Butler Police Department Press Release:Standoff at Days Inn

Donald Michael Cooper

On 04/26/2014 at approximately 1850 hrs, Butler Officers were dispatched to the Family Center concerning a person trying to pass a stolen check. Upon arrival Officers were advised by dispatch that the suspect left in a green Dodge Grand Caravan headed westbound towards Rice Road.

Officers observed the suspect’s vehicle in Wilson Tire’s parking lot traveling westbound.  Officers attempted to stop the suspect, 43 year old Donald Michael Cooper, and the green Dodge Caravan fled through Country Mart’s parking lot at a high rate of speed, then drove across Sunset Street, continuing westbound between Don’s Tires and the Sear’s store in the grass. Officers located the Green Van stuck in the mud on the south side of the Days Inn Hotel building unoccupied.

Officers then drove behind the Days Inn Hotel to locate the suspect, but noticed a broken window leading into a room. Officers entered room 112 and located the keys to the suspect’s vehicle on the ground of the room in the broken glass. The hotel was evacuated and a perimeter was set up around the building by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri Highway Patrol and the Butler Police Department.

The Bates County TAC Team made entry and searched the hotel locating Cooper hiding in a bathroom closest on the first floor. The hotel was searched for any additional suspects, but none were found. A review of the hotel’s security video showed Cooper walking in and hiding in the bathroom.  Contraband and other evidence was located in his vehicle.  After processing the crime scene a Kansas City, Kansas Police Badge was found in the closet where Cooper was hiding, but the suspect was not a law enforcement officer.

Cooper was placed into the Bates County Jail and he is charged with burglary, felony resisting arrest, forgery, possession of forgery instrumentality, attempted forgery of a blank checks, possession of open container of alcohol, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. During the criminal investigation it was discovered that Cooper has several priors and has a extensive criminal past.

The Butler Police Department wishes to thank everyone for their help and also apologizes for the inconvenience during this incident.  The Butler Police Department will always error on the side of caution to keep its citizens safe from harm.

MoDOT/Southwest Road Report for Tuesday, April 29‏

MoDOT/Southwest Road Report for Tuesday, April 29

(Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the work)

Barry County

* No traffic impacts

Barton County

* I-49: Lane closings and slow-moving train of work trucks over bridges along I-49. Bridge work.

* 1^st Street/I-49 Overpass in Lamar: (Completion: November 2014)
            Daytime lane closings possible at times.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

Bates County

* I-49: One northbound lane closed over the railroad tracks north of Butler. Bridge work.

Benton County

* Route 65: One northbound and/or one southbound lane closed in areas between Red Bud Drive and Hilty Avenue south of Warsaw. Pavement repairs.

* Route 7: One-lane traffic in areas between Route 65 south of Warsaw and Edwards. Resurfacing.

* Route T Truman Lake Bridge Deck Replacement Southwest of Lincoln: (Completion: June 2014)
           ROAD CLOSED until late June

  

Cedar County 
* Route J: One-lane traffic in areas north of Stockton. Cleaning out ditches.

* Route M: One-lane traffic in areas east of Stockton. Cleaning out ditches. 

  

Christian County 

* Northbound Route 65 Bridge Replacement at Farmer's Branch Between Ozark and Springfield: (Completion: October 2014)
            Nighttime lane closings possible at times. Work hours: 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

            Speed limit reduced to 55 m.p.h.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

  

* Route CC/Cheyenne Road Intersection Widening and Curve Removal at Fremont Hills: (Completion: August 2014)
            Nighttime lane closings possible at times. Work hours: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

* Route 14/Cheyenne Road Intersection Widening Between Nixa and Ozark: (Completion: August 2014)
            Nighttime lane closings possible at times. Work hours: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

* Route 14: One-lane traffic in areas between the Lawrence/Christian county line and Route M west of Nixa. Shoulder work ahead of resurfacing.

* Route 125: One-lane traffic in areas between Route 60 east of Springfield and Route 14 in Sparta. Shoulder work and resurfacing.

Dade County
* No traffic impacts

Dallas County 

* Route 64: One-lane traffic in areas between Route 73 east of Louisburg and Route 64A at Bennett Spring State Park. Laying long patches.

  

* Route 32: One-lane traffic in areas between Routes H and A east of Buffalo. Laying long patches.

Greene County 

* I-44: NIGHT WORK - One eastbound and/or one westbound lane closed near Strafford. Mile Markers 86-90. Pavement repairs. Work hours: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

* I-44, Routes 60 and 65: NIGHT WORK - Lane closings and slow-moving train of work trucks over bridges. Work hours: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Bridge work.

  

* Route 125: One-lane traffic in areas between Routes 60 and AD west of Rogersville. Taking pavement samples.

* James River Freeway (Route 60) Sound Wall Construction East of Kansas Expressway in Springfield: (Completion: May 2014)
            Eastbound auxiliary lane CLOSED at times. Work hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Speed limit reduced to 50 m.p.h.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

* Route 744/OO Turn Lane Additions in Greene County: (Completion: November 2014)
            Nighttime lane closings possible at Mustard Way, Mulroy Road and Washington Street. Work hours: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

* Glenstone Avenue Lane Additions Between Battlefield Road and James River Freeway in Springfield: (Completion: November 2014)
            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

* Route M/Farm Road 107 Intersection Reconstruction Near Battlefield: (Completion: June 2014)
            ROAD CLOSED: Route M at Farm Road 107 near Battlefield closed until early June.

            Farm Road 107 closed at Route M until early June.

            Farm Road 115 permanently closing once project is completed.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

* Glenstone Avenue (Business 65): NIGHT WORK - Lane closings between Chestnut Expressway and Grand Street in Springfield. Shoulder work. Work hours: 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.

* Glenstone Avenue (Business 65): NIGHT WORK - Lane closings between Walnut Street and Battlefield Road in Springfield. Shoulder work and resurfacing. Work hours: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

  

* Route 60/413: NIGHT WORK - Lane closings in areas between Kansas Expressway (Route 13) in Springfield and Route 174 in Republic. Resurfacing. Work hours: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday-Thursday.

* Route 125: One-lane traffic in areas between Route 60 east of Springfield and Route 14 in Sparta. Shoulder work and resurfacing.

  

Henry County 

* Routes B and AB: One-lane traffic in areas near Urich. Repairing drain pipes.

  

* Route 13/52 Bridge Deck Replacement over Truman Lake South of Clinton: (Completion: December 2014)
            Lane closings over Truman Lake.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

            Speed limit reduced to 55 m.p.h.

Hickory County 
* No traffic impacts

  

Jasper County

* Route 171: Lane closings over the railroad tracks east of Brooklyn Heights. Bridge work.

* Route 171: One southbound lane closed over the railroad tracks near Carthage. Bridge work.

  

* Route 171/HH Interchange Ramp Rebuild at Carterville: (Completion: August 2014)
            Eastbound ramps closed at times.

            Lane closings on Routes 171 and HH possible at times.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

* Route 171/43 Roundabout at Airport Drive: (Completion: November 2014)
            Lane closings possible at times.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

  

* Route 66: Lane closings in areas between Route 249 and Rex Avenue in Joplin. Traffic signal work.

  

Lawrence County 

* Route 14: One-lane traffic in areas between Marionville and the Lawrence/Christian county line. Shoulder work ahead of resurfacing.

McDonald County

* Route 90: One-lane traffic near Jane. Laying long patches.

*Business 71: One-lane traffic over Indian Creek in Anderson. Bridge work.

  

*Route 59: One-lane traffic over Elk River in Noel. Bridge work.

  

* Route 59: One-lane traffic in areas north of Noel. Cleaning out ditches.

Newton County

* Route K: One-lane traffic east of Seneca. Laying long patches.

  

Polk County 
* No traffic impacts

St. Clair County 

*Route NN: ROAD CLOSED between NE 1176 Road and Henry County Route Z near Lowry City. Replacing drain pipes. Work hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Road open at night.

* Route  54: One-lane traffic and slow-moving train of work trucks over bridge. Bridge work.

  

* Route TT: ROAD CLOSED between SE 150 and SE 226 Roads near Gerster. Replacing a drain pipe. Work hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Route C: One-lane traffic over Osage River east of Lowry City. Bridge work.

* Route 13/82 Interchange Project in Osceola: (Completion: November 2014)
            ROAD CLOSED: Route 82 on either side of Route 13 south of Osceola closed until early October.

            Equipment entering and leaving work areas.

            Crews and equipment working close to traffic at times.

Stone County 
* No traffic impacts

Taney County 

* Route 65: Lane closings over bridges. Bridge work.

* Route 76: NIGHT WORK - One-lane traffic in areas between Routes 376 and 65 in Branson. Resurfacing. Work hours: 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

* Route 165/265: NIGHT WORK - One-lane traffic in Branson. Temporary traffic signals directing traffic through work zone. Replacing guardrail and signs. Work hours: 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Vernon County 

* Route W: One-lane traffic in areas near Nevada. Sealing pavement.

Webster County 
* Route CC: One-lane traffic over Niangua Branch east of Marshfield. Bridge work. Temporary traffic signals regulating traffic.

Obituary - William “Bill” Hayes

William “Bill” Hayes, 76, Garden City, Missouri, died Sunday, April 27, 2014 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville with visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. 
(A complete obituary will be posted when available).

Obituary - Estella J. Gregory

Funeral services for Estella J. Gregory will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Victory Assembly of God Church in Adrian, Missouri with Pastor Lance Loughridge officiating.  Visitation will be prior to the services from 12 - 2 p.m. at the church. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri.  Contributions to the Victory Assembly of God Church. 

Estella Jean Gregory, age 83 of Adrian, Missouri died Saturday, April 26, 2014 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born April 1, 1931 to John Joseph and Ruby Irene Schnathorst McGrath in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Estella is survived by her husband, Larry Gregory of Adrian, Missouri; 4 sons, Robert White and wife Vicki of Harrisonville, Missouri, Steven White and wife Sandra of Cummings, Georgia, Douglas Gregory and wife Pamela of Liberal, Missouri and Daniel Gregory and wife Carol of Independence, Missouri; a daughter, Deborah Kleitz of Springfield, Missouri; 2 sisters, Rozella Caudill of Redding, California and Karen McFall and husband Jim of Redding, California; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandson.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

St. Clair County Sheriffs Office: Briden arrested for felony domestic assault

Daniel Briden

On April 26, a St. Clair County deputy took a report of alleged domestic assault at a residence on NE 1200 Private Road, Osceola. A female victim stated Daniel Briden, 51, Osceola, assaulted her and during the altercation, she sustained injuries. 

The deputy observed and photographed the victim’s injuries and a request for prosecution was signed. Contact was made with Briden in the front yard of the residence and he was placed under arrest for domestic assault and transported to the St. Clair County Jail booking.

On April 27, St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney Joleene Simmons filed formal charges on Briden charging him with class C felony second degree domestic assault. An arrest warrant was obtained and served. Bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety

Humorous Storyteller Coming to Bates County Museum

Steve Otto

Steve Otto is a full time professional storyteller who specializes in making people laugh!  Since 1985, Steve has spun tales and amused audiences across the Midwest and he’s coming to the Bates County Museum on Saturday, May 3^rd at 10:00 am.  “Tales of the Ozarks” is the topic of the day and Steve will enlighten us as to where these timeless stories and lore all began.  It seems that many are from Ireland and Scotland.  They made their way to America, on to the Appalachians and westward to the Missouri Ozarks.

Steve has worked in television, and Community Theater as well as giving over 200 programs per year to audiences of all ages; from nursery schools to nursing homes.  Everyone loves a good story!  Steve has a degree from the University of Missouri in speech and dramatics.  Returning to MU as an instructor, Steve taught storytelling there as well as at Missouri State University, Kansas City Metropolitan Community Colleges and Rockhurst University.  He is often a presenter at various conferences, workshops, intergenerational programs and has traveled the Midwest teaching the art of storytelling.

Partnering with the Missouri Humanities Council and the State Historical Society of Missouri, the Museum is proud to host Steve Otto and is looking forward to a morning of delightful entertainment.  The day promises to be filled with laughter, which is always good for the soul!  Steve has recorded three CD’s and will have them available for purchase at the Museum:  “The Wide Mouth Frog,” “Steve Otto tells Scary Stuff,” and “Potpourri.”

This program is free and there will be a donation Sandwich/Salad luncheon

served immediately following.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.  Get your weekend off to a great start with a few laughs on Saturday morning, May 3^rd, 10:00 am at the Bates County Museum!  Information: 660-679-0134

Weather Update: Cool, Cloudy and Damp

After a rough weekend in the weather department, this week will be quiet. However, gone are the 70s and 80s, and back are the 50s. Today will actually be a decent day with highs climbing into the 60s and even lower 70s near Kirksville and Columbia. We'll need to watch for a few thunderstorms over the eastern half of Missouri by mid-day. A few of these storms could produce small hail and brief gusty winds.

BCYAC Pool Pals‏

The Bates County Youth Advocacy Council will by sponsoring the Pool Pals Program this summer.  The program is in its 9^th year and provides pool passes to children who either cannot afford to swim or have special needs or considerations.

Last year, we were able to buy season passes for 76 children.  The program is successful due to the generosity of businesses, organizations, and the people of Bates County.  B.C.Y.A.C. serves as a link by gathering donations for the pool passes and then providing them to children in the community.  A list of children is compiled and then given to the B.C.Y.A.C. and the council works its way down the list as money comes in.  We trust the groups that give us the names of these children.  These groups know the children and know their needs.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, the cost is listed below:

Individual Pass 7 and under    $30

Individual Pass 8 and older      $70

Family of Two     $140

Family of Three  $180

Family of Four     $220

Family of Five    $260

We will take any amount…whether you can donate $5 or want to sponsor an entire family.  We work it out by combining donations or buying family passes…..whichever way we can, to insure that many children will benefit.

If you are interested in donating money to the Pool Pals Program, you can mail your donation to :

B.C.Y.A.C.

PO Box 466

Butler, MO 64730

Thank you for supporting our youth!