Way to go Alisa!

We would like to congratulate Butler High School Senior Alisa Oates on her selection as Butler's representative for the DAR Good Citizen Award, sponsored by the Harmony Mission DAR chapter.

Way to go Alisa! Thanks for being a great person and role model! 

Obituary - Bobby Ray Laughlin

Bobby Ray “Poppy” Laughlin, 78, Nevada, MO passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023, at his home. Bobby was born July 4, 1945, in Stella, MO to Earl “Shorty” and Helen (Rogers) Laughlin. He married Carol Brizendine on August 14, 1965, in Pittsburg, KS and she survives of the home.

Bobby grew up in the Seneca and Stella, MO areas and graduated from Seneca High School. He was a “self-employed” truck driver most of his life, living mostly in the Jasper area. For the past six years, he has resided in Vernon County. One of his favorite enjoyments was going fishing.

In addition to his wife Carol, he is survived by three children: Tammi Denning (Paul), Nevada, Ronald Laughlin (Carolyn), Joplin, and Shawn Laughlin (Carolyn), Jasper; seven grandchildren, T.J. Denning, Marci Brower, Austin Denning, Tyler Laughlin, Rowdy Laughlin, Kayla Camiolo, and Dalton Laughlin; 18 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog “Shorty”. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Larry Laughlin, and Roger Laughlin.

A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Obituary - Cindy Sue Kirkpatrick

Cindy Sue Kirkpatrick, 58 of Nevada, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Freeman Health System in Joplin following a very short battle with cancer. 

Cindy was born on Feb 19, 1965 in Fulton, IL to Claude and Patricia (McDonald) Hallam. She attended Nevada High School and later worked in the kitchen of the Nevada Schools for several years. She also worked as manager of Hot Spot convenience store in Nevada.

Cindy was known to be funny, outgoing, kind, and big hearted. Her favorite saying was always “It is what it is.” She loved spending time with her family and friends and her favorite thing to do was since her girls were little was driving around on Christmas Eve looking at the lights and also going to Illinois every July to see family.

Cindy is survived by two daughters, Trish Churchwell (Pryor) of Nevada and Jennifer Stoner of Nevada; her grandchildren, Kimberly Churchwell, Tiffany Churchwell, and Zachary Churchwell all of Nevada; three brothers, Marty Hallam (Kathy) of Nevada, Mark Hallam (Georgiana), Moundville, and Terry Hallam (Teresa), Moundville; numerous nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law and best friend, Julie Ogden of Nevada. Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Mike Hallam, and two nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 16th, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating. Committal will follow in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the family c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

DSWA Coats For Kids Project

The DSWA CPA’s “ Coats for Kids” project is gearing up to put warm winter coats on deserving children throughout Bates County. Many youngsters in our area school systems will not have the luxury of a warm coat that actually fits this winter.

Carol Ann Winburn and DSWA Certified Public Accountants are now taking nominations from area school nurses to be sure every youngster has a warm coat or jacket.

If it is in your heart to help with this cause, you may send your donation payable to Coats for Kids c/o Carol Ann Winburn, 109 Ranch Drive, in Butler, or drop it by the DSWA office at 210 West Ohio Street in Butler. Each individual who donates will be entered into a drawing or a great prize, courtesy of DSWA.

Every dollar donated will be used to purchase brand-new winter coats or lined hoodies for Bates County kids. Thank you it advance from over two hundred grateful children in Bates County.

Butler Junior High Wrestling Meet a great success

The Butler Junior High wrestlers had their first home meet last night. We had a great night.

Wrestling Results:
Alayna Alkire-2-0.
Brennden Ball-3-0.
Elizabeth Bedwell-2-0.
Riley Bordelon-2-0.
Raylynn Bowers-1-1.
Abel Bryan-2-0.
Brandon Brunson-2-0.
Addy Cochran-2-0.
Brooklyn Conger-2-0.
Catherine Cook-2-0.
Emma Dixon-2-0.
Jett Kershner-1-1.
Addy Kuda-2-0.
Hunter Long-2-0.
Breanne Mallatt-2-0.
Brittany Mallatt-2-0.
Ariel O’Connell-1-1.
Braden Poland-1-2.
Bryan Walker-2-0.
D.K. Woolace-1-2.

Colby Dugan, Bentley Myers, Danny Ramage, and Jacob Thomas didn’t have victories tonight, but they showed heart and improved each match.

Next up is the Butler Tournament this Saturday. Start time is 9AM. We will be hosting 17 teams from MO and KS.

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Recipients

The Harmony Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored Seniors from six area high schools on November 13th, at the Butler City Library. The students were selected for this award by the faculty and Senior class of their school. To be chosen, they must have demonstrated in their lives Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism. Each student was presented with a Certificate designating him/her as the Good Citizen representing their school for the year 2023-24. They also received a Good Citizen lapel pin. The students receiving these awards were: Adrian- Seth Ford, Appleton City- Katie Campbell, Butler-Alisa Oates, Hume- Andrew Wepener, Miami-Erica Downs, and Rich Hill-Sidney Rice.

As well as being honored as a Good Citizen to represent their schools, the students were also given the option of competing in the Good Citizen essay contest, which was to be administered  by a faculty member, completed in one sitting, two hour limit and without assistance of reference materials. The students had no previous knowledge of the essay title "Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It. What are the Civic Responsibilities of a good citizen and why are these duties, activities and behaviors important to the shaping of the America you hope to experience?"

All six candidates chose to write the essay. These were judged by non-DAR affiliated judges. The student receiving first place in the contest this year is Andrew Wepener from Hume. His essay will be sent on to the next level of competition. The winners at State each receive cash rewards and winners at the National level receive scholarship awards

Following the program and presentation of pins and certificates, refreshments of cookies and punch were served.

Highlights from this week's News-Shopper

 

Scooter's Coffee coming to Butler

 

In the regular session of the Butler city council meeting it was revealed that our city will indeed be getting a Scooter’s drive-thru coffee shop, however the construction date is yet to be revealed. Scooter’s was founded in 1998 in Nebraska and has become a nationwide franchise; the Butler location will be next to Burger King on west 52 highway.

There is also buzz that a super Casey’s may be coming that possibly would be located just west of the former Super 8 Motel. While this has been a hot topic of discussion, it was reported that nothing is firm yet and it simply may not happen.

Otherwise, it was a fairly short session for the council as there were no scheduled guests, committee reports or unfinished business. There was a proclamation which passed unanimously to accept property located at 3. North Water street via a quit claim deed signed by owner Andrew Winters. Now it’s up to the council to decide what to do with the property. 

City clerk Corey Snead updated those present on the status of the survey for the comprehensive plan and so far about 120 online responses along with about 20 additional paper responses. For anyone who would to fill out a survey you can get a paper copy at city hall, go online at www.cityofbutlermo.com or through the city of Butler Facebook page. Your input is greatly appreciated and the survey is open through November 19th. Results of the survey are expected shortly thereafter.

Snead also noted that filing for election seats in the April election will be open December 5 through the 23rd and candidates may file at city hall during regular business hours. Likewise there will be an additional day to file on December 26th.

He also said that although the most recent city audit came back with a clean bill of health, the auditors neglected to submit the results to the state. After placing a phone call to the auditors and to state officials it appears the problem will be rectified in the near future, a necessary step as fines could run up to $500 per day. A full update is expected in an upcoming council session and steps will be taken to insure there will be no problems next year, which may include using a different audit company.

It was also reported that the search to replace city Administrator Mike West, who is set to be terminated on December 31st is ongoing.

Mayor Jim Henry read a resolution paying tribute to veterans in honor of Veterans Day November 11th. 

The Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm upstairs at city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend.