Senior night for Butler Bears Baseball Team

Come out this evening as we will be celebrating Senior night as the Butler Bears host the Buffalo Bison at 4:30pm. 

The senior night events will be held after the varsity game and before the JV game.

Butler has 4 seniors this year Maddox Fennewald, Cameron Anderson, Jude Kershner and Logan Brakeville.

Photo courtesy of C&S Graphics 

Barton County Sheriff's Office drone used to locate stolen UTV

On April 3rd, 2024 at approximately 1540hrs a Barton County Sheriff's Deputy was dispatched to the area of 160 Hwy and SE 30th Ln in rural Barton County for a stolen 2022 Kubota UTV. The Kubota was last seen heading east from the area. An alert citizen noticed the Kubota being taken and gave a great description of the suspects and vehicle. Unfortunately, when the Deputy got to the area, they were unable to locate the suspects or the Kubota. Five days later, Deputies were given a tip on the possible location of the Kubota. Deputies responded to the area and began to search.

While on scene a Deputy who is assigned to our recently purchased Drone was able to deploy the drone within minutes. After approximately 15mins searching the area with the drone, they were able to locate the Kubota in a heavily wooded area. The drone pilot was able to mark its location and Deputies were able to walk in on foot and recover the Kubota that was valued at $20,000. The Sheriff’s Office was able to return this piece of equipment back to the owner the same day.

In an interview with Sheriff John Simpson, it was asked why this piece of equipment (DRONE) was important for the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Simpson stated that not only were we able to use the drone to locate an expensive piece of equipment but there are so many other things we will be able to use it for as well. Sheriff Simpson stated that every year there is at least one young child that wanders off and the amount personnel it takes to search an area will now be cut down thanks to the drone.

He also stated that it will be used for other things such as search warrants, locating suspects that have fled from Law Enforcement and many other situations where time is crucial. Sheriff Simpson also stated that the drone can be deployed within 30seconds once the Deputy arrives on scene. He stated the Drone has many capabilities such as Thermal imaging, Infrared imaging, Laser Range Finder, and many other features as well. Sheriff Simpson stated one of his Deputies is a certified Pilot and has done a fantastic job at learning and becoming proficient with this new piece of equipment.

Sheriff Simpson and Chief Deputy Ehrsam want to say thank you to Lamar Arvest Bank, Lockwood Arvest Bank and the Arvest Foundation for their generous donation of $12,500 for the purchase of the drone. All of this would not have been possible without the help and effort of Matt Brown, (Arvest Commercial Banker). Again, this was a major advancement for the Sheriff’s Office in obtaining this piece of equipment to provide service and safety to our valued citizens of Barton County.

Obituary - Stephen W. Parks

Stephen W. Parks, age 74, departed this Earth on April 13, 2024 after a long battle with leukemia. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024 also at the Chapel. Burial will follow in the Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the Kansas City Fisher House and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Steve, as he was better known as, was born on February 19, 1950 to William and Gloria Parks. He grew up in Clinton until his father’s untimely death brought the family to Sedalia, Missouri. Steve graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1967. This is where he met his best friend Jeffery Williams. Oh, the stories and jokes they could tell!

Steve met the love of his like, Deborah, in 1955. Both Deborah and Steve’s grandmothers were friends. Both grandmothers held a mock wedding where Debbie was the bride and Steve was the groom. They would tell people that they were betrothed before they even knew it. A few years later in 1967, they met again and fell in love. In May of 1968 Steve finished the U.S. Trade School and enlisted in the Navy. He started service in the fall of 1968, coming in as a Seabee and heading to Vietnam. After two years in the Navy he was honorably discharged and sent home.

In 1972, these lovebirds tied the knot and had two beautiful daughters, Tamie and Susan. Steve worked several jobs, mostly mechanical or automotive related, before starting his career at the Clinton Fire Department. His first day at the CFD was November 4, 1980. While working for the department, Steve served as fire prevention officer. He was busy in the month of October, visiting area schools, teaching fire safety and prevention. Steve worked hard to learn new ways to keep kids entertained while delivering safety messages, including attending the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland on Several occasions throughout his career. He was proud of this work and looked forward to it every year. He also loved Project Christmas Cheer. Due to hearing loss after 26 years of service, he retired from the CFD in 2005. Steve spent his retired years working on and off for others driving trucks and servicing farm machinery.

In his spare time, Steve loved fly fishing at Bennett Springs State Park. He loved to tie his own trout flies and had numerous fish mounted. Steve enjoyed catching rainbow trout while sporting a fish hat gifted to him by his brother. March 1st (opening day of Trout season) was a national holiday in his eyes. Steve would often say, “A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work!”

Steve is preceded in death by his parents William and Gloria (Warnock) Parks, one brother Phillip Mikel (Mike) Parks, one sister Gail Jaynean Parks and a nephew Phillip W Parks, and his best friend Jeffery Williams.

Steve is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debbie, their daughters Tamie Gann (Jamie) of LaMonte, Missouri, Susan Kedigh (Arian) of Urich, Missouri, granddaughter Daphanie Watson (Andrew) of Richmond, Missouri, 4 grandchildren Brody, Emalee, Preslee, and Charlee, and his newest addition, great granddaughter Charlotte Isabelle Sue Watson.

Obituary - Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley

Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley, 88, was born on his family farm north of Mound City, Kansas April 11,1936, to Aaron R. and Hallie (Bell) Markley. He passed from this life on April 15, 2024, at the very place he was born, his family farm.

Bob attended the one-room school of Moneka through the eighth grade. He completed his high school years at Mound City, graduating in the class of 1955. After graduation Bob chose to return to the farm starting his career as a farmer and stockman.

He proudly tended the farm that had been in his family for over 144 years raising registered and commercial livestock, along with various grain and forage crops.

He received the Kansas Bankers Association Award for Soil Conservation in 2013 and the Linn County Grassland Award in 2022 for his conservation efforts and land management.

When Bob was not on the farm you could find him doing a bit of traveling and socializing. He enjoyed attending all of the 4-H and various activities his daughters and granddaughter participated in. Through the years he was a member of many area organizations: Linn County Shrine, Mirza Shrine, Mound City Lodge #33 A. F. & A. M., Scottish Rite, Linn County Farm Bureau, Mound City Grange, Linn County Extension Council and was a 4-H Leader.

Bob is survived by his daughters Angela Ragland (J.D.), Canyon, Texas; Melinda Markley (Rick Bowman), Mound City, Kansas; granddaughter, Jessica Rewerts (Ryan), Stafford, Kansas; step-grandson Brady Ragland (Carlie Shea), Amarillo, Texas.

He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Theresa Chard Markley; parents, Aaron R. and Hallie Markley; siblings, John, Leroy and Dorothy Markley.

Funeral service will be 11 am Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, April 18, at the Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriners Children's Hospital or St Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Butler Bears Baseball Team rally to beat Harrisonville tonight

Butler Bears Baseball team rally to beat Harrisonville tonight...

The Butler Bears topped the Harrisonville Wildcats 5-3 on Monday. A double by the Wildcats got them on the board in the top of the first.

The Bears jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after the Wildcats committed an error. Butler Sophomore Cohen Wilson singled, and Sophomore Breydan Heckadon grounded out, each scoring one run.

Sophomore Brock Lines earned the win for the Bears. The righty allowed four hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out two and walking two. 

Junior Eli Cox, Heckadon, and Wilson’s each drove in a run for the Butler Bears. Senior Maddox Fennewald went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Bears in this.

Thank you to everyone who came out tonight and supported the baseball and burgers event sponsored by Give Fore Living. 

The Butler Bears welcome the Buffalo Bison on Tuesday for their next game.

Have you seen this missing person?

Missing Person 27 year old Zachary Edward Stoltz was last seen on April 9th leaving his mother’s house in Lee Summit, Mo.

He is about 5'7 or 5'9, around 150lbs, black hair, blue eyes, 2 piercings on lower lip. He was wearing dark blue skinny jeans and a white, red and black hoodie with a skull on the front and back.

Belton School District seeking public assistance

WE NEED YOUR HELP: This weekend, thieves broke into and vandalized one of our buildings before taking $7,000 worth of equipment. 

We need help identifying the individual in the attached photo because we think they have helpful information.

If you have information on the possible identification of this individual, please contact Belton Superintendent Dr. Andrew Underwood at aunderwood@bsd124.org or by calling 816-489-7000.

BHS Spring Band Concert April 25th

Please join us for the BHS Spring Band Concert on Thursday, April 25, 2024 @ 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.