Two from Drexel injured in Cass County Crash

On 7/16/19 around 3:05pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County responded to a two vehicle accident on Missouri 291 at 235th Street in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2002 Nissan Frontier driven by 37 year old Enock K. Opande of Kansas City, Missouri was traveling northbound and was slowing to turn east onto 235th Street when the unit it was towing was struck in the rear by a 2011 International Garbage Truck driven by 37 year old Shane P. Swoger of Drexel, Missouri.

Two passengers in the Nissan 63 year old Francis O. Opande and 37 year old Floria N. Nyachoti both of Drexel, Missouri sustained minor injuries in this accident and both were transported to Cass Regional Medical Center.

Both vehicles received extensive damages and both were towed from the scene by J's Southland Tow and Lazer Tow.

A walk back in time

Follow the explorations of Lewis & Clark at today's Walk Back in Time. Bring your lunch to this Free program - noon to 1:00 pm at Poplar Heights Farm. No reservations required, just come on out.

Dangerous Heat Expected Through Saturday

Highs in the 90s with heat indices reaching 100-110 degrees is expected this afternoon and early evening. Take precautions and check on the elderly, sick, pets, and children.

Butler City Council News 7/16/19

7-16-19
Excellent council meeting tonight!! A lot of great information and discussion!

City owned facilities committee:
-We discussed the Senior Taxi agreement. Everyone is in agreement that the senior taxi is a wonderful service to our elderly residents. So, we want to help keep that available, but limit our liability to protect the City as well.

-We discussed the beginnings of a future plan for our fire and police departments, and potentially City Hall. There was good discussion about the current cost to the city to maintain these buildings, how to be smart financially, as well as the functionality between the departments. There is currently money budgeted for the fire department roof, but the consensus was against putting that much money into the building, when we could look at other possibilities to consolidate locations and become energy efficient and maintenance free for a long time... looking to the future of Butler! When we get more info, numbers, ideas, we will continue weighing our options to decide what the best path will be.

Work session:-Jana Rosier from Osage Valley came and had a round table discussion with us regarding economic development. She has been attending many conferences and has met many great contacts in the field. She explained how many other cities have found an economic developer right among their own- an individual who is invested in the community and is extremely passionate about growing our City. She showed us some resources she has found regarding site selection databases, which we are very excited about getting our information relevant and up to date! If a company is looking for a site that we can provide, we do NOT want to miss the chance to be a candidate! Several rural towns in Missouri like Eldon, and Sedalia have recently landed a couple very nice manufacturing plants that have brought awesome opportunity to them! There is no reason that Butler can't do this also! I am very excited for this potential!

General session:-It was brought up again regarding the CenturyLink phone bill and some very exciting updates were given! It was discovered that CenturyLink has been billing the City for the same line as the Senior Center(do not ask me how they accomplished this and I do not have exact details), but the City is potentially looking at a VERY large credit for that mistake, as well as a very substantial decrease in the monthly billing for several other lines that have not been in service, bundling, etc. Details are still being worked out with the company but this will be a big help to the City no doubt!

-Public Works Director Trent Diehl provided council with an update on all of the departments' recent work, outages, updates, etc. This was a wonderful resource for us to see!

-Kaysinger Basin Executive Director is scheduled to meet with council on August 20th to discuss grants and start application processes! Exciting!

-Electric City Downtown will be hosting a "Cocktails and Conversations" on July 18th at 6pm at the Pennell. All business owners, community members, etc are invited to come discuss revitalization efforts of downtown.

-The City received a notice from Eddy and Dana Bridges regarding the Trail of Memories. They have moved and can no longer take care of it. The City has maintained the portion on City property and will continue to do so.

-A MODOT representative requested to meet with the Mayor and a couple council members regarding a proposal to possibly close a couple of railroad crossings. Newkirk and Garnett volunteered to attend with Mayor and Snead to discuss and report back with ideas and findings.

-Town Hall Meeting was confirmed for Aug 12th at 7pm. Council hopes to have more updates to share by then regarding budget, economic development, and future planning. We hope that many attend to share ideas, concerns, etc with us! We are your voice, so you have to get involved and let us know how we can work in your best interest! We are listening and want to hear from you!

-Folks, now is the time to get excited! Butler can be the booming town it once was- but it takes the heart, soul and belief of all of us and all of you to turn this plan into reality. I know that I want there to be opportunities for generations to come. How wonderful would it be for kids to not have to move away after school to find good jobs, to have opportunities right here locally, etc.

Thanks for reading and staying informed!
Heather Diehl,
Councilwoman

Obituary - Gertrude E. Skocy

Gertrude E. Skocy,68 of Rich Hill, passed away Monday, July 15, at her home.

Arrangements are under direction of Heuser Funeral Home and a graveside service is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 19th, in the Green Lawn Cemetery at Rich Hill.

The family receives friends between 10-11am Friday morning, July 19, at the funeral home and memorials to a Gertrude Skocy Memorial Fund are suggested.

Harrisonville Police Department seeking public assistance

Today, Harrisonville Police Officers responded to Family Center for a stealing. The pictured woman chooses to take without paying for some items that belong to the store.

She had with her at the time of the theft a young child with very curly hair and the family pet. This beautiful male Pitbull who is super nice and very well trained was left behind in the parking lot while she fled the store. 

If you know who this woman is, please call the Harrisonville Police Department at 816-380-8940 or email Officer Timbrook at jtimbrook@harrisonville.com.

Harrisonville woman injured in Cass County Crash

On 7/16/19 around 2:05pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County responded to a one vehicle accident on 227th Street just east of Missouri 7 Highway in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2007 GMC Envoy driven by 74 year old Mary C. Whitting of Harrisonville, Missouri ran off the roadway and over turned.

Mary C. Whitting sustained moderate injuries in this accident and she was transported by ambulance to Cass Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene by J's Southland Tow.

Updated Obituary - Jerry Wayne Carpenter

Funeral services for Jerry Carpenter will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. 

Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Jerry Wayne Carpenter, age 72 of Butler, Missouri died Friday, July 12, 2019 at his home in Butler. He was born February 10, 1947 to Irvin Lee and Willa Wigger Carpenter in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Kelly Carpenter of Butler, Missouri; two sons, Kevin Carpenter and wife Roxie of Butler, Missouri and Bobby Carpenter and fiance` Tassie of Independence, Missouri; a daughter, Kelli McMullin and husband Mike of Butler, Missouri; three sisters, Charlyn Mooney of Belton, Missouri, Terri Moore and husband Jack of Overland Park, Kansas and Amber Plunkett and husband Paul of Nevada, Missouri; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Patricia Carpenter; one brother, Brent Carpenter; and one sister, Kathy Ann Carpenter.