Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Show June 27th 28th and 29th
The Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association is hosting its the Annual Show on June 27th, 28th and 29thh at Frontier Village in Adrian. But how much do you know about where The Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association originated from? Here is a little information.
In 1975 a
small group of 6 men gathered together during the annual tractor pull, which
was a fundraiser for the Adrian Optimist Club. These men put on a tiny show as
part of the event using their vintage antique tractors. They gathered with six
very old tractors brought back from being abandoned in fence rows decades
earlier. Each one had been brought back to life for this special occasion where
they had a special part of the “tractor pulling show” along with modern farm
tractors.
The crowd
had responded favorably with the little show that had included an old Wallis,
an F20 Farmall, a G John Deere, a B John Deere, a GP John Deere. After the
event, there seemed to be an immediate growing interest in antique farm
equipment.
In late
1975, Calvin Field and Don Arndt started talking about forming a “club” of old
farm equipment owners. A gathering of about 20 men met at the George Sollars Farm
under a shade tree where it was unanimously decided to proceed with the
formation of the club. A board of 6 men, being led by Don Arndt President and
Calvin Field serving as Treasurer and Secretary were elected.
Appropriately,
the group was formed sitting on buckets, tree stumps, and baled hay at the end
of a wheat field sitting next to a 1930 tractor.
By the 1976
Bicentennial Celebration, several pieces of antique farm equipment had been
brought back to life by these individuals.
The little group made a great showing for the 200th Year
Anniversary of the Nation.
The club had
grown rapidly; Within a couple of years it had grown to a size that it was
decided to incorporate it as a not for profit, and it also decided to have a
“show” at the Adrian City Park featuring their old equipment – which many had
restored to their original beauty. Threshing machines, saw mills, grain mills,
plows, and every kind of farm machine was included.
In late
July 1979, the newly formed Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery
Association, Inc. held their first three day show, and it was deemed a huge
success.
In late
1981, discussions with the City of Adrian began concerning the use of the
abandoned acreage on the East edge of the town. In September of 1982, an
agreement was made, and the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery
Association, Inc.’s annual event was moved to the present day show grounds.
The grounds
were reclaimed from buck brush, shrubs, trees and being a dumping ground for years.
Members cleaned it up, plowed the entire acreage, disked it, and seeded it all.
The grass wasn’t up yet when the first building restoration project began with
a big project. The Mount Vernon School was moved from several miles west of
Passaic to the grounds. Being totally restored to the original condition the
old one room school was only the beginning of many huge projects the young
group would undertake in the next few years. At least one new building project
was completed every year from log cabins to reconstructing store buildings from
area small towns and communities.
The huge
1983 Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association, Inc.’s show
was held on the new grounds as a record breaking crowed enjoyed the 5th
Annual event. By the late 80’s crowds were numbering from 10,000 to nearly
15,000 visitors – all of which were looking and watching in awe at hundreds of
restored vintage equipment operating as they had so many years before.
Membership
grew to over 200 in the 1980’s, and the building continues today while the
group holds four major events annually.
The 2025
Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Presents the Annual 3 day Steam
and Gas Engine show June 27rd, 28th and 29th at the Historic Frontier Village, located on
the Southeast Corner of Interstate 49 and Highway 18 in Adrian.
*The
Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association historical
information is courtesy of Don Arndt.
*The story was written and researched by the Adrian News Leader.
Appleton City Fair June 20th and 21st
Appleton
City will have a carnival June 20-21.
Advance tickets will be on sale through June 19 at Food Fair, Powell’s
and City Hall for $20 per session. After June 19, tickets will be $25 per
session. Sessions are 7:00-10:00 Friday,
3:00-6:00 Saturday and 7:00-10:00 Saturday.
Appleton
City Fair is June 20-21: The parade will
be 6:00 p.m. June 20. Lineup will begin at 5:15. Floats will be judged for 1st,
2nd and 3rd places with prizes. This year’s theme is
“Splash into Summer.” Line-up will be as
in the past, check the map on facebook.
AC Fair
Royalty contestant registration is now open and needs to be completed and
turned in as soon as possible. Once you turn in your registration, you will be
given your raffle tickets, which are due to be turned in by June 19 to be
counted toward the winning totals. Hurry in to get registered.
The 2025 Appleton City Fair Friday & Saturday June 20 - 21 |
Vickie Smith, 81 of Appleton City, Missouri
Vickie Smith, 81 of Appleton City, Missouri passed away Sunday evening, June 8, 2025, at her residence at Medicalodge in Butler, Missouri. Cremation, with private family memorial services to be held. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com
Victoria J. Smith was born November 29, 1944, in Rockville, Missouri to Wilbur and Beatrice Young. She attended school in Appleton City and graduated in 1962. Vickie married Charles Henry Bean right after graduating from High School and raised three children. Vickie divorced Mr. Bean and went to college in the mid-70’s and got her associate’s degree in communication arts. Victoria worked part time at Hallmark Cards as an artist before finding a good paying job at KCI Airport. She then went to the Police Academy and became a Police Officer for the Aviation Department at KCI. She met her late husband Bob Smith, and they got married. Bob and her retired down at the Lake of the Ozarks. She loved her view from her lake house.
She loved to draw, paint, read books and do poetry. One of her poems earned a spot on the wall at the Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri before being placed in a book of poems. She had a heart of gold and loved helping others.
Vickie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Smith, and her son Robert Charles Bean and her brother Jimmy Young.
She is survived by her brothers Ronnie Young, California, Dennis Young, Appleton City, Mo., and Eddie Young, Stover, Missouri. Children Angela Bean, Appleton City, Mo., Dennis and Lisa Bean, Kansas City, Mo. She leaves behind Four granddaughters Angie Luecke, Kansas City, Mo., Sammii, Luecke and Joshua Weare, Florida, Katie, and Rob Bastarache, Kanas City, Mo., Jessica Dawn, Bradleyville, Mo. And twelve great grandchildren Mason, Sky, Danielle, Neveah, Myia, Harmonii, Gunner, Alexis, Anthony, Christopher, Landon, and Nova.
Benton County Treasurer Under Investigation Following Allegations of Online Sexual Misconduct Involving a Minor
According to a probable cause statement filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 62-year-old Richard “Rick” L. Renno of Lincoln, Missouri is accused of using the social media app Grindr to solicit sexual contact with a 14-year-old minor. The investigation began in April 2025, after the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control received a report of an adult male attempting to entice a child for sex.
Authorities say Renno allegedly used a Grindr account and sent a nude photo of himself to a minor. The photo was positively identified by a family member as having been taken at Renno’s residence on State Highway C in Lincoln. The witness also indicated that Renno had a history of using electronic devices to communicate with young men.
On June 9, 2025, investigators interviewed Renno. During the interview, he admitted to having a Grindr account for roughly a decade and acknowledged engaging in conversations with minors under 18 “two or three times.” He also recognized the profile photo used and confirmed sending the nude photo in question.
Renno is facing charges of:
Sexual Misconduct of a Child Under 15 – 1st Offense
Enticement of a Child
The charges stem from alleged incidents reported to have occurred in August 2024. Renno is currently being held pending further legal proceedings.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Butler Saddle Club Scholarship
The Butler Saddle Club is thrilled to announce Kinley Hellwig, daughter of Kaleb and Jody Hellwig, as the recipient of the Dick and Ruby Gee Scholarship. Kinley is a 2025 Butler High School graduate and will be attending college in Springfield, MO to pursue a degree in nursing.
Welcome New Business to Butler/SC Tree Service
92.1 welcomes a new business to Butler. SC Tree Service is now going strong in Bates County.
This business is owned and operated by Fin Ver-Woert of
Butler and the son of Dan Ver-Woert, the Pastor of Hill Top Assembly of God
Church located in rural Butler near the Rich Hill and Papinville area.
SC Tree Service specializes in Lawn care, landscaping, and tree service. With over 40 years of experience in the family.
SC Tree Service is now available and scheduling
appointments for Bates County and Beyond. Watch for a new Facebook page.
Fin can be reached by calling 515-525-8755 that number
again 515-525-8755.
Welcome to Butler Fin Ver-Woert
McGennis Youth Center Free Swim Days
McGennis Youth Center Announces
Free Community Swim
Days
Thanks to some generous sponsors, swimming
will be free on four days in June.
Free swims dates are:
Saturday June 14th
Saturday June 21st
Saturday June 28th
Sunday June 29th
Swim hours are 1-5 p.m.
Sponsors this year include
State Representative Dane Diehl, D&J Smoking BBQ, Rich Hill Truck and Equipment,
Bell Farms, and Brocka Farms.
Please follow the McGennis
Youth Center Facebook page for closures and reschedule dates due to weather.
McGennis Youth Center is located five miles
west of Rich Hill on A Highway then four miles south on Route WW. Watch for
signs.
Marsha Gillis, age 66 of Adrian
Marsha Gillis's wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories. There are no public services, a private inurnment will be held at a later time. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555). Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Marsha Gillis, age 66 of Adrian, Missouri died Saturday, June 7, 2025 at her home. She was born October 10, 1958 to James Marshall and Helen Etoise Moody Gifford in Wichita, Kansas.
Marsha is survived by her husband, Lester Gillis of Adrian, Missouri; two sons, Travis Gillis and wife Kelli of Butler, Missouri, Jason Gillis and significant other Tina of Adrian, Missouri; one daughter, Hannah Gillis of Adrian, Missouri; and two grandchildren. Marsha was preceded in death by her parents.
Assault And Drug Arrest In Rich Hill
On Saturday,
June 7, 2025, just before 10pm, the Rich Hill Police Department, along with assistance
from the Bates County Sheriff's Office, were dispatched to 105 E Elm St in
regards to a disturbance in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that an
assault had occurred during the encounter. The suspect identified as Monty Fish
was taken into custody without incident. During the investigation, consent by
the homeowner was given and the search yielded illegal narcotics with drug
paraphernalia. The officer was informed that the narcotics and paraphernalia
belonged to Fish. The items were tested and the result showed positive for
methamphetamine. Fish was transported to the Bates County Jail and placed on a
24hr hold pending formal charges.
On Sunday, June
8, 2025, Fish was served a warrant for Possession of Controlled Substance Class
D Felony with a bond of $10,000 Cash Only.
Further
charges are still pending at this time.
Monday, June 9, 2025
Nevada Griffons Schedule for week of June 9th
Sunday, June 8: Away game at Carroll (IA) Merchants, 4 pm
Monday, June 9: Home games (DH) against Chillicothe Mudcats, First
game starts at 5pm
- Dollar Dog Night sponsored
by Skills Unlimited (Postponed from 6/4)
Wednesday, June 11: Away game at Clarinda (IA) A's,
7 pm
Thursday, June 12: Home game vs. Clarinda
(IA) A's, 7 pm
Saturday, June 14: Griffons participate in the
Nevada Bushwhacker Parade, 6 pm
Sunday, June 15: Away game vs. Sedalia Bombers,
7 pm
Ongoing:
Youth Camp Registration forms are available at the Team Store,
Rinehard Jewelry and online at www.nevadagriffons.org. Ages 11-14 Wednesday,
June 25th from 9:30-Noon; Ages 5-10 Thursday, June 26th from 10am -
Noon
Eagles Spaghetti Dinner:: Come meet the Griffons at the
Eagles Lodge on Tuesday, June 24th from 6-8 pm. Griffons will be
available for autographs during this time. Tickets $10 adult, $6 youth
available at the Team Store and Rinehart Jewelry
Friday, June 6, 2025
Cass County
Cass County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Set For June 13 Unveiling
The
Cass County Sheriff’s Office will unveil its law enforcement memorial on
Friday, June 13 at 1 p.m.
This
memorial will honor the three deputies (James Holmes, James Copeland and Kevin
Mayse) who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty at the Cass County Sheriff’s
Office.
June
13, 2025 marks 30 years since the death of Deputy Mayse — who worked with
current Cass County Sheriff Jeff Weber.
“This memorial will be a great representation of how important
our fallen deputies are to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. It will remind
everyone who passes through here each day that these deputies paid the ultimate
sacrifice to Keep Cass County Safe,” said Sheriff Weber.
This
monument is over six feet in height and will be placed on the north side of the
justice center, underneath where the words “Sheriff’s Office” are inscribed on
the building.
Several
distinguished speakers will give an address regarding the memorial.
The Cass County Sheriff’s
Office Honor Guard led this effort, along with the Sheriff’s Auxiliary.
Where: 2501 W Mechanic St.,
Harrisonville, MO, 64701
When: Friday, June 13, 1
p.m.
City of Archie Right of Way
News from City of Archie: Right of Way, Culvert Placement, and Building Permit Forms
Date: Jun 06, 2025
The City of Archie has added the Right of Way, Culvert, and Building Permit forms to the website under the Residents/Departments tab, and then see Building Permits. Please contact the City Hall before doing any work in the right of way, replacing or adding a culvert, or doing any kind of building or renovation to a property.