University of Missouri Athletic Director Stepping Down

The University of Missouri has called a news conference for Friday to announce Athletic Director Mike Alden's plans to step down from the position effective August 31, 2015.

In a letter written by Alden and posted on the Mizzou athletic website Alden said he plans to become an instructor for the University of Missouri College of Education.

Alden has served as the Mizzou Athletic Director for seventeen years and helped engineer the Tigers move to the SEC.

Below is the letter written by Alden:

I hope that the New Year has started off well for you and your family. We are excited about Mizzou Athletics in 2015. Your support and your passion drives our University and helps "Prepare Champions for Life".

After several months of contemplation, I have decided that it is time for a change, both for me and for the University that I so dearly love. I have informed Chancellor Loftin of my decision to step down as the Director of Athletics effective August 31, 2015. My wife, Rockie, our son, Jake, and I have had an incredible experience at Mizzou and this is simply our next step in our journey in Columbia. We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past seventeen years, which is a lifetime for an athletics administrator. I am most proud of our tremendous coaches, staff and student-athletes and how they represent our University with academic integrity, social responsibility and competitive excellence.

But my journey at Mizzou is not coming to a close. As one chapter ends, another one begins and I am excited that I will be a part of the College of Education as an instructor where I will participate in the Positive Coaching Program and higher education leadership courses.

In addition, the College of Education, in concert with other campus partners, will be launching a Center for Global Service Learning Leadership. The Center will harness the tremendous service interests of our students and faculty into leadership curriculum allowing us to take our campus to the next step in the development of our students and our positive impact on the world. I have worked for many years as a volunteer, organizer and advisor in this area and I am thrilled to make this passion now my work.

I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the coming months and assisting with the transition. Great things lie ahead for Tiger Athletics and the University of Missouri. M-I-Z!

Mike Alden

Obituary - Patricia “Patty” Sue (Christy) McLaughlin

Patricia “Patty” Sue (Christy) McLaughlin, 78, Harrisonville, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 28, 2014 at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville, with her family at her side. In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until services at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, February 2 at the New Home Cemetery in Warsaw, Missouri. Memorials may be made to Abiding Love Baptist Church Building Fund.

(A complete obituary will be posted when available).

St. Clair County Felony warrant issued

Darrell Linder

On Jan. 28, a St. Clair County warrant was issued for Darrell Linder, 62, Warsaw, charging him with a probation/parole violation on an original felony charge of passing a bad check. The charge stems from an incident in August 2007. Bond is set at $2,000 cash only.

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

Obituary - David "Joey" Priset

David Priset

David Priset, of Nevada, passed away on Saturday, January 24th in Nevada. He was 33. Arrangements are under the direction of Ferry Funeral Home.

A memorial service is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 29th at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. 

Additional service and family information will be announced at a later date by Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Tarry McElwee

Tarry J. McElwee, 62, of Butler, Missouri passed away January 27, 2015 at Heartland Willow Lane

Nursing Home in Butler. Tarry's wishes were to be cremated. There are no services scheduled at this time. Messages of condolence may be left at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com (660)679-0009

Tarry was born February 11, 1952 in Polo, Missouri. He is survived by his wife Terry (Stark) McElwee.

Butler HS Baseball Team selling Royals Tickets

Playing in a Major League Baseball stadium is a dream shared by many youngsters. For high school students participating in the 2015 Royals High School Baseball Classic, this provides an opportunity for that dream to become a reality. For the last thirteen seasons, the Kansas City Royals have hosted high school baseball teams at this annual event. This year Kauffman Stadium will again host several area high school teams. Our Butler Bear Baseball team has the opportunity to play at Kauffman Stadium on April 28th at 4:00p.m. Make plans to watch the Bears play the Eagles at Kauffman Stadium. Admission to this game is free so come out and enjoy the game.

To be eligible our Baseball Team needs to sell 1000 vouchers. This year the team will be selling vouchers for Field Box and Field Plaza seats for this 2015 Royals season. These vouchers can be exchanged for game tickets at the Royals ticket outlet on the first day of the season or the day of the game. Regular prices for these lower level seats are $48.00 and $38.00. The Bears are selling the ticket vouchers for $21.00 and $19.00 per seat. Vouchers can be purchased at Midwest Lumber 679-3137 or from any varsity baseball player or coach. Thank you for your support!

The blackout dates will be” 4/6, 5/15, 5/16, 5/17, 5/22, 5/23, 5/24, 6/19, 6/20, and 6/21.

Opening day, Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox.

-our thanks to Tammy Appleberry

Time to sign up for Electric City Soccer

Electric City Soccer Club to Conduct Registration for Spring Youth Soccer

(Jan 28, 2015) – Electric City Soccer Club registration for the spring 2015 season will be held on February 6 from 6pm-8pm, February 7 from 9am-1pm, and February 8 from 1pm-5pm. Children ages 4 years (as of 8/1/2014) through 12th grade are eligible to enroll to play soccer. Registration will be required even if the child played previously.

Registration will be held at the Butler McDonald’s. Cost for the season will be $45. For more information, please email electriccitysoccer@live.com or visit www.facebook.com/ElectricCitySoccerClub.

Electric City Soccer Club is a proud member of the Missouri Youth Soccer Association and the Sporting Kansas City’s Sporting Club Network.

What: Electric City Soccer Club Registration- Ages 4 to 12th grade

Where: Butler McDonald’s

When: February 6 from 6 pm-8 pm February 7 from 9 am-1 pm February 8 from 1 pm-5 pm

For more information: electriccitysoccer@live.com or www.facebook.com/ElectricCitySoccerClub

Unemployment Benefits in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri bill to link the length of unemployment benefits to the unemployment rate has approval from a House panel.

The bill approved Monday also would increase the amount of money the state must have saved to pay for benefits before reducing how much businesses need to contribute.

Supporters of the bill say they want to make sure the state's unemployment trust fund does not run out of money in the future.

Missouri's unemployment fund had to borrow money from the federal program in 2009 and paid it off last year.
When a state trust fund is in debt to the federal government, businesses lose out on part of a federal tax credit.

The bill also requires a state board consider alternative financing next time the trust fund needs money.