Featured Business of the Month

 

The Main Street Menagerie on the northeast corner of the Butler square has been designated as the Butler Chamber of Commerce Featured Business of the Month for June. The Menagerie offers a wide variety from local crafters as well as unusual and hard to find items. Pictured L-R is Chamber Executive Secretary Karen Rayborn, owner Jamie Morgan, Michelle Richards, Chamber President Greg Weaver and Chamber board member Kim Jacobs. 

Ag Pilots and Airport Reach Agreement

 During the recent Butler city council meeting it was announced that the airport commission and local crop dusters have come to a conclusion that will work well for all regarding access to the tarmac and runway at Butler Municipal Airport, after concerns that access would be limited following ashphault resurfacing of this month.

City Administrator Mike West said that access will continue ‘as is’ this year but next year plans call for construction of a paved area near the south end of the runway for ag planes and trucks used to fill them, including a new road from business 49  highway.   

Things get a bit crowded at the airport at times, as along with transient traffic, ag operations compete for space along with KC Skydive who regularly use the facility as well. It’s a good problem to have, showing there is a definitive need to have an airport in Bates county.

In other council news, work continues with a comprehensive plan lead by Kaysinger representative Ryan Peters. Peters is in the process of getting input from local residents and everyone should be expecting to get a questionnaire in the mail soon, if not already.

Police Chief Wheatley reported that roof sealing is done at the police station and the next priority is to get the new radio console ordered. The old console has outlived its useful life and is not reliable, which could be a major problem in the event of an emergency. Good news is that the replacement is mostly funded by grant money and is expected to be in operation later this Summer.

The Butler Aquatic Center faced some problems last year regarding having enough personnel, but it was reported this year is much better even though revenue is down a little. The major challenge this year has been replacement of an air conditioning unit. A bid of $10,933 by Hoot Owl Heating and Air Conditioning of Butler was accepted which was just under the budgeted amount of $11,500 which should remedy that problem soon.

This city is quickly working toward getting new software that will allow customers to pay bills online easily and securely, this is a high priority and more info should be revealed during the upcoming meeting.

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm at the Butler city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend and you can also join via Facebook  Live through the city of Butler Facebook page.   

Beta Sigma Phi's Annual Baby Contest set for July 6th

Beta Sigma Phi’s Annual Baby Contest hits the Bates County Fair
on Wednesday, July 5th. Registration for babies and toddlers
begin at 5 pm with the baby contest promptly at 6:30. Babies zero
to 24 months will be diapers only. 

Toddlers 24 months to 48 months will be judged with swimwear and/or accessories. It’s all part of the Bates County Fairs’ 50th year and still going strong! All proceeds go toward Beta Sigma Phi’s scholarship fund. 

Obituary - Alan Wayne Eck

Alan Wayne Eck left this Earth on June 23, 2022. Alan was born on October 25, 1951, to Stephen and Helen Eck in Nashville, KS.

He is survived by his mother, Helen Eck, his wife of the home Renee’ Eck, 3 sons: Kelly (Tara) Eck, Cody (Olivia) Eck both of El Dorado Springs, JP (Kimmy) Nielsen – Excelsior Springs, MO, 3 daughters: Andrea (Justin) Mays of El Dorado Springs, Kim (Phillip) Gaines of Windsor, CO, and Sara (Taylor) McKlintic of El Dorado Springs. Alan is survived by 21 grandchildren: Rylun Mays, Paylan Mays, Brinlan Mays, Braylan Mays, Braden Gaines, Bode Gaines, Ty Gaines, Ryli Gaines, Tasia Weber, Koy Eck, Tinley Eck, Kolt Nielsen, Mason Nielsen, Hudson Nielsen, Bentley Nielsen, Taylie McKlintic, Maddox Rainey, Beckett Rainey, Atticus Eck, Adeline Eck, and Harrison Eck, his mother, Helen Eck of Sharon, KS, 6 brothers: Glen (Sandy) Eck, Melvin Eck, Roger (Lynn) Eck, Dean (Kelli) Eck, Daryl (Margie) Eck, Doug (Shelly) Eck, 3 Sisters – Jeanette (Dan) Gates, KayJean (Bo) Bowman, Colleen (Greg) Kerschen, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and truly great friends.

Alan is preceded in death by his father Stephen Eck, sister-in-law Shelley Eck, and nephews Jason Eck and Brett Bowman.

Alan Eck and Renee’ Pennock were united in marriage on November 25, 1978 in Sharon, KS. Alan began his career as a welder for Schmidt’s Welding in Sharon, KS where he and Renee’ began their family. In 1983, they then packed up their family and moved to El Dorado Springs, MO where he continued to weld before starting his 30 year career with 3M. 

When Alan wasn’t sleeping to prepare for his next midnight shift, he could be found working in his shop on different projects, building things for his children, or simply hiding from the chaos. Alan and Renee’ spent most of their time chasing their children to their many school activities or sporting events. They didn’t pause for long before they were doing the same for the next generation as the grandkids started adding up.

Alan grew up in a large loving and hardworking family. Growing up if he wasn’t working on the farm he was playing whatever sport he could find, with softball being his favorite. Alan shared with his children that he was once crowned “King of the Court” for his high school basketball team. 

He passed his love and athletic talents onto his children and spent endless hours watching and cheering them on. While Alan’s first love was always his family, he also enjoyed a good joke, a card game, a Werther’s Original that he lovingly shared with the grandkids while also giving them a hard time. If he wasn’t giving his grandkids a hard time, he was taking a trip to the gas station to buy a winning scratchers ticket.

While Alan will be missed dearly by his family and friends, he is now in his heavenly home, where he learned at a very early age was the ultimate gift at the end of a full life.

Visitation:
Date: Monday, June 27, 2022
Time: 9:00 A.M.

Visitation Location:
Church of God (Holiness)

Service:
Date: Monday, June 27, 2022
Time: 10:00 A.M.

Service Location:
Church of God (Holiness)

Interment:
El Dorado Springs City Cemetery

Sad news from the Ray-Pec Family

We are saddened to inform you of a death in the Ray-Pec family.

Evelyn Warden passed away on Saturday, June 25. She taught 23 years - mostly at Raymore Elementary School - before retiring in 2002.

During her career at Ray-Pec, she taught grades 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, and music for grades 1-8. Mrs. Warden was also well known in the community for giving piano lessons for many years.

The visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29, at Cullen Funeral Home in Raymore. 

The visitation begins at 2 p.m., and the funeral will be at 3 p.m., with burial to follow at the Raymore Cemetery.

Evelyn's daughter, Terri Miles, is a teacher at Creekmoor Elementary School.

Have you seen this missing woman from Fort Scott Kansas

 

Two injured in Barton County rollover accident

On June 25th around 11:30 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Barton County along with Barton County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover accident on I-49 near 4 miles south of Lamar.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2003 Ford F-250 driven by 18 year old Moses R. Olivas of Lamar, Missouri left the side of the roadway and overturned, crossing the median and coming to rest in the northbound lanes of I-49.

Moses R. Olivas along with a passenger in his vehicle 37 year old Leah M. Corchado of Lamar, Missouri both sustained injuries in this accident and both were transported to Mercy Hospital in Joplin for treatment.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220334472

Public Service Announcement from the Rich Hill Fire Department

Another year has flown by!

We are not sure where this year has gone, but the carnival rolled into town today for the big 4th of July festivities. So that means there will be some road closures in the upcoming days.

 
The first closures will be Park Ave from 5th to 7th. 6th Street will be blocked a half block north and south of Park Ave as well. 7th street will remain open until July 4th. This closure will remain throughout the entirety of the festival.

 
The next road closures will take place Wednesday June 29th for the Color Run. This will close all cross streets along Park Ave from the tracks all the way to 14th Street. This closure will open back up after the color run.

 
Saturday July 3rd there will be some road closures on the West side of the circle park for the Joe Nichols concert.

 
Finally the big day, July 4th! We will block all cross roads along Park Ave from 1st Street to 5th Street including around the Circle park. These ropes will be removed after the parade.

 
We will also be blocking off a block away in every direction from the fireworks shoot sight the morning of the 4th. These closures will remain until after the fireworks have completed.

 
We all know that the road closures are not fun to deal but we ask you be patient and detour around these closures. These closures help keep those partaking in the festival safe. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!