Bates County Memorial Hospital: The FLU is here

Influenza season is here and according to the CDC, is “widespread” in Missouri as of Dec. 20th. Bates County Memorial Hospital and clinics have identified influenza and influenza-like illness in the community and are asking those who have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, fever, runny nose, and/or sore throat) to please NOT visit patients in the hospital.

If you must visit and have cold symptoms, please put on a mask available in the lobbies or from a registration clerk. When visiting, please remember to perform good hand hygiene before and after your visit. As the highest rates of influenza cases currently in Missouri are among children 14 years and younger, we are asking that children do not visit patients at this time.

Thank you for your cooperation in providing the best protection possible to our patients during this flu season.

Weather Update: Dangerous Wind Chills Wednesday & Thursday

Updated Obituary - Marion Keener Sr.

Marion Keener Sr.,96, of Rich Hill, passed away on Monday, January 5th at Willow Lane Care Center in Butler. He was 96. Arrangements are under the direction of Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill. 

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 8th at the Heuser Funeral Home, with burial at Green Lawn Cemetery in Rich Hill. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 7th from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home with Masonic Rites. 

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Double Branch Christian Church, in care of Heuser Funeral Home.

Misdemeanor warrant arrest in St. Clair County‏

Rhonda Keesee

On Jan. 5, Rhonda Keesee, 52, Collins, was arrested on two St. Clair County warrants, failing to appear in court on class A misdemeanor charges. Keesee is charged with unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana. 

The original charges stem from an incident in August 2014 with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

The warrants were issued in October 2014. Total bond is set at $500 cash only.

Attempt to locate Missing Juvenile from Joplin

Ft. Scott Kansas Police investigate school hoax

School was let out early in Fort Scott Monday afternoon (1/5). Classes were dismissed at 1:30 after a threat was received earlier in the day. Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton tells News Talk KZRG the threat may not have been made by someone local.

"These develop oftentimes overseas.  But we don't know if someone locally sent it also, or got a hold of this e-mail, changed the names and sent it also.  That is under investigation right now."

Fort Scott Superintendent Bob Beckham tells News Talk KZRG the threat was "a generic district-wide threat," not aimed at any particular school. 

Shelton says all Fort Scott schools were let out early as a safety precaution.  He adds each school district building was checked once the students had been sent home.  "Law enforcement along with school personnel and administration did walk-throughs, did searches of the interior of the schools and the common areas and the exterior of the schools and didn't find anything out of the ordinary."

Beckham says plans are for classes in Fort Scott to be held as usual on Tuesday (1/6).

Courtesy of KZRG

4-H Press Release: Washington D.C. trip

Allison Jenkins

HELP SEND BATES COUNTY 4-H’ERS TO WASHINGTON:

Alan J. Mundey, 4-H Youth Specialist, reports that the Bates County delegates to the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus trip have been selected for the summer of 2015. The 4-H’ers selected to represent Bates County this year in Washington are Ella Armentrout (County Line 4-H), the daughter of Mark and Carla Armentrout of Hume; and Allison Jenkins (Summit Go Getters 4-H), the daughter of Hugh and Marcia Jenkins of Butler.

Mundey states, “These members were selected based on their outstanding leadership and achievement through the 4-H program.” Leadership development and exposure to the United States Capitol and government are the key focal points of the trip.

Ella Armentrout

The cost of the trip is $2000 per delegate plus additional miscellaneous expenses. “Each year the 4-H Council asks for donations from local businesses, groups, and individuals to help with these expenses,” Mundey says. “Without community support, many 4-H members would not be able to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

If you would like to help send a 4-H’er to Washington, D.C., please send your donation to:
Bates County 4-H Council
University Extension Office
1 North Delaware (Courthouse Basement)
Butler, MO 64730

Checks should be made payable to the Bates County 4-H Council.

Obituary - Marion Keener,Sr.

Funeral services for Marion Keener, Sr., 96 formerly of Rich Hill, MO are pending at this time and will be announced by the Heuser Funeral Home of Rich Hill. Mid America Live will update when information becomes available.