Julie Smith for Archie School Board

 

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Public service announcement crosswalk safety!

Please please stop at crosswalks during school beginning/ closing times. This morning a truck blew through my stop sign with myself and two kids still in the road. They never saw me. 

I realize the sun may be in your face but please pay close attention for the safety of our kids! #stopatcrosswalks

- Courtesy of Butler Elementary teacher Kerrie Jacobs 

Way to go Shelby!

We would like to congratulate Shelby Carney for her 2nd place finish at the HOSA State Competition. She earned her medal in the Nursing Assisting category. Great Job! - Courtesy of Butler High School 

Update Michael Morris is in Custody!

Update: Michael Morris is in Custody!

On 3/27/23 at approximately 130pm 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. 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.

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