Blood drive coming to Butler Sept. 23rd

Butler, MO -- Community Blood Center (CBC), the primary provider of blood to 70+ hospitals across Kansas and Missouri, will host a blood drive on Wednesday, September 23 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, located at 615 W Nursery St..

For more than 65 years, CBC has served the region by providing over 150,000 lifesaving blood products annually to more than 70 hospitals, EMS, and healthcare partners.

"A strong, consistent blood supply is the backbone of patient care in our community," said Chelsea Tibbetts, Executive Director at Community Blood Center. "We are deeply grateful to our blood drive hosts for stepping up to help save lives and support patients in our local hospitals." Every day, nearly 600 donations are needed to meet hospital demand in the Greater Kansas City region. Blood has a short shelf life and must be constantly replenished to ensure it's available when and where it's needed. Just one hour of your time can help save up to three lives.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 23

WHERE: Bates County Memorial Hospital, 615 W Nursery St.

WHO: Blood Donors, Volunteers, and Community Blood Center Representatives

WHY: One in three people will need blood in their lifetime, and nearly one in seven hospital admissions requires a transfusion. Blood donations support cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients, new mothers, premature infants, transplant recipients, those living with chronic conditions. like sickle cell disease and thalassemia, and many more.

To make an appointment at this drive, donors can visit savealifenow.org/group and enter Group Code: KCBS, or call 1-877-468-6844.

Blood donors can give every 56 days and are encouraged to give at least once per season. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To view current eligibility guidelines or learn more about donating blood, visit savealifenow.org.


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Steiner's Restaurant & Bar to be featured on America's Best Restaurant's

Butler, Missouri — September 09 2026 — Local eatery Steiner's Restaurant & Bar will host a visit from America’s Best Restaurants (ABR), a national media and marketing company, for an on-site visit as part of the ABR Roadshow. 

America’s Best Restaurants travels the country spotlighting independent, locally-owned restaurants that make a positive impact on their communities. During the visit, the ABR Roadshow team will highlight Steiner's Restaurant & Bar on-camera, featuring an extensive interview with Jeff and Amy Steiner about the restaurant's special place in the community. 

Steiner’s Restaurant & Bar is a heartfelt return to roots, where family, hometown tradition, and scratch-made food come together. Originally The Flaming Lantern, a beloved Butler eatery for 35 years, the establishment holds a special place in the hearts of its patrons. After closing during the pandemic, Jeff and Amy returned to Butler with their three daughters to breathe new life into the restaurant in July 2023. Jeff, who grew up in the restaurant, aims to continue the family legacy while introducing fresh, innovative

flavors. Amy complements this vision by coordinating events and fostering community connections, ensuring that Steiner’s remains a beloved hub for local gatherings. 

"I grew up in this restaurant, and now I get to watch my daughters grow up here, so Steiner’s is about much more than food — it’s about family, memories and bringing people together. We’ve been blessed with a hardworking, dedicated team that’s always willing to innovate, have fun and keep things fresh. We’re proud to bring big-city flavor to small-town Missouri, because you shouldn’t have to leave Butler for an excellent meal. Come for the food, stay for the people, and leave already planning your next visit—and maybe dessert, too," says Jeff Steiner, Owner of Steiner's Restaurant & Bar. 

The menu at Steiner's Restaurant & Bar boasts standout items, and the episode will feature popular dishes such as the Signature Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Candied Salmon Burnt Ends, and Chef Cory’s Bourbon Bread Pudding. 

America’s Best Restaurants will be on-site at Steiner's Restaurant & Bar on September 17, 2026. The public and press are welcome to attend. 

The completed episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date. The premiere date will be announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page and featured on America’s Best Restaurants' website and YouTube channel. 

About Steiner's Restaurant & Bar: 

Steiner's Restaurant & Bar is located at 1104 West Fort Scott Street, Butler Missouri 64730. For more information, visit https://www.steinersrestaurant.com. 

About America’s Best Restaurants: 

Headquartered in Florence, KY, America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and restaurant marketing company that travels the country telling the stories of locally owned, independent restaurants through its ABR Roadshow. With over 2,000 episodes filmed, ABR features restaurants across its social media channels, website, and the restaurant’s own digital platforms. Learn more at 

AmericasBestRestaurants.com.

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These lifestyle changes can help manage polycystic ovary syndrome

These Lifestyle Changes Can Help Manage PCOS

In addition to medication, what you do on a daily basis may improve your symptoms.

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you probably know that it affects much more than your menstrual cycle. One day you may be frustrated by stubborn acne or unwanted hair growth, while the next, you’re wondering why losing weight feels so much harder than it should.

For many women, the symptoms of PCOS can be unpredictable and overwhelming. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage those symptoms, but the choices you make every day, from what you eat to how active you are, can make a big difference in how you feel. Healthy lifestyle habits won't cure PCOS, but they can reduce symptoms, improve your overall health and lower your risk for future complications.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a common hormone disorder that affects women during their reproductive years. It happens when the ovaries produce higher-than-normal levels of hormones called androgens. This hormone imbalance can interfere with ovulation and cause a wide range of symptoms.

Common signs of PCOS include:

• Irregular or missed periods
• Trouble getting pregnant
• Acne
• Excess hair growth on the face or body
• Thinning hair on the scalp
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

Many people with PCOS also have insulin resistance, which means the body has trouble using insulin effectively. Over time, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.

How is PCOS treated?

Treatment depends on your symptoms and whether you're trying to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Birth control pills to help regulate periods and lower androgen levels
• Medications such as metformin to improve insulin resistance
• Medicines to help with acne or excess hair growth
• Fertility treatments if pregnancy is the goal

Lifestyle changes are also considered an important part of treatment and may even help medications work better.

Healthy Habits That Can Help You Manage PCOS

These lifestyle habits won't cure PCOS, but they can help you deal with symptoms while keeping you healthier overall:

• Aim for a balanced diet. There isn't a specific PCOS diet, but eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lean proteins and healthy fats helps keep blood sugar levels steadier. These PCOS-friendly recipes are a good place to start. Limiting sugary drinks and highly processed foods may also improve insulin resistance.
• Stay physically active. Regular exercise helps your body use insulin more effectively. It can also improve energy, mood and heart health. Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, along with strength training a couple of days each week.
• If needed, lose a small amount of weight. If you're overweight, losing even 5% to 10% of your body weight may help regulate your menstrual cycle, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce some symptoms. Not everyone with PCOS is overweight, though, so weight loss is not the goal for everyone.
• Get enough sleep. Poor sleep can affect hormones, appetite and blood sugar control. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night whenever possible.
• Manage stress. Living with a long-term condition can be stressful. Activities like walking, yoga, meditation, deep breathing or spending time with friends can support both physical and emotional health.

With the right combination of medical care and healthy habits, many people with PCOS can effectively manage their symptoms and protect their long-term health. Regular checkups are also important so your doctor can make sure your individualized treatment plan is working for you.

Copyright 2026 © 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.

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Where Tradition Meets Community: Step Inside Rocking Chair Quilts

There’s a unique feeling when you pull open the door of a hometown quilt shop. It’s the rich scent of fresh cotton bolt-end fabrics, the gentle hum of sewing machines in the back, and the immediate, warm greeting that makes you feel less like a customer and more like an old friend coming over to visit.

Right on the historic square at 21 N. Main Street in Butler, Missouri, you’ll find Rocking Chair Quilts—a small business built entirely on passion, family tradition, and community connection.

Rooted in Heritage, Driven by Heart

Owned and operated by Marsha Youngblood, Rocking Chair Quilts was born from a deep love of stitching passed down through generations of her family, starting with her grandmother and great-grandmother. That generational passion shines through every detail of the shop.

Marsha and her knowledgeable team aren't just selling fabric, notions, and custom quilt kits; they’re keeping traditional craftsmanship alive while helping seasoned quilters and complete beginners tackle their dream projects. Whether you need a little technical advice on piecework, full-service longarm quilting to finish your heirloom project, or just a friendly face to talk shop with, you’ll find it here.

Even if you can’t make it in person right away, the welcoming atmosphere extends online through their active store website and weekly Facebook LIVE videos every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM, where Marsha shares new fabrics, project demonstrations, and warm banter with viewers across the country.

Proud Participant in the All Missouri Shop Hop 2026

For quilt enthusiasts planning their regional travels, Rocking Chair Quilts is a featured destination in the All Missouri Shop Hop 2026!

Running throughout September and October, the Shop Hop brings sewists together from all over the Midwest to explore regional independent fabric stores, collect exclusive passport stamps, gather commemorative shop-hop patterns, and enter to win statewide prizes.

Placing Butler on your Shop Hop route guarantees you’ll experience true Midwestern hospitality:

• Curated Fabrics & Exclusive Kits: Explore shelves stocked with stunning seasonal lines, high-quality precuts, independent patterns, and custom-designed quilt kits.
  
  
• Hands-On Expertise: Bring your tough pattern questions to the counter—the staff loves problem-solving and guiding makers toward their next big breakthrough.
  
  
• Warm Small-Town Atmosphere: Take a breath, browse at your own pace, and enjoy the cozy energy that makes local fabric shops irreplaceable.
  
  

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re embarking on the All Missouri Shop Hop 2026 passport challenge, looking for specialized longarm quilting services, or searching for inspiration for your next weekend project, make Rocking Chair Quilts your primary stop.

• Address: 21 N Main St, Butler, MO 64730
  
  
• Phone: (660) 200-2226
  
  
• Web: rcquilts.com
  
  
• Community: Join the live videos on Facebook
  
  

Stop by, pull up a chair, and discover why Rocking Chair Quilts is the heart of West-Central Missouri's quilting community.

Samantha Stump

Executive Director
Butler Area Chamber of Commerce

660-464-1339

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Construction to begin on Swan Energy Center in coming weeks

Following the recent Mid America Live story regarding a delay in the Swan Energy Center project to be located near Amsterdam, MO we have received confirmation that the project is indeed moving forward as planned and construction will be ramping up soon

"Clearway is proud to deliver long-term economic benefits to the region as Swan Energy Center prepares ramp up construction later this year. That includes more than $84M in Bates County, Missouri, home to the solar project, and $16 million in Linn County, Kansas, where we will connect into the regional grid, for a total of $100M for public agencies in the area.  

We look forward to our first round of financial contributions this month, starting with $500,000 to Bates County Emergency Services. In the meantime, our construction team is on location and continuing local recruiting efforts."

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Pursuit ends with arrest, vehicle on fire

On September 9th just before noon, Deputies with the Criminal Apprehension Unit (CAU) attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic infraction in the area of I-49 and 2 Hwy in Harrisonville.

The driver failed to yield and a pursuit continued northbound.

After several minutes, Deputies with the CAU successfully deployed the Grappler near I-49 and J Hwy in Peculiar and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Shortly after the pursuit ended, the suspect’s vehicle caught fire and firefighters with the West Peculiar Fire Protection District were called to the scene.

No injuries were reported. The suspect is currently at the Cass County Jail with charges from this incident pending.

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Osage Valley Coop training exercise: Saving a life is a group effort

This morning a training exercise unfolded on the grounds of the Osage Valley Electric Coop in Butler as a 'victim' lineman experienced a medical emergency (electrocution, heart attack or other) and became incapacitated while some 20 feet up on a utility pole. What unfolded shortly thereafter was nothing short of an incredible group effort to save a life

The victim, a life sized mannequin (weight included) at left has just experienced a medical emergency and must be carefully lowered to the ground. The responding lineman at right drives a large screwdriver into the pole, using it as a secure point to use a rope to lower the victim. The entire process was completed in less than a couple of minutes.

Once safely on the ground, the mannequin is substituted with a real person for training purposes. Triage and CPR begin immediately.

Onlookers anxiously watch as sirens can be heard in the distance. Due to cloudy conditions, a medical helicopter was not able to come to the scene; an ambulance and fire department personnel arrive a few moments later.

Firefighters, EMT's and paramedics quickly work to transport the victim to the ambulance while CPR is ongoing.

Following the exercise, a question and answer session was held which proved quite beneficial- emergency coordination between Osage Valley and first responders will include GPS coordinates of the accident with other very important details needed to make sure the patient receives prompt treatment.

Chandler Jacquinot played the part of the victim with enthusiasm however, was a bit disappointed as he joked "I didn't get to ride in the helicopter!" but in all, played his role to perfection.

Closing thoughts from Osage Valley Electric Cooperative:

"Training together is an important part of keeping our communities safe. Exercises like this give all levels of our local first responders the opportunity to work alongside one another, understand each agency’s role and strengthen the coordination that is critical when a real emergency occurs. We appreciate the partnership and commitment of our local emergency responders as we work together to be better prepared when our communities need us most."

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FCCLA Advisor Spotlight: Dalls Gutshall

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