Highlights from BHS Class of '65 reunion

The Butler High School class of 1965 met May 23rd for their 50th reunion. A large turnout of classmates met for the historic event which included skit titled "The Girdle Girls". -photo credits to Prolook Studio

Safety Village Sign Ups in Butler

Safety Village sign ups will be on Sunday, June 21st, at the Old High School (Pine St.) from 5-7:00 pm. Safety Village will then be held on Monday, June 22th, through Friday, June 26th. Parents are encouraged to bring their participating child so that he or she may meet the teen leaders and take a tour of Safety Village. Parents will be asked to fill out an enrollment sheet and select either the morning (9 am – 12 pm) session or the afternoon (1 pm – 4pm) session. 

Any child who will be four or five years old during the week of Safety Village is eligible. Please take this opportunity to allow your preschooler to learn basic safety in a fun, active environment! Hope to see you there!

(Sponsored by Bates Co. Elks; if further information is needed, call 660-679-4025.)

Weather Update: Rain in the future

Showers and thunderstorms are moving into eastern Kansas this morning and will move into western Missouri before they weaken. However, thunderstorms will redevelop this afternoon with the chance for isolated severe storms. Storms are also expected area-wide on Friday with isolated severe storms again possible. 

By Saturday, an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible. This additional rainfall may lead to continued and additional flooding along area rivers, creeks, and streams.

You can view live, animated radar here

From rain to...war?

While California has a drought, we have quite the opposite. Only three days were reported to have no precipitation during last month and yes, there's water everywhere.

While it's a matter of major inconvenience for farmers and others who have outside work to do, there's another type of storm brewing. A full blown mosquito invasion.

Mosquito larvae thrive in pools, puddles, and standing water. A very short incubation period means that you may be hearing that familiar, high pitched buzzing in your ear soon, if not already.

Experts are saying this season may be the worst we've had in a while due to extreme amounts of rainfall- but there are some things you can do to better protect yourself. We've compiled a list of links below to help make your Summer a little more bearable and safer, too!

Types of illness caused by mosquitoes

Mosquito fact sheet with suggestions for control

How to make a mosquito trap

And as if you didn't already have enough to worry about, word is out that ticks are expected to be bad as they also thrive in a moist environment. The following link provides more information on that subject:

Preventing tick bites

Bates County Sheriffs Office: Operation S.O.S. Update

James Till

James R Till, a registered sex offender, from Adrian, MO was arrested on May 26, 2015 and put on a 24 hour investigative hold by Deputies from the Bates County Sheriff's Office.Late yesterday afternoon, Mr. Till was formerly charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. His bond was set at $10,000.00 cash or surety.

Jeffrey Lane

Jeffrey Lane, a registered sex offender, from Butler, MO was also arrested on May 26, 2015 for a parole violation. Mr. Lane received new charges yesterday for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. His bond was set at $25,000.00 cash or surety.

Springfield man injured in Vernon County dump truck wreck

The Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County responded to a 1 vehicle dump truck accident around 8:05 a.m. this morning on I-49 North bound at Mile Marker 104.4.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2002 Chevrolet Dump Truck driven by 43 year old Jose V. Polson of Springfield, Missouri traveled off the left side of the roadway, over correcting and overturning onto the East side of the roadway.

Mr. Polson had moderate injuries in this accident and was transported by MED Flight to Research Hospital in Kansas City Missouri.

The truck was totaled and towed from the seen by Garwood Wrecker Service of Nevada, Missouri.

Copyright Mid America Live

Updated Obituary - Kenneth L. Routen

Kenneth L. Routen, 73, of Butler, MO passed away May 24, 2015 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO.

A visitation will be held Friday May 29, 2015 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the Mullinax Funeral Home – Drexel Chapel (660-679-0009). A graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Virginia Cemetery near Virginia, MO.

Contributions are suggested in lieu of flowers to Relay For Life. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Butler Public Library Summer Reading Program Honor Local Heroes: Butler Fire Department

The Butler Public Library Summer Reading Program honored our local heroes today for our activity day.

First up the men and women of the Butler Fire Department special thanks to Fire Chief Henry and crew. 

We appreciate all you do for our community.