Dense Fog Advisory Until 10am

Fog will start to build in across portions of eastern KS and western Missouri early this morning. 

Be prepared for rapidly changing visibility with visibilities dropping to under a 1/2 mile. Conditions will improve by mid to late morning.

40 years of service for Koehn's Bakery

Thank you to all the people who make the Butler Chamber of Commerce great!

Thank you to Dwight and Doris Koehn for rocking the first 35 years of Koehn Bakery! #blessedbyButler #butleryum

Obituary - Robert Thomas Montgomery

Robert Thomas Montgomery, age 92, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Monday, March 22nd, 2021 at Ignite Medical Resort St. Mary's in Blue Springs, Missouri. Robert's wishes were to be cremated. 

Celebration of Life gathering will be held by the family at a later date. Memorials may be offered to Hospice Foundation of America and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Robert was born on July 30th, 1928, the second of seven children to George and Verna (Hetherington) Montgomery, in Clinton, Missouri. He was raised in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School in 1947. He served in the United States Army as a radio specialist and military police officer from 1949-1951 during the Korean War. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and attained the rank of sergeant. On June 26, 1953, Robert married Mary Ann Kirkwood and they had two sons, Michael (1956) and Don (1961). After leaving the Army he began a career working as a coal miner in the Clinton area. In 1968, he moved his family to Canton, Illinois where he continued to work in the coal mining industry; working for some time as the operator of the third largest electric dragline in the world. In 1986, Robert retired after 33 years and returned to his hometown of Clinton. During his retirement, he worked on various construction projects with his brother, Frank, enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. Robert was a proud member of the United Mine Workers of America, was a 33 degree Mason and a Shriner, belonged to the First Christain Church in Clinton and was a member of the Elks and the American Legion. Robert was a life-long Democrat. He was very proud of his family, especially proud that both of his sons pursued professional careers after graduating from college and that all of his grandchildren followed in their footsteps.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and siblings, Emmett (Betty), Jim, Dorothy (Bob) Bradley, Martha (Jim) Keck, and Frank (Pat); his father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Ruby Kirkwood; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Jack) McGlothlin and Betty Jo (Delton) Houtchens. He is survived by his sons, Michael (Edie) of Camdenton, MO and Don (Kathy) of Platte City, MO; grandchildren, Kevin (Michelle Lofti) Montgomery, Kelli (Nathan) Bays, Scout, and Landon; his sister, Georgie and brother-in-law Paul Ross, and sister-in-law, Luwana (Jim) Montgomery; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

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

Missouri's annual No MOre Trash! Bash returns April 1st

Help beautify Missouri and put litter in its proper place:

It’s spring cleaning time. The month of April marks Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash! Bash coordinated by the Missouri Department of Transportation. During the annual statewide anti-litter event, volunteers are encouraged to clean up litter adjacent to highways to help beautify Missouri.

The No MOre Trash! Bash is an annual outreach of MoDOT’s year-round litter control efforts. It has been held every spring since 2004 except for 2020 when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event out of safety concerns. Additional COVID-19 restrictions limited the use of nearly 240 work release prisoners and required social distancing for field operations engaged in litter control performed by MoDOT staff. These factors have contributed to a marked increase in trash along Missouri’s highways.

Last year, MoDOT spent $6.4 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. The annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways - including the Adopt-A-Highway program - have been valued at more than $1 million.

This year’s No MOre Trash! Bash kickoff will include virtual events with Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, students and community groups interested in participating in roadside trash pickup. Trash bags and safety vests will be provided to groups engaged in litter pickup.

Groups are encouraged to exercise special COVID-19 safety precautions. To learn more about how you can safely participate, visit www.modot.org/adopt-highway or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Road Closure on Highway M April 5, 2021 Thru July 26, 2021

On April 5th we are scheduled to start construction on Job # J7S3261, Contract # 210122-G05 Bridge Rehabilitation over Truman Reservoir (Osage River) 2.4 Miles South of Rte. B West of Rockville, MO. This work will consist of Bridge Deck Replacement. Hwy M will be closed thru July 26, 2021.

We are requesting cooperation and coordination in case of any emergency with your organization, and if you have any questions or concerns please call our office at (573) 796-8101.

Ryan Porter
Lehman Construction LLC

Updated Obituary - Maxine A Flanner

Maxine A. Flanner, 88, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at home surrounded by her loved ones. Funeral mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Maxine was born May 29, 1932 in Port Angeles, Washington, one of two children of William Robert “Tex” and Julia Frances (Radford) Allen. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1950. Maxine was united in marriage to Walter James Flanner in a small wedding in National City, California on December 18, 1954. They made their home on Kansas City’s west side until 1970 when they moved with their five children to a country home outside of Harrisonville.

Maxine worked as a secretary for the U. S. Marine corps in Kansas City, Missouri until her retirement in 1992. After her retirement, she enjoyed dancing, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family and her beloved little dog, Carmen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Walter on January 5, 2002, and her son, Timothy Flanner on March 23, 2014. Maxine is survived by four children, Maureen Flanner, Harrisonville, MO, Dan Flanner, Independence, MO, Molly Fordyce, Harrisonville, and Patrick Flanner (Jeannette), Harrisonville; one sister, Marjorie Roseblock, Harrisonville; grandchildren, Kelly and John Powell, Joseph Flanner, Ian, Erin and Jacob Fordyce, and Meghan, Dylan and Colin Flanner. Granny Max also leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren, Keaton, Sophie, Georgia, Samuel, Bradley, Blake, Jackson, Greyson, Archer, Oliver, Willow, and Brigham.

Thank you for 35 years of service Pam!

Bates County Health Center would like to thank Pam Hedger for her dedication and service on the BCHC board for the past 35 years. 

Since 1986, Pam has dedicated a wealth of knowledge, support & many hours of unpaid time to BCHC as well as the citizens of Bates County.

From all of us here at BCHC, we would like to extend our appreciation to Pam for her years of dedicated board service.

House a total loss in Butler

On Wednesday, March 24 at 09:49 a.m. the Butler Fire Department was dispatched to a residence on the 300 block of south High street for a report of a structure fire. 

Upon arrival heavy fire was found throughout the structure. Fire was placed under control at 10:38 a.m. with heavy fire damage throughout the structure.

Cause of the fire is under investigation. Units were released from the scene at 11:58 a.m.

Assistance was given by Butler Police, Adrian Fire Department and Bates County EMS. All occupants were out of the residence upon arrival. There were no injuries.

Courtesy of Butler Fire Department