Butler annexes key piece of property

 It was another short session for the Butler city council on Tuesday. All members present with the exception of Jeff Hall.

City Clerk Corey Snead reminded everyone that business licenses need to be renewed and reminders have been sent. However, if anyone does not receive the notice please contact city hall.

Response from the questionnaire for the comprehensive plan has been better than expected. The next step is to further review plans from 1968 and 1982 to see if goals were met; however it appears most were not, as both included a large increase in housing among other things- many of the items will be reviewed to see if they would still pertain today to determine if they will be added to the current plan.

Bringing more commerce to Butler is a hot topic as the city is working with several firms who specialize in rural economic development for smaller towns such as ours. It seems that it may be easier than previously thought to lure a big box retailer to our city and another firm will be here to discuss options on January 16th, 6 pm at city hall and the public is invited to join. One big plus would be for a retailer to make use of the old Walmart or Country Mart buildings if at all possible.

The council voted to annex a small parcel of land just west of the old Super 8 motel which is a prime retail spot that would nicely generate tax monies as well as utility hookups and more. Rumor has it that Casey’s stores may be considering the location but information is slow in coming.

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

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

 

More Open-Air Flight

Wind was the issue last week. On some of the boisterous days, only the hardy and half-witted ventured out. Scott Buerge and I canceled one trip that didn’t have to go, and the rest of the flyers that day wished they had. When the forecast calls for wind shear of 45 knots at 2000 feet, the ride will be rough.

Among the local space-renters taking wing last week were Christian Tucker, who flew to Downtown Kansas City in the Mooney M20C and took his family to Lebanon as well, Les Gorden, up with his grandson in his Piper Twin Comanche, and Roy Conley, who slipped away briefly to exercise his Grumman Tr2. The transient traffic included a Van’s RV-6 homebuilt, an ATD Piper Archer and a UH-60 Black Hawk Army Guard helicopter, all of them battling the gusty winds. 

The premier maker of kit airplanes, Van’s RV factory out in Oregon, entered Chapter 11 Reorganization last week, unable to meet obligations to its creditors, mostly suppliers but also a flock of customers. The issue has been underpricing and the cost of covering some faulty parts not Van’s fault. Dick Van Grunsven came out of retirement to help, throwing millions of his own money into the pot, but it’ll take surcharges on existing orders to dig out of the hole, it appears.

If you think you’ve had some bad days, consider the EMS helicopter pilot in Iowa last week who hit a duck while enroute to a patient dropoff. The web-footed canard came through the right windshield, at 100 knots, smacked into his chest, splattering innards and feathers all over the interior. The hapless pilot recovered well enough to put the chopper down at a nearby airport. Only the duck was a casualty.

And then there was the just-couldn’t-win scenario overwhelming a Turbine Lancair pilot down at McKinney, Texas. He first encountered a loss of cabin pressure at 25,000 feet due to a rupture in the door seal, which he handled by descending to 10,000 feet. Next, the propeller tried to overspeed, but it responded to power reduction. Then throttle knob came off in his hand as he attempted a landing; he couldn’t get the propeller into reverse thrust to stop, ran off the end of the runway, went through a fence and onto a road, where a car plowed into the right wing and engine cowling. No major injuries, but lots of damage. 

Shawn Breckenridge answered last week’s question about why a certain airplane had a periscope installed. He said it was to see the runway ahead, but the rest of the story is, the airplane was Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 New York to Paris Ryan, the Spirit of St. Louis, which had a 400-gallon gas tank ahead of the cockpit and no windshield. Lindy reportedly leaned out the window instead of extending the periscope most of the time. For next week, can you tell us what was unusual about a Cessna Caravan’s flight last week around the traffic pattern at Hollister, California. You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

Obituary - Thomas E. Prettyman

Thomas Edward Prettyman, 81, Freeman, Missouri, passed away Friday, December 8, 2023 at St Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with burial in Freeman Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00am Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the Belton Assembly of God Church in Belton, MO.

Thomas was born April 3, 1942 in Freeman, MO, a son of Lester Kern and Opal Marie (Duncan) Prettyman. He was a lifelong Freeman resident, attended Freeman School and graduated with the first class from Midway High School in 1960. Tom was united in marriage to LaDonna Mae Wheatley on June 8th 1963 at the home of Rev. Joe Brewster in Harrisonville.

Tom started work for Southwestern Bell as a lineman in 1963 and later became a switching technician, retiring from Southwestern Bell/AT&T in 2006. He was always involved in his hometown, serving as a city alderman and also on the Freeman Zoning Board for many years. Tom was a member of the Belton Assembly of God Church in Belton, Missouri, and the Communication Workers of America, Local 1180.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Johnathan; and four sisters: Lillie, Dollie, Judy, and Martha. He is survived by his wife, LaDonna Prettyman, Freeman, MO; three daughters: Nora Tallman, Belton, MO; Ruth Ann Heines, Cherokee, North Carolina; and Clara Clark, Belton, MO; two sisters: Mary Alice Brown, Cedar Hill, MO; and Lovella Tanner, Freeman, MO; five grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Obituary - Joyce Lea Ward

Joyce Lea Ward, age 82 of Raymore, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Foxwood Springs Living Center surrounded by her loving family.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Raymore Cemetery.

Joyce was born in Jordan, Missouri on May 6, 1941 to Orville Driskill and Eva (Bybee) Driskill. After graduating high school, Joyce continued her education. She was a life long Minister’s wife and faithful member of Countryside Bible Church in Peculiar, Missouri. Joyce worked as a mail carrier and was a member of the Rural Route Carrier Missouri Union #16. In life, Joyce loved bird watching, reading, coloring, gardening, and absolutely loved being a grandmother.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Eva Driskill.

She is survived by her husband Don Ward; children, Gail Williams (Glen) and Robin Simpson (Jim); sister Janice Chapman; four grandchildren, Brandi Riggs (Wesley), Ben Williams (Ally), Ashley Simpson (Brady Tierney), and Alex Wilson (Brad); and six great grandchildren, Gabe, Lexis, Eva, Ezra, Reese, and Carson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Sarah Cannon online at www.sarahcannon.com

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

Free Christmas Photos on the Butler Square

 

Structure fire in Nevada

The Nevada Fire Department responded to report of a structure fire at 524 W. Austin Blvd. On arrival, crews found light smoke coming from roof on east side. 

Crews made entry to find the ceiling in a bedroom on fire. Fire was extinguished and room overhauled, cause of fire is ruled electrical. 

Eleven firefighters from Nevada and 3 apparatus. Milo and Deerfield responded for mutual aid, 7 firefighters and 3 apparatus from those departments.

Butler Youth Wrestling Club has a great day at Holden

Another great day of wrestling in Holden today for the Butler Youth Wrestling Club. 

Our 6Us joined us today and they all did well and learned a lot for their first tournament. 

GREAT WORK EVERYONE… let’s keep it up!! As always, we are so proud of all of you and your hard work!!

Results from today:

Melanie Varns-1st in Boys and Girls
Myka Morrill-1st in Girls
Eli Morris-1st
Covy Riley-1st
Nolan Varns-1st
Garren Mcguire-1st in 6U, 4th in 8U
Renner Hill-1st
Jarrett Blomquist-1st
Waylen Henderson-2nd
Julius Varns-2nd
Gabriel Sines-2nd
Levi Wiese-2nd
Lucas Dixon-2nd
Elana Wiley-2nd
Brayden McGuire-2nd
Evan Thomas-3rd
Raylan Dickens-3rd

Obituary - John Earl Davis

John Earl Davis, 81, of Archie, MO, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on the 8th of December 2023 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loved ones. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, followed by interment in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, MO. The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 13 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

John was born the 27th of June 1942 in Carbon Center, MO, the son of William and Leona (Elston) Davis. John was a resident of Archie, MO, for 52 years and a 1961 graduate of Archie High School. John was united in marriage to Linda Darlene Brown on the 2nd of May 1964 in Harrisonville, MO. Born of their union were two daughters, Vonda Kay Mawson (Davis) and Paula Sue Lethcho (Davis). John joined the United States Army in 1964 and served eight years in the United States Army Reserves. He then, later, became a carpenter for three years before going to work at Leed’s Car Plant for eight years. He returned to carpentry where many know him for his meticulous craftsmanship. 

He devoted numerous years as a deacon and RA Leader at the First Baptist Church of Archie. His unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was a source of deep pride for him. John dedicated himself tirelessly, ensuring he was a remarkable provider for his household. Despite long work hours, he consistently made it a priority to engage in play and support Kay and Paula, whether that be playing catch or shooting hoops in the driveway. He found joy in Sunday night pitch games with friends, bowling, pool, ping pong and horseshoes. 

During the onset of spring, he'd set up his Martin houses, delighting in the joy of watching them throughout the entire summer. On pleasant autumn days, he could often be seen harvesting pecans on The Ranch. Before the winter snow arrived, he and Linda would embark on trips to The Valley in Texas, creating cherished memories over the course of several years. 

In his cherished moments, he found immense happiness watching Callie and Mackenzie exhibit their cattle, cheering on Markie during softball games, supporting Stetson in cattle shows, basketball, and baseball, while also creating lasting memories building a treehouse together. John led an exceptional life that will be deeply missed. He was a pillar of strength and reliability, a person his family could always admire and depend upon.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda Davis, who shared his home. His legacy continues through his two daughters: Kay Mawson (Rodney) of Archie, MO; and Paula Lethcho of Compton, AR. His adored grandchildren are Callie Curtis (Nick), Markie Smith (Jimmy), and Mackenzie Mawson (Kip Wallace), all from Archie, MO; with one cherished great-grandson, Stetson Curtis. John is also survived by his sisters, Clara Grace Myler of Harrisonville, MO; and Betty Jo Christopher of Archie, MO; along with nieces and nephews: Rhonda Rush (Ralph) of Creighton, MO; Danny Myler (Lanita) of Harrisonville, MO; and John William McDaniel (Gayle) of Harrisonville, MO. Additionally, he is survived by numerous beloved great nieces, great nephews, and cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Leona Davis; his brother, Harry Davis; son-in-law, Michael Lethcho; niece, Dixie Baker; and in-laws, Art and Elberta Gardner.