Severe Weather Outlooks for Saturday evening & Sunday

Wind gusts are the primary severe-weather threat, and we could see some strong to severe storms in both rounds.

Storms should be efficient rainfall producers - meaning concerns for some areas who might receive too much over too short a time again.

-Greg@660weather

One of the reasons we can't have nice things...

Editorial comment

Just recently the Butler Fire Department was summoned to Douglas Park in east Butler on a report that a plastic porta potty was on fire; this came on the heels of spray painted graffiti at the North (Sensory) park on Mill street that required a day's worth of work to clean up. 

These reports are only the latest of what seems to be on a regular basis, police and fire are called to one of Butler's city parks on a report of vandalism. In fact, the Sensory park has had more than its share of such vandalism despite being surrounded by plenty of homeowners which begs even more questions.

Is no one watching? Should police patrols be stepped up even more? How about strict penalties for those caught?

If you recall, some very nice playground equipment was destroyed at the Ohio Street Methodist Church by an intentional fire. It came at a huge cost and the person(s) responsible walked away without consequence.

Although costs associated with cleanup and replacement is enough to deal with, the better question is why do we no longer have pride in our community? Why is there a desire to destroy something? Dr. Phil would agree there is something very wrong in your life and furthermore, if someone destroyed something of value to you, it is guaranteed you would be quite upset.

Butler isn't the only spot on the map with these issues. In fact, it has become somewhat fashionable to destroy things and put the video on social media which only aggravates the problem.

Solution? As mentioned above, step up police patrols if at all possible and furthermore, we all need to be vigilant and call police if we see anything suspicious anywhere around town.

Then, push for a maximum penalty for those caught. Without discipline, it will continue to happen. Just ask Dr. Phil.

Doug Mager

BCMH Elected Officials Briefing – You're Invited

Bates County Memorial Hospital invites city, county, and state officials to a special Elected Officials Briefing on Thursday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the BCMH Education Center, 615 W. Nursery St., Butler, MO.

Join CEO Greg Weaver and hospital leadership for a focused conversation on the state of rural healthcare in our county — including service updates, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration. This is a chance to hear directly from hospital leaders and share your perspective as a community leader.
For more information, call 660-200-7313 and leave a message.

Adrian schools welcome new teachers

 

Let's give a warm Blackhawk welcome to this year's new teachers! Front row, left to right: Dallas Gutshall, MS/HS FACS; Maycie Preston, 1st Grade; and Leslie Wetter, Instructional Coach. Back row, left to right: Suzanne Best, Speech; Justein Meredith, 5th Grade; Abbie Johnson, Kindergarten; and Austin Boon, MS Social Studies.

Welcome to the Blackhawk Family!

Courtesy Adrian School District

Multiple rounds of storms possible this weekend

Rich Hill youth earns AAU Junior Olympics medal

 

Ava June Nelson of Rich Hill, MO at the age of 11 traveled to St Louis MO to compete in an AAU Tumbling and Trampoline meet to try and qualify to go to the Junior Olympics.  She competed very well and was able to qualify in her events to go to the AAU Junior Olympics that was to be held in Houston, TX.  

Kameron Byram has been Ava's Nene, since she was a baby and has helped raise Ava. After traveling to ST Louis together they headed to Houston, Texas in July for some tougher competition.

Ava competed in two events, double mini and trampoline. You had to place in the top 10 overall in each event to get to go on to finals. Each of her events had two fights. She made it back to the finals in trampoline with a 5th place ribbon. She had to wait around for a couple more hours here to start her performance all over again in the finals. While the two of them waited they went around and watched some of the other events. They watched youth ballroom dancing, hip hop dancing, baton twirling, and some of the other gymnastic events like floor, beams, vault, and bars.

So now it was Ava's time to compete again and she ended up coming home with a big AAU Olympic medal. Ava works hard all year round on her gymnastics and goes all over MO and some places in OK. We are so proud of her for working hard and achieving this big accomplishment.

Submitted with our thanks

Butler alumni receives Administrator of the Year award

Recently, Cindy Young-Bultemeier (blue jacket) was honored to receive the MOAPT (Missouri Association for Pupil Transport) Administrator of the Year Award. 

"What made the moment even more special was having my family make the drive to St Louis for the presentation. I still have no clue how they managed to surprise me!"

Bultemeier went on to say that she is truly grateful for this recognition and for the support of colleagues, team, and loved ones. "It’s a privilege to serve in this role and be part of work that truly matters."

"I am blessed, humbled and forever thankful" she added. "Thanks to my sister, Robin Cornell, for bringing my Dad, Robert Young. Thanks to my daughter, Kimberlee Splitter, for bringing my Mom, Judy Ayers, and the grand girls. I love you guys more than you know."

Bultemeier attended school in Butler and her father Robert is well known for his long time Butler business Young's Sales and Service.

Adrian man threatens deputy, assault charges filed

Around 11pm on August 6, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office received two 911 calls in regards to a possible physical domestic occurring at a residence in rural Adrian, MO. Screaming could be heard in the back ground of the 911 calls.

Upon the arrival of Deputies, a suspect was detained. When attempting to make contact with the victim, two pit bull dogs charged at deputies attempting to attacked them, forcing a Deputy to deploy his taser. The suspect became angry and started to scream threats, stating multiple times that he was going to shoot the Deputy. Upon speaking with the victim, observing their injuries, and speaking with a witness, Mitchel Edmiston was placed in custody for domestic assault. It was later revealed that the victim of the assault that occurred that night, was also a victim of a prior domestic assault that Edmiston had been charged with and is currently being tried for in court.

Edmiston was charged with the following:

-Felony Domestic Assault-3rd Degree
-Felony Tamper or Attempt to Tamper W/ A Victim in Felony Prosecution
- Assault-4th Degree- Special Victim

A warrant was issued with a $15,000 cash only bond.

Edmiston was charged with Assault-4th Degree- Special Victim, because he threatened to shoot a Deputy. Edmiston has done this to Bates County Deputies on prior occasions, and was charged in 2023 for the same thing.