Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri receives $100,000 Donation thanks to local volunteer efforts

 

Butler, MO — October 30, 2025 — The Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri is proud to announce that we are the recipient of a remarkable $100,000 donation made possible through the Global Lockton Cares Community Impact Award, presented by Lockton Companies. This generous contribution was secured by longtime volunteer Tab Leister, who has dedicated over a decade of service to our mission and was selected as one of Lockton’s award recipients for 2025. 

The Lockton Cares Community Impact Award, created in 2023 and funded by the Lockton family, recognizes Associates worldwide who exemplify outstanding community service, philanthropy, and leadership. 

 “We are profoundly grateful for this extraordinary investment in the children and families we serve. This gift reflects the heart and dedication of community champions like Tab, and Lockton’s belief in the power of healing and hope.” said Ashlea Belcher, Executive Director of Children’s Center. “Because of this support, more children in our rural communities will have access to trauma-focused therapy so they can feel safe, supported, and begin to truly heal. We are deeply thankful for partners who stand with us and our kids in such a meaningful way!” 

Each year, 16 Lockton Associates are recognized regionally for their community involvement, and each selects a nonprofit to receive a $25,000 donation. In 2024, Lockton introduced a Global Impact Award, representing the highest recognition for Associatedriven community impact. Global award recipients, chosen by the Lockton family following a formal nomination and application process, receive donations of $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 to grant to a nonprofit of their choice.

In 2024 alone, Lockton contributed over $20 million to more than 250 organizations globally. 

Funds from the award will help fund our new Rural Trauma Focused Therapy program, bringing hope and healing to hundreds of Missouri children. 

Tab Leister, who has been volunteering with Children’s Center’s Butler location for more than 12 years, said, “Lockton put my name on the award, but this is really for all of the advocates, volunteers and unofficial volunteers who work every year to raise money for our local center. I’ll never be able to adequately thank Lockton for recognizing our efforts or my coworkers for filling out nomination forms for us.” 

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About Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri Children’s Center is committed to delivering excellence in responding to child abuse by uniting professionals and providing a safe place to find hope and healing. 

As a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center, we provide three critical services: Forensic Interviews, Sexual Assault Forensic Exams/Child at Risk Exams, and Trauma Focused Therapy. 

About Lockton What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton’s private ownership empowers its 13,300+ Associates doing business in more than 160+ countries to focus solely on clients’ risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. 

For more information, visit www.lockton.com. Media Contact: Abby Edwards Development Manager Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri 417-291-5755 | aedwards@childrens-center.org

Bates County Health Center continues WIC contract

Butler, MO – The Bates County Health Center announces a contract continuance to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2026 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday based on nutritional risk and income eligibility. The primary services provided are healthy, supplemental food, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screening and referrals to health care. To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income equal to or less than 185% of the poverty level and be at nutritional risk.

WIC supplemental food packages are specially chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot and cold cereals, 100% fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. The WIC program recommends breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding support, baby foods and infant cereal. For women who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula. WIC participants obtain their foods using their WIC cards to purchase specific items at participating local grocery stores and pharmacies.

Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier.

WIC is administered in Bates County by the Bates County Health Center. Persons interested in applying or needing more information should contact the Bates County Health Center at 660-679-6108. WIC clinics are offered at the following location:

Bates County Health Center 501 N Orange Street Butler MO 64730

Tuesday, Thursday and 1st and 3rd Friday of each month 8:30am – 4:30pm

and 1st Thursday of each month 12:00pm – 7:00pm

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Technical issue creates havoc regarding tax statements

Report from the Bates County Commission

October 29, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

John Longworth was in to discuss a problem in Elkhart Township where county road 5001 joins at 8002. The culvert across 5001 is plugged up. He said Terry has dumped gravel on the road, but it hasn’t fixed the problem. John Longworth was told that Bill won’t put a new culvert in because Burches will just run over it again and plug it up. The problem has been ongoing for several years and is not getting fixed. He asked if the County could put a concrete protector at the end of the base of the culvert. He would like the Commission to help him find a solution. John Gray said he would go out and look at it and talk to Bill. He said Bill is good at going out and fixing problems.

Kacie Robey Collector/Treasurer gave the Commission an update on the software situation. Her office has been working with Governmentor since July of 2024 on the new software. As of today, she is still unable to print tax statements. They always print in the first part of October. There is a glitch in the system that won’t send the statements to the printer. There are 25,000 statements that must be printed, stuffed in envelopes and postage put on them. Even though statutorily they don’t have to be mailed out by December 1st, they have always been sent out November 1st which is still her goal. Everyone in the building has offered to help her office meet that goal. Kacie stated that we are going to have to look at different software in the future. Other counties are having the same problem with Governmentor. John asked her what the Commission could do to help her. She said she needs help from the Commission to help with stuffing envelopes. All three of the Commissioners offered to help her. They are just waiting on the software. She can’t even take payments until the statements have been printed. Kacie is upset about the comment that John made on her Facebook post that she made on her personal page last night. She said that she does not have a problem with the Assessor’s Office. John called out the other office about the employees playing on their phones. Kacie said she knows John has a beef with the other office. John said that Kacie had told him that she did too. Kacie said that she had worked out her problems with the other office. She doesn’t care about pointing fingers. Kacie has updated the Commission several times over the last two weeks about the software issue. John apologized for not being in the office on Monday due to his wife having cancer surgery. John asked again how they could help her. She said there was nothing they could do at this point. She is just waiting on the software. Kacie doesn’t appreciate John saying they are not doing their jobs. John responded to her and said "I never said that. I only repeated what you told me." Jim asked Kacie to keep them updated.

The Commission discussed Governmentor and the problems everyone is having. They said it might be time to look at another company. Jim didn’t know how changing companies would affect Jami’s office with her running the tax books. Jami stated that she will probably be forced to change software if the other two offices change. John thinks they need to contact Gene with Governmentor and get his side of what is going on.

The Commission approved invoices for payment.

The Commission discussed Resolution 2025-4 for establishing a board to review and recommend expenditures of opioid settlement funds. John made the motion to adopt the resolution. Trent seconded the motion. Jim stated that if Judge Highley suggested any changes, they can amend the resolution. All were in favor. Motion carried. The resolution was signed by the Commission and attested by Jami Page, County Clerk. The resolution was given to Shelli White for her to give to Judge Highley.

Lee Schofield and Lindsey Chaffin with Great River Engineering and Andrew Diehl, Tyler Parrack and Kyle Fritter with Buildet were in for a pre-construction conference on the courthouse sidewalk improvements. Lee is the Project Manager. Buildet will demo the existing sidewalk and construct a new 8 ft sidewalk with a landscape buffer between the building and walkway. All walkway improvements will meet ADA requirements. They will also install new entrance ramps with handrails. Andrew said they would prefer to start next week with getting materials on site. The physical work will start the following week. They will have 80 calendar days to complete the project. Great River Engineering will do an inspection weekly. Commission signed the contract documents.

Lindsey gave the Commission the contract for Bridge 4850012 on county road 3286. They discussed whether to do a flow line. Jim signed the contract. Bill Stephan will need to go out and see if there is natural rock there and the depth of it. This project should start next summer.

Darren Fischer from Rattlesnake Hill came in to see if there was anything the Commission can do about getting residents to sign the easements at Rattlesnake Hill. He asked what would happen if not everyone signed it. The Commission told him that everyone had to sign it. There was nothing they could do if they didn’t sign it. Jim said Darren would need to contact an attorney. Letters were mailed out to notify everyone, but some are still refusing to sign. The $50 fee is for the title company to prepare the easements and record them. Darren said people are getting frustrated and they are at a standstill. He asked if the people that have already paid the fee could be reimbursed. If they just sign the easement that would allow the township to get CART money, and they could then maintain the roads. The township received $15,750 in CART money this year. Jim said their attorney told them that there wasn’t anything they could do to maintain a private drive, and they couldn’t force anyone to sign the easement. Currently 13 residents have signed and 8 have not. Darren asked Trent to organize another meeting. Darren will follow up with the Commission in two weeks. He feels that the Commission needs to contact these people.

Obituary - Lawrence Medley

Funeral services for Lawrence "Larry" Dean Medley of Raymore, Missouri, formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday,  November 14, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler.  Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Friday, November 14 at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.  Contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Larry Dean Medley, age 74 of Raymore, Missouri, formerly of Butler, Missouri, passed away peacefully in his own bed on November 4, 2025–just the way he wanted.  He was born September 19, 1951 to Hollis Edward and Lillian Mary Seery Medley in Waterloo, Iowa.

Larry was an awesome dad, great friend, and the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for.  He leaves behind his son Matt Medley, daughter-in-law Samantha, and grandkids Gage, Baylee, Colt, and Paislee Medley, Josh and Jonah Bolds.  He also leaves behind a ton of loving family who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Julie Medley.  The two were like oil and water most days — they could drive each other crazy, but they wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Now they’re finally back together, probably still bickering and laughing somewhere.

He lived life on his own terms, was the most proud dad and grandpa you could imagine, and always knew how to have a good time–sometimes a little too good. He loved LongHorn Steakhouse, poker nights, and talking your ear off once he got going.

Larry will be remembered for his big heart, sense of humor, and the way he made life louder, funnier, and better for everyone around him.

Obituary - Vivian Loy Smith

Vivian Loy Smith’s wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories.  Visitation will be  2 - 3 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Inurnment at a later date. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Vivian Loy Patterson Smith, age 89 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday October 30, 2025 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.  She was born June 12, 1936 to Clarence Joseph and Berdinne Lucille Ellis Patterson in Hume, Missouri.

Vivian, one of five children, grew up in Nyhart, a small community in Bates County, Missouri. She graduated from Butler High School in 1954. Vivian worked for the Kuhlman Diecasting Factory and then for Wal-mart.  She was a mother of two boys.

Vivian was a fun-loving, spunky and caring mother and grandmother.  She also had an ornery streak, covering her head with a blanket just before having her picture taken.  Vivian had an affinity for scratcher tickets and bingo, unfortunately never scoring big.  She enjoyed visits to Oklahoma to see her sister Virginia.  During those times, if a trip to the casino happened, she would not have been disappointed.   As she got older Vivian began farming on the computer, playing the game Farm Town.  Vivian will be missed by many.  Those who knew her and loved her will find comfort knowing that she is not in pain or suffering any more.

Vivian is survived by one son, Ron Smith and wife Kim of Butler, Missouri; six grandchildren, Jennifer Smith, Joshua Smith and wife Jessica, Jill Potenziani and husband Robert, Jacob Smith, Trishia Reavis and Susan Moore and husband Matt; seven great-grandchildren, Burke, Huckleberry, Nathan, Logan, Lilah, Jackson and Hayden; and numerous nephews and nieces.  Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Donald Smith; three sisters; and one brother.

Hard freeze coming early next week

 

Wind chill temps Monday morning could be in the upper teens.

This will be the first hard freeze and official end to the growing season for most of the area.

Above normal temps through Saturday, so you have a couple days left to check the sprinkler systems and pipes that might explode when you least want them to

Monday will already be Monday, so don't make it harder on yourself!!

-Greg@660weather

Obituary - Marvin Paul Engeman

Marvin Paul Engeman, of Montrose, Missouri, was born on April 8, 1953, in Butler, Missouri, and passed away on November 4, 2025, at the age of 72 surrounded by his family.

Marvin was the son of Paul and Angeline (Bettels) Engeman. He grew up with his siblings Chris, Twila (TJ), and Darcy, forming lifelong bonds rooted in family, faith, and hard work.

A lifelong cattleman, Marvin took great pride in raising cattle, a life that reflected his dedication and love for the simple, honest rewards of raising them. He was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, where his faith guided his daily life and interactions with others.

Marvin’s greatest joy came in knowing that Eli would be continuing to operate the family farm. He is survived by his three children—Ashley, Ethan, and Eli—who will remember him for his quiet strength, sense of humor, and the values he instilled through his example. Marvin is also survived by his siblings, Chris, Twila (TJ), and Darcy, who cherish the countless memories they shared together growing up and throughout life.

Marvin’s life was one of integrity and hard work. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know him

Obituary - Jean Welborn

 

Jean Welborn, age 71, of Peculiar, Missouri died Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas.

Jean is survived by her husband Ken, as well as 6 siblings, Raymond Hornor (Carol) of Monett, MO, Noel Hornor (Becky) of Vancouver, WA, Karen French of Phoenix, AZ as well as Annette Painter, Regina Allen and Kay Keener (Larry) of Kansas City. Also, many nieces and nephews.

Jean was born in Joplin, Missouri on May 12, 1954. Born to mother Rachael Pauline Hornor and father Charles Everett Hornor. She attended grade school and high school in Sarcoxie, Missouri.

Jean retired in 2009 from the Federal Aviation Administration as a Budget Analyst. She loved hiking in Red Rocks country with her husband Ken and had traveled to Europe, Greece and around the Middle East.

Jean had a resilient and persevering mindset that allowed her to face and endure many health issues. Jean was a member of the United Church of God in Overland Park, Kansas. Jean loved cats and her extended family and will be missed by all who knew her.

Graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at Peculiar Cemetery, Peculiar, Missouri.

Courtesy Dickey Funeral Home.