Obituary - "Uncle Clark" Russell

The Funeral Service for "Uncle Clark" Russell will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Hill & Son Funeral Home. 

Jerry Johannigmeier will be officiating at the service. 

A visitation will be held from 11:00 - 12:00 before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rockville Cemetery.

The family suggests any memorial donations be given to Heartland Hospice. 

A full obituary will be published when it is made available to us.

Someday...

"Someday....I'm gonna be a firefighter!" claims Kenton Hill of Butler. Kenton (from a safe distance) joined area fire departments on Saturday for training north of town- an abandoned house was burned so that firefighters could get hands on  extinguishing techniques in a controlled environment. Kenton is grandson of Butler firefighter Jeff Hall and son of Jeff and Brandi Hill of Butler.

Poplar Height Living History Farm is sponsoring Fright Farm

Poplar Height Living History Farm is sponsoring Fright Farm, October 28 and 29. Tickets are just $5.00 and you must get them in advance. 

Go on a lantern led walk thru scary buildings and watch out for what's behind the trees. 

Finish with a hayride thru the dark and "dangerous" night fields. Call 660-200-5620 to order tickets now.

Decision 2016: Bates County Coroner candidate Kelly Phillips

What are the real requirements for coroner?

The responsibilities of the coroner are provided under Chapter 58 of Missouri statutes and defined in The Missouri Coroner’s and Medical Examiners’ Association list of “Coroner Duties”. The coroner is:
“To be conservator of the peace.” The same line of responsibility I have as a law enforcement officer today.

“To execute process when sheriff disqualified.” I have over 25 years with the Sheriff’s Office.

“Death to be reported and investigated by coroner…” I am a first responder to these scenes now and have been doing so for over 30 years. I am trained and experienced in the requirements of medical legal documentation and investigation. The determination of “further examination” (MO. statutory language) is to be made by a coroner with the knowledge, training, and experience to recognize when additional scrutiny of a death is required.

“Child’s death under age eighteen, notice to coroner by persons having knowledge—referral to child fatality review panel…” I have been a member of the Child Fatality Review Panel in Bates County since its inception was mandated by Missouri law.

I am a front-line provider and supervisor of a public safety entity for the County-from key local committees, including the Domestic Violence Task Force and the Multi-disciplinary Team (child abuse and child sexual assault) to emergency medical scenes and law enforcement activities. While you are sleeping or going about your daily business, I am providing services which enhance the safety and security of our community. I do this for my family and I do it for yours.

The law is clear that there “shall be no solicitation by the coroner” regarding funeral arrangements. There is absolutely nothing in the coroner statutes about a funeral home requirement or transportation of the deceased by the coroner. Bates County is fortunate to have excellent funeral providers-the coroner should not hinder the business they provide. As coroner, I will ensure that the decedent or family choice for funeral home is followed. Despite the word ‘tax’ being used by others, there is no new tax required with any person who is elected as coroner. There is no building and no equipment to be purchased. When there is the infrequent situation that a forensic examination is required, an autopsy will take place at the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office-the only area facility qualified to do so. This expense is provided for in the coroner’s budget now and is nothing new.

So, why would anyone want to be the coroner? I have spent my entire career in the medical and law enforcement fields. This is what I do every day and will continue to provide the same service as your coroner-providing objective answers your family needs at the time of loss. When informed answers are necessary regarding the cause and manner of death-there is a medical-legal process to be followed. The individual making these life-changing decisions should be well versed and experienced in the medical and legal area.

I have no other reason to pursue this position-no business interest and no political motive. My mission is to ensure that an impartial review take place for each and every death which requires the coroner.

I respectfully ask for your vote as Bates County Coroner on Tuesday, November 8. Please vote Kelly Phillips and put my medical and law enforcement experience to work for you.

Decision 2016: Bates County Coroner candidate Greg Mullinax

I’d like to thank Bates Live for the opportunity to discuss why I’m running for Bates County Coroner and ask for your vote.

Simply put, I have something to give back to a community which has been good to me. I’m prepared for this with 10+ years of experience caring for the deceased. Many of your friends and neighbors know me and have experienced my ability in this field. The demands of the Coroner’s position are very similar to what I do each and every day, and have done for 10 years.

In this field, an associate’s degree is common. I chose to obtain a 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree because it gave me deeper education and insight to my field. I felt then, and do now, that more education would be useful later. I graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2004. My university course work covered forensics, anatomy & physiology, organic chemistry, histology, toxicology, parasitology, and microbiology. I took a heavy concentration in laboratory techniques used in forensic investigations such as DNA procedures. In the same way, I’ve remained current in all topics relating to death care and investigation through many hours of continuing education every year.

No matter who the Coroner is, it is hard for me to imagine that the services and facilities of a funeral director would not be used to assist him or her. As in many counties, here in Bates this has been the tradition for the past 24 years without issue. Why? It is the duty of the coroner that any deceased requiring investigation be kept in his supervision until the necessary work is done. As your coroner, I would utilize my own equipment and facilities to achieve this. I can assure a successful outcome if I’m elected because I already have everything I need operate the office. I see no need that your loved one be transported far out of county, when a medical examiner will travel to my facility to render an M.D.’s opinion of death. When an M.D.’s findings are used to complete the Certificate of Death, it becomes much more difficult to challenge the findings in a court proceeding, in my opinion. This also protects the County to the highest degree possible, because the highest available degree of certification (M.D./D.O.) was used. I am proud that I have told you upfront where your loved ones would go, how they would get there, and how they would be treated. That’s information you need.

A couple years ago, I was summoned to a routine coroner’s call in a nearby county. The deceased man was in his early 40’s with no known illnesses and taking no regular medication. He collapsed while leaving for work and resuscitation was attempted, but obviously unsuccessful. The Coroner proposed a cardiac cause of death and his family, in their numbness and not knowing otherwise, didn’t object. In the days and months that followed however, that information wasn’t enough. Nobody in the family had a cardiac history and the deceased’s physician noted nothing correlating. The family is left with questions today which it is too late to answer.

You see, while it might be tempting to immediately release a deceased to a funeral home from the scene, it would ignore the most important role of the coroner: to determine the cause and manner of death. Perhaps worse, it could lead to years of unanswered questions and distress for loved ones and friends. I have seen firsthand the consequences of this. They’re devastating.

As citizens of Bates County know, this office requires experience, equipment, and facilities in the most professional manner. I’ve worked every day of my career to prepare myself specifically for this position. I know exactly what I am getting into and how to handle it. I’m asking for your vote to allow me to serve my county well.

My best always,
Greg D. Mullinax

Update: Possible structure fire Saturday night in Adrian

On 10/8/16 shortly after 10pm the Adrian Fire Department along with assistance of the Adrian Police Department and Butler Fire Department responded to a possible structure fire at a residence located at 109 E. Lexington in Adrian.

Upon arrival to the scene crews made entry to the home which was full of smoke. It was quickly determined that there was no active fire but the smoke was determined to been caused by a small fire that flashed in the furnace area of the home.

Fire crews remained on scene and ventilated the house for the residents before clearing the scene.

No one was injured in this fire.



Copyright Mid America Live News

House of Hounds rummage sale

House of Hounds located at 10 S. Orange Street in Butler will be celebrating their official one year anniversary on October 16th.

We will have a rummage sale from 10-3 on that day and all proceeds go to the animals at House of Hound.

Everyone is encouraged to attend this great event!

Former Butler man arrested in Henry County

Adam Abney

On October 7, 2016, at around 12:45 a.m., Clinton Police received information that a subject was attempting to sell drugs at a local convenience store and was now parked in the Wal-Mart Parking lot. Officers contacted the subject, Adam Allen Abney, 23, Clinton, ( formerly of Butler, Mo) as he came out of the store. He denied that he had tried to sell drugs and refused the officer’s request to allow them to search his vehicle. Based on information provided by the original caller, officers were able to obtain a search warrant for the vehicle. 

Courtesy of the Clinton Police Department

Upon searching the vehicle, officers were able to recover a sizable amount of methamphetamine and some marijuana from a soft drink can that had a hidden compartment built into it. Officers also recovered a loaded pistol from inside of the vehicle. Other items found were scales and packaging materials commonly used in the packaging and sale of drugs, and drug paraphernalia. 

Mr. Abney was placed under arrest for 24 hour investigation of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, illegal possession (felon in possession) of a firearm, and driving while revoked. 

He was incarcerated in the Henry County Detention Center with a bond set at $40,000 Clinton, Missouri Police Department 101 E. Ohio St. Clinton, MO 64735 (660) 885-2679 Fax: (660) 885-7096