Generous donation helps bring ladder truck to Butler FD

Summary of the Butler city council meeting last night:

If the Butler City Departments were sending their wish lists to Santa, he'd have some problems. Every department has a long list, and they're legitimate needs., but they have to be pared down to what can be afforded.

And that's the big job of Mayor Don Malan and the City Council. This year's city budget has been almost 13 million dollars, and it's the council's tremendous job to go through the requests of each department of the city, and to decide what can be allowed. It makes it so clear, that those on the council have much more to do, than meeting twice a month.

A white Christmas? nah...

It looks like mostly sunny days with highs around 40 and lows in the 20's through the weekend which will help make your holiday travel a little safer!

It's official...

Construction photo taken on Sept. 23rd as new stop
lights are installed at W. 52 and Fran Ave. in Butler

Bates County is now home of two working stop lights. The new light at W. 52 and Fran Ave. in Butler has been turned on and is ready to control flow from businesses on the North and South sides of 52.

The intersection is expected to get even busier after the new Walmart super center opens on Jan. 11th.

Subject arrested in Adrian robbery

Yesterday morning a man wearing a hoodie and armed with a knife, entered the Happy Go Lucky convenience store in Adrian demanding several items including cash, a glass pipe and a large quantity of Cryptonite (a chemical that is often smoked to achieve a synthetic high in the same manner as K2 Synthetic Marijuana). The subject fled the scene and the clerk quickly notified authorities.

Upon arrival, the Bates County Sheriff's Department called for additional investigators including the Adrian police department and the Missouri Highway Patrol as an extensive manhunt began. A lead was developed after reviewing the store surveillance video tapes identifying a possible suspect that was later located and taken into custody today by the Bates County Sheriff's Department, with assistance by the Adrian police.

Charges are expected to be issued on Wednesday. The suspect has no bond pending the issuance of a warrant by the Bates County Prosecutor’s Office.

Further information including the name of the subject, will be posted as more details become available.

Obituary - Velma Lawrence

Velma Jewell Lawrence, 82, Springfield, MO, formerly of Adrian, MO, died Saturday, December 17, 2011 at her daugher's home in Springfield. Private family services will be held at a later time.

Velma was born May 22, 1929 in Greenfield, MO, the daughter of James H. and Jessie Pearl (Griffith) Vaughn. She is survived by her husband, Clyde Lawrence, of the home; one son, Wendell Lawrence and his wife, Gail, Adrian, MO; two daughters, Charlotte Patterson, Springfield, MO and Sue Ellen McGee and her husband, Garland, Newark, AR and six grandchildren.

Services will be under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian Mo. www.atkinsonfuneralhome.com

A reminder from Bates County Memorial Hospital...

Altona 4-H news

The Altona 4-H met on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at the Altona Community Hall. President, Catie Welliver called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and led us in the pledges to the American and 4-H flag. Song leader, Kameron Collier played The Big Green Tractor and we sang along. Secretary, Jennifer Willerton called the roll and there were 21 members present. Jennifer also read the minutes from the previous meeting and they were approved as read. We welcomed new member, Henry Oates, to our club. Cameron Tallman gave the treasurer’s report and submitted the bills that had been turned in. A motion was made and approved to accept the treasurer’s report and pay the bills. Old business included recognition of those who participated in the Adrian Christmas parade. We placed 5th and our club received Chamber Bucks as our prize. Todd Frankenfield announced that the final date to make project changes will be January 15th. He also went over the list of projects and signed up new project leaders. No new business. The meeting was adjourned and we worked on our Christmas community service project assembling goody trays to deliver to area friends and neighbors. The next meeting will be held on January 11, 2012.

-our thanks to Case Doody, Altona 4-H Reporter

Beginning Beekeeping Class to be offered at Lamar

This “How to Get Started in Beekeeping” class will be taught by the SW Missouri Beekeepers Association on Saturday, January 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Wolf Center, 801 E. 12th Street in Lamar, MO. There is a $10 charge to attend to cover the cost of lunch and refreshments. If you need any special accommodations, please let us know at the time of registration. Please call in registrations by January 9 to 417-682-3579. The Strategic Agricultural Initiative of EPA Region VII (Kansas City, KS) helped with financial assistance for this workshop.

-our thanks to Brenda Doody