City of Butler at Level 2 Emergency status

Butler Mayor Don Malan has moved the City of Butler to Level 2 Emergency status, meaning that the Emergency Operation Center has been activated and several city departments are in the process of clearing streets and side roads.

Nearly a foot of snow
in Adrian

Likewise, Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson is reminding everyone that many rural highways and county roads are impassible and urges everyone to stay at home. Please note that even though local emergency services including Butler and Adrian fire departments have staffed their stations with personnel, response time to an emergency will be delayed. Although the sheriff's department has also upped the number of units on patrol, response time is likely to be slow.

It is highly advisable to have working flashlights, water, snacks/food available for the next 72 hours. Remember, do not run any type of gasoline powered generator in a confined place. Move the generator outside and run cords in as needed. Also do not use space heaters without proper ventilation.

In the event of a significant power outage, we will post shelter information as it becomes available. 

Again, everyone is urged to stay at home until the storm passes.

Update on accidents, cancellations

The Butler City Council meeting scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, Feb. 8th. The finance committee will meet prior to the meeting next Tuesday.

There are reports of numerous slide offs around the area with several along the Highway 71 Corridor. A slide off accident involving two tractor-trailer units is in the wrap up stages on 71 just South of Rich Hill, among others.

It is highly recommended that everyone avoid travel and stay at home if at all possible.

You may view live radar here.

A word from Osage Valley Electric Cooperative...

Our entire workforce is on alert and will be ready to work around the clock as necessary to make any inconveniences as short as possible. Members who experience power interruptions are asked to call 800-889-6832 to report the outage.

Frequent updates will be provided to local media so tune into your local radio station and our website www.osagevalley.com for the most up-to-date information.

And, remember the following tips:


► Be sure to have a corded telephone available.
► Locate flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries.
► If you own a portable generator, now would be good time to make certain the generator is in proper working order.
► Stay away from downed power lines. Treat all power lines as though they are energized, keep other people away and report it to Osage Valley Electric Cooperative immediately.
► Be sure to turn off all appliances that were "on" or "running" when the power went out.
► When using a portable generator be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and operate the generator outdoors to avoid deadly fumes from accumulating in the house. Never connect a portable generator to your home’s main electrical panel or plug it into an electrical outlet of your home because it could back feed onto our electrical system and endanger line workers and others without a double-pole, double throw transfer switch.

With the weather forecast predicting freezing rain, high winds and considerable snow beginning later this evening and continuing through Wednesday for the Osage Valley Electric Cooperative service territory, we want to assure members that our workforce will be ready to step into action.

Dangerous weather conditions forecast over the next 72 hours

Winter Storm Warning and Blizzard Warning remain in effect through today

Today

Snow and isolated thunderstorms. Widespread blowing snow. Blustery. Snow may be heavy at times. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow accumulation of 11 to 15 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Tonight

Snow. Widespread blowing snow. Blustery... colder. Snow may be heavy at times. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Storm total snow accumulation of 12 to 17 inches. Frigid. Lows around 4. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Wind chill readings 10 below to 15 below zero after midnight.

Wednesday

Cloudy in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Blustery. Areas of blowing snow. Frigid. Highs around 11. North winds 15 to 25 mph shifting to the northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill readings 10 below to 15 below zero in the morning.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. Dangerously cold wind chills. Lows around 10 below. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 15 below to 25 below zero after midnight.

Snow on the radar

The leading edge of the Winter storm has finally appeared on radar and looks to be a couple of hours away. The latest trends show that we are to expect 12 to 18 inches of snow....but hey, what do they know??

All local schools have cancelled classes for tomorrow.

You may view live radar here

Charges filed in animal abuse case

Earlier today the Bates County Sheriff's Department along with members of the Missouri Humane Society seized about 50 animals including dogs, cats and a bird from a residence on West Mill street and another location at Route 2, Butler. The seizure of the animals was part of an ongoing investigation of animal abuse that stems back to last fall, according to sheriff's department records.

Jean Karolat, 49, was arrested this morning at her residence in Butler and faces at least 10 counts of animal abuse. 


According to information received from Sheriff Chad Anderson, Karolat's problems escalated around Thanksgiving of last year. "We had reports that her horses were out. When we arrived she put the horses back, but after we left, she would let them out again" said Anderson. While at the location, it was noted that the horses appeared to be without food.


 The Saturday after Thanksgiving, a neighbor called the sheriff's department saying there was a dead horse in the back yard and that Karolat was covering the carcass with hay or straw. At that point, 7 sheriff's deputies and posse members went to the location and seized the remaining horses.


Earlier this month, the sheriff's department responded with members of the Humane Society to discuss clean up of the of the noted unsanitary and unhealthy conditions- overcrowding, feces, ammonia stench, lack of food and shelter. Although Karolat agreed to let them help, she would not let them in to the residence. When a search warrant was served, Karolat became aggressive and made it clear that she no longer wanted the Humane Society involved. 


In an interview with a Fox 4 news reporter last week, Karolat said that before opening her home to the over four-dozen animals, she reached out to many animal shelters, but she said none of them have been able to help. "Their list is always too long," said Karolat. "They can't take your animal, or I'm out of their county." However, according to Sheriff Anderson, that's not true. An animal rescue operation in Johnson County, Ks. recently offered to take the animals from Karolat in order to care for them in a controlled environment. Karolat refused the offer.


Likewise, the Fox 4 interview caught the attention of at least 6 area people who claim that Karolat was holding their animals without their knowledge. 


Currently the animals are being transported to a shelter in St. Louis where they will undergo a physical evaluation; a hearing will be held next month to decide their fate. At this time Karolat is being held on $5,000 bond as additional charges are pending.

Blizzard warning issued for Bates County

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 am CST
Tuesday... 
... Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 6 am Tuesday to 6 am
CST Wednesday... 

A Winter Storm Warning for mixed precipitation remains in effect
until 6 am CST Tuesday. A Blizzard Warning for heavy snow and high
winds remains in effect from 6 am Tuesday to 6 am CST Wednesday.

* Locations... southeast Kansas and western Missouri including 
Bates County and surrounding areas
* Timing... freezing drizzle will continue into this evening... 
and linger through tonight. There may be a brief lull in 
precipitation overnight. However... heavy snow will then impact 
the region Tuesday morning through Tuesday night. 

* Snow and ice accumulations... a light glaze of ice is possible 
through this evening. Snow accumulations between 12 and 16 
inches may be possible Tuesday through Wednesday morning. 

* Impacts... untreated roadways and sidewalks may remain slick 
due to freezing drizzle. Once snow arrives late tonight and 
early Tuesday morning... roads will rapidly become snow covered 
and travel will be dangerous if not impossible. This storm has 
the potential to bring travel to a halt over much of Kansas 
and Missouri Tuesday through early Wednesday. 

* Other impacts... strong winds between 25 and 40 mph on Tuesday 
will create significant blowing and drifting snow along with 
whiteout conditions. Blizzard conditions will be possible on 
all major roadways including highways 71 and 50 Tuesday 
afternoon and night. The strong winds may also lead to power 
outages... which would produce impacts long after the snow has 
ended as temperatures fall to below zero by Wednesday morning. 

Precautionary/preparedness actions... 

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions... making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If
you must travel... have a winter survival kit with you. If you get
stranded... stay with your vehicle.

Practice your winter safety rules... keep a flashlight... shovel... 
food and water in your car in case of emergency. Travel on
Tuesday should be avoided as persons could become stranded
resulting in a potentially life-threatening situation.

In case of possible power outages... persons are urged to ensure
an ample supply of food and medication... as well as having an
alternative heat supply ready. Do not run generators indoors to
prevent Carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect your water supply from
frozen pipes.

Obituary - Lillie Marie Zimmerman

Lillie Marie Zimmerman, 74, Adrian, MO, died Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Adrian Manor in Adrian. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville, MO with visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Burial will be in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO.