It's dry and windy, and that's not a good combination!

It's dry and windy, and that's not a good combination!

It was a busy Sunday afternoon for several fire departments as they spent hours working to extinguish grass fires that were quickly spreading and endangering structures. Crews worked diligently together to extinguish acres of grass fires and they prevented any structural involvement. 

This could not have been done without the responses that we got from surrounding fire agencies and the great work from the Bates County 911 dispatchers. We kept the dispatcher/s very busy as they were calling out to all of the needed agencies and they didn't skip a beat. Awesome job!

Our thanks to: Butler Fire, Central Cass Fire, Urich Fire, and Montrose Fire for scene assistance and to Amsterdam Fire Department for station staffing to cover possible additional calls in the Adrian area. 

Thanks to the Bates County Sheriff's Department, and a special thanks to the Bates County Ambulance crew who staged in Adrian in case they were needed while 20 - 25 firefighters were working calls in the.area.

Thank You,
Adrian Fire Department

Record high temperatures today & Tuesday

Unseasonably warm temperatures continue today and tomorrow with record high temperatures expected. Gusty winds and dry air will create critical fire weather conditions today. A little flame could go a long way today.

Obituary - Kelly Sue Briggs

Kelly Sue Briggs, 60, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Wednesday morning, February 21, 2024 at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., after a long battle with cancer. 

She was born January 11, 1964 in Clinton, Mo., the daughter of Clyde L. Briggs and Donna Faye (Mayer) Briggs. Kelly’s life was a testament to adventure, love, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Kelly graduated from Clinton High School in 1982. During her freshman year of college, she attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her passion for sports led her to transfer to William Jewell College during her sophomore year. While at Jewell, she was a member of the collegiate volleyball, basketball and softball teams. She graduated from Jewell in 1986 with a degree in Social Work.

After graduating college, Kelly returned to Clinton and was employed with the Missouri Department of Social Services in the Children’s Division, where she worked as an investigator and later transferred to become the adoption specialist for Henry County. After 21 years with the Children’s Division she was ready for a change and began employment at the Walmart Distribution Center in Harrisonville, Mo., where she worked until her disabling cancer diagnosis. Kelly needed to stay active, which led her to work a few hours a month at Jim Falk Motors, where she performed many different roles such as driving, greeting customers, watering flowers and watching the lot. She truly loved the Jim Falk Motors family.

Kelly enjoyed the world around her. Her passion for nature and travel was unmatched, particularly her fondness for visiting National Parks, where she reveled in the beauty of nature and the magnificence of wildlife. Whether she was hiking through towering forests, marveling at majestic waterfalls, or observing wildlife in its natural habitat, Kelly found peace and fulfillment in the embrace of the great outdoors. Her adventurous spirit extended to her love for hunting, whether it be for deer, mushrooms, or the treasures of nature such as turtle shells and deer sheds.

She is survived by her parents, Clyde and Donna Briggs; her sister, Stacy Pitts (Kevin); her nieces, Raegan Denae Cauthon (Nic), and Ryan Elizabeth Pitts (fiancé, Autin Gillund); as well as her great-niece, Ronni Jayne Cauthon; and great-nephew, Jase Isaiah Cauthon, all of Clinton, Mo; special friend, Sherri Albin; and dogs Roxy and Cici. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends whose lives she touched with her kindness.

Kelly was welcomed into Heaven by her sister, Amy Lea Briggs; her maternal grandparents, David Lawrence and Susie Lake Mayer; and paternal grandparents, Roy and Mary Briggs.

Memorial graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Englewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., prior to the graveside at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, to assist local families and cancer patients. These donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com. The family will honor Kelly by wearing clothing from her favorite National Parks.

Bomb squad called in today in Peculiar

On Sunday February 25th the Peculiar Police Department was called to DG Market on a report of a suspicious item / possible explosive in the parking lot. 

As a precaution, the item was removed by the Lee’s Summit Bomb Squad and destroyed at 66 acre park. Nobody was harmed or in danger at any time.

Several do well in welding competition

We would like to congratulate everyone who competed at Midwest Technical Institutes Welding competition that was held on Saturday! 

Placing are a as followed Jacob Coratti placed 3rd, Sam Rider 4th, Anthony Davis 6th, Dakota Jones 9th, and Coby Gammon placed 10th.

Butler bears move on to state basketball tournament

Fresh off a 59-54 district champion win over rival Adrian the Butler bears basketball team (21-6)will move on to the Sectional round of the Class 3 State Basketball Tournament as they travel to Lees Summit on Tuesday evening February 27th to take on the Summit Christian Eagles (21-7) at 6pm.

Butler is no stranger to Summit Christian as they played them and lost to them in the Clinton Tournament this year. However since losing to Summit Christian on January 26th the bears have been on a 11 game winning streak led by seniors Dylan Davidson and Carter Trumbore.

We would like to wish the bears the best of luck in the state tournament. Ticket information for Sectional Basketball game. All tickets must be purchased online starting at noon on Tuesday February 27th. Go to www.mshsaa.org and click on the “Ticket” icon at the top of the home page. Select “Basketball” then select “Class 3” find our game and click on it. 

Click the number of tickets you want and enter your card information. Tickets will be sent to your email that you provide. Then your barcode will be scanned at the game. 

#GOBEARS 

Obituary - Henry Anthony Gieselman

Henry Gieselman, age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Appleton City Manor in Appleton City, Missouri. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri with the recitation of the Rosary at 10:40 AM followed by a funeral mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM. Burial to follow in St. Ludger’s cemetery in Germantown, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Ludger's Cemetery and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Henry Anthony Gieselman, the first of five children of John Henry and Agnes Catherine (Hake) Gieselman, was born at the Hake House in Germantown, near Montrose, Missouri on November 28, 1929.

Henry attended grades 1-2 in a one-room school called Maple Grove, just south on Urich, Missouri. The Gieselman family moved to Montrose in January 1938, where he finished grades 2-3 at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Montrose, and then he attended Maple Grove/St. Ludger’s Catholic School; he took over farming duties at the Germantown farm, when his father suffered a heart attack.

Henry enlisted in the National Guard, taking the train to and from Chicago to spend his two summers in camp in northern Minnesota. He farmed the family acreage near Germantown with his father until Peabody Coal Company dug up the area; then they farmed the acreage in rural Deepwater, Missouri until Henry retired in 2011. Henry enjoyed his retirement years in Montrose, Missouri and in the assisted living community at Appleton City Manor until his death. Henry was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Montrose and the Knights of Columbus.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Raymond Gieselman of Clinton, Missouri. He is survived by his three sisters; Mary Helen Engeman of Montrose, Missouri, Lucille Koenig of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Frances (and Joe) Jones of Marysville, Tennessee, as well as 30 nephews and nieces, many first cousins, and friends.

May he rest in eternal peace with God, His angels, and His saints.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Near record high temperature through Tuesday

Unseasonably mild conditions continue with near record to record temperatures through Tuesday. A strong cold front will move through the region Tuesday night, leading to a 50 degree temperature change.