Bates County placed under tornado watch

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch in effect until 3 a.m. tomorrow morning for Bates County and surrounding areas.

Small fire in Adrian school shop building

Around 5:35 p.m. this evening the Adrian Fire Department was dispatched on the report of a small fire in the Ag/tech building at the Adrian School. Initial reports are that a soldering iron or similar device had possibly started the fire; the situation was reported under control shortly after arrival. 
More information will be available later this evening.
Update - 9:15 p.m. - It has been determined there was no fire. Smoke from a laser cutting machine set off a smoke detector in the vicinity.

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Forecast calls for storms later tonight, possibly severe

Tonight

Occasional showers...thunderstorms in the evening... then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight. Some thunderstorms may be severe. Lows in the mid 60s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

View live radar here

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Obituary - Richard Gaston

Graveside services for Richard Gaston will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. There is no visitation.

Richard Lee Gaston, age 66 of Adrian, Missouri died Monday, May 23, 2011 at the Life Care Center in Grandview, Missouri. He was born December 22, 1944 to Orville Vernon and Helen Louise Derringer Gaston in Butler, Missouri.

Ricky is survived by his son, William “Bill” Gaston and wife Sarah of Phoenix, Arizona; a daughter, Michelle of Phoenix, Arizona; two brothers, Jim Gaston of Rich Hill, Missouri and John Gaston of Adrian, Missouri; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Weekly report from the Butler Police Department

May 17 - Officers respond to an open door report at Pine and Prospect; two vehicle accident at Adrian Bank parking lot; disturbance at Boy Scout Park; medical assist at Chestnut and Havanna; well being check in the 200 block of South Mechanic; possible disturbance on South Business 71;  keep the peace in the 800 block of South High; well being check near Parkview and Gregory.
May 18 - Two vehicle accident in the 700 block of Hillcrest; harassment call in the 800 block of N. Main; stranded motorist and Citizen's Bank; medical assist in the 400 block of S. High; keep the peace in the 200 block of West Mill; animal complaint near Ohio and Water.
May 19 - Keep the peace in the 200 block of West Mill; well being check in the 400 block of South High; 911 hang up at grade school; disturbance call in the 500 block of West Ohio; complaint in the 500 block of West Adams; suspicious vehicle at airport; harassment call in the 600 block of North Havanna; fight in the 800 block of South Birch; animal call on South Business 71; alarm call on the square; complaint on the square; assist fire department in the 100 block of South Broadway; suspicious person at McDonald's; animal complaint near Mechanic and Nursery.
May 20 - Keep the  peace in the 800 block of Wix Lane; escort for Schowengerdt funeral; walk in theft report taken; animal complaint n the 500 block of West College; walk in theft report taken;  medical assist in the 900 block of S. High; reported C&I driver on Business 71.
May 21 - Suspicious vehicle near Pine and Havanna; animal complaint at Fort Scott and Birch; medical assist in the 100 block of South Delaware; walk in report taken; shoplifting at Walmart; well being check in the 800 block of North street; alarm call at Max Motors; animal complaint in the 600 block of South Mechanic; animal complaint in the 300 block of N. Prospect; medical assist in the 1100 block of West 52 highway; complaint in the 800 block of Grove street; warrant arrest at Fulton and Pine.
May 22 - Leave without pay at Conoco; theft report in the 1100 block of West 52; fight in the 800 block of South Birch; medical assist in the 400 block of South Delaware.
May 23 - Officers respond to the high school; animal complaint in the 300 block of N. Havanna; theft report at the hospital; animal complaint on South Main; theft report at the South 71 Storage Lockers; reported C&I driver near High and Ohio; animal complaint on the square.
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Rough weather possible the next 24 hours

Today

Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 80. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Showers...thunderstorms in the evening...then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight. Some thunderstorms may be severe in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

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Many locations in Bates County to donate much needed supplies

As always, our community comes together and offers assistance when the need arises. BCL, along with FM 92 have been literally swamped with phone calls and emails today as local folks are putting together relief efforts for the victims in yesterday's tragic tornado in Joplin. 
Items needed include blankets, pillows, clothing, feminine items, formula, water, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, canned food, diapers, sterile supplies, shoes, gas cards, band aids, peroxide, soap, neosporin, tylenol, antacid tablets and towels. 
Here's the current list where you may donate items:
MCI Financial Group -  Drop off location is 611 West Fort Scott in Butler. For info call 660-679-5196.
The Outback Salon and Spa on Orange St. - The delivery truck heads south on Wednesday. For info call 660-679-6411.

Volunteers in Joplin Mo. this morning

First Assembly of God Church in Butler. 660-679-4405, 660-424-9224 or 660-679-1090, truck leaves Friday for Joplin. 
Food Fair in Rich Hill will match donations for cases of water. Contact Thad at Food Fair for info 417-395-2311.
The Adrian Elks Lodge is accepting donations (three members of the Joplin Elks Lodge were killed yesterday). Contact Bill Page for info at 660-679-1175.
The Adrian Christian Church is a drop off location for supplies for Joplin. Please feel free to drop off at the church (should be someone available or can leave under covered area) or contact Stacey Forman Evans (417.230.6764). Ideas for donations: Grills to cook hot meals, first aid supplies, water, gatorade, food, extension cords, clothing, toiletries, baby items, poster/sign supplies to mark addresses and street signs, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, bug spray, generators, blankets, towels, etc.
United Methodist Churches of Passaic and Adrian - The Adrian United Methodist Church invites you to help those injured and homeless from yesterday's Joplin tornado.  Many people there are in need and will be in the days and weeks to come.  We are collecting items for Personal Hygiene Packs this week.  When someone loses everything, even the smallest items given in love bring cheer and hope to an overwhelming situation.   You may bring individual items from a kit or assemble the kits on your own and bring them.  Money is also accepted and will be used to buy items for more kits.  

A Personal Hygiene Pack contains:

1 fluoride toothpaste, 6 oz. or more

1 washcloth

1 toothbrush in original, unopened pkg.

1 bath-size bar of soap

1 deodorant

1 bottle skin lotion (11-14 oz)

1 hand towel

1 bottle shampoo (11-14oz)

2 disposable razors

1 comb OR brush

Tighten lids and place all items in a large zip lock bag (2-gallon size works best).  You may also bring individual items and we will pack them.  

No amount is too small to bring, but all items need to be new and in their original packaging.   

Please Bring All Donated Items to Adrian UMC (202 East Main Street) Monday through Thursday (May 23-26) of this week between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm.  Additional drop off times will be available Wednesday evening between 6:00pm and 8:30 pm, Thursday evening between 6:30pm and 9:00pm and Saturday morning between 9:00am and noon.  

For further information you may also call the American Red Cross - Greater Ozarks Chapter at 417-832-9500.

Closure of Amoret post office looming- those in 64722 highly urged to attend meeting tonight

Editors note- Citing economic hardship, the United Postal Service in planning to close the Amoret (64722) post office. It is very important that all patrons of the Amoret post office attend this important meeting tonight at the Amoret Community Building:

The closure of the Amoret post office will directly affect everyone in the 64722 zip code. If closed, the all Amoret mail would be handled through the Butler post office, thus causing a great inconvenience for everyone. 

There will be a meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Amoret Community Building, and again, everyone in the 64722 zip code is urged to be present- a minimum of 50 to 100 people need to attend. Local news media will be in attendance as well.

Letters need to be  written- it is of utmost importance that questions for the USPS be submitted in written, letter form and must include your address, plus a request that you get a reply within 14 days. There is no limit on the number of questions you may ask. All letters written in this manner will be placed on file with the USPS. Bring letters with you tonight, if not, writing materials will be provided.

It is also highly recommended that you submit letters regarding the closure to your local Senators and Representatives- addresses are listed below.

The object is to flood the USPS with as many questions and concerns as possible to make them provide answers in writing. The written words on documents are the only thing the Postal Regulatory Commission bases their advisory opinion on, and the more customers who ask questions the better the chance the Postal Service will not respond adequately- thus they will lose the case on an appeal by the customers.

There is a considerable amount if information regarding this situation; you can get all the details at tonight's meeting. Note that a petition will be available for signatures as well.

Addresses:

U.S Representative Vickie Hartzler

1909 North Commercial St.

Harrisonville, Mo 64701

816-884-3411

Senator Roy Blunt

911 Main St. Suite 2224

Kansas City Mo. 64105

816-471-7141

fax 816-471-7338

Senator Claire McCaskill

4141 Pennsylvania Ave. Ste. 101

Kansas City Mo. 64111

816-421-1639

fax 816-421-2562

Those listed above must address the issue if 5 or more letters are received on one particular subject.

-our thanks to Peggy Hunsaker