Enrollment Period for 4-H Youth Program Begins

(BUTLER, MO – September 21, 2015) - Enrollment for 4-H clubs in Bates County begins October 1. All enrollments can be done on-line at https/mo.4honline.com/. To be able to participate in the fairs and other 4-H events, youth should be enrolled no later than January 1, 2016. There are eleven 4-H clubs in Bates County. To find the club most convenient to you, call the Bates County Extension Office at 660-679-4167.
 
As the largest out-of-school youth organization in the world, 4-H is open to all boys and girls, ages 5 to18. Children who are five to seven years old (as of Jan. 1, 2016) are eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an introductory program.

Youths who are 8 to 18 years of age (as of Jan. 1, 2016) can select from a variety of 4-H projects and activities that stress social and life skills in areas such as decision making, communication, social interaction, civic responsibility and physical skills.

“You do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H,” said Alan J. Mundey, 4-H Youth Development Specialist. “Project opportunities include computers, robotics, photography, shooting sports, foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and much more.”

Missouri 4-H is the University of Missouri Extension's youth development program. The program is designed to help create opportunities for young people to be valued, contributing members of their community.

To learn more about 4-H and how to get involved locally go online to http://mo4h.missouri.edu or visit the nearest University of Missouri Extension Center.

For information on enrolling with an existing club, becoming a volunteer or starting a new 4-H club in Bates County, contact Alan J. Mundey, 4-H Youth Specialist, phone: 660-679-4167, email: mundeya@missouri.edu.

Bates County Sheriffs Office: CCW Class September 27th

The Bates County Sheriff's Office will be hosting a free CCW Class on Sunday, September 27th. This class is for Bates County residents only. 

The class will start at 8 a.m. and lasts for 8 hours. If you would like to sign up, please contact Jami Page at 660-679-3232. The class size is limited and fills up fast. 

Please note if you sign up for the class and do not show up without cancelling first with Jami, you will not be allowed to sign up for another class.

Not Forgotten: Adrian hosts 13th annual 9/11 Silent Procession and Tribute

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney 

Flag folding ceremony by the Harrisonville Honor Guard. Each fold
holds a meaning which was carefully explained

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney has been asked- "How long will you continue to do a 9/11 tribute?" His standard answer is "As long a people come and show their support".  And Friday night, they did, despite competition from many other local activities. In fact, a rather large crowd gathered at the Adrian City Park on a breezy evening to pay their respect for the 13th year in a row.

A seemingly endless line of fire trucks, rescue units and other emergency vehicles silently made their way from the west side of Adrian to the city park- not a parade, but a quiet, solemn trek to where the program commenced for a waiting crowd.

While the program was consistent with that of previous years, the message remains the same...how can we properly thank those fire fighters, first responders, EMT's, police and military personnel who so proudly, yet humbly serve and protect us?

The answer seems to come in personal pride, to not only to serve fellow man, but our country as well. Ask a firefighter or EMT why they do what they do, and you'll likely get met with modest response, if any at all. It's certainly not for the pay- but being able to save lives and help where needed when the call comes. 

Faith Hutchens sings America the Beautiful

On September 11th, 2001, firefighters, police and first responders were called to a task unlike anything they had ever seen before. At the World Trade Center, many made their way up dozens of flights of stairs as a raging fire loomed many stories above them- despite the unknown, they forged on, with little thought devoted to their safety, after all, they were doing the jobs they knew and loved, despite the risks.  

And they gave their lives, along with many others on the airplanes, in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon, in the name of helping others. 

The local tribute Friday night not only paid homage to firefighters, but other who serve, including all branches of the United States military services through speech and song. 

A prayer marked the end of the program, which was followed by Chief Dizney suggesting that guests take a few moments to chat with and get to know their local police, firefighters and first responders on a personal level.

Mark your calendar for next years 9/11 Silent Procession and ceremonial tribute to be held Sunday, September 11, 2016.

Job Opening in Nevada

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office is currently taking applications for: Full-time Food Services Worker, Part-time Food Services Worker, and Full-time Detention Officer. 

All training provided, excellent benefits package including health, vision, dental, sick pay, vacation pay, Holliday pay, and retirement.

Stop by the Sheriff's Office at 2040 E Hunter for applications or call 417-283-4366 for more details.

Huckster's Day 2015

The Bates County Cattlemen had a steady line of customers

Sheriff Anderson prepares a special treat at the Wild Hogs tent 

Another order of the ever popular twisted taters served up by the Bates County Elks

It's harder than it looks- catching a greased pig 

Vendors and customers come together on the north side of the square 

A quick spin thrills the riders

Heath Oates puckers and plants a big one as promised

Taking a break while the Nostalgia Band performs

Two from Osceola wanted on felony warrants

Yancey Saunders

Rebecca Saunders

Arrest warrants were recently issued for Yancey Saunders, 40, and Rebecca Saunders, 40, both of Osceola, charging them each with class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $15,000 cash or surety in each case.

The charges stem from an investigation on Aug. 20 at their residence on SE 665 Road, Osceola. During the investigation St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdiction Drug Task Force discovered several plastic bags with residue and paraphernalia, some of which tested positive for methamphetamine.

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

Pleasant Hill woman sentenced after baby found encased in concrete

Krystal Scroggs

PLEASANT HILL, Mo. — The mother of a newborn found encased in concrete at a suburban Kansas City home was sentenced on Tuesday in the death on her baby.

In April, a jury convicted Krystal Scroggs, 30, of second-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child and abandonment of a corpse.

On Tuesday Scroggs’ was sentenced to life in prison for the second degree felony murder charge, seven years for child endangerment and four years on an abandonment of a corpse charge.

Police found the baby’s body in a concrete-filled bucket in a Pleasant Hill, Missouri, garage in 2013 while searching for drug paraphernalia. Investigators said the father told them the baby was stillborn at home, and he disposed of the body in the bucket. However, an autopsy showed the baby died of methamphetamine intoxication caused by his mother’s drug use.

Scroggs’ husband, Matthew Scroggs, is set to go to trial next April.
Copyright © 2015, WDAF

Kingsville couple sentenced for bank fraud scheme in Lee’s Summit

A Kingsville husband and wife were sentenced in federal court Tuesday for a $664,000 bank fraud scheme related to his work on a Lee’s Summit subdivision.

Dennis R. Key, 52, and his wife, Michal Ann Key, 49, both originally of Kingsville, were sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays.

Dennis Key was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. Michal Key was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered the Keys to pay $664,393 in restitution to their victim.

According to Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, on Sept. 25, 2014, the Keys pleaded guilty to bank fraud. The Keys admitted that they engaged in a four-year-long bank fraud scheme from August 2006 to November 2009. They stole $664,393 from Dennis Key’s longtime friend by double-billing him for work building a house, and by concealing that double-billing through hidden fees, shell companies and bank accounts, and by signing false and fictitious names to checks.

Dennis Key was the owner of DM & Associates, LLC, a land surveying and engineering consulting business in the Kansas City area. Michal Key did administrative and clerical work for the business, including bookkeeping, paying bills and writing checks.

In January and February 2005, Dennis Key entered into two contracts with his friend, under which he would be paid for surveying and engineering in relation to developing part of a subdivision in Lee’s Summit, and for project management/general contracting in building a house for his friend in that subdivision.

In August 2006, Dennis Key arranged for JM Contractors to act as general contractor for the construction work and to subcontract work to be performed. He instructed JM Contractors to add an extra 15 percent to its fee, which would be paid to Dennis Key. Dennis Key also instructed JM Contractors to conceal the mark-up by hiding the fee in each line item on the bills. Through this contractor, Dennis Key received a $97,500 kickback.

Key also lied to his friend by telling him JM Contracting was a subcontractor, not a general contractor. His friend also lost the $203,361 that he paid JM Contracting for work he had already paid Dennis Key to do, federal prosecutors said.

The Keys also created various shell companies with names similar to the subcontractors working on the house. When they received the real bills from the subcontractors, they prepared false inflated bills and invoices in the names of the shell companies and submitted those for payment. When they received payment, they deposited the funds into the bank accounts of their shell companies. They transferred the funds to their personal bank account, paid the actual subcontractors the amount owed and kept the difference.