Obituary - Geraldine Louise (Bankus) Ogle

Geraldine Louise Ogle, 103, Nevada, MO passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Nevada.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the First Christian Church in Nevada. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Christian Church or Heartland Hospice c/o Ferry Funeral Home

News From the Bates County Health Clinic

As concerns over the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to grow across the state and nation, the Bates County Health Center along with Bates County Memorial Hospital, County Commission, county law enforcement, fire departments and first responders as well as other community members have been planning and working to respond to the virus and protect the health and well-being of the citizens in our community.

At this time, all citizens are urged to follow the recommendations set forth from the CDC, Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services and the Governor of the State of Missouri. Recommendations include:
• Mass gatherings and events should be postponed and/or cancelled if possible or should be limited in size to 50 people or less.
• Such gatherings should be permitted only if the organizers adhere to the guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.
• Restaurants and dining facilities should continue to provide curbside pick up and drive through services if possible. Closing the dining areas off at this time is not required but as the situation changes so may the recommendations/requirements.
• Schools and daycares should make their decisions according to their own plans and policies, guidance set forth by the CDC and recommendations from DESE.
• Facilities attracting large concentrations of senior citizens should strongly consider restrictions and closures.
• Implement personal social distancing, good hand hygiene and stay home if you feel sick—all of which help to reduce the spread of the virus.
• Testing for COVID-19 will be determined according to specific criteria which primary care providers are following. This testing can not be done at Bates County Health Center.

This situation seems overwhelming, but in truth, every one of us can help slow down the spread of COVID-19. By doing your part, you can make a big difference to your health, and that of others around you.

These are the recommendations as of March 18, 2020. We will continue to monitor this ever-changing situation on a daily basis and will issue updates as needed. Any questions about recommendations should be directed to Bates County Health Center at 660-679-6108

Respectfully,
Jody Welston, RN/Administrator
Bates County Health Center

Obituary - Terry Wayne Pilcher

Terry Wayne Pilcher, 65, Nevada, MO passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

Additional service and family information will be released by Ferry Funeral Home at a later time.

Obituary - Marcie West

Graveside services for Marcie West will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020 at Scott Cemetery in Amsterdam, Missouri under direction of Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. There is no visitation. Contributions in lieu of flowers to Miami R-1 PTSO Playground Equipment. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Marcie Jane West, age 40 of Amsterdam, Missouri died Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born June 18, 1979 to David Conrad and Carroll Ann McGuire Walley in Butler, Missouri.

Marcie is survived by her husband, Grant West of Amsterdam, Missouri; two sons, Colin and Ethan West, both of Amsterdam, Missouri; a daughter, Khloe West of Amsterdam, Missouri; her mother, Carroll Walley of Amsterdam, Missouri; one brother, Jimmy McLay and wife Kim of Drexel, Missouri; three sisters, Michelle Brewer and husband Bobby of Cleveland, Missouri, Kimberly Jones and husband Mike of Drexel, Missouri and Lori Harriman and husband Patrick of Amsterdam, Missouri; and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her father.

Testing shortages could be problem at local level

On March 18, BCMH learned there is a nationwide shortage of supplies for testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. There is currently no time frame for when these supplies will be available from the CDC and commercial suppliers.

We will continue to collect and send specimens to be processed by LabCorp as we are able. There may be a temporary delay in getting results. BCMH also has limited supplies to collect specimens for COVID-19.

BCMH has set up High Street Family Care Clinic as a designated testing site for evaluation and testing of individuals with respiratory symptoms. You must call ahead before entering: 660-200-3627.

During this shortage, we are using strict criteria to determine who will be tested for COVID-19 based on patient priority of need. Individuals suspected of having COVID-19 should self-isolate at home until COVID-19 testing has been completed or release from isolation according to the following:

· Individuals suspected of having COVID-19 self-isolate at home until COVID-19 testing has been completed

· OR the patient who is sick with respiratory symptoms should remain isolated until they no longer have a fever, without the aid of fever-reducing medications, for at least 72 hours (3 days) AND the patient has improvement in respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath AND at least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

BCMH strongly encourages the community to practice social distancing as much as possible. Avoid discretionary travel, non-essential shopping trips, and social visits. If you are an older person or have a chronic illness, stay home and away from other people. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities. For example, the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America in “15 Days to Slow the Spread” include this statement:

“Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

If you are sick, please stay home and monitor your symptoms. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. If you have a chronic medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease, OR if your illness is worsening (for example, if you have difficulty breathing), call your health care provider. They will tell you what to do.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough or shortness of breath, and sometimes a sore throat.

To contact your healthcare provider at Family Care Clinics, please call 660-200-3627. Please consult the hospital’s website for the latest updates on our status. www.bcmhospital.com

CDC Guidance for caring for yourself at home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/caring-for-yourself-at-home.html

The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf

Four day school week forum cancelled

The public forum scheduled for Monday March 23rd regarding the 4-day week at Appleton City Schools has been canceled.

More information to be posted at a later date. Thank you for your patience.

Early morning structure fire in Clinton displaces a family of 5

Early this morning, at approximately 7:00am, the Clinton Fire Department was dispatched to 207 West Rogers Street on a report of smoke and visible flames coming from the crawl space area of the home. The on-duty crew of 4 personnel, as well as Fire Chief Mark Manuel, arrived on scene to find moderate smoke in the crawl space and interior of the home. Fire crews immediately began to attempt to identify the source of the fire and smoke.

Fire crews entered the crawl space of the home and located a fire burning around the homes furnace. Due to the confined area of the crawl space, fire crews were unable to reach the seat of the fire for successful extinguishment. A secondary entry team was sent into the home and located an area in the living room where fire was beginning to burn through the floor and into the living area of the home. In addition to the fire in the crawl space, a bedroom of the home was found to be fully involved in fire. Extinguishment of the fire was performed quickly with fire crews having to cut away the flooring in the living room to reach the fire in the crawl space.

After extinguishment of the fire, Fire Chief Mark Manuel, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Willings, and Lieutenant Mitch Grimes began an investigation into the cause of the fire. It was determined that the fire started as a result of an electrical short in wiring located in the crawl space, close to the furnace. The fire burned along the structures floor joists before breaching the flooring in a wall between the living room and a bedroom closet. The fire ignited clothing and other miscellaneous items in the bedroom closet. The burning closet items filled the bedroom with super heated smoke which ignited other items in the bedroom simultaneously in a phenomenon called Flash over. The flash over occurred shortly after fire crews arrived on scene.

The fire had burned for some time before being noticed by the residents. The residents credit their family dog for awakening them as they were still asleep at the onset of the fire. The home did have working smoke detectors, however, their dog awoke them prior to the smoke alarms sounding. The family of 5 - 3 adults and 2 children, have been displaced from the home as fire damage was extensive. Chief Manuel requested the assistance of the American Red Cross to assist the family with immediate needs.

Fire crews were on scene for approximately 4.5 hours. Assisting agencies for this incident include the Clinton Police Department, Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Ambulance, and Evergy.

A message from The Butler Fire Department:

A message from The Butler Fire Department:

To all seniors if you were normally going to the Butler Senior Center for meals and now that they are closed to walk-ins. 

You can make arrangements with the senior center and the Butler Fire Department will be happy to deliver them to your door step until this issue is over with. They are still serving meals just not to walk-ins.