Free workshop offers landowners an incentive to plant trees

Landowners can learn the benefits of planting a riparian forest buffer along their streams at a free workshop scheduled for 12:00 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 13, in the upstairs Council Chambers of City Hall, 22 West Ohio, Butler. The two-hour workshop will provide training and information about tree plantings, managing riparian corridors, and assisting with water quality efforts.

The workshop will also provide information about a cost-share practice available to help offset up to 75 percent of the expense of installing well-designed riparian corridors. An additional $1200 per acre is available to give landowners an incentive to help protect local streams from pollutants carried in runoff from pastures and crop fields.

'The Music and Magic of Christmas' visits the Butler square this evening

Mr. Jack Frost Jerrun Kennedy and Little Miss
Snowflake Lynnzi Knapp

The Butler square came to life this evening as the annual Christmas parade rolled past many warmly dressed onlookers, young and old alike, despite downright cold conditions.

Honors of Little Miss Snowflake 2011 went to Lynnzi Knapp, 8 year old daughter of Clint and Kayla Knapp of Butler. Lynnzi sold 101 chamber coupon books. Runner up was Kaylan Castro, 5 year old daughter of Robert and Holly Castro of Butler with 88 books sold.

The title of Mr. Jack Frost 2011 was earned by Jerrun Kennedy, 7, son of Jeremy and Nataushua Kennedy of Butler by selling 112 books. Runner up was Dylan Triebel, 4 year old son of Jud and Michelle Triebel of Butler . Dylan sold 87 books.

After the crowning, the audience was treated to a 'Country Christmas' flavored performance by the Dance Craze of Adrian. The evening rounded out with the parade, a candlelight service and Santa visiting with children.

The Butler Chamber of Commerce would like to express a hearty thank you to everyone who participated in and came to see the festivities this evening. Parade entry winners will be announced later.

So what can you get for just $5?

A footlong sandwich.... OR lot's of exposure with your Heartland Trader classified ad!

Here's what you get for one Lincoln:

1. Up to 500 characters (100 to 130 words average)

2. Two photos up to 500k in size each

3. A link to your email or web site

4. Classified ads rotate in banner at the bottom of BCL news stories

5. All classifieds appear in scroll bar on the BCL home page

6. Ads run for 30 days and can be canceled or modified any time 

Is that all?

Nope. The classifieds also appear on our mirror site BatesCountyLive.net plus we feature a random ad daily on our facebook page.

Surely thats all you get!

Nope. Readers can subscribe to Classified ads that are delivered by email or appear in an RSS feed on their browser home page which greatly enhances exposure.

Basically, your classified ad is thrown all over the internet....just like the ones shown below!

Ready to get started? Go to the HeartlandTrader.com web site and click on Place Ad to get your ad on line now!

"Almost anything tax" would nearly double Missouri sales tax...

Missouri Municipal League Weighs Into Fight Against "Almost Everything Tax"

­ The Missouri Municipal League has joined the Missourians for Fair Taxation statewide coalition in opposing the proposed "Almost Everything Tax," declaring the flawed state constitutional amendment would undermine local control of local government.

The "Almost Everything Tax" would almost double Missouri's state sales tax, while dumping the state personal income tax. But budget experts say the scheme wouldn't raise enough money to avoid a devastating state general revenue shortfall of at least $2.5 billion. Now, Missouri cities are noting the proposal backed by a St. Louis billionaire would also harm local governments across the state, as their leaders urge Missouri voters to "Decline To Sign' petitions supporting the "Almost Everything Tax."

Vicious dogs to be micro-chipped or euthanized

News from the Butler city council meeting last night:

Jacob Schmidt of the Land Roofing Company of Harrisonville, bid was chosen work on Butler's old high school for $8,310 dollars but upon inspection, found that the roofing job could be done for a lesser expense than had been bid, which would reduce the overall cost by $2,400. The Council was pleased to agree.

A change has been made to Butler's animal ordinance, to have vicious dogs micro-chipped or tattooed for future identification purposes, if they are not euthanized.

Jim Wheatley Butler's Code Enforcement officer reported to the Council there is unsightly junk and clutter around homes...unlicensed vehicles, tall grass, weeds and brush and other problems that will need to be addressed.

Storm siren test this morning

At 10 a.m. the City of Butler will be conducting a test of the storm sirens located throughout the city. If you notice any sirens not working in your area, please contact the Butler police department at 660-679-6131.

Toys for Tykes drive underway through the 15th

Gratitude was expressed to the following sponsors: 

Laurie Reno and Jim Whittleset of the Bates County Elks, 

Marla Kash, representing FM92; Shannon Wymore from 

Community First Bank, and Laura Griffith from Osage 

Valley Electric Cooperative (front row). Clint Schuman and Terry 

Agnew from the Bates County Elks and Larry Van Zandt 

from Max Motors.

You still have time to make a difference in the life of a child this Christmas. Toys for Tykes is still in need of gifts for children ages 7 through 16 and you have until December 15th to make a difference in 2011 with either a gift or a gift card. Tuesday, local sponsors were updated on the collection so far to see donations and the positive impact the children will have when they receive a toy this Christmas season.

Donation barrels are still in place at the following locations:

Community First Bank West branch
Security Bank of Rich Hill
Food Fair in Rich Hill,
Max Motors Butler
Walmart in Butler
Adrian Bank in Butler
Dollar Store of Butler and Rich Hill
Caseys on Orange street in Butler
Yoss Thriftway in Adrian
Adrian Manor
O'reilly's Automotive in butler
Mcbee's in Amsterdam
Pizza Hut of Butler
Butler elementary, Hume and Miami schools

-courtesy FM 92 the Bullet

Stabbing suspect continues to elude authorities

Brent Scott

Brent Scott of rural Drexel says the stranger approached him and asked if he'd seen anything- typical chatter when hunters converge during deer season. Then, without provocation, the stranger tackled Scott and stabbed him with a knife. Scott then coughed up blood and called 911.

By then, the stranger was gone. It was the morning of November 23rd and suddenly time is of the essence. Drexel Fire Department first responders work their way to the scene while a medical helicopter is summoned. Cass County Sheriff's deputies arrive and quickly assess the crime scene but find no signs of the suspect who apparently quickly fled the area.

Meanwhile, Brent Scott is flown to a Kansas City area hospital for treatment for serious injuries as a result of the stab wound.

While he is now home and recovering, Scott says there a lingering worry that the stranger, described as about 30 years old, 250 lbs, shaggy hair, around 5' 9" tall, may still be in the area. His children have expressed a lot of concern for their safety. Scott said "The things that promote you to move out here is to get away from things like this. And to have it hit so close to home, it's scary. But I don't think it's anything we want to give up".

Suspect wanted in Nov. 23rd
stabbing near Drexel

Using a computer aided composite system, authorities have released the sketch that Brent Scott says is a very accurate depiction of the suspect- "That's him," Scott told a channel 9 reporter in a recent interview.


The suspect is still at large and the Cass County Sheriff's department is actively looking for him. Anyone with info is urged to call the sheriff's department 816-380-5200.