Clinton Fire Department gets new firehouse dog

We would formally like to introduce to you our new firehouse dog, Blaze! We had some help naming him. On Monday, we asked the students of Henry Elementary, Clinton Intermediate, Holy Rosary, and Clinton Christian Academy to help us in choosing a name. 

 We gave them four names and asked each class to pick a name that they thought suited him best. A Facebook poll conducted last week aided us in choosing the four names: Flash, Blaze, Captain, and Booster. 

 After tallying the votes from the students, it was VERY close between Flash and Blaze. Blaze won by only TWO votes! We would like to thank all of the students and teachers for their participation! Blaze is looking forward to meeting each of you soon.

Missouri State Parks prepares for start of season at trout parks‏

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Staff at Missouri State Parks’ three trout parks are gearing up for a springtime ritual – the opening of trout fishing season on March 1. The season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville.

Opening day of trout season is an important Missouri tradition, marking the beginning of a season that runs until Oct. 31. In addition to premier trout fishing, visitors to the state’s trout parks can enjoy miles of hiking trails, lodging and camping options and on-site dining facilities.

“Our park staff spend much of the year looking forward to the crowds that visit on opening day, and are expecting a successful start of the 2014 catch-and-keep trout season,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. “I encourage anglers to take some time to enjoy our world-class trout streams and then stop in at the dining lodge for a good hot meal.”

Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of Missouri State Parks, which manages state parks, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, which operates the hatcheries and stocks the streams with trout.

For more information on trout opening, visit Mo.gov or call Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201, Roaring River State Park at 417-847-2539 or Bennett Spring State Park at 417-532-4338.

For information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Man Wanted on Felony Warrant May Be In Butler/Bates County Area

Christopher Melton

On Feb. 25, a St. Clair County felony arrest warrant was issued for Christopher Melton, 25, Lowry City, on a probation revocation. Bond is set at $1,500 cash only. In July 2013, Melton plead guilty to a class C felony of theft/stealing (value of property or services is $500 or more but less than $25,000). Circuit Court Judge James Journey suspended the imposition of sentencing and placed Melton on supervised probation for five years. He was ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution jointly and severally with other defendants in the case. The charge stemmed from a stealing the occurred on property owned by Gary Vohs, located on SE Highway 13, Collins, on Dec. 11, 2012. Sheriff Scott Keeler urges those with any information on Melton’s location to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Butler Public Library Now Offering eBooks

Food Pantry News

Today is the last day of the 'Great Cuke Zuch Giveaway' at the Community Food Pantry of Butler. We have produce that needs to be used!! If you are a Bates County resident please come to the Food Pantry dock before 3 p.m. today and from the warmth of your car we will hand you a sack of zucchini and or cucumbers. Wouldn't zucchini bread smell good baking in your oven? Or add some to a pot of soup.  Think summer while you slice cucumbers into vinegar and onions or into a salad (maybe if we all think it, it will come?). The Food Pantry thanks you all and hopes you enjoy this produce! "

BCMH EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH OF MARCH

JANICE SCHAPELER is recognized as the Bates County Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for March, 2014. Janice began her employment at BCMH in 1985. 

Janice has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and currently works in the Housekeeping Department. Janice treats everyone she meets with kindness, recognizing everyone is important. She is extremely conscientious in her job duties and cleans until everything sparkles. Janice is a long-time, valued employee with an extraordinary work ethic and deserving of Employee of the Month recognition.

Felony arrest warrant issued for Lowry City Woman

Raven Collins

On Feb. 26, an arrest warrant was issued for Raven Collins, 34, Lowry City, charging her with two counts of possessing a controlled substance, a class C felony. The charges stem from a drug investigation on Feb. 13 at Collins’ residence on Fifth and Mahan street, Lowry City. St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office deputies and officers from the Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdiction Drug Task Force located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the residence. Collins was arrested and booked into the St. Clair County Jail. She was released pending formal charges.

Sheriff Scott Keeler urges those with any information on Collins' location to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Obituary - Helen Louise Smith

Graveside services for Helen Smith will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 a.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Alzheimer's Association or Heartland Hospice.

Helen Louise Smith, age 88 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. She was born February 22, 1926 to Lonnie and Ermine Zimmer Deerwester in Ballard, Missouri.

Helen is survived by three daughters, Jackie Ferguson and husband Dwayne of West Des Moines, Iowa, Carol Lewis and husband Chuck of Amsterdam, Missouri and Julie Davis and husband Tim of Greencastle, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Erica Hough and husband Jeremy of Raymore, Missouri, Kyle Lewis and wife Megan of Adrian, Missouri, Jonathan Ferguson of West Des Moines, Iowa, Kelsey Dean and husband Philip of Louisburg, Kansas and Brittani Hedgpeth and husband Jesse of Iberia, Missouri; and four great-grandchildren, Caleb and Carly Hough and Elexis and Cali Hedgpeth. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Ellen Wackerman; and two sons, Chris and Curtis Smith.