Update: Natural gas leak today in Rich Hill

At 13:38:27 Rich Hill Fire was dispatched to the 100 block of west maple for a possible natural gas leak.

301 arrived on scene at 13:40:55 and advised dispatch that it was a for sure natural gas leak. And that there was a brush pile on fire approximately 25 feet from the gas leak. 

301 requested additional firefighters. After getting the fire out firefighters worked to stop the leak. Firefighters were able to slow the leak down drastically until Liberty Utilities arrived on scene.

At 14:46:50 all hazards were mitigated and all units were back in service. 301, 304, 306 and 312 responded.

Thank you BCSO for assisting with setting up a perimeter.

Archie Lady Whirlwinds Volleyball Team finishes in 2nd place today in Crest Ridge Tournament

 

We would like to congratulate the Archie JH Volleyball team for winning runner-up in the Crest Ridge tournament this weekend! Our girls fought hard but came up short against Butler. Great job, girls!

Butler Lady Bears Junior High Volleyball Team gets 1st Place Today at Crest Ridge Tournament

We would like to congratulate the Butler Lady Bears Junior High Volleyball Team who took first place today in the Crest Ridge Tournament. The stats for today as well as some photos have been posted below.

Pool Play vs Sherwood 25-19, 15-25 vs Holden 25-7, 25-11 vs Crest Ridge 25-12, 25-23 - Bracket Beat Lone Jack in 2 sets Beat Archie in championship 25-12 & 28-26. Way to go ladies!!

Obituary - Jerry Lee McCullick

Jerry Lee McCullick, age 66, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri went to the shooting range in the sky the afternoon of September 11, 2024, after a short illness. Jerry was born December 14, 1957, to Leo and Joann (Hardy) McCullick. Jerry attended school at Fort Scott Christian Heights through eleventh grade, then graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1975, where he earned the apt nickname “Tree.”

After meeting on a blind date, Jerry married Julie Ann Loyd of Walker, Missouri on February 5th, 1982. They went on to have three children, Jeremy Lee, Luke Harrison, and Megan LeAnn.

Jerry graduated from the Police Academy at Missouri Southern State University and was a reserve police officer for El Dorado Springs in his mid-thirties. He retired from O’Reilly Auto Parts after over 40 years of service. After retirement, he spent his time at Bear Arms gun shop sharing his love of guns with others.

He was a man of many talents including racing go carts, stock cars, dragsters, and dirt bikes, building motors, fixing cars, competition shooting, and gunsmithing, among many other skills. People could always call him and describe a sound their car was making or an issue their gun was having, and he could immediately diagnose the problem.

In addition to being a dedicated husband, father, and Papa, Jerry enjoyed building cars, jeeping, riding his motorcycle, spending the summers with his grandsons, traveling with family, dominating at shooting competitions, camping, reloading, working in his shop, and making things go fast to satisfy his need for speed.

Jerry might have been a “gentle giant,” but he was a fierce protector of his family. There’s no doubt he left us too soon, but because of who he was, we have countless memories and experiences that will last us a lifetime.

Jerry joins his mother, Joann, along with his sister and brother-in-law, Leola and Wayne Downer in heaven. He is survived by his wife, Julie; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Jami McCullick; his son, Luke McCullick; his daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Jason Biddlecome; his grandsons, Anthony and Gunner Biddlecome; and his father, Leo McCullick.

Visitation
Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home
3130 East Highway 54
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

Service
Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00AM
El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness)
1607 S. Park Street
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

Public Service Announcement: Be on the lookout

Be on lookout for shoplifter who stole a Dremel tool set from Corner Hardware in Butler on Sept 3, 2024. 

If she comes into your business with a large shopping bag, you might check it before she leaves.

Anyone with information on who this woman is please contact the Butler Police Department.

McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction Set for Sunday, September 29th

This year’s annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction are set for Sunday, September 29th

The McGennis barbecue is a tradition that spans 55 years. The first barbecue was held in 1969.

In conjunction with the barbecue this year will be the Eighth Annual Car and Truck Show. Car show registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. For more information on the car show contact Jared Rankin at 417-448-4903 or rankinfarms@hotmail.com.

Children’s games will start at 12:30 p.m. Horse and wagon rides will also start at 12:30 with Harry Byram on hand with his team and wagon.

Serving for the barbecue is at 1 p.m., with barbecued beef, pork and chicken, along with beans, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and bread. A wide variety of cakes will be available for dessert. Everyone is invited to bring a cake for the dessert table, if they’d like to. The meal is catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill.

The auction will start about 1:45. Larry Hacker will be our auctioneer this year.

A popular part of the auction will again be featured this year. The Mad Hatter features ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Roof Power Solar. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win this year’s gun donated by Bell Farms.

In the same vein, Bob Schlyer has donated not one but two beautiful jewelry items. One is a 14K gold emerald and diamond bracelet, and the other is a gold diamond ring. Numbered envelopes will be auctioned off. Two winners will be drawn from the ten high bidders. The first winner will have their choice of the two items.

For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.

Admission to the barbecue is $12.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.

From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.

Natural gas leak in Rich Hill

The Rich Hill Fire Department along with the Bates County Sheriff;s office is currently on scene of a natural gas leak in the 100 block of west Maple Street. Please avoid the area.

We will update when we know more!

Obituary - Judy Arnold

Judy Arnold, age 83 of Rich Hill, Missouri passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Medicalodge of Butler. 

She is survived by daughter, Theresa and Tom Deems, Butler, Missouri, Step-daughter, Cynthia and Steve Stewart of Kirbyville, Missouri, son, Keith Arnold, Branson, Missouri, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Edward Arnold and step-son, William Morgan Arnold.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 21st at 11:00 am with Visitation from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the Double Branch Christian Church. 

Funeral Services and Cremation under the direction of the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri.