Thank you for your service Jim Platt

Today, during the Bates County Democrats luncheon, we honored Jim Platt for his years of service as Bates County Treasurer. 

Awarding Jim with the service plaque was Bates County Democrat County Chair Corey Snead. We wish Jim all the best with the rest of his term and all the best in his future endeavors.

Obituary - Virginia “Kay” Cantrell

Virginia “Kay” Cantrell, 82 of Windsor, Missouri, was born March 10, 1942 in Main City, Missouri and passed away on October 25, 2024 in Butler, Missouri. Kay started grade school at the McNeill one room schoolhouse and graduated from Adrian High School in 1959. 

Kay lived in Arizona or Missouri most of her adult life. She enjoyed garage sales, thrifting, dancing and cooking. She was known for her fried chicken and chocolate frosted angel food cake.

Kay is survived by her four children: Teresa Lynn “Terry” (Brewster-McCale) Fornili of Mansfield, Mo.; Jeffrey Wayne (Brewster) McCale of Rio Rancho, Nm.; Ronald Dean (Oldham) McCale and wife Amber of Tucson, Az.; and Brian Scott McCale and wife Jeannette of Nashville, Tn.; along with 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Ruth Anne (Arnold) Sage and husband Harold of Appleton City, Mo.; Robert “Bob” Dean Arnold and wife Sharon of Drexel, Mo., and Susan Marie (Arnold) Conner and friend Scott Gieger of Paola, Ks. As well as her good friend, Dean McCale of Nashville, Tn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh Baker “Bake” and Elda “Laura” (Endecott) Arnold as well as her biological father Raymond Lee Cantrell.

Kay’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. Condolences may be left online at hadleyfuneralhome.com.

Obituary - Robert A. Christopher

Funeral services for Robert A. Christopher of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Monday, November 4, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 4 - 6 p.m. Sunday, November 3 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Butler Youth Football Federation. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Robert Alan Christopher, age 66 of Butler, Missouri died Friday, October 25, 2024 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. He was born November 30, 1957 to Robert Lee and Joyce Rose Anderson Christopher in Kansas City, Missouri.

Robert is survived by his wife, Linda Christopher of the home; two daughters: Krystle Garver and husband Bradley of Rich Hill, Missouri and Katy Wallace and husband Josh of Butler, Missouri; three grandchildren, Koltyn, Korbyn and Karly; his mother, Joyce Botkin of Butler, Missouri; a brother-in-law, David Crist and wife Kathy of Butler, Missouri; a niece, Brandy Ward and husband Matty of Butler, Missouri; and a nephew, Nate Crist of Bolivar, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his father; stepfather, Hadd Botkin; an infant brother, Robert L. Christopher Jr; and a sister, Kathy Crist.

Water leak in the city of Butler

We have received several reports of a water main break on Nursery Street near the BCM Hospital at this time.

Please avoid this area if possible! We will update when we know more! 

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative scheduled power outage

Tomorrow October 29th starting at 10:00 PM, Osage Valley Electric will initiate a planned outage in the Clinton, MO area. If you reside within the area you could be without power for approximately 2 hours.

Obituary - Theodore Eugene Griffin

Theodore Eugene Griffin, born in LaJolla, California on September 19, 1939 to Louise (Hawkins) and Theodore Griffin, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Ronald. Theodore, or Gene as he was known to family, lived a quiet, simple life, cherishing the time spent with his family and the beauty of nature around him.

A lover of the outdoors, Gene found solace in his garden, where he spent countless hours nurturing plants and admiring the peaceful rhythms of the natural world. His passion for woodworking and coin collecting revealed a thoughtful and patient side, skills that he honed with care and precision over the years.

Gene proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army, a chapter of his life that he carried with quiet dignity and honor. After his service, he returned to his peaceful pursuits, where his love of craftsmanship and attention to detail found expression in both his hobbies and his day-to-day life.

He will be remembered for his independence, his quiet wisdom, and his appreciation for the simple things in life. Gene is survived by his wife, Shelia of the home, his two daughters, Carol (William) Palmer, Christine (Tony) Bartholomew; his grandchildren, Michael (Mary) Leonard, Shelby (Jake) Chadd, Matthew (Alexis) Palmer, Marcus Palmer, Hannah Oakes, Montgomery Palmer; and two great grandchildren, Ridge Chadd, Nash Palmer; and another great grandson on the way, who will forever cherish the memories of his life well-lived.

The family will not have a public service. A celebration of life for the family will be held at a later date

Week 10 First Round of Districts Missouri State High School Football Preview

Week 10 of the Missouri State High School Football season will happen this Friday evening. This is the first round of district play. If you lose your season is over.

If your looking to watch some local high school football action in the area this Friday you can check out the games below:

November 1st:

Belton (4-5) at Webb City (3-6)

Butler (5-4) at Sherwood (5-4)

Clinton (2-7) at Oak Grove (5-4)

Diamond (3-6) at Stockton (7-2)

El Dorado Springs (4-5) at Sarcoxie (5-4)

Grandview (2-7) at Harrisonville (5-4)

Jasper (1-8) at Liberal (1-8)

Lone Jack (2-7) at Holden (5-4)

Osceola (1-8) at Rich Hill (4-5)

Ray-Pec (0-9) at Lee's Summit West (3-6)

Raytown South (4-5) at Nevada (7-2)

Butler hits the road to take on Sherwood in the first round of district football

The Butler Bears football team will hit the road on Friday November 1st as they travel to take on the Sherwood Marksmen in the first round of district action.

Both teams will come into this game 5-4 on the season and both teams are currently on a two game winning streak.

Sherwood beat Butler in the Bears home opener on September 6th in an action packed back and forth game. The Bears found themselves trailing by 6 with around 20 seconds to play in the game. However, there was a medical emergency that began to take place in the stands. And sometimes there are things happening that are more important than football and the Bears recognized that.

With the urgency and importance of the situation taking place off of the field, the Bears would opt to just not take another snap and ask the officials to allow the clock to run and the game to be completed. The final will go down as a 34-28 win for the Marksmen.

Butler has really been playing well the last couple weeks since the return of Junior Jake Chandler from injury. Jake provides a spark in all phases of the game for the bears.

Sherwood is coming off a road win over the Versailles last week by the final score of 30-6 and they will be looking to beat the bears again as the winner will move on to play the undefeated 9-0 Pembroke Hill Raiders in the next round of districts. 

The game will kickoff at 7pm at Sherwood High School, Please come out and support these student athletes in district play! 

Photo courtesy of Carmen Behringer