Free cell phones available for those who qualify

There is a program in Missouri that makes free cell phones available to people already certified for certain programs. These phones are automatically loaded monthly with your choice of 125 or 250 minutes, with the option to purchase additional minutes at a discounted rate. To qualify, you must currently be on one of the following programs: food stamps, Section 8 Federal Public Housing, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, National School Free Lunch Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

 
A representative will be in Butler on September 14, 2012 from at least 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of Wilson Tire in the old Wal-Mart parking lot. Please bring proof of your participation in one of these programs. You will receive a phone on the spot, rather than the normal wait of a couple weeks mailing period. If you have any further questions, please call (660) 679-4200. We want to thank Wilson Tire for the use of their parking lot.

-courtesy FM 92 the Bullet

New officers installed for Bates County 4-H council

A new slate of officers was elected at the September 10 meeting of the Bates County 4-H Council. The officers are (front row from left to right): Morgan Bradley, Vice-President; Reba Colin, President; Ella Armentrout, Secretary; (second row): Allison Jenkins, Treasurer; Hannah Webb, Reporter; (back row): Myra Colin, Adult President; Sherry Warfield, Adult Vice-President.

Trappers Get Hands-On Tips From the Experts

On Sept. 22, beginning at 8:00 a.m., trapping experts will team up to present a FREE, ALL-DAY OUTDOORSMAN EXTRAVAGANZA, featuring demonstrations for harvesting a variety of fur-bearing species. Bates County Sporting Goods brings the Second Annual TRAPPING SEMINAR to Briarwood Native Prairie located on the northeast edge of Butler. This last remaining half section of native prairie in Western Missouri is the perfect place for hunters and trappers to get hands-on pointers for trapping success, enjoy a complimentary lunch and stock up on state-of-the art trapping supplies and equipment.
Russell Epperson, manager of Bates County Sporting Goods, invites all ages to “Come out for a great, fun-filled day to learn and ask questions about trapping.” 

 
He adds: “You'll get the opportunity to talk to some very qualified trappers, known and respected for their trapping abilities and expertise. Demonstrating sets for Bobcat, Raccoon, Coyote, Beaver, Otter and Muskrat. ”

The event is free of charge and lunch will be provided, however pre-registration is encouraged and appreciated. To reserve your day on the prairie call Bates County Sporting Goods at 660-679-3971.
Directions: Briarwood Native Prairie is located off of Old Business 71 Hwy in Butler, MO. From the stoplight in Butler, travel 3 miles north on Bus. 71. Turn right on the gravel road just before 71 Hwy. overpass. Go east 2.5 miles to the location on the south side of the road. You may also access the site from 71 Hwy. By taking the Passaic Exit. Go west to Bus. 71. Turn left on Bus. 71 and travel approximately 2 mi. south. Just past the 71 Hwy. overpass, turn left on gravel and travel east 2.5 miles to location on the south side of the road. Watch for signs.

Rain or shine, the Bates County Sporting Goods Trapping Seminar is sure to be a premier outdoorsman event loaded with tips for pursuit and how to handle equipment trappers use! Take home the secrets for success and stock up on all your trapping supplies and equipment that will be available for sale on site the day of the event.

-FM 92 the Bullet

Butler Bear Backers Announces Fundraising Efforts for New Track and Football Field

One Town - One Team - One Dream

BUTLER, MO — September 13, 2012 — Today the Butler Bear Backers donated $10,000 to the fundraising efforts for the new track and football field just west of the current Deaton Thomas Field. The money donated is just a start of what is needed to complete the new track and football field. Items that are necessary to complete this track and football field outside of the new stadium bleachers are a new scoreboard, goal posts, play clocks, PA system and field house. With the completion of the stadium bleachers and the installation of a PA system would allow the Butler Bears track team to host meets for the 2013 spring track season. Having the scoreboard, goal posts and play clocks would allow the Butler Bears to host home football games for the 2013 season. The field house would be an investment added in 2014-2015 timeframe. Anyone can make donations towards these efforts at Citizens Bank c/o Butler Bear Backers.

Butler Bear Backers Make a Difference in the Butler R-V Athletic Department
The Butler Bear Backers is a Public Benefit Corporation that was established on January 26, 2009. The Butler Bear Backers was formed to raise funds to finance, improve, and sustain athletic programs and facilities for the Butler R-V School District. Funds are raised by private donations, public donations, grant receipts, fundraisers, and other event activities. By providing such funds, Bear Backers help to bring about the best in area student athletes with improved school and community pride, as well as personal fitness and self-esteem.

Butler Bear Backers have contributed over $75,000 to Butler R-V School District athletic programs. Thanks in part to all the memberships, private and business donations and the continuous community support.

-our thanks to Christie Crounse, Butler Bear Backers Secretary

Volleyball results

The JH Lady Bears A team fell Tuesday night, two games out of two games to the Lady Blackhawks. The JH Lady Bears B team beat the B team Lady Blackhawks two out of the three games. The JH Lady Bears play Clinton tonight at 5:00 in Clinton.

-our thanks to Tammy Appleberry

Bates 4-H livestock judging teams compete in state competition

front row (l to r): Allison Jenkins, Hannah Webb, John Tarvin; 

back row: David Warfield, Jr., Reba Colin,  Mike Tarvin.

               

With over 220 participants, this year’s State 4-H Livestock Judging contest was the biggest yet to date. "We continue to grow in number attending," reported Ben Gallup, state 4-H specialist. "It’s a real tribute to the parents, coaches and kids willing to give up a Saturday to drive to Columbia and spend the day. Judging is more than just placing the classes. It’s also public speaking, decision making and, the best reason of all, it’s fun!”

According to Alan J. Mundey, Bates County 4-H Youth Specialist, the Bates County results are as follows:

Junior Division with 99 contestants:

• Hannah Webb 61st (tie)
• Allison Jenkins 61st (tie)
• John Tarvin 71st

The Junior team finished 23rd out of 29 teams.

Senior Division with 75 contestants:
• Reba Colin 5th
• Mike Tarvin 10th
• David Warfield, Jr. 69th

The Senior team placed 6th out of 27 teams.

The teams would like to thank the coaches Luke and Amanda Kagarice for all of their help.

-our thanks to Alan Mundey

Disappointing night for Lady Bears

The Lady Bears softball team lost to a very good Nevada team Tuesday night. The Lady Bears played some of their best defense of the seaon, but were unable to get a hit off of Nevada's pitcher. Kylee Johnson pitched one of her best games of the season only walking 2 and striking out 4.

-Tammy Appleberry

 

Pursuit near Passaic lands two in jail

Robert Douglas

Eric L. Flood

 On 9/11/2012 at approximately 4:15 a.m., the Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious people in a vehicle with no license plates. The report came from Adrian Police Department. The Adrian Police Officer first saw the vehicle in Adrian. They then found the vehicle parked on Coop Road. The suspects had a strap attached from the truck to a pole that is beside the railroad tracks. The vehicle then fled the area. 

As Deputies were responding to the area they located the vehicle at the intersection in Passaic. The Deputies attempted to initiate a vehicle stop on the vehicle. The driver failed to yield to the attempts by the Deputies. The pursuit left Passaic traveling westbound on F Highway. Shortly after leaving Passaic, the vehicle started leaving the roadway driving through fences and bean fields. After leaving the field the vehicle then began to travel eastbound back through Passaic. The driver then drove down CR 6004 where he continued to run off the roadway into the fence and into the fields. He continued to drive into the fields for several hundred feet then would return to the roadway.

At one point during the pursuit the driver exited a field driving onto the roadway attempting to strike a patrol car head on. The Deputy was forced to leave the roadway striking the ditch causing damage to the patrol vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued east on 6004 and continued to drive through fences and fields. While in the field the suspect drove into a barn causing extensive damage to the truck and barn. The two suspects in the vehicle exited the vehicle and ran on foot. The driver was immediately chased down by the two Deputies and a police K9 approximately 100 yard from the vehicle. The passenger was located lying in a patch of grass approximately 3 hours after the pursuit. The vehicle the two subjects were in was later identified as stolen out of Pettis County.

The driver was identified as Robert F. Douglas, 36, from Appleton City. Douglas advised the deputies that he was just released from prison approximately 6 months ago and was currently on Probation and Parole. Douglas was charged with Resisting Arrest; Class D Felony, Assault on Law Enforcement; Class A Felony, Property Damage; Class D Felony and his bond was set at $40,000.00 Cash or Surety. Douglas also advised that during the pursuit he was injecting himself with methamphetamines.

The passenger was identified as Eric L Flood, 33, from Warsaw. Flood advised the deputies that he met Mr. Douglas while they were in prison together. Flood was charged with Resisting Arrest a class A misdemeanor and his bond was set at $2500.00 Cash or Surety.

Additional Charges are expected as more property owners are contacted about damage to fences. Multiple police agencies have contacted the Bates County Sheriff’s Office advising that these two subjects were considered Persons of Interest in multiple cases of burglaries, vehicle thefts and police pursuits.