House fire in Adrian quickly doused

Just before 6 p.m. this evening Adrian and Butler Fire Departments were called to the scene of a residence fire at 204 Bates St. in Adrian. Upon arrival, fire was found to be in a wall in the central part of the home and rapidly moving into the attic. The fire was reported to be under control around 6:20 p.m.; the exact cause is not known and there was heavy damage to an interior wall and ceiling.

Fire crews were on the scene approximately two hours.

Obituary - George West

George Warner West, 83, slipped into eternal peace to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his loving wife and partner, Goldie Lee, on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2011 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian, MO. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6 at the chapel. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice or Adrian Fire Department.

The 5th child of Emma Louise and Adna Vinsel West, George was born June 16, 1927 in Kansas City, KS. He grew up in Rosedale on the Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, KS. He attended Rosedale High School. George enjoyed the social side of school but didn’t have much need for the academics. His real education came from being around and working with the people of the “Boulevard”. Herb Quick and Tony Seilman took him under their wings and taught him the skills and art of Bar-B-Que. His fondness for Bar-B-Que was with him his entire life.


George was a World War II Navy veteran who came back after the war to carpentry jobs and tending bar where he met the love of his life, Goldie Lee Anderson, who inspired him so much to do better with his life that he finished and passed his G.E.D. and went on to higher education with the Finney School of Mines. This led him to a job with the Missouri Department of Transportation where he worked his entire career retiring in the early 1990’s.


George and Goldie loved the rural life so much that they bought a small farm near Adrian, MO in the early 1960’s. Raising cattle, growing good hay, working for MoDOT, hunting and fishing, socializing with his many friends and loving Goldie Lee was his life. They had no children themselves but loved the many children they came in contact with. George had a particular knack for inspiring and guiding young men to strive and do better with their lives. He was tough and demanding but always with a purpose. His presence and council will be greatly missed by many. George was a member of the Catholic Church.


He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie Lee, his parents, Emma and Adna West, one brother, Bud, and three sisters, Pauline, Phyllis and Imogene. He is survived by a sister, Florene, of Pratt, KS and a brother, Frederick, of Adrian, MO and many nieces and nephews.


Atkinson Funeral Home
142 East Main St.
Adrian, Mo. 64720
(816) 297-2211

Butler PD busier in 2010

According to the year-end report from the Butler Police Department, almost 10% more arrests were made in 2010 compared to 2009. The actual numbers are 1218 arrests in 2009, with 1321 last year.

Here's the breakdown (due to the number of categories, not all are listed):

Mountain lions in Bates County?

The killing of a mountain lion in Ray County, Mo. last week has spurred a lot of talk lately- to include hearsay that a mountain lion or two has also been spotted in our own back yard. One reported sighting a few years back was a couple of miles East of Amsterdam, where a big cat was seen crossing the highway. Another one was East of Merwin just North of CC highway. Supposedly one was spotted rummaging through a trash dumpster in the same general area.

Just ask and eventually someone you talk to will say they have heard of a cougar sighting in Bates County over the years. Add to that stories of unexplained dead or missing calves and other livestock- and it all seems to make sense.

The mountain lion killed in Ray County weighed about 115 lbs and was found hiding in a tree by a couple of coon hunters. The landowner shot the big cat without hesitation, making it the 12th confirmed mountain lion sighting since 1994.

According to Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer of Columbia, Mo., most of the bodies of recovered Missouri mountain lions were males. Young males are the most mobile mountain lions, because they typically leave their birth areas to establish territories not already occupied by adult males. This is consistent with biologists' theory that the cats are coming into Missouri from other states. Beringer said there is no evidence of reproduction for mountain lions in Missouri to date. This indicates that Missouri does not have a self-sustaining mountain lion population.

Since Northwest Nebraska is the area nearest Missouri with an established mountain lion population, we could certainly expect to see more of them in the future.

So what are the rules for killing a mountain lion in Missouri? Lets check Wildlife Code 3 CSR 10-4.130:

Mountain lions may be killed without prior permission if they are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or if they are threatening human safety. Any mountain lion killed under this rule must be reported immediately to an agent of the Department and the intact mountain lion carcass, including pelt, must be surrendered to the agent within twenty-four (24) hours.

Save money with Chamber of Commerce Coupon books

In these times everyone could stand to save a little money...and a great way to do it is with the Butler Chamber of Commerce discount book- you can benefit from hundreds of dollars of savings at 67 different local businesses all for just $6. The books are available at the Butler Chamber of Commerce office located on the South side of the historic Butler square. Phone 660-679-3380 for info.

Local forecast

Today

Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Obituary - James Burgess Jr.

Graveside memorial services for James Burgess Jr. will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. There is no visitation. Services under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.

James Richard Burgess Jr., age 61 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born October 27, 1949 to James Richard Sr. and Bonnie Lee Scofield Burgess in Butler.

James is survived by two sons, Vernon Lee Burgess of Utah and Niles Wesley Burgess of Colorado; one sister, Frances Jones of Richards, Missouri; and his mother, Bonnie Burgess of Butler, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his father.

Butler Police Department weekly report

12/28/2010 - Officers respond to the 400 block of S. Delaware on a report of a male subject exposing himself in from of a residents window. Officers are unable to locate the suspect due to the lack of a physical description.

12/30/2010 - Officers respond to the 1500 block of N. Business 71 on a report of a possible internet transfer of sexually explicit pictures on a company computer.

Officers respond to the 300 block of East Atkinson on a burglary call.

Officers respond to the 500 block of South High on a disturbance call. Upon arrival, officers find a male and female arguing. The male subject agrees to leave the area.

12/31/2010 - Officers make a vehicle stop at High and Vine. The driver is arrested for DWI.

Officers take a theft report of stolen prescription medication in the 600 block of West Pine.

Officers respond to the intersection of Pine and Water on the report of a possible domestic. Upon arrival officers contact a male and female subject that had been arguing. No physical contact had occurred and the male agreed to leave the area.

Officers respond to the 500 block of North Water on an assault call. Upon arrival officers find a male subject that had been beaten up. The subject was intoxicated, uncooperative with police and refused to sign a complaint. Officers were able to get a vehicle description on the suspects. The vehicle was later stopped by the Bates County Sheriff's deputies and narcotics were located in the vehicle.

1/1/2011 - Officers respond the the Bates County Hospital ER on the report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers are informed that two ER staff had been assaulted by a patient. The matter is referred to the juvenile office.

1/2/2011 - Officers respond to the 300 block of South Main on a domestic call. Upon arrival officers are informed that a male subject had threatened the female subject. Officers arrest the male.

Officers work a hit and run vehicle accident in the Family Center parking lot. A female suspect is later located and charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

1/3/2011 - Officers are dispatched to Casey's on Ft. Scott. Upon arrival officers are informed that a female subject had stolen a carton of cigarettes. The suspect is located and charged.