Unusual cloud formation spotted yesterday

This picture was taken at 5 p.m. on Sunday by Larry and Stephanie West one mile south of Summit School House on H highway west of Butler looking west. The path would have taken it across Butler, they said you could see debris in the air at the base of the funnel.

No damage was reported.

-our thanks to Jim Platt

Senator Caskey honored during "Back to the Blue" banquet

Senator Harold Caskey was the honored guest Saturday evening as Democrats gathered during the “Back to the Blue”, annual banquet held on the former Richards Gebaur air force base in Belton.

Each year an outstanding Democrat has been honored during the banquet. This year the members made the decision to retire the award previously given and give one award to an outstanding leader. Caskey was chosen as the first recipient.

Missouri Attorney General, Chris Koster presented the award and recognized Caskey for his dedication and commitment. Koster publicly announced to the crowd attending that the “Outstanding Democrat Leadership Award”, will now be known as “The Harold Caskey Award ” in his honor. 

This week marked the 20th anniversary of the crime victims rights legislation. Senator Harold Caskey was publicly recognized for his part in the milestone. Koster spoke highly of Caskey’s accomplishments during his terms as State Senator of the 31st District, noting that Caskey, passed over 321 bills during his tenure in Office.

Also in attendance was Anne McCaskill, sister of United State Senator, Clair McCaskill. State Treasurer Clint Zwifel, former Auditor and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Susan Montee, 4th District Congress Candidate Teresa Hensley and many Union Representatives, Local Candidates and Activists.

-story courtesy of FM 92 the Bullet

"Celebration of Church Music" today at 3 p.m.

The 11th annual "Celebration of Church Music" will be held Sunday, April 29, 3 PM at the First Christian Church of Butler. The concert will feature a variety of musical styles and ensembles, including selections by the Butler Brass and four numbers from the Butler Community Singers. A free-will offering will benefit the Community Food Pantry of Butler.

Gun & Knife show in Adrian next weekend...

The Adrian Gun and Knife Show will feature a new event this year- Knife Blade Smiths will be on location promoting knife safety, knife making and blade sharpening with hourly scheduled demonstrations to inform and educate the public how to safely use of a knife as a tool.

On May 5th, during this 3 day event, the Adrian Gun and Knife Show will feature a lumberjack style knife Competition at 2 p.m. Jason Burton will host the event and special training is required to enter the  competition. To compete, you must contact Jason in advance at 816-297-2308. Over 15 competitors will take the stage to compete for knife cutting timed events. Each competitor will use a 10 inch long and 2 inch wide knife to cut 2 by 4’s, pop cans and golf balls as a timed event….. A variety of cutting materials will be used during the competition. Note the world record for cutting a 2 x 4 with such a blade is 1 point 2 seconds...

The Adrian Gun and Knife show is Scheduled for May 4th through May 6th, to be held at the Adrian Optimist Building on Highway 18 in Adrian. Show hours are Friday 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Knife cutting competition will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

The cost will be $5.00 per day for adults and children under 10 years old will be admitted free of charge.

-courtesy FM 92 the Bullet

Strawberries offer abundance for home gardeners

By Marlin Bates, Horticulture Specialist

Gardeners who are looking to include fruit in their landscape have many choices. From small fruit to tree fruit, gardeners can supplement the edible production of their landscape with many well-adapted fruit plantings around the home. For gardeners who are simply looking to plant one fruit crop, strawberries may be the best bet.

Strawberries need full sun in order to grow well and produce sweet fruit. Because they will not tolerate poorly-drained soil, many gardeners opt to plant strawberries in raised beds. The added benefit of planting in raised beds is that it helps to keep the planting from spreading out of bounds. This usually requires a little work because strawberries hastily put out daughter plants on runners throughout the season.

Obituary - Roy Reddell

Roy L. Reddell, 71, Adrian, Missouri died Friday, April 27, 2012 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be held 10:00am Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, Missouri. The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 pm Monday, April 30 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian. Burial will be in the Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. The family suggests contributions to the Church Of Christ in Butler, Missouri. Roy worked for General Motors, Leeds Assembly Plant 25 years before his retirement.

Summer schedule for Kamp Keirsey...

2012 Kamp Dates at Kamp Keirsey

Day Camp, June 2

Girls Camp, June 3 - 8

Missouri-Oklahoma Deaf Youth Camp, June 11 - 15

People with Disibilities Camp, June 15 & 16

Sr. High Youth Camp, June 17 - 23

Jr. High Youth Camp, June 24 - 29

Childrens Overnight Camp, July 6 & 7

Boys & Girls Camp, July 8 - 13

Boys Camp July 15 - 20

Basketball Camp (4th-8th grade) July 22 - 27

For info:

Kamp Keirsey
RR 1 Box 174
Amsterdam, Missouri 64723
Telephone: 660-267-3438

http://www.kampkeirsey.com/

Commit to be 'A Force of Nature'....

This has been the first ever National Severe Weather Preparedness Week April 22-28

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partnered to designate April 22-28, 2012, as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, and is calling upon all Americans, in every area of the country, to Be a Force of Nature. Bates County Emergency Management is committing to Being a Force of Nature and pledging to know our risk, take action, and be an example for our families and community by sharing the steps we took. Because we live in an area prone to tornadoes, flash floods and severe thunderstorms the recent severe weather and tornado outbreaks reminded us that this weather can strike anywhere and at any time.

Just last year, there were more than 1,000 weather-related fatalities and more than 8,000 injuries. Building a Weather-Ready Nation requires the action of every individual and community because severe weather knows no boundaries and affects us all, so Be a Force of Nature! Be a Force of Nature by making a public pledge to be prepared at Ready.gov/severe-weather.

What can you do to Prepare?

Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example by sharing your knowledge and actions with your social network are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared and assist in saving lives.

Know Your Risk: Every state in the U.S. has experienced tornadoes and severe weather, so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk.

Pledge and Take Action: Be Force of Nature by taking the pledge to prepare at Ready.gov/severe-weather. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes filling out your family communications plan that you can email it to yourself, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved. Visit www.Ready.gov/severe-weather for more on family preparedness for severe weather.

Be an Example: Once you have taken action and pledged, share your story with your family and friends. Create a video and post on a video sharing site, post your story on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, comment on a blog, or any other social media site you’re on. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to help us achieve the vision of a Weather-Ready Nation.

Join us today and pledge to prepare for the severe weather in our area.

Information on the different types of severe weather such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding is available at www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov/severeweather or the Spanish-language web site www.listo.gov. 

-our thanks to Ron Nissen