Freezing rain gone from the forecast

Saturday

Rain likely in the morning...then rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. Temperatures steady in the afternoon. South winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

Saturday Night

Cloudy. Rain in the evening...then a slight chance of light rain and drizzle after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west after midnight. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

Circuit Court News Nov 28-Dec 2

CIRCUIT COURT OF BATES COUNTY, COURT NEWS 

JAMES K JOURNEY, JUDGE 

Diana L Rich, Clerk 

Nov 28-Dec 2, 2011

Mark L Corn v Kelly L Corn, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed.

JoAnn Altschul, Daniel Prine v Darrel Tenholder, Petition for Injunction and Damages Arising Out of Trespass filed.

Forest Davenport v Kevin Davenport, Petition for Order of Protection is dismissed by Petitioner.

Travis C Spangler v Jackie L Spangler, Dissolution of Marriage granted.

Tamarah Denise Gaston v Steven Lee Gaston, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed.

St v. Todd R Harris, Felony possession of controlled substance, marijuana, set for 12-19-11.

St v. Jerry E Gillia, Felony possession of controlled substance, marijuana, set for 12-19-11.

Melody Hood v MO DOR, Petition for Trial De Novo filed.

Rhonda L Huntley v Patrick O Huntley, Dissolution of Marriage granted.

St v. Christopher J Wadel, I: Felony assault, found not guilty, II: Felony abuse of a child, found not guilty, III: Felony statutory sodomy, found guilty, IV: Felony statutory sodomy, found guilty, V: Felony statutory rape, found guilty, VI: Felony endangering welfare of a child, found guilty, VII: Felony endangering welfare of a child, found guilty, Jury Verdict.

The good and bad news about holiday weight gain

Research shows that most of the weight we gain in one year’s time occurs between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That same research also shows that we don’t lose that weight when the holidays are over. Tammy Roberts, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension says “With planning and a little bit of discipline, we can prevent that holiday weight gain and some of the chronic conditions that are associated with being overweight.”

Most people think the average weight gain for the holidays is 5-10 pounds. “Believe it or not, we actually only gain an average of one pound during the holiday season” says Roberts. One pound may make it seem worth it to over-indulge during the holidays but Roberts says you should really think twice about that. “The problem is that we don’t lose the one pound that we gain during the holiday season and that adds up year after year.”

Wadel found guilty on child sex abuse charges

Thursday, December 1st, a Bates County Jury found 28 year old Christopher Wadel guilty of child sexual abuse and child endangerment. Prosecuting Attorney Hugh C. Jenkins presented the State's case and the Jury deliberated for just over 4 hours before finding Wadel guilty on two counts of Statutory Sodomy, one count of Statutory Rape and two counts of Child Endangerment. Wadel was found not guilty on the charge of assault and felony child abuse. Judge James Journey presided over the 3 day trial.

Expert testimony was given by professional forensic interviewers from the Children's Centers in Butler and Nevada, Missouri and the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. These professionals are trained specifically to deal with the trauma of child sexual abuse and forensic evidence of the abuse was presented by the State. Testimony was also heard from both of the victims, the grandparents and the natural mother of the children. Christopher Wadel did not testify.

In May of 2010 a report was made to the Bates County Sheriff's Department alleging physical abuse of the children and as the investigation continued, the young victims, ages 4 and 5 when the crimes were committed disclosed that sexual abuse had occurred.

Wadel was arrested in January of 2011 and has been in the Bates County jail since that time. After the verdict was read, Wadel was immediately taken into custody and returned to the Bates County Jail to await sentencing scheduled for the February 2012 trial week.

-Bates County Prosecuting Attorney, Hugh C. Jenkins

Bates County Elks meet quota on donated bikes

First, a big thank you to our community for an overwhelming response in donating bicycles to the Bates County Elks to fix up for local kids for Christmas. According to Terry Agnew, the Elks now have plenty of bikes on hand and they are not able to accept any more at this time.

Again, the Elks would like to thank everyone for their donations. The refurbished bikes will be distributed later this month.

Hey kids! Write your letter to Santa now...

Kids in Bates County have a direct line to Santa this year! Get your wish list written and mailed by 5 p.m. on Dec. 20th. The Butler Post Office has a Santa letter drop box in the lobby OR you may drop it into their outside mail box as well. And don't forget to add your return address!

It's a long way to the North Pole so get your letters written now so Santa has time to reply before Christmas...

BY THE WAY Santa will be appearing on the Butler Courthouse lawn on the following dates:
Dec 10th 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1-3 p.m.
Dec 14th 5-7 p.m.
Dec 17th 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-3p.m.
Dec 21st 5-7 p.m.

-our thanks to FM 92 and the employees of the Butler Post Office

Composite photo released of stabbing suspect

Composite photo of suspect

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the sketch drawing of a suspect wanted in the stabbing of a Drexel man on November 23. The man is described as a white male, 5’9”, 250lbs, approximately 30 years old, stocky build, with shaggy brown hair.

Anyone with information on this case should contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 816-380-5200.

From the desk of Senator David Pearce

Legislative Session Work Begins The next Missouri legislative session begins Jan. 4, but work is already underway for possible legislation. December 1 begins the process of assigning numbers to prefiled legislation. Prefiling legislation is important, because the quicker a bill is introduced in the legislature, the more opportunity it has for debate in each chamber. The process begins with the most senior lawmaker offering up to three bills for prefiling and continues through the Senate roster until there are no more bills being offered. However, bills can be introduced by any senator during session until March 1.