All about Island Mound- newest state historic site is in Bates County

The dedication of Island Mound by the Missouri State Parks is set for  tomorrow. Here's some background on what happened right here in Bates County:

The Battle of Island Mound marked the first time that African-American troops were used in Civil War combat, nearly a year before the battle depicted in the film Glory. Battle of Island Mound State Historic site encompasses Camp Africa, where the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry were camped in 1862 before a pitched battle with pro-Confederate forces near a low hill named Island Mound. When the site is developed, it will interpret the battle, as well as the effect that the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry has on later Union decisions to allow African-American units to fight.

Click here to read more about this little known battle that is a big part of our local history in a story by Tom Uhlenbrock.

Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site, Missouri’s newest state park facility, will be dedicated Oct. 27. Activities will begin Friday evening, Oct. 26 with a reception at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center in Kansas City. Presentations on the battle’s significance will be given by Brig. Gen. Donald Scott and Jim Denny, Civil War historian. The dedication will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the historic site west of Butler and will include living history activities and military demonstrations. Activities will continue throughout Saturday at the historic site and in the evening at the Bates County Museum in Butler. The historic site’s dedication is being held in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Island Mound, which was the first time black soldiers engaged in combat during the Civil War.

Directions from Butler, Mo. Go west on 52 highway to K highway; south on K to the second gravel road on the right (west). Turn on the gravel road to proceed to the site (about a mile).

County Road Connections Along U.S. 71 Closing Permanently Nevada to Rich Hill

Several county roads with access to U.S. 71 between Nevada and Rich Hill will be closed permanently over the next month as work progresses on upgrading U.S. 71 to Interstate 49, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

During the work, drivers can expect lane closings on U.S. 71 in various locations as the county road approaches are taken out along the outside shoulders of U.S. 71 and crossovers in the U.S. 71 median are removed. Drivers are urged to use caution and to expect slight delays.

Here's a list of the county roads that will be closed:

Vernon County:
Chouteau Road
Brigade Road
Bailey Road
Albert Road

Bates County:
County Road 1450
County Road 11006
County Road 10006/County Road 10008
County Road 3778

Drivers will have to use other county roads and/or outer roads to reach nearby interchanges with access to U.S. 71.

Thursday night football scores...

Adrian 35, Osceola 29

Skyline 53, Rich Hill 29

Butler 55, Warsaw 20

Ash Grove 61, El Dorado Springs 32

Lamar 70, Stockton 0

Sarcoxie 35, Diamond 7



 Games scheduled for Oct. 31st:

Adrian at Skyline (Class 1, District 3 semi-final)

Butler at Sarcoxie (Class 2, District 4 semi-final)

Ash Grove at Lamar (Class 2, District 4 semi-final)

Lori Rapp headed abroad to work with Russian health care professionals

Bates County Memorial Hospital congratulates Lori Rapp, RN on her upcoming trip to Russia

 





Lori Rapp, RN

Lori Rapp has the honor of being selected as one of 18 nurses, chosen from across the country, to represent the United States on an Emergency and Trauma Delegation trip to Russia. While in Russia, this team will be traveling to several hospitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg, sharing and exchanging professional knowledge with their healthcare professionals.

Lori has been a nurse for 20 years and currently works with a great team of individuals in the Emergency Department at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Mo. Ms Rapp has also spent many years dedicated as an instructor, teaching education and training at the hospital. Lori is really looking forward to traveling to Russia and is truly excited to participate in such a great opportunity.





Obituary - Bill Bradley

William E. (Bill) Bradley, 86, Butler, Missouri, died Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at his home. Memorial services 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Ohio Street United Methodist Church in Butler, under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home, Adrian, Missouri. (Cremation). Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Street United Methodist Church, Butler, Missouri or to Heartland Hospice, 612 West Fort Scott Street, Butler, MO 64730.

Cold Weather Rule to be in place when temps dip below freezing...

JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule, designed to help customers with heat-related utility bills, begins on November 1, 2012. The rule will remain in effect through March 31, 2013. The Cold Weather Rule has been a part of the Commission’s rules and regulations since 1977.

The Cold Weather Rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities under PSC jurisdiction that provide heat-related service. Municipally operated systems, cooperatives and those that provide propane delivered by truck are not under PSC jurisdiction. The rule does not apply to them.

“The Cold Weather Rule provides protections to help Missourians keep their homes warm from what can be a very cold, harsh Missouri winter,” said PSC Chairman Kevin Gunn. “If you have a bill that you can’t pay in full, it is very important that you contact the company. Failing to do so could put your utility service in jeopardy for non-payment.”

The Cold Weather Rule:

>Prohibits the disconnection of heat-related service when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees during the following 24 hour period.

>Provides more lenient payment terms permitting reconnection of service for natural gas and/or electric customers.

>Prohibits the disconnection of registered elderly and disabled customers who meet certain income guidelines who make a minimum payment. 

Fundraiser set for local youth fighting leukemia



10 year old Brice Eidson of Ballard was recently
diagnosed with leukemia

Mark your calendar for November 10th as the Ballard 4-H club will be having a benefit breakfast fundraiser for 10 year old Brice Eidson, son of Rich and Tina Eidson of Ballard. The breakfast will be held at the Ballard school from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Children under 3 eat free, ages 4 - 11 are $3 and adults are $6. Free will donations will be gladly accepted as well.

 

Brice was recently diagnosed with leukemia and the community has rallied in his support with "Orange Day" held last Wednesday, as participants all around the area wore orange in his honor. Other fundraisers have also been started including the sale of bracelets and t-shirts, with proceeds to be directed toward the mounting medical costs.

 

A Facebook page for Brice can be found by logging into Facebook and type BRICE EIDSON-OUR HERO in the Facebook search box.

Another busy weekend ahead

Your weekend planner

Friday
Clear. High of 52

Reception for Battle of Island Mound 6 p.m. at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center 3700 Blue Parkway, KCMO 7 p.m.

Bates County Elks haunted house open at 7 p.m. on the SE corner of the Butler square. $5 per person.

State Championship BBQ contest at the Bates County Fairgrounds.

Hume PTO carnival 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the school.

Note- local football teams are in district play this week.

Saturday
Partly cloudy. High of  52.

Battle of Island Mound dedication (at 11 a.m.) and festivities 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location is west of Butler on 52 highway, south on K highway to second gravel road on the right (west) about one mile.

Bates County Elks haunted house open at 7 p.m. on the SE corner of the Butler square. $5 per person.

State Championship BBQ contest at the Bates County Fairgrounds. Music, vendors, car show, helicopter rides and more.

Adrian Elks hayride and wiener roast at the lodge in Adrian 6 p.m.

Walnut Grove's Lord's Acre Sale- chicken dinner at 11 a.m., sale starts 1 p.m.

Bates County Recovery Court pancake breakfast 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Youth Building on the fairgrounds. Free will donations appreciated.

Absentee voting at the county clerk's office in the courthouse 8 a.m to noon.

Chili and soup supper at the Adrian First Baptist Church.

Sunday
Clearing in the afternoon with a high of 50.

9th Annual Senior Fall Festival at the Bates County Fairgrounds Youth Building. Starts at 11:30 a.m. with all you can eat dinner until 1:30 p.m.Theme basket auction at noon.