Staying ahead of scammers: And there's a new one...

We've been telling you that if you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, just hang up. After all, the IRS never calls you- they send letters. Problem solved, right?

Not exactly. Scammers are getting creative now (drum roll please) and are sending letters, requesting you send them money because you owe a debt related to the Affordable Health Care Act.

So now what? You get a very official looking letter and you'd better pay before they take your birthday away...

Hold your horses. The fake letters are pretty easy to spot, and the real IRS offers these tips on how to figure it out:

-Appears to be issued from an Austin, Texas, address.
-Says the issue is related to the Affordable Care Act and requests information regarding 2014 coverage.
-Lists the letter number in the payment voucher as 105C.
-Requests checks be made out to the I.R.S. and sent to the “Austin Processing Center” at a post office box.

Until next time, remember if it doesn't look or sound right, it probably isn't. Sometimes following our instincts is the best bet.

Obituary - Barbara J. Yoo

Barbara J. Yoo, 84 of Prescott, Kansas passed away October 17, 2016 at Prescott Country View Nursing Home in Prescott.  Services are pending at this time.  

Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel chapel (660-679-0009).  

Messages of condolence may be left for the family at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Fire destroys combine near Drexel

The Drexel Fire Department was called to an area just southeast of the intersection of 18 and AA highways last Saturday afternoon on a report of a combine on fire. The unit was completely destroyed. Courtesy of the Drexel Fire Department, Photos by Captain Sheryl Greene

Adrian gun and knife show

Obituary - Larry D. Whittington

Larry D. Whittington, 79 of Belton, Missouri passed away October 14, 2016 at Golden Years Nursing Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Family memorial services to be held at a later date. 

Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Obituary - Gerdi Hedwig Beaman

Gerdi Hedwig Beaman, 58, of Nevada, passed away Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 29, 1958, to Elmo and Hedwig Pilcher. She was a 1976 graduate of El Dorado Springs High School.

Gerdi married Glenn Beaman on March 29, 1992. Blending two families, together they raised five children and later one grandchild. She worked as a seamstress for most of her life, at Key Industries and most recently at Soft Armor in Nevada. Gerdi enjoyed sewing, dressing up in costumes for holidays and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband Glenn; children Jameson Barnes, of Nevada, Mary Grasso-Knight (Gigi), New York City, New York, Shawn McClure (Thomas), Grain Valley, Benjamin Beaman (Liz), of El Dorado Springs, and son-in-law Omar Moreno, Molango, Mexico; grandchildren, DeAngello Vincent, Toby Grasso-Knight, Maya Moreno, Rachelle Moreno, Brandon Moreno, and Reed McClure; brothers and sisters, Karl Lehmann of Nevada, Malita Roby ( Kent), Milo, Leroy Pilcher, Milo, Mina Dressler and husband Daniel, of Centerville, Tennessee, Carion Rumans and husband Scott, of Milo, and Marian Spencer (Jim), Hume; many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Elmo Pilcher; her mother, Hedwig Pilcher; and daughter, Jacquline Moreno-Barnes.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Public Service Notice:

The Butler Police Department will be participating in the DEA Drug Takeback campaign. The Butler Police along with the Bates County Health Department will be participating in the drug turn in program sponsored by the DEA. 

The turn in location will be the Bates Co Health Dept. located at 501 N Orange Butler MO. on October 22, 2016 between the hours of 10 am to 2 pm. We will be accepting any prescription and non-prescription medication which will be turned over to the DEA for destruction. We will not accept syringes or inhalers. 

The Butler Police also have a medication drop box located in the lobby of the Butler Police Station that meds can be dropped off at anytime. If you should have any questions you can can contact the Butler Police Department at 660-679-6131 of the Bates Co Health Dept. at 660-679-6108.

Butler Police Department Activity Report 10/10 - 10/16 - 2016

• 10/10/2016  

Speak to OfficerMedical assist Fran Apts
Harassment report
Disturbance S Broadway

• 10/11/2016  

Open door S High
Accident W Atkinson 
Medical assist 500 block of N Havanna
Property damage report 400 S Delaware
Harassment 200 block of S Austin
Warrant service 300 block of N Fulton
Warrant service 600 block of W Adams

• 10/12/2016  

Stranded vehicle Orange and Nursery
Disturbance 400 block of N Water
Well being check
Disturbance Dakota and Orange
Keep the peace 400 block of N Water
Animal complaint 400 block of s Broadway
Medical assist 400 block of N Water

• 10/13/2016  

Property damage 100 block of S Mechanic
Assist DFS 400 block of S Delaware
Animal complaint S Main
Speak to Officer
Traffic hazard Olive and Russell
Speak to Officer/keep the peace

• 10/14/2016  

Well being check 800 block of N Main
Theft report 300 block of N Delaware
Walk in Theft report 
Harassing phone calls report
Assist at Butler Grade School
Assist EMS Fulton and Pine
Disturbance 400 block of S Mechanic
Well being check
Fight 400 block of E Dakota

• 10/15/2016  

Vandalism report 600 block of E Dakota
Keep the peace 408 S Mechanic
Well being check 300 block of W Ohio
Animal complaint 800 block of S High

• 10/16/2016  

911 hang Up
Alarm Sears Store
Well being check 100 block of S Broadway
Theft report 300 block of N Fulton
Property damage report 200 block of W Mill