KCP&L Warns customers of an increase in phone scams

KCP&L wants to warn all customers of a phone scam area which often increases around the first of the year.

 

There have been an increase of reports of a live person posing as a KCP&L employee who notifies the customer of a past due bill and demands immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. 

In some instances, the caller requests that the customer purchase a money gram or gift card to pay their bill. If the customer is unable to make an immediate payment or does not answer, the caller gives out a return phone number for customers to call back.

 

If customers ever have questions about the legitimacy of a bill, phone call or email regarding their utility bill, they should refrain from providing any personal or banking information, hang up and contact the KCP&L Customer Contact Center at (888) 471-5275 or (816) 471-5275.

 

Here are some other important safety tips to keep in mind.

• Never give credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or savings account numbers to anyone who comes to your home, calls, text and/or sends an email requesting this information in respect to your utility bill, without also verifying that person is with KCP&L by either asking to see company identification or by calling KCP&L’s Customer Contact Center.

• Be suspicious if you receive an email regarding your utility bill if you have not requested online communications from KCP&L.

• For customers using KCP&L’s online bill pay system, always make online payments directly through kcpl.com.

• Never provide personal information via email or click any suspicious links.

 

If you feel you have been a victim of this scam, please work with your local law enforcement agency to report the crime. For more information, visit www.kcpl.com/scamalert.

Vernon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Rogue to get body armor

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Vernon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Rogue will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Rogue’s vest is sponsored by The Colt Project of Gastonia, NC and will be embroidered with the sentiment “A gift from The Colt Project – Gastonia, NC”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,200 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.9 million dollars. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

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Obituary - Don Curnutte

Funeral services for Don Curnutte will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in West Point Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri. Contributions to Serenity Hospice.

Bayard Donald Curnutte, age 86 of Adrian, Missouri died Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Adrian Manor in Adrian. He was born June 7, 1930 to Bayard Tolliver and Margaret Bernadine Green Curnutte in Amsterdam, Missouri.

Don is survived by four sons, Dean Curnutte and wife Sandy of Amsterdam, Missouri, Gary Curnutte of LaCygne, Kansas, Alan Curnutte and wife Jan of Louisburg, Kansas and Mike Plaja and wife Joan of Olympia, Washington; one brother, Jim Curnutte and wife Lila of Butler, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Eric Curnutte and wife Miranda, Amanda Curnutte, Kayla Curnutte, Alisa Yates and husband Joey, Lucas Curnutte and Logan Curnutte; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

How does $8 a month sound?

If you make minimum wage and if you work 40 hours a week, you will see an additional $8 per month on your Missouri paycheck in 2017.

That would be the result of the minimum wage increase in the Show Me state for the new year. It's up a nickel from $7.65 to $7.70. 

And if your wage is tip based, the new rate is $3.85 an hour.

While it's not enough to wage a life changing event, every little bit helps?

Happy new year. And as grandma used to say- "Don't spend all your money in one place!"

Just FYI: Arizona has made the largest increase the union, now $10 per hour, up from $8.05. 

2017: New year, new laws

While 2017 may bring some broken resolutions, you might be cognizant of some new Missouri laws you certainly don't want to break.

First, you no longer need a CCW permit to carry a firearm. However, if you plan to carry out of state, realize that only some states honor a Missouri CCW; plus, you'll need to know the rules where you can carry, permit or not. Get all the info here http://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/2016/12/permit-less-carry-starting-next-week-in.html

Second, fighting/bullying has now been upgraded from a misdemeanor offense to a felony, which can affect punishment for school age children and include area off campus as well. The new law includes situations outside of school as well, including a bar fight between two adults. More info is available here http://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/2016/12/bullying-becomes-criminal-offense-in.html

And thirdly, if you're caught carrying marijuana, the rules have also changed. The new legislation is aimed at lowering the penalty if you're a first time offender caught with a small amount. In short, if you're caught with less than 10 grams you'll be charged with a Class D Misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine and no jail time. Review all the current Missouri laws related to marijuana here http://norml.org/laws/item/missouri-penalties-2

Butler Police Department Activity Report 12/26/16 - 01/01/17

12/26/2016  
Warrant service Mechanic and Pleasant 
Accident Wal-Mart parking lot
Noise complaint 400 block of W ohio
Animal complaint 300 block of S Fulton

12/27/2016 
Walk in harassment report
Theft report 700 block of S High
Traffic assist Nursery and Orange

12/28/2016  
Warrant service Chestnut and Main
Well being check Smith Street
Assault report Birch Street
Warrant service Park Street
Animal complaint N Main

12/29/2016  
Disturbance Warrant service 600 block of park St
Walk in theft report
Animal complaint 100 block of W Park
Animal complaint 400 block of S Olive
C and I driver Orange and Nursery
Well being check 400 S Delaware
Medical assist South side of Square
Assault report 100 block of N Broadway

12/30/2016  
Speak to Officer
Keep the peace 900 block of E Pine
Animal complaint S Park

12/31/2016  
911 Medical assist 300 block of N Fulton
Medical assist E nursery
Shop Lifter Wal Mart
Medical assist S Birch
Warrant service Havanna and Ft Scott

01/01/2017  
Medical assist 600 block of W Dakota
Property damage ft Scott and Broadway
Keep the peace 700 block of N Fulron
Property damage 500 block of S Mechanic
Warrant service 1000 block of W Ft Scott
Stolen dog report

From Kurzweil's Country Meats

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Obituary - Steven Leroy Seward

Funeral services for Steven "Steve" Leroy Seward will be 11 a.m.

Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with Elder Steve Ferdig officiating. Visitation prior to services from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to charity of choice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Steven "Steve" Leroy Seward, age 49 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, December 31, 2016 at his home in Butler, Missouri. He was born January 1, 1967 to Elmer Floyd and Patsy Lou Yocum Seward in Butler, Missouri.

Steve is survived by his wife, Danelle "Dani" Marie Seward of Butler, Missouri; three sons, Stephen "Mitch" Seward and significant other Jami Cole of Raymore, Missouri, Zachary Seward of Kansas City, Missouri and Koree Seward of Kansas City, Kansas; one stepson, Zachary McCoy of Archie, Missouri; two stepdaughters, Caitlin McCoy of Archie, Missouri and Shannen McCoy of Butler, Missouri; two brothers, Larry Seward and wife Mary and Jeff Seward and wife Wendy all of Butler, Missouri; two sisters, Brenda Darr and husband Bill of Butler, Missouri and Ellen Edgerton and husband John of New Lisbon, Wisconsin; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.