'Click It or Ticket' begins May 18

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will be joining with statewide law enforcement May 18–31 for an aggressive “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to crack down on Missouri’s seat belt violations.

Six out of 10 people killed in Missouri traffic crashes are unbuckled. Even with all the advancements in automobile safety and education on the importance of seat belt use, Missouri’s seat belt use has remained relatively unchanged in the last six years and consistently below the national average.

Missouri has a 79 percent seat belt use, which is well below the national average of 87 percent. Teens and pick-up truck drivers are among those least likely to buckle up at 67 and 63 percent, respectively


“Every day someone dies in a crash in Missouri because they weren’t buckled up,” said Sheriff Scott Keeler. “We will be pulling out all the stops to ensure motorists are buckling up.”

Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Buckle Up and Arrive Alive. For information on Missouri seatbelt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

REMINDER: Tomorrow Take Back Unwanted, Unused Or Expired Drugs in Bates County

On May 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you will have the opportunity to rid your homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused or unwanted drugs by taking them to the Bates County Health Center at 501 N. Orange St. in Butler, they will not accept any syringes or inhalers. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked and provided by the Butler Police Department, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and the Bates County Health Center.

The Health Center is unable to accept unwanted, unused or expired drugs at any time other than the specified event date of May 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are unable to bring your unwanted, unused or expired drugs to this event, they may be dropped off at any time in the permanent drug take back box located in the lobby of the Butler Police Department, 309 N. Fulton in Butler.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Take your unwanted, unused or expired prescription or over the counter drugs to the Bates County Health Center on Saturday, May 16th.

Vernon County Sheriffs Office Press Release: Warrant issued for suspect in possession of stolen briefcase‏

Jeremy L. Pyle

Warrants have been issued for a suspect that was taken into custody early Thursday morning. According to court records, Jeremy L Pyle, 37 of Nevada has been charged with Theft/Stealing, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia as a result of an undercover sting conducted by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office early Thursday morning. 

According to the Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher, one other person arrested at the time has been released pending further investigation. Pyle is being held in the Vernon County Jail with a total bond of $10,700 cash only.

Free Movie Night in Amsterdam

The Shaggy Dog - Movie in Amsterdam. Saturday, May 16th at 7pm. Free admission. Concessions available with all proceeds going to Bates County Dog Rescue. Mark your calendars!

Female Dog Found in Amsterdam

Dog found this morning in Amsterdam can't keep her in the back yard and the Bates County Dog Rescue can't take her yet.

If someone in Amsterdam is missing this sweet girl, call 660-267-3638 or 660-464-2082.

Butler High School Announces Driver Education Courses for this summer

Butler High School Announces We will offer Driver Education Courses this Summer. Details in the document posted below. Just print and return. You don't have to be a Butler High School student to take the course.

Archie man arrested on Bates County Warrant

Roger D. Lawrence

On 5/15/15 around 1:00 a.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County arrested 20 year old Roger D. Lawrence of Archie, Missouri.

Mr. Lawrence was arrested on 1.) Felony Bates County Warrant -  Larceny. 

He was booked into the Bates County Jail and his current status is listed as bond able.

Copyright Mid America Live

Weather Update: Storms on the way

Rain showers are expected this morning and may linger through the afternoon hours before dissipating this evening. No severe weather is expected with today's storms. Though, despite the storms and cloud cover, today's highs are still expected to top out around 80. 

The severe potential will increase Saturday as a few strong storms will be possible along with any stormy activity that develops late in the day. 

Saturday's storms will be capable of producing damaging winds and large.