Appleton City's Smith hoping for NFL Dream

We would like to wish Coleton Smith ALL THE LUCK as he participates in the 2024 NFL Draft!!

Coleton was born and raised in Appleton City, graduated from Appleton City High School, and went on to play football for Southwest Baptist before landing at Tulsa for his last year of college play. 

Today he is participating in the NFL Draft. Coleton Smith, Good Luck on your new adventure!!

Ballard School District names new superintendent

The Ballard R-II School District would like to announce the hiring of our new superintendent. Please welcome David Andrade! 

Mr. Andrade has been in education for 24 years. He was a second-grade teacher for 16 years, a wrestling coach for 20 years, and an administrator for 7 years.

He is married to his wife Julie Andrade, who has also been in education for 24 years. They have a daughter who is 20 years old and is currently attending UCM.

Mr. Andrade is passionate about being a leader who is a positive influence on students, staff, and communities. He is looking forward to becoming a Ballard Bulldog and can't wait to get started.

Public Service Announcement From The Butler Masonic Lodge No. 254

Worshipful Brother Michael C. Lee, who serves as the Lodge Historian for Butler Masonic Lodge No. 254, is currently working on a new history for the lodge. He is requesting members of the public to come forward with any photographs or other records related to the masonic lodge.

Specifically, he is looking for officer or other group shots, and pictures of past lodge halls, particularly the Dakota Street Hall which was destroyed by fire in 1992.

If you have any such photographs that you are unable to digitize, Bro. Lee is willing to pick them up, scan them, and return them to you on the same day. If you have photo negatives, those can also be used.

Bro. Lee can be reached via text or cell at 619-227-5339, or via email at butler254pm@yahoo.com. Please note that all donated pictures will be credited in the updated lodge history. Thank you for your help in preserving the history of Butler Masonic Lodge No. 254.

Osceola School District names new superintendent

The Osceola School District Board of Education is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brian Wishard as the new District Superintendent, effective July 1, 2024. 

The decision was made unanimously after an extensive search and interview process conducted by the Missouri School Boards’ Association. Amongst many qualified candidates, Brian Wishard stood out as the top candidate, due to his exceptional qualifications, experience, and commitment to educational excellence.

Brian Wishard has 24 years of experience in education and previously served as the superintendent at Clinton School District, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and a dedication to improving student outcomes. He holds a Specialist degree from William Woods University, and his passion for fostering a positive learning environment aligns perfectly with Osceola's mission and values.

The Board of Education strongly believes that Brian Wishard is the ideal candidate to lead the Osceola School District toward a bright future, fostering innovation and excellence in education. His passion for student success and proven track record in educational leadership make him the perfect fit to guide our district toward continued growth and achievement.

"We are confident that Brian Wishard will be an exceptional leader for our school district," said Josh Jones, President of the Osceola Board of Education. "We look forward to working closely with him as we collectively strive to provide our students with the best possible educational experience."

Brian Wishard is eager to collaborate with the entire Osceola School District and community to build upon the district's successes and shape a brighter future for our students

Hume Fair & Rodeo Looking for Royalty Candidates

Looking for Royalty Candidates for the Hume Fair & Rodeo. Prince & Princess must be from 5 to 12 years of age by the current fair dates. 

Queen Candidates must be 13 to 18 years of age by the current fair dates. This year's fair will run from July 29th to Aug. 3, 2024. Please contact any fair board member. Please feel free to share.

Zachery's Day at The K

Local Butler student Zachery Dimitt (aka Z-Man) celebrated his 13th birthday by attending the Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals game on Monday April 22nd.

Zachery took an MVP Tour of Kauffman Stadium as well as watched the Royals take batting practice, installed first base for the game and delivered the game ball to the field.

Just when you thought he couldn't have anymore fun Zachery went into the Kansas City Royals Radio Broadcasting Booth during the 2nd inning to see how the pros do it.

Kansas City lost the game to Toronto with a final score of 5-3 but that didn't damper Zachary's spirits one bit. Thank you to the Sunshine Foundation as well as the Royals for giving Zachery a unforgettable 13th birthday.

Zachery is the son of Shawn and Tabitha Dimitt of Butler. Below enjoy some photos from the great celebration that was sent to us by the family. 

Obituary - Naomi Jean (Huey) Walker

Naomi Jean (Huey) Walker, oldest daughter of Howard Edward Huey Sr. and Dorothy Lorene (Randolph) Huey was born near Appleton City, Missouri on September 3, 1934. Jean passed away on April 23, 2024, in Appleton City, Missouri.

Jean married Harry Price Walker on February 18, 1952, and to this union, three children were born: Charles Edward, Harry Dean and Stephanie Kay Walker. Jean and Harry ran the Western Auto Store for 18 years.

Jean was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and altar sodality. She served as a den mother and volunteered at Appleton City Schools. She loved to bowl and was a member of the WBA for 37 years and enjoyed going to bowling tournaments. Jean enjoyed sports of all kind. She especially enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as they participated in school, sports and 4-H projects as did Harry.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry P. Walker, granddaughter Kaci Kay Boin, brother-in-law Charles Howard Walker, sister-in-law Maxine Walker, brothers Tommy Huey, Howard E. Huey Jr., sister-in-law Darlene Huey and nephew David Huey and sister Mary Catherine Huey Stanley.

Jean is survived by her children: Charles Edward Walker (Linda) Monett, Mo., Harry Dean Walker (Debbie) Nevada, Mo., Stephanie Kay Boin (Dennis) Appleton City, Mo. brother Kenneth Huey (Sandra) Excelsior Springs, Mo. 7 grandchildren: : Lee Edward Walker (Betsy) Monett, Mo., Adam Walker (Alisha) Richards, Mo., Emily Hayes (Andy), Nevada, Mo., Ben Walker (Marli), Nevada, Mo., Whitney Gilmore (Chase) Harrisonville, Mo., Kurt Boin (Ashley) Appleton City, Mo. & Drew Boin, Broomfield, Co., brother Kenneth Huey (Sandra) Excelsior Springs, Mo. 13 great grandchildren and 5 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5-6:45pm on April 25th at the Hill & Sons Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri. The funeral services will be held Friday morning April 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri. 

Deepwater Man Sentenced for $500,000 CARES Act Fraud

A Deepwater, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for fraudulently obtaining more than $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Brian Ruth, Sr., 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to nine years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Ruth to pay a $15,000 fine, to pay $522,765 in restitution to the Small Business Administration, and to forfeit to the government $336,000. Ruth was taken into custody immediately following the hearing to begin serving his prison term.

On May 5, 2021, Ruth pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Ruth admitted that he applied online in May and June 2020, and received three PPP loans totaling $522,765 for three separate business entities. Each of the loan applications contained materially false statements and included fraudulent supporting documents. Ruth, who was convicted in 2018 of filing false or fraudulent tax returns, falsely claimed on his PPP loan documents that he had not been convicted of a fraud offense within the last five years of applying for these loans.

Ruth falsely claimed his three businesses were operational and employed numerous individuals in February 2020, when in reality, the businesses had not been open or operational and did not employ anyone.

Ruth also admitted that he directed the fraudulently obtained PPP loan proceeds to be wired to his bank accounts. According to court documents, at least five bank accounts under Ruth’s name were seized in an effort to recover some of the monies he had fraudulently stolen. When Ruth’s bank accounts were seized by law enforcement, they contained less than $6 in all of the five accounts collectively. Ruth spent all of the money he stole within about five months to fund his luxurious lifestyle.

Ruth used the proceeds of his fraud to gamble, purchase real estate, and purchase a 2016 Cadillac, a 2020 Dodge Charger, and a 2017 Dodge Challenger. Ruth traded the Cadillac and the Charger (along with $27,415) to purchase the Challenger.

According to court documents, Ruth has prior convictions for 10 felonies and 11 misdemeanors that include stealing, passing bad checks, theft, identity theft, violating protection orders, filing false tax returns, and immoral conduct with a minor. 

He has been arrested and/or charged with an additional 23 felony and 26 misdemeanor offenses throughout his life, including passing bad checks, trespassing, identity theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, burglary, and possessing a dangerous weapon. Ruth has not gone a single year in his life in which he has not been arrested and/or convicted for some type of fraud or other criminal offense.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.