Update: One arrested after pursuit

On 9/10/2024, Butler Officers were advised of a subject later identified as Ronnie Summers possibly attempting to pass fraudulent checks as well as attempting to steal a vehicle at Max Motors.

 
Butler Officers arrived at Max Motors as Summers was entering a truck pulling a trailer. 

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and Summers then fled from Officers on 52 West exceeding speeds of 85mph. During the pursuit, Summers intentionally struck an Officer’s patrol vehicle causing disabling damage.

 
Other Officers continued the pursuit until the area of the Kansas State Line West of Amoret. At that point, the pursuit was taken over by Bates County Deputies. Deputies were able to bring the pursuit to an end in Linn County. 

Summers is currently in custody in Linn County and formal charges in reference to the pursuit are pending review by the Bates County Prosecutor's Office.

 
The Butler Police Department would like to thank the Bates County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in the pursuit.

Obituary - Thomas "Tom" Reed II

Thomas (Tom) Lee Reed II, 60, passed from this life on September 10, 2024, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, MO. Tom was born In Kansas City, MO on January 9, 1964, to Thomas Lee Sr. and Kathleen Eleanor (Green) Reed. Tom’s parents would later welcome a sister, Tammy Elizabeth.

Tom was born with the heart of a servant. He was sensitive to the needs of others and this would help set the direction for his life. After graduating from Nevada High School in 1982, he would earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Preaching and Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Christian College in 1986. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State College in 1994. He found a place to combine this training for the good of others while working as a Social Worker for Pathways and later as a drug and alcohol counselor with Compass Health. He recently achieved 25 years of service.

Tom was an active member of the churches of Christ (Restoration Movement). He used his talents to preach sermons, lead singing, teach Bible study, and work with youth ministry. He traveled to foreign missions in Brazil and India. He also participated in mission trips closer to home in Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

While at Oklahoma Christian, Tom was a member of two student organized gospel acapella vocal groups, singing first tenor. One group, named New Creation, produced three studio recordings and appeared at various venues. Singing was a means of joyful expression for Tom and in addition to leading singing at church, he sang several times with Community Choir, a part of the local Community Council on the Performing Arts.

Tom will be missed by his co-workers and church family. A memorial service at Ferry Funeral Home will be held at a later date. Additional service and family information will be announced by Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Marvin Shelton

Marvin Dale Shelton, 92, Hume, MO, passed away following a brief illness on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Lee’s Summit Medical Center. Marvin was born on July 16, 1932, in Ft. Scott, KS to Earl and Jessie (Shackleford) Shelton. He married Leta “Fae” Goddard and they celebrated 64 years of marriage before her death on June 17, 2018.

Marvin was raised in Stotesbury and graduated from Hume High School. He served in the U. S. Army in the early 1950s. Marvin drove a school bus for the Richards, MO school district; then came to the Nevada R-5 school district and drove a bus and served as a bus mechanic, retiring after 43 years in the Nevada District. He served on the cemetery boards for Richland Cemetery in Richards, MO and the East Liberty Cemetery in Stotesbury, MO for many years. Marvin also served on the Henry Township Board. He was a lifelong resident of Stotesbury.

Marvin is survived by his children, Terry Shelton (Becky), Gulf Shores, AL, Tom Shelton and Dave Shelton, both of Stotesbury, MO; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Fae; daughter, Beth Clines; brother, Jim Shelton; and sister, Betty Graham.

The family will receive friends from 3-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home. Interment will follow in East Liberty Cemetery in Stotesbury.

Donations may be made in his memory to East Liberty Cemetery in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Butler Lady Bears Varsity Volleyball gets win in home opener

Butler Lady Bears Varsity Volleyball gets win in home opener 

The Butler Lady Bears Varsity Volleyball team hosted the Warsaw Lady Wildcats tonight in the home opener.  

The lady bears were able to defeat Warsaw in all three games by the following results: 1st set 25-17, 2nd set 25-23 and the 3rd set 25-18.

Butler is now 3-0 on the early season and they will now hit the road as they travel to take on the Osceola Lady Indians on September 12th. Enjoy some photos from the home opener below:

Butler JH Girls Volleyball opens season with win against Archie

The Butler Junior High Volleyball team opened the season tonight with victories over the Archie Lady Whirlwinds.

The Butler JH Lady Bears competed hard tonight as the B team won in 2 sets and the A team won in 3 sets. 

The team will now move on to play in the Crest Ridge Tournament on Saturday. Enjoy some photos from this game tonight below:

University Academy shuts out Butler JH Football

The Butler Bears Junior High Football team hosted the University Academy Gryphons tonight to open the season tonight.

Butler was unable to handle the size of speed of the Gryphons as the bears would lose this contest 36-0 to fall to 0-1 on the early season.

The bears will be back at it on September 17th as they will host the Versailles Tigers starting at 5:30 p.m. 

Please come out and support these kids! Enjoy some photos below of the game tonight. 

Photos Courtesy of Carmen Behringer

Obituary - Vera "Jean" Kirbey

Vera Jean (Osban) Kirbey passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Jean was born January 8, 1930, in Lamar, CO to Floyd and Marie Osban. She was the third child of eleven. Jean married Wesley “Swede” Kirbey on August 17, 1947. The couple had eight children together: Erma, John, Gerald, Paula, Harold, Gwen, Brad, and Audra.

Jean worked hard to ensure all of her children had a loving home, whether that home was in Lamar, CO, Del Norte, CO, Sheldon, MO, or El Dorado Springs, MO. She went to work when Swede became disabled. She worked for Quality Products making ceramics, then for Key Clothing in the cutting room. After retiring, Jean spent time taking care of her many grandchildren, participating in church activities at the Sheldon Baptist Church, and enjoying time with her family.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband, Swede; her brothers, Richard (Esther), Ray (Maggie), Jon (Dona), and Chris (Dee); her eldest daughter, Erma (Pat); her son, Gerald; and her daughter, Gwen. She is survived by her sons, Tom (Cheryl), John (Sandy), Harold (Andrea), and Brad; and by her daughters, Connie, Paula, and Audra (Joe). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Lenora (Edward) of Montrose, CO, Beth (Edwin) of Colorado Springs, CO, Faye (Ed) of Oregon, Joan (Gene) of Lamar, CO, and Ilene (Doug) of Boise City, OK; and her brother, Leon (Martha) of Colorado Springs, CO. There are also many nieces and nephews surviving their Aunt Jeanie.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Gary Clark officiating. Interment will follow in the Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, MO. The family will receive friends from 11:00-1:00p.m. prior to the service on Friday at Ferry Funeral Home.

Stolen trucks in rural Butler

On 9/10/24 the Bates County Sheriff's Office took a report of two stolen trucks from a farm east of Butler on County Road 5004.

The theft may have happened sometime between Sunday and Monday this weekend. If you have any information please contact a Detective at 660-679-3232

Please share!
Stolen:
White 2014 F350 crew cab with krogman bale bed and tool box.
Tan 2002 F350 4 door long bed