What’s normal to us is special to others...

Editorial comment

Life on the East side of the Butler square has brought its own special insight regarding Small Town, USA. Some have jokingly referred to Butler as Mayberry RFD but that statement may be very much the truth. In a positive way.

Make no mistake our country is facing very challenging times but I, and others I’ve talked with lately see a bit of unexpected social metamorphosis- the growing attractiveness of rural America.

In point, there have been several recent encounters with out-of-state folks who have been spotted walking around the square, curiously admiring the surroundings. 

One of which was a well dressed man in a fancy car (certainly not a gravel road compatible type) that was traveling from Minneapolis to points south when he took the Butler exit for bathroom break. In our conversation he told me he saw a sign that led to the square and his curiosity got the best of him. 

I caught him reading the old newspapers plastered in our window and he asked, “is that real news?”. I had to laugh, and admit it was. He said he didn’t mean it in a bad way. He went on to say that life down here must be pretty good and the news reflected that. He also pointed out the stark differences between his hometown of about a half million and Butler.

This chatty fellow, definitely the salesman type, asked a lot of questions about history and happenings around the area. Some 40 minutes later, we both realized we had other things to do but I could tell that our small town was going to leave him with a great impression. In fact, he shook my hand so long I thought he was trying to steal a finger.

As he was getting into his car he made a point to tell me that in his 40+ years of travel, he always meets the nicest people in small towns and rural areas.

In the last few months, I’ve had 5 or 6 encounters with people just like this guy, all who which remarked how friendly us local folks are and how they love the charm of our little town.

I guess sometimes it takes an outsider to remind you of the goodness of your environment. Keep it up rural America, as this is exactly what is needed to work through these trying times.

Semi truck accident this morning in Vernon County

This morning South bound I-49 around mile marker 102.8 in Vernon County claims another one.

Every time we get heavy rain fall this curve is good to get a Semi. No injuries, just hole in fuel tank and damage to guard rails.

Courtesy of the Nevada Fire Department

City of Rich Hill city wide clean up

City wide clean up is going to look a little different this year. This is a free service provided by the City in the Spring each year. This years collection will be May 17 - May 28, 2021.

The City of Rich Hill, in cooperation with Alliance & BL & Sons Disposal, will be conducting this citywide cleanup for residential properties.

Please have your trash or brush ready at curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your collection week.

They will NOT make return trips after they have completed a street.
REMINDER: Do not place trash and brush at the curb more than one week in advance or you will be subject to code enforcement action.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Casey or Amber at City Hall at 417-395-2223. And if you would like a paper copy of this, please stop in at City Hall.

Obituary - Dorothy Carol Elsbury

Dorothy Carol Elsbury, age 91, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021.

Private family services will be held at Cullen Funeral Home on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Carol was born in Independence, Missouri on February 19, 1930 to Roger C. Galvin and Helen J. (Kruse) Galvin. She grew up the youngest of three children and went to St. Mary’s grade school in Independence. After graduating from Cardinal Glennon High School in northeast Kansas City Carol worked various jobs. In life Carol loved to travel, visiting Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Jamaica, Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Mexico. She was a woman of Christian faith and it showed through her interactions with others. Carol was always willing to lend a hand to others when needed. She enjoyed playing card games with friends, making ceramics, water aerobics, and loved the Red Hat ladies. Carol cherished her time with family and never forgot a birthday.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Ed Elsbury; parents, Roger and Helen Galvin; brother Bill Galvin; and sister Betty Jean Galvin.

She is survived by her loving children, Diane Rooney (Mike), Jan Almai (Manny), Jeff Ackland (Susan), Susan Stone (John), Leslie Brock (Rod), and Richard Ackland (Joannie); step-daughters, Laura Elsbury (Linda) and Leslie Powell (Charlie); sister in law, Ramona Galvin; twenty grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Interim Health Care, 10977 Granada Ln. Suite 105, Overland Park, Kansas 66211.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

Clinton Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Possession of Child Pornography Case

Man Sentenced to Seven Years in

Possession of Child Pornography Case
(From Henry County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Shields, April 7)

​The Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on March 30, 2021, Michael Adam Smith, 32, Clinton, was sentenced to serve a term of seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for his conviction of two counts of possession of child pornography.

​The charges stem from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The charges the Prosecutor’s Office filed against Smith alleged that he possessed numerous images and a video of child pornography.

Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Missouri. Smith was represented by his attorney.
Smith pled guilty to his charges with an agreement that the State would request a ten year sentence and the defendant would ask that the defendant be sent to the Missouri Department of Corrections Sex Offender Assessment Unit to determine whether he should remain incarcerated after 120 days in prison or be put on a term of probation and undergo rehabilitation in the community. Ultimately, the court would decide what sentence to impose after a sentencing assessment report was prepared.

At the sentencing hearing, the court heard evidence and argument from both sides. Assistant Prosecutor LaChrisha Gray urged the court to impose the maximum sentence under the agreement due to the nature of the pornography, the fact that one of the defendant’s devices had been destroyed by the defendant, and that he had admittedly been accessing child pornography for a number of years. 

After careful consideration, Henry County Circuit Judge M. Brandon Baker agreed with Assistant Prosecutor Gray’s request that Smith be sentenced to a term in prison without the possibility of being released after the 120 days assessment. Judge Baker sentenced Smith to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Council meeting: Wastewater plant fix could be costly

In the early portion of the Butler city council meeting last night, much time was lent to discussion about issues regarding the city's wastewater treatment plant. Kurt Higgins of engineering firm Allgeier Martin of Joplin talked about keeping dissolved oxygen levels within legal tolerance in the stream that is nearby the plant. 

This is a complicated matter due to the fact that regardless of runoff upstream of the wastewater plant, the city is still responsible for maintaining dissolved oxygen levels downstream. The fix could be a 4 million problem, however Higgins introduced Geosyntec, a consultation firm that specializes in dealing with complex environmental problems such as this; and they will being working toward a resolution with the Missouri DNR which most importantly, should lower the price tag significantly.

The situation with the Butler police department looks rather bleak at the moment- new officers are needed but applications are not rolling in as hoped. In fact, there were only two job seekers in the last month and neither worked out for one reason or another. More discussion is sure to be coming in the next meeting.

Butler residents are to expect a slight increase in their electric bills as the recent cold snap has turned out to be quite costly. The additional cost, which was close to one million dollars will be divided up over the next few billing periods, as opposed to forcing users to pay one large lump sum. 

The city is to receive Covid relief money and there is ongoing discussion as to where would be the best place to apply it. The amount should be in the neighborhood of $700,000 and certainly is welcomed. It was suggested using it to help offset the high energy cost mentioned above, among a few other things.

There was also a discussion about 'tiny houses', which have become a trend in recent times. To be considered a home in the city of Butler, the dwelling must have at least 800 square feet of living space, which has prompted concerns. Expect more on how this will be handled in future council sessions.

The council is currently working to put together another town hall meeting to provide an open forum for the public. With Covid and other concerns, that date will be forthcoming.

Electric City Downtown asked for permission to host the 'Brick Street Bash' to be held June 26th, 3 to 8 pm. Full details on this family oriented event coming soon.

The phone system at city hall is in bad need of an update and that is scheduled to happen on April 27th.

Some more good news? Starting April 20th, city council meetings will again be open to the public. AND city hall will reopen to the public next Monday, April 12th.  

The Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm, at the Butler city hall. Come and get involved!

April Showers....

Several chances of rain and thunderstorms over the next couple of days. It is April after all!

Obituary - Robert "Bob" A. Ford

Robert “Bob” A. Ford, 69, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Monday, April 5, 2021 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2021 at The Worship Center in Harrisonville with visitation from 10:00-11:00. 

Burial to follow in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to The Worship Center.

A complete obituary will be posted when information is available.