Beau to Bouphanouvong, Karen Lt 2 Bl 7 William's Addn

Sixkiller, Paul Dennis Jr to Rappuhn, Ashley Bl 18 Amsterdam, Original Town Of

Grimes, Randall to Mcnew, Leroy R Lt 1 Bl 5 William's Addn

Mott, Bernard J. to M To M, LLC Lt 13 Bl 29 Rockville, Original Town Of

Davis, Craig to Davis, Craig A Trust 09-18-2026 Str 24-41-33 //Nw

Guthrie, J. Lee (Suc Trustee) First National Bank Of Nevada Lt 1 Bl 85 Walnut Nka Foster+

Jenkins, Kerry Dee (Co-Trustee) to Cox, Mark Str 22-41-31 //Ne

Schwander Living Trust 11-03-1994 to Schwander Grantor Trust 09-03-2026 Str 19-40-31 //Sw+

Marriage license

Plumb, Donald Gene Dobbs and Findley, Kellie Marie

Eaton, Blake Robert and Sutton, Claire Emily

Vanatta, Daniel George and Lyon, Phyllis Lucile

Oldham, Justin Robert and Christoffersen, Tiffany Rose

Mazelin, Jonathan Habeggar and Glick, Rosellen Joy

Spencer, Caleb Steven and Vermillion, Daylyn Leigh

#MidAmericaLive

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

Don’t Rush To Fly Until You Verify

Once the remnants of Hurricane Polo moved through the midwest last week, fall weather has taken over. It’s time for jackets, priming the engine for starting and watching out for fog in the mornings. The leaves are turning and the daylight hours waning. Daylight no-savings time hangs on until after Halloween.

The transient traffic count was depressed by three days of rain and low ceilings last week, but a few in-and-outs were noted. A Cessna 172 came by and a Piper Cherokee was in. Local movements were Christian Tucker’s Mooney M20, Jay McClintock’s Piper Tomahawk and my Aeronca 7AC Champ. The Club’s Cessna Skyhawk successfully made a trip to St. Louis, two hours each way.

Don’t plan on using the asphalt runway at El Dorado Springs airport anytime soon. It’s being totallyha              removed for replacement, from the subsoil up. The job will be completed before winter, so meanwhile there is a north-south turf runway; check with Jerry Shilt before using it. 

The world’s aviation news last week was dominated by the attempted crashing of a FlyDubai 737 airliner with 174 soils on board. Fortunately, the crazed kamikaze at the controls was successfully fought off and Boeing built the plane tough enough to withstand the dive and pullout. The terrorist’s chief mistake was picking an airliner packed with war-experienced Israelis anxious to get home.

Switching to private flying, a study just released by the American Association of State Aviation officials reveals that in 2023 (the latest numbers available) General Aviation activity generated 1.33 million jobs and $339.2 billion in economic output. The next time anyone refers to “them little planes” being a useless nuisance, let them know they are worth a third of a trillion in annual funds.

When President Trump visited a Chicago golf course last Sunday, the movement generated the usual VIP flight restriction, a 30-mile radius around the site, one that was scheduled to expire at 4:45 pm. But the president decided to stay an extra couple of hours, so the TFR was extended to 7 p.m. This resulted in 15 private planes violating the airspace, because the pilots relied on the earlier notification. We presume the FAA will take the circumstances into account when considering certificate action. When flying after a TFR ends, it’s a good idea to verify.

On the military side, Boeing has won a $20 billion contract for development of a next-generation fighter/attack airplane, to be built at the St. Louis division, formerly McDonnell Aircraft, beating out competitor Northrup Grumman. The new plane will give a boost to the St. Louis economy, following on the USAF F-47 contract it won last year. The new planes will work collaboratively with unmanned fighters on their wing.

The rush to install automated landing technology in every kind of single-pilot turbine plane is resulting in adding more and more names to the list of participants. Last month, the latest Pilatus PC-12 Pro, with a new Honeywell avionics suite, has been certified with autoland, and the Epic E1000 AX composite-construction turboprop, with a Garmin G1000 panel, also joined the club. Not feeling well? Just push the button and watch your airplane land, all by itself.

Our question from last week asked “Do airliners fly above the tops of thunderstorms to stay clear of bad weather?” Not really. Most airliners struggle to climb above 40,000 feet, and a frisky cumulonimbus can grow upward faster than the jet can climb, so they’ll stay clear by 20 miles to the side. Thunderstorms can top out above 50,000 feet. For our next brain-teaser, why does the FAA spend $2.5 million per year on the airport at Midway Island when hardly any airplanes land there? 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

St v Catherine Stover- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Rich Hill v James Rapp- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v David Wilhite- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Deepurajnaidu- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Paula Dorries- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Briley Lake- no working horn, fine $200.00

City of Rich Hill v Rashanda Gilkey- disorderly conduct, fine $213.50

City of Butler v Lauren Harreld- expired plates, fine $50.50

St v Kade Antczak- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Houssam Hallas- speeding, fine $60.50

City of Butler v Aidin Powell- defective equipment, fine $115.50

St v Krimzyn Blanchard- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Hugo Lopezchavez- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Timothy Smith- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Brandi Graham- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Christopher Willis- no working horn, fine $182.50

St v Grace Gamerl- fail to stop at stop sign, fine $60.50

St v Rusty Lalman- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Susan Dooley- no working horn, fine $144.00

St v Esther Martin- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Rochelle Robinson- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

#MidAmericaLive

Recipe of the Week

.


#MidAmericaLive

Perfect weather for Ready Set Grow Fall Festival in Rich Hill

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN including some 18 vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, cake walk and much more was available during the Ready Set Grow Fall Festival held in the Rich Hill city Park on Saturday. The festival served as a fundraiser for the fire department and other local interests.

The fun included the first ever RSG car show with winners shown below:

A special thank-you goes to Larry Hacker from the Review Crew

#MidAmericaLive

Ellett Memorial Employee of the Month Anna Robison

Please join us in congratulating our October EMH Employee of the Month, Anna Robison, Pharmacy Manager!

Anna's nomination write-up stated:

"Anna brings an energy to her work that lifts everyone around her - she's the kind of person who makes the whole hospital better just by showing up. She has dedicated countless hours to improving her department, strengthening workflows, and making sure patients and staff receive the very best support. What really sets her apart is her willingness to jump in wherever she's needed. Whether it's helping another department, volunteering for extra tasks, or contributing thoughtful insight on committees. Anna greets everyone with a smile, treats people with kindness, and makes even the busiest days brighter. She is a genuine team player, steady source of positivity, and someone who consistently goes above and beyond. We're really grateful for Anna's dedication, hard word, and the joy she brings to our hospital every day."

Congratulations Anna and thank you for all you do!

#MidAmericaLive