Appleton City area news

Vol 29 no 22
​June 2, 2021

Appleton City June Second Saturdays will be held on Main Street Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. There will also be a BBQ contest during this event. If you’re interested in competing, contact Katie Hearting at 660-492-3571. For more information, or if you are interested in being a vendor, please message them at https://www.facebook.com/Appleton-City-Second-Saturdays-2227394524191263

St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Assn. next meeting is 7:00 p.m. June 8 at Lakeland School District. The meal will be by Lakeland FFA, and the sponsor is LAG Industries – Bart and Bradley Brackman.

The Knights of Columbus will resume their monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose on Sunday, June 13 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Treat your family to a hot breakfast you don’t have to cook or clean up. A free will donation will be greatly appreciated

The Appleton City Public Library is seeking assistance with teachers for their Summer Reading Program. The program will take place on Tuesdays in June (June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29) as well as Tuesday, July 6, from 11:00 a.m.-noon. The teacher would need to read a couple books with the children as well as assist them in completing a corresponding activity. All materials will be provided. If interested, please call the library at (660) 476-5513 during their normal business hours or e-mail acmolibrary@gmail.com

The Appleton City Fair/Sesquicentennial will be held Thursday-Sunday, August 12-15. Most previous events are in the planning and a tentative schedule will be released. A new carnival was able to be secured. The original carnival was cancelled due to the death of the owner. Start making your SQC outfits. One major change is the parade will be late Saturday afternoon.

SQC Committee is looking for pictures of all AC Mayors, preferably at the time they served. Pictures may be left at City Hall.

Free private tennis lessons are offered to all current or former players and anyone who want to improve their technique or strategies or first time players. People of almost any age and skills can learn to play tennis. Lessons are held at the tennis courts at Donnohue-Dugan Park starting the week of May 24. Rackets and balls will be provided. To set up appointments for your private lessons or if you have questions, call Dennis Dunham at 476-2151 or 476-5514 or Tommy Payton at 816-863-6624. Open tennis is every day 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tennis is exercise that is fun!

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold their annual Vacation Bible School July 5 and 6, 2021.

Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for June, 2021. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments: June 2-Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, June 9– Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Vardakis, June 10 - Rheumatology, Dr. Tay, June 11 – Ortho-Dr. Gray, June 16- Upper GI – Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, June 17 – Podiatry- Dr. Ciaramello, June 23 – Ortho-Dr. Gray, June 23 – Ophthalmology - Dr. Soni, June 24 - Rheumatology, Dr. Tay

ACMO Main Street App is available. You can download Google play or Apple store. Select Pocketsights tour. AC may come up if you are within 50 miles. If you are any place else, click on the magnifying glass search for Appleton City MO. If walking, hit start tour. If you want to view at home or out of the area, scroll down and see all the circles for each location. Hit play audio then the red circle below it. A flyer showing the current locations is available in a black box on the south porch bench at the AC Museum, 503 N. Maple.

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.

“The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to dcp81@embarqmail.com by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive "The Little Apple" free by e-mail, send your e-mail address to dcp81@embarqmail.com If you have changed your previous email address, you are asked to send the current address, so the list can be updated.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 8 St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Assn. meeting 7:00 p.m. at Lakeland School District

June 12 Appleton City June Second Saturdays Main Street from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

June 13 The Knights of Columbus monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

June 14 Flag Day

June 20 Father’s Day

Mountain lion spotted near Passaic

Stock photo

There was a time when we thought we'd never see armadillos in the midwest and now they commonly seen. So the same could be true for mountain lions? Yes. And that's according to a growing number of folks around the area and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

A few years back there were two sightings, both near Miami school. The person that reported it said his eyesight was 'darned good'  and there was no mistaking what he saw. Add to that, now there have been at least two recent sightings near Passaic. The latest was about 3 miles west near county road 3001.

Naysayers will tell you it might have been a bobcat- however a mountain lion is often at least 3 to 5 times the size and has a long tail. Upon seeing one, there's really no mistaking what it is. Also, most of the ones reported in our area are black in color.

According the the Missouri Department of Conservation they have been known to roam in Missouri and there have been around 100 confirmed sightings in the Show Me State. Get more info on sightings here https://mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/report-wildlife-sightings/mountain-lion-reports/confirmed-mountain-lion-reports

Here's some more good reading that provides lots of details https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/mountain-lion

Some good news? They primarily eat deer, in fact a large cat will feast on upwards of 35 per year. They usually don't bother cattle, although there have been reports of such, but not confirmed locally. And like bobcats and a lot of other wildlife, they generally don't come near humans if they can avoid it. 

If you see one, we do recommend ample 'social distancing'. 

Theft reported in rural Butler

On May 25th Bates County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to 458 SE County Road 2506 Butler Missouri in reference to a theft.

Deputies made contact with two subjects who stated they were there working on the house for the home owner. 

The two reporting parties stated that they had left multiple tools and returned to find them missing. 

The tools included Milwaukee 18 volt multi tool, Milwaukee power drill, Milwaukee batteries, 2 Fatmax tape measures, 7 1/4 skill saw, saw-all, Impact, Multiple Dewalt batteries, bank chargers.

The total value of the tools stolen were reported was $2760.00 

If you have any information regarding this theft or any other theft please contact a deputy at 660-679-3232

Miami County Kansas Sheriff's Office Wanted Wednesday

Two injured in St. Clair County crash

On June 1st around 6:25 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in St. Clair County along with St. Clair County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on Missouri 13 Highway around 1 mile north of Osceola.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the when the northbound 2018 Kia Rio driven by 34 year old Matthew C. Campbell of Springfield, Missouri attempted to make a left turn and pulled into the path and struck the 2010 Chevrolet Impala driven by 32 year old Matthew V. Rogers of Warrensburg, Missouri.

Both gentlemen were injured and both were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Both vehicles were totaled and towed by C & H Tow of Collins.

Butler City Council: Everyone urged to attend Town Hall Meeting next week

All council members were present for the regular session of the Butler City Council meeting last night

Guests were Joanne Godfrey and John Nelson, owners of Luna Umbra Winery located on the south side of the Butler square. Godfrey asked the council for permission to put a few tables and chairs on the sidewalk for customers to use during business hours. The council expressed concern about alcohol being served outside without direct supervision and it was noted that steps will be taken to insure there will be no issues; likewise it was noted there is plenty of space for the wrought iron chairs and tables on the sidewalk along with ample room for pedestrians as well. The council unanimously voted to allow the outdoor seating.

Four ordinances were adopted, Substitution for language in section 22-12; amending sections 18-26 and 18-27 to update planning commission membership; several sections updating the duties and powers of the planning commission; and updating requirements for rezoning and conditional use permits in accordance with state law. More information on the exact verbiage of these are available at city hall.

Clerk Corey Snead reported that the city audit is underway and most likely will last all week. He also reported that Jim Hertzog inquired about the Butler industrial park sign along I-49 that is not longer used; Hertzog offered to put the sign to good use to promote his business, have all expenses covered and pay the city $1,200.00 a year for it. The council voted yes to the plan.

Police Chief Jerret Wheatley reported that dispatch received 2,500 telephone calls in the last month; 345 of which resulted in a calls for service.

City attorney Joe Lauber reported that he is still awaiting information on ARPA (Covid stimulus) money. At this juncture, the city is discussing where the money needs to go and this would make for good conversation for those attending the Town Hall meeting next week.

It was duly noted that the mayor and council are preparing for the Town Hall meeting next week, June 7th, 6 pm at Happy Hill Church of God on south main street. The public is highly encouraged to attend and participate.

There was a brief discussion about putting the internet use tax back on the ballot at some point- this topic appears to be highly misunderstood as most citizens believe they will see an increase in taxes. This however is not the case as outlined by city administrator Mike West awhile back, you can read more here https://www.midamericalive.com/2021/03/butler-internet-use-tax-question-it-may.html.

Mayor Jim Henry offered condolences to the family of Bill Thornton, former mayor and local businessman who passed away May 26th. 

Kudos were paid to the parks department for keeping up with mowing and maintenance at the cemetery and parks. Rain has certainly added difficulty to these tasks.

Prior to the last few council meetings, all members and the mayor have been touring city facilities; a few weeks back it was the power plant and last night it was the water and wastewater plants which gives new council members a little more insight to our city's internal workings.

Approved were lease purchase agreements on some badly needed equipment, a trackhoe for the water department and a bucket truck for the electric department. The equipment being replaced is quite worn and could create safety issues.   

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays 7 pm at the Butler city hall.

Every Step Counts

Every Step Counts
Statewide Pedestrian Awareness Campaign Kicks off June 6th

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Whether driving a vehicle, walking or biking, keep your head up and be alert – every step counts. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is announcing a week-long campaign June 6-12 focusing on pedestrian safety. The campaign will be geared toward pedestrians and drivers, educating both about being alert and what to watch out for to ensure everyone is safe.

Preliminary data from 2020 indicates 128 pedestrians were killed and 316 others were seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes. The top contributing factors for pedestrians involved in these crashes were failure to yield, alcohol or drug impairment, and distraction/inattention.

“We want to be sure our citizens are as safe as possible when using all modes of transportation,” said Jon Nelson, chair of the executive committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. “We encourage all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to make safe choices so everyone, no matter the mode of transportation, makes it to their destination safely. Slow down, pay attention, and if impaired, find a suitable alternative to reach your destination.”

Keep the following pedestrian safety tips in mind anytime you walk:

· Drivers and pedestrians need to make eye contact with each other. Don’t assume that the other one has seen you.

· If your vehicle is stranded, remain in the vehicle with your seat belt on. If you must exit a stalled vehicle alongside the roadway, do so on the opposite side of traffic and do not attempt to walk across the oncoming traffic.

· Only cross at an intersection or crosswalk. Stepping out from between parked cars or other obstacles by the road can keep a driver from being able to see you and stop in time.

Look left, right and then left again before crossing an intersection or crosswalk. You always want to double check the lane that you’ll be entering first.

Be aware of drivers even when you are in a designated crosswalk. Drivers can look and use their mirrors, but there are always blind spots.

Avoid walking while wearing headphones. You won’t be able to hear if a car is coming. Always wear brightly colored clothing for visibility when exercising alongside a roadway.

Always walk against the flow of traffic rather than with the traffic.

Always be cautious when exiting parking lots and be on the lookout for pedestrians. 

Always put your cellphone down and don’t look at it when driving or walking. Stay alert to all the challenges of the road.

Missouri’s new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, Driving Missouri Toward Safer Roads, identifies four key messages to help turn the tide: buckle up, phones down, slow down, and sober up. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan, and to check out the Coalition’s new video promoting the plan, visit www.savemolives.com

Medicalodge of Butler Employee highlight for the Month of May Paige Kagarice

Congratulations to Paige Kagarice who is Butler's Employee highlight for the Month of May. Paige has been a part of the Medicalodges family for 7 years. 

She began as a housekeeper and then worked as a CNA while she went to nursing school Now Paige is a dayshift LPN.

The family like bond at Medicalodges is why she will continue to work here. "My residents are my Besties!" Something you may not know about Paige is that she went to 3 different schools before she finally followed her heart and became a nurse.

Paige loves spending time with her family and friends. She loves traveling and photography and .... shopping! These are some of her favorite hobbies.

"Be Kind Always! They may forget what you said, but will never forget how you made them feel." and... "have a good attitude!" Those are words of wisdom for her fellow workers. Congratulations Paige - we appreciate all that you do!