Obituary - Taylor Jean Huffstutler

Taylor Jean Huffstutler, age 32, of Warsaw, Missouri passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023 at her home. She was born on December 3, 1990 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri the daughter of Brian Williams and Linda Philpot

She grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Van Horn High School in 2008. Taylor married her high school sweetheart, John Huffstutler on May 22, 2009. They made their home in Raytown before moving to Warsaw in 2021.

She is survived by her husband, John Huffstutler, a daughter, Anna Huffstutler, four sisters; Misty Barrios, Ashley Meyer, Meegan Van and Lauren Stobbe and a brother Bobby Pearce.

Arrangements for her cremation are under the direction of the Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw.

Obituary - Diana Lee Lovelady

Memorial graveside service and inurnment for Diana Lovelady of Belton, Missouri formerly of Amoret, Missouri will be 1 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2023 at the Benjamin Cemetery, Amoret, Missouri under direction of Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Contributions to the Amoret Christian Church or American Diabetes Association. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Diana Lee Lovelady, age 64 of Belton, Missouri formerly of Amoret, Missouri died Sunday, March 26, 2023 at her home. She was born May 20, 1958 to Paul Francis and Bertha Maxine Warren Castle in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Diana is survived by three sisters, Vickie Wackerman and husband Jim of Butler, Missouri, Paula Reed and husband Mike of Adrian, Missouri, and Amy Schulz of Belton, Missouri; a nephew, Brandon Wackerman and wife Jenny of Blue Springs, Missouri; and a niece, Brooke Asbury and husband Seth of San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Wayne Lovelady.

Obituary - Donald Wayne Fisher

Donald Wayne Fisher, age 82, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Don's wishes were to be cremated with inurnment in Vansant Road Cemetery in Clinton, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Meadowlake Country Club in Clinton, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the Vansant Road Cemetery and can be left in care of the funeral home.

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

Police looking for subject who fled court on foot in Butler

On 3/27/23 at approximately 1:30pm Bates County courthouse staff attempted to take a subject in custody during court (he was not in custody at the time). The subject fled from the court personnel out the west side of the courthouse.

Deputies are in the area attempting to locate this subject. His name is Michael Morris, age 28 from Butler. Morris is 6’ 170lhs blue eyes and blonde to light brown hair.

Mr. Morris was wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans at the time. Morris has an active warrant for burglary and domestic assault.

If you see Morris please contact the Bates County Sheriffs office at 660-679-3232. Or the Butler Police Department at 660-679-6131.

Update::

https://www.midamericalive.com/2023/03/update-michael-morris-is-in-custody.html

Butler Lions club radio auction starts tonight!

Butler Lions Club radio auction starts tonight March 27th and runs through the 28th, 29th, and 30th nightly 5-7 pm. 

The number to call is 660-679-3135 and listen  on FM 92.1 or on the web at www.921news.com

Press release: Be Informed About the BCMH Hospital Tax to Maintain Ambulance Services

Next Tuesday, April 4, Bates County voters will have the opportunity to help continue providing 911 Ambulance Services through Bates County Memorial Hospital.

1. Seven town hall meetings that included question and answer periods gave the hospital panel important insight. Some frequent questions were:

2. Some felt ballot language was too broad or ambiguous. Because of our hospital’s situation as a county political subdivision, we could not ask for a tax called an "ambulance tax". The only option available for our hospital to ask for help for the ambulance service is a tax called a "Hospital Tax". The law sets the language for this tax. It was not possible to change that language, but to add the words "including funding the hospital's ambulance service."

How would the funding be used? Would it be controlled by the county commissioners? No. How would citizens know it was used for the ambulance department? The simple answer is Bates County will continue to have 911 ambulance services. But in addition,

-Our hospital’s audited financials are prepared following GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board).

-These audited financials are submitted to the State Auditor’s Office each year and are public record.

-Included in an internal report to our elected board of directors are the following:

    The anticipated tax revenue for the upcoming year reflected in the Budget;

    The estimated cost of providing the Ambulance Service;

    Any requested capital purchases for the upcoming year related to the Ambulance Department;

    Estimated Subsidy in providing Ambulance services for Bates County

    The estimated shortfall or excess for the upcoming year

    The plan for the utilization of any excess funding

Our hospital is asking for financial help to maintain ambulance services because the ambulance department makes up a large portion of the hospital’s operating losses. Rising costs, higher wages due to a competitive job market and low reimbursement rates are just a few of the reasons. But the main reason is that running 911 ambulance services do not make money, which is why ambulance services are typically funded by a community through taxes. This is the case for most of the state of Missouri as well as the nation.

Since 1973, BCMH has subsidized ambulance services for our community, but by 2027, our ambulance department is projected to lose as much as $1.2 million a year. Our hospital cannot continue to sustain such losses.

Read more, including a complete set of frequently asked questions and answers by visiting https://www.bcmhospital.com/tax/ or find recordings of Town Halls on the BCMH Facebook page @BatesCountyMemorial Hospital. Citizens may ask a question by calling 660-200-7046 and leave a message and daytime phone number, or email info@bcmhospital.com. Our leadership wants to answer your questions, and we thank all who have taken the time to become informed.

Welcome Hudson!

Butler Medicalodges would like to welcome Hudson Adam Fields to our Lodge family! 

He was born on March 21st at 8lbs 2 oz 20.5 inches long and is absolutely perfect!

Congratulations to Brooke (LPN) and Joey Fields! He is a handsome bundle of joy!

Curiosity seekers asked to stay off roof

 

This frame from a security camera at the rear of Gadsden Flag Amory on the Butler square shows at least two teens who climbed onto the roof for unknown reasons. The building owner is requesting that the activity stop as there are many hazards including power lines and other very dangerous conditions. Please help spread the word and thank you, it could save a life.