Local artist to appear on network television show

Local artist Rebekah Knight (formerly of the Virginia/Amoret area) just a few years ago gained fame as her award winning artwork got noticed by the U.S. Postal Service's duck stamp program.

Rebekah has another shot at the title as the Animal Planet channel will be airing an episode tomorrow night (Sept. 14th) about the hard work and enthusiasm behind the highly detailed stamps.

Check listings for times and set your recorder so you don't miss it!

Our original story about her winning artwork:
http://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/2011/11/local-artist-gains-national-attention.html

See the show trailer video here:
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/the-million-dollar-duck/about/

Local FFA Students Recognized for Third Annual BigYield Challenge Placement

GARDEN CITY, MO. (Sept. 13, 2016) – On Sept. 10, the Mid-America Regional Development Incubator (MARDI) hosted the third annual BigYield Challenge.

Held at The Farm Research Center, the challenge enabled students from nine area FFA chapters to gain agronomy skills, learn methods to estimate corn and soybean yields, compute production economics and earn funding for their FFA chapters. BigYield.us served as the event’s sponsor.

The team from the Cass Career Center in Harrisonville, Mo., earned the first-place award. Other teams receiving awards were those from Midway High School, second place; Rich Hill R-IV School District, third place; Appleton City High School, fourth place; and Drexel R-IV Schools, fifth place. Teams from Cole Camp High School, Lakeland R-III Public Schools, Miami High School and Sherwood High School also participated.

For participating in the BigYield Challenge, each FFA chapter received $250. Teams placing in the top five, based on total points awarded for yield and production economics estimates, earned additional cash awards: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place, $250 for fourth place and $100 for fifth place.

To participate in the BigYield Challenge, FFA students worked in four-person teams to estimate corn and soybean yields. For each of the two crops, students projected yields from organic, non-GMO and GMO field trials. After estimating yields, the students also used basic cost and revenue information to evaluate the profitability for each production method: organic, non-GMO or GMO. Placement in the competition was based on total points accumulated for estimating yields and calculating profitability. Student yield estimates were compared to actual corn plot harvest data and yield projections for soybeans.

About the Mid-America Regional Development Incubator: The Mid-America Regional Development Incubator (MARDI) is a Missouri-based research foundation with extensive experience in advancing the agriculture industry through supporting new technological innovations. As a 501(c)(3), MARDI views part of its mission as being an advocate for broadening opportunities for youth to experience agriculture and learn skills that will make them better students and future workforce participants. To further this mission, MARDI has committed to supporting FFA students and programs.

About BigYield.us: BigYield.us is an organization composed of growers, researchers and staff focused on providing information, solutions, techniques, products and strategies that improve grower productivity and the quality of crops grown on the farm. BigYield.us is committed to helping all growers achieve higher yields by understanding and utilizing the latest advancements in agricultural technology. For more information, contact BigYield.us by phone at (816) 773-6018, or go to http://www.BigYield.us/.

So much to do, so little time...

Our local events calendar is splitting at the seams... 

This weekend:
BHS Homecoming parade Friday 2pm
Huckster's Day on the Butler square Friday and Saturday

Saturday Sept. 24th
Amsterdam Jubilee
Archie Fall Festival
Papinville Picnic

Saturday Oct. 1st:
Burnt District Festival in Harrisonville
Drexel Pumpkin Festival

Saturday Nov. 5th:
Byrds Pecan Festival

More will be added as info comes in. Bookmark this page!

See more on our events calendar here http://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Public Auction in Butler

Saturday September 24th at 508 W. Lee Street in Butler Mo..Click on image to make it larger

Real - Time Weather Updated 10:30am

Bourbon County Kansas marijuana seizure leads to arrest

Bourbon County, KS -  A large-scale marijuana seizure in the Marmaton township in Bourbon County leads to an arrest.

"At the present time we're investigating some criminal drug activity that led from a criminal trespass investigation which brought us out to this area," Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin said.

A man was taken into custody from his home and a child was put in the care of a family member. The man is charged with possession, cultivation and distribution of marijuana, felony possession of a firearm and a misdemeanor and felony paraphernalia charge.

Approximately 74 plants were seized from the residence in rural Bourbon County after officers from the KBI, Bourbon County Sheriff and Fort Scott Police walked the property. The plants will be moved to the county landfill where they will be disposed of and burned. Parts of six plants will be given over to the KBI to test and confirm they do contain marijuana THC.

Martin estimates the suspect will appear in front of a judge in the next 48 hours.

"Anybody who is taken into custody, they are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," Martin said.

Updated Obituary - Clayton Monroe Knepp

Clayton Monroe Knepp

Clayton Monroe Knepp age 85 of Garden City, Missouri departed this life Friday, September 9/2016 at his home.

Clayton is survived by his wife Elaine Knepp of the home; two sons, Clayton Knepp Jr. and his wife Denise of Archie, Missouri; Calvin Knepp of Garden City, Missouri; two daughters, Yvonne Gattenby and her companion Thomas Walker of Garden City, Missouri; and Karen Cook and her husband Joe of Urich Missouri; two brothers, Cleo Knepp of Kalona, Iowa and John Knepp Jr. of Salem, Oregon; ten grandchildren, seventeen Great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be held Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, Garden City, Missouri. Burial will be in the Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the care of Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri.

A complete obituary will be posted here as soon as that information becomes available.

Job Opening in Barton County