Monthly Archive

"All of us here today want this to pass," said Bates County Presiding Commissioner Donna Gregory. Gregory made the comment at the end of a press conference held Friday, March 23 at 10 a.m. in the courthouse. She was referring to the passing of the 1/2 cent sales tax proposal that will be on the April 3 ballot.

The state Little League wrestling began with a district tournament in Warrensburg and those qualifiers moved on to a regional tournament at Ray-Pec before the finals at University of Missouri in Columbia recently at the Hearnes Center. Out of the nine Adrian qualifiers, five wrestlers came home with medals. They were: Front row - Nathan Chamberlain, 2nd, 12 & under, 135 lbs. 2nd row - Brandt McMillan, 4th, 14 & under, 85 lbs.; Bobby McCarl, 4th, 14 & under, 115 lbs.; Caleb Shanks, 5th, 8 & under, 75 lbs.

The Adrian Lady Blackhawks opened their softball season Monday night as they hosted Lakeland. The Lady's earned their first season win on their home field.The Lady Blackhawks gave up just three more runs in the last two innings but took the game as they were able to score five more themselves. Adrian took the game, 12-9.The Lady Blackhawks will continue their season Tuesday April 3, 2007 as they travel to Archie to take on the Archie Whirlwinds. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.

The Adrian Blackhawk baseball team opened their season Monday night on their home field as they took on Lakeland. The Blackhawks will continue their season this Friday night as they are part host for the Archie/Adrian Baseball Tournament. Adrian is set to play Friday night at 4:00 p.m. at Adrian as they take on Jayhawk Linn.Tyler Tolle put his name in the Blackhawks' record book while batting Monday night when he blasted a homerun over the fence against the Vikings. This was the first homerun in the new baseball program that started in 2005.

Gene and Betty Pruden, 505 Pin Oak, Adrian, Missouri will celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary next Saturday. They were married March 31, 1943 in Harrisonville, Missouri at the Courthouse.

G. Clarke Lentz, Jr., 67, of Hardin, Missouri, died Thursday, March 22, 2007 at North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, Missouri. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Lavelock Cemetery, the Hardin Cemetery or to the Hardin Fire District. Funeral services were Monday, March 26, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. at Hardin Methodist Church, Hardin, MO. Visitation was Sunday, March 25, 2007 at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, MO. Burial was at the Hardin Cemetery in Hardin, MO. Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Mahalah Gough, age 92 of Greenwood, Missouri died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Lee's Summit Hospital in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri with Elder Larry Beckham officiating. Burial in the Fairview Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Contributions to the City Union Mission.

The Bates County Soil and Water Conservation Department (SWCD) held its annual Cooperator Appreciation Open House on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at the USDA Building, located at Business 71 Highway and Nursery Street, in Butler.An awards ceremony began at 1 p.m. and awards were presented to area farmers for conservation and wildlife preservation. The winners of the county fourth grade poster contest were also presented with prizes.

The Adrian Youth Wrestling team participated in the Regional Tournament held at Ray Pec Saturday, March 17th. Adrian had 10 qualify for the State tournament to be held this Saturday, March 24th and Sunday, March 25th at the Hearns Center in Columbia Missouri. Pictured: Bobby McCarl puts a move on his opponent during the regional tournament at Ray-Pec last Saturday. McCarl placed first and will compete at state this weekend.

The Adrian high school winter athletic reception was held Tuesday, March 13 in the west gymnasium. Superintendent Doug Hedrick welcomed the athletes, family members and guests while congratulating them on their accomplishments for the 2006-07 season.Pictured: Special awards were presented to: Front row - Chelsea Urie, Jaime VanSlyke, Becca Lawrence, Lareesa Bagby. 2nd row - Cody Knuth, John Scaletty, Vincent Gray. Back row - Tom Gregg, Wyatt Jackson, Tyler Bise, Sheldon Proell. Not pictured, Justine Enlow.

The Main Street work for the Vision 2007 improvement plan, which was originally scheduled to begin this month, has been delayed until later this summer.The street is expected to be closed for about 70-80 days and, hopefully, with as little inconvenience to the Main Street businesses as possible.

Late last week, a suspect in the Adrian Bank robbery was identified and is in custody while the investigation by the Adrian Police and the FBI is continuing. Chief Chapman is scheduled to go interview the subject."The Adrian Police and the FBI have worked extremely well in this most recent bank robbery investigation," Chief Chapman said. The two law enforcement agencies plan to have a full press release available on or before April 14 as the investigation wraps up.

Dale and Monett Jackson and Dave and Wanda Harris would like to announce the engagement of their children, Vanessa Jackson and Joseph Harris. Vanessa is a 2006 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and is currently employed as a Recreation Therapist in Kansas City, MO. Joseph will be graduating in April of 2007 with a degree in Restaurant and Food Service Management from Northwest Missouri State University. The couple is planning an August 18, 2007 wedding in Harrisonville, MO.

Agnes Hardin Mozzano, 83, Archie, MO, died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Raymore Health Care, Raymore, MO. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 21 at the Atkinson Chapel, Archie, MO, officiated by Dr. Jeff Paul, Archie First Baptist Church. Honorary casketbearer was Kenny Limpus. Casketbearers were James McMeins, Danny Pfiefer, Lonnie Brammel, Josh Preston, Roger Hutchins and Bart Taylor. Burial was in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO with military honors under the auspices of Harrisonville Honor Guard. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.

Arla Frank Hilgedick, age 94 of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Rev. Dick Pierson officiating. Burial with Military Honors in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to the Butler Presbyterian Church or Butler Public Library.

Nadine Christine Fairchild, age 97 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Medicalodge in Butler. Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Elder Larry Beckham officiating. Burial at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 16 in Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri. Contributions to the Community of Christ Church.

Vernetta Mae Clark, 79, Raymore, MO, formerly of Adrian, MO, died Friday, March 16, 2007 at Raymore Health Care, Raymore, MO. Funeral services were held Monday, March 19 at the Atkinson Chapel, Adrian, officiated by Pastor Robert LaMar, New Life Assembly of God, Archie, MO. Casketbearers were Jerry Bailey, Frank Enos, Gary Snider, Clifford Snider and Larry Gillespie. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, MO. Contributions may be made to American Heart Association.

The Bates County Clerk's office will be open on Saturday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for the purpose of absentee voting.

The WMAT&MA auxiliary will be serving their all-you-can-eat breakfast and a lunch menu at Frontier Village Center (kitchen) in Adrian, on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 during the WMAT&MA swap meet.

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney, right, accepts the Chamber of Commerce prestigious Person of the Year award for his "Dedication and Commitment to the Betterment of the Community" from Don Arndt during the Spring Banquet held Friday night. Dizney has served on the fire department, city and rural, for over twenty-five years. He has served as the fire chief since January 9, 1995.

Representatives from the Marais des Cygnes, Marmaton and Little Osage River areas, gathered Thursday March 8, 2007, for an official Management Plan signing ceremony in which all parties will be working together on plans to manage those watershed areas for better water quality. The purpose of the Management Plans are to assure clean water for the three watershed areas whose rivers and tributaries, flow through 17 counties in eastern Kansas and western Missouri, which includes Bates, Barton, Cass and Vernon Counties. The three watersheds eventually drain into the Truman Lake.

Jessie Lee Johnson Sr., age 48 of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, March 4, 2007 in Bethany, Oklahoma. Graveside services were held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Services were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler.

Edna Alice Humphrey, age 87 of Butler, Missouri died Monday, March 5, 2007 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. Funeral services were 10 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Rev. James Stanfield-Myers officiating. Burial at 1 p.m. March 9 in Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak, Iowa. Contributions to Ohio Street United Methodist Church, Butler.

Orvene Mae Hursh, age 75 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Floyd Hursh and Joe Anway officiating and Holly Rabourn graveside committal. Contributions may be made to the Community of Christ Church or Heartland Hospice.

Ernest "Ernie" M. Guss, 58, of Butler, MO, passed away on March 5, 2007 at his home. Graveside services were be held Thursday, March 8, 2007 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at the Underwood-Brandtonies Funeral Home of Butler. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church or to the Heartland Hospice.

The last day of February started off mild and calm but the night ended with hail, wind, rain and tornadoes that brought March in like a lion. Severe weather was being forecast for the evening hours and by five or so, weather watchers were tracking several storm systems, one of which had already produced a tornado just south of Garnett, in Anderson County, Kansas. The cell moved eastward, eventually nearing the Linn/Bates County line.

For the second time in seven months, the Adrian Bank was robbed during busy daylight hours. Just after noon on Friday, March 2, the normal end of the week routine at the Adrian Bank was disrupted when an unknown person dressed as a female, with heavy makeup, entered the bank lobby and approached the teller windows. The blond woman was wearing a camoflage shirt or jacket and carried a duffle bag. She also carried a hand gun which she displayed, demanding cash from the drawers.

The Adrian Blackhawks had a tough district week with a close win on Tuesday before being defeated by Morrisville in the semi-final round on Thursday night. Pictured: Austin Erickson looks for a way to get past Morrisville's T. J. Moore in District play last Thursday night.

The Adrian Lady Blackhawks season came to an end last week in the semi-final round of district play as they fell to the Osceola Lady Indians last Wednesday night.The Lady Blackhawks fell behind early in the first quarter as they couldn't find their shots falling and their defense was slacking. Adrian was outscored 7-29 in the first quarter. The Lady Blackhawks picked up the defense a little in the second quarter but couldn't find enough to make up their fall behind before the half came to an end. Adrian went into the locker rooms at halftime trailing 47-13.

Craig and Stephanie Cumpton, Archie, Mo, announce the birth of a daughter, Kate Addison Cumpton, at 8:33 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2007, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 inches long.She joins a brother, Tyler (13), a sister, Cheyenne (10), and a brother, Dalton (5). The maternal grandparents are Robert and Cindy Leeper, Harrisonville, Mo.

Abigail Harrold, 5 1/2 year old daughter of Kevin and Erica Dody Harrold, Diamond, MO, would like to announce the arrival of her brother, Thomas Andrew Harrold.Thomas was born at Freeman Hospital in Joplin on February 22, 2007 at 1 p.m. He was 5 lbs. 5 ozs. and 18 1/4 inches long.Maternal grandparents are Emma Lou Dody of Diamond, MO and the late Tom Dody.Paternal grandparents are Wylma Harrold and Clifford Harrold, Moore, OK.

John and Debbie Arnold announce the upcoming marriage of their son, Joshua Arnold, to Danielle Anderson, daughter of Carl and Brenda Anderson of Shawnee, Kansas. The couple will be united in marriage on March 10, 2007 at the Calvary Baptist Church of Adrian, Missouri. The couple will reside in Nacona, Texas.

Steve and Linda Oldfield, Adrian, MO, announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Chara Leigh Oldfield to Derek Anthony Jensen, son of Murray and Karen Jensen, Marshfield, MO. The couple will be united in marriage on April 28, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Adrian. Chara is employed at St. John's Therapy Services with St. John's Hospital-Lebanon as a physical therapist. Derek is employed with Label Solutions in Marshfield. Chara and Derek will make their home in Marshfield, MO.

Steve and Linda Oldfield, Adrian, MO, announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Jill Susann Oldfield to Brad Allen Jacobs, son of Joe and Vicki Jacobs, Drexel, MO. The couple will be united in marriage on April 14, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Adrian. Jill is self employed as a personal trainer and Brad owns Jacobs Logging. Jill and Brad will make their home in Drexel, MO.

82 of Adrian, Missouri died Monday, March 5, 2007 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at the Ohio Street United Methodist Church in Butler with Rev. James Stanfield-Myers officiating. Burial in the Adam Howell Cemetery, Virginia, Missouri. Contributions to the VFW.

Mildred Nadine Lethcho, 82, Archie, MO, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2007 at Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park, KS. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Harrisonville, MO, officiated by Rev. Andy Smart, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

Dorothy Leona Lewis, age 89 of Butler died Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Gary Schowengerdt officiating.

Ann Marie Nuckols, age 93 of Independence, Missouri, formerly of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, February 25, 2007 at Independence Medical Center in Independence. Graveside services were held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler with Rev. James Stanfield-Myers officiating.

Frances Irene Scott, age 100 of Butler, Missouri died Monday, February 26, 2007 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the Butler Assembly of God Church with Rev. Jerry Miller officiating and Rev. Lance Loughridge and Rev. Glenn Randall assisting. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to the Butler Assembly of God Church.

The Adrian Volunteer Fire Department was summoned to the scene of a rollover accident near the Adrian south-bound ramp of US 71 Highway on Friday, February 23 at approximately 1:14 p.m. Two people were seriously injured. Jesse L. Herring of Urich was transported by air ambulance. Traffic on US 71 Highway was stopped for a period of time while emergency personnel moved the injured woman to the helicopter that had landed on the highway.

The Adrian wrestling team had three boys advance on to the State finals during the weekend of February 15-17, 2007. Tyler Bise was up against Tanner Smith from Maysville in the championship round for the gold. Bise defeated Smith by Technical Fall, 19-4, and brought home the Championship.

The Adrian Blackhawks earned a tough conference win last week and breezed through a second to end their conference play with a 6-1 record. Overtime play against the Midway Vikings went back and forth, shot for shot, until the Blackhawks finally found enough to put them with the lead by two. Adrian held on to the victory, 59-57 at the end of overtime play.

Pictured: Chelsea Urie shoots for two over Cass-Midway's Bree Renner in last Tuesday's WEMO Conference game at Midway.

Allison Lemoine of Baton Rouge, LA became the bride of Rob Ferguson, Mansura, LA, formerly of Adrian on October 28, 2006 at the Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Mansura. Following the ceremony a host of friends and relatives attended a buffet and reception at the home of the bride's parents. Allison is the daughter of Albin and Kathy Lemoine of Longbridge, LA and Rob is the son of Jerry and Ruth Ann Ferguson, grandson of Dorothy Ferguson, and the late Freeman Ferguson and Robert and Olive Snedeger, all of Adrian.

Stephen P. Pruden and Darlene R. Hinds were wed August 1, 2006 in Nevada, Missouri. Pruden is the son of Gene and Betty Pruden and Hinds is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Hinds. Both are from Adrian.

Farrell and Elaine (McAninch) Sexson celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 1. In 1966, they were united in marriage by the Rev. Grover Sexson at Lee's Summit, Missouri. The couple renewed their wedding vows on September 30 at the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Hill. The ceremony was followed by a dinner buffet at Country Creek Golf Club, Pleasant Hill.

Gertrude Josephine McGuire, age 95 and a lifelong resident of Bates County, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler, Missouri. Memorial services were held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Brother Alan Black officiating. Inurnment Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Contributions to Heartland Hospice.

Robert Stephen "Steve" Clift, age 60 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Cremation memorial services were 2 p.m. Sunday, February 25, 2007 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Rev. Jack Day officiating. Contributions may be made to the Butler Masonic Lodge #254AF&AM.