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Friday, October 30, 2026
Big night ahead for Jr. High Eagles
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Busy night for Butler city council
City Administrator Mark Mathies recommended the consolidation of the Street Department, the Water Distribution/Sewer Collection Department, and the Stormwater Maintenance Department into the Public Works Field Operations Department, managed by the Field Operations Supervisor. This should improve efficiency, streamline management, and enhance deployment of resources. The Operations Committee previously met and approved the change; the measure then passed the council unanimously.
An application was received from S & T Royal Properties for 622 West Pine requesting a change in the zoning classification from C-2 to R-3. The Planning Commission had previously approved with no restrictions. The council followed suite with approval as well. As well, approval was given for operation a Bed & Breakfast and Short-Term Rental at 301 North Main.
A representative from Gilmore and Bell Attorneys gave a presentation outlining the final documents and legal steps required to complete the economic development incentives for the Hertzog Meat Company Project which authorizes the City of Butler to issue Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in an amount up to $9,075,000.00 and approves the associated transaction contracts, which got a thumbs up from the council.
A conditional use permit was requested for property just east of 101 S. Broadway to establish utility service on that vacant lot. Administrator Mathies explained that electricity cannot be provided without an address and all conditions have been met. The council approved the conditional use permit unanimously.
There was an application for a Home Occupation Variance to operate a heavy equipment rental company at 207 East Oak. It was duly noted that all commercial equipment must be completely enclosed inside a building or hidden behind a privacy fence. The application was approved with one nay vote.
A DNR requirement necessitates the purchase of monitoring equipment for the Butler water plant to the tune of $37,179.00. While this infrastructure upgrade is a budgeted item for the current fiscal year, the final quote exceeded the original allocation of $35,000.00. Administrator Mathies recommended City Council authorize the purchase and approve the $2,179.00 budget variance, which was approved.
An update from the Airport Commission meeting was given, it was announced that the new manager, Jay McClintock, is working toward filling the empty hangars. Also discussed how to handle adverse conditions, extending the runway, improving the hangar roofing, and getting bids to replace the flooring in the trailer house. The Parks Department has a tractor that the Airport can use as needed and a pavement inspection is coming soon as well.
Remember, the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm, at city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend.
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Indigent policy tops discussion in Commission chambers
Minutes from the October 26, 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. Chris Gach was present for all meetings.
Jon Dudley came in and attended the meeting with Jerret Reno, Russ Whisenand and Brenda Doody. Jim was absent. They met with the Commission to discuss the Indigent Policy. Brenda said that she felt it was written well and she didn’t have any issues. John mentioned within section four, it stated that the County Clerk must keep the paperwork for five years and John suggested that those should be kept indefinitely. Jerret felt that was the best way to go, as well as everyone else agreeing. Jerret asked about the budget for this, and Brenda stated that she has a line item within her budget.
John made a motion to accept this policy and to put it in the resolution. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed. No opposition.
Jim joined the meeting and John caught him up on what was happening and what they had discussed.
Jerret and Jami discussed keeping the remains until there was a spot open at the cemetery for them. Jami stated she could reach out to City of Butler to discuss a plot, and Jerret informed her that it’s possible that a spot is already reserved for cases like this. Trent agreed and said he spoke to someone regarding this issue.
William Mabnors, with Axios Insurance, came in and met with the Commission to discuss any more concerns or questions they might have. William explained that he wants to make this as seamless as possible and is looking forward to getting to know the Elected Officials. He stated that he would do whatever he could to help individuals that might need to do bank drafts. Jennifer Bolling, Deputy Clerk, asked William if he needed anything from her but all he needed was the Commission’s signature to build the County’s case.
John made sure that there wouldn’t be illegitimate paperwork that would be encouraged to be filled out by the employee but is misleading. William assured John that he has the actual forms and will make sure that all the employees understand what they are signing. Jennifer also stated that he would have the correct forms that would need to be signed, as he brokers for majority of them.
Trent asked about him meeting the employees, William explained that he would come back to meet them and then it would be once a year after that. Jim signed for William to build the case.
Trent made a motion to pay CART Funds to Cornland Special Road District, Walnut, New Home and Mt. Pleasant townships. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed. No opposition.
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Obituary - Susan Kay (Schallert) Rohaus
Susan Kay (Schallert) Rohaus was born February 7, 1960 in Clinton, Missouri. She grew up in Montrose, MO, with her parents, Maurice and Betty Lucille Schallert; brother, Eddie; and sisters Barb, Debbie, and Becky. She attended Montrose High School and Central Missouri State University, graduating with a Bachelors of Education.
On December 30, 1983 Susan married James Joseph Rohaus in Miami, Oklahoma. The union blessed Susan 3 stepchildren, Heather, Casey, and Dusty. Settling in Deepwater, MO, the couple welcomed 3 more children Samantha, Jameson, and Sheridan. They have continued to raise this wonderful family for over 40 years in the same spot, welcoming in sons- and daughters-in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Susan was a dedicated and beloved teacher for over 25 years. Always thinking of fun activities and crafts for her students, even years later she would recall the ones she thought were especially funny or cute. She taught special education in elementary schools at Ballard and Windsor before spending the majority of her career at Lakeland, where she taught various grades before her retirement in 2011. After retirement, she could still be found substitute teaching for several years, stopping by her son’s classroom to lend a hand (yes, he became a teacher too!), and saying hello to all her former students as she ran into them out and about in town.
Susan enjoyed many things outside of her impressive career. She loved flowers, gardening, and tending to her many yard decorations. She enjoyed lunching with friends and family, and she loved the thrill of finding a good bargain. She also loved hosting family get-togethers where she would make a huge variety of delicious side dishes that stuffed everyone in attendance and gave her and Jim enough leftovers for weeks. She especially enjoyed holidays and surprising her loved ones with themed treats and handmade keepsakes. Her Christmas stockings and other holiday decorations will remain happy traditions for years to come.
Susan is survived by her adoring husband, James Rohaus; her sisters Barbara Cook and Rebecca Dudley (Spencer); her children Samantha Rohaus (Cathie), Jameson Rohaus (Stephanie), and Sheridan Steenburgen (Austin); her stepchildren Heather Blankenship (Mike), Casey Rohaus (Kristi), and Dusty Rohaus (Jenny); many nieces and nephews, 10 grandchildren, 3 foster grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren - all of whom will miss her greatly.
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Obituary - Charlene Fedell Deboutez
Charlene Fedell Deboutez was born November 6, 1935, to Charles and Jennie Fedell in Ringo, Kansas and passed away October 29, 2026, at Moore Few Care Center, Nevada, Missouri. She married Frank Deboutez in Breezy Hill, Kansas on May 22, 1954, and together they had fivechildren: Craig, Randy, Keith, Pamela and Regina. They lived in southeast Kansas before moving to the Nevada area in 1968. In addition to raising her children, Charlene worked as a receptionist for Dr. McCann and in a clerical role at Western Insurance.
Charlene enjoyed crocheting, baking and feeding a houseful of people. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed her home life and was active in the lives of her family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Jennie Fedell, her sister Emma Jean Elnicki, her husband Frank Deboutez, and her son Keith Duane Deboutez. She is survived by her children Craig Deboutez, Nevada; Randy (Christine) Deboutez, Nevada; Pamela Deboutez, Joplin; Regina Deboutez, Kansas City, ten grandchildren and multiple great-granchildren.
A rosary will be said for her on November 4, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nevada followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at a later date at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Nevada. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Croix Hospice through Ferry Funeral Home.
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Obituary - Carl J. Kraus
Carl J. Kraus, age 89, of Moundville, MO, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2016, in Butler, MO.
Carl was born April 14, 1937. He was born to John Norris and Lillian Abigail (Mason) Kraus in Tonganoxie, Kansas. Carl worked and retired from General Motors Corporation in Kansas City, MO. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was quite the socializer.
Carl is survived by his wife of 71 years, Arlene Kraus; two sons, Kenneth Kraus and his wife Judy, Harrisonville, MO, Michael Kraus and his significant other, Robbie, Belton, MO; one daughter Sheri Stacy and her husband Ed, Columbia, TN; one sister, Thelma Bryant, Winchester, KS; 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Douglas Kraus, his parents, and four brothers.
His ashes will be inurned at a private ceremony at a later date in Moundville, MO cemetery.
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