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Saturday, April 11, 2026
Missouri Department of Agriculture Launches Annual Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest
Entries must be submitted by Friday, June 5.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has opened the 17th annual Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest. The Department invites Missourians to share their story of agriculture through photographs. The contest runs through June 5th and is an opportunity for photographers across the state to submit their best images of Missouri agriculture, which have been taken since January 1, 2023.
The Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest is open to Missouri photographers of all ages. Participants may enter up to three photos in each of the categories. The Kid’s Corner, for photos taken by youth aged 12 and under, is also back again this year.
The photo contest categories include:
Beauty of the Farm
Faces of the Farmer
Around the Barnyard
Everyday Life
Kid’s Corner (for youth ages 12 and under)
Entries will be judged on visual impact, creativity, memorable content and image quality.
In addition, Governor Mike Kehoe and Mrs. Claudia Kehoe will also evaluate the winning photos and select the First Family’s Choice photo.
Winners will be announced in early July and winning photos will be displayed in the Agriculture Building at the 2026 Missouri State Fair, August 13-23.
Prizes are provided thanks to the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Missouri Grown program. The Best in Show winner and First Family’s Choice, along with the first-place winner in each category, will receive a Missouri Grown gift basket and a canvas print of their photo.
Find more information on the Focus on Agriculture photo contest, including a full description of each category, complete list of rules and guidelines, submission information, and more, on the Photo Contest website.
For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the Department’s website.
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Online class can help seniors stay healthy and strong
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is a strength training program that helps older adults stay active and independent. Nearly 20 years of proven success shows participants get stronger, move better and feel more confident in everyday life.
The next online Level 3 session will meet April 13 through June 22 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with simple, effective exercises you can do at home.
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Happy retirement, Ruth Austin
Butler Walmart recently recognized Ruth Austin as she prepares for retirement following 20 years with the company. Best wishes, and have fun!
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Eagle Ethan Vaughn set to play baseball for North Central College
Miami Eagle Ethan Vaughn has penned his Letter of Intention to play baseball at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, MO where he plans to major in Agriculture.
We're so proud of you, and wish you the best of luck next year at NCMC!
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Friday, April 10, 2026
When Minutes Matter: The Local Lifeline at Butler Urgent Care
We often associate "life-saving" healthcare with major city hospitals. But a recent case in Bates County reminds us: sometimes, the most vital figure is the local provider standing before you.
The story of a local child recently diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, could have had a very different beginning. Her path to surgery and treatment didn’t start with a planned specialist appointment; it started with a critical catch at Butler Urgent Care.
It was the sharp clinical instincts and decisive action of Dr. Henderson that transformed a routine visit into a life-saving intervention. In cases of pediatric brain cancer, the window for action is notoriously narrow. Medical knowledge is one thing, but the dedication to listen closely and act with urgency is what gives a family a fighting chance.
For Butler residents, this story demonstrates the high-quality care available locally. Dr. Henderson’s diagnosis in an urgent care setting highlights excellence in rural medicine.
We often discuss the importance of keeping local services alive. This is why. Because when a child’s life is on the line, the distance between a "wait and see" and a definitive diagnosis is measured in miles and minutes.
While the road ahead for her patient is long, she is on that road because our local medical community held the line. Dr. Henderson and the team at Butler Urgent Care didn’t just do their jobs; they served as the vital heartbeat of this community, proving that you don’t have to leave Bates County to find a hero.
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Hume Preschool receives recognition of excellence status
The Missouri Accreditation of Programs for Children and Youth has awarded a Certificate of Accreditation to Hume R-VIII Preschool. This certificate is granted to quality programs that offer developmentally appropriate experiences in an environment conducive to children flourishing intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
Hume R-VIII Preschool will be included in the "Directory of Accredited Programs" located on the Missouri Accreditation website if the program selected that option. This directory, which serves as a useful guide to parents seeking a high quality program for their children, may be reached at www.moaccreditation.org.
The community of Hume, MO is fortunate to have a program such as Hume R-VIII Preschool available to serve its families. The Hume R-VIII Preschool was established in 1999 as a full day program to serve 3- and 4-year-old students and their families. This is the 9th accreditation certificate received by the Hume R-VIII Preschool Program and is valid through May 28, 2029.
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Nevada police take wanted subject into custody without incident, over 20 grams of meth off the street
On April 9, Nevada Officer Barker obtained information regarding a subject with a felony warrant believed to be in Nevada. Officer Barker located the vehicle in question and made contact with an occupant inside the vehicle who was found to have an active felony probation warrant for their arrest. The subject was identified as Adam Covington.
Officer Barker was able to successfully take Covington into custody without incident. During a search of his person, officers located over 20 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Covington was transported to the Vernon County Jail on his probation violation warrant with no bond. Additional felony charges will be submitted to the Vernon County Prosecutor for review of formal charges.
Officer Barker has been a great asset to our department since joining. Great work staying proactive and helping keep our community safe.
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