Conceal and carry forum to be aired July 7 on FM 92

Conceal and carry certified firearm instructors Jim Linnenbrink and Ward Goodison will host an open forum on July 7th on FM 92.1 The Bullet.

Linnenbrink and Goodison, certified instructors with the National Rifle Association, will take your conceal and carry questions on the air starting at 10 a.m. and will also discuss state laws, rules and regulations on the subject.

The call in number is 660-679-4191.

Accidents cause lane closures this afternoon

Two separate accidents on 71 Highway closed the north and southbound lanes and slowed traffic to a crawl earlier this afternoon. An unofficial report of an accident near Archie triggered another accident on the outskirts of Harrisonville just after 4 p.m.

Butler and Adrian fire departments responded to assist. A witness reported that a tanker truck was involved.

More information is expected to be released from the Missouri Highway Patrol in the near future.

-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet

Obituary - Vernon Schapeler

Funeral services for Vernon Schapeler will be 2 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with Pastor Ron Dunlap officiating. Visitation will be prior to services from 1-2 p.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Reform Cemetery, Prairie City, Missouri. Contributions to Reform Cemetery or Happy Hill Church of God.

Vernon Lee Schapeler, age 80 of Appleton City, Missouri died Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. He was born January 10, 1931 to Henry Joseph and Rosa Augusta Lee Schapeler in Bates County, Missouri.


Vernon is survived by his wife of 59 years, Edith Schapeler of Appleton City, Missouri; three sons, Donald Schapeler and wife Kelli of Rockville, Missouri, Philip Schapeler and wife Judy of Butler, Missouri and David Schapeler and wife Belinda of Appleton City, Missouri; one daughter, Linda K. Howard and husband Lyle of Butler, Missouri; one brother, Earl Schapeler and wife Areta of Butler, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Michael Snethen and wife Grace, Mark Schapeler, Matthew Schapeler, Monte Schapeler, Hayden Schapeler, Robin Schapeler, Amelia Murphy and husband Keith, Katrina Rich and husband Jeremy and Rachel Dickerson and husband Tanner; five great-grandchildren, Kayla and Logan Snethen and Duff, Fox and Pace Murphy; one step-grandson, Jay Howard; and two step great-grandchildren, Katie and Tyler Howard. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Marie Higgins; two step-grandsons, Mike and Chad Howard; and a niece, Rosemary Fels.

Obituary - Gene Walbridge

Funeral services for Gene Vernon Walbridge of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2011 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with Brother Bill Perkey officiating. Visitation 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial, Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions, Double Branch Christian Church or the Salvation Army--Joplin Relief.

Gene Vernon Walbridge, age 68 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at his home in rural Butler. He was born June 23, 1942 to Homer Ira and Edna Ethel Spain Walbridge in Butler.

Gene is survived by his wife, Loutina Walbridge of Butler, Missouri; two daughters, Gina Mitchell and husband Robert of El Dorado Springs, Missouri and Jana Rosier and husband Jason of Butler, Missouri; one brother, Melvin Walbridge and wife Wilma of Joplin, Missouri; and four grandchildren, Trent, Amanda, Jalyn and Jenay. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Obituary - Jim Stewart

Mass of Christian Burial for Jim Stewart will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Butler with Father John Bolderson officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday evening at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Butler Senior Center or Butler Education Foundation.

James Robert Stewart, age 72 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born July 14, 1938 to Eugene Andrew and Viola Mae Lohe Stewart in Johnson County, Missouri.


Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Martha Stewart of Butler, Missouri; one son, Craig Stewart and wife Jill of Harrisonville, Missouri; four daughters, Marilyn Griffin and husband Gerald of Billings, Missouri, Terrie Jessup and husband Bruce of Butler, Missouri, Linda Beers and husband Jack of Lawrence, Kansas and Tammy Smith and husband Jim of Butler, Missouri; one sister, Virginia Mudd and husband Bill of Warrensburg, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Martha, B.J., Chad and wife Whitney, Gus, Christa, Tyler, Daniel, Nicole, Kayla, Zeph and Casi; two step-grandchildren, Jackie and wife Wendy and Angela and husband Erik; one great-granddaughter, Rebecca; and six step great-grandchildren, Tristan, Zander, Jagger, Samuel, Jonathan and Joel. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Butler City Council News

The Butler City Council is getting nearer to the repair work on its building, and it has turned out to be rather extensive...roof panels will be installed, the gutter and downspout system needs repairing...four windows need to be installed where none were located in the past...all side wall and end wall panels must be removed so insulationand framing can be inspected...a metal canopy will be installed at the east end of the building, and another canopy over the south entrance door...and there must be sealing, insulating, patching or covering in areas to stop further moistue and thermal infiltration...and all this must be done while the police department work continues in the building. Early bids said they would have to be out of the building, but that was too much to ask of the department. They'll put up with the repair work.

Plans continue concerning the solar farm in Butler's Industrial park. The developer has gotten approval to sell electricity it generates, which in turn will be purchased by the cities, including Butler, that will in turn buy power from them. Butler, of course, will be first in line and will benefit from the installation. And we might remind again that Butler will be the first in Missouri to have such a benefit. Add that to the historical fact that Butler was the first community west of the Mississippi River, to have its own power plant. That's why you see signs around town calling us "The Electric City."

The Missouri Highway Department is doing some laying of asphalt on Highway 52 west from the Butler stoplight, and will be getting n gear soon for work needed to accommodate the moving of Walmart. That will include expanding Fran Avenue, another stoplight on 52 West at that intersection, and much other work to be done, all at the expense of Walmart.

There are still some changes to be taken care of in what we're calling the "Dog Law."The Council has asked the city attorney to make those changes. More on that later.

Some work is being done on attachments to utility poles around the community...rules concerning phone lines, TV cable lines and others that might be needed.

And Code Enforcement Officer Denny Rich had a record number of eyesores to report, from junk in yards to tall grass and vehicles parking on lawns. His list included 50 problems that should be taken care of by individual homes.

The Council's work around the table was relatively light, but we remind you that council members sometimes work while you're asleep...committee meetings and other work goes on every day, not just on the two meeting nights. And you're reminded that you're welcome to attend any and all those meetings...seven p.m. upstairs at City Hall n the first and third Tuesday nights of the month.


-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet

Bates County Live to celebrate one year anniversary next Tuesday!

We posted our first news story on June 28, 2010 which puts our one year anniversary just around the corner. To celebrate, we think it would be really cool to invite everybody in Bates County to a big 'ol party with jugglers, dancing dogs, live music, free drinks and cash door prizes...


Note I said we think it would be really cool. 


Seriously, we would like to thank everyone for their continued support. We really enjoy what we do and it's even better when someone on the street tells us how much they appreciate our work- it's a great incentive to work even harder. Which is exactly what we plan to do.


Besides continuing what we are already doing, we plan to bring you even more school news, more news videos, more city council news, more reports from our civic groups, churches and organizations. Basically, if it happens in Bates County or is news related to people from Bates County, we want to get it on line. Don't forget to email those wedding, birth, military and anniversary announcements, too.


And what could we possibly ask in return for providing all this news? Just tell your friends about us. And maybe your friends friends. Maybe your friends friends relatives and their relative friends... You get the idea.


At any rate, again thanks. Have a good 4th of July and we'll plan on seeing you at the next Bates County event!


Doug Mager
Editor, Bates County Live

23rd annual D&D fireworks display this Saturday night...

Note to self - If you're planning to attend the annual fireworks display at D&D Fireworks this Saturday night, don't plan on parking along 52 highway. The Missouri Highway Patrol is promising to issue tickets to anyone parked along the blacktop. 

With that said, there will be plenty of field parking as usual, including handicap accessible spaces. Come early and enjoy live music starting at 6 p.m. plus there will be plenty of food provided by the Memories of Mom Relay for Life team members. 

The celebration will be at 'Dunlap corner' 11 miles west of Butler on 52 highway- watch for signs. Remember the event is free to the public, so show your appreciation by bringing trash bags and picking up after yourself.