Ellett Memorial Employee of the Month Kayla Orear

 

Congratulations to our July Employee of the Month, Kayla Orear. Kayla started at EMH as the Director of Human Resources in December, 2024. In her short time in that role she has shown the highest level of dedication to EMH and her coworkers by doing everything possible to make others' tasks more efficient. She has spent countless hours seeking out previously underutilized tools to streamline processes. Kayla has also done a great job of presenting EMH to possible applicants by showing them what a wonderful place this is to work. Kayla often works late hours or comes in early to make sure both shifts, day and night, have the same experiences with training and fun activities. She has even spent her own money and personal time to organize surprise fun activities for employees to help take a little stress out of their workday. Kayla has quickly became a valued asset to this hospital and we are proud to call her our co-worker! Congrats again Kayla!

Enzo ready for employment

 

Maybe we could say deployment? Butler Police Chief Jarrett Wheatley said this week that the Butler Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Hecox and K-9 Enzo have officially completed K-9 training and are now on Patrol serving the citizens of Butler.

Enzo has received training in several areas, however sniffing out drugs is his forté and due to an uptick in drug related traffic stops, he's bound to be one busy pup in coming days.

Butler Walmart celebrates Grand re-opening

 

Above, the program this morning opened with a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Below, the Butler Area Chamber of Commerce held an honorary ribbon cutting for Butler Walmart #888 which recently underwent a major remodel.

Butler Mayor Jim Henry, who was involved with the original opening of the store, offered words of congratulations to all present. Below, store manager Darren Hertzberg presented donations to the Butler elementary school, the Bates County Historical Society and the Butler Education Foundation on behalf of Walmart 

Below, two Quilts of Valor were presented to Walmart Veteran employees Boyce Harvey and Jeff Gales on behalf of Rocking Chair Quilts of Butler. Since beginning the local QOV program last August, Rocking Chair Quilts owner Marsha Youngblood says that 60 quilts have now been given to local Veterans. Over 416,000 quilts have been presented in similar ceremonies all throughout the United States since the inception of the program in 2003.

Thief quickly taken into custody following pursuit

Yesterday just after 5 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of East Pearl St for a burglary in progress. The 911 caller advised someone had entered their residence and then left. The suspect stole the neighbor's vehicle and drove away from the area. Harrisonville officers intercepted the stolen vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Tire deflation devices were successfully deployed, and the vehicle was stopped with the assistance of the Cass County Sheriffs Office near Cass Regional Medical Center.

Officers took 32-year-old Kert Russell Hatfield of Garden City into custody at that time.

Hatfield has been charged with 1st Degree Burglary (Felony), 1st Degree Tampering with a Motor Vehicle (Felony), Stealing a Motor Vehicle (Felony), Aggravated Fleeing (Felony), Resisting with Arrest for a Felony (Felony), and Criminal Mischief (Misdemeanor).

Hatfield is currently being held at the Cass County Jail with no bond allowed.

Another big night in Rich Hill

 

Above, Larry Hacker led the famous pie auction seeking the highest bidders for 53 hand baked favorites to an enthusiastic crowd. Totals for the night will be posted later. Below, winners of the pie eating contest ages 15 and up were L-R Hunter Nissen, 3rd place; Jacob Mumma, 1st place and Amy Mumma, 2nd place.

Pie eating contest winners for ages 14 and under were Piper Humble above, and Cash VanRaden below.

Below, a beautiful painting by Rich Hill resident Tom Altenburg that was up for auction tonight

Other highlights from the evening:

Obituary - Ed Ortstadt

 Funeral services for Edward "Ed" Eugene Ortstadt of Adrian, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2025 at the Adrian United Methodist Church in Adrian.  Visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 at the Adrian United Methodist Church.  Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian.  Contributions to Adrian United Methodist Church or Adrian Lions Club.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Edward “Ed” Eugene Ortstadt, age 86 of Adrian, Missouri died Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Baptist Homes in Adrian.  He was born February 19, 1939 to Arthur Leon Ortstadt Sr. and Ruth Ann Bruner Ortstadt in Kansas City, Kansas.

Edward is survived by his wife, Patti Ortstadt of Adrian, Missouri; four daughters, Jacque Underwood and husband Mike of Adrian, Missouri, Cyndee Byous of Eureka, Missouri, Debra Smith and husband Chuck of Presque Isle, Michigan and Susan McMillan and husband David of Adrian, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Obituary - Mary Lou (McBride) Leer

Mary Lou (McBride) Leer, 83, Nevada, MO, came into this world on January 26, 1942 and entered Heaven’s gates on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. She was surrounded by her two daughters and her fur-babies. Mary Lou was born in Ventura, California to Ray Hodges “Cowboy” and Thadrel Jewell (Brown) McBride. She grew up in Fair Play, MO and graduated as a Salutatorian of her senior class in 1959. She moved to Kansas City and while working at Hallmark, met Cecil Leer, Jr from Milo, MO and was married on March 3, 1962.   To this union they had two daughters, Cindy Lou born March 17, 1963, and Cathy Ann born November 7, 1966. In the summer of 1976, they moved back to Cecil’s hometown of Milo where they continued the family tradition of farming and raising livestock. Mary Lou also worked for Fram and the Nevada R-5 School District until her retirement at 65.

    Mary Lou loved her dogs, growing flowers, sewing, making quilts and doing puzzles. She spent the last 18 years going to Branson every fall with her girlfriends and making memories. She was blessed with 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren who she adored spending time with. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Nevada, MO.

     Mary Lou is survived by her two daughters, Cindy Ast (Mike) and Cathy Kavalesky (Michael), all of Nevada;  grandchildren, Mandi Butler (Blake), Derek Gash (Megan), Andrea Gullett (Adam), Blake Ast (Olivia), Jessica Ewert (Paul) and Jordan Kavalesky (Ashley); 14 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a very special great-Aunt, Wanda Jean, Bolivar, MO.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil; parents, Ray and Tharel; her sister, Dixie Shuler; brother, Billy Joe (Bernice); and two infant great-grandsons, Corbin Gash and Oliver Ewert.

     The family will receive friends on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Ferry Funeral Home, followed by graveside services at Moore Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. with Roger Beach officiating.   Mary Lou’s grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons, Conner Ewert, Cohen Gash, Ryland Ewert, Bo Butler, Reid Kavalesky, and Hudson Ast.

     Memorials are suggested to Vernon County Cancer Relief in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Butler youth football sign ups next week

Youth Football Sign Ups will be Tuesday July 8th from 5:00pm-7:00pm and Sunday July 13th from 5:00-7:00pm at the red shed by the flag football field which is south of the pool.

1st & 2nd grade is flag-$50, 3rd/4th is Tackle-$100, 5th/6th is Tackle-$100. A parent or legal guardian will need to sign them up as there are waivers that will need completed. Money is due at the time of sign ups!

There will be NO LATE SIGN UPS!

You must attend Butler school district to sign up to play here unless you have been approved through the South 71 board.