Coats for Kids drive now underway

It will be freezing cold before you know it and every child should have a warm coat!

The annual Coats for Kids program is sponsored this year by DSWA C.P.A Firm, Larry and Carol Ann Winburn,  John Daniel, Renda Armstrong and B.C. Wolfe have teamed up with the Winburn's to make the Coats for Kids drive a success again this year.

Donations are being accepted now for the purchase of approximately 200 coats for grade school children in the Bates County area, which encompasses 8 different schools and 4 Head Start programs. The proceeds are kept local as all coats are purchased from local merchants.

Donations may be sent to the DSWA office at PO box 190 or sent directly to Larry and Carol Ann Winburn at 109 Ranch Drive in Butler.

This year's goal is at least $5,000 to purchase enough coats for the children. The deadline for donations and delivery dates will be announced later.

Winter Awareness day this Wednesday

In addition to cold temperatures and snow and ice, winter brings dangerous driving conditions and the potential for damaging and deadly storms. Severe winter storms can be extremely dangerous. Transportation can come to a standstill and electricity can be out for days, often with very cold temperatures. Making preparations in advance of a storm can make getting through it easier. According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, there were 15 cold weather-related deaths in Missouri during the winter of 2009-10. The National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri’s local emergency managers team up each fall to promote a day as Winter Weather Awareness Day in Missouri. The idea is to encourage Missourians to think about safety and the safety measures they can take in advance.

BCMH celebrating Home Care Week

“Because There is No Place Like Home”

Celebrating Home Care Week

November 13th-19th, 2011

“There’s no place like home.” Movie goers worldwide know this famous phrase from “The Wizards of Oz.” Despite the wonders of Oz, Dorothy clicks the heels of her ruby shoes and repeats these words again and again, the spell that will send her back to Auntie Em. She longs to go back to Kansas because there is no place like home.

Millions of people feel that way, especially if they’re aged, disabled, or ill. Many of them are in hospitals and nursing homes where they, too, long for the homes they knew. But they don’t need ruby slippers to send them back. They just need a helping hand, and that’s where home care can assist. Home care helps clients return to their home and keeps them safe and healthy at home. It preserves their dignity, protects their independence, and provides them with peace of mind.

For Twenty Years, Bates County Memorial Hospital Homecare has provided Home Health Services, for the citizens of Bates County. This week is Home Care Week, and the staff of BCMH Home Care department invites you to celebrate with an information table in the front lobby, treats, and word puzzle to complete for a drawing on Friday, November 18th.

-our thanks to Bates County Memorial Hospital

State seeks death penalty for Raymond Harvey

A notice was filed on Nov. 9th by Bates County Prosecuting Attorney Hugh Jenkins in the Henry County Circuit Court that the State intends to seek the death penalty in the case of the State of Missouri v Raymond Harvey No. 11BS-CR00153-02.

While the the case was moved to Henry County under a change of venue, Harvey is charged with the mother-daughter murders of Brandee and Bailey Bickleman of rural Butler last March, plus two counts of armed criminal action and one count of arson in the same case. The death penalty is being sought as the murders were 'outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhumane in that it involved torture or depravity of mind'.

The trial for Raymond Harvey is now set for March 4, 2013. It was recently announced that Harvey will also face an additional charge of statutory sodomy in Bates County with a pre-trial conference set for Dec. 6th.

Wanted by local authorities

Joshua Ethan Brown

The following person is wanted in connection with several investigations in Cass, Bates and Henry Counties.....Joshua Ethan Brown, white, male, age 30 is wanted on a Parole Violation on an orginal charge of burglary and a Probation Violation warrant on an original charge of possession of stolen property.

Brown should be considered a flight risk and has run from authorities on numerous occasions.....Brown shows a Cuba, Missouri address but has been seen frequently in the Creighton, Garden City and Urich areas in the past few days.

If you have seen this person contact the Bates County Sheriff's Office at 660-679-3232.

-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet

One injured in accident today West of Butler

Rhyan A. Shaffer, 40, of Butler sustained moderate injuries in a single car accident on county road 1002 near 6001 road, West of K highway. A Jeep driven by Shaffer left the roadway, striking a ditch around 10:40 this morning. He was taken to Bates County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Cpl. Pate of the Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Butler Fire Department and Bates County EMS. The report indicates Shaffer was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

Single car accident West of Butler

Butler fire and Bates County EMS are on the scene of a single car injury accident West of K highway on county road 1002. Initial reports are that at least one person is injured; Highway Patrol is also in route, use caution if traveling anywhere in the area.

Elks dinner to honor vets today

The Bates County Elks Lodge will host the Annual Veterans Dinner today to honor all Bates County Veterans and spouses. Veteran’s are invited to enjoy a meal Courtesy of the Bates county Elks Lodge. Let them thank you, in person for serving our Country. Serving begins at 12:30.