Anyone missing a dog in Butler?

This adorable little pup was found roaming around town. Does anyone recognize her? Contact the Butler Police department 660-679-6131, if you do so.

UPDATE: Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare Resumes Standard Operations

Clinton, Mo. – (March 14, 2020) – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Henry County Health Center reported that a Henry County resident may potentially have the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This patient was hospitalized at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare (GVMH) prior to being transferred to another facility, where the patient was tested for COVID-19. The patient is still at the other location and the specimen has been forwarded to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory for analysis.

The hospital was temporarily on diversion so staff that may have been in contact with the patient could be screened, but standard operations have resumed. In accordance with CDC guidelines, and under the direction of DHSS, all staff that had contact with the patient have been placed on a 14-day quarantine.

In addition, all other CDC protocols for infectious disease have been implemented and GVMH is working closely with the CDC, DHSS and Henry County Health Department to prevent the risk and spread of COVID-19, as are all hospitals across the country.

Patients may keep their scheduled appointments, if they are not showing signs or symptoms of a respiratory illness. If they have signs or symptoms, GVMH recommends they contact their primary care provider by phone or through the myGVMH patient portal for guidance on care.

To take extra precaution, GVMH is limiting visitation. If someone is not seeking treatment or assisting someone that needs treatment, GVMH requests that they do not visit its facilities at this time.

“Our top priority is the safety of our patients, employees and communities,” said Craig Thompson, chief executive officer at GVMH. “During this unprecedented time, you can be certain that we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and are working diligently to maintain our standard of care and protect our families, friends and neighbors.”

For more information on COVID-19, DHSS has implemented a statewide public hotline. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reached at 877-435-8411

Meeting held on COVID-19 in Henry County

Meeting held on COVID-19:

On Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Presiding Commissioner Jim Stone called a meeting with other community leaders and health care professionals to discuss the COVID-19 virus. Leaders from the City of Clinton as well as Henry County Government, Henry County Health Department, Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the State Courts systems, Henry County Emergency Management, and local emergency law enforcement and fire responders met to discuss an action plan to keep our community safe. DHSS was able to provide information about the recent presumptive positive test of a Henry County resident, which has assisted local authorities make more definitive plans to help protect the community.

Several plans are being formalized, especially with our Municipal and State Courts to continue operations and defendants to appear in court to process their cases. Clinton Municipal Court will NOT be in session this coming Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and future court operations will be announced by the Municipal Court, later next week. The State Courts will be implementing several procedures as defendants enter the courthouse over next several weeks.

Prevention still remains the best protection for all citizens. Wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, cough/sneeze into your elbow, avoid large crowds and stay 5-6 feet away from other people when possible and refrain from touching your face as much as possible.

Please watch daily for additional information.

Obituary - Sarah Elizabeth Hacker

Sarah Elizabeth Hacker, 77, Blue Springs, MO, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, MO. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO with visitation from 1:00-2:00. Inurnment at a later date in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg, MO.

(A complete obituary will be posted when information is available).

Subjects sought in rural breakin

These subjects are wanted for questioning regarding a breakin on March 10th at a location on H highway east of Butler. They were possibly driving a Chevrolet Equinox or similar, if you have any info contact the Bates County Sheriffs Office at 660-679-3232.

Pubic Service Announcement from Butler Ministerial Alliance

In order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Butler Ministerial Alliance has suspended our Lenten services that were to be held March 18, March 25, and April 1. The services will be rescheduled at a later date.

Thanks,
Sharla Hulsey, President, Butler Ministerial Alliance

Obituary - Chad Nelson Burkett

Chad Nelson Burkett, age 46, passed away at his home March 11, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be 11AM, Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home with visitation 10am-11am prior to celebration. Memorial contributions may be made to Chad Burkett Memorial Fund and can be left in care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Chad Nelson Burkett was born December 4, 1973 the son of Clarence and Francine Burkett. He graduated from Lakeland High School the class of 1993. His life was filled doing what he loved, hunting and fishing. He also loved vacationing in Miami, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Francine.

He is survived by his wife Melinda; his children Kimberly Burkett(Jeramy), Andrew Burkett, Kelsey Burkett; step-daughter Brittany Strohmeyer; six grandchildren; two sisters, Ronetta Denison and Bernetta Roberts; three brothers, Norman Beasley, Bill Burkett and Shayne Burkett; nieces and nephews, Amy (John) Carr, Priscilla (Scott) Braun, Matthew Burkett, Billy Burkett, Cody Roberts, and Keith Roberts.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, MO.

News Release: Presumptive positive COVID-19 case announced in Henry County

Presumptive positive COVID-19 case announced in Henry County

JEFFERSON CITY, MO -The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the Henry County Health Center and Golden Valley Memorial Hospital announce a Henry County, Missouri resident has tested presumptively positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This case is one of those
reported on March 13 by Governor Mike Parson during a news conference.

The patient was hospitalized at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton prior to being transferred on March 8 to another facility where a specimen was collected for testing and where the patient remains currently.

The specimen, tested by the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, has been forwarded to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory. Local health department officials are identifying close contacts to monitor for symptoms and contain spread.

Golden Valley Memorial Hospital is being placed on diversion for emergency services and has been advised to not admit new patients. While awaiting confirmation of test results from the CDC, the Henry County Health Center will treat this presumptive case as positive and follow CDC guidelines to
protect public health. As part of this ongoing public health
investigation, patients and visitors to the hospital will be contacted by public health officials as available information warrants.

"We are working closely with our state partners as well as our local hospital to quickly identify and respond to anyone who may need to self-isolate due to close contact with this individual," said Peggy Bowles, administrator of the Henry County Health Center. "It is vital that we act quickly with protective measures."

DHSS has tested a total of 94 individuals statewide for COVID-19. Ninety of the individuals tested negative.

"We are committed to assisting our local partners in Henry County through this process," said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. "It is very important that anyone identified as a close contact of this patient follow necessary precautions to limit any potential spread of infection."