B highway east of Rich Hill closed due to flooding

staff photo

More rain means more flooding and B highway just east of Rich Hill is no exception. Water over the road has prompted MODOT to temporarily close B highway near county road SE365.

As rain tapers off later today, water is expected to recede hopefully in short order.

Mid America Live will provide updates as they become available.

BREAKING: Drug bust in Butler

Happening now on Harrison street in Butler - staff photo

The Bates County Sheriff's Office is currently on the scene of suspected drug activity on Harrison street near the intersection of Water street in Butler.

It is recommended finding an alternate route if traveling through the area. Mid America Live will provide an update on the situation as it develops. 



This Story has been updated:
http://batescountynewswire.blogspot.com/2017/05/update-several-arrested-in-butler-drug.html

Rain has returned

Rain has returned to the area, with an additional one to two plus inches of rain (locally higher amounts possible) expected for locations along and south of U.S. Hwy 24. 

Much of the rain will fall this morning through midday today, although chances will linger through at least tomorrow morning. 

The additional rainfall will certainly exacerbate any ongoing flooding issues across east-central Kansas to central Missouri, so for those along rivers, creeks, and streams, be sure to visit 

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=EAX for the latest river forecasts and other pertinent information. Turn Around, Don't Drown!
#TADD

From the Belton Police Department

This Friday night May 5th the Belton MO Police Department will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in town. 

If you plan on consuming any alcoholic beverages this weekend, please ensure that you have a designated driver. Be safe and arrive alive.

Additional Flooding Expected tomorrow

Here's an updated map covering the main concern tonight into Wednesday, which is focused on the potential for more rain and additional flooding. Rain is expected to develop over the area late tonight and continue through Wednesday with 1 to 2 inches expected across areas south of Interstate 70 in western Missouri --2 to 4 inches are expected further south and east over central and southern Missouri--. This will aggravate already ongoing flooding and may lead to additional flooding along area rivers, creeks and streams. 

A flood warning is already in place across much of central and western Missouri and will remain in effect until flooding subsides. If you do encounter water over the roadway, do NOT attempt to drive through it! Remember, "turn around, don't drown"!

Obituary - Shirley Ann Howell

 Shirley Ann Howell

Shirley Ann Howell, age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017, at her home. She was born November 3, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Herbert Lee McReynolds and Rosie Virginia Gibson McReynolds. She graduated from the Uniontown High School. 

Shirley married Robert Lee Howell on May 1, 1987, at their home in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2016. Shirley worked as a cook for Ben Franklin, Red Barn, Ft. Scott Manor and McDonalds. 

She had also been employed by Peerless Products. Her main passion, however, was operating her own in home daycare. She was a member of the Bethel Community Church.

Survivors include her three children, Sebrena L. Pattison and husband, Jess, of Hume, Missouri, Bridget Hartman, of the home in Ft. Scott and Jeremiah Reasoner and wife, Emily, also of Ft. Scott; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Oren and Gerald McReynolds, both of Ft. Scott; three sisters, Sue Ford, of Virgil City, Missouri, Ida Ford, of Ft. Scott and Fannie Roark of Kansas City, Missouri; and a half-sister, Kathy Blair, of Oklahoma. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a half-brother, Kenny Duncan and an infant brother, Charlie McReynolds.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at a later date at the Bethel Community Church. Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

This is what it's all about

Photo Submitted to us

Tanner Hughes of Electric City Ink in Butler, Mo was knocking out a piece for Patrick "BUD" Morrissey, this guy is so cool, he had some accidents in the passed, and still such a tough guy. He rolled up to the shop because a nurse at the hospital told him about us. He wasn't expecting to get any ink done today.

He wanted to get his "BUD" tattoo touched up! We didn't have a a ramp for his chair so we quickly improvised to get him in. 

We were slow so we gladly got him. Hes such a really cool guy and deffinatley a talker. 

All in all it was a pretty great day and Tanner got to get some inktime in and we got to meet a really great unique individual. 

So if you see BUD Rollin around be sure to give him a honk or a wave. 

From everyone here at Electric City Ink, We want to thank everyone for all the support in business and everything we do.

From the desk of Bates County Coroner Greg D. Mullinax

Activity Report for the period April 1-30, 2017:

· 11 Nursing Home/Hospice type deaths were reported for the period. One was investigated, with the cause of death ruled accidental in nature.

On 4/3/2017, the coroner’s office was called to the Bates County Memorial Hospital Emergency Department per protocol for review. 

Phyllis Ross was pronounced by emergency department personnel, with the cause of death determined to be natural.

On 4/4/2017, the coroner’s office was called to a residence in Rich Hill by the Bates County Sheriff’s office. Lena F. England was pronounced by Coroner Greg Mullinax at 1:32 PM with the cause of death determined to be natural following investigation.

On 4/20/2017 the Bates County Coroner was contacted to review a death in Jackson County from an incident originating in Bates County. Follow up with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s office and the attending physician led to jurisdiction transferring to Jackson County.

On 4/20/2017 the coroner’s office was called to a residence in Amoret regarding a female subject found. Lisa Louthan was pronounced by Coroner Greg Mullinax at 11:32 AM. The case remains under investigation at this time however foul play is not suspected.

On 4/25/2017 the coroner’s office was called to a residence in Rich Hill by the Bates County Sheriff’s office. James E. Coonce was pronounced by Coroner Greg Mullinax at 7:19 PM with investigation determining a natural cause of death.