Moderate temps and more rain...

Today

Considerable cloudiness with chance of showers... thunderstorms in the morning...then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds around 5 mph.

Rollover accident near TT Highway

Early this morning, deputies from the Bates County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene of a rollover accident near TT highway, north of Butler. Upon arrival the deputy found two persons that were in the vehicle had removed themselves and had only minor injuries. Bates County Live will publish the official accident report when it becomes available.

Explosive device found during search

While serving a search warrant last night at 106 South Main street in Butler, the Bates County Sheriff's Department and Butler Police Department discovered an explosive device which appeared to be a pipe bomb. The Lee's Summit Bomb Squad was summoned to investigate and diffuse the device, which prompted the evacuation of homes in the area. 


This makes the second pipe bomb type device found in Butler in the past month. The search warrant being served was to recover stolen property. 

Weekly report from the Bates County Sheriff's Office

Bates County Sheriff’s Office

Activity report September 06, 2010 to September 12, 2010

09/06/10

AGENCY ASSIST – BUTLER

TRAFFIC STOP – at 02:56 hours Bates County Deputies made a traffic stop at South Main and 52 Hwy east in Butler.

GUN SHOTS HEARD – BUTLER

STRANDED MOTORIST – BUTLER

THEFT – RICH HILL at approximately 1005 hours, Deputies were dispatched east of US 71 on State Route B reference a theft from motor vehicle.  Upon arrival there was damage to a radiator, brackets and a stolen coolant tank made of copper.  Total estimated loss estimate is $500. 

THEFT – AMORET Deputies took a theft report from Amoret, Missouri. Two black purses were taken out of a vehicle and items that were inside the purses taken were: prescription pills, two vehicle titles, identifications, medical cards, credit cards, checks, and $115 in assorted currency and change.

EX PARTE VIOLATION – BUTLER at approximately 1138 hours, Deputies responded to the Sheriff's Office reference a walk-in report of a violation of a full order of protection that had allegedly occurred.  Upon arrival it was determined that a violation occurred and a report was taken.

REPOSSESSION – ROCKVILLE

CIVIL STANDBY – ROCKVILLE

STRANDED MOTORIST – RICH HILL

ANIMAL BITE – ROCKVILLE Deputies took a report of a dog attack in Rockville, Missouri. The victim was able to fight off 2 pit bull dogs before almost being bitten.

STRANDED MOTORIST – RICH HILL

STRANDED MOTORIST

TRAFFIC HAZARD – ADRIAN

HARASSMENT – AMORET Deputy took a report of harassment in Amoret.

MVA – AMSTERDAM

4 WHEELER - AMSTERDAM

AGENCY ASSIST – BUTLER

STRANDED MOTORIST

09/07/10

MVA – PASSAIC

STRANDED MOTORIST – SB 71 s Miami Creek

CIVIL STANDBY – RICH HILL   

CIVIL STANDBY – RICH HILL

ASSAULT – RICH HILL at approximately 1616 hours, Deputies were dispatched to the Rich Hill area reference an assault and arson in progress.  Upon arrival a residence was found to be fully engulfed in flames and the victim's had fled the scene.  A suspect was arrested at the scene and taken to the Bates County Jail.

911 HANGUP – RICH HILL Deputies responded to a 911 hang up call in Rich Hill upon arrival Deputies observed it to be a Domestic Disturbance, one subject left the residence for the night and no charges were filed.

AGENCY ASSIST – ROCKVILLE

ASSAULT – BUTLER Bates County Sheriff's Deputies, received a report of a possible rape in the Butler area.  Due to the suspect still at large, no names can be released at this time. Investigation continues.   

ASSAULT – RICH HILL

ASSAULT – RICH HILL

STRANDED MOTORIST  

BURGLARY – BUTLER Deputies responded to RRT 4 in rural Butler in reference to someone unlawfully entering a residence and vehicle.

HARASSMENT – AMSTERDAM

WARRANT EXECUTION – ADRIAN

FIRE – RICH HILL

ALARM – AMSTERDAM

09/08/10

HARASSMENT – RICH HILL Deputies took a report of threatening messages in Rich Hill.

DISTURBANCE – RICH HILL

RECOVERED PROPERTY - at approximately 1300 hours, a male subject brought in an orange Poland Pro chainsaw that he had found on the side of the roadway. This item was recovered and placed into evidence until an owner could be identified.

AGENCY ASSIST – RICH HILL

BURGLARY – ADRIAN Report of Burglary in Bates County. Firearm was stolen from the residence.

SEARCH WARRANT Bates County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Rt 2 box 474 in Adrian MO.

STRANDED MOTORIST – E HWY & 71 HWY

ANIMAL AT LARGE – CNTY 6508

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY / VEHICLE / PERSON – AMORET

09/09/10

HARASSMENT – AMORET

AMBULANCE REQUEST – RICH HILL

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY / VEHICLE / PERSON - ADRIAN

HARASSMENT – RICH HILL

AGENCY ASSIST – BUTLER

CARELESS & IMPRUDENT DRIVING – RICH HILL Deputies stopped a vehicle 4 miles north of Rich Hill on Northbound US 71 Highway for several lane violations. The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated

  

09/10/10

ALARM – AMSTERDAM

MVA HIT & RUN – 52 HWY AND F HWY

ANIMAL AT LARGE – BUTER

VANDALISM – FOSTER Report of Property Damage in Bates County. Victim stated they cut fence around property and stole t-posts.

TRAFFIC STOP – Deputies made a traffic stop in Amsterdam, Missouri. The driver of the vehicle was arrested for Possession of a Marijuana pipe. The driver also received two traffic citations.

CHECK WELL BEING – BUTLER

AGENCY ASSIST – BUTLER

AGENCY ASSIST – ADRIAN Bates County Deputies assisted Adrian P.D. in locating a suspect involved in a domestic assault resulting in Deputies locating the subject. The suspect was arrested for DWI and domestic assault.

STRANDED MOTORIST – RICH HILL

DOMESTIC – RICH HILL

CHECK WELL BEING – BUTLER

09/11/10

DOMESTIC – RICH HILL Deputies responded to 211 W. Chestnut in Rich Hill, Missouri in reference to a domestic disturbance. No action was taken.

VANDALISM – ADRIAN Deputies responded to 211 W. Chestnut in Rich Hill, Missouri in reference to a domestic disturbance. No action was taken.

CIVIL STANDBY - AMSTERDAM

ANIMAL AT LARGE – RICH HILL

CIVIL SITUATION – BALLARD

STRANDED MOTORIST – 71 HWY AND 52 HWY

AGENCY ASSIST – RICH HILL

PROPERTY DAMAGE / VANDALISM – HUME

STRANDED MOTORIST – 71 HWY NORTH OF BUTLER

09/12/10

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY / VEHICLE / PERSON – BUTLER

GUN SHOTS HEARD / OBSERVED – ADRIAN

WANTED SUBJECT – BUTLER a female subject arrived at the Sheriff's Office to visit an inmate.  The female was arrested on a felony warrant of possession.

AGENCY ASSIST – SB 71

WANTED SUBJECT – ROCKVILLE Deputies made warrant arrest on a male subject in Rockville, Missouri. Suspect was arrested on two active warrants out of Bates County for traffic offenses.

AMBULANCE REQUEST – AMSTERDAM

THEFT – AMSTERRDAM Deputy took report of a burglary at RR.1 Amsterdam. The home owner was in the home at the time of the burglary.

THEFT – ROCKVILLE

THEFT – AMSTERDAM Bates County Sheriff's Deputies took a report of a burglary in the Amsterdam area.  Items stolen include copper wire, central a/c unit, window a/c units, kitchen sink. Investigation continues.

Rich Hill Police Department weekly report

Rich Hill Police Department

Activity report August 30, 2010 to September 5, 2010

 

 

09/06/10

 

09/07/10

 

09/08/10

 

09/09/10

 

09/10/10

 

09/11/10

 

09/12/10

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY / VEHICLE / PERSON  

GUN SHOTS HEARD / OBSERVED  

AGENCY ASSIST

 

Bates County Hospital 50th Anniversary Sept 16

The Bates County Memorial Hospital will officially celebrate it's 50th Anniversary this Thursday. The following establishes a timeline that goes back nearly 100 years:

HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

In response to the great need in our growing city, Mrs. S.C. Stayton rented a two-story house at 107 S. Havana Street and opened a hospital. She furnished five upstairs rooms for patient use and local doctors furnished an operating room. The first patient was admitted on June 17, 1926. Mrs. Stayton was manager, and for the first year, the citizens of Butler paid for a registered nurse. Within a few months, it was necessary to convert the first floor into patient rooms.

In 1932, Mrs. Stayton convinced the City to purchase property for a new hospital. She built the Butler Memorial Hospital in memory of her late husband. The building was two stories high and had a daylight basement. It was located at the corner of Maple and College Streets. This hospital opened June 23, 1932.

In 1943, the City of Butler purchased the building for $20,000. Many additions and improvements were made over the years, but by the late 1950’s, it was apparent that a larger, more modern facility was needed.

Early in the year of 1957, the State Division of Health adopted new rules and regulations for the operation of hospitals in Missouri. Unless costly improvements were made very soon, Butler Memorial Hospital was in danger of losing its license. Thousands of dollars would be needed to satisfy these new laws. Included in the laws were costly fire prevention regulations, and many, many safety rules.

It was decided that a new county hospital should be built. A mass meeting of some 200 interested citizens was held at City Hall. It was a lengthy meeting, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and ending at midnight. The main speaker at the meeting was Arthur L. Wood, Secretary of the Butler Memorial Hospital Board. He gave a detailed account of the conditions of Butler Memorial Hospital. At that time, the hospital was admitting an average of 1,400 patients each year, and between 65 percent and 70 percent of these patients lived outside the residential limits of Butler.

Candidates were picked from every section of Bates County, according to population figures, to form a new Board for the new County hospital. An 8-man Board of Directors was elected, the members being:

Ray Butcher - Adrian
Troy R. Barton - Amoret
E. J. Evens - Amsterdam
Carl J. Henry - Butler
Arthur Alvis - Butler
Charlie Smothers - Butler
Fred Marquardt - Rich Hill
George Newell - Rockville (member at large)

The Board elected its new officers to be: Carol J. Henry, President; E. J. Evens, Vice-President; Charlie Smothers, Secretary; and Ray Butcher, Treasurer.

The Board of Directors took immediate steps to apply for Federal Aid before the June 1, 1957 deadline. They appointed seven additional Board members from outlying areas in the County. One of the major concerns at this time was to determine whether to raise the money for construction of the new hospital by popular subscription or through a county bond issue.

It was decided to raise funds for the new hospital by voting on a county bond issue in the amount of $350,000. If it passed, we would be able to apply for federal aid under the Hill-Burton Act. Tuesday, September 17, 1957 was election day. The vote was almost 5-1 with 4,056 voting yes and only 972 voting no. Mr. Carl J. Henry, Chairman of the County Hospital Board, was recorded as stating the following:

“The Bates County Hospital Board wishes to thank all the clubs, organizations, groups and individuals who contributed so much to the education campaign favoring the bond issue for a county hospital.

“The result is evidence of what good citizens, forgetting selfish interests, jealousies and personalities, can do when they cooperate in behalf of a worthy cause.

“Members of both political parties and all religious denominations and county newspapers, marched shoulder to shoulder in a drive for better living conditions for all the people.

“Bates County can now proudly step forward as a progressive and growing community that will attract new residents and industrial plants.”

The County Court, acting on November 25, 1957, appointed a Board of Hospital Directors consisting of five members as follows: O. E. Bennett of Rockville; Roy R. Hamilton of Amoret; Dr. L. D. Harper of Adrian; Carl J. Henry of Butler; and Fred Marquardt of Rich Hill. Mr. Henry was chosen as Chairman.

The County Court sold the bonds and purchased a site of 19 acres on West Nursery Street for $15,000. The Board contracted with Hewitt and Royer, architects of Kansas City, to draw plans and specifications. Bids for construction were received by the Board on April 15, 1959 and construction began on May 12, 1959. By November 6, 1959, construction was about 42 percent completed, the roof on, concrete floor laid and most brick walls completed.

A bitter cold day greeted those who attended the cornerstone ceremonies on Friday, November 5, 1959. It was conducted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. & A.M., under the auspices of Butler Lodge 254 with the assistance from the Adrian, Rich Hill, Amsterdam, Foster and Hume Masonic Lodges.

A copper box containing a current copy of the Bates County Democrat, certain current coins, and other items that will be of historic interest to generations yet unborn, were sealed within the stone. The copper box itself is rich in history, it being in the cornerstone of the old Butler Academy as of June 6, 1877 by the Masonic Order. It later became the property of Judge Carl J. Henry, who in turn presented the box for use by the new Bates County Memorial Hospital.

Currently, Bartz Photography of Butler is preparing a shadow box containing the copper box and contents to be on display at the hospital.

Over 1,000 Bates Countians attended the dedication ceremony of the new Bates County Memorial Hospital on Sunday, August 28, 1960. Judge W.O. Jackson was Master of Ceremonies. The presentation of the new building was made by officials of Hewitt & Royer Architectural firm of Kansas City and the Seal-Corazin Construction Company of Kansas City. Acceptance was made by Carl J. Henry, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Dr. Charles A. Lusk, Jr., Chairman of the Medical Staff. A telegram of congratulations was read from Governor James T. Blair.

Judge Carl J. Henry presented a Dedicatory Address. At the conclusion he stated:

“….And to such a purpose we dedicate this institution. Human welfare must ever be a first concern of a Christian society. We boast of freedom, but an afflicted man is not entirely free.

“There must be no disease for which man cannot find a cure. To heal, to cure, we have built this institution, and committed it into the hands of a competent medical staff. Nothing worthwhile is achieved without great effort. This Board has made the effort, and met the challenge.

“And so today we present to the people of Bates County a hospital and equipment second to none in rural Missouri, and in the service of a medical staff second to none in rural Missouri. We should all be proud of this advancement in the field of human welfare. And I am sure you all will join me in saying, ‘Long live the Bates County Memorial Hospital.”

The Bates County Memorial Hospital, a modern general hospital, opened September 16, 1960. The hospital is of fireproof construction on ground level. The nursing area had a capacity of 52 beds and 10 bassinets. Complete facilities were provided for clinical laboratory and x-ray work. Also included in the same are the Emergency Room and a lobby for outpatients. The Obstetrical Department had a large delivery room and two labor rooms. The surgical suite contained two operating rooms. A large kitchen and dining room with cafeteria service comprised the Dietary area. Hospital linen was fully processed in an ample size laundry. Separate lounges were provided for male and female help, nursing service employees, and the professional staff.

It rained and rained and rained that first day. There were approximately 65 employees on staff. The doors of offices and ancillary departments did not yet have any signs and the employees were walking into the wrong departments constantly. Our Medical Staff at that time consisted of 17 physicians:

R. E. Beach, D.O.
M.O. Bjerke, D.O.
T.F. Boyd, D.O.
D.S. Colsen, D.O.
Paul Green, D.O.
Arthur L. Hansen, M.D.
L. D. Harper, DDS
R. P. Hinshaw, DDS
H. E. Kirsch, D.O.
L. D. LaHue, M.D.
C. A. Lusk, Jr., M.D.
C. W. Luter, M.D.
C. W. Marsh, D.O.
N. A. Masor, M.D.
E. E. Robinson, M.D.
D. C. Ronald, M.D.
W. H. Schubert, D.O.

Dr. Donald Piper, Dr. Everett Wilkinson, Dr. Robert Reinhardt and Dr. Albert E. Soper were on our Associate Staff. Dr. Sheldon Berenson and Dr. John Barry were our Radiologists.

The first patient admitted was moved from the Butler City Hospital and was a 98 year old woman with a broken hip. A total of 15 patients were transferred from the old hospital and admitted to the new hospital. Culver-Underwood Funeral Home assisted in transferring the patients to our new hospital.

Two babies were born in the hospital that first day delivered by Dr. W.H. Schubert and Dr. D. C. Ronald. There was another baby born in a taxi in the parking lot that afternoon.

During our first five months of operation, 564 patients were admitted and there were 87 births.

In July of 1964, Dr. Curtis W. Long, Dr. Robert L. Strobach, and Dr. William W. Haynie were added to our Medical Staff.

As our County continued to grow and better medical assistance for the aged and indigent became available, it was increasingly apparent that the existing facility could not handle the increased patient load. There were patients in the halls and lobby 100 percent of the time. There was as much as a three-week waiting period with as many as 20 names on a list, waiting to be admitted to the hospital. We were reprimanded for those over-crowded conditions by the State Inspector on December 13, 1967, and it was recommended that we correct this situation. The cost of expanding our hospital would be $827,000. In 1965, a bond issue was approved for $260,000. No federal funds were available. We needed $550,000 more. The citizens of Bates County were asked to go to the polls on May 7, 1968 and vote “yes” for a bond issue to expand Bates County Memorial Hospital.

On Thursday, January 16, 1969, groundbreaking ceremonies marked the new 40-bed addition to Bates County Memorial. In February, 1970, the new addition to the hospital was completed. Added were 13 semi-private rooms, 6 private rooms, a 4-bed Intensive Care Unit, and a 4-bed Pediatrics Ward. This brought our total bed capacity to 90 beds and 10 bassinet nursery. Also added was room for a new Dietary Department, additional outpatient and Emergency Room areas, an expansion to the Maintenance Department and additional storage area.

On January 1, 1973, the City of Butler gave Bates County Memorial Hospital $10,000 in operating funds and our first ambulance. It was a 1967 Oldsmobile High Top. On April 17, 1973, we purchased a 1970 International High Top ambulance. It was sold in June of 1980. In December of 1973, we purchased a 1974 Dodge Van ambulance. In February of 1976, we purchased a 1976 Dodge van ambulance. On November 21, 1978 we purchased a 1979 Ford Stahl Modular ambulance. In August of 1980, we bought a 1980 Ford Stahl Modular ambulance and traded in our two Dodge van ambulances.

In December, 1974, another addition to Bates County Memorial Hospital was completed. This expansion included a cafeteria, kitchen, kitchen storage area, doctors’ library and living quarters, Social Service office, purchasing office and storeroom, housekeeping and laundry, a classroom, Medical Records office and storage, and the ambulance garage.

In 1977, another addition was completed. This addition provided a new Pharmacy, Outpatient Office, waiting room and treatment rooms, as well as adding much needed space for our Respiratory Care Department.

In 2003, the last addition to the hospital added during its first 50 years was completed. The hospital added a second story to its building to accommodate an Obstetrical Suite, Medical/Surgical suite, and Critical Care Unit. The first floor of the hospital expanded to accommodate a new Outpatient Clinic area, Rehabilitation Services that included Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, new Pharmacy, new front lobby, and new admissions areas. The cost of this addition was $13.35 million dollars. Architects for this addition were Hoefer-Wysocki Architects. The hospital offers digital mammography, open-air MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), 24/7 emergency physicians. The Obstetrical Suite was closed in 2009 and has been converted to a Surgical Clinic.

In 2009, the hospital hired all of the physicians and their staff who had been practicing in Bates County. This increased the total number of employees as of September, 2010 to 320. The hospital continues to strive to meet the needs of the community by improving services and its facility.

The hospital is preparing a copper box Time Capsule to contain interesting information that our future generations may find interesting when they open it in 50 years. The Time Capsule is tentatively scheduled to be buried at 6:00 p.m. on September 28, 2010 by the flag pole in front of the hospital.

Accident in Butler

At 3:56 pm, Butler Police and the Butler Fire Department responded to 409 South Fran Ave to the scene of an accident where a car struck a utility pole. No word yet on injuries or other property damage.

Adrian 9/11 Tribute tagged as "best yet"

Based on many comments from the gallery, the Adrian Fire Department 9/11 Procession and Tribute on Saturday was the best yet. Good weather prompted many spectators along the route who came to see the annual event, while fire companies and emergency management services from all over the area made their way through the procession. Accompanied by the Life Flight helicopter, the procession ended at the Adrian Optimist building where the program was held, under the direction of Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney.

The service was opened with a prayer from Adrian Fire Chaplain Jerry Bearce, then the Butler Fire Honor guard, under the direction of Tim Young, placed the flags on the stage. New for this year there was an official flag folding ceremony. David Ullery, Vice President of the Cass County Firefighters Association, explained the meaning behind each of the thirteen folds when the American Flag is properly folded. Mr. Ullery pointed out that the explanation of each fold is not typically included in the folding ceremony and felt that everyone should know about its true meaning.

The featured speaker was Jason Webb, Fire Marshall from Belton Mo., who explained how the very early days of firefighting were simply a bucket brigade; then during the late 1800's, it became better organized due to pressure from the insurance industry. This included formal training, better equipment and tools for firefighters.  He did point out that during the 1970's responsibilities were added to a firefighter's duties to include emergency medical training, rescue, hazardous materials cleanup and more. The focus of his speech was that the basic duties of firefighters has not changed over the years unlike many other professions-when there's a call to a fire, they go to work.

The tribute also included several songs, sung by members of the Calvary Baptist Church, accompanied by Pat Arnold. Several videos were shown including a new one that featured local veteran and firefighter memorials; the video was produced by Crystal McWilliams under the direction of Chief Dizney.

In conclusion, Chief Dizney again thanked everyone who helped put the tribute together and also thanked his wife and the spouses of firefighters and medics who devote their time to the industry. He also pointed out that his goal is keep doing the annual tribute to honor those who so selflessly lost their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

The program concluded just before noon and everyone was treated to refreshments.