Nationwide Supply Issues Hit Close to Home

For a while, we’ve been watching news of cargo ships stacking up at U.S. ports from afar but now beginning to see the net effect of this locally. In talking with area businesses we’re hearing of shortages of all kinds and the list seems to be growing. Local appliance shops are having trouble getting replacement handles, knobs and basic timers leaving thousands of dollars of saleable merchandise waiting on a $10 part. Equally as bad, our local HVAC folks are now being told that heating and cooling systems that normally are in stock in nearby warehouses now are looking at a 4-6 month or longer delivery time. 

The shortages seem to come at all levels including common car parts such as alternators and batteries, along with some items that are rarely in short supply such as paper and ink. Paint is getting hard to find. Crafters are having trouble getting certain types and colors of fabric and thread. 

Tires are no exception. We spoke to Dale Newkirk, owner of Right Choice Truck & Tire who is also feeling some supply chain pain. “Like everyone else in our business, we’re having trouble getting certain brands and sizes of tires” he said in a conversation on Tuesday “And a really hard time getting parts for semi trucks too”. Newkirk went on to say that getting what he needs comes from wherever they can find it such as Texas or Wisconsin, which are not the regular suppliers. “A normal day of business would be to make orders and expect them in a few days, however now, an increasing amount of time is spent searching for what is in stock around the country,” he added.  

Our nation’s leaders say the shortages are because the economy is reopening and demand is up- but there seems to be a lot more at hand here, including docks running at 50% or less capacity. With Winter approaching, we have to wonder when will things start to swing back the other way? No one is certain. Newkirk offered “Not to cause panic buying, but if anyone needs tires or a repair, you might do it sooner than later before supplies get even more limited”. As our conversation continued those sentiments apply to other things as well. He reinforced “While facing unknowns, it’s better to get whatever you need now as opposed to not being able to get it when you absolutely need it down the road” and that advice seems to make sense. 

Dale and wife Trish also own Troublefree Transportation, a trucking company that predominantly serves the midwest that dispatches out of Butler. “Unlike the cargo ships that are stuck, the trucking business is pretty much wide open” said Trish, who is president of the company “We could run as many trucks as we want but the limitation now is not having enough drivers”. She went on to explain that due to changes in regulations, COVID, and varying pay incentives complicate matters greatly. Even with those issues, the trucking industry appears to be in a little better shape compared to oceanic shipping vessels. In rough numbers it is speculated that it will take at least 6 months to unload the ships off the California coast IF the ports were running at full capacity. 

As we face the great unknown, we are already seeing a spike in heating fuels, gasoline, diesel and food along with sure signs of what appears to be hyperinflation; which means problems may very well continue into a good portion of next year.

Grant to Help With Unexpected City Expense

photo courtesy Prolook Studio

All members present except Sargent for the regular Butler city council meeting Oct. 19th

The council approved a conditional use permit allowing Medicalodge on east Nursery street to install a new lighted sign for their facility. Work is expected to be completed soon.

Some time was devoted to the replacement of the police radio console in the dispatch center as it has become quite unreliable and due to age, parts are hard to find. A replacement unit is sought and the city will be guaranteed the lowest bid price due to the nature of a USDA grant that will help pay for it.  Of the estimated $85,000 minimum cost, the city will only have to pay 25% of the total thanks to the grant.

The city has been asked if it can supply electric service to a property located just south of the city limits as the owner says due to the location, Osage Valley would be quite expensive due to the length of lines needed to be run. The short answer is yes, however providing utilities outside an annexed area can create issues according to the city attorney. There will be a special meeting regarding this matter at 6 pm ahead of the next regular council meeting on November 2nd.

The remodel at city hall is running a bit behind, however progress is visible as city hall is again open to the public after a COVID scare. The new design will allow for safer transactions with customers and work is expected to be complete by December.

A fire inspection was ordered for the new Burger King on west 52 highway meaning construction is nearly complete and hopefully you’ll be able to get a Whopper within a few weeks.

A concrete island on Country Club Terrace will be removed as it has become a problem for vehicles, especially in Winter. Originally the island was home to a lighted sign but over the years that too had been struck by vehicles and is no longer in place. Crews will begin removing the roughly 4 inch high oil-pan-busting hazard soon.

The Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays 7 pm upstairs at city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend.

Miami County Kansas Sheriff's Office Wanted Wednesday

PSA from the Bates County Health Center

Quarantine for household and community close contacts of a COVID-19 positive case has been reduced to 10 days from 14.

Schools also have the option of implementing the Test to Stay option for K-12 exposures in the classroom setting.

- Courtesy of the Bates County Health Center

Police looking for subject who shot at tree trimmers in rural Butler

On October 26th at approximately noon Bates County Sheriff's Office received a call of a subject who was shooting at some tree trimmers. The incident happened at CR3508 and CR6207 in rural southwest of Butler.

The reporting party stated that they were trimming trees around power lines when they observed a 2015 or newer, lifted black dodge truck with over sized tires, racing carelessly down the road where they were working.

The trimmers used hand motions to get the drivers attention to slow down. After the driver passed the tree trimmers he slid his truck to a stop and got out and shot at least two rounds at or near the tree trimmers.

The occupants of the truck were described as a white male in his 20's, short and stocky stature. The female passenger was taller than the male with blonde hair.

Shell casing were recovered from the roadway and are being sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be processed for DNA, Fingerprints and ballistic comparisons.

If you were the female that was in the vehicle we believe it would be in your best interest to come forward with information. If you have information please contact a Detective at 660-679-3232.

Burglary arrest made in rural Adrian

On Monday October 25, 2021 at around noon Deputies were advised of a possible stolen vehicle located at 15171 NE CR 2003 Adrian Mo 64730. The residence is located north east of the City of Adrian.

On arrival the deputies observed the stolen water truck from the road. Deputies went to the residence and attempted to make contact with the occupants. When there was no answer the deputies secured the residence and began the process of obtaining a search warrant on the property. At approximately 4 pm the search warrant was executed on the property. 

During the search the original report of the stolen vehicle included the water tanker, two commercial concrete saws, and trailer were recovered. These items were taken during a theft in Harrisonville Missouri. The truck and equipment was valued at approximately $140,000.

While searching the property the deputies observed a 2020 Kubota skid steer partially hidden behind a blue tarp. A check of the serial numbers did not show it to be stolen. But Detectives called and found out who originally purchased the Kubota. With assistance from Harrisonville Police Department they were able to make contact with the owner who did not know his skid steer was stolen. The value of the Kubota was estimated at approximately $90,000. Bringing the total amount of recovered stolen items to $230,000.
During the execution of the search warrant two subjects were taken into custody. Those two subjects had been in the residence the whole time while law enforcement waited for the search warrant. The two subjects were taken to the Bates County Jail. During the search several items of drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered.

Zackery J Handly W/M 4/21/1994 of Butler Mo was charged with Possession of a controlled Substance not Marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia Bond was set at $50,000.00

Richard Jayson Edward Perkins W/M 5/06/1991 of Adrian Mo 64730was charged with Possession of a controlled Substance not Marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia Bond was set at $50,000.00

The owner of the property stated he did not give the two subjects permission to be on the property and wished to pursue charges for Burglary and trespass. He stated that he did not know anything about the items found on his property.

The investigation is still ongoing to identify who actually stole the property and to identify all parties involved. The Sheriff says he believes there is enough evidence to show that there are multiple people involved in this case. The case is expected to be presented to the prosecutor within the next week.

Sheriff Anderson says, "A lot of manpower and effort went into this investigation and continues. I'm confident that the work the Deputies and Detectives are doing will bring charges on those that are guilty. This community is tired of people stealing things like this from good hard working people. Make no mistake this is not about people trying to survive. These people are a menace to society, continue to be arrested and released to go out and do it again.

I get it, Good people are one bad choice away from a different life. This is not the case with these types of people. Casenet them and see how many times we are dealing with the same people and the same type of cases. Then think about the cases we don't know about.

Obituary - Matthew Wayne Violett

Matthew Wayne Violett, 52, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Monday, October 25, 2021 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Crystal Howard of the home; two sons, Jakob Gowing and companion Annie Ray, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cole Violett of the home; a daughter, Elizabeth Violett of the home; his parents, Virgil and Patty Violett, Lee's Summit, Missouri; two sisters, Becky Violett and wife Jennifer, Peculiar, Missouri, Meredith Violett, Plattsburg, Missouri; uncle and aunt, John and Linda Thornbrugh, Gulf Port, Florida; his mother-in-law, Cindy Susko, Harrisonville, Missouri; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the funeral home.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Longview Baptist Church Memorial Fund, Lee's Summit, Missouri.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Obituary - Wanda Ellen Weddington

Wanda Ellen Weddington, age 65, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Save Our World Ministries in Clinton, Missouri. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Children's Mercy Hospital and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Wand Ellen Weddington was born on March 23, 1956 in Osceola, Missouri to Arthur and Millie (Bangle) Jones. Wanda worked as a substance abuse counselor. She was a member of Save Our World Ministries for several years.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents and 4 brothers; Lonnie, Arthur, Johnny and Charles.

Survivors include her husband, Lyle Weddington, one son, Chris Weddington (Jessica Baumgarden) of Diamond, Missouri, 2 brothers; Albert Jones of Tennesee, Donnie Jones of Lowry City, Missouri, 2 sisters; Hazel Henry of Eldorado Springs, Missouri, Dorothy Burk of Richmond, Missouri, and one grandchild, Brianna Weddington.

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