Barn fire north of Adrian

The Adrian fire department has called for mutual aid regarding a barn on fire located at 15924 NE county road 133, northeast of Adrian. The structure is fully involved and additional units are on the way. Use caution if traveling through the area.

More details to be provided as they become available.

Discover Nature with MDC through Eagle Days

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites people to discover nature through Eagle Days events and by watching bald eagles around the state. 

From December through February, Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Because of Missouri’s big rivers, many lakes, and abundant wetlands, the Show-Me state is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in Missouri. Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food. More than 2,000 bald eagles are typically reported in Missouri during winter.

Enjoy MDC Eagle Days events

MDC hosts Eagle Days events around the state with some including live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, and guides with spotting scopes. Some require registration. Get more information on MDC Eagle Days events at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.

Look for eagles on your own

Watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water's edge. Early in the morning, find them flying and fishing. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don't forget cameras and binoculars. Here are some hot spots around the state for winter eagle viewing:

• Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia,
• Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell,
• Lock & Dam 20 in Canton,
• Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville,
• Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield,
• Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City,
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico,
• Moses Eagle Park in Stella,
• Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis,
• Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area east of West Alton,
• Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs,
• Smithville Lake north of Kansas City,
• Stockton Lake near Stockton,
• Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner,
• Table Rock Lake and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery southwest of Branson, and
• Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw.

Learn more about bald eagles in Missouri

Visit the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bald-eagle. Download free publications on the Eagle Watch Program and Bald Eagles in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.

Thank-you from the Bates County Sheriff's Office

 

We would like to take a moment and Thank the Community for the push to provide coats to our youth. Our coat drive had a goal of 100 winter coats for kids. With the final push by The Pantry Thrift Store, John Ramirez and our great Victim Advocate Donna Morris we were able to exceed our goal with 109 total coats.

All the Coats were distributed to the area schools so they can get them to the ones who need them the most. We appreciate our relationships with the school as we could not do it without them.

Obituary - Paul B. Phillips Sr.

Funeral services for Paul Brian Phillips Sr. of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 8, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler.  Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.  Contributions to Medicalodge Nursing Home, Butler.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Paul Brian Phillips Sr., age 78 of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, November 30, 2025 at Medicalodge Nursing Home in Butler.  He was born July 11, 1947 to Clifford Edmond and Pearl Frances Burrage Phillips in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Paul is survived by one son, Paul “Brian” Phillips Jr. of Butler, Missouri; one grandson, Hayden Reed Phillips of Butler, Missouri; and brother, David Phillips of Scott City, Kansas.  Paul was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Melissa; and one brother, Bruce Phillips.   

Building a Safer Community Through Lifesaving Education

BCMH hosted an AHA Heartsaver® CPR class on December 1 with participants Kayla Merriman, RN and AHA Site Administrator; Danielle Hutchinson, Drexel School Nurse; and Timber Stiles, Ballard School Nurse.

 Preparing people to act in an emergency is one of the most effective ways to strengthen community health. In 2025, the Community Wellness Program at Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) delivered a full schedule of American Heart Association (AHA) courses, reaching participants across Bates County and surrounding areas.

The program provides accessible training for both the public and local professionals who must maintain current certifications, including teachers, daycare providers, and healthcare workers.

In 2025, BCMH Community Wellness offered:

• Forty-nine in-house classes for employees and community members:
– BLS: 23 classes
– Heartsaver® CPR: 9 classes
– ACLS: 9 classes
– PALS: 8 classes

• Sixty-nine additional AHA courses coordinated by BCMH and delivered by outside instructors for area schools, nursing homes and Osage Valley Electric Cooperative:
– BLS: 32 classes
– Heartsaver CPR: 37 classes

• Two Trauma Nurse Core Courses (TNCC), each spanning two days and required for emergency room registered nurses. The courses were offered in partnership with instructors from LifeFlight Eagle.

In total, 417 participants received AHA eCards in 2025 for completing a course organized or coordinated through BCMH.

BCMH is grateful for Gayle Warden, Education Coordinator, and to all of the instructors who made this year’s success possible.

Community members can find upcoming CPR, BLS and other training opportunities on the BCMH Calendar of Events at bcmhospital.com/community/calendar-of-events/.

Healthy Blue Expands Partnership with West Central Missouri Community Action Agency to Strengthen Food Access Across Rural Missouri

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LaCygne welcomes new police officer

The La Cygne Police Department is proud to welcome our newest Part-Time Officer, Joshua Higgins!

Ofc. Higgins is local to our area and wants to continue serving his community after his service as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.

We are excited to have him on the team!

Yet another scam going around

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware that scammers are falsely using our phone number to contact citizens. These individuals are pretending to be law enforcement officers and attempting to obtain personal information, payments, or threaten legal action.

Please be aware:

Our office will never call and demand payment over the phone.

We do not request personal or financial information by phone, text, or email.

We do not threaten arrest unless you send money or gift cards.

This scam is called phone spoofing, where criminals make it appear as though the call is coming from our official number.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us. 417-646-2565