Due to a website glitch, we may not have received all registrations for the Summer Theater Workshop.
To make sure your registration was received, please complete the new, shorter registration form again at www.actadrian.com. Even if you already registered, please do so again in case we didn't get your first registration. We don't want anyone to miss out!
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you!
ACT THEATER
Jerry Lee Stangel, at the age of 71, peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home outside of Papinville, MO. He was born in Nevada, MO to Paul and Catharine Stangel. He was raised and worked on his family farm his entire life.
In his 71 years of life, he was blessed with three children: Mendy, Michelle, and Roy, before being united in marriage on June 12, 2000 to his wife, Angela. With this union of marriage, he became a step father to three children: Matthew, Daniel, and Alaina. In 2001, they welcomed their daughter, Montana.
The Missouri State Fair is now accepting applications for employment during the Fair in August. Starting pay is $15 per hour and benefits include valuable work experience, making new friends and free Fair admission.
Positions are available in:
The Fair's personnel office opens today, June 17, at noon in the Historic Administration Building, located across from the State Fair Grandstand. Office hours are Wednesday-Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting Aug 1, office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
State offices (including the personnel office) are closed for the following state holdiays:
Those interested in applying should visit the Fair’s website for more information.
The Missouri State Fair is Aug. 13-23, in Sedalia.
The City of Archie is seeking a Temporary, Part-Time, Seasonal Maintenance Employee to do the mowing, weed eating, and additional park maintenance at the City parks for the season. Beginning immediately and going through October, if necessary, the hours would be around 30-40 hours per week. An applicant wiht a driver's license is required. An applicant 18 years of age is preferred, though not necessary. The rate of pay will be $17.00 per hour. We will take applications until the position is filled. Send Resume or apply at City Clerk, 204 S. Main St., P.O. Box 346, Archie, MO 64725, or email to [email protected]. EOE
From the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory . . . Tannor Thomas, age 28 of Butler died Friday, June 12 in Butler as a result of a motorcycle accident. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 18 at the Adrian Optimist Building with cremation to follow. Visitation prior to services from 1 - 2 p.m. Thursday at the Optimist Building. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Contributions to the Thomas Love Fund at Community First Bank. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com Tannor is survived by his wife, Brooklyn Thomas and two young children, Walker and Rosalie all of the home; mother, Deborah Shaner and husband Brandon of Butler; one brother, Zachary Thomas of Butler; parentsin-law, Patrick and Michelle Popplewell of Butler; sister-in-law, Brianne Phillips (Dalton) and their children, Braxton and Riley; brother-in-law, Peyton Popplewell (Macey Kelso); one sister, Alexandria Thomas; and father, James Thomas. That’s Tannor Thomas with funeral services 2 p.m. Thursday, June 18 at the Adrian Optimist building. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Butler.
The Ag City Music Festival will be held at the Little Dixie Family Mud Run in Harrisonville. Celebrating agriculture, live music, and America’s 250th birthday, Friday & Saturday, June 19 & 20th. Friday night will kick off with rock bands, while Saturday highlights local country talent, featuring Headliner, Tate Stevens. Food trucks, vendors, beer garden, tractor pull, sky diving show, kid zone, and more. See the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce for more information on their Facebook Page Tickets will be 30 dollars for a one day admission and 50 dollars for the two day admission passes.
A former employee of Bates County Industries located in Butler, MO has been accused of stealing $200,972.42 during her time serving as director beginning in 2021.
Documents indicate that
Donna Maciel, 57, sold back vacation and sick time which was prohibited, as
well as giving herself cash advances without paying it back, charging for
mileage while driving a company vehicle, as well as abuse of company credit
cards among other allegations all totaling over $200,000.00 during
approximately a three year period.
Charges filed in the
Bates County Circuit Court as as follows:
Count 1
- Stealing - $25,000 Or More { Felony C RSMo: 570.030 }
Count 2
- Stealing - $25,000 Or More/Teller Machine Or Contents { Felony C
RSMo: 570.030 }
Count 3
- Stealing - $750 Or More { Felony D RSMo: 570.030 }
A warrant for Maciel's
arrest was issued on June 12, 2026 indicating a $100,000 cash only bond.
Bates County has something to be proud of….. 15 year old Bentley Gilkey of Rich Hill will be advancing to the 2026 National High School Rodeo finals in Lincoln Nebraska. Bentley is competing in the Bull Riding event.
This 7 day
rodeo competition will be held July 19th through the 25th.
Bentley is a small town kid chasing his dream. Bentley is the son of Rashanda Gilkey
and Brent Morrison of Rich Hill. His motto is to work hard, stay humble, chase
your dreams and make your hometown proud. He needs our help to reach his dream.
If you
would like to be one of many sponsors needed to help Bentley Gilkey reach his
dream , we are asking for donations. There are 4 different sponsor levels from
$500 gold level to $99 dollars, or any cash amount that you feel led to donate.
The donation
dollars will assist this Cowboy pay for travel and lodging expenses, entry fees
and equipment. We are Calling on Rodeo Fans and retired Cowboys to help us,
help Bentley.
There are
several ways to send your donation dollars.
Venmo, Cash
App, Phone or Email , or donations/ checks mailed in any amount will be
appreciated. Donations may be mailed to
Rashanda Gilkey 201 East Oak Street in Rich Hill 64779. The deadline will be
July 10th, as Bentley will hit the road on July 17th for
Nebraska.
Bentley
will be representing the Rich Hill Community on the national stage and our hope
is for Bentley to bring this title back home to Bates County. .
This is
more than a rodeo for Bentley Gilkey of Rich Hill, it’s a dream, a journey and
the opportunity of a lifetime. Every dollar you spend will help this dream
become a reality.
Phone
number 660-227-3368 that number again
660-227-3368
Good Luck,
Cowboy !
Shortly after 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 15th, the Rich Hill Fire Department (RHFD) was dispatched to a single-vehicle accident at mile marker 123 on I-49. While on the scene, a second accident involving two vehicles occurred, narrowly missing Rich Hill Fire Engine 2. Emergency personnel immediately notified Bates County Dispatch and requested additional resources. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported from both incidents.
While on the
scene of the highway accidents, Bates County EMS and RHFD also responded to a
separate medical call within Rich Hill.
The
following departments assisted at the highway scene: Rich Hill Fire, Vernon
County EMS, Bates County EMS, Rich Hill Police, Bates County Sheriff's Office,
and the Missouri Highway Patrol.
These
incidents highlight the significant dangers emergency responders face when
working on highways and interstates. They ask the public to use this as a
reminder to remain vigilant and avoid distracted driving.
From the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory . . . Michael “Mike” Lee Crow, age 57 of Harrisonville, Missouri died Friday, June 12, 2026 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Celebration of life begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Steffan’s Auto Works in Harrisonville, Missouri (1406 S. Commercial Street, Harrisonville, Missouri, 64701). Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to Cullen Lee Crow for a college fund. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com. Mike is survived by one son, Keifer Lee Crow and wife Carmen of Louisiana; one daughter, Amanda “Amie” Breckenridge and husband Justin of Rich Hill; three stepchildren, Cassandra, Diana and Jacob; four grandchildren; mother, Shirley Louise Bearce and husband Elvin of Butler; stepmother, Rene Crow of Butler; significant other, Linda Diane Hodges of Harrisonville; sister, Christy Lockard and husband Alan of Butler; two stepsisters, Marci Anzalone and husband Tim and Michelle Christensen and husband Claus; and numerous nieces and nephews. That’s Mike Lee Crow with a celebration of life beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at Steffans’s Auto Works in Harrisonville. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash on the MO-52 highway overpass at I-49 in Butler on Friday, June 12th. Authorities say the crash involved a motorcycle and a van pulling a trailer.
The
motorcycle was traveling westbound on MO-52 when the van exited from I-49 onto
MO-52 and traveled into the motorcycle’s path.
The
motorcycle struck the trailer and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the
scene.
This story
is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Eleven skydivers and a pilot are dead after a plane crashed in Butler, Missouri, Sunday morning, in an incident local authorities call a “mass casualty event.”
According to
a spokesperson with Bates County Emergency Management, just before 11:30 a.m.,
Sunday, a private plane carrying skydivers left the Butler Memorial Airport but
turned around for an unknown reason before crashing near Business 49 Highway.
Eleven of
the 12 victims were skydivers. The other victim was the pilot of the plane. All
the people on the plane died. The victims’ names have not been released as of
Monday morning.
Bates County
Sheriff Chad Anderson confirmed multiple people witnessed the crash, including
family members of the victims.
The FAA
issued the following statement after the crash:
“This
information is preliminary and subject to change. A Pacific Aerospace P750
crashed while departing from Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri around 11:35
a.m. local time on Sunday, June 14. Air traffic services were not being
provided at the time. Twelve people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.“
According to
flight radar, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL took off from the airport Sunday
morning, and reached an altitude of about 13,400 feet before descending for
about two minutes at a rapid speed of 227 mph.
The aircraft
is capable of holding up to 17 passengers and serves as a common plane for
large skydiving parties.
The same
type of plane took off earlier Sunday morning for a separate flight. Flight
Aware shows the aircraft leaving the airport at 9:20 a.m. and returning about
22 minutes later. It then went back up in the air about an hour later.
At this
time, emergency crews and law enforcement with the Missouri State Highway
Patrol (MSHP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.
Anderson
added that the investigation will take at least two days as crews work to
determine what led up to the crash and clear the wreckage. Those agencies are
also working to identify the 12 victims in the crash.
NTSB says
that their investigators will be at the scene on Monday to document the area,
examine the aircraft, and “look at the human, machine and environment as the
outline of the investigation.”
NTSB says
that a preliminary report will be available within 30 days. A final report with
a probable cause of the crash and contributing factors will be released in
12-24 months.
Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary with a bang at the Bates County Elks Fireworks Stand .
Opening June 26th in the parking lot of Family Center in Butler, the Bates County Elks have everything you need for a spectacular red, white, and blue celebration. From fireworks for the kids to breathtaking aerial displays, it's your one-stop shop for Independence Day fun.
Don't miss over 20 different fountains priced under 10 dollars each, plus the crowd-favorite Gangster Series Finale Cake!
Best of all, every dollar you spend helps support community projects right here at home.
The Bates County Elks Fireworks Stand—opening June 26th through 10 pm July 5th, find them at the Family Center parking lot in Butler. Celebrate 250 years of America with fireworks that light up the sky and give back to the community!
The Butler Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Christopher Forbes. Mr. Forbes fled from law enforcement on foot Thursday, June 11th, at approximately 1:00pm. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black hat, and no shirt.
He was last
seen in the area of the South Park. If seen, do not approach Mr. Forbes.
Contact the Butler Police Department at (660)679-6131
Attached is the most recent booking photo of Christopher Forbes.
Due to a website glitch, we may not have received all registrations for the Summer Theater Workshop. To make sure your registration was re...
