Obituary - Leta Fae Shelton

Leta Fae Shelton, 85, Stotesbury, MO passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2018. Fae was born August 2, 1932 in Ft. Scott, KS to Neal “Pat” and Fannie (Ricketts) Goddard. She was united in marriage to Marvin Shelton and he survives of the home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in East Liberty Cemetery, Stotesbury, MO. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her memory to East Liberty Cemetery in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Schell-Osage Conservation Area undergoes big changes

Nevada, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is planning major improvements to levees and water supply for wetlands and a lake at the Schell-Osage Conservation Area. New levee placement and design will reduce damage from flooding, saving costs in the long run and providing better water management for wildlife habitat in marshes. Fish habitat and angler opportunities will be improved for Schell Lake. A new pump station to draw water from adjacent Truman Reservoir will enable water levels to remain more stable in Atkinson and Schell lakes, which will also benefit fishing.

The project is currently scheduled to begin early in 2018 with a drawdown of Schell Lake, said Frank Nelson, MDC resource scientist and wetland ecologist who is co-manager for the project. The project will cause a temporary shutdown of waterfowl hunting in the wetland pools in 2018 and possibly in 2019. But when the project is complete, near the current number of hunting blinds will be available. The changes will also provide better food and resting areas on the waterfowl refuge portion of the area for migrating ducks, geese and shorebirds.

Schell-Osage Conservation Area opened for public use in 1962 and is one of MDC’s oldest managed wetland areas. The 8,633-acre area borders a section of the Osage River and straddles the line between northeastern Vernon County and southwestern St. Clair County in west central Missouri. Wildlife management includes upland areas with forest, woodland, native grass restoration, a small prairie remnant, old fields and crop fields. But wetland habitat and waterfowl hunting are also key components.

Wetlands provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat. They help filter and store water that feeds groundwater and streams. Wetlands are also valuable for outdoor recreation such as hunting, birding and photography.

Major flooding through the years has caused repeated and expensive damage to levees and wetlands at Schell-Osage, Nelson said. The original levees for managing 1,425-acres of wetlands in six pools were built largely on straight north-south lines. Included in Pool A is Barber Lake, a shallow Osage River oxbow. Schell Lake at 355 acres includes much shallow water on the west end. Construction of Truman Lake in the 1970s placed Schell Lake and the wetlands in Truman’s flood pool.

Plans call for re-alignment of the levees to better follow the natural topography and hydrology, Nelson said. Levee design will also be more gradually rounded. Both steps should reduce flood damage. A new pump station drawing water from the Osage River, essentially the upper end of Truman Reservoir, will eliminate the necessity for drawing water from Schell Lake and Atkinson Lake to serve wetlands.

Schell Lake will be reduced in length on the west end. But the remaining lake will be deeper, fishing jetties will be added for anglers, and fish habitat will be added to the lake bed. The old shallow end of the lake will be merged with the wetland units.

Nelson anticipates that many of the current hunting blinds will remain in the same location upon completion of the project. But some may be moved depending on levee placement.

Most of the fish in Schell Lake will be flushed out as the lake drains. But there will likely be a fish salvage opportunity at a future date.

In 2004, MDC kicked off a Golden Anniversary Wetlands Initiative to make improvements on the state’s five oldest wetland management areas, including Fountain Grove, Duck Creek, Montrose, and Ted Shanks. Schell-Osage is the last wetland on the list to receive renovations. In the coming year, MDC will be working on engineering designs, seeking permits and soliciting construction bids for the project. A final cost is not yet available. MDC is seeking federal wildlife grants to assist with costs and working with key conservation partners such as Ducks Unlimited.

Updates and links regarding the project’s progress and recreation access during construction activities will be posted on the area website. For information, visit https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/schell-osage-ca.

For information about other MDC conservation areas and outdoor opportunities, visit http://mdc.mo.gov.

City of Butler Job Opening

Two vehicle accident in Butler

On 6/18/18 around 10:55am the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County along with Butler Police Officers responded to a two vehicle accident at Missouri 52 Highway at I-49 in west Butler.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2007 Ford driven by 47 year old Christopher D. Hayes of Kansas City, Missouri failed to yield and struck the 2006 Pontiac driven by 17 year old Hannah M. Webb of Butler, Missouri.

A passenger in Mr. Hayes vehicle 59 year old Daniel L. Pickle of Kansas City, Missouri sustained minor injuries in this accident and he was transported by ambulance to Bates County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Both vehicle received moderate damages and the Pontiac was towed from the scene by Don's Tow of Butler, Missouri.

Copyright Mid America Live News 

MSHP: Choose To Have A Safe July Fourth Weekend!

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is encouraging Missouri’s travelers to make the choice to have a safe July Fourth holiday. Many people will travel somewhere to enjoy the many recreational opportunities in our state. No matter what you plan for the four-day holiday, you can choose to follow all Missouri traffic and boating laws.

During the 102-hour counting period in 2017, 26 people were killed and 469 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,076 traffic crashes. Over the 2017 July Fourth holiday, troopers arrested 172 people for driving while intoxicated.

The 2018 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, to 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, a 30-hour counting period.

The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the July Fourth holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s traffic laws in addition to being available to assist motorists. There is never a good reason to drive over the speed limit. Remember: Statutes direct motorists to drive with the highest degree of care. Please be a courteous driver and follow all traffic laws. Never drink and drive and always use a seat belt!

Motorists who need assistance or who witness criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. Motorists may call 1-888-275-6636 to check for road construction along their travel route.

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.”

Col. Karsten also reminds the public that the Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays of the year. In 2017, there were nine boating crashes, which included three injuries and one fatality. One person drowned during last year's July Fourth holiday. Troopers made 23 boating while intoxicated arrests in 2017.

Troopers will be working on the state’s waterways to enforce Missouri’s boating laws and assist where needed. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. With more boats on the water, it is even more important to pay attention when operating your vessel. Boaters need to be aware that it is illegal to discharge fireworks from a vessel. Leave all fireworks in a safe place on shore.

While enjoying your time on the water, remember:· Distractions and alcohol consumption slow reaction time.
· Pay attention to other boats and watercraft.
· Make evasive maneuvers early and deliberately.
· Be responsible with your wake.


The many firework displays after dark attract many more boaters at night. At night, remember to:· Check your vessel’s navigation lights before heading out, and be sure to have spare bulbs on board.
· Avoid overloading your boat with too many passengers. This can cause the boat to become swamped and affect the handling of the boat.
· Observe Missouri’s nighttime speed limit of 30 miles per hour on the water.
· Slow down and take your time. Nighttime crashes tend to involve more serious injuries and damage, due to the lack of visibility.


"July Fourth weekend is a great opportunity to gather with friends and family,” said Col. Karsten. “Whether you’re on the road or on the water, please stay alert and obey the law. Always wear your seat belt every time you’re in a vehicle and your life jacket every time you’re in a vessel. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate a sober chauffeur every time."

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

Thank you Bates County

Bates County citizens have given 102 children, as part of the BCYAC Pool Pals program, the opportunity to spend the summer at the Butler Aquatic Center. The community has been so generous to the children of Bates County. They have reached out to children to give them a fun and positive opportunity this summer.

This program, which started in 2006, matches donors with children who have physical, social and/or financial needs. Every year we get more children on the list. Most of the children on the list attend the Youth Center and they have to earn their pass; the rest are added to the list by the school and a variety of agencies.

There are always many questions about how you get on the list and who develops it. The list incorporates children from a wide variety of backgrounds and needs. We have children who need the positive social interaction that the pool offers; others have health problems or needs for physical fitness; some have had traumatic events in their family this past year, while others are on the list because of financial needs. BCYAC does not develop the list but merely acts as the go between by finding the sponsors, contacting the families and then purchasing the passes. Each child is then asked to write a thank you note that is mailed to the sponsor.

BCYAC wishes to thank Adam Cochran and Keagan Miller and their staff at the Butler Aquatic Center for making the passes, KMAM/KMOE radio, Mid America Live News, NewsExpress, and the following people for their generous donations: Adrian Bank, Arthur Herchen Jr., Butler Rotary Club, Citizens Bank, The Lutheran Church, Casey’s on Orange Street, Cheryl Hebblewaite, Joan Hartley, Heiman Agri-Services, Bob and Kris Jenkins, Jeweldine Smith, Jim Lewis, Kathy Curry, Medicalodge of Butler, Max Motors, Margaret McLaughlin, Osage Valley Electric, Ruby Padley, Rich Hill Truck and Equipment Co., Betty Robey, The Old High School Thrift Shop, Rachel Circle, Pam Simmons, Patty Hahn, Community First Bank, Kelly Stark, Marvin and Shirley Oerke, Brad Stephens Principal Financial, Shirley Hayward, Col. Virgil and Jacqueline Morrison, Debbie Cook, Jerry Kauffman, Steve and Donna Hubbard, and Steve and Linda Havens. Thank you again for making the 2018 Pool Pals season a success.

Lynne McLain
BCYAC Pool Pals Chairman

59th Annual City of Drexel 4th of July Celebration

Bates County considered for wind farming

Typical wind farm

Per our speculation in a weekend story that a temporary weather tower placed on 18 highway was gathering information for possible wind farming- it turns out our guess was indeed correct.

The MET (meteorological) tower is one of two in Bates County that will temporarily be in place for about two years, as information about wind is gathered to determine if that location might be viable for a wind turbine generator.

The temporary tower locations have been rented from property owners and the project is under the direction of Tradewind Energy of Lenexa Ks. (www.tradewindenergy.com)

A MET tower in this configuration is used to study wind
and determine if a location is suitable for wind power generation