Higher gas prices- what next?

The proverbial pinch isn't only felt at the pump. Higher fuel prices have an immediate effect on most everything we touch. People eat out less, take less trips and more carefully plan their grocery shopping list. Thirsty SUV's find their way to the bargain lot while four cylinder cars and motorcycles suddenly increase in value. All the aforementioned is typically what happens when gas prices go up. After all, we've been through it before- so what makes this time any different?

If we're lucky, this time won't be any different. Quite possibly we'll see prices drift downward sometime after Labor Day.

However, unrest in the Middle East is the undisputed cause of the rise in oil prices and the situation seems to get worse by the minute. Many ask since there are problems in Libya, and Libya primarily supplies oil to Britain, then why does is affect our prices? First, the prices are being affected worldwide, not just here. And since oil is Libya's only tangible product, it would seem quite silly for them to blow up their own oil wells, making things even worse. We'll see.

As of this morning, Casey's stores in Butler were advertising the cheap stuff at $3.49 a gallon while Phillips 66 was at $3.54, according to GasBuddy.com.

So how bad do we have it? In Los Angeles today's prices range between $3.93 and $4.09. New York is a little better at around $3.80/gal. Thanks to heavy taxation, gasoline in Britain is over $7.00 a gallon. Australia $6.40 today on average. Comparatively, we don't have it so bad- but that doesn't help much.

So what does the future hold? Prices will probably be up for awhile, at least until things quiet down across the pond. You know, while we're cooling our heels, we could be drilling...

Oh well, as Americans, we'll get by no matter what. Just like we always have done.

Bates County Elks #2653 installs new officers

The installation ceremony for new officers of the Bates County Elks Lodge #2653 was held on Friday, April 1st.

Keith Ridgeway - Exalted Ruler 1yr.

Russell Chandler - Tiler

Jason Bennett - Chaplain

Polly Mitchell-Geer - Secretary
James Balducci - Esquire

Jim Morgan - Inner Guard

Brian Phillips - Lecturing Knight

John Carullo - 1 yr. Trustee
Terry Agnew - 2 yr. Trustee
Clint Schuman - 3 yr. Trustee
Nathan Agnew - Leading Knight
Allen Porter - Treasurer
Johnnie Hough - Loyal Knight

Other awards presented were:

Clint Schuman - Elk of the Year
Allen Porter - Officer of the Year
Melody Thornton - Citizen of the Year
Tracy Fisher, 13, of Butler was awarded a $200 savings bond in the Elks essay contest.
Taylor Fischer - 2nd  place in Missouri in the essay contest.

Butler city wide cleanup coming soon

Each spring and fall the City of Butler in cooperation with Bates County Disposal conducts a city wide cleanup of residential properties. This is a service offered to residents to give them a chance to discard items not taken during weekly trash pickup.

Bluegrass and gospel concert this Sunday

Direct from Branson, the Punches Family will share their music and testimony through bluegrass and gospel music this Sunday evening at the New Life Baptist Church in LaCygne. 


A carry in potluck dinner starts at 5 p.m. with the concert at 6 p.m. For more information call Allen at  913-757-2766 or Connie at 660-464-0118.


-submitted

2011 Bates County Fair Book available on line now

It’s never too soon to start planning for the Bates County Fair.  The 2011 fair is scheduled for July 10-16 at the Bates County Fairgrounds in Butler.  Working with the fair board, Alan J. Mundey, Bates County 4-H Youth Specialist, has been collecting the updated fair information and has now made the 2011 edition of the fairbook available on-line on the Bates County Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/bates/fair.aspx.  


The on-line version has information for both the open and junior divisions.  Livestock shows, flower show, 4-H and FFA in-building project exhibits, and entry forms….it’s all there.  A printed version of the fairbook will be made available at a later date.  The University of Missouri prohibits advertising on its websites, but those who have purchased advertising will be able to see their ads in the printed booklet.  So, if you are wanting to get a headstart on your fair plans, visit the Bates County Extension website today.


-our thanks to Alan Mundey

Butler food pantry rebuild complete

Since fire destroyed a walk in cooler at the Butler Community Food Pantry last September 25th, there has been a flurry of activity as the community rallied to help the pantry get back on track. The cooler has since been replaced along with the roof as seen in the recent photo. A drive by in the last few weeks revealed workers putting the finishing touches on the restoration.











As always, the food pantry at 709 W. Ohio street in Butler welcomes your donations- for more info on how and what to donate, call 660-679-3951.

Butler Police Department weekly report

March 29th - Officers respond to Wal-Mart on an order of protection violation; provided funeral escort; recovered item at Casey's on Fort Scott; identity theft investigation in the 300 block of East Pine; abandoned vehicle report at Fran Apartments; possible prowler in the 300 block of East Atkinson; alarm call at Taco Bell.

March 30th - Theft report in the 100 block of South Olive; juveniles blocking traffic in the 300 block of West Fort Scott; reported fight in the area of Ohio and Fulton; vandalism report in South Park; suspicious person in the Mill and Delaware area; spoke to subject from Blue Springs who believes his stolen vehicle is in Butler; vandalism report at Butler High School.

March 31st - Officers work a two vehicle accident at Fort Scott and Main; disturbance call at Wal-Mart; assisted with medical call in the 600 block of north Main; assisted stranded motorist on north Business 71; suspicious vehicle on Summit street.

April 1st - Officers respond to the square on a suspicious person call; vehicle accident at Wal-Mart; investigate 911 hang up on Lake Road; noise complaint at Broadway and Fort Scott; 911 hang up at Medicalodge; juvenile call in the 700 East Mill area.

April 2nd - Medical assist in the 200 block of west Atkinson; medical assist in the 400 block of south Delaware; harassment call investigation; medical assist in the 400 block of East Jefferson; vehicle accident at Pine and Maple; disturbance call in the 600 block of West Dakota.

April 3rd - Report of motorcycle helmet theft; power line down at Oak and Mechanic; medical assist in the 400 block of south Delaware; assault call in the 400 block of south Delaware.

April 4th - Warrant arrest at Delaware and Atkinson; alarm call at Sears; medical assist in the 500 block of South High; keep the peace call in the 100 block of South Delaware.

Obituary - Alene McCanles

Funeral services for Alene McCanles will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with Rev. Tom Rosekopf officiating. There is no visitation. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri. Contributions to Crossroads Hospice.

Elta Alene McCanles, age 88 of Adrian, Missouri died Monday, April 4, 2011 in Butler. She was born July 1, 1922 to Bert and Lula Mae Frisbee Coates in Montrose, Missouri.

Alene is survived by five sons, Jim McCanles and wife Lois of Flemington, Missouri, Ronald McCanles and wife Carol of Butler, Missouri, Marvin McCanles and wife Judy of Leeton, Missouri, Mike McCanles and wife Peggy of Archie, Missouri and Jerry McCanles and wife Pam of Butler, Missouri; one daughter, Judy Tolle and husband Wayne of Adrian, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband James Julian McCanles; two sons, Danny McCanles and an infant son; four sisters, Wilda, Eva, Alice and Lea; and one great-grandson, Jerima McLay.