Two Bates County High School students competed at the world famous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie Oklahoma

Two Bates County High School students competed at the world famous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie Ok.

On March 25-26 two local area high school students competed in the Border Wars High School Rodeo. 

One of the largest high school rodeo events was held in Guthrie Oklahoma, where students from across the country converged to compete in various rodeo events. Almost 1,000 junior high and high school students competed. 

The events included bareback riding, breakaway roping, calf roping, goat tying, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, pole bending, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. Students represented 16 states to include Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas to name a few states. Students competed for over $91,000 in payouts, scholarships and exposure to college rodeo teams.

Two local cowboys representing the Adrian High School and Butler High School competed among the 20 students in the bronc riding category. While neither one of them had the ride they wanted both boys said it was a great experience and an opportunity to network with other young cowboys and cowgirls. Building friendships and relationships that will last for years to come.

Austyn Spurgeon, a junior from Adrian, is currently ranked #1 in Missouri in the bronc riding event in the High School Rodeo Association standings. This is Austyn’s 2nd year competing with the Missouri High School Rodeo Association. When Austyn isn’t participating in high school rodeo events he works for CR Mckellips Rodeo Company and rides in various local rodeo events.

Cameron Anderson, a junior from Butler, is in his first year competing with the High School Rodeo in bronc riding events. When Cameron isn’t participating in high school rodeo events he is playing high school varsity baseball as a 2nd baseman. When Cameron’s schedule isn’t full of high school sports he is choring his own horses and is a constant volunteer helping the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse.

Both cowboys enjoy being a local ambassador for high school rodeo and spend time encouraging the local youth to be involved in the rodeo world. Both cowboys are working hard to qualify to compete at state finals in June at Carthage and hope to move on to the National Finals in Gillette Wyoming in July.

There are additional students that compete in other events of High School and Junior High Rodeo that represent Bates County Schools. McCrae Rogers, a junior from Hume competes as a bull rider. Cash Johnston and Addison Johnston, both from Miami School, compete in the junior high division. Cash competes in chute dogging and .22 shooting. Addison competes in pole bending, barrel racing, girls breakaway, girls goat tying.

Wheels, wheels, wheels

Near perfect weather drew a large crowd at Douty’s annual Show of Wheels car show in Butler today. Some visitors came from as far as southern Missouri and points beyond- here’s some highlights:

Power outage reported in the Archie area!

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Members around the Archie area are experiencing an outage at this time. Crews are working as fast and as safely as possible to restore power.

With high winds continuing through the morning please be aware of any downed poles or lines in your vicinity. 

Do not approach them and call 660-679-3131 to report any findings.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office activity report 3-21/3-27

St. Clair County Sheriff Lee Hilty reported deputies made arrests and took multiple reports during the week of March 21, 2023 through March 27, 2023.

On March 21, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies arrested Jeffery Wilkerson on St. Clair County warrant for charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance except thirty-five grams or less of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid and Unlawful Possession Drug Paraphernalia. His bond set at $10,000 cash or surety.

On March 21, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies arrested Shawn Wilson at the St. Clair County Courthouse on Henry County warrants for Failure to Appear on Fail to Display Plates on vehicle and Failure to Appear on Operating Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility. He was transported to St. Clair County Jail. His bond set at $600 cash or surety.

On March 21, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies received a call for theft at the Mason Lodge in Osceola. Item was stolen was a Glock 26 Gen 4 9mm. Investigation ongoing.

On March 22, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of South Main Street in Lowry City for property damage.

On March 22, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies arrested Alana Miller at Boone County Jail in Arkansas on a St. Clair County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond is set at $2,500 Cash Only.

On March 22, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies were dispatched to a call regarding trespassing on 52 Highway. Subjects have been notified of trespassing.

On March 23, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident just North of Collins on Highway 13. MSHP assisted with the accident. Abandoned vehicle was struck in the rear. Driver who struck vehicle was transported to the hospital. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

On March 24, 2023-St. Clair County Deputies were dispatched to a call regarding an ex-parte violation.

On March 24, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies arrested Charles Harris at the Crawford County Jail in Kansas on a St. Clair County warrant on charges of Receiving Stolen Property. His bond is set at $10,000 cash only.

On March 24, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on NE 700 Road in Weaubleau. John Boothe was arrested for Domestic Assault- 4th degree 1st or 2nd Offense.

On March 25, 2025-St. Clair County Deputies responded to East 4th Street in Appleton City in regards to property damage. Information was taken and forwarded to the Appleton City Police Department.

On March 26, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies received a call of stealing from Casey's General Store in Osceola. Jeffry Dirocco was arrested and taken to St. Clair County Jail where he was booked and released.

On March 26, 2023-St. Clair County Deputies received a call in regards to stolen property on Benton Street in Osceola. Item stolen was a license plate with MO registration of 0CFF07.

On March 27, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies received a call referencing to a stolen vehicle. Vehicle stolen is a 2014 Kia Soul bearing MO registration CW3D29.

On March 27, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies received a call for a subject being scammed. Subject was advised to speak with their banking institution and not to give out information over the phone.

On March 27, 2023- St. Clair County Deputies responded to a call of a burned vehicle on 1021 Rd and 82 Highway. Partial VIN identified the vehicle as a 2007 Dodge Caliber with MO registration ZG5T3N. Vehicle was reported stolen on March 25, 2023 out of Clinton, MO.

On March 27, 2023-St. Clair County Deputies received a call of a mountain bike found on Truman Road before WW highway. Bike has been tagged and kept for safekeeping until owner is located.

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.

5 day forecast

Gusty winds and a general warming trend (after a chilly Saturday) will be the story for the next couple days.

Early next week, the focus will become more strong thunderstorms, Monday and Tuesday.

Way to go Jake!

We would like to congratulate Butler Freshman Baseball Player Jake Chandler on hitting his first high school career homerun last night in a 7-6 victory over the Liberal Bulldogs. 

Way to go on your first of many homeruns in your career at BHS! If you haven't checked out the Butler High School Baseball team you should. 

Butler Bandits Softball 12U gets close victory!

The Butler Bandits 12U took the lead late in the game in an 8-7 victory over CC B’s 12U on Saturday. CC B’s 12U trailed 6-5 in the top of the fourth inning when Jayda M tripled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.

Bandits 12U built a four-run lead in the third inning and then held off CC B’s 12U's charge. CC B’s 12U scored five runs in the failed comeback on a home run by Shae B, a double by Treya P, and a triple by Jayda.

Bandits 12U captured the lead in the first inning when Emalee D drew a walk, scoring one run.

Braelynn I was credited with the victory for Bandits 12U. Braelynn lasted three and a third innings, allowing nine hits and seven runs while striking out six.

Brylea L led things off in the pitcher's circle for CC B’s 12U. Brylea allowed five hits and eight runs over three and a third innings, striking out seven.

Braelynn went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Bandits 12U in hits. Mylee B led Bandits 12U with four stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with 19 stolen bases.

One killed, One seriously injured in Vernon County crash

On Friday evening March 31st around 10:10 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with Vernon County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a head on crash on Missouri 54 Highway around 1.5 miles east of Nevada.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the eastbound 2010 Nissan Altima driven by 58 year old Gordon S. Buttorff of Walker, Missouri crossed the centerline of traffic and struck the 2019 Jeep Renegade driven by 21 year old Samuel O. Spring of El Dorado Springs, Missouri head on.

Gordon S. Buttorff was pronounced dead at the scene of this crash by the Vernon County Coroners Office. He was transported to Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Samuel O. Spring sustained serious injuries and he was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri for treatment.

Both vehicles were totaled and both were towed from the scene of this accident by Garwood's Wrecker Service of Nevada. This is Troop D of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 19th fatality of the year 2023.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230165526