From the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office

Congratulations to the following employees on their August anniversaries with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office!

Rachelle Dreyer - 1 year
Joe Rippetoe - 1 year
Michael Weisensee- 2 years
Lorrie Swarnes - 5 years

2020 Missouri State High School Football Week 3 Scores:

2020 Missouri State High School Football Week 3 Scores:

Adrian 27, Knob Noster 12

Archie 84, Osceola 6

Ash Grove 49, Pleasant Hope 8
Ava 14, Mountain Grove 0

Belton 14, Central (St. Joseph) 7

Bentonville ARK 21, Rockhurst 17
Blair Oaks 50, California 6
Blue Springs 42, Staley 0
Bolivar 20, Lebanon 7
Bowling Green 56, Montgomery County 32
Branson 21, Carl Junction 20

Butler 49, Stockton 7

Camdenton 46, Parkview 21
Carthage 42, Neosho 7

Cassville 47, Nevada 28

Central (KC) 50, Northeast 0
Centralia 20, Brookfield 0

Crest Ridge 34, Cole Camp 27
Diamond 46, Greenfield 8

El Dorado Springs 8, Buffalo 7

Father Tolton 28, Missouri Military Academy 12
Fort Osage 19, North Kansas City 14
Fort Zumwalt North 41, Timberland 21

Forsyth 49, Clinton 13

Francis Howell Central 20, Francis Howell North 7

Hannibal 41, Ft. Zumwalt West 21
Harrisburg 36, Salisbury 0

Harrisonville 45, Pleasant Hill 14

Helias 41, Battle 19
Hermann 22, St. James 15
Hickman 52, Capital City 27
Hollister 14, Seneca 12
Jackson 56, Poplar Bluff 7
Jefferson (Festus) 54, Herculaneum 0
Kelly 48, Chaffee 6
Kennett 49, Ste Genevieve 13
Kickapoo 31, Waynesville 13
Lafayette (St. Joe) 14, Benton (St. Joe) 6

Lafayette County 62, Sherwood 0

Liberty 38, Lee's Summit North 35
Marionville 35, Lockwood 20
Marshfield 49, Springfield Catholic 39
Maryville 62, Chillicothe 7

McDonald County 42, Lamar 41

Mid Buchanan 47, Lawson 7
Monett 21, East Newton 20 OT
Monroe City 62, South Shelby 14
Mount Vernon 28, Reeds Spring 10
Nixa 42, Willard 6
Northwest (Hughesville) 54, Keytesville 8
Oak Grove 28, Center 22
Odessa 35, Marshall 0
Osage 41, Eldon 26
Owensville 49, Cuba 8
Park Hill 21, Blue Springs South 17
Penney 48, North Platte 13
Pierce City 43, Sarcoxie 24
Polo 12, Maysville 6
Potosi 28, Fredericktown 6

Raymore Peculiar 35, Liberty North 32

Raytown 48. William Chrisman 22
Rock Bridge 23, Jefferson City 21
Rogersville 28, Aurora 6
St. Charles West 35, Ft. Zumwalt East 12
St. Dominic 62, St. Charles 0
St. Mary's Colgan 38, St. Michael 24
St. Pius X (KC) 42, Cameron 22
Salem 20, Houston 14
Skyline 47, Fair Grove 12
Slater 42, Fayette 26
South Callaway 55, Louisiana 12
Southern Boone County 20, Boonville 14
Southwest (Livingston Co) 70, DeKalb 22
Strafford 53, Miller 6
Sweet Springs 42, Russellville 0
Summit Christian 38, Hogan Prep 0
Thayer 27, MV-BT/Liberty 0
Union 14, Sullivan 0
Valle Catholic 63, St. Vincent 7
Van Horn 55, Southeast 13
Warrensburg 35, Smith Cotton 16
Washington 30, Warrenton 7
Webb City 49, Republic 28
West Plains 43, Rolla 7
West Platte 36, Plattsburg 0
Westran 56, St. Joseph Christian 6
Windsor 42, University Academy 0
Wright City 21, Winfield 14

Video: 9/11 Tribute in Adrian

Welcome home

Welcome home!  Our linemen that have been helping out in Louisiana are finally home, safe and sound, after two weeks of rebuilding the electric line infrastructure of Beauregard Electric Cooperative after Hurricane Laura tore through their entire service area. 

While we already know they are expert linemen, but they also took a few minutes to share their bike repair skills with a couple of very grateful young residents of the neighborhood where they were working.  

Missouri’s electric cooperatives initially sent a total of 128 linemen to assist with the repairs. These linemen worked for 10 to 13 days in grueling conditions of high heat and humidity. Additional storms made their work more difficult, as did mud, standing water and the occasional snake.

Now those linemen are being rotated back home, with fresh crews taking their place. The crew rotation will be complete by Monday, Sept. 14. In all, 253 linemen from 28 electric cooperatives in Missouri took part in the restoration effort. They joined more than 1,200 additional lineworkers assisting Beauregard Electric, which is located just north of where the hurricane made landfall. - Courtesy Osage Valley Electric Cooperative

FAQ Friday: Squelching a rumor

FAQ Friday

I got a question yesterday I've been asked before, so I thought it would make a good FAQ Friday. It had to do with rumors that a federal or state agency has 'pressured' or encouraged coroners, medical examiners, etc., to state COVID-19 as a cause of death even in lieu of other causes. Usually the supposed reasoning has to do with funding incentives.

First, let me state that absolutely NOBODY tells me what to put on a death certificate. Ever. 

When I sign the certificate, what I have stated as the Cause of Death, Manner of Death, and Contributing Conditions is the result of my work. Whatever I felt compelled to examine, investigate, and research in regards to each deceased person. Almost 100% of the time, I request medical records FAR in excess of recent history. 

This gives me a 'baseline' picture of the decedent's health even if not directly related to whatever caused their death. Then there are physical exams, toxicology, blood chemistry, and autopsies if needed; I can interview physicians, caregivers, and family members familiar with the person's condition, illness, and death if I think it's necessary.

So when I sign that certificate, I place my name stating that to the very best of my knowledge, the cause of death is correct. And can be well substantiated by the work I mentioned. 

So, when WOULD I list COVID-19? Good question. Let's use a made-up case. 

Let's say a 75 year-old male has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and has been treated for this condition for 10 years. He visits his doctor regularly, receives medication, takes it, and does well long-term. But let's say he contracts COVID-19, develops respiratory complications, and passes away. What is the cause of death in this case?

The correct answer is COPD. . . with a contributing factor of COVID-19. Why? Because COVID is well shown to exacerbate existing medical conditions. This isn't to say a person can't die from COVID by itself, unfortunately of course they can. But it is far more likely (and so far, documented) that COVID makes symptoms of pre-existing conditions worse. 

Another way to think about it is to use the phrase "but for." As in... "but for" _____________, would this person have died? The person in my example had COPD, but was treated and surviving with the condition. It was therefore less likely for him to die solely from COPD. Had he not contracted COVID, he would likely not have died in this way; in other words, "but for Covid."

That is the most likely scenario for listing COVID-19 on a death certificate, as far as I'm concerned. Exacerbation of a pre-existing condition where I'm convinced COVID hastened the person's demise. 

Otherwise, if it's not involved, it's just not involved. And would never be listed by me. Period, amen, ever.

Have a great weekend, everyone!
Greg Mullinax
Bates County Coroner

Need a job in Butler?

News from the city of Rich Hill

Changes are coming! The following letter was mailed from our office today.

The City of Rich Hill has contracted refuse service with BL & Sons Disposal, LLC beginning October 5, 2020. New rates are as follows:

Residential no cart - $20.25
Residential w/ cart - $21.25
Residential Outside no cart - $26.45
Residential Outside w/ cart - $28.45
Commercial no cart - $26.05
Commercial w/ cart - $28.05
Commercial Outside no cart - $32.25
Commercial Outside w/ cart - $34.25
Bulky Item Ticket - $10

The City of Rich Hill will continue to bill your refuse service. Friday Trash Collection will be moved to Tuesdays beginning October 6, 2020.

Any item placed with trash considered a bulky item (item that exceeds 40 pounds in weight and/or is larger than four feet by five feet) will not be collected without the purchase of a bulky item ticket from City Hall. 

Failure to follow refuse ordinance will result in additional fees and/or cause your trash not to be collected. Per ordinance all trash is required to be bagged and placed in proper solid waste containers. If your trash is not placed in a solid waste container, one will be provided to you at an additional cost. 

Additionally, there will be no fall clean up. 

One time dumpsters are no longer available from the City of Rich Hill City Hall. For dumpster services, please contact BL & Sons at 417-395-4159.

Thank you,
Amber Barker
Asst. City Clerk

Come tailgate tonight with the Adrian Blackhawk Booster Club