MSHP: Welcome The New Year Safely!

The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. A traffic crash would be an unfortunate way to begin 2017. 

Last year over the New Year’s holiday counting period, there were 954 traffic crashes, which injured 364 people. There were seven fatalities during the 2016 New Year’s holiday counting period. 

New Year's is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Many Missourians will plan special gatherings to welcome 2017. If your plans include alcohol, remember that nothing ruins a party like a DWI arrest or a drinking-related traffic crash on your way home. Designate a sober driver before the party starts. The roadway is no place for a driver who has been drinking. If you cause a traffic crash, your New Year might begin with being arrested, facing legal fees and medical bills, and perhaps jail time! You could lose your license and will have to face your family and friends. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. No one wants to begin 2017 in jail. Be smart! Designate a sober driver or take a taxi.

As you drive to your New Year’s gathering, remember to buckle up and obey all traffic laws. Be a courteous driver: When in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Pay attention and use your turn signal to communicate your intentions to other drivers. The posted speed limit reflects the roadway's classification and is not a suggestion! There’s no reason to speed—the party starts after you arrive safely.

If inclement weather is expected, allow extra time for traveling or be flexible with your plans. The Road Condition Report number is 1-888-275-6636. Depending on the weather, staying home might be your best option. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. It takes only a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. That second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash. 

The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri's roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober. "Don't Violate The Trust."

Bates County Circuit Court News Dec 19- 23, 2016

• Carrie Ann Wilson v Frank T. Wilson, Dissolution of Marriage granted.

• St v. Kenneth Cartwright, probation revoked, placed on a new term of 5 years supervised probation, standard conditions.

• St v. Natasha D Perkins, waives hearing, admits violation , previous sentence of 5 years in MDOC invoked.

• St v. Natasha D Perkins, waives hearing on this case also, admits violation, previous sentence of 5 years in MDOC invoked.

• St v. Richard Earl Mallinson, Jr., Misd. DWI, guilty plea to amended charge, sentenced to one year in jail, given SES, to serve 10 days shock time in Bates Co Jail, to perform 200 hours of community service, pay court costs, other standard conditions.

Metz man injured in Vernon County crash

On 12/22/16 around 7:05pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County responded to a one vehicle accident on Route AA around 3 miles East of Harwood.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 1995 Ford Ranger driven by 49 year old Travis D. Smith of Metz, Missouri traveled off the left side of the roadway striking a fence post and a highway sign.

Mr. Smith sustained minor injuries in this accident and he was transported by ambulance to Nevada Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene by TCB Tow of Nevada, Missouri.


Copyright Mid America Live News 

Two very different extremes for this holiday weekend

A band of precipitation moving through the KC metro area will provide short lived sleet/snow/rain as it pushes to the NE. It will become predominately light rain on the backside of this band lasting through the early afternoon with temperatures rising into the mid 40s.

The threat of possible severe weather still exists for Christmas with damaging winds being the main threat as a line of showers and thunderstorms push through in the afternoon to evening time frame.

Butler license office holiday hours

The Butler license office will be open Friday Dec. 23 8;30-4:30.

We will be closed Monday Dec 26 and open Saturday Dec. 31st from 9-12! 

Merry Christmas to all of you! 

Stormy Christmas Weather

Here's a Christmas forecast you won't see around here too often. In fact we've never put a forecast like this out for Christmas Day before. 

But the storm system coming into our area Sunday afternoon and evening is so strong we could actually be dealing with strong to severe storms in our part of the country.

December severe weather is rare around here and a lot will need to come together just right for these storms to happen. 

So we don't recommend changing any plans, just keep an eye to the forecast and be sure you have a way to receive warnings, just in case.

Wintry Mix possible for some on Friday morning

After combing through the latest model data, and consulting my magic 8 ball and lucky rabbits foot, think precipitation is a good bet on Friday. The million dollar question is in what form. And with temperatures a few degrees either side of freezing that is the challenge.

For now areas south of I-70, after maybe an hour of a wintry mix when it first starts, expect only rain and drizzle. Icing not expected. Further north where temperatures are below 32 am expecting a wintry mix. Can't rule out some slick spots for a few hours so better play it safe than sorry and allow extra time getting to your destination. By afternoon everyone should be above freezing and icing is not expected.

One more item.....we've received a couple of questions today asking about the threat of tornadoes on Christmas. While we do expect showers and a few thunderstorms, the risk for tornadoes looks fairly low at this time. We'll keep you posted.

You never know who might stop by the Union

A friend of Brandon's stopped in today from Texas. His second trip this week into the UNION.  Jordan Shipley is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons. 

Mr. Shipley played college football for the University of Texas, and received consensus All-American recognition. 

He was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and also played for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Courtesy of the Union Restaurant and Public House Facebook Page

Jordan Shipley