Traffic Alert: Accident In Butler

The Butler Police Department along with Butler Fire and the city of Butler Electric Crews are on scene of a one vehicle accident on High and Pine Streets in Butler.

The female driver doesn't have injuries and crews are working to restore power in the area as the vehicle struck a power pole.

Please use caution if you must travel in this area! Pine Street is closed from Orange to High Streets for a undisclosed amount of time.

Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge National Walking Day

Press Release:

March 28, 2023

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 5th by inviting the public to come out and walk with a ranger for a preview of our new trail.

The Visitor Center and new exhibits will be open form 4-6 PM and the Ranger will be leading walks along the trail at 4:30 and 5:30. We invite everyone to come out and see the new exhibits and learn more about the Refuge and what we have to offer. This includes are almost completed paved mile-long Discovery Nature Trail that starts from the Visitor Center parking lot. 

We also welcome the public to come and see the exhibits and hike the other trails on the Refuge at any other point as well. The Visitor Center is open M-F 8-4 and all of the other trails on the Refuge are open sunrise to sunset.

When: Wednesday, April 5, 4-6 PM
Where: Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 24141 KS Hwy 52, Pleasanton.

For more information contact:
Nova Clarke, Refuge Ranger Nova_Clarke@fws.gov
913-352-8956

Ryan Grimes for Archie R-5 School Board

 

April is National Gardening Month

COLUMBIA, Mo. – April is National Gardening Month and a good time plant a garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. For those who lacked the motivation in the past to garden, consider the following benefits of this popular pastime.

Economic. Vegetable gardening is an excellent way to save on the family food bill. The National Gardening Association (NGA) estimates that a well-maintained vegetable garden yields an average return of $500 per year. Multiplied by the number of vegetable gardens in the country (36 million), the NGA estimates that American food gardeners produce more than $21.6 billion of vegetables annually.

Trinklein adds that you don’t have to spend hundreds on a raised bed filled with an artificial growing medium to benefit economically from gardening. A recent study by Burpee Seed Co. revealed that $50 spent on gardening supplies can be converted into $1,250 worth of produce annually. This twentyfold return on investment also was documented by a national survey conducted a number of years ago. Simply put, if vegetable gardening does not reduce your food bill, you are doing something wrong, Trinklein said.

Health. Digging, hoeing, raking and other gardening activities are a great way to exercise while doing something productive. The average gardener burns between 300 and 400 calories per hour while gardening. One would have to walk about 4 miles at a fairly brisk pace to use up the same number of calories. Also, research has shown that gardening reduces stress that can lead to health problems of various types, Trinklein said.

Gardening is good for one’s health by offering nutritional benefits as well. “The availability of fresh, inexpensive produce from the family garden is conducive to maintaining good dietary habits and, at times, forces greater vegetable consumption,” Trinklein said. “It has been documented that children are much more likely to consume vegetables they grew themselves than those purchased from a supermarket.”

Psychological. By allowing people to connect with nature, gardening tends to restore our spirits and make us feel good about ourselves, Trinklein said. Simply being surrounded by growing plants and blooming flowers is a way to become immersed in another world and a diversion from the stresses and demands of life. Working with plants tends to draw one’s attention from other problems in life and gives people the opportunity to achieve a level of serenity and enjoyment that often escapes us in our technology-based society, he said.

Planting and caring for a flower or vegetable garden also imparts a sense of accomplishment without unreasonable expectations often placed upon us by society. This is one reason many hospitals and health care facilities now offer plant (horticultural) therapy, which recognizes the healing power of plants, especially for those suffering from physical, psychological or emotional problems.

Environmental. Gardens benefit our planet in many ways. Growing food locally instead of having it shipped in from distant locations reduces our carbon footprint. “Plants take in carbon dioxide as they manufacture food, thus helping to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gasses,” said Trinklein. Gardens help to reduce soil erosion by slowing rainfall runoff and allowing it to infiltrate more slowly into the ground. Additionally, gardens tend to serve as a food source and gathering place for many types of wildlife such as butterflies and birds.

Social. Working together strengthens the bonds between people. Gardening represents a universal language that can strengthen family relationships and is a wonderful way for generations of family members to interact, Trinklein said. The most valuable product from a garden just might be the joy derived from working with family and friends.

Gardening also can help bring communities closer together, negating differences that might exist between different groups. Trinklein notes that research has shown that community gardens and urban forests lead to lower levels of crime and domestic violence in cities. Even corporate America is considering the advantages of surrounding people with plants as it emphasizes the importance of landscaping places of business.

Educational. Gardening is a learning experience, since every year provides different challenges to solve. Gardening can encourage children and adults alike to be more curious about their surroundings and nature. “It is a great way to teach youngsters the joy that can come from work and that positive results are not always instantaneous in life,” Trinklein said. Gardens make us more aware of our senses through stimulation of sight, smell and touch. They have the ability to motivate people in many different ways and serve as a creative inspiration.

According to Trinklein, gardens and gardening remind us of everything that is good about life – the beauty of nature, the feeling of pride and sense of accomplishment for having done something productive and the realization that our efforts are helping to improve ourselves, our society and our environment. “For those of you who are gardeners, best wishes for the upcoming growing season – relish it while it lasts,” Trinklein said. “For those of you who are not, there is no time like the present to start.”

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2023/20230323-ngm-1.jpg
April is National Gardening Month. One of the many benefits of gardening is time spent strengthening bonds between people and sharing joy, said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Photo courtesy of MU Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg.

Writer: Linda Geist

Obituary - Mickey Dean Mason

Mickey Dean Mason, 82, of Nevada, passed away Monday, March 27th, 2023, in his home following a lengthy illness surrounded by his children.

Mickey was born June 15, 1940 to Roy and Ruth Mason of Anderson, MO. He was raised in McDonald County and was very active in the local farm and agriculture community which became a constant thread of his passions throughout his lifetime.

He graduated from Southwest City High School in May 1958 and then studied for one year at the School of the Ozarks. On August 12, 1961, Mickey married his childhood sweetheart, Laurel Nichols and they remained married until her death in 2010. In 1962, Mickey and Laurel moved to Nevada, MO. Over their nearly 50 years of marriage, Mickey and Laurel built a full legacy of family together. They had seven children which evolved into countless grand children and great grandchildren.

Mickey applied and was accepted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy on June 15, 1961, his 21st birthday. At that time, he was the youngest patrolman in the state. He proceeded to serve as a Troop D Missouri State Highway Patrolman from April 1, 1962 until his retirement on August 28, 1994. After his retirement, he served part time as a Vernon County Deputy Sheriff. He then was elected and served in the office of Vernon County Sheriff from 1997-2000. After leaving the position of Vernon County Sheriff, Mickey then served as Deputy Sheriff of Barton County, served the 28th Circuit Court, Juvenile Division, Division of Family Services, and Division of Youth Services covering the counties of Vernon, Cedar, Barton and Dade. Throughout the years of his law enforcement career, Mickey never swayed from his core beliefs and traditions of the mission and impact his service brought to not only his family, but to the community and to the man, himself, that he always proved to be.

Salus populi suprema lex esto: “Let the good of the people be the supreme law.”

Over the years, Mickey wore many hats and stayed involved in his community with his family. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, a Boy Scout Leader, Lions Club member, Masonic Lodge member, along with countless other roles. If nothing else, he could be described as a family man who loved his community.

Mickey was preceded in death by his wife, Laurel; both of his parents; and two granddaughters Lindsay Mason and Dru Hancock. Survivors include his sister Diana Virden and husband Ed (Springfield, Mo); son Chris Mason (Nevada); daughter Cheryl Shultz and husband Scott (Springfield, Mo); daughter Cindy Dye and husband Jimmie (Nevada); son Cary Mason (Springfield, Mo); daughter Candace Dunback and husband Chris (Eudora, Ks); daughter Celeste Grothusen and husband Dallas (Wichita, Ks); daughter Crystal Hancock and husband Jesse (Lee’s Summit, Mo); and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor George Knox officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mickey’s memory to the Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Tonight's Butler Lions Club Radio Auction item list

 The annual Butler Lions Club Radio Auction will be on the air 5-7 pm tonight on FM 92.1 and the following list of items will be up for grabs. Call in number to bid is 660-679-3135. Join the fun and help the Lions Club who puts money raised back into the community! Please to not call to bid until it is announced on the air that bidding is open for that item, thank you.

Click images to enlarge, save or print:

Butler Community Café tonight at the Church of the Nazarene

Be sure to join the Butler Community Café tonight at the Butler Church of the Nazarene located at1 10 W Nursery Street.

The meal tonight will be ham, beans and cornbread! Serving will start at 5:30 p.m.! Everyone is welcome!

Water main break in Nevada

Regarding the water main break on Surrey Ln.

The Boil Advisory Notice only affects Surrey Ln, Trotter Ln and the 200 Block of E Grand. 

We will notify everyone affected once the water has been cleared for regular use. Usually 24 hours. If you have any questions please call Marcy @ 417-448-5113

-Courtesy of the city of Nevada