Day: August 11, 2021

After a long career in office, Bates County Assessor Roger Pruden will retire this month.   

Rogen Pruden was raised and graduated from Adrian R-III School in Adrian, Missouri and still resides there today. Before become Bates County Assessor Roger along with his family owned and operated the Homestead House on Main Street in Adrian for many years.

He was elected to the office of Bates County Assessor in 1997 and has continued to hold this office for the last 24 years. 

Roger has been elected by the people of Bates County weather he ran unopposed or was opposed by another candidate.  The people of Bates County continued to elect Roger to the office of Bates County Assessor year after year showing their trust in his ability to do the job well. The assessor office has the task for assessing values to real estate and personal property. Roger always did this job with integrity knowing his job affected the school districts in Bates County.

In 2020 Roger decided it was time to retire and decided not to run for the office of Bates County Assessor in 2021.  August 31^st is the last day in office for the outgoing Assessor and as of September 1^st the newly elected Bates County Assessor Carl Bettels will take over the helm.

The staff of the Bates County Assessor’s office will have a retirement reception for Roger Pruden on Wednesday, August 25^th in the lobby of the Bates County Administrative Building from 1pm to 3pm.  All are welcome to come wish Roger farewell in his retirement.  Masks are required for this event.

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Bates County Prosecutors Office in an attempt to identify a potential witness.

On July 5th, 2019, a male and female were in the Butler Walmart and became uncooperative with employees. During the incident one or both of the parties made a threat to the employees by saying they would “blow” up Walmart. A female witness came forward and spoke briefly with responding law enforcement stating she saw one of the subjects recording the incident on their cell phone. The witness left the scene before being identified by Law Enforcement.

If you are or if you know the female witness in this case, please contact the Bates County Prosecutors office at 660-679-4030

Hume Rodeo’s Friday night Mutton Busting Champion Finley Williams shows even the little guys can respect our flag and nation. 

Finley Williams of Butler Missouri made his first attempt at Mutton Busting at the Hume Fair and Rodeo.  After showing an interest his Uncle Robby encouraged and worked with him and it paid off on Friday night when Finley emerged the Champion Mutton Buster with a score of 71 points. 

Finley is the son of Katie William of Butler and Blaine Schroeder of Springfield Missouri. Finley Maternal grandparents are Scott and Robin Williams of Adrian Missouri and Paternal Grandparents Gene and Michelle Schroeder of Butler Missouri.   Pictures courtesy of Robin Williams