Car fire on 71 Highway

The Adrian Fire Department is on the scene of a car fire on 71 Highway about 1.5 miles North of Passaic. It is being reported the fire is producing heavy smoke, use caution if traveling in the area.

Bears present manager with letter jacket

The Butler Bears Homecoming festivities included a presentation to Senior football manager Darrell Vinyard at last night's homecoming bonfire- the team presented him with a letter jacket for his hard work and commitment.

Darrell is the son of Gerald and Wilma Vinyard of Butler.

-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet

Avoid outside burning for safety's sake...

From Ron Nissen Bates County Emergency Management Director: The Bates County Office of Emergency Management is requesting that the citizens of Bates County please refrain from any outside burning until sigificant moisture has been attained.

Burn bans are currently in place within the city limits of Butler and Adrian until further notice.

Unfortunately our next appreciable chance of rain will be first part of the week as the current forecast is calling for a 30% chance of rain Monday night into Tuesday...

Homecoming Royalty Crowned at Miami

Princess Caitlyn Slattery (Freshman),
 King Jeff Hicks (Senior) and Queen Samantha Harris (Senior)

As the Homecoming celebrations continue this week, Miami crowned their royalty during last night's volleyball games with the title of King going to Jeff Hicks, Queen to Samantha Harris and Princess to Caitlyn Slattery.

Miami has joined forces with Drexel football this year and will be playing Northeast High School this evening in Drexel, then heading back to the Miami school for the homecoming dance.


-our thanks to Angela Ewbank

From the desk of Senator David Pearce

Special Session Update

There has been considerable discussion regarding the purpose and progress of the current special session. Though not complete, there have been definite improvements made for not only the citizens of the 31stDistrict, but for the entire state of Missouri.

During regular session, the passage and subsequent signing of SB 54, or the “Amy Hestir Student Protection Act,” began a debate about the use of social media for exclusive communication between teachers and students. One of the purposes for the special session call was to examine and re-evaluate the language of that bill. In SB 1, offered during special session, the General Assembly required a written policy be developed by the local school board regarding student-school employee communication by March 1, 2012, and that the written policy is to include the topic of electronic and social media, as well as other forms of communication that could be used to foster improper communication.

Judge Hopkins Speaks at Brown Bag Lunch

A small but enthusiastic crowd attended the October 6th noon luncheon sponsored by the 27th Judicial Circuit Court Recovery Court. The Adrian Optimist Club graciously donated the meeting space for the event catered by the Deli at Yoss Thriftway.

Judge Debra Hopkins gave a short but sweet explanation to the crowd about the who, what and why Adult Recovery Court is making a difference to all citizens in Bates County by returning former non violent drug offenders to society. Adult Recovery Court statistics show that 87% of the graduates of the program stay clean, sober and are productive citizens. Long story short, the intense supervision provided by the program works and saves tax payer dollars. Recovery Court candidates must sign a contract that stipulates that they must attend Court weekly, be subject to random searches, be drug tested 3 times weekly, attend school, be employed or do 20 community service per week. Candidates also must attend treatment meetings 3 times weekly. Trackers assure all candidates are home and in bed by curfew every night. There are 4 phases to the program and it takes a bare bones minimum of 18 months to complete the Adult Recovery curriculum.

Another brown bag lunch is scheduled later this month.

Lady Bears win first District game by wide margin

The Lady Bears softball team won their first district game 14-4 agains Summit Christian Academy. Tori Stauffacher pitched a great game giving up only 2 earned runs and striking out 8. She also had a great hitting night. She was 3 for 4 with an RBI and 3 runs. Jennifer McMurphy was 2 for 3 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs, and Abby McGrew was 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs and a run.

Obituary - Rick Paluch

Memorial services for Rick Paluch will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. There is no visitation. Contributions to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Richard Allen “Rick” Paluch, age 47 of Adrian, Missouri died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in Adrian. He was born September 29, 1964 to Dale Norbert and Phyllis Ann Pommier Paluch in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Rick is survived by his parents, Dale and Phyllis Paluch of Kingsville, Missouri; a daughter, Jesse Paluch of Urich, Missouri; one brother, Robert Paluch of Abrams, Wisconsin; one sister, Tina Sheets and husband William of Grain Valley, Missouri; and his paternal grandmother, Stella Paluch of Green Bay, Wisconsin.