Weather Update: Light Snow Possible Wednesday

Here's our afternoon forecast update and let us just preface this by saying we're ready for spring too. But winter just won't let go. Anyway, after looking over the data for the day it looks like there is an increasing chance for another round of wintry weather on Wednesday. What it looks like now, and this may change, is that light freezing drizzle is possible during the morning hours. That may change to light snow by midday with around half an inch of snow possible by the early afternoon. Snow should then taper of by around dinner time or some time in the late afternoon to early evening. Unlike that last system which was slow and drawn out, this system should be in an out fairly quickly. Temperatures should be in the low to mid 30s Wednesday afternoon which could limit possible accumulations.

Farmers Insurance Propane Contest Winner

Doug Wix getting his check from Heather Diehl Farmers Insurance

Doug and Tena Wix of Butler, Missouri received the most votes and won The Farmers Insurance propane contest! When Doug Wix came in to pick up his check he did something that not most people would of, He wanted to split the $150 with the runner-up who was Tara Vermillion! There are still wonderful people in this world! It makes a difference to "pay it forward". This is great for the community, Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, and thank you Farmers Insurance for having generous hearts And Also Doug Wix for his great actions.

Vernon County Sheriff's Office Press Release: Deputy hit by car, shots fired‏

Deputy struck by car, shots fired during pursuit

Derrik R. Jones

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher announced early Monday that an investigation involving a pursuit with Sheriff’s Deputies that lead to shots being fired early Saturday morning has been completed. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, a Chevy Impala drove thru an intersection at Walnut and Osage in Nevada at a high rate of speed and failing to yield nearly struck a Sheriff’s Deputy who was forced to lock up his breaks and swerve to avoid hitting the vehicle. The Deputy then attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Jones but when the vehicle failed to stop, the deputy called the pursuit into dispatch.

The suspect continued to run from deputies into the west side of the county and at one point tried to turn its lights off and stop on a gravel road. The deputy ordered the suspect at gun point to get out of the vehicle, but the vehicle began driving towards the deputy. The deputy attempted to get out of the way but was side swiped and knocked down as the vehicle charged at him. 

The deputy fired shots at the vehicle after it hit him. The vehicle continued to flee and the deputy began pursuing the vehicle again. A short time later, the deputy notified dispatch that speeds had become too high and the deputy decided to terminate the pursuit.

Nevada Police Officers assisting in the investigation using the description of the driver and vehicle were able to locate the name of the person driving the Impala. The alleged driver was identified as Derrik R Jones of Moundville. Jones is believed to have left a local bar shortly before the pursuit began.

Jones was arrested at a rural county address Saturday afternoon and the vehicle was recovered. Sheriff Mosher said investigators from another county were called out to investigate as an independent agency because shots were fired. The Sheriff said this is a policy he put in place after taking office “any time shots are fired I want another agency to investigate it, even if we think the shooting was justified it needs to be investigated.”

A warrant for Jones was issued Sunday charging him with a Class A felony of Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, along with felony charges of Armed Criminal Action, and Failure to Stop for an Emergency Vehicle. Jones is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $100,000 cash only bond.

Tornado Drill Cancelled

We are going to postpone our Statewide tornado drill for Missouri AND all of the Kansas Counties under NWS Springfield and NWS Pleasant Hill forecast offices until Thursday, March 6th at 130 PM.

The Kansas counties in the Pleasant Hill forecast area that will be tested along with the Missouri counties on Thursday will be:

Doniphan ~ Atchison ~ Leavenworth ~ Wyandotte ~ Johnson ~ Miami ~ LinnSee More

Anyone Missing a Dog North of Butler

This little dog was found on North Main Street in Butler just out of city limits a few days ago. Very Friendly no collar on but might be someones pet. If this is your dog or you know who it belongs to we would like to find the owner please contact Bates County Live at 660-424-0289

Possible Natural Gas Leak At The Bates County Sheriff's Office

The Butler Fire Department along with Liberty Utilities is in route non emergency to the Bates County Sheriff's Office in the jail area of the building at this time on the smell of natural gas. Bates County Live will update this update this when and if more information becomes available.

News Release: March 3 meetings postponed, location changed‏

Grape Pruning and Specialty Bulbs Meetings Postponed Until March 

Two horticulture meetings planned for Monday, March 3 are postponed until Saturday, March 8, and their location is moved.  At 1 p.m. Patrick Byers, Extension Horticulture Specialist, will conduct a grape pruning workshop.  Lots of mystery surrounds the pruning of grapes.  However, with a bit of training, anyone can prune grapes.  Patrick will discuss vine structure, training, and pruning in the class at the Vernon County Senior Center at 301 N. Main.   Then hands-on pruning of young and mature vines at a nearby vineyard will further develop the skills of workshop attendees. There is a $10 charge for the class.  Please register for the class by March 7 by calling the Vernon County Center Extension Center at 417-448-2560.  Be sure to dress appropriately for going to the vineyard. 

The morning of March 8 at 9 a.m., also at the Vernon County Senior Center, Byers will talk about specialty bulbs.  The specialty bulbs are just that – a special addition to the landscape!  These plants offer an amazing diversity of sizes, shapes, and colors for the Missouri garden.  The show begins in the early spring, continues through the heat of the summer, and concludes with a final display in the fall.  The presentation will focus on bulbs hardy in USDA Zones 5 and 6 (or those that will survive with a bit of winter protection).  There is $5 charge for the class.  Please register for the class by March 7 by calling 417-448-2560. 

If you need special accommodations, please let us know at least one week prior to the class.  For more information, contact your local University of Missouri Extension Center.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office: Stolen Handgun In Lowry City

On Thursday, Feb. 27, a St. Clair County deputy took a report from John Lysinger, Jr., Lowry City, in reference to a theft of a handgun. Lysinger reported a Smith and Wesson, Model 19, .357 cal. revolver in a tan soft zipper case was missing from his New Holland TS110 tractor parked inside his shed on NW 151 Road, Lowry City. He said the theft occurred sometime between Nov. 16, 2013 and Feb. 27. The investigation is ongoing.

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