Your weekend planner

Today
Partly cloudy in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain. High of 79. Breezy. Winds from the West at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph shifting to the SSW in the afternoon. Chance of rain 20%.

Show Me Green Tax Holiday begins, runs through April 25th

"Taking Control" of diabetes seminar at BCMH 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain in the morning, then partly cloudy. High of 61. Breezy. Winds from the North at 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20%.

Deadline to order cinnamon rolls- for info call the Butler Senior Center at 660-679-5830

Deadline to register for Butler city wide garage sale- register at the chamber office or at the News Express office

Simms family fundraiser yard sale in the Butler Community of Christ Church parking lot 

SaturdayClear in the morning, then partly cloudy. High of 64. Winds less than 5 mph.

Buddy Bass Tournament "Fishing for a Cure" for info call 417-395-2770 or 395-4808

Miami Project Prom softball tournament at the school ball field

Butler Promenade begins at 4 p.m., be inside the BHS gym by 3:45 p.m.
Adrian Promenade begins at 4:30 p.m. at the gym

Appleton City Promenade starts at 6 p.m. at the Appleton City Manor

Simms family fundraiser yard sale in the Butler Community of Christ Church parking lot 

Gardening class at Poplar Heights Farm 1 to 3 p.m. for info call 660-679-0764
Ballard school play "Arsenic and Old Lace" dinner starts at 6 p.m., play starts at 7:30 

Sunday
Clear. High of 77. Winds from the West at 5 to 10 mph shifting to the North in the afternoon.

"Miles for Hope" walk/run starts at 9 a.m., registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Butler City Park.

Monday

Adrian City Wide Clean up for residences north of Main street.

Nikkie Leake of the American Cancer Society will be at BCMH 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you would like something added to the weekend planner, send us an email at bateswire@hotmail.com

New council members take oath

Notes from the Butler City Council meeting Tuesday night...

In Butler City Council news, councilmen took the traditional oath of office at this week's meeting...David Brown from Ward One...Thom Burg, Ward Two...Terry Agnew in Ward Three...and Brian Boyd, Ward Four. Terry Agnew was the only new council person, replacing Jim Fisher. And Mayor Don Malan named David Brown to be Mayor Pro-tem, meaning that he would act as mayor upon the absence of Malan at meetings.

On other items in the hopper, there was lots of talk at several meetings, but no final action was taken. They talked about the needs of the waste-water treatment plant, as well as the sewer user fee increase that's being considered, and the meeting concerning environmental impact created by some projects was talked, and although no official action was taken, it's generally felt that work the city is considering will have a positive effect, rather than any negative problems.

Dana Bridges was at the meeting, and was told that the city has already begun work on the Trail of Memories extension, at the city's expense...

And that study to increase the sewer user fees to finance proposed improvements and to fund operational costs for the treatment plant and collection system, still needs more study. These are expensive needs, and aren't taken lightly.

The Council also discussed a possible rezoning of property on West Fort Scott Street, one owned by Al Hellebyck at 904 West Fort Scott, and it was decided to have a public hearing May 8th to consider this and the other properties located on the north side of Fort Scott Street, going east from Rice Road to Prospect Avenue.

This is action whose time has come, because of the growth of Butler in that direction, but the Council likes to "look before it leaps," as the saying goes. Again, that public meeting is set for May 8th.
The demolition of 43 structures around Butler that are considered unsafe, is far enough along for the City to go for grant funding. At this time, 23 owners have agreed to demolition, and the Council had felt that if at least 20 were in agreement, that they would go for a grant to help on the expense.
That's the Butler City Council picture at this time...You're welcome to attend any Council meeting...the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at seven p.m., upstairs at City Hall.

-as reported by FM 92 the Bullet

5K walk this Sunday to raise brain tumor awareness

Miles For Hope is hosting its first brain tumor awareness event in Missouri, Chloe’s Miles For Hope 5K Walk, this Sunday April 22nd, 2012 at 9 am at Butler Municipal Park in Butler, MO. This event is being held in memory of Butler area toddler Chloe Wadel, who lost her battle with brain tumors in December 2010. The proceeds from this event are used to raise awareness and funding for brain tumor research and clinical trials, and to offer medically needy flight assistance for qualified brain tumor patients.

Young Chloe was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 15 months. After spending months in the hospital, her family was told that there was nothing further that could be done for Chloe, so they took her home and she passed away two weeks later on December 12, 2010. Chloe was a loveable, happy, fun and outgoing little girl with bleach blonde hair and big brown eyes. She loved everyone and was spoiled by all who knew her. Her favorite things were going to visit her grandparents and feeding the chicks. Chloe had a smile that would light up any room and this event is being held in her honor and memory.

Gardening is Healthy for People of all Ages

From Tammy Roberts, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist

When most people think about their garden, they think about the fresh vegetables they will be eating all summer. The vegetables are packed with loads of good nutrition but did you ever stop to think that growing that garden provides your body with a good physical workout as well? Make gardening a family affair and all will harvest the benefits.

“Digging in the dirt is just plain fun for little children. Why not give them some seeds to put in that dirt to see what they can produce?” said Tammy Roberts of University of Missouri Extension. If a child has grown and harvested their own food, they are much more likely to eat it. Learning to use small garden tools can be good for the development of gross and fine motor skills for children.

Butler Thrift Store Open House May 5th

The New Butler Thrift Store officially opened a few weeks ago and the grand opening is all set for May 5th. It will be a great opportunity to meet the staff and check out all the bargains as well.

Note the Thrift Store is in constant need of donations and your help is greatly appreciated. Currently the store is has plenty of clothing but is in need of household items such as beds, furniture, appliances, cookware, books and televisions. For more information on donating items call 660-679-3951.

Money taken in by the Thrift Store is used to supplement the Butler Community Food Pantry to help feed struggling families in Bates County.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The new Butler Thrift Store in located in the old MFA Building by the underpass on Rice Road and Nursery Street.

Simms family benefit reminder...

This Friday and Saturday (20th and 21st), there will be a benefit yard sale fundraiser for the Simm’s Family that lost their home to a fire last week.

The yard sale will take place at the Community of Christ Parking Lot, facing Fort Scott Street. (next to Scout Hall/Park). Friday will be 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturday will be 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Donated items that can be sold (no broken items please) will be accepted this evening from 6:00-7:30. The family is very appreciative to the community for their show of support.

-our thanks to Victor Fugate

Obituary - Bobbie Overly

Memorial services for Roberta “Bobbie” Overly will be 3:00 PM Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Mount Moriah Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, with Pastor John Payne officiating. Visitation, 2:00 PM prior to services at Mount Moriah Funeral Home. Inurnment in Mount Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Drexel RIO or USD 416 Endowment Association. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel, 816-657-4400.

Roberta “Bobbie” Leigh Overly, of Louisburg passed away peacefully, Monday night, April 16th, 2012, in the comfort of her home. Born August 19th, 1948 in Canandaigua, NY, she grew up in Waterloo, IA surrounded by family. She was a country girl at heart, enjoying childhood summers on the nearby farm of close friends Vern and Irene Arnold. She later moved to Kansas City, MO with her mother where she completed her schooling with a Biology degree from U.M.K.C. She loved animals and especially enjoyed horses and horseback riding. She worked at Camp Lake of the Woods Horseback Riding Academy in Swope Park as an instructor. One of her adult students would later become her husband of over 40 years spent on farms near Freeman and Drexel, Missouri, where she enjoyed riding her horse Ringo and raising cattle with her husband and sons. She also was a biology lab instructor at Johnson County Community College; she worked as the Horsemanship Program Coordinator for the Cass County 4H and judged many horse shows through out the county. Bobbie also displayed her patience and compassion throughout 18 years of service, friendships and fulfillment as a teacher’s aide in the Louisburg KS (416) school district. She was an active member of the Drexel United Methodist Church and the Drexel chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Bobbie was a dedicated wife, an unconditionally supportive and loving mother and a sincere, fun loving friend. She will be greatly missed.

Preceded in death by her father, Robert Cowie and mother Berneal (Odekirk) Shelby she is survived by step-parents Marvin and Pat Shelby of Liberty, MO, her husband Orbie “Butch” Overly of the home; sons, Thomas Overly of Hanover, NH; Will and wife Alese Overly of Salt Lake City, UT. Aunt Elinor Ehrig of Waterloo, IA, and uncle M.J. & Joice Odekirk of Gilbert, AZ, half-brother, Rob Cowie of Canton OH; and half sisters Kim Hague of Canton, and Kathleen Kulow of Wooster, OH. And many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Circuit Court news April 16th - 20th

CIRCUIT COURT OF BATES COUNTY, COURT NEWS

JAMES K JOURNEY, JUDGE

Diana L Rich, Clerk

April 16-20, 2012

St v. Michael E Lindsay, Felony unlawful possession of a weapon-found guilty, Ct. I is dismissed, sentenced to 7 yrs in MDOC, given SES, placed on 5 yers probation, Defe. To pay court costs, Defe. To successfully complete counseling/treatment as directed, Def.e to be subject to random drug testing, random home/vehicle searches, to perform 200 hours of community service.

St v. Mitchell Ryan Johnson, I: Felony possession of controlled substance, oxycodone; II: Felony possession of controlled substance, hydrocodone, guilty pleas on both, given SIS, placed on probation for 5 years, to pay court costs, to pay $150 on State Forensic Laboratory Account, to get counseling/treatment as directed, to get substance abuse treatment and aftercare, Defe. To be subject to random drug testing, random home/vehicle searches, Defe. Shall not possess or consume alcoholic beverages or be where sold/served, Defe. Shall perform 200 hours of community service.