National Day of Prayer to be observed in Butler

 

The National Day of Prayer will be observed this Thursday, May 5 at the gazebo on the Butler courthouse lawn beginning at noon. The schedule is as follows:

Welcome by Pastor Sharla Hulsey

Pastor Sharla Hulsey- prayer for churches, ministers, church leaders and church families

Pastor Ron Dunlap- Prayer for the United States, President Biden, Federal, State and County Government

Pastor Jeremy Henderson- Prayer for law enforcement, highway patrol, sheriff and police

Pastor Michael Cloud- Prayer for first responders, firefighters, EMS, healthcare workers, support staff, hospital, nursing homes and clinics

Singing- led by Carol Ann Winburn, Mike Humphrey, Mandy Yates and Karen Rayborn

Pastor Chris Sams- Prayer for schools, employees, students, parents and extended families

Minister Felix Salazar- Prayer for grief and bereavement support, hospice, funeral homes and hospital chaplains

Pastor Barrett Case- Prayer for volunteer workers and businesses, food pantries, community cafe, alcohol and narcotic abuse centers, domestic violence abuse centers

Invitation by Pastor Sharla Hulsey

Singing led by Carol Ann Winburn, Mike Humphrey, Mandy Yates and Karen Rayborn

Dismissal by Pastor Sharla Hulsey

Hoffman receives Board Member Award of Excellence from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Greg Hoffman, president of the Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation’s board of directors, received a Board Member Award of Excellence from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

 
He was one of five board leaders honored within the CFO’s network of regional affiliate foundations. The awards were presented on April 25 during the CFO’s Affiliate Appreciation Conference in Springfield.

 
“Greg has worked tirelessly attending community meetings, events, and speaking to groups and organizations,” said Alice Wingo, CFO Vice President of Affiliates. “One recent example of Greg’s fierce loyalty to NVCCF was his determination to attend an important meeting regarding a new community project that the affiliate is spearheading – after having shoulder surgery that same morning.”

 
Hoffman has been the driving force behind the formation of the Nevada/Vernon County affiliate. As a result of his hard work, it celebrated a very successful first year in October 2021.

 
“One cannot serve on a foundation board without first deeply loving one’s community,” CFO President Brian Fogle said. “That love is expressed through their excellent leadership and dedication that make their communities a better place to live for all their neighbors.”

 
The Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation, founded in 2020, is one of the CFO’s 53 regional affiliate foundations. The CFO is a regional public charitable foundation established in 1973 that provides asset and resource development, grantmaking and public leadership across central and southern Missouri.

Obituary - Clive Daniel Culpepper

Clive Daniel Culpepper, infant son of Chad and Emma (Hartzler) Culpepper, of Harrisonville, MO passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at home. A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday morning, May 3rd at Orient Cemetery. 

A visitation for friends and family will be held that evening from 4:00-6:00 PM at Eagle Creek Church Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shiloh Center in Harrisonville, MO.

At his 20-week ultrasound appointment, Clive was diagnosed with Anencephaly, a birth defect preventing the proper development of his skull and brain. He was born at home on April 30th and was held in loving arms for his entire life. His favorite activities in the womb were fishing in Grandpa Dennis’s pond, walking to Great Grandma Wanda’s, listening to the Chronicles of Narnia before bed, helping Eleanor and Orvis master their sight words, and being wrestled and kissed by Lincoln. His favorite activities outside the womb were squeezing his dad’s finger, and listening to his mommy’s heartbeat.

Clive is preceded in death by one unnamed sibling; and his paternal grandfather, Dennis Culpepper. He is survived by his parents, Chad and Emma Culpepper; his siblings Eleanor, Orvis, and Lincoln; his paternal great-grandmother, Wanda Culpepper; his paternal grandmother, Johnna Culpepper; his maternal grandparents, Harry and Mary Hartzler; many aunts and uncles; and even more cousins.

Updated Obituary - Dr. Mary Jo (Lasley) Litten

Dr. Mary Jo Litten, 72, of Nevada, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s Disease at Barone Alzheimer’s Care Center in Nevada. Mary was born April 25, 1947, in Lockwood, Mo., to Robert Glenn and Ida Louise (Jennings) Lasley.

She graduated from Nevada High School in 1965 and attended the University of Missouri, Columbia graduating with a B.A. in Vocal Performance. She subsequently attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where she received her M.A. in Vocal Performance, and also received her Master’s degree in Psychology from Pittsburg State University in 1987. Mary Jo was a tremendously gifted musician and a consummate performer. A spinto soprano with a warm, dramatic timbre to her voice, she was also a multi-instrumentalist who played the bassoon and piano. 

While at MU, Mary Jo was a flautist in Marching Mizzou. It was during summer band camp where she met her ex-husband David Litten (they unknowingly lived next door to each other in Nevada the summer after their senior year of High School). 

Mary Jo performed in various operatic productions during her college years and later taught music and voice at both Southwest Baptist University and Cottey College. As the director of the Chancel Choir at the United Methodist Church, she planned and arranged music for services and frequently performed as a soloist, especially during holiday services. Mary Jo instilled a deep love of the Arts in her children with whom she performed in various productions at the local Community Center for the Performing Arts.

A life-long student with a passion for learning, Mary Jo continued her education at Pittsburg State University and Kansas State University in the mid-80’s through mid-90’s, earning her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the latter in 1996. After receiving her Ph.D., Mary Jo returned to Pittsburg State University where she was a valuable tenured professor in the department of Psychology and Counseling. During her time at PSU, Mary Jo was an outstanding instructor who cared deeply for her students. She was passionate about teaching scientific writing and research methods to her students as she clearly understood the importance of the role that science plays in understanding human behavior. An incredibly caring and compassionate person, Mary Jo also championed progressive causes and ideals. 

She donated her time and money to the advancement of women and minorities and helped her parents establish a sustaining scholarship at Pittsburg State University for students pursuing degrees in Psychology and Counseling. Mary Jo retired from PSU in 2010 and her presence has been deeply missed.

Most importantly, Mary Jo was an amazing and loving mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and wife. She demonstrated a deep and abiding love for her family which formed the basis of her care and compassion for her fellow man. Mary Jo imparted in her children the same values, fairness, compassion, and equality that she championed throughout her life.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Barone Alzheimer’s Care Center, especially those who helped Mary Jo transition in her final hours of life. The dedication and level of care she received during her time at Barone’s was truly awe-inspiring and unprecedented in our collective experience.

Mary Jo is survived by her two children, Sarah Louise Brooks (Greg) of Mount Pleasant, SC, and John David Litten (Cheyenne) of Berkley, Calif.; three grandchildren, Jack Brooks, Lucy Brooks, and Sadie Litten; one brother, Robert F. Lasley (Karen) of Lawrence, Kan.; and one niece, several nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, John David Lasley; and one sister, Janet Louise Lasley.

A Celebration of Mary Jo’s Life will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Ferry Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. with burial at El Dorado Springs Cemetery immediately following.

The family will host visitors at the home of David Litten and Betsy McReynolds at 1:00 p.m.

Sarah and John would like to extend their deepest, heartfelt thanks and appreciation to David and Betsy for helping Mother many times over the years when we could not be present. The love and grace they displayed for our mother can only be repaid by paying it forward. We love and are thankful for you both.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary Jo’s name to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (www.curealz.org), the Neighbor’s Center of Nevada, Mo., (417-667-3990), or the Robert G. and I. Louise Lasley Family Memorial Scholarship at Pittsburg State University -Scholarship #1130604 (620-231-7000) ask for the Foundation Department).

Learn about Missouri's native grasslands at MDC's free Prairie Day event May 14th near El Dorado Springs

Learn about Missouri's native grasslands at MDC's free Prairie Day event May 14 near El Dorado Springs

Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie will be in early summer bloom for wagon tours, prairie walks, and exhibits

El Dorado Springs, Mo. – Visitors can enjoy native grassland vistas and early-season wildflowers blooming when the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) hosts a free Prairie Day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie Conservation Area near El Dorado Springs. MDC staff and partners will showcase the prairie’s natural life and the role grasslands play in agriculture communities today.

Prairie Day will offer wagon tours, grazing demonstrations, a guided walk for bee surveys, conservation exhibits, presentations on grassland birds, and facts about grassland fire ecology. Activities will include target archery and atlatl. The St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association will provide concessions.

“People will enjoy speaking to experts about prairie ecology and management,” said Krista Noel, MDC natural history biologist. “We can assist them with managing their own prairies and grassland watershed resources. Target archery and atlatl will provide a fun experience with the hunting tools used by Native Americans on prairies.”

Co-hosts with MDC are The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Missouri River Bird Observatory. Much of the Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie is owned by TNC but managed by MDC. The partners will also host pre-arranged school groups on Friday, May 13, for Prairie Day educational activities.

“We will introduce visitors to the wonders of prairies, a now-rare natural resource,” Noel said. “Prairies are unique with diverse grasses, wildflowers, and sedges. Those provide food and shelter for a wide variety of insects, mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The dense roots of prairie plants hold soil in place. When plants die the roots return organic matter to the soil. Organic matter helps soil absorb surface water and refurbish ground water. Prairie plants and roots also filter water and prevent runoff erosion that can harm streams.”

Native grasslands once dominated northern and western Missouri. Today, less than half of one percent of the state’s original unplowed tallgrass prairie remains. Those remnants are scattered. TNC and MDC properties at Wah’Kon-Tah preserve one of the state’s largest contiguous native grasslands. Wah’Kon-Tah and MDC’s Taberville Prairie Conservation Area are cornerstones for the Upper Osage Grasslands, a special native grassland focus area in partnership with private landowners. The goal is managing for healthy grasslands and prairie streams alongside profitable cattle grazing and crops.

Prairie Day is for all ages and requires no registration. Although organized activities end at 4 p.m., visitors are welcome to stay and enjoy the prairie.

For information about Prairie Day, call 417-876-5226. More information and a map for Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie Conservation Area are available at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z94. To learn about prairie in Missouri, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZxM.

Photos: Enjoy native grasslands in spring bloom at MDC’s free Prairie Day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie Conservation Area near El Dorado Springs.

                              Photos by Pat Whalen, Missouri Department of Conservation

Butler man arrested on warrants

On May 1st around 5:33 p.m. the Butler Police Department arrested 39 year old Joseph A. Phelan of Butler, Missouri.

Mr. Phelan was arrested for failure to appear in court warrants for the following charges:

1.) Possession of a controlled substance - 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid (X2)
2.) Following too closely to a vehicle
3.) Failure to appear in court - Infraction/Municipal Ordinance.

Joseph A. Phelan was booked into the Bates County Jail in Butler and he is currently listed as bondable.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Strong thunderstorms possible this evening

A wet weather week is ahead! Showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase across the region today. A few storms this evening south of I-70 may be strong producing hail, strong gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall.

A second storm system is expected late on Wednesday into Thursday, bringing additional rainfall to the region.

WEMO Track Meet Canceled Tomorrow

Due to the threat of inclement weather tomorrow, the WEMO junior high and high school track meet has been postponed until Tuesday. 

Same start time on Tuesday as originally planned on Monday.

Courtesy of the Rich Hill School District