Recognition given to unseen heroes

 

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney made a special presentation this week to the crew at the Bates County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatch Center in recognition of their ongoing dedication and professional service.

"We couldn't do what we do without you" said Dizney who went on to say that group has an added level of understanding when it comes to prompt attention to matters, especially in dire situations, and when multiple agencies are involved.

"Despite the worst of circumstances, everything goes as smoothly as possible, every time. Thank you so much."

As many could imagine, when the phone rings in a 911 call center, someone needs help right now and time is of the essence. First responders will often request coordination with neighboring agencies, utility companies, and sometimes dispatch has to deal with unusual situations. To which, according to Dizney, BCSO 911 dispatch comes shining through every time.

"I hope this plaque shows how much the Adrian community appreciates you and we can't say enough about what good you do. Thanks again."

In the few minutes Dizney was making the presentation,  yes, some 911 calls came into the center. They were handled promptly and the group was able to take a moment to pose for the photo above.

Toasty warm weekend ahead

Butler sidewalk project getting closer to reality

From the Butler city council meeting June17

A representative of economics advisor Marks-Nelson was present for the work session held just before that council meeting and discussed incentives for the Hertzog Meat Company regarding their new retail store to be located in Butler (former Walmart building). The package  may include Chapter 100 bonds as well as a sales tax rebate program; a meeting will be set up with the Hertzog's to discuss further.

Scott Mallatt reported that the planning commission has continued discussions regarding container homes in Butler and how the ordinance will be written regarding them. Their recommendation will likely be presented to the council very soon.

It was revealed that the lighting project is complete at the airport and the FAA has officially approved the lighting as well. A problem that urgently needs to be addressed is getting a fuel tank back into service so that locals and visitors can fill up on 100 low lead as needed. Another future goal will to be to install a credit card machine to simplify purchases as well. Soon, the airport commission will be touring the Clinton, Mo airport terminal to get ideas for a terminal that will be built here hopefully with construction to begin by next Fall.

Once again, the old Butler high school is in the spotlight as "decisions need to be made soon" regarding where to go from here. The most immediate need would be a new roof which will likely require the replacement of some of the support structure and costs are expected to be quite high. Where to pull money to do so is in question as well as is it worth repairing. Some painful decisions lie ahead for the council on this matter.

The council passed a resolution to move ahead with TAP grant requirements for the sidewalk project which will run about $570,000.00, leaving the city to kick in $114,00.00 to satisfy their portion of the 80/20 grant. Additional support for the project has come from MoDot as well as the Bates County Commissioners, Rep. Dane Diehl and the Bates County Sheriff's Office. "We're moving in the right direction" said City Administrator Corey Snead who added that getting the railroad on board is part of the next step as the current rail overpass will need to be reworked to insure safe passage for foot traffic.

Notice to Butler residents, fireworks may be shot off 10 am to 10 pm on July 3rd and all day on the 4th. 

 Permission was granted for the Butler Homecoming parade set for October 3rd.

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm, at Butler city hall. The public is highly encouraged to get involved.

P.E.O Sisterhood promotes education for women

 

The Missouri State Chapter of the P.E.O Sisterhood held its 131st convention June 6-8, 2025. More than 300 representatives of P.E.O chapters across Missouri attended including delegate Gina Richardson, President of the HV Butler chapter. 

United by the theme Interlaced Lives of P.E.O., the convention attendees met and discussed several education and philanthropic topics and projects, Karen Kurtz, Chapter EZ, Bolivar, Mo, presided over the meeting and Selynn Barbour, Chapter LO in Camdenton served as general chair of the convention. Convention was held at the Wyndham Executive Center in Columbia, Mo.

Claudia Jervey of Chapter A in Unionville, Mo, was installed as the new president of the Missouri State Chapter during the convention. The theme for the 2025-2026 year will be P.E.O Leads the Way in Women's Education.

The P.E.O Sisterhood is a philanthropic  educational organization were women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and the stewardship of Cottey College in Nevada, Mo; and motivate each other to achieve their highest aspirations.. There are just over 5,500 chapters in the United States and Canada with over 190,000 members.

The purposes of P.E.O are educational and philanthropic, accomplished through projects on the local, state and international levels. The six international projects include:

-P.E.O Educational Loan Fund, a revolving loan fund program
-P.E.O International Peace Scholarship that funds graduate study for foreign women
-Cottey College in Nevada, Mo, a four-year liberal arts college for women
-P.E.O Program for Continuing Education, grant assistance for women to resume educational studies after a break
-P.E.O. Scholar awards, grants for women of the U.S. and Canada pursuing advanced degrees or are engaged in advanced study and research
-P.E.O. STAR Scholarship, a scholarship for high school seniors to attend college

In addition, Missouri chapters provide scholarships for women to attend Cottey College and fund the Missouri P.E.O. Outreach Fund, a state project to assist those either aged and infirm or needy and infirm.

Bates County Memorial Hospital: Understanding hernias

 Pain or pressure in your groin or abdomen? Here’s what to do if you think it’s a hernia.

When you think of a hernia, you might picture a visible bulge in your belly or groin. But not all hernias are easy to spot. Some people have one but may not see a lump or feel pain right away. In fact, some hernias only show up during certain movements or when a doctor checks for one. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of hernias, as well as what to do if you suspect you have one.

Signs You May Have a Hernia

A hernia happens when part of your body, like your intestines, pushes through a weak spot in your muscles. This can happen in different areas, such as in your groin or near your belly button or a scar from surgery. While many hernias do cause a visible lump, not all of them do. Some people only feel a strange pressure or discomfort.

Here are some signs to watch for:

• A feeling of heaviness or pressure in your belly or groin.
• Pain that gets worse when you lift something, cough or bend over.
• A burning or aching feeling near the area.
• A lump or bulge that comes and goes (although it may never be noticeable)
• Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain.

Sometimes, hernias don’t cause pain at all. A small one may not bother you much at first. But over time, it can grow and become more serious. In rare cases, a hernia can cut off blood flow to nearby tissue, which is a medical emergency. If you ever have sudden pain, fever or a lump that feels firm and won’t go away, get medical help right away.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Hernia

If you notice anything unusual, even if you're not sure if it’s due to a hernia, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor. Hernias won’t heal on their own, and ignoring them can lead to bigger problems later.

To check for a hernia, your doctor will perform a physical exam. They might ask you to stand, cough or strain so they can feel for a hernia. If it’s not clear, they may order an ultrasound, CT scan or another type of imaging so they can see things more clearly.

Treatment for Hernias

If it is determined that you have a hernia, treatment depends on the type and size of the hernia and how much it’s bothering you. The different types of hernias include:

• Inguinal hernias – these are the most common, especially in men, and occur in the groin
•   Umbilical    hernias – as the name implies, these happen around the belly button
• Hiatal hernias – these occur higher in the abdomen, allowing part of the stomach to move into the chest
• Incisional hernias – these can occur after surgery, near where an incision was made

If the hernia is small and not causing pain, your doctor may suggest just watching it for now. You’ll be told to avoid heavy lifting or straining, which can make it worse. But if it’s painful or getting larger, surgery, which is the only treatment option, is usually recommended. Most hernia surgeries are quick and safe. You may go home the same day and will usually feel better within a few days. Surgeons can often do the repair using tiny tools and a camera (laparoscopic surgery), although in some cases, a small incision may be a better option.

Content courtesy of Bates County Memorial Hospital. If you’re dealing with a hernia or wondering whether surgery is right for you, talk with General Surgeon at BCMH. Call 660-200-7134  to schedule a consultation.

Copyright 2025 © 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.

Clear, hot and dry for now

 

It stays in charge (even though it slides east late weekend) long enough to stave off precipitation - and severe weather chances through most if not all of next week.

A cold front tries to approach from the NW early next week, seen here with some showers & small t-storms off to our northwest.

But as of now, they don't win the battle with surface ridging - the forecast ahead looks predominantly dry.

-Greg@660weather

Bear Necessities June edition

 Click images to enlarge, save or print

Meetings regarding solar projects in Bates County ongoing

June 16, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Mark Grimm with GilmoreBell called in for the scheduled meeting on Solar Taxation and Chapter 100. They have worked with several counties and solar companies. The 2 solar companies, Clearway (650 MW) and NextEra (510 MW) are ready to work on the abatement agreement with the County. Mark states working with both companies at the same time is equitable and transparent to everyone involved. The solar companies will be paying all fees associated with the attorneys. The taxation process uses the wattage the plant will be producing at the start up for the multiplier on payment with a multiplier for COLA yearly. Though the wattage decreases over time the payments will be multiplied by the startup wattage throughout the life of the plant. The biggest concern is to make sure the County is covered in revenue if the plant is sold to a utility company. Decommissioning agreements ensure proper reclamation, typically bonded or insured. In Chapter 100 process the company gives the title over to the county for a period which makes the plant tax free. Then it is leased back to the company for payments in lieu of taxes (PILT or PILOT). The county has no financial liability or responsibility in the process of the plant.
Ann Evans and Rick Laning with the New Home Township Board came in at a late scheduled meeting to discuss the shortage of funds they are experiencing. They had recently purchased a use road grader out right. They were hoping to find a way to either receive more funds or possibly find a grant for more funds. The Commission explained the CART funds and how they have been using an old formula for distribution which no one has ever figured out what it was. They are working on using a new method which will combine the original and additional amounts plus a bit more to each township in one payment. Jim will check with Kaysinger Basin to see if there are any grants they know of that the Townships can apply.