Car Fire 71 Highway near Butler

Butler Fire Department and local authorities are responding to a reported car fire in the Southbound lanes of 71 Highway just South of the West 52 exit.

Cows in roadway 71 highway near Rich Hill

Bates County Sheriff's Department is responding to a report of several cows in the Northbound lanes of 71 Highway just South of Rich Hill. Use caution when driving through the area.

Upcoming events calendar around Bates County

(advertisement) Whitney Bagby is running for Bates county fair queen and is selling raffle tickets for: 1/2 beef, front quarter beef, hind quarter, 2 - 1/2 hogs, $50 gift cert. to Grizzell's, $100. Spa package to outback salon, fair shares or event tickets. Call Whitney for tickets at 816-297-4432. Will deliver!


July 17 - Bates County Elks Car Show - Elks Lodge in Butler
July 17 - Bates County Fair kickoff
July 19 - SHINE ON - at dusk on the Butler square, bring a flashlight
August 1 through 3 - Butler 'tax free weekend'

Butler - SHINE ON set for July 19

December 6, 1881, residents of Butler got a glimpse of something they had never seen before-the electric light. This event put Butler in the history books as being the first community West of the Mississippi to have electric power, thus beginning the electric revolution in the midwest.

To commemorate this occasion, anyone who would like to participate should bring a flashlight and meet on the Butler square at 8 p.m., July 19th and join the SHINE ON event. The words shine on will be formed by participants holding flashlights upward while Len Bartz shoots a photo from an airplane piloted by LeRoy Cook.

The City of Butler is also know as being the longest running electric municipality West of the Mississippi. More info is available on the Butler Chamber of Commerce web site.

Latest forecast

Little League tournament to resume Wednesday

After a rain postponement this evening, little league baseball tournament games will resume tomorrow evening (weather permitting) with games starting at 6 p.m. Local teams playing in the tourney are Drexel, Rich Hill, Miami, Adrian, Archie and Midway. Admission for spectators is $2.00.

The forecast for tomorrow shows an expected high of 86 with a slight chance of thunder showers.

Adrian Fireworks Display Postponed indefinitely

While inclement weather caused the cancellation of the Adrian fireworks display last Saturday evening, Bates County Live has been informed that there are no plans to re-schedule the event. It has been reported that the Optimists Club will either plan to use the fireworks for another event or possibly will be kept in cold storage until next year.

Latest forecast- still wet