Single car accident just east of Butler

11:33 a.m. - Butler fire and Bates County EMS are responding to a single car accident on H highway just east of the cemetery. Use caution and watch for emergency vehicles if traveling through the area.

A full weekend ahead...

And you thought there's nothing to do...here's a look at the Community calendar for this weekend:

Anhydrous ammonia- danger in plain sight

In the past few weeks, both Butler and Adrian fire departments have been dispatched on reports of anhydrous ammonia leaking from portable tanks like the one shown here. While these leaks have been deemed accidental, keep in mind that tanks in remote areas are easy prey for those who steal anhydrous ammonia to use in the manufacture of methamphetamine.


Regardless of how or why someone is exposed, anhydrous ammonia can lead to serious health problems or death. Here's answers to some common questions:


What are the immediate health effects of exposure to anhydrous ammonia?

Symptoms include burning of the eyes, nose, and throat after breathing even small amounts. With higher doses, coughing or choking may occur. Exposure to high levels of anhydrous ammonia can cause death from a swollen throat or from chemical burns to the lungs.

Eye exposure to concentrated gas or liquid can cause serious corneal burns or blindness. Generally, the severity of symptoms depends on the degree of exposure.

What is the treatment for anhydrous ammonia exposure?

There is no specific treatment for the effects of anhydrous ammonia.  Immediate first aid includes providing fresh air, oxygen and flushing with water. 

Are any future health effects likely to occur?

Most people recover from a single low exposure to anhydrous ammonia without any delayed or long-term effects. After a severe exposure, injury to the eyes, lungs, skin, or digestive system may continue to develop for 18 to 24 hours, and delayed effects primarily to the respiratory system or the eyes are possible.

While those legitimately using it are inclined to be careful when handling anhydrous, those who are in a hurry to steal it may not- which not only puts them at risk but everyone else including law enforcement and first responders, making the situation quite dangerous.

Some tips:
1. Watch for unknown or suspicious vehicles near the tanks or parked down the road from the tanks.
2. Flashlights seen near tanks late at night.
3. If driving through an area you smell a pungent odor, it may be leaking anhydrous ammonia. Do not stop and investigate. Call 911, report it and leave the area.
4. If exposed to anhydrous ammonia go to the emergency room immediately, regardless of how little you might have been exposed to.


Suspicious activity tips may also be reported through the Bates County Sheriff's web site here.

Adrian police department report

April 25 - Warning for defective equipment at First and McColloh; theft report on Houston street.

April 26 - Citation for unregistered vehicle at First and 71 highway; mailbox damage report on Second street.

April 27 - Solicitors on Skyline Drive; dog complaint at Second and Clark; citation for no drivers license at First and Houston; warning for stop sign violation at First and Manor.

April 28 - Citation for no drivers license at Second and Ohio; arrest for theft on Second street; property damage report on Clark street; warning for defective equipment at Main and Lexington; warning for speed at 71 highway and First street; warnings for speed at First and McColloh and First and business 71 highway; assisted with medical call on Main street; property damage report on Third street.

April 29 - Suspicious person report on Kentucky street, arrest made; tree down on Third street; warning for defective equipment at First and McColloh.

April 30 - Warning for defective equipment at Second and Ohio; suspicious vehicle at First and business 71; suspicious person at Casey's; assisted with medical call at First and business 71 highway; assisted Bates County Sheriff's Department with Ex-parte order; assisted with medical call on Houston;  warning for failure to dim headlights at First and Lexington; warning to maintain lane at Main and Cemetery road; warning for defective equipment at First and Lexington streets.

Another round of storms headed our way

Gusty winds, lightning and intermittently heavy rains are headed our way. Fortunately there are no watches or warnings for Bates County at this time.

Use caution if traveling and remember to turn on your headlights if using the windshield wipers- it's the law!

You can view live radar here

Retirement for police chief Jim Garnett

With a total of 37 years- including 5 years as chief, Jim Garnett is retiring from the Butler police department. Currently Mayor Don Malan and the city council are seeking candidates for his replacement.

Lieutenant Randy Beshore is serving as Butler police chief during the interim.

Obituary - Jeff McCarthy

Graveside services for Jeff McCarthy will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2011 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri with Rev. Art Ellsworth officiating. Visitation will be prior to services from 1-2 p.m. at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555).

Jeffrey “Jeff” John McCarthy, age 50 of Tempe, Arizona died Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Hospice of the Valley in Tempe. He was born June 3, 1960 to Orland Francis and Melita Soppe McCarthy in Dubuque, Iowa.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Gloria McCarthy of Tempe, Arizona; 10 children, Chantel McCarthy of Illinois, Josh McCarthy of Illinois, Eric McCarthy of Arizona, Zachary McCarthy of Illinois, Stephanie McCarthy of Washington, Austin McCarthy of Washington, Frances Lewis of Arizona, Joseph Lewis and wife Gianna of Missouri, Alaina Lewis and fiance Jeffrey of Missouri and Teneshia Petree and husband Daniel of Missouri; two brothers, Orland Mac McCarthy and wife Victoria of Hampshire, Illinois and Richard Lynn McCarthy of Dundee, Illinois; six sisters, Sandra Curry and husband Gary of Edgerton, Wisconsin, Ann Ingram and husband Billy of Whittman, Arizona, Sheila Walsh and husband Michael of Miramar Beach, Florida, Patricia Britton and husband Alan of Stillman Valley, Illinois, Kathleen Winkler and husband Joel of Wisconsin Rapids, Wiscons and Debra Hendricks and husband John of Marengo, Illinois; and 11 grandchildren, Emeni, Naomi, Kelchi, Elijah, Alyssa Ann Marie, Kalin James, Jordyn, Danny, Amaira, Matthew and Jeffrey Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Patrick McCarthy.

Butler's Trevor Meade makes all conference baseball team

Honorable mention: AJ Boyer (So., Summit Christian), John Gibson (Jr. , Maranatha), Brandon Mason (Sr. , Butler), Bobby Deffenbaugh (Jr. , Barstow), Kyle Davis (Sr. , Van Horn), Mike Thomason ( Jr., St. Marys), Trevor Fuller (Jr. , Sherwood), Shaquille Pryor (Jr., IRA)