Local Forecast-like fall!

Today

Sunny. Patchy fog early in the morning. Highs around 70. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. Lows around 50. West winds around 5 mph.

Food Pantry needs your help

Below is a letter penned by Jami Page, Administrative Assistant for the Bates County Sheriff's office. Bates County Live visited the scene of the fire at the Butler Community Food Pantry last night and everyone there was of the same opinion-what can we do and how quickly can we get the pantry back open? The answer lies within a little help from everyone. Think about it-just a few items donated by many people adds up to a lot. Right now, non-perishable items of all types are desperately needed so please make arrangements to drop off as much as you can, as soon as you can. We will keep you abreast of the situation and will provide information as soon as the pantry will be able take perishable items. In the meantime, Bates County Live will be providing free advertising for the food pantry until it is back up and running at 100%. Thanks in advance your your support by donating to the Butler Community Food Pantry.

Most of you may have heard, the community food pantry caught on fire last night.  It was not a total loss but they did lose a lot of perishable items as well as their new cooler that they had just raised $30,000 to purchase.  I am organizing a food drive at the Bates County Sheriff's Office to help replace the lost items.  I will take perishable and non-perishable food.  Although there is more need for non-perishable items right now.  They do not have a lot of room to store perishable foods at this time.  This is a great opportunity for everyone to clean out their pantries and cupboards at home.  Lets all pull together and help out those who are less fortunate by helping to put the food pantry back together.  I am usually at the office Monday thru Friday from 8 to 4 if any of you would like to drop by and donate food.  Monetary donations will also be accepted.  Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated.

Jami Page
Administrative Assistant
Bates County Sheriff's Office
www.batescountysheriff.com
660-679-3232

Highlights from the 2010 Amsterdam Jubilee with video

The theme for this year's annual Amsterdam Jubilee was "Down On Main Street" and that's exactly where the action was. The morning started with the traditional pancake breakfast, baby contest and parade; food vendors, inflatables, crafts, smoked meats and more filled both sides of Main street as the day long celebration was held under near perfect weather conditions. During the afternoon, Irene Holt (left) entertained the masses between the many functions held on main street, including a dog show, talent contest, Bessie Bingo and several cake walks.

Dog contest winners: Ugliest Dog - 'Tonka'; Largest breed - 'Tonka'; Cutest - 'Precious'; Best Dressed - 'Rex'; Cutest - 'Damage'.

Scavenger hunt winners: Megan Smith, Rio Gerlemen and Chris Schindler.

Talent show winners: First Place - Logan Eslinger (left) with a dance routine; Second Place - Chelsea Corbin, singing; Third Place - Shyla Fritts, singing.

 
    Miss Tiny Tot - Winner was Paige Utech (lower right), daughter of Lance Utech and Holly West.  First runner up was Kayden Tenholder, daughter of Brian and Nicki Tenholder.

Mr. Tiny Tot - Cohen Wilson (lower left), son of Tommy and Carrie Wilson.

Princess - Charlie Chambers (middle left), daughter of Tom Chambers and Dea Erickson. First Runner Up - Zoey Fritts, daughter of Josh and Cassie Fritts; Second Runner Up was Emily DeBruin, daughter of Rick and Christy DeBruin.

Prince - Brunson Tenholder (middle right) son of Brian and Nicki Tenholder.

Queen honors went to Kaitlin Slattery, daughter of Dennis and Cathy Slattery of Amsterdam. First Runner Up was Grace Stubbs; Second Runner up was Callie Mincks; Third Runner Up was Shyla Fritts.

In all, the contestants raised more than $3,700 in their campaigns this year.

This year's Grand Marshall was Iva Lear, shown riding in the car at the beginning of the video:

Fire at Butler Food Pantry

Around 8:30 this evening the Butler Fire Department, assisted by the Adrian Fire Department responded to the Community Food Pantry at 709 W. Ohio street. Upon arrival, fire was found in the Southeast part of the building where the walk in coolers are housed. Damage was limited to that part of the building with some smoke damage throughout. The cause of the fire is unknown; contents of the cooler were destroyed.

Jubilee Cookoff Winners

Top honors went to the Butler Fire Department (Jason Bennett, center) in all three categories of beef, poultry and pork.  Second place beef winner was Garry Perrymann, left, and second place pork went to David Eslinger, right. The cookoff was part of the annual Amsterdam Jubilee celebration held today.

Fire Chief Receives Honor at Jubilee

Amsterdam Fire Chief Garry Perrymann was presented with a plaque for his ongoing dedication to the Amsterdam Fire Department today. With Perrymann are firefighters Becky Welch (left) and Tammy McLanahan (right). The presentation was made during festivities at the Amsterdam Jubilee.

For the first time, ballots will be sent by secure e-mail

Jefferson City, Missouri - Absentee ballots for the November 2, 2010 General Election are available to military and overseas voters today, and, for the first time, voters may choose to receive their ballot by secure e-mail. The Missouri Elections Division is urging military and overseas voters to request their absentee ballot immediately to ensure they will be able to participate in the upcoming election.

In past elections, mailing a ballot overseas could take up to 18 days, making it difficult for voters to return their ballot by Election Day. Now, voters can decide how to receive their ballot, which may be sent by mail, e-mail, or fax. After voting, a new tracking system will allow voters to confirm that their ballot was received by their local election authority in Missouri.

The new voting options will make voting faster and more convenient for more than 112,000 Missourians; including those living overseas, the men and women serving in the military, and their family members.
The improvements to the military and overseas voting process are due to changes in state and federal law. In Missouri, the proposed improvements received broad, bipartisan support and were approved unanimously by the Missouri General Assembly as part of House Bill 1524 and 2206. Other improvements in place for 2010 include free expedited mail for military voters, and expanded availability of electronic forms such as voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications.

To register to vote, request an absentee ballot, or learn more about military and overseas voting in Missouri, visit www.govotemissouri.com.

Flu shots available October 1st

Seasonal flu vaccines will be available starting Oct. 1 at the Bates County Health Center, located at 501 N. Orange street in Butler. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends that everyone age six and older get a yearly flu shot. Pregnant women will need to present a written statement from their physician in order to receive the vaccine; if you have questions regarding the vaccine due to pre-existing health issues, contact your physician. 

The Health Center can bill Medicare Part B for those with that coverage, otherwise the cost will be $20. For other information you may contact the health center at 660-679-6108.