Butler High School Speech and Theatre Team Tournament Results‏

The BHS Speech and Theatre Team collect their first trophies of the new season Saturday at the Warrensburg High School - Sunrise Optimist Speech Tournament. Four of our seven entries reached finals, with John Swift just missing on a tiebreaker in Humorous Interpretation and Cameron Rice only one spot out in Dramatic Interp. Earning Trophies were Cameron Rice at 5th in Poetry Reading, and Dalton Fischer taking 6th in Dramatic, 3rd in Radio Speaking, and 1st in Championship Poetry. Dalton is the first BHS competitor to ever triple final.

Obituary - Ronda Jean Grant

Funeral services for Ronda Jean Joliffe Grant will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 29 at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Wayside Waifs.

Ronda Jean Jolliffe-Grant passed away January 25, 2014 at the age of 44 in Butler, Missouri. Ronda was born November 29, 1969 to Ronald Jolliffe and Jaima McGuire in Butler.

Ronda is survived by her soul-mate Jackie Lord; her paternal grandmother, Zella Jolliffe of Eldorado Springs, Missouri; her parents Ronald Jolliffe and wife Faye of Hemphill, Texas and Jaima McGuire and husband Tom of Butler, Missouri; her children, James Lesmeister and wife Simone of Ft. Belvoir Virginia, Kayla McBrayer and husband Jarod and Kourtney Lesmeister all of Butler, Missouri; three sisters; Sheila Jones and husband Darin, Laura Fritts and husband Rob, Jessica Harrison and husband Anthony, all of Butler, Missouri; and one brother Ronnie Jolliffe and wife Katie of Slidell, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Rylee, Emma, Bryndal, Hannah; and one on the way; numerous nephews, neices, aunts, uncles and cousins. Ronda was proceeded in death by maternal grandparents, James and Helen Kelley and paternal grandfather Alfred Jolliffe.

Burn Ban for City of Rich Hil

The City of Rich Hill has put in effect a "NO BURN BAN" within the city limits of Rich Hill until further notice or until measurable rain fall. The Rich Hill Fire Department is also encouraging those outside the city limits to not burn as well, due to the extremely dry and windy conditions.

Update: All Fire Units Are In Service Now And Back In Quarters

All of the the fire units that were assisting on the multiple brush and grass fires this evening are now back in quarters and in service. Bates County Live would like to thank all the Fire Departments and men and women who put their lives on the line everyday and train hard for situations like tonight. The people of Bates County are lucky to have such great people in this community.

Large Out of Control Fire 11 Miles West On AA Highway

The Drexel Fire Department and Adrian Fire Department and Amsterdam Fire Department is in route to a out of control grass fire 11 miles West of Adrian on AA Highway to county road 11001 then back South a half of a mile. The call is a huge out of control grass fire. Bates County Live will update when more information is available.

Bates County Sheriffs Office: Multiple Power Lines Down

We are currently working multiple power lines downs in the rural areas due to high winds and downed trees. Please be careful when traveling tonight and never cross a downed power line in the road. Also be observant for trees across roadways. Please be patient with our dispatch center as call volumes increase if power loss is experienced across our county.

Out of Control Brush Fire North of Adrian

The Adrian Fire Department with assist from the Central Cass County Fire Department is in route to a brush fire that is out of control North of Adrian on E Highway around 3 miles East of I-49 to County Road 2713 to the first residence on the East Side of the roadway. The fire has reached a timberline and is burning through the timber. The property is around the Nick Shipley property. Bates County Live will update with further information when it becomes available.

Local School Delays On Monday

The Miami R-1 School District will start 2 hours late due to cold weather on Monday Jan 27th, 2014. The School Buses will run 2hrs later than usual.

School starts at 10 a.m.
No Pre-school will be held on Monday Jan 27, 2014
No Breakfast served.
Dress Warm and Be Safe

The Appleton City schools will start late Monday 27th at 10:00 am and Jr high and high school will begin with 3rd hour.