News from Osage Valley Electric Cooperative

Due to an internet outage from our provider our online bill pay, SmartHub and payment phone line is down at this time. 

Please be patient as our provider is fixing the problem. There is no eta at this time. - Osage Valley Electric Cooperative 

Some sad news to pass along..

Ms. Gwen Tarvin passed away peacefully this morning at 3AM.

Please be in prayer for the family in this time of mourning. 

Updates will given as they are known about arrangements.

The family would like to thank you for your prayers and encouragement over the past few days .

-Courtesy of the Immanuel Baptist Church

Bates County Health Center confirms 2 new positive cases of COVID-19

July 30, 2020

Bates County Health Center has confirmed 2 more positive cases of COVID-19 in Bates County—a female in her 50’s from Adrian & a female in her 20’s from Butler.

All contact tracing has been done and any parties that have had close contact were notified.
Any individuals advised of need for isolation and quarantine are per CDC guidelines.

At this time, Bates County has had 39 positives cases, 3 of which are currently active and isolated.

We would also like to remind individuals that if you have been tested, you should quarantine at home until test results are received—this decreases any possible exposure for others in the event your results come back positive.

With our numbers for Bates County rising, we hope everyone will continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth), and to stay home if you are sick. Wearing a mask in public is also encouraged. It is up to each and every one of us to stop the spread of this disease!

Updated Obituary - Austin Lancaster

Austin Lancaster, 29 of Peculiar, Missouri passed away July 28, 2020. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). A visitation will be held just prior to services Saturday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, also at the funeral home. 

Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the family c/o Mullinax funeral Home. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com Friends are welcome to attend; masks are respectfully requested and social distancing should be observed.

Austin Tyler Lancaster was born September 4, 1990 in Springfield, Missouri to William Lancaster and Karen Bowin Bryant. He grew up and attended school in Humansville, Missouri, where he met his wife of 12 years, Justina Turnbough. Together they had three wonderful children, 2 sons and a daughter. One thing that Austin loved was spending time with family. He always had a huge smile that will forever be remembered. He was always quick to make a joke and make everyone laugh. These memories will last forever, as many of us got to enjoy family time with him. Some of the best memories were made while fishing with his wife, children, and brother Nacho and going to Chiefs games and tailgating with family.

Austin was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Robert and Peggy Lancaster, maternal grandparents George and Dorothy Bowin, and by his aunt Cheryl Holley. He is survived by his wife Justina Lancaster, his children, Landen, Makynzie, and Parker Lancaster, father William Lancaster, mother and step-father Karen and Eddie Bryant, sisters, Amy (Tate) Zimmerman, Jessica (Brian) Whalen, and Jennifer (Olen) Appleton. He is also survived by his step-siblings, Ignacio Castillo, Rick (Lesa) Castillo, Jessie Bryant, and Patrick Hernandez, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends

REMINDER: Dunk Tank Fundraiser on the Butler square tomorrow

FRIDAY, JULY 31 FROM 5:00 -7:00!
Location: Butler Square

DUNK A DEPUTY AND GREAT FOOD!

Come support our kids! All money raised will go toward the PTSO School Supply Fund to purchase for all kids k-6! Bring your lawn chair and remember to social distance!

Dunk Tank - One try for $1
- Five tries for $3
Brat and Chips. $3
Hot dog and Chips $2
Drinks $1
Cookies - Free will donation

Sponsored by Butler Chamber of Commerce, Bates County Sheriffs Office and St Matthew Lutheran Church.

Obituary - Charles William “Bill” Atwood Jr,

Charles William “Bill” Atwood Jr, age 93, passed away on July 29, 2020. He was born on May 31, 1927 in La Cygne, Kansas the son of Charles William and Grace Isabell Frakes Atwood. He graduated from La Cygne High School in the Class of 1945.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Rose Mary Hayes on August 23, 1953 in La Cygne. 

Bill graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry. He continued to be a big K-State supporter. Bill’s number one priority was his family. He supported the boys in their many activities. 

He had a passion for American Agriculture. He was a member of the La Cygne United Methodist Church, Drexel VFW, and a seventy-one year member of the Masonic Lodge, beginning at La Cygne and transferring to Parker. He was a past member of the Mirza Shrine and the Scottish Rite Consistory. Bill was a civic minded man who served his community in many capacities including: school board, phone board, Farm Bureau, township board, water board, Co-Op, and a 4-H Leader. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother. Bill is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, three sons, Daryl Atwood and wife Nancy, Joe Atwood and wife Vicki, and Bruce Atwood and wife Robyn and five grandchildren, Tyler, Chad, Jessi, Hanna and Ryan. 

Graveside service will be 10:30 am Saturday, August 1, 2020 at the Jingo Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Friday, July 31 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Shriner Children’s Hospital or Prairie View FFA, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at .

Power Outages in Harrisonville

ATTENTION: The Electric Department is responding to a power outage currently affecting about 300 customers. 

The outage was caused after a tree limb fell on a power line, causing 1 circuit to go down. 

We appreciate your patience during this time. We will update you when power is restored.

From the desk of Bates County Coroner Greg Mullinax

On Sunday morning, July 26, 2020 my office was notified of the death of an individual following an accident in Bates County. The case was referred to my jurisdiction.

On the same date, Bates County EMS and first responders were dispatched to a rural road in northwestern Bates County at approximately 0251hrs on a report of accidental injuries. The subject was flown from the scene to a Kansas City area hospital for treatment, but unfortunately later succumbed to his injuries.

The decedent is identified as 68 year-old Gary Clearwater of La Cygne, Kansas. The cause of death is accidental in nature.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Clearwater's family.

Greg D. Mullinax
Bates County Coroner