Obituary - Charles E. Clark

66-year-old Charles E. Clark, Rich Hill, passed away Wednesday. Arrangements are under direction of the Langsford Funeral Home, Lee's Summit, and a graveside service is scheduled at noon Monday, November 18, in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Mo.

The Adrian Optimist Club honor Students of the Month from the Miami, Ballard, and Adrian schools

The Adrian Optimist Club is pleased to honor Students of the Month from the Miami, Ballard, and Adrian schools. Criteria for this honor center on outstanding academic and civic achievement and school spirit. Staff at each of the schools make the selection, and their decision is based on expansion of these criteria. Selection is based on the criteria, but a student stepping up to a particular task will come to play in it. Each student is honored with a certificate of recognition from the Adrian Optimist Club and $20.00 in Adrian Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Bucks”.

For October the Miami Student of the Month is Makalyn Gutshall, a senior. Makalyn is the daughter of Ed and Cheryl Gutshall. She stays very busy in school with volleyball, basketball, NHS, and FFA. Summers include softball, showing hogs at county and state fairs; and just getting out to ride her horse. Makalyn states she is inspired by her Ag teacher and FFA advisor, Charlie Jenkins. She credits him with making her realize her full potential with drive for success. Makalyn is a dedicated student who continues to excel. Next for her will be majoring in radiology with emphasis on nuclear medicine at Missouri State University.

 

The Ballard Student of the Month is Jenni Burkhart, sophomore daughter of Mary and Richard Burkhart. Art instructor, Jenny Czyzewski, states that “Jenni comes to school with a positive attitude and a willingness to cooperate with her peeers every day. When a fellow student or a teacher needs a hand, she is there to help. She always puts 100% into her work and encourages her classmates to do the same. Jenni is a model student in all ways.” English instructor, Ashlea Gray adds “Jenni always arrives to class prepared to learn. She always does everything that is asked of her, and is the first to help a class mate when they need it. She is always kind to those around her, and is a good role model for her peers.”

Giovanni Morales is the Adrian Student of the Month. His parents are Bertha Piurowski and Bruce Piurowski. Giovanni as a senior participates in football, wrestling, baseball, and soccer. Adrian staff say he is quiet, hard working, and their definite choice for the month. Giovanni credits his parents support as his inspiration. Outside of school he relaxes with music, videogames, and friends. Giovanni plans on going to culinary college and someday opening his own restaurant.

Rich Hill FCCLA "Keeping Children Warm"

 

Lesli Fletcher, a social worker student at Pittsburg State University, has asked the Rich Hill FCCLA to take part in her project, “Keeping Children Warm.” This is the time of year in which FCCLA students start their STAR events. Kendra Larimore, FCCLA Rich Hill High School vice president, was happy to participate in Lesli’s project. Kendra shares an equal passion for our local foster children. She stated, “I love what she’s doing and it hits close to home. I have aunts who are foster parents.” Lesli encouraged Kendra, when she brought an ornamented box to Mrs. Popplewell, the advisor of Rich Hill FCCLA, so FCCLA could help her collect donations. Kendra became very proactive in creating ways to assemble donations. She did this by placing an additional box in the nurse’s office, writing letters and handing them out to staff, giving letters to local elementary students to take them home to their parents, and sending additional letters to local churches.

In Missouri, there are over 10,000 children placed into foster care each year. Due to the lack of funds available, some of these children do not always receive adequate amounts of winter clothing. You can contribute by donating to this project. There is a box in Mrs. Popplewell’s classroom and the nurse’s office, located at Rich Hill High School. The clothing must be new or gently used; no stains or holes. Enthusiastically, Kendra stated, “I don’t see this as giving back to the community; I see this as helping people when they need it. That’s what FCCLA is all about, helping people, and I plan to help and get as many people involved as possible.”

Grass/ Bean Field Fire West of Amsterdam

Amsterdam Fire Department is in route to a possible Grass/Bean Field Fire West of Amsterdam on J Highway. Unknown at this time if this is a controlled burn. Bates County Life will update this when and if more information becomes available.

Bates County Sheriff's Office Press Release: Bond Reduction in the Adrian Standoff Case

 

Early this morning a hearing in regards to State of Missouri vs Rhonda L Baker was heard in Bates County Associate Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Hopkins. Bond in that case was reduced $20,000 to $5,000.00 cash or surety.

Baker was arrested Friday November 8^th after a 6 hour standoff. Baker and her boyfriend were held up in their home in rural Adrian. It was reported to Law Enforcement that Baker was suicidal and had threatened Law Enforcement. Baker was wanted for questioning on an assault that sent a 62 year female to the hospital on Monday November 4^th.

During the standoff the boyfriend was considered a hostage because he told the negotiators that Baker would not allow him to leave the residence. He later told Law Enforcement that he was afraid that if he left the residence then she would either kill herself or cause the police officers to kill her. Baker and her boyfriend were convinced by Bates County’s Crisis Negotiation Team to come out of the house. Baker denied that she was ever suicidal. Baker was charged with Assault 2^nd degree with a bond set at $20,000.

This is the Second Time that Ms. Baker has barricaded herself in the residence. On February 14, 2011 Ms. Baker allegedly pointed a gun at another person and law enforcement at the house. Ms. Baker retreated into the house and a 12 hour standoff took place. Eventually the police shot tear gas into the house to bring the situation to a peaceful ending. At the time of this new incident Ms. Baker was out of jail on a $7500 bond for the 2011 Unlawful use of a weapon charge. That charge is scheduled for trial in early 2014.

On each of these incidents multiple agencies were called to assist. Thousands of dollars and resources were used to bring each incident to a peaceful resolution.

When asked about the bond reduction Sheriff Anderson’s response was “Extremely disappointed, especially since this is our second time!! We continue to ask our law enforcement officers in this county to put themselves in the line of danger to protect our citizens from people like this just to see them get out of jail within days of the event. It becomes hard to ask my deputies and their family to be prepared that they may make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the community. It’s also tough to be the guy that talks to the neighbors or victims and try comfort and reassure them that they are safe in their homes. ”

Sheriff Anderson also added, “When I took Office, I swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the laws of this State and Nation. My staff and I fully intend to continue to protect the innocent and seek Justice for our citizens.”

REMINDER: Miami FCCLA Booster Club

 

Miami FCCLA Booster Club is having a Trivia Night, Fri, Nov 15 beginning at 6pm in the Miami School Cafeteria.  Get your team together of up to 10 people or come join one of our teams.  It is 10 rounds of 10 questions.  It is $5 per person and walking tacos will be for sale also.  Come join us for a fun filled night.  If you have any questions email scrawford4@marykay.com or call 660-267-3444

GUN AND KNIFE SHOW IN ADRIAN

 The Adrian Optimist Club is hosting a Gun and Knife Show in Adrian on Friday, Dec. 13^th from 5pm to 9 pm, Saturday December 14^th from 8 am to 6 pm and Sunday December 15^th from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Adrian Optimist Building located off i-49 into Adrian, turn left at the 4 way stop.  There will be raffle items, a door prize and 150 tables at the show. Admission is $5.00 per day and children under 10 is free. For more information you can contact Jim Binkley at (816) 213-7247

Take Back Our Schools Meeting

 The Take Back Our Schools meeting will be held at Ballard R-II Friday November 15th at 6:30.  We will have two speakers present from the Missouri Coalition Against Common Core and Senator Ed Emery will also be attending. Everyone is invited to attend