Mark your calendar for Butler's annual Aviation Day...

Atmos gas distribution businesses under new ownership

Liberty Utilities Completes Acquisition of Atmos Energy’s Natural Gas Distribution Businesses in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri - Offering additional services in our walk-in Customer Service Centers in 2013; 38 jobs to be created 

Liberty Utilities Co. has announced the completion of its $124 million acquisition of Atmos Energy’s natural gas distribution business in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. The deal is expected to create 38 new full-time jobs within the 3-state area (Midstates).

Liberty Utilities has already filled 9 new full-time positions and will be hiring additional employees in Illinois, Iowa and primarily Missouri, to complement staff that transferred to Liberty Utilities with the change of ownership.

“We have committed extensive resources to ensure a smooth transition for all natural gas customers. All aspects of customer care will be of the highest quality and will continue seamlessly. Customers will experience no disruption in service,” said David Swain, President of Liberty Utilities Midstates.

Although customers will not notice immediate differences beyond a new logo on vehicles and their natural gas bills, they can expect significant beneficial changes in the coming months.

“We will be offering additional services in our walk-in customer service centers at existing locations in the states over the next 12 to 18 months,” said JW Hackworth, Senior Manager of Customer Care, Liberty Utilities Midstates. “Our goal is to deliver ‘best-in-class’ customer service at the local level, where we can provide quality face-to-face assistance.”

The final state and federal regulatory approvals needed to complete the transaction were granted last month. The sale was originally announced in May 2011.

“Liberty Utilities is very pleased to be doing business in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri,” said David Swain. “Our experienced management team and responsive staff located here in the Midstates region are focused on safety, reliability and the delivery of a positive customer and community experience for years to come.”

About Liberty Utilities

Liberty Utilities is an independent water, natural gas and electric company providing local utility management, service and support to small and mid-sized communities across the United States. With more than 335,000 customers, Liberty Utilities is committed to local decision making that directly meets the needs of its customers. This means opening walk-in customer service centers, creating jobs, and providing responsive and reliable service. As a company, Liberty Utilities promotes local conservation and energy efficiency initiatives and programs for businesses and residential customers, including the low-income sector. The company measures its performance on customer experience, public and workplace safety, and service reliability. Liberty Utilities currently operates in Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire and Texas. For more information, please visit www.LibertyUtilities.com.

Obituary - Cordy Reed

Cordy Reed, 79, of Adrian, Mo., died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at her home in Adrian. Visitation will be from 6:30-8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3, at Adrian Christian Church in Adrian, Mo. Interment will be in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City, Mo. Memorial are suggested to Heartland Hospice in care of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City. Friends may call after 1 p.m., Friday, at the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home.

Kristie Ashley named recipient of of BCCHF scholarship

The Bates County Museum presents: “Freemasonry’s History in Missouri & the Civil War”

Guest speaker Alisha Cole

 The topic of Freemasonry is often accompanied with questions, rumor, and uncertainty. Gain a clear perspective of this fraternal organization through a free program given by Alisha Cole on Saturday, August 11th, 2012 at 10:00 am in Robertson Hall at the Bates County Museum.

A special invitation is extended to all area Masons, their families and to all other Masonic affiliated organizations throughout the region. This is an opportunity to learn about the history of Freemasonry, the role it has played in Missouri, the stories of brotherly concern during the Civil War and the strong bonds of brother Masons during the post Civil War era. Information about the history of Freemasonry in Bates County will also be shared.

The Masonic Lodge continues to strengthen the communities of Bates County and they are staunch friends of the Museum. When ‘men & muscle’ is needed, the Museum calls the Masons! This program is designed to inform and to pay honor to the civic contributions the Masonic organizations have and continue to provide.

Alisha Cole has a unique connection to Bates County. She serves with the Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) and first visited Bates County in 2008 when a MHC ‘Charette’ (an assessment of the museum, its collections & exhibits) was conducted. Alisha’s visit here was the first ‘Charette’ she had co-directed and her experience at the Bates County Museum was so productive and positive that she decided that working with the MHC was the career she wanted to pursue.

The Museum is always delighted to welcome Alisha and we are especially excited about the program she has prepared. The public is invited to attend this free program that is both entertaining and educational. Contact the Museum for further information. 660-679-0134

-our thanks to Peggy Buhr

Grass fires taxing for local fire departments

The drought of 2012 has certainly presented a set of problems that directly affect most all of us in one way or another. Besides heavy crop loss and low reservoir levels, the biggest single threat facing us now is grass fires.

In just the past week, most all local fire departments have been dispatched (in some cases repeatedly to the same location) for grass fires that range in size from a few acres to as many as 30 or 40 acres- all to be extinguished under extreme heat conditions. And the problem seems to be worsening as Adrian, Drexel and Amsterdam fire departments have been answering the call every few hours.

While the forecast is calling for slightly cooler temps with some chance of rain over the next week, we still need to be careful, here's a few reminders:

Do not toss cigarettes out the car window!

Avoid outdoor grilling except on concrete surfaces. Keep a hose handy just in case.

Do not burn trash.

Avoid parking vehicles for long periods on dry grass (catalytic converter may start a fire).
Keep combines and hay balers as free of loose debris as possible

Report any fire you see as soon as possible.

Conditions being what they are now, a small grass fire turns big quickly and can destroy homes and outbuildings in very short order. Use common sense and BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL!

Local pilots get special treatment at Whiteman Air Force Base...

Butlerites Dennis Jacobs and Robert Griffey got a special photo op while attending open house at the Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, Mo. While the duo taxied their Cessna 172 off the runway, the control tower operator asked if they would like their picture taken with the famous B-2 Stealth Bomber shown in the the background.

Without hesitation, the answer was an enthusiastic "YES" (in pilot speak, roger that!)

-photo courtesy Whiteman Air Force Base

Amsterdam Fire Department acquires much needed device

Gordon Meredith (right) presents a thermal imaging camera to
Amsterdam Fire Chief Garry Perrymann

Very often a fire department is called on a report of a sounding smoke detector, or a 'hot smell', but there is no visible smoke or flame.

Before thermal imaging cameras, crews would often touch walls with bare hands to find the source of heat- and in some cases, would need to break through sheetrock to investigate further.

But thanks to this modern technology, firefighters can now simply 'scan' walls, attics and crawlspaces with a thermal imaging camera to quickly and safely find the source of the heat. Another huge advantage of the device is to locate victims trapped within a structure as well.

Recently, Amsterdam Fire Chief Garry Perrymann was presented a new thermal camera by the founder of Operation Thermal Reunion (http://otreunion.org), Gordon Meredith. Perrymann says the addition of the camera is a huge asset that will certainly help the department be more efficient in serving the community.

As an added note, the Amsterdam fire department has made some big strides in improving not only their equipment, but the facility as well. The fire station, located on Main street is undergoing a major renovation that includes four new garage doors and a training/meeting room addition. Bates County Live will be providing a full story on the upgrades when work in completed.