Great job Josie!

A big congratulations to Josie Johnston on breaking the Butler High School record in the girls javelin! New record is 91‘8“. 

Great job Josie!

Cass County Sheriffs Office K-9 Champ has retired

Cass Co – Sheriff Jeff Weber announced Wednesday at the Sheriff’s Office Quarterly Awards that K9 Champ has retired. Sheriff Weber recognized K9 Champ for his 7 ½ years (50 dog years) of service to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding area.

K9 Champ was awarded the Purple Heart in 2017 for injuries he received when a suspect stabbed him.

“The K9 teams at our office work extremely hard to protect the community everyday. K9 Champ not only served our county, but also assisted the surrounding communities. During his time he located numerous fugitives, drugs, and evidence,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Following the retirement ceremony, K9 Handler Corporal Steve Valentich introduced the new K9 member to the audience, K9 Koda. K9 Koda is a 2-year-old German Shepherd Dog and entered service in January 2021.

Bates County Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for May

Mike Keiser is recognized as the Bates County Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for May, 2021. 

Mike began his employment at BCMH in July, 1998 as the Director of Plant Operations. In 2020, Mike transferred to the skilled maintenance position. 

His knowledge and expertise has been invaluable in assisting new leadership in the department. Mike is always willing to help anyone if they have a problem or if a patient just needs a wheelchair. 

Mike is not afraid to do the hard or dirty jobs, and he knows how to fix most things. He displays a smile and positive demeanor throughout his work day.

May 22-28 Is National Safe Boating Week!

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to stress the importance of safe boating by making the public aware of National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 22-28, 2021. National Safe Boating Week is purposefully scheduled just prior to Memorial Day weekend, which many people consider the kickoff to the boating season.

Boaters are encouraged to make time for a thorough inspection of their boat prior to taking it out on the water this boating season. Weather, time, and other elements may affect the readiness of your boat. The Patrol’s marine operations troopers are available to inspect the required equipment on your boat, at your request, to make sure you’re in compliance with state law. To help facilitate these inspections, marine operations troopers will be at the following boat equipment inspection stations on Saturday, May 22, 2021:

TROOP A

Smithville Lake — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Camp Branch Marina boat ramp
17201 Paradesian St.
Smithville, MO

Blue Springs Lake — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marina boat ramp
1700 NE Bowlin Road
Lee’s Summit, MO

Truman Lake — 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
west side of the Dam at Harry S. Truman Project Office
15968 Truman Road
Warsaw, MO


TROOP B

Mark Twain Lake -- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ray Behrens Boat Ramp
20642 Highway J
Monroe City, MO


TROOP C

Meramec River -- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
George Winter Park
401 Allen Road
Fenton, MO

Yacht Club of St. Louis -- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
105 Lake Village Drive
St. Charles, MO


TROOP D

Stockton Lake -- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
State Park Marina boat ramp
19100 South Highway 215 (then follow signs to marina)
Dadeville, MO

Pomme de Terre Lake -- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Hermitage boat ramp
23697 Co Rd 218
Hermitage, MO

Table Rock Lake -- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
State Park Marina boat ramp
380 State Park Marina Road
Branson, MO

Elk River — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cowskin Access
Missouri Highway 43 and Langley Road
McDonald County

TROOP E

Wappapello Lake -- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Redman Recreational Area boat ramp
Missouri Route T
Wappapello, MO

TROOP F

Lake of the Ozarks State Park Public Beach #2 -- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Old U.S. Highway 54
Osage Beach, MO

TROOP G

Bull Shoals Lake -- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Theodosia Marina boat ramp
509 L.B. Cook Memorial Drive
Theodosia, MO

Clearwater Lake -- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Piedmont Park boat ramp
State Hwy Spur HH
Piedmont, MO

TROOP H

Missouri River -- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Buchannan County at French Bottom river ramp
End of McArthur Drive
St. Joseph, MO


TROOP I

Meramec River -- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Onondaga Cave State Park
7556 State Route H
Leasburg, MO


Additional information on equipment inspection stations may be obtained from your local troop headquarters.

In addition to an inspection, boaters should familiarize themselves with Missouri laws regarding boat operation and traditional navigational rules. Missouri law requires everyone born after January 1, 1984, who operates a vessel on Missouri lakes to possess an approved boating safety identification card. This includes those operating a personal watercraft. When boaters understand and obey the law, and vessels are in good operating order, everyone’s experience becomes safer.

A life jacket for everyone on board is a must! Children under seven years old are required to wear a personal flotation device while in a boat, but you are never too old to wear a life jacket! Although not required by law, children playing along the shoreline or on a dock should wear a life jacket. A drowning can occur quickly, with little or no sign the victim is struggling. Life jackets save lives, please wear yours!

It is important for each boat operator to know the capabilities of their boat. Reducing your speed in unfamiliar areas and being aware of unusual water conditions respective to the size and type of boat you operate are just a couple of environmental considerations.

Extended time in the sun and the constant motion of the water effects every vessel operator. It's important to recognize the dangers of boater fatigue. Stay alert while enjoying Missouri's lakes and rivers. Additionally, if you combine alcohol with boater fatigue your reaction time and thought process will be much slower. Designate a sober captain if you choose to consume alcohol.

Additional safe boating tips:

1) Be a defensive boat operator ... creating distance from other boats gives you more reaction time.
2) Adjust your speed for the conditions ... if visibility is poor, or the water is rough, slow down!
3) Turn off the boat while passengers are entering/exiting the water.
4) If you will be out on the water after dark, check your navigation lights before you leave the dock or ramp.
5) Each boat operator is responsible for doing whatever they can to avoid a crash. Don’t expect other boats to move out of your way.
6) Be courteous with your wake.

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

News from the Butler High School Alumni Association!

Butler High School Alumni Members,

 Due to the loss of the alumni secretary and still concerns over Covid 19, we have decided to cancel again this year. (2021) 

This is late notification but kept hoping something would work out. We are still hunting a new secretary and hope to get meetings back on track for 2022.

 For information please contact me. Thank you, 

Annette Hermann Anderson 

2035 SW CR 1067 

Butler, MO 64730 

660-679-7305

Public Service Announcement from Butler Sonic Drive-In

We will be open tomorrow May 4th, but will not be serving any fried food till around noon. We are installing new equipment to serve you better.

Order ahead will be turned off tomorrow since we will not have a full menu. Thank you for understanding

Courtesy of the Butler Sonic Drive-In Facebook Page 

Swatting incident last night in Butler

At approximately 11:50pm on 5/3/2021 the Bates County Sheriffs Office received a call from what appeared to be a juvenile stating that his father was actively shooting a rifle in the house. 

He stated that his mother was shot and was deceased in the house. The caller stated that he was currently hiding in the house from his father. The caller gave a specific address on South Olive street in Butler.

 
This type of call automatically initiates an all officer call out. Members of the Butler Police Department,Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol from Bates and Cass, Rich Hill Police Department, and Adrian Police Department converged on that address given. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was notified with a request for assistance from them for an additional tactical team. Multiple ambulances and fire department units were staged in the immediate area to assist in rescue plans or injuries.

 
The caller disconnected after stating his father was in the basement and was about to come out and find him.

 
Officers on scene sat up a containment perimeter at the address given by the caller. It’s important to note that there was no sounds of an active shooter at the residence when officers arrived. Negotiators began to call out the occupants of the house. A short time after communications on the loud speaker started an elderly female came to the door. Deputies made contact with the female and advised her of the reported call at her residence. She gave deputies permission to search her residence which reveal no such type of incident at the residence.

 
The female was very startled and confused. Law enforcement made sure she was ok prior to leaving to check other areas to make sure there wasn’t a mistake between the north and south address. Meanwhile both dispatches continued to attempt to determine the origination of the call.

 
It was determined that the call was made using a internet software program to hide the identity and location of the caller. It was determined that the call may have come from the Pasadena California area.

 
This type of call is not common to our community but is often known as “swatting”. Swatting is where someone calls a police department with a horrific type of call that would activate a SWAT team response. There have been several incidents across the country that has resulted in Law Enforcement killing or injurying innocent occupants during these type of calls.

At the same time Law Enforcement was clearing the original call they received another call by a resident on West Lee Street who stated he just heard a gun shot east of his residence. Officers responded to that area but found nothing. Called out officers remained in the Butler area for several hours before being released.

 
“These type of incidents are dangerous and completely unacceptable. The resources that were utilized and manpower directed away from other duties/calls for service can and do often get people hurt or killed.” Says Sheriff Anderson. “We are working with the Chief of Police to attempt to located the source of the call. If we can identify the caller we plan to pursue charges no matter what state they are from. We will also reach out to our Federal Law Enforcement partners to ask for assistance in this case. Chief Wheatley and I want to Thank all the agencies that responded or was in the process of responding. 

This is another situation where keeping positive relationships among agencies within the county and outside the county benefit all of our citizens. Everyone of those first responders were willing to put their life second to one of our citizens. In today’s world that is becoming harder to find.”

Kids Night Out in Harrisonville

DON'T FORGET!

This Friday, May 7th, is the last day to register for Kids Night Out!