NOT a road less traveled

 A quick jaunt south on Rice road in Butler could result in a floor pan scrape and a front end alignment thanks to raised pavement and wheel gobbling potholes. 

In fact, a recent Facebook post offered a “2 bedroom, 1 bath pothole for rent” on Rice Road as well.

All joking aside, many who travel through and live along Rice Road have been quite vocal about the conditions that seem to be worsening by the day.

“I’ve talked to the county commission and others multiple times and still can’t get answers about getting it fixed” says Brian Gifford, who lives right along the “fault line” across and just south of Jones Brothers Lumber.

As we spoke with Gifford he mentioned the lumber company across the road. “Yes, their trucks come through here but the bulk of trucks aren’t theirs. Seems a lot of others like to cut through here to avoid going under the train bridge and stoplight on west 52 highway.”

And sure enough, in our 20 or so minute conversation three rolled by, none of which belonged to the lumber company. Gifford says on any particular day he loses count of how many.

He reached out to Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley who said that while they are generally in charge of county roads, individual townships are responsible for maintaining those within their own jurisdiction. 

Gifford’s dismay is compounded by the fact that the dispute lingers as the city and township must agree not only on how repairs will be made but must split the cost as well, which could be complicated and pricey.

According to information from a spokesperson for Mount Pleasant township, the city prefers that particular section be repaved, however the township says they are not equipped to maintain asphalt other than patching potholes. Gravel would be a better option for them, but not for the city.

It seems that flattening the road and repaving would require additional work that if not done would result in the same problems experienced now. 

At this juncture, Gifford and township officials are left to plea their case to the Butler city council. 

More on this is expected in upcoming days.

Two injured in St. Clair County crash

On Monday February 12th around 7:24 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in St. Clair County along with St. Clair County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident on Missouri 13 Highway at SE CR 1000 around a half mile south of Collins, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the eastbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by 71 year old Barbara Howard of Osceola pulled in front of a 2009 International driven by 23 year old Tre'vonte Hutchinson of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Jeep struck the rear right tire and trailer of the truck.

Barbara Howard and her passenger, 79 year old Kenneth Howard of Osceola, sustained moderate injuries and were taken by ambulance to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton for treatment.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240071531

Murry scores 1500th career point for the bulldogs

We would like to congratulate El Dorado Springs High School Senior basketball player Landon Murry for hitting the 1,500 point milestone during the Bulldogs 63-44 win over Sherwood! Way to go Landon!

 

Obituary - Carol Sue Roberts

It was Carol Roberts of Butler, Missouri wishes to be cremated with no public services at this time. Funeral arrangements are under the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to Diabetes Association. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Carol Sue Roberts, age 80 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born December 1, 1943 to Charles Francis and Violet Viola Leaym Stone in Port Huron, Michigan.

Carol, one of three children, grew up in Port Huron, Michigan and moved to Butler, Missouri in 1973. She started as a Candy Stripper and then got her CNA and worked for several nursing homes in Michigan, Clinton, Butler and Springfield, Missouri. She later worked for Thorco for 14 years before retiring on December 31, 2009.

Carol was described as a homebody who loved watching old movies, musicals and Disney movies. Some of her other hobbies included sewing and reading romance novels. Carol enjoyed whistling and spending time with her grandchildren. It was always a joy for her to have the grandkids sleepover for popcorn and movie night.

Carol is survived by three children, Kimberly “Kim” Watts, Jennifer “Jenny” Coburn and Kevin Pajula all of Butler, Missouri; 24 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sharon Muma; and a brother, Charles Francis Stone Jr.

Obituary - Lisa Lyn Downey

Lisa Lyn Downey, 58, left this Earth on February 10th, 2024. She passed away at home, surrounded by the people she loved most. She will always be remembered as a loving mom, wife, and friend. A memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ, Belton Restoration Branch, on Saturday, March 09, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Lisa Lyn Downey (Mann) was born November 2, 1965 to Ronald Dean and Maureen Miller Mann on their second wedding anniversary. She was later joined by her younger brother, Kevin. The couple divorced. Years later, her family grew to include stepmother, Dianne, and brother, Doug. Lisa was baptized by her grandfather when she was 11 years old. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ all of her life. 

She loved the Lord. She also loved music and received a Bachelor's degree of Music from the University of Iowa and a Masters degree from the University of Akron in Vocal Performance. She pursued a career in music until her daughter, Rachel, came along in 1999. 

She moved back to Iowa with Rachel and attended Dana College for a certificate in Music Education. She taught middle school music and voice lessons for several years. She loved being a mom most of all. She married Rayland Downey, the love of her life, in 2012. She moved to Adrian and spent many happy years with her family. 

She played piano and shared special music with the Butler Restoration Branch. Lisa also loved taking family trips across the country and attending yearly reunions in Woodbine, Iowa. Lisa was known for her joy, her beautiful voice, her delicious cooking, her love of her family, and her love of the gospel.

Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Mann; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband, Rayland Downey; her mother, Maureen Miller; brother, Kevin (Kim) Mann, and brother, Doug Mann; stepmother, Dianne Mann; daughter, Rachel (Taylor) Morrison; stepdaughters: Maranda Downey and Brittany Moorehead; stepsons: Jordan (Stephanie) Downey and Dylanjer (Amber) Downey; as well as, seven grandchildren.

BCMH Call of the year award

On Friday, Paramedic Kyle Larsen and EMT Megan Hall were presented with the Call of the Year Award for their extraordinary efforts during a call in 2023. The circumstances of the call were extreme and unique, and the patient did not survive the event. Details will not be released in respect of the patient’s family.

“Not every call we go on has the outcome that we want,” said Russell Whisenand, Paramedic and BCMH EMS Administrator, who presented the awards. “The challenge is for all first responders, including Fire, EMS LifeFlight Eagle, Research. They did a great job and gave this person every chance to survive this, but unfortunately it was not survivable. But they did an exceptional job and did everything we were trained to do.”

Whisenand noted Kyle and Megan are his youngest EMS team and that many things came together that day. BCMH EMS received mutual aid from LifeFlight Eagle, and the patient was transferred to Research Medical Center.

Kim Francis, EMS Liaison for Research Medical Center, attended the ceremony and presented award pins in the shape of starfish to Kyle and Megan. She noted that Kyle’s and Megan’s efforts made a real difference to the patient, despite the outcome. She compared their efforts to the story of the little boy on the beach who was questioned by a man as to why he was throwing starfish into the ocean. There were so many starfish on the beach, what difference would it make? The boy picked up another starfish and threw it in, saying, “It made a difference to that one.”

"They did a phenomenal job,” Kim Francis said to those gathered for the ceremony. “They did assertive care to take care of this patient, and because of that he did not suffer. They took care of him with compassion and the utmost professionalism. You did an amazing job.”

Congratulations to Kyle Larsen and Megan Hall for exemplary service in the care of a patient.

#EMS #ambulance #paramedic #EMT #calloftheyear

Obituary - Barbara Ellen Clements

Barbara Ellen Clements, 78, daughter of John Alexander and Mae Tabatha (Taylor) Campbell, was born in Collin County, Texas November 19, 1945. She departed this life February 10, 2024 in the home of her daughter, Sharron, after a long illness.

Throughout her life, Barbara lived in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. She raised three of her children: Bill, Jr., Sharron and Tammy in Appleton City, Missouri and called it home for many years. Barbara owned and operated Powder Puff Beauty Salon for many years. She trimmed, permed, clipped and styled for many people, young and old. She treated her clients like family, listening to their stories, triumphs and troubles with a smile and kind words. She later worked for and retired from Murphy Family Ventures. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and cooking.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents John and Mae Campbell, one son Gary Wayne Dines, and three siblings: Betty, James and Frances; and one son-in-law Randy Miller. Survivors include her son Bill Dines, Jr. and Susan of Warrensburg, MO; two daughters, Sharron and husband Gary Schellman of Republic, MO and Tammy Miller of Appleton City, MO; two sisters, Martha of Milpitas, CA and Margaret of Ft. Worth, TX; eight grandchildren: Heather, Danielle, Kendall, Kelyn, Shelby, Campbell, Rebecca and Tory; 13 great-grandkids; one great-great-granddaughter; and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to Renewed Treasures Ministries (Springfield).

Visitation will be on Thursday February 22nd from 12pm-1pm with funeral to follow at 1pm at the Hill & Sons Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri. 

Lady bears get road win tonight in Stockton

The Butler Lady Bears Varsity Basketball team traveled to Stockton tonight and came away with a one point win over the lady tigers 43-42.

Butler was led in scoring by Junior Adyson Clover who had 14 points, Freshman Kylee DuBray had 9 points and Freshman Gabbie Carmichael added 8 points. 

The lady bears are now 10-13 on the season and they will be home tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. as they will be taking on Oak Grove! Come out and support them.