Bates County Robotics Team Competes

The Brick Heads, the FLL team for Bates County Robotics, had a full day of competition Saturday January 12 at Kansas City’s Union Station. The team has been planning for this event since last May when it registered with Firstrobotics LEGO League.

Each year for over twenty years, FLL has issued a challenge to teams of 9-14 year old with competition on an international level. The Brick Heads worked hard; and truly enjoyed finding ways to make life better for their senior partner in Senior Solutions. Their robot which they named “Dominator” performed well for each of the three table competitions. In these, the team divided into three pairs; each pair put Dominator thru its’ paces on a four foot by eight foot arena completing missions to help seniors lead an “Independent, Engaged, and Connected” life. Two of the missions relate to quilting, one is for woodworking, and another is gardening.

There are a dozen missions on the arena; and over the last five months, the team has programmed Dominator to attempt all of them. Each of the three table competitions lasts for two and one-half minutes; so, each pair had to decide which missions to complete. Bowling was added to their list recently. The team members know they must program and set-up the robot precisely to perform a specific mission. Robots are only a part of FLL; there is also the Project, Core Values, and Robot Design presentations.

In the Project the team presents a plan which it has prepared in addition to the missions on the arena. The Brick Heads determined to make a system to access high shelves without using a step stool. Their idea of rotating shelves would do just that. During research they learned a manufacturer does make a moving shelf product. So, they contacted the manufacturer to learn more; which they incorporated into their presentation. In Robot Design they present to a judge the development of their robot. This includes problems they encountered, and how they determined which of their ideas would be used.

Core Values focuses on what FLL calls “Gracious Professionalism” which is the equivalent of sportsmanship. As well as respecting other teams, FLL members work at helping other teams if they see something in which they can help. The Brick Heads have excelled in Core Values and the Project, but the KC Regional is the end for them this year. They are already preparing for next year’s challenge which will be “Nature’s Fury”.

 Bates County Robotics, of which the Brick Heads are a part, is operating under the umbrella of Adrian Community Chest.  Donations made to the community chest with a note that they are for robotics are under Adrian Community Chest which is a 501- C-3 tax exempt organization.  The FLL team or teams will continue this year, and the program will grow.  Sufficient funding will assure expansion to First Tech Challenge which is for 12 – 18 year olds, and having at least two teams in each age group provides opportunity for local competition.  Any questions should be referred to Jerry Ferguson at 816-297-2534 or 512 N Mulberry Adrian, MO 64720.

Volunteer Orientation set for Saturday 1/19/13 at 9am

 On Saturday January 19th the Pantry Thrift Store will be having a volunteer orientation starting at 9am. People can learn more about the volunteer opportunities and what the thrift store is doing for the community. We are asking that all current volunteers try to attend this orientation as well as anyone who may want to volunteer in the future to attend.

Official Press Release on Rec lake Fire

 On January 15, 2013 at approximately 1:20 P.M., the Butler Fire Department, with an automatic mutual aid response from Adrian Fire Dept., responded to a report of a structure fire on Rt. 5 east of Butler, otherwise known as Recreation Lake.

 On arrival, a large body of fire was found in a single story, wood frame residence with obvious fire extension to the attic area.

 The fire was declared under control at 2:10 P.M., with the last units leaving the scene at 3:05 P.M.

 There was extensive fire damage to the structure and contents. The fire was determined to have been accidental in nature, with the origin in the kitchen area.

There were no injuries except for a dog.

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT MEDIA RELEASE

   A 55-year-old convicted sex offender is jailed in Bates County, Missouri, on five 

Nashville arrest warrants charging him with repeatedly raping a 14-year-old female singer he 

was managing. 

   Robert “Rob” Lile of Topeka, Kansas, traveled to Nashville with his 14-year-old client 

last Saturday so that she could perform in a talent showcase.  While with the victim at the 

Division Street hotel in which they were staying Saturday night, Lile is alleged to have pulled 

a knife and repeatedly raped the teen over a period of hours after threatening to kill her.  

  Early Sunday morning, Lile is alleged to have ordered the victim into his car where, she said, 

the molestation continued as he drove through Nashville and surrounding areas.  Ultimately, 

Lile returned to the hotel, packed his belongings and left at approximately noon Sunday.  The 

teenager was left behind.  Officers, including Sex Crimes Detective John Farrell, responded 

to the hotel Sunday afternoon after the victim contacted her parents. 

  Investigation by Detective Farrell led to information that Lile was likely in Bates 

County, Missouri, near the Kansas state line.  Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson and his 

staff, along with members of the Butler, Missouri Police Department, acting on information 

developed by Nashville detectives, located Lile at the home of a relative and took him into 

custody without incident Monday.  Lile appeared before a Missouri judge today and waived 

extradition.  He is expected back in Nashville in a few days. 

   Lile met the victim in this case last July when he was a judge in a Kansas talent show. 

 In 1983, Lile was convicted in Kansas of aggravated kidnapping, rape and aggravated 

sodomy involving a high school girl.  Lile challenged the requirements of Kansas’ sex 

offender rehabilitation program to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled against him in 2002.

Obituary - Joe Stouffer

Funeral services for Joe Stouffer will be 3:00 PM Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler, Missouri (660) 679-0009 with Pastor Dave Owsley officiating. Visitation prior to services, 1-3 PM at the funeral home. Burial at 10:00 AM Monday, January 21, 2013 at West Mount Zion Cemetery near Clarksville, Arkansas. Memorial contributions to the Ohio Street United Methodist Church of Butler. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Joe Karl Stouffer, 65 of Butler, Missouri passed away January 15, 2013 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. Joe was born June 22, 1947 in Clarksville, Arkansas, the son of Conrad and Judy (Hawkins) Stouffer.

He attended school in Clarksville through his junior year, and later moved to Orange, California, where graduated from high school.  He began college at California State University, Los Angeles, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968, serving in Vietnam.  After his service, he returned to finish up his college degree in Business Management.

After college, Joe worked in several occupations before pursuing his passion for police work, where he served on the Butler Police Department. Most recently, he was employed by Wal-Mart at the Super Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. Joe regularly attended the Ohio Street United Methodist Church in Butler.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his first wife, Diane Hovinga of Orange, California; his second wife Carolyn Oussani of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter Kimberly Brand and husband Shawn of Bentonville, Arkansas; daughter Cheryl Gensemer of Pensacola, Florida; daughter Marce Stouffer of Chino Hills, California; son Aaron Stouffer and wife Monica of O’Fallon, Illinois; and son David Stouffer and wife Wendy of Rogers, Arkansas.  He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren as well as a host of additional loved ones.

Tennessee Sex Offender Fugitive in Bates County Jail‏

  On 1/14/2013, a joint operation between members of the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Butler Police Department and Nashville Metro Police Department netted a wanted Fugitive from Nashville, Tennessee.  The initial report to local law enforcement was that suspect was wanted on 5 counts of Aggravated Rape and was considered armed and dangerous and suicidal. 

Acting on information from Nashville Detectives, officers set up surveillance on a family member’s residence in Butler Missouri, confirming that the suspect’s vehicle was in the driveway.  Members of the Butler Police Department and the Sheriff’s Response Team assembled to affect the arrest, while local Detectives applied for a search warrant. During that time the surveillance team visually confirmed the suspect was at the house.

When the suspect and a family member walked toward his vehicle in an apparent attempt to leave, the surveillance team decided to execute the arrest in the driveway. 

Suspect Robert G Lile was transported to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office. 

On 1/15/2013, Lile was taken before the Honorable Judge Hopkins where he waived extradition to Tennessee.   

Grand Opening The Pantry Thrift Store

The Pantry Thrift Store is planning a Grand Opening celebration January 25^th and 26^th from 10 am to 5 pm. Refreshments will be served. On January 25^th all purchases will receive a 25% discount. On January 26^th a door prize will be drawn for a $25.00 gift certificate at 4:30 pm. (you need not be present to win). All donations are appreciated. Check us out on facebook.com/pantrythriftstore

House Fire at Rec Lake

  Bates County Live will post the Official Fire Report from Fire Chief Jim Henry when it is available. No Injures except for a dog who was in the house at the time of the fire.