Week in review from the Bates County Commission

November 2, 2026 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.

Jim talked with Kaysinger and MoDOT over BRO projects to be reviewed for new bridges. He stated there are two verified on the list for next year, but the date is to be decided. He also contacted Great River Engineering about a date, and they were unsure as well but spoke about getting the funding approved for this project.

John attended the soft opening at Bates County Industry’s new store and went through emails.

All three Commissioners attended the Retirement Reception in honor of the Bates County Prosecutor, Hugh Jenkins.

November 4, 2026 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.

Kacie Robey, with the Treasurer/Collector’s Office, and Carl Bettles, the Assessor’s Office, met with the Commission and discussed the Senior Tax Credit Applications. Kacie explained that she has been getting questioned about it and doesn’t have an answer and would like to figure out a date she can tell them. John threw out the idea of December 2nd, and no one disagreed.

Greg Brauner, with Hutchison Engineering, Inc., came and met with the Commission. Greg introduced himself and gave the Commission a book that explains their qualifications and things they may want to know. Greg was aware that the Commission usually deals with Great River Engineering but told them to look at what they offer and reach out.

Doug Mager came in and met with the Commission, letting them know that the local media is there for them if they ever want to notify the public of anything.

Doug explained comments that he has heard about being unaware of things, which he took personal. He told the Commission that he went back and investigated the matter, which was solar, and found that he had posted about it more than 30 times. John informed Doug that the landowners could not speak about anything due to the NDA’s they signed. Doug then asked the Commission if they had to sign any NDA’s, due to hearing rumors that they did, but the Commission informed him that they did not and that it is illegal for them to do so.

Trent thanked Doug for what he does.

Doug reminded the Commission, again, that the local media is more than willing to help them get the word out for anything they might have

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Baptist Homes of Adrian recognizes two very dedicated employees

The resident council recognized these two wonderful individuals for this month

Toby has been with us for a short time now, but has come so far! The neighbors love his smile and attentiveness in the dining room! Vicky has made lasting impressions on everyone. Everyone loves seeing her behind the med cart (even if meds are not fun)! You both deserved this recognition, and we are so blessed to have you here!

Courtesy Baptist Homes of Adrian


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Bates County Memorial pays special recognition to the Perioperative Nursing Team

Recognizing Our Perioperative Nursing Team

Surgical care takes a team of skilled professionals working together at every step. Our perioperative nurses play an important role before, during and after procedures, helping ensure patients receive attentive, coordinated care throughout their surgical experience.

Their teamwork, communication and commitment to one another help create a strong foundation for safe, compassionate patient care.

During Perioperative Nurses Week, we recognize and thank our team for the important work they do and the support they provide to one another every day.

Courtesy BCMH

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Big week ahead in local football

As final scores came in on Friday, it was quickly apparent that Butler, Adrian and Appleton City were 'moving on' as all three finished the week with huge wins allowing all advance to the next round of District play. 

As the timer ran out, the Butler Bears literally mauled Lone Jack 70-14 while Adrian left a huge spread over Sherwood 37-8; while it was a good night for Rich Hill, Appleton City took the victory with a final of 58-20. --photo by Adrian News Leader

In week 12 action this week, Butler (8-3) will host Lafayette(6-5) while the Blackhawks (5-5) face North Platte (6-5) and Appleton City (9-1) plays Midway (8-2).

Read more from Cody Morris in this edition of the printed  News-Review

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What's Up by LeRoy Cook

Learjet Tragedy

Fine fall flying prevailed most of the week, with low ceilings for a couple of days that grounded most flights. Now that we’ve shifted over to flying in the early morning rather than late afternoon, it’s time to watch out for ground fog around sunrise. Those starry predawn skies can turn to misty overcast in minutes.

It was a mostly a quiet week for visitors around the Butler aerodrome; I saw a Piper Cherokee 180 come in, and a Cessna 172 visited briefly. Locally, only Jerald Koehn was out exercising his Cessna Skyhawk. Much good weather went unused.

In national aviation news, I regret to add to the frenetic reportage surrounding the tragic crash of a Learjet 60 at Palm Beach, Florida on the previous Sunday. All the arm-chair experts are rushing to solve the mystery of a chartered private jet nosing straight in from 35,000 feet, shedding tail parts on the way down, during a routine flight from Texas to the Bahamas. It’ll challenge the National Transportation Safety Board investigators to come up with answers after a year’s work. It does appear that the bad weather pounding Florida at the time was a factor, along with high-altitude aerodynamics. No, the qualifications of the 20-year-old copilot were impeccable, so you can cease picking on that factor.

Out at Edwards AFB in the California desert, the mystery of NASA’s missing Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, which had been parked on display at the Dryden research facility, appears to be put to rest by NASA Administrator Issacman, who said last week that it was “just being cleaned.” Speculation has been rampant that the Mach 3 bird was being prepared for flight, but that would involve a lot more than cleaning. Son Will recalls walking past it daily when he was working on a Boeing project there years ago.

A sign of the times: The last Jeppesen paper instrument flying charts were published last month. Once a staple in cockpits, the brown ring binders of approach plates have been largely retired in favor of iPads loaded with digital charts. The few of us yet referring to a printed page are now using U.S. government supplied charts, printed by contractors. Jeppesen is still in the data business, but just not on paper. One of my first jobs for the U.S. Army was updating the flight detachment’s neglected Jeppesen binders, 63 years ago.

A 15-year effort to build a shared new airport in southern Iowa ended last week. The idea was to build a bigger and better airport between Pella and Oskaloosa, to replace their smaller fields, but land acquisition has stalled and the project is no longer viable. With the price of farm ground in that area, it probably got too expensive. It’s cheaper to fix up what they have.

The Navy is having a hard time coming up with a replacement for its aging fleet of well-abused T-45 trainer jets, now over 30 years old. Northrop pulled out of the competition last week, after Boeing had already given up. Textron Aviation is the only prospect left, but they won’t be selling military-ized Citations. Their option is a shared venture with Italian planemaker Leonardo. The new Navy trainer won’t even be carrier capable.

In last week’s column, we wanted to know about fuel storage in airplanes; fuel tanks, cells and bays. Tanks are aluminum containers, cells are rubber bladders and bays are sealed portions of the wing itself. For next week, what’s the “One”-style radio call sign used for an aircraft carrying the Pope? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

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Bates County Court News

St v Michael Hatley- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Adayanci Hernandez- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Nathania Rodriguez- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Austen Gnad- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Caitlynn Dodson- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Victor Cancinos-Lopez- speeding, fine $80.50

City of Butler v Logan Mathews- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Amy Thornton- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Lex Kennedy- defective equipment, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Lex Kennedy- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

City of Butler v John Taylor- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

City of Butler v Kayla Grossholz- no proof of insurance, fine $65.50

City of Butler v Parker Rash- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Kristy Villa- misc moving violation, finr $60.50

City of Butler v Sarah Thornton- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Juana Arita- fail to stop at stop sign, fine $60.50

City of Butler v Lex Kennedy- no proof of insurance, fine $100.00

City of Butler v Parker Rash- defective equipment, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Amy Shaffer- expired plates, fine $50.50

City of Butler v Lex Kennedy- misc moving violation, fine $60.00

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Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Zellmer, Virginia Elois to Wainscott Family Trust 2-07-2013 Str 12-40-32 //Se+

Brush Creek Partners to Lubin, Kenneth A Charitable Trust 07-31-2026 Lt 3 Bl 25 Amoret, Original Town Of+

Brush Creek Partners to WPDA Lt 3 Bl 25 Amoret, Original Town Of+

Brush Creek Partners to Missouri & Minnesota Postal Holdings, LLC Lt 3 Bl 25 Amoret, Original Town Of+

Palace Office Building to Monopoly Acquisitions Lt 1 Bl 2 Butler, Original Town Of

Berry, Karen L to Duane, James Str 23-40-31 //Ne

Black, Alan D to Black, Alan D (Co-Trustee) Str 16-40-33 //Ne+

Olive, Edna I to Olive Trust 07-13-2012 Str 15-40-31 //Se

Kelce Investments to Fountain City Renewal Str 22-42-31 //Se

Corum, Richard H to Irwin, Erika Lt 52 Swaidner's Addn+

Koehn, Roland E to Koehn, Roland & Janice Trust 10-23-2026 Lt 43 Adrian, Original Town Of+

Fountain City Renewal LLC to Davidson Independent Contracting LLC Str 22-42-31 //Se

Hester, Rita to Dry Creek Construction Str 18-42-33 //Se

Dry Creek Construction to Detherage, Hayli Devonne Str 18-42-33 //Se

Eastland Farms to Dirks, Dustin Joe Str 24-38-32

Eastland Farms to Mumma, Gerald R Str 24-38-32

Moore, Donna L to Nissen, Jimmy Bl 3 Montgomery's First Addn

Smith, James M to Smith, Tamera S Str 5-39-29+

Lair-Bame, Virgil K to Lair-Bame, Virgil K Str 15-42-29 //Se

Lowe, Lena L to Lowe, Lena L. Trust 10-13-2026 Str 8-38-33 //Se

Tenholder, Mark E. to Tenholder, Susan E. Str 7-41-30 //Se

Tarver, John & Rebecca Trust 09-04-2018 to Myrtle, Aerial  Str 35-41-29 //Se

Smith, James M & Tamera S Trust 05-08-2002 to Smith, Tamera S Str 5-39-29+

Nitsche Family Trust 6-10-2009 to Smarr, Dalton Joseph Lt 8 Bl 9 Gilbert Heights+

Lowe Family Trust 07-25-2000 to Lowe, Lena L Str 8-38-33 //Se

Olive Trust 07-13-2012 to L Hardin Properties LLC Str 15-40-31 //Se

Marriage license

Fleischer, Joshua Paul and Silver, Megan Lynn

Hastie, Gage Marshall and Shaffer, Madyson Raylee

Clevenger, Christopher Scott and Host, Stacie Marie

Sparks, Tony Ray and Johnston Mckellips, Judith Elaine

Bourquin, Micah Daniel and Hendrix, Ragan Lynn

Smith, Dean Edward and Toews, Annette Joy

Thompson, Bryan Jordan and Walters, Ciara Renee'

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Big week for Drexel FFA in Osceola

This week, four Drexel FFA members traveled to Osceola for Area Fall Speaking. Rayleigh Tracy, Marissa Hoover, Claire Fink, and Kennedi Hettinger all gave a 6-8 minute speech over various agriculture topics sponsored by MO organizations that advocate for agriculture.

Congratulations to Kennedi Hettinger who placed 2nd in MO Pork Producers. She will move onto Districts! Congratulations to all participants who put in the work and dedication! It is never easy giving a speech, and these girls gave it their all plus some.


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