Joint Press Release from Sheriff Anderson and Chief Wheatley

Joint press release.

6/3/2020

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office and the Butler Police Department have been aware of the planned protest on the Butler Square today. We received information on Monday and began the process of working together to prepare for any potential threat to our community. We have been reassured that the protest is expected to be peaceful.

Together we have taken an oath to protect our citizens and to protect our citizens' right to exercise their first amendment right. Our oath included protecting all citizens and each of their rights afforded to all citizens by the Constitution of the United State of America. We are asking that if you do not agree with the content of the protest that you do not arrive with the intention to counter those who chose to hold the peaceful protest.

It is a time now more than ever for our country to come together and be the Americans we truly are. We have never achieved anything with hate, division and violence. This is a time for us to return to the days of welcoming our neighbors, friends and visitors to our community.

With that said, rest assured, together we have implemented procedures to squelch anything that would take the protest from peaceful to violent. We will protect our citizens and their property with the same vigor as we protect the 1st amendment as that too was a part of the oath that we took. We ask that our community take a deep breath and have faith that we will be able to allow all citizens the freedoms that so many in our country have died to protect.

Courtesy of 

Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson 

Butler Police Chief Jerret Wheatley

Obituary - Steven W. Huntsman

Steven W. Huntsman, 64 of Adrian, passed away June 2, 2020 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City. Cremation, with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 6, 2020 at St. Sabina Catholic Church (700 Trevis Ave., Belton, Mo., 64012) with Fr. Jeff Stephan officiating. 

Visitation will be prior to Mass from 10-11 at the church, with Rosary at 9:45. Visitation will also be Friday evening at Mullinax Funeral Home (10 S. High St., Butler, Mo., 64730) from 6-8 PM, with spoken memories and sharing at 7PM. 

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions are suggested to the Steven Huntsman Memorial, a college fund for Steve’s grandchildren.

(The Catholic diocese provides that in this time of social distancing, occupants in St. Sabina Church are limited to 100 persons, and each must wear a mask. Masks will be available at the church, and guests are asked to observe social distancing among all in attendance). 

Steve was born December 12, 1955 in Topeka, KS, oldest son of Floyd Huntsman and Betty (Arnold) Huntsman. Steve grew up in Topeka, KS and graduated from Seaman High in 1974. He took an early retirement from UPS after almost 25 years of service due to health issues. He married his wife Debra (Barter) Huntsman August 26, 1989 and together they raised three wonderful boys. Steve was an amazing husband, father, friend to all and most proudly a Papa, the man, the myth, the legend. 

He was an avid outdoorsman who thrived to fish and hunt as well as shoot archery. He lived each day of life like it was his last. His huge smile and exciting personality filled any room he entered.

He was preceded in death by his father Floyd Huntsman, mother Betty Huntsman and biological dad Richard Fleming and daughter-in-law Stacey Huntsman.

Survivors include his wife of thirty years, Debra (Barter) Huntsman, brother Randy Huntsman (Linda) Topeka, KS, children Sean Huntsman Denver, CO, Garrett Huntsman (Jimi) Peculiar, MO and Caleb Huntsman (Emilie) of Adrian, MO. Step-granddaughters Raychel, Whitney, grandchildren Collin and Olivia, step-great grandsons Landon and Christian and several cousins and extended family members. 

You will be missed by all.

Appleton City prepares for high school graduation

Appleton City area news

Unofficial Election results from the St. Clair Co. and Bates Co. Clerks

Mayor: Holt 49 Preston 177 Smith 16 Lesmeister 24 Alderman Ward II: Flagg 44 Barber 39 Payton 43

AC School District: Payton 286 Preston 367 Oehring 341 James 202 Proposition K.I.D.S.: yes 231 no 292

Health Department: Cleveland 531 McCaslin 343 Tucker 158

The Appleton City High School baccalaureate will be held Sunday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Appleton City. Each graduate will be allowed to bring 4 guests with them to this ceremony due to facility size and CDC guidelines regarding social distancing. The Appleton City High School graduation will be held June 21 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field. Each graduate will be given 10 tickets for their guests to present upon entrance to the ceremony. The graduates will be seated in the bleachers on the track in front of the press box. Spectators will need to bring their own chairs and spread out on the football field. All spectators are asked to follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing at all times while on school property. Parking will be available behind the school (high school, middle school, and elementary lots) and the gravel lot on the west end of the high school. Guests will enter the football field from the high school parking lot and follow the path marked in RED. Handicap parking will be marked in the high school parking lot on the west side of the fence and the south side of the high school building. ALL vehicles, ATV/UTV's, and golf carts are prohibited from entering the track/field area. If the field is too wet for spectators, or if there is a high chance of rain during the ceremony, the decision to move to the alternative indoor plan will be made Saturday, June 20 by noon. The alternate plan is as follows: Beginning at 7:00 p.m., graduates will enter the gym through the south gym doors, in alphabetical order, in approximately 5-7 minute increments. Each graduate will be allowed to bring a maximum of 10 guests in with them. During that time, the graduate will walk onto the stage and receive their diploma. Family members will be able to take photographs at that time as well. Again they ask that families adhere to social distancing guidelines. Following the presentation of the diploma and pictures, the graduate and their family will immediately exit the gym through the east doors and exit the building through the south high school entrance. Any graduate that would like to watch their classmates receive their diplomas are welcome to, but MUST be seated in the gym NO LATER than 6:50 p.m. There will be no readmission of graduate once you leave the gym. Guests should not attend any of these events if they are ill. Please remember to follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing while attending these events. They understand this may not be a traditional ceremony, but they do want to celebrate our graduates. The graduation will be streamed LIVE on the school’s Facebook page the evening of graduation for those unable to attend and following the ceremony, there will be a parade processional through downtown. Graduates will be allowed to ride with their families, one per vehicle, unless the graduates are siblings. This will allow spectators to spread out along the parade route and honor our graduates. They are proud of our seniors and want them to have their special moments, but above all, the health and safety of our students and community is our number one priority. Graduation practice will be Friday June 19 at 10:00 a.m. Graduates need to report to the football field area. Please remember to socially distance!

The AC-City Wide Garage Sale dates are June 19 - 20. Permits are $5 and can be purchased at City Hall from June 1 - 16. Permits to set up in the City Park are $25 for the pole shelter, $15 for the stage, $10 for the lawn and that price covers both days. These are also available at City Hall and are sold on a first come, first served basis. Maps will be available at Food Fair, Casey's and Powell's True Value beginning Thursday afternoon (6/18). House of Joy Ministry will be at the City Park Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 to pick up donations. For questions call Dianne Foster at 476-2390.

The St. Clair Co. Cattlemen’s monthly meeting will be 7:00 p.m. June 9, 2020. The sponsor/speaker: will be Travis Taylor from Vitalix Inc., Dinner will be catered by The Cook Shack at Osceola Senior Center, Osceola MO. June 13 will be the Lucas Oil Inaugural Drag Boat Race at Lucas Oil Speedway with the St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Scholarship 50/50 Drawing. Start time is 8:00 a.m.

The Appleton City Landmarks Museum will not open the display area to the public until June 5 from 1:30-4:30. The office/library area is usually staffed on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. The 150th Sesquicentennial book is available for pickup at the Museum office. The cost of the over 500 page book is $25.00 picked up at the museum office or it can be mailed for $30.00. You can pick up the book on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00-4:00. Please observe social distancing guidelines and have your check made out for the number of books you wish to buy. If you want them to mail your copy of the book, mail your check with the address to A.C. Landmarks 503 North Maple Appleton City, MO 64724.

Ellett Memorial Hospital is having a 2nd order on Super B T-shirts! The deadline to get orders in is June 15, 2020. Please fill out an order form and make checks out to: EMH Foundation. Proceeds will go towards the Brian Knight Scholarship Fund. Note: Midnight Blue in Youth sizes is not available at this time. Call EMH at 660-476-2111. April or Julee can help with any questions. The first order was a hit! These are super nice, comfy shirts that represent our love and remembrance for our own hero, Brian Knight.

Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for June 2020. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments: June 3 - Upper GI, Colonoscopy Dr. Namin, June 4– OB/GYN-Dr. Kallberg, June 11 – Podiatry-Dr. Dowell, June 11 – Rheumatology, Dr. Tay, June 17-Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Vardakis, June 24 – Ortho-Dr. Gray, June 26 – Ophthalmology-Dr. Soni.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 7 ACHS baccalaureate 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Appleton City

June 9 St. Clair Co. Cattlemen’s monthly meeting will be 7:00 p.m. at Osceola Senior Center, Osceola MO

June 19-20 AC Citywide Garage Sales

June 21 Father’s Day

June 21 The Appleton City High School graduation 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field (limited invitation only)

Ag producers who need to obtain or renew a private pesticide applicator license can attend one of the following training sessions provided through University of Missouri Extension. This class also completes the EPA worker protection training program for ag employees who handle pesticides. Producers will be required to purchase an M87 manual for $12 unless they bring a 2007 M87 with them. Ag producers can also do the class by obtaining the manual and filling out a worksheet. For the worksheet option, contact Pat Miller or your local Extension Center. Please call in reservations to your local County Extension Center or register with the link for the class one day prior. In-person classes will be limited in size and social distancing in place so it is important to pre-register. If you have questions or need more information, contact Pat Miller, agronomy specialist, at 417-448-2560. Let us know if you have any special needs at the time of registration. Classes are scheduled as follows: June 8 at 6:00 p.m. On-line via Zoom. Sign on early so that you can download the Zoom program. Register on-line at https://extension2.missouri.edu/events/private-pesticide-applicator-training, June 9 at 6:00 p.m. Home Ec Bldg., Vernon Co. Fairgrounds, 1488 E Ashland, Nevada. Call 417-448-2560 to register or register on-line at https://extension2.missouri.edu/events/private-pesticide-applicator-training-nevada-1591032547. June 10 at 1:00 p.m. Upstairs courtroom at the courthouse, 113 South Street, Stockton. Call 417-276-3313 to register or register on-line at https://extension2.missouri.edu/events/private-pesticide-applicator-training-stockton-1591113990 University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all.



Southwest Missouri environment lends itself to summer hay harvest,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Regional Livestock Field Specialist. The optimum time to harvest native warm season grasses is in the summer months. Therefore, MU Extension will be providing an online native warm season grass hay production workshop on the evening of June 23 “MU Extension specialists in the area of cattle nutrition and agronomy will be educating workshop participants on optimum management in hay production and hay feeding of native warm season grasses to cattle,” says Davis. Topics covered will include: Agronomic management of native warm season grasses for hay production and Cattle nutritional considerations associated with native warm season grass hay. The workshop will begin at 7:00 p. m. and be held online via ZOOM. Cost of the workshop is $16 per person and all registration needs to be done online to attend by June 22 at https://extension2.missouri.edu/events/native-warm-season-grass-hay-production-workshop. After registering for the meeting, a meeting link will be provided. For any questions related to registration or the meeting in general contact Davis at (417) 955-0287 or by email at davismp@missouri.edu.

On May 19, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, announced details for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The funding for CFAP comes from a combination of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act, the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter (CCC) Act and other USDA sources. CFAP provides up to $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers whose market demand has seen a negative impact by the Coronavirus. An additional $3 billion will be used to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and meat for the Farmers to Families Food Box program. Producers whose agriculture commodities have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline or face significant marketing cost for inventories due to COVID-19 are eligible for payments. Agricultural products that qualify for CFAP include: non-specialty crops: malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflower, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat, wool, livestock: cattle, lambs, yearlings, hogs, dairy, specialty crops: fruits, vegetables, nuts, other (for a full list go to farmers.gov/cfap). Other crops may be considered based on information that meets eligibility requirements. CFAP payments are calculated based on the type of product(s), current/past inventory, recent sale history, and various other factors. Enrollment for CFAP begins May 26, 2020. To enroll, contact your local FSA office to schedule an appointment. You do not need to be a current FSA customer to apply. Applicants should be prepared to provide: contact information, Tax ID number, farming operating structure, adjusted gross income and direct deposit information. For more information, contact your local FSA office, or contact Raysha Tate at tatere@missouri.edu or 417-646-2419 at the St. Clair County MU Extension office.

Ellett Memorial Hospital and Appleton City Rural Health Clinic would like to thank the community for all of the support they have received from the community to the hospital. They strongly encourage everyone to continue to follow social distancing guidelines within reason. With this being said, Ellett Memorial Hospital is lifting its temporary restrictions on visitors to Emergency Room patients to (1) and inpatient visitors to (1). The kitchen is open to outside visitors and the coffee drinkers as well. They are also lifting restrictions on the PACE class. They look forward to seeing everyone. If there is anything they can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact them at (660) 476-2111 or if it’s an emergency dial 911 immediately.

The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation was established in 2000 by a local couple to benefit and carry out the purposes of Ellett Memorial Hospital. The Foundation has played a major role in the Hospital’s recent renovation/expansion project. The Foundation is a 501c3 organization and plays an important role in ensuring the future of the Hospital by providing an avenue for individuals, groups and corporations to lend their financial support through tax-deductible contributions. The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation would like to extend an invitation to the community to assist with this project. They would like to welcome all current and past members of the community and service area to make a donation to the Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation. Donations can be restricted or non-restricted for use as the donor identifies. Recognition will be given for all contributions. For further information, contact Julee Snyder, Ellett Memorial Hospital, 660-476-211.

A Message of Thanks

Attention Butler Residents...

ATTENTION: 
The Butler Police Department has taken numerous theft reports this last week around town. Storage sheds and vehicles seem to be the popular places to break into for local thieves.

Please lock your vehicle and take all valuables out of them also check your storage sheds frequently. 

If you see anything suspicious or looks to be out of place contact the Butler Police Department at 660-679-6131.

Stealing Reported in Nevada

BaCo Transport to take place of Butler Senior Taxi

BaCo Transport a not for profit company was established to take the place of the recent taxi service ran by the Senior Center and supported by the City of Butler. Bates County (BaCo) Transportation (Transport) started forming in Feb of 2020. 

A coalition of concerned citizens gathered together to discuss the problem of no senior taxi. Through those efforts a plan was established and put into effect.

Along came Covid-19 and everything came to a halt! Volunteers had been working along with the Senior Center and the City to keep those citizens moving who needed help. The City Council granted a 30-45 day extension of the deadline when presented with a plan. Soon Covid-19 shut everything down entirely.

Status of BaCo Transport as of June 1st is, we are almost ready to go! We have our Certificate of Incorporation from the Missouri Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft and have established a Federal Identification Number. We have submitted an application for not-for-profit status. A 501c3 tax status, will allow our donors a tax credit. We have the City of Butler’s previous taxi vehicle with radio, which was sold to us for one dollar. We have secured insurance and our dispatcher/drivers list is ready to go.

The company is non-profit, ran by volunteers and supported by donations. The board members along with volunteers receive no compensation for their work, and the Senior Center has given us at no charge a home to work out of. We are not a commercial city taxi service for hire, hence the word, Transport. We will provide transportation for our seniors from point to point within the city limits (for now).

When do we start? Covid-19 has taken its toll on Bates County. When our County Health Department guild lines rescind, and the Friends of Butler Seniors/Care Connections open their building, we will start.

Submitted by:

Alvin Griffin

BaCo President

From the desk of the Bates County Commissioners

June 4, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

CARES Fund Information

At the present time the Bates County Commission is still in a “learning” mode as to the qualifications required in applying for CARES funding. 

In a nutshell, it is our understanding that CARES funding is primarily for the reimbursement of additional expenses caused by COVID-19 that were not previously budgeted, or that would be subject to reimbursement from other sources. 

We do not yet have an application form developed until we have more guidance from our state associations and our attorney for that distribution. The possibility exists that if disbursed improperly it would have to be returned to the state or federal agencies.

The Commission will be putting out information on the application process as it is determined.

From the desk of the Bates County Commissioners