Free Virtual Workshop — Understanding Your Soil Needs

Thursday, Dec. 11

5:30–6:30 p.m.

Curious about what’s beneath your plants? Learn the fundamentals of soil health and how it impacts the success of your garden or crops.

In this 1-hour online session you’ll learn to:

Understand soil texture and why it matters for plant growth.

Recognize key plant nutrients and their role in healthy growth.

Properly sample your soil

Interpret soil test reports to make informed decisions about lime and fertilizer needs.

Whether you’re a gardener, landowner or farmer, this workshop will give you practical, valuable soil knowledge.

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21wY5fq

Butler Christmas parade info

 The annual Butler Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade will be held this Saturday with line up beginning at 5:30 pm at the Fairgrounds and the parade to hit the square around 6 pm. See you there!

Not much snow expected by mid month

 Apologies to any snow lovers.

I'm pretty confident we DON'T see significant snow over 1" anyway through at least December 15-ish.

Below are the American [above] and European [below] ensemble blends for total snowfall from now through December 15.

They're very similar -- with only the American model calling for more than 1" toward northern MO and 1" or less most everywhere else.

For the weather nerds, I also appreciate how this (well, combined with temperature outlook) fits into the pattern of a La Nina to ENSO Neutral winter pattern.

Don't you?

-Greg@660weather

Harrisonville monthly police report

Staying informed helps keep us safer. Together, we can build a safer community — here is the November monthly crime report.

Harrisonville communication officers handled a total of 1,513 calls for service in November. Of these, 1,174 calls were for the Harrisonville Police Department. The remaining calls were designated for either the Harrisonville Fire Department or Harrisonville Animal Control.

As we head into the holidays, we want to keep joy high and crime low. HPD would like to remind our community to stay alert. This time of year, brings increased travel, shopping, and gatherings—along with increased opportunities for crime. Please remember to lock your vehicles, secure your homes, and report any suspicious activity right away.

We also ask that you celebrate responsibly. Please never drive impaired and plan ahead for a sober ride.

We’re proud to serve this community, and we wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season!

Courtesy City of Harrisonville

Thank you for another donation to The Wall That Heals

 

Thank you Charles Rush with Cook Insurance for being a Gold Sponsor and helping bring The Wall That Heals to Bates County! The goal of $20,000 is getting much closer to bring The Wall That Heals to Butler April 30 through May 3. Follow on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584036959317

"Cold Moon" set to rise tonight

The "Cold Moon" is the traditional name for the December full moon, reflecting the arrival of winter's coldest and darkest nights. The name originated with the Mohawk people but is also known by other names from various Indigenous cultures, such as the "long night moon" or "moon of the popping trees". 

This year, the December 2025 Cold Moon is also a supermoon and will rise on the evening of December 4, 2025.

Report from the Bates County Commission

November 19, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present that morning. Trent did not return for the afternoon.
Opioid Settlement Money for an application from Judge Highley has been submitted for payment.
Jim contacted the Commission's Attorney about Mr. Irick's Deceased Estate Tax Sale Surplus.
John was asked by Marsha Youngblood if he wanted to Co-Chair the Committee to bring "The Wall That Heals" to Bates County in April of 2026. John accepted her offer. John asked County Clerk Jami Page to also serve on the Committee with him. Jami accepted the Co-Chair position as well.

November 24, 2025 Absent - MAC Conference The Bates County Commission, Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Northern Commissioner John Gray attended the Missouri Association of Counties Conference in Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri.

November 26, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present that morning. Trent did not return for the afternoon.
(11/17/2025 – 11/21/25)
Jim attended a meeting with Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission on Thursday November 20th, 2025.
(11/22/25 – 11/25/25)
John and Jim attended the MAC (Missouri Association of Counties) Conference where they spoke over SB3 and SB190.
John joined a Third-Class County with Townships meeting where the Townships discussed concerns and solutions. They also spoke about Opioid Funding and SB3. Jim attended meetings about the Handcock Amendment, Missouri Energy Landscape and protecting public resources and fiduciary duty in county government.
Present Day (11/26/25)
With Trent present, Jim and John spoke about the MAC Conference and any issues and concerns that were brought to surface. They talked about better communication with Legislation.
Jim Roberts, Chairman of LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee), came in to meet with the three Commissioners and let them know that he got grant information submitted.

December 1, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present for the morning session. John Gray and Trent Nelson were absent for the afternoon session.
The Commission reviewed invoices for payment on Wednesday.
Kent Page stopped in and spoke with Jim regarding an opening with the Road and Bridge Department.
Lee Scofield with Great River Engineering came in and gave Jim a progress report for the courthouse sidewalk project.

Rogue groundhog cause of electrical issues at Butler PD

A fairly short night for the Butler city council meeting, all members present

Stacy Davis approached the council for permission to hold the third annual Living Nativity to be held at the First Baptist Church. The drive through nativity will be held December 6th and 7th and open to the public 6-8 pm.

Police Chief Jarrett Wheatley reported that all is going well with code enforcement, some changes are being made to help streamline the process. He also reported that an electrical issue at the police station has been resolved, it appears a groundhog chewed through some underground wires that caused various issues over the past few weeks. He thanked the Butler electric department for their quick response to the matter.

Some 22 million gallons of water was produced at the Butler water plant last month, according a representative of Alliance Water. He went on to say efforts are ongoing to save money and currently three companies are bidding to supply chemicals at the plant, which certainly will help overall. He also noted that the wastewater plant improvements are completed and from this point forward Missouri DNR should find that plant operating well within legal limits.

An agreement was made during the previous council meeting that Butler will take ownership of Rice road, as now the road is split between Butler and Mount Pleasant township, leaving maintenance to be a troublesome issue. Mayor Henry said he will be communicating with township officials soon to firm up details.

Initially the city was facing a nearly 20% increase in insurance premiums leaving recourse to be finding a new plan. Of three options given, the best deal appeared to be one that offered only an 11.5% increase while still providing the best overall plan for employees.

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm, at city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend.