Bates County Sheriff’s Office Activity Report

Bates County Sheriff’s Office Activity Report

May 21, 2012 to May 27, 2012

05-21-2012

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY / VEHICLE / PERSON-Foster

ALARM-Adrian

MVA-Butler

SPEAK TO OFFICER-Butler

CIVIL STANDBY-Merwin

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY / VEHICLE / PERSON-Rich Hill

LEAVE WITHOUT PAYING-Adrian

MVA-Amoret

THEFT-Rich Hill Bates County Deputies responded to a theft that occurred in the Rich Hill area.

ANIMAL AT LARGE-Butler Deputies took a report of animals at large in rural Butler.

PROPERTY DAMAGE / VANDALISM-Foster Deputies were dispatched to the rural area of Foster in reference to property damage and theft of a generator from the property.

SPEAK TO OFFICER-Ballard

ANIMAL BITE-Butler Deputies responded to the Rural Route 2 area in the Butler on a call of animal neglect

STRANDED MOTORIST-71Hwy

THEFT-Rich Hill Deputies took a report of a burglary that occurred Rich Hill, MO

SPEAK TO OFFICER-Butler

AGENCY ASSIST-Adrian

SPEAK TO OFFICER-Butler

DEBRIS ON ROADWAY / SIDEWALK-Butler

THEFT-Rich Hill

FOUR WHEELER-Hume

Memorial Day: lest we forget those who died for our freedoms

For some, “Memorial Day” means “Fun Three-Day Weekend.” It comes in late May, when days are long and green, a preview of summer. Indeed, for lots of families, the holiday kicks off a glorious season of barbecues, swimming, and other outdoor fun.

But the true meaning of Memorial Day goes much deeper than this. It is a somber day of remembrance for the men and women who have died for our country.

How Memorial Day Began

The work of honoring dead soldiers goes back as far as our earliest civilizations. When ancient Athens was caught in its deadly Peloponnesian Wars, for example, Pericles encouraged citizens never to forget those who had died in battle. Their noble courage, he said, was “graven not [just] in stone but in the hearts of men.”

Centuries later, as the United States was just coming through the Civil War, Americans found themselves grieving as deeply as any of their ancient ancestors. Having expected a short skirmish, our nation instead fought a four-year war that remains the single most deadly in American history. Historians estimate that 620,000 soldiers died in the Civil War, a number that surpasses U.S. losses in World War I (115,000 dead) and World War II (318,000) combined. These losses were all the more heartbreaking because it was not uncommon for families to have sons or cousins fighting on opposite sides. And when they did fall on the battlefield, it could take weeks and months to locate the dead and bury them properly. And so, wrote General John A. Logan in 1868, by the end of the war, soldiers had been buried “in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land.” How would the nation grieve properly, and heal? A powerful custom arose among women and families in towns across the country: honoring the graves of the fallen. On April 25, 1866 in Columbus, Mississippi, for example, women visited a Confederate cemetery to place flowers on the graves of soldiers who had died in the Battle of Shiloh. While there, they noticed unkept graves of Northern soldiers—and the women decorated those graves as well, in respect. Similar commemorations happened across states, both North and South, with celebrations first known as “decoration days.” With his “Order Number 11,” issued in June of 1868, General John A. Logan made the first official national proclamation of a day “designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.” Let “no ravages of time testify,” he wrote, “to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

National Memorial Day Observance came in 1971, as our National Holiday Act declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May, making a three day weekend every year. This is an official day off work, but it is also a time of official ceremony. At Arlington Cemetery, for example, which began in 1864 and today holds more than 260,000 military graves, over a thousand 3rd US Infantry troops will place American flags on more than 260,000 graves, and will maintain a 24 hour honor patrol through the long weekend.

Their work will be echoed across the country. Since 1951, to name just one example, Boy Scouts in St. Louis, Missouri, have decorated military graves at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery; since 1998, more than 15,000 military graves at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania have been marked by candles, again thanks to the efforts of local boy and girl Scouts. 

Likewise, there our countless Memorial Day ceremonies held all across the country like those held in Adrian yesterday and in Butler tomorrow- remember, you and your family are always invited to participate.

So while you enjoy the time off, please take time to stop and remember those who fought so hard for our freedom. And thank you, America, for all the things we get to enjoy in our freedoms- like three day weekends.

Senator David Pearce Elected to Lead Joint Education Committee

JEFFERSON CITY — In the last week of the legislative session, the Joint Committee on Education met to finalize the leadership of the committee for the upcoming year. State Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, was elected by fellow members to serve as chair of the committee. He has also served as the 2010-11 chair, and was the vice chairman for 2011-12.

“It is always an honor to be elected by colleagues to serve,” said Sen. Pearce. “I am always humbled by their confidence in me, and it inspires to me to continue to work for the best interests of education.”

During the time between legislative sessions, called the interim, the Joint Committee on Education will meet to receive reports concerning public schools and higher education institutions, conduct studies of and examine the public school system and various issues relating to it, and make recommendations based on these to the General Assembly regarding needed legislation. The committee consists of seven members of the Senate and seven members of the House.

“The members of this panel are committed to improving the quality of education in our state,” Sen. Pearce said. “We want effective teachers in the classrooms and quality materials for those teachers to utilize. Our children deserve the best we can provide for them.”

The newly elected vice chairman of the committee is Rep. Mike Lair, R-Chillicothe.

“I am honored to serve as vice chairman of this panel. This year, we have been charged with task of creating a funding formula for higher education and I am excited to begin that project,” Rep. Lair said. “We’ve needed to work on this for a long time and it will serve as a challenge to the committee.”

In the coming weeks, the Joint Committee on Education will discuss, among other things, a taskforce that will focus on teacher quality and efficacy, charter school funding, and the higher education funding formula that was affected by the recent passage of House Bill 1731.

To see a complete list of panels on which Sen. Pearce serves, visit www.senate.mo.gov/pearce.

We sure could use some rain...

Forecasters say we're in for a dry spell- while Spring started fairly normal, Bates County is dry and the short term forecast doesn't show relief for quite a while. More info can be found here http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/?n=drought

Today
Clear. High of 90. Breezy. Winds from the SSW at 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

Tonight
Partly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain after midnight. Low of 70. Breezy. Winds from the South at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20%.

Memorial Day Services held in Adrian this morning

The Perimeter- From the Veteran's Voices


The Perimeter, in the infantry, is a circle of men. It is half a squad, platoon or company. One half is on guard, staying vigilant, watching for the enemy, while the other half rests, sleeps and carries on with life as it is.

They are more than just men; they are a brotherhood in uniform.

They share their plans, dreams and hopes with each other. In hard times, they share their sadness, fears and pain. They face the enemy together, some like brothers, other like fathers and sons, and always as true friends. They find a spirit in each other that binds them to one another in a bond that lasts forever.

As time passes, they will leave the service and each other. They will travel many different paths of life, some to prosper well and others not so well.

Somewhere in life's travels, these men find themselves lost in the world, confused, dazed, scared, unhappy and searching for something; something they are not even sure exists. They are not soldiers anymore, they are called veterans. Somehow, in their search, they once again find others like themselves. They find brothers of the past, brothers of the Perimeter, that circle of safety, where someone else shares their pain, their confusion and their fear.

That Perimeter is where that fear is eased, where there is less confusion.

They share each other's pain in stories, in tears and in silence. Inside the Perimeter, eye contact can say it all.

This Perimeter is a circle of life and a circle of death; it is a circle of wounded warriors, with wounds of both flesh and spirit. This Perimeter is a circle of iron that has never broken. It is a circle of common duty that knows no color, no creed and no religious ground. The circle will last forever, through the best of times and the worst of times. The Perimeter is a place where warriors will always seek - even for eternity. Just gaze out at our national cemeteries. For out there, on the outer edge, ever so vigilant, are those on the Perimeter.


By James R. Lawson
VA Medical Center - Mountain Home, TN


The above words were taken from the program today at the Memorial Day Services held at the Adrian VFW Memorial. While there were a few lighthearted moments, overall it was a somber day as everyone present took time to remember those who so faithfully have served our great country. The program opened with prayer by Father John Bolderson, followed by a warm welcome by Don Arndt.

Throughout the program the public was treated to wonderful vocal selections by Sarah Jacobs, Raelynn Kershner, Susan and Doug Davis, Faith Hutchens, Gwen Ford and Hannah Newkirk. Ashton McDaniel played Taps just prior to the closing remarks.

Guest speakers today were John J. O'Learly, WWII Marine veteran of the Pacific Theatre and Father John Bolderson, Marine Vietnam veteran.

Ceremonial raising of the flag

Sarah Jacobs sings God Bless the USA

VFW members look on as Father John Bolderson opened the program today

The Adrian VFW web site is www.vfw.adrianmo.com

Obituary - Jack Shelton

Jack M. N. Shelton, age 47, of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away at KU Medical Center on Thursday, May 17, due to complications from a recent heart condition. Jack attended school in Adrian, Missouri, and recently celebrated a reunion with his much-beloved Class of 1982. Following high school, Jack attended KU and Washburn Law School. He worked as an attorney and as a business owner, most recently of Wheat State Pizza in Pittsburg, Kansas. His sense of humor and warm personality made him a friend to everyone he met, and he enjoyed life, people, and good music. He enjoyed playing guitar and called himself “Guitar Man.” 

He is survived by his daughter, Kassandra Shelton, of Kansas City, Missouri; his son, Joshua Shelton, of West Palm Beach, Florida; his stepdaughter, Alix Rieman, of Lawrence, Kansas; two brothers; four sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his mother, Kathleen Raysik, of Adrian, Missouri; and his father, Jack Shelton, of Wichita, Kansas. Jack was an organ donor, and others will be helped by his passing. The family held a private memorial on Sunday, May 20, to honor Jack’s memory.

Do not open until 2037!

Another item that won't be seen for 25 years

At precisely 5 p.m. this afternoon, a group gathered at the bell on the East side of the Butler high school property to place items in a time capsule that won't be opened for 25 years- which then will be the 150th Anniversary of Butler High School.

Jason Lawrence spoke briefly during the ceremony about his pride for BHS and the importance of keeping positive spirit for future generations who attend Butler High.

A variety of items were put into the vault, including a copy of today's schedule of events for the 125th Anniversary.

All items were placed in plastic bags to help keep moisture out- and memories in.

Jason Lawrence spoke with pride about
being a Butler Bear

Obituary - Dean Crist

R. Dean Crist, 56, Gladstone, MO, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will begin with the Rosary at 5 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terr., Kansas City, MO 64116. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, at St. Patrick Catholic Church followed by inurnment in Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City North. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the University of Kansas Cancer Center (payable to KU Endowment) c/o Gift Processing Department, KU Endowment, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928.

Dean was born November 16, 1955 in Butler, MO and was a graduate of Missouri Western University. He worked for the University of Kansas Hospital for 34 years, and was a member of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. He was active at St. Patrick Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Dean possessed a wonderful smile, had a twinkle in his eyes, and a great sense of humor. He loved his family and his University of Kansas Hospital family.

Dean was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Joseph Scarnecchia. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen M. Crist; his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Ryan Newcomer; grandson, Joseph; parents, Roy and Georgia Crist; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lucille and Alan Mundey, Cathy and Mike Keeble; brother and sister-in-law, David and Kathy Crist; mother-in-law, Carmella Scarnecchia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Jo and Leonard Blount, Joseph and Mary Ann Scarnecchia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family offers a special thank you to the Baranda team at the KU Cancer Center and the staff of Kansas City Hospice for the care given to Dean.

Online condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.