Injury accident on Elks Drive in Butler

4:28 p.m. - Authorities and EMS are on the scene of a multiple injury accident on north Elk's Drive, where the pavement turns to gravel. It is reported that a single vehicle is involved- use caution if driving in the area or avoid passing through on Elks Drive until the scene is cleared.

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Circuit Court News Aug. 8 - 12, 2011

CIRCUIT COURT OF BATES COUNTY, COURT NEWS 
JAMES K JOURNEY, JUDGE 
Diana L Rich, Clerk 
 AUG 8 - 12, 2011

Charles Junior Gilkey v Kathleen Marie Gilkey, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed. 

St v Norman A Kenney, Felony DWI, persistent offender, set for 9-19-11. 

St v. Dwight C Sell, Felony DWI-alcohol-aggravated offender, set for 8-22-11. 

St v. Terrance J Foster, I: Felony burglary, II: Felony stealing a motor vehicle-atv, set for 9-19-11. 

St v Phillip W Thornburg, I: Felony statutory sodomy, II: Felony statutory sodomy, set for 8-22-11. 

St v. Kera R Miller, I: Felony statutory sodomy, II: Felony statutory sodomy, III: Felony abuse of child—serious emotional injury, set at 8-22-11. 

Bryan Woods v Vicky Van Voorst, Full Order of Protection is entered. 

Larry Mayfield v Vicky Van Voorst, Petition for Order of Protection is not granted. 

Heather L Barnett v James E Barnett, Petition for Order of Protection is not granted. 

Michael D McCall v Donna J McCall, Dissolution of Marriage is granted. 

Becki Berwald v Randy Berwald,  Petition for Order of Protection dismissed by Petitioner. 

Wilma A Herndon & William H Herndon v. Jon A Kuffler, Petition for Damages filed. 

St v. Mike G Maushake, I: Felony tampering with Judicial officer, II: Felony tampering with Judicial officer, III: Felony tampering with victim in a Felony prosecution, set for 8-22-11. 

Aaron L Wattenbach v Christina M Wattenbach, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed. 

Carrie Ann Schilling v Frank Jerome Schilling, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed. 

Jud Wayne Triebel v Angela Michelle Triebel, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed. 

New category added to Heartland Trader.com

As we adjust to the needs of our community, it was suggested we add a Lost & Found category to HeartlandTrader.com. In fact, we just entered our first lost item- a wedding ring lost in the vicinity of Country Mart in Butler. The ring is of high sentimental value and a nice reward is offered.

Check out the listing, see the others and add yours for FREE on HeartlandTrader.com!

Here comes the rain again...

Today

Considerable cloudiness. Chance of showers... thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Showers...thunderstorms likely in the evening...then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows around 70. South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight. Chance of rain 70 percent.

View live radar here

Clinton murder suspect thought to be in Bates County overnight

A man shot to death in Clinton last night put local authorities on high alert as it was believed the suspect might have been in Bates County for a short time. Clinton Mo. police said Jason Eugene Abernathy, 34, was shot to death at about 10:15 p.m. and three people fled the scene in a black 1999 Cadillac Deville with a torn vinyl top and Missouri tags FD9H1Z. 


The vehicle tags showed the car to be registered to Cornell Anthony Cornelius and it was thought Cornelius and two others might have fled to Fort Scott, Ks. through Bates County.

If you have any information, call the Bates County Sheriff's Office at 660-679-3232.

Bates 4-H member omitted from OEF Grand Champion winners...

Shown in photo is first year Bates County 4-H member Claire Sutton (Summit 4-H), the 10 year old daughter of Eric and Nancy Sutton, displaying her Grand Champion gift basket from the Ozark Empire Fair. Claire was mistakenly omitted from the previous report provided by the fair.

From the desk of Senator David Pearce

Back to School Safety Tips

With school scheduled to start in many areas next week, I thought it might be a good time for a refresher course in school bus safety and habits, a reminder to slow down and watch out for children walking and biking their way to and from school, as well as buses transporting students.

School buses are designed to be seen. The bright yellow paint, the flashing lights, and swinging stop sign are all features that should help drivers and provide adequate indication that something is happening ahead in the road. However, distractions are everywhere and even the most vigilant drivers can have their attention diverted. Here are a couple simple tips in mind, especially in the morning and afternoon, when buses typically run their routes: when a person encounters a stopped bus, he or she should heed the stop sign and watch for children crossing streets; and, in dual lane traffic, both lanes are required to stop, but if it is a divided roadway or a road with four or more lanes, only the traffic traveling in the same direction is required to stop. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has a number of helpful links on their website, www.modot.org, under the heading of Safety.

Also, here are a few tips to ensure child safety when students are loading the bus. Always stay in sight of the bus driver. If the child can’t see the driver, the driver is probably not able to see him or her and may not know the child is there. Walking a few steps out from the bus prevents any accidents from this problem. When approaching the school bus, students should always wait until it comes to a full stop before entering or leaving, and, when leaving, take three big steps away from the door quickly in order to give the bus room to maneuver. If a student should drop something important near the buses wheels, get the driver’s attention before attempting to retrieve it. If a student bends down near the tires of the bus, it becomes extremely difficult for the bus driver to see that student. Also, remind students that things like dangling backpack straps or shoe strings could get caught in bus doors or other equipment and be dangerous. Keep straps, strings and loose clothing tucked away. Don’t ever rush for the bus, even if they are late. Hurrying is dangerous because other traffic rules tend to be forgotten in a rush. Safety is the first priority.

Just as important as driver or rider safety is pedestrian safety. Students should know a couple of basics when it comes to streets, buses, and vehicles. First, children should be reminded to always use available crosswalks in roadways at intersections. Children should never enter traffic from between parked cars or near bushes or trees. Those kinds of visual impediments are dangerous and can keep a driver from seeing pedestrians. Second, utilize sidewalks where at all possible. Sidewalks are placed off the road in order to protect pedestrians, so let them do their job. Traffic lights and signs may be for vehicles, but they apply to pedestrians, as well. Students should never assume that vehicles will stop for them. Unless actually in a crosswalk, drivers have the right of way and pedestrians would be wise to remember that.

These few simple rules seem like common sense, but after a summer away from the routine of school, we all can become a bit lax in our vigilance. I hope these reminders keep you and your family safe during the upcoming school year.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.

Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.