New overpass North of Adrian now open for business

The new overpass just North of Adrian on 71 highway is now open offering access to routes AA and E from 71.

The project was part of the conversion of 71 Highway to Interstate 49 to run from Kansas City to Shreveport, Louisiana. Here are answers to some common questions regarding the project as answered by the Missouri Department of Transportation:

Why is I-49 being used as the designation instead of I-29 or I-35?

Congress designated the I-49 corridor from Kansas City to Shreveport, La., in federal transportation legislation, and the corridor will connect to existing I-49 between Shreveport and Lafayette in Louisiana.

Free workshop offers rain garden, barrel how-to’s

Homeowners can learn how to install rain gardens and other retrofits to manage stormwater at a free workshop scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Bates County Health Department, 501 N. Orange St., Butler. The two-hour workshop will provide hands-on training and information about designing rain gardens and building rain barrels.

The workshop also will provide information about cost-share programs available to help offset up to 50 percent of the expense of installing well-designed rain gardens that help protect local streams from pollutants borne by stormwater.

The Osage Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to conduct this workshop. It is part of the Council’s effort to support the Mound Branch Evaluation and Restoration Project, which works with local residents to improve water quality in the Butler area by installing practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution and protect and improve water quality.

Butler Police Department weekly report

Oct. 5 - Animal complaint in the 500 block of S. Mechanic; accident in the 1100 block of W. Fort Scott; medical assist in the 400 block of S. High; speak with subject at Butler Tow; suspicious vehicle in the 700 block of Parkview; two car accident at stop light; attempted theft in the 500 block of N. Maple.

Obituary - Jo Ann Ferguson

Jo Ann Ferguson, 82, Adrian, MO, died Saturday, October 8, 2011 at her home. No services are scheduled.

Jo Ann was born June 9, 1929 in Oxnard, California, the daughter of Ralph and Anna Margaret (Fenton) Lotspeich.

She is survived by two sons, Jim Ferguson and his wife, Diane, Adrian, MO and Fenton Ferguson, Lathrop, MO; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

You might get lucky...

and win a 2011 Chevy Camaro convertible! Tickets are just $5 per donation with all proceeds to assist athletes who participate in the Special Olympics in Missouri. The drawing will be Nov. 2nd through the 5th. 

Contact Gayla Boyd, Special Olympics coach for more info and to purchase tickets at 660-679-7553.

Classes offered for Red Cross Shelter Volunteers...

The Bates County Office of Emergency Management is interested in offering a class for Red Cross Shelter Volunteers.

Interested parties contact Ron Nissen at 660-200-2034. There will be no charge for this class. Date will be determined by number of interested parties.

-our thanks to Ron Nissen

Neighbors in need...

Shane & Susan Harper of LaCygne, Ks. lost their home totally to fire on Friday Oct. 7 leaving them with only the clothes on their backs and their cars. They have a daughter, Tori who is in 6th grade. Shane has cerebral palsy, is unable to work and is on minimal disability. Susan works in the doctor's office in LaCygne. 

Any donations would be greatly appreciated! Their clothes sizes-Susan(tops 22-24, pants 2x)-Shane-xlarge shirts, pants-38/32-Tori-tops-xlarge women's petite,pants xlarge petite. Thank you for your generosity. Contact Dean & Anne Horst: 660-267-3488(H), 913-645-6899(C)

-our thanks to Dean Horst

Highlights from the Butler Senior Center Fall Festival held yesterday

A long Thank You to all those who made the Fall Festival great can be seen here...