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City of Archie still searching for elusive water leak

City of Archie Water Customers:

The Water Department is still looking for the leak. Anyone using yard sprinklers is asked to please refrain until the leak has been found. Please continue looking for water flowing, or wet areas that usually aren't wet. Thank you for your continued help.

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Eagles take 3rd place in Bronaugh volleyball tournament

Miami JH Volleyball received 3rd Place at the Bronaugh tournament on Saturday, September 5th. Nicely done, ladies!


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Results are in for the Show Us Bates County Photo Contest

After receiving more than 70 photographs from photographers throughout Bates County, our judging panel reviewed 63 eligible entries and selected the following winners:

- First Place: Braylee Haddix

Gravel road off O Highway in Bates County

- Second Place: Sarah Miller

Bates County Courthouse, Butler

- Third Place: Ashlee Decker

County Road 1056, Butler

Honorable Mentions:

Tommi Decker

B Highway Bridge, near Rich Hill

Doneda Swenson

“Morning Snack” | Johnstown, Mo.

Choosing just a few winners from so many stunning photographs was no easy task. Judges reviewed the eligible submissions anonymously and selected photographs based on their ability to capture the beauty and character of Bates County, offer a compelling perspective, demonstrate strong composition and visual appeal, and have potential to work as artwork in our hospital and clinics.

Over the next few weeks, we'll feature each winning photograph and honorable mention, along with more about the photographer and the story behind the image.

And we're not done yet! On October 6, the BCMH Health Fair will give our community a chance to see more of the Show Us Bates County collection and select a People's Choice Award winner from photographs that were not selected for the judges' awards. It's one more opportunity for a Bates County photographer to have their work recognized by the community.

Thank you to everyone who picked up a camera, stepped outside and shared a view of the place we call home. You showed us Bates County beautifully, and we're excited to share more of what you showed us.

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

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This heat is nuts!

  This squirrel found a shady spot by the 'pool' in the back yard of Ginger Zellmer of rural Butler and she couldn't resist taking this photo. Fortunately, cooler temps will be ushered in later this week with highs in the 80's a reasonably good chances of some rain over the weekend.

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Obituary - Carol Ann Benninger

Carol Ann Benninger, née Walter, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Louisburg, Kansas. She was born on February 7, 1940, in Buffalo, New York, and was raised there, remaining in the Buffalo area for many years before later relocating to the Kansas City area.

Carol graduated from Kensington High School in Buffalo with the class of 1959. On July 22, 1961, she married Gene Benninger, beginning a marriage that would remain an important part of her life. She spent most of her working years as a daycare teacher, a role that suited her well. She loved children and loved her work, and her years in daycare reflected the warmth and care she brought to others each day.

She was also deeply creative. Carol enjoyed sewing, made clothing and dolls, and loved a variety of crafts. She was very crafty, and her talents were an expression of both her patience and imagination. Along with her creativity, she was known as a social butterfly who had tons of friends. Her great sense of humor and kind-hearted nature made her a welcome presence wherever she went.

Carol will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Lois Jackson; her grandchildren, Tricia, Jimmy, Lynnette, Carollynn, and Michael; and by her great grandchildren, Jolee, Sarah, Charlotte, Luke, and Layla. Her family and friends will remember her with affection for the joy, laughter, and kindness she shared throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Benninger; her daughter, Sarah McNamara; her brother, Eugene Walter; her father, Albert Walter; and her mother, Lynette Walter.

Carol will be remembered for her kindness, humor, creativity, and the love she gave so freely to children, friends, and family. Her memory will continue to live on in the lives of those who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Louisburg Baptist Temple, 6961 West 271st Street, Louisburg, Kansas 66053. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 pm.

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Bears break yet another record

The Butler Bears competed in their first track meet of the season on Friday in Bolivar. Below are the results:

Class 2 High school girls

Erica Wilbers- 20:27.47 PR and New School Record

Dravyn Scrogham- 26:22.84 46th PR

Alayna Alkire- 29:58.75 55th

Class 2 High School Boys

Hayden Dickens- 18:34.12 12th

Josh Roberts- 22:00.01 56th PR

Mayson Foss- 23:47.45 71st PR

Junior High Girls

Mia Sanchez- 13:05.82 138th PR

Airyka Carter- 13:33.83 177th PR

Skylar Hudgens- 15:32.07 251st PR

Alana Hush- 17:11.23 277th PR

Junior High Boys

2nd as a team for Class 2 boys

Blaine Morrill- 9:52.00 46th PR

Levi Wiese- 9:58.39 57th PR

Eli Morris- 11:09.85 168th PR

Evan Thomas- 11:25.78 192nd PR

Brandon Algiere- 11:57.80 245th

Aiden Bettles- 12:37.13 297th

Nate Owens- 13:54.55 349th PR

Jon Cook- 13:56.20 351st PR

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School Germs Are Coming: Tips to Keep Kids Healthier

These daily habits lower the risk of kids—and the whole family—getting sick.

Back-to-school season is exciting. Kids get to see friends, meet new teachers and settle into new routines. But there’s one part of going back to school that no one looks forward to and that’s all the germs kids come into contact with.

When children spend hours together in classrooms and cafeterias and on playgrounds, they naturally share more than school supplies. Colds, stomach bugs, strep throat, flu and other viruses can spread quickly.

Kids are still building their immune systems, so they tend to catch illnesses more often than adults. Younger kids may get sick several times each year as their bodies learn to recognize and fight off new viruses. Once one child gets sick, germs can easily spread through coughing, sneezing, shared toys, desks, doorknobs and even high-fives.

While no one can prevent every illness, these simple habits can lower your child's risk of getting sick and help keep the whole family healthier throughout the school year:

• Practice good handwashing. Encourage children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the bathroom and after blowing their nose or playing outside. If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer.
• Keep hands away from the face. Germs often enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth. Remind kids to avoid rubbing their eyes or biting their nails.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow instead of their hands. Throw tissues away right after using them.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations. Routine childhood vaccines, including the yearly flu vaccine, help protect children from serious illnesses and reduce the spread of disease at school.
• Get enough sleep. Well-rested kids have stronger immune systems. Most school-age children need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, while teens need 8 to 10 hours.
• Pack healthy meals and snacks. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and dairy foods provide nutrients that support a healthy immune system.
• Encourage plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps children feel their best and supports normal body functions.
• Keep sick kids home. If your child has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea, keep them home until they recover. Staying home helps them heal while protecting classmates and teachers from getting sick.

No parent wants their child to get sick. Although germs are part of growing up, healthy daily habits can reduce the chances of illness and help children recover more quickly when they do come into contact with viruses. Following these tips not only keeps kids healthier but also helps the entire family stay illness-free because germs caught in the classroom often make their way into your home and can spread quickly once they get there.

Copyright 2026 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks® Heart Healthy Recipes® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

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