Max Motors Press Release

  

On March 29, 2024, Max Motors Dealerships announced an exciting scholarship opportunity. Max Ford, joined by Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm is announcing a scholarship program to support students pursuing careers as automotive technicians.

 

Max Ford is helping you drive your future forward with the New Ford Tech scholarship for the next generation of auto technicians by awarding $5,000 tuition scholarships to students pursuing careers in auto, diesel or, auto/diesel technology. This need-based scholarship is applied to a student’s school tuition account and may be used for all cost of attendance, including tuition, tools, living expenses and transportation.

 

How to Apply is only three steps, click here to get started.

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Cliff's Carpet Cleaning Serving Bates and Surrounding Counties

If  Your home and business is showing signs of winter on your carpet and area rugs.  Rock Salt, melted snow, winter dirt, and grime from mud and snow boots. Schedule a spring cleaning of your carpet and furniture by Cliff Lawrence. 

This 2-man team will move furniture at no extra charge, free estimates, and rates by the square footage. 

Call today to get a jump start  on spring carpet cleaning. 660-679-5657. Cliff’s Carpet Cleaning.

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Billy Joe Cumpton, 67, of Adrian

 

Billy Joe Cumpton, 67 of Adrian, Missouri passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 24, 2024 at his home in Adrian.  A Celebration of Life service will be held 5:00 pm Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Adrian Optimist Building in Adrian, Missouri.  Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009).  Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Optimist Club or the Altona Baptist Church.  Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

 

Billy Joe Cumpton, 67 of Adrian, Missouri passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2024, at his home.  Billy was born July 24, 1956, in Butler, Missouri, to Harold Kenneth and Martha June (Vogeler) Cumpton.

Billy spent his school years at Ballard graduating in 1974. He formed lifelong friendships during these years.  Billy and his family attended 4-H horse shows and won several trophies.  Buddy the horse was instrumental in helping Billy and his family win those awards.  Billy worked on the family farm in the Ballard community.  His family went hunting for deer, coons, squirrels and enjoyed fishing and hunting for mushrooms.

As a young adult Billy accepted Jesus as his Savior, was baptized in a neighbor’s pond and became a member of Altona Baptist Church in rural Adrian.

After high school graduation Billy made two trips to California.  One to visit his brother, Harold who was stationed in Santa Ana, California, in the U.S. Marine Corp and one included a friend.  Billy often talked about these trips as one of the highlights of his life. He made a return trip to California after his retirement to visit someone he met in those early days.  Over the years, Billy worked at various jobs, including construction, Yellow Freight and as a real estate agent in Texas.

During a deer hunting trip in November, 1982, Billy fell from his tree stand and broke his back.  Although that accident confined him to a wheelchair, Billy led a full life.  He participated in wheel chair racing, basketball and baseball. One of his favorite experiences was traveling to Japan with the Kansas City Pioneers to play basketball.

 While participating in wheelchair sports he met his future boss.  Billy was hired to work in the management systems division and had several job titles in the 29+ years he worked for the federal government. He received multiple promotions and retired as IT Regional Director of Region 7 for HUD.  Once again Billy formed lasting friendships during these years that remained after he retired.

On June 29, 1996, Billy was united in marriage to Cheryl (Wix) Morrow. Billy and Cheryl went on many trips scuba diving and attending wheelchair sports activities.  They built a new home in 2005 on family land in rural Adrian in the Ballard community where they liked to feed and watch the wildlife and fish.  Billy and Cheryl spent time gardening, watching grandchildren in sports activities, as well as cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and playing cards with family and friends.  He enjoyed planning and attending reunions for the Cumpton cousins and the Vogeler family.  Billy’s family was very important to him, and he also had a countless number of friends all across the nation.  He helped to plan the reunions for the Ballard High School Class of 1974 and was looking forward to the 50 year reunion.  One friend, who has only known Billy for a few years, made this comment about him: “Believe me when I tell you this man was the definition of if there is a will, there is a way. Billy was a true inspiration to me.  There was no quit in him!  He never let his disability slow him down.  He always found a way to enjoy life to the fullest.”

Billy never let the wheelchair keep him from adventure; he continued to hunt wildlife and mushrooms, fish and go camping with family and friends, target shooting, flying his drone and looking for wildlife with his thermal imaging scope.  The week before his passing he went on a spoonbill fishing trip with friends.  His latest passion was metal detecting, which was a hobby he’s dabbled in before his accident but had recently picked back up.  Billy was so excited when he found his first silver quarter.

Billy joined the Adrian Optimists, served as an officer and received several awards including New Member of the Year and Optimist of the Year.  He could often be seen helping with the gun shows and bingo.  Billy studied the Masonic degrees and passed to become a Master Mason in the Crescent Hill Lodge No. 368 AF & AM in Adrian, Missouri.

Billy was preceded in death by his grandparents, father Kenneth, aunts, uncles, cousins and father-in-law.  Surviving are his wife Cheryl; mother June Cumpton; sister Martha (Jim) Stocklaufer; brothers Harold (Sharon), Roger, Mikel (Patsy) and Dale (Leann); stepmother-in-law Linda Wix; stepdaughters, Kristen (Justin) Feola, Jill (Rod) Berry and stepson Bryan (Sheila) Morrow; grandchildren Tyler (Mikaela), Sydney, Collin, Chelsi and Josi Berry, Isabelle and Jocelyn Feola and great grandson Beckham; nephews and nieces, Steven (Brenda) Doody, Melissa (Anthony) Heider, Holly Ruth, Kyla (Tommy) Hackler, Jessica (Rusty) Campbell, Travis (Dana) Cumpton, Jamie (Zach) Skaggs, Melanie (Kevin) Branson, Ethan, Wyatt (Carly) and Wade (Katrina) Cumpton, numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunt Bonnie Wilson and best friend Robert Hogue.

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Tractor Thief Caught In Bates County

On March 27th, at approximately 7:30 pm, the Bates County Sheriff's office received a call from a subject that advised they had a tractor stolen about 6 months ago.  The calling party stated that they were following a truck that had the tractor on a trailer pulling it south from Amsterdam, Missouri on Y Highway.  They then advised that the driver of the truck had attempted to run them off the roadway.   They were able to identify the driver as Justin Blake Kimbrough of Amoret.  They advised that Kimbrough had pulled over and was attempting to off load the tractor in the middle of the road and then fired a gun toward the victims. 

Kimbrough reportedly unstrapped the tractor and drove his truck out from underneath the tractor leaving the tractor in the middle of Y Highway.   Bates County Deputies and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded and located Kimbrough at his residence in Amoret. He was taken into custody and interviewed, where he admitted to shooting in the direction of the victims but claimed it was in self defense.   Kimbrough advised Detectives that approximately a quarter of a mile down the road he threw the gun out along the road. Multiple deputies responded to the area to search the roadside for the gun.  Assistance was requested from Cass County Sheriffs Office canine unit, and a canine from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly after and also assisted in the search.  After several hours of searching for the gun in the dark, Deputies terminated the search.  

The search for the weapon resumed on March 28th, and a third canine unit from the Missouri Department of Conservation responded to assist in the attempt to find the gun.      

Kimbrough has been initially charged by the Bates County Prosecutor with 1 count of unlawful use of a weapon and 2 counts of assault 2nd degree.   Additional charges are being reviewed.  Bond was set at $50,000 cash only.

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Sonic- thanks for supporting your hometown radio station

 

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Butler: Blood Drive

  

Please join Bates County Memorial Hospital in giving the gift of life at Bates County Memorial Hospital's next Blood Drive with Community Blood Center on Wednesday, April 17 from 12:00 - 5:00 pm.

 

 The drive will be held in the BCMH Education Center at 615 W. Nursery Street in Butler. They welcome new and returning donors. Appointments are preferred and walk-ins will be accepted as capacity allows.

 

To make an appointment online, go to www.savealifenow.or/group and enter Group Code: KCBS

Or call 1-877-468-6844 for assistance making your appointment for this drive.

For medical eligibility questions, please call 1-800-688-0900.

 

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It's time to get Rodeo on Your Mind/ Butler Saddle Club Rodeo Candidates Wanted

 Candidates for 2024 Wanted 

QUEEN:

- between the ages of 16-21 years old the start of rodeo weekend

-never married and no kids 

-must ride a horse 

-judged on 4 categories:horsemanship, ticket sales, personality, and appearance.

PRINCESS

- between the ages of 9-15 years old the start of rodeo weekend 

-judged on 3 categories:appearance, ticket sales, and personality. 

To sign up please call or text Lacey Lee at 660-464-4732.

Deadline to sign up is April 29 at 6pm. There will be a mandatory informative meeting on an April 29 at 6pm. The meeting will be held at the Butler Saddle Club Arena. 

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Public Service Message regarding Hearing Aid Services

 Missouri House Passes Bill Expanding Access to Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants for Needy Individuals

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In an effort to improve healthcare accessibility for Missourians, the Missouri House of Representatives has passed HB 2626, a bill including coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants under MO HealthNet to all eligible needy persons.

 

The bill, sponsored by State Representative Cameron Parker, seeks to address the significant barriers faced by individuals with hearing loss in accessing essential treatment.

 

The Department of Social Services has identified 224,154 Missouri adults who enrolled with MO HealthNet that could be eligible for hearing aid services, with an estimated 7.1% (15,915) of those adults who could qualify for use of these services.

 

“Many people have hearing problems. They are unable to get the help because they cannot afford it. The $210 – that is a substantial amount of money if you’re on a fixed income or in that situation,” Parker, R-Campbell, said.

 

Representative Parker emphasized the importance of ensuring that all eligible individuals, regardless of their economic status, have access to vital healthcare resources.

 

"This bill is a crucial step towards ensuring that every Missourian can lead a healthy and fulfilling life,” Parker said. “By including coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants, we are removing barriers to essential healthcare services, enabling these citizens to work, and improving the quality of life for countless individuals across our state."

 

House Speaker Dean Plocher applauded the effort behind the passage of HB 2626, recognizing the profound impact it will have on the lives of Missouri residents. Speaker Plocher remarked, "Today's vote demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of all Missourians. By including coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants, we are taking a significant stride towards ensuring that healthcare is accessible for a community that has previously been overlooked."

 

The bill received overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle and is poised to make a positive difference in the lives of those who rely on hearing aids and cochlear implants for essential communication. With its passage in the House, HB 2626 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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Rich Hill fundraiser

 

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Butler: Lifeguards wanted

 The City of Butler is accepting applications for persons interested in employment at the Butler Aquatic Center, Lifeguard candidates must be at least 15 years old.

 Candidates must be or be able to become Red Cross Certified Lifeguards. Pay starts at $12.50 per hour. 

Drug screening required. Applications available at Butler City Hall. Deadline to accommodate the training schedule is April 3^rd

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Missouri State Fair Scholarship Winners

 

Missouri State Fair Announces Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Winners (SEDALIA, Mo.) – Missouri State Fair Director Jason Moore announced today that 62 youth, selected from Missouri 4-H and FFA State Fair exhibitors, will be awarded scholarships by the Missouri State Fair and the Youth in Agriculture (YIA) committee. These students are seeking higher education at a university/college of their choice and will be recognized on April 17, 2024 during the annual State FFA Convention in Columbia. Scholarship applicants were evaluated in a variety of areas including Missouri State Fair participation, grade point average, community involvement and leadership roles. Since 1992, the Youth in Agriculture committee has now awarded 878 scholarships totaling $1,069,000. The scholarships are funded through the generosity of Youth in Agriculture sponsors and buyers of the livestock sold during the annual Sale of Champions; the sponsors and buyers list is available online. A portion of each animal’s total sale value is allocated to the scholarship program. Support of the scholarship program was also provided by the Betty Jane Bell Trust, Missouri State Fair Foundation, The Climate Fieldview Corp., Hayden Freedom Foundation, Guesa Concessions and Wheeler Auctions. Grant Oaks, of Harris, has been selected to receive the $5,000 S. Wayne Yokley Platinum Scholarship sponsored by Youth in Agriculture supporters. Allison Coats, of Richmond, has been selected to receive the $3,500 Sharon Topliff Scholarship sponsored by Youth in Agriculture supporters. Shea Stille, of Bellflower, has been selected to receive the $2,500 supreme scholarship, sponsored by Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners/Sydenstricker Genetics. Larissa Larrick, of Shelbina, Gavin Rhode, of Stewartsville, Andi Belt, of Leonard, and Kaelyn Walters, of Centralia, have been selected to receive the $2,500 scholarships offered by the Missouri State Fair Foundation. Mary Beth C. Adkins, of Dover, Halle Allen, of Marceline, Dalanie Auffert, of Parnell, James Hugh Baker, of Memphis, Nicole Benne, of Warrenton, and Reed Benne, of Kingdom City, have been selected to receive the $1,500 scholarships sponsored by Betty Jane Bell Trust. The youth chosen to receive $1,500 scholarships, sponsored by Youth in Agriculture supporters, are: Corbin Blessing, Memphis Megan Bottcher, Bethany Jaden Donald Brotherton, Willow Springs Abigail Kay Burns, Gallatin Aaron R. Carter, Martinsburg Gentrie Davis, Nelson Tanner W. Dohrman, Marshall Lynn Dyer, Higginsville Chezney Early, Leeton Abigail Renee Eddy, Rocheport Karlie Ellis, Silex Keon Elias Gereon Engeman, Montrose Keith Farmer, Cowgill Ella Fischer, St. Joseph Brayden Gast, Nevada Jasmine Gates, Cairo Emily Grace Gilmer, Polo Lauren Hammett, Ashland Colin Humphreys, Fulton Cody Jedlicka, Koshkonong Chandra F. King, Taylor Shelby Lewis, Centralia Molly Malter, Marshall Maddy Lynn McDowell, Lexington Ethan Miller, Olean Nessa Diane Montgomery, Brookfield Natalie Neil, Nevada Aidan Oswald, Monroe City Carson Price, Slater Elizabeth Ravasini, Lee's Summit Annika Riekhof, Higginsville Payton Rodgers, Savannah Mikaela Rojas, New Boston Riley Rowe, New Cambria Chase Schlup, California Presley Schluss, Jonesburg Blair Schnarre, Centralia Bailey Schneider, Warrenton Emily Schreiner, Chillicothe Bailey Shields, Winfield Jordan Shields, Winfield Karli Smith, Houstonia Macy Stauffer, El Dorado Springs Lena Stricklin, Rolla Katrina Noel Thomas, Paris Maria Vedder, New Haven Clara Wallace, Vandalia Emma J. Whitlock, Milan Tysen Wilson, Anabel The Youth in Agriculture committee is comprised of volunteers from across the state who work throughout the year to raise funds for the annual Sale of Champions auction and scholarships. This year’s auction will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall on the fairgrounds. The 122nd Missouri State Fair, themed “Summer's Best Story” will be held Aug. 8-18 in Sedalia. For more information about this year's fair, visit mostatefair.com, follow the Missouri State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

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Bates County Memorial Gift Shop Easter Sale

 The Bates County Memorial Auxiliary Gift Shop's Easter Sale is going on now until March 29. The Gift Shop is offering a 25% discount off miscellaneous Easter items. The Bates County Memorial Gift Shop is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

 

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The Little Apple

 March 27, 2024

The AC area Ministerial Alliance invites you to Holy Week services.  Maundy Thursday at Rockville UMC 6:30 p.m., Pastor James Damon;  Good Friday at Trinity UMC  6:30 p.m., Pastor Aaron Johnson;  Holy Saturday at Trinity UMC  4:00 p.m., Pastor David Hill;  Easter Sunrise Services 7:00 a.m. at River of Life, Pastor John Yates and First Christian Church, Pastor Ryan Campos. Ministerial Alliance invites you to join them in services. 

 

Holy Week services at Immaculate Conception (Montrose) Catholic Church are as follows: Wednesday March 27 – St. Mary’s Living Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m., Holy Thursday –7:00 p.m., Good Friday – 3:00 p.m., Holy Saturday – 8:00 p.m., Easter Sunday – 8:00 a.m.

 

AIM Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 0 through 4^th grade will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at the Montrose Ball Park.  The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures with the kids starting at 12:45 p.m.  Bring your own basket.

 

Rustic Duck Lake Art Gallery and Restaurant’s 1^st Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be Friday, March 29 (weather permitting). Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Easter egg hunt for all ages of children starts at 6.30 p.m.  There will be prizes of golden duck eggs with monetary surprises inside. For more information call 660-424-9969.

 

The City of Appleton City is placing a Use Tax Question for online purchases on the ballot April 2.  This tax is based on online out of state purchases.  The tax you already pay for the online purchases goes to the State of Missouri.  With a Use Tax in place, the State is then directed to return what is the current city sales tax to Appleton City. The Use Tax will not increase the sales tax, affect businesses and it is not a loan or a bond. It is the money that citizens already pay, that can be utilized by Appleton City for the community.

 

Little Reading Hour happens 11:00 a.m. Mondays through May at the Trinity United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Children are invited to join them for a story and a craft. This is sponsored by Trinity Methodist Church and presented to the community by volunteers.  For more information, contact Karidi at 417-309-3076 or Lindy at 660-525-1304.

 

The Appleton City 2024-2025 Kindergarten Enrollment and Screenings will be held April 4. Call the Elementary Office, 660-476-2161, for an appointment. If your child will be 5 before August 1, now is the time to begin thinking about Kindergarten enrollment requirements. The following items are required for enrollment: immunization records, state issued birth certificate, social security card and proof of residence. Your child can receive the immunizations that are needed to attend Kindergarten anytime on or after his/her fourth birthday. You do not need to wait until age five. They encourage you to have your child fully immunized now and bring the immunization record to school on the day of Kindergarten screening.

If you have questions regarding required immunizations, please feel free to contact Nikki Piepmeier, School Nurse, at 660-476-2161, option #7.

 

The MU Extension office in St. Clair County is offering a Barn Quilt class at the library in Osceola, 115 Chestnut Street on April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Jocelyn Wheeler from Hickory County will be the instructor for the class. Participants will have the opportunity to construct either a 2’ x 2’ design for $45.00 or a 1’ x 1’ design for $25.00. The 1’ x 1’ board is intended for those who would like to hang their barn quilt indoors. It is not durable enough for outdoor hanging.  Register for the class at the Extension office located inside the west door of the courthouse, 655 Second Street, in Osceola by April 16. For more information or for ADA accommodations, please call the St. Clair County Extension office at 417-646-2419.

 

Efficient forage management and utilization is important to the profitability of a livestock operation. The best way to promote efficient forage management and utilization in a livestock operation is by incorporating management intensive grazing practices.  To educate livestock producers on these practices MU Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the MO Forage and Grasslands Council are cooperating to provide a Management Intensive Grazing School on May 7-9 at the Forest Park Building, 206 East 5^th Street, Appleton City, MO 64724.  Classes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at approximately 4:30 p.m. daily. This school is applicable and will provide education in livestock and forage management for all grazing species, though cattle will be emphasized.  Educational topics will include: The “Art and Science” of Grazing, Soils Management and Fertility, Plant Growth, Forage Quality and Persistence, Fencing and Water Systems, Matching Livestock and Forage Resources,     Meeting Nutritional Needs of Livestock from Pasture, Layout and Design of Grazing Systems, Economics of Management-intensive Grazing and     Outdoor Field Exercises and Tour of Producers’ Farms. Furthermore, this program is required to receive MO SWCD cost share funding and may help in receiving NRCS cost share funding for grazing system development. Registration and payment are required to attend this event by May 2.  Register online at https://shorturl.at/afwQX.  Cost to attend the event is $200 per person and $100 per additional person from the same farm not needing materials. Fee includes materials, lunches, and refreshments during the event. For all questions related to the event contact the St. Clair County MU Extension Center at (417) 646-2419 or Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist by email at [email protected].

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Mar 28     Golden Apples meeting 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Park Building for fried chicken and fun

Mar 29 -Apr 1    No School at Hudson R-IX or Appleton City Schools - Easter Break

Mar 29     Easter Egg Hunt at Rustic Duck 6:30 p.m.

Mar 30     AIM Easter Egg Hunt 1:00 p.m. at the Montrose Ball Park

Apr 2       General municipal election day

Apr 4       Appleton City 2024-2025 Kindergarten Enrollment and Screenings

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Fidelity Communications to Begin Accepting Applications for Charitable Giving Fund to Support Local Nonprofit Organizations

 March 26, 2024 – Phoenix – Fidelity Communications will begin accepting spring 2024 applications on April 1 for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards $250,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2024.

 

Charitable Giving Fund grants will be made available across communities served by Fidelity and the other Cable One family of brands (Sparklight, Hargray and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas:

• Education and Digital Literacy
• Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity
• Community Development

 

Last year, the company awarded grants to more than 50 nonprofits, including organizations devoted to the above priority areas as well as teen suicide prevention, homelessness resources, poverty disruption, child advocacy and more.

 

“We are honored to support nonprofit organizations helping those most in need in the communities we serve,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. “Being a strong local partner is central to our values and we are proud to help make a positive difference where we live and work.”

 

The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include:

• Supporting national organizations dedicated to advancing education and diversity, including the Emma Bowen Foundation and the National Diversity Council. 
• Supporting the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition, as well as health, arts, leadership, and advocacy programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 
• Planting trees through the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of customers who switch to paperless billing. Since 2015, the company has planted 140,000 trees in its markets and national forests within the company’s footprint.
• Supporting the mission of Keep America Beautiful in cleaning up and beautifying communities across the U.S.
• Fighting hunger in local communities through volunteerism and donations, as well as supporting organizations such as Feed My Starving Children. Since 2018, Cable One has donated more than 51 tons of food and nearly $500,000 to address food insecurity.

For more information about the Fidelity Charitable Giving Fund, visit www.fidelitycommunications.com/charitablegiving.

 

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Adrian Optimist Monday Night Bingo, April 1st

 

Don’t miss an evening of entertainment at the Adrian Optimist Club Monday Night Bingo.   The doors open at 5 pm with dinner and concessions available in the kitchen.  Feel the anticipation in the air as bingo begins at 7 with jackpots for Hotball, Blackout, and King of Diamonds.

 

Here’s this weeks jackpots for Monday night, April 1^st.

Hotball: $1,100

Blackout: $1,350

King of Diamonds is at $8,882 with the winner taking $4,441.

Grab some friends and head to Adrian for Monday Night Bingo at the Adrian Optimist Club.

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Duane L. Craig, age 85 of Butler

 Funeral services for Duane L. Craig of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri ( 660-679-6555). Visitation from 1 - 2 p.m. Saturday at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial with Military Honors in Johnstown Cemetery in Johnstown, Missouri. Contributions to Missouri Western Antique Tractor and Machinery Association or Johnstown Cemetery.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com

Duane L. Craig, age 85 of Butler , Missouri died Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was born September 10, 1938 to J.B. and Nellie (Cline) Craig in Butler, Missouri.

Duane is survived by two daughters, Stephanie Whitehead and husband Mike of Carthage, Missouri and Kimberly Otter and Nick Daugherty of Butler, Missouri; two granddaughters, Alexandra Otter and Adrianne Whitehead; a great-granddaughter, Icelyn; a brother, Eldon Craig and wife Lynn of Shell City, Missouri; and a special friend, Ute´ Randolph of Grandview, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan Craig on June 3, 2017; and a son-in-law, Tom Bull.

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Iziah Micheal Lewis, age 20 of Milo

 Visitation for Iziah Lewis of Milo, Missouri will be 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  No services.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Iziah Micheal Lewis, age 20 of Milo, Missouri died Friday, March 22, 2024.  He was born February 4, 2004 to Joshua Bradley Lewis and Jessica Lynn Cooper in Overland Park, Kansas.

Iziah is survived by his mother, Jessica Cooper and fiancé Tony Hughes of Milo, Missouri; his father, Josh Lewis of Kingston, Michigan; a nephew, Paxton Roberts of Michigan; a sister, Ivy Lewis of Belton, Missouri; a brother, Josh Janiszewski and wife Freedom of Milo, Missouri; and maternal grandparents, Harry and Debbie Swanson of Butler, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Vic and Lori Hergenreder. 

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Sonny Daniel Lewis, age 18 of Milo

 Visitation for Sonny Lewis of Milo, Missouri will be 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  No services.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Sonny Daniel Lewis, age 18 of Milo, Missouri died Friday, March 22, 2024.  He was born December 29, 2005 to Joshua Bradley Lewis and Jessica Lynn Cooper in Fort Huron, Michigan.

Sonny is survived by his mother, Jessica Cooper and fiancé Tony Hughes of Milo, Missouri; his father, Josh Lewis of Kingston, Michigan; a son, Paxton Roberts of Michigan; a sister, Ivy Lewis of Belton, Missouri; a brother, Josh Janiszewski and wife Freedom of Milo, Missouri; and maternal grandparents, Harry and Debbie Swanson of Butler, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Vic and Lori Hergenreder and his fiancé, Melodie Roberts.

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Billy Joe Cumpton, 67 of Adrian

Billy Joe Cumpton, 67 of Adrian, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024 at his home in Adrian.  A Celebration of Life service will be held 5:00 pm Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Adrian Optimist Building in Adrian, Missouri.  Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009).  Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Optimist Club or the Altona Baptist Church.  Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

A complete obituary is pending at this time.

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Structure Fire In Rich Hill

Rich Hill Missouri Fire Department

At 2:30 am the Rich Hill Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on PP hwy.  4 firefighters and 2 trucks responded.  Crews arrived on scene at 2:36 am. The Rich Hill FireDepartment requested tankers and man power from Butler Fire, Compton Junction Fire Department, Hume Fire, and Foster Fire.  

No one was injured the home is a total loss.

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Care Connection Need Executive Board Members

 Care Connection for Aging Services is seeking residents to file as candidates for its Executive Board of Directors.

Board seats will be open for elections in these counties:  Benton, Chariton, Henry, Johnson, Pettis, Saline, and Vernon.

Members of the Executive Board are volunteers who are responsible for determining agency policies in the following areas:  human resources, planning, finance, community relations and organizational operations.

To file for election in Benton, Chariton, Henry, Johnson, Saline, Pettis, and Vernon County, call 1-800-748-7826 or visit your local senior center and ask for the center coordinator.

The candidate must agree in writing to abide by a code of ethics and file a statement of intent. The statement must be signed and mailed to Care Connection for Aging Services, P.O. Box 1078, Warrensburg, MO 64093, and postmarked by April 1, 2024. Elections occur in May.

If you would like to learn more about the board position, call 1-800-748-7826, and speak with Executive Director Wendy Martin.

Care Connection is a nonprofit area agency on aging serving people 60 and older and their caregivers in 13 West Central Missouri counties: Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Saline, St. Clair, and Vernon.

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Tracy Lawrence at Missouri State Fair 2024

 The Missouri State Fair today announced the fifth concert of the 2024 State Fair concert series.

Country music artists Tracy Lawrence with Ruby Leigh will perform on Tuesday, Aug. 13 as part of the State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance, concert series at the 2024 Missouri State Fair.

With 13M albums sold and 18 No.1 singles, Tracy Lawrence has solidified his status as a cornerstone of Country music for more than thirty years. Yet even as he continues to release music and tour, the CMA and ACM award winner’s ambitions have also extended to numerous media and charity projects. In recent years, Lawrence has hosted the radio show “Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence,” which
currently airs in more than 170 markets. His interest in working with younger artists and being able to explore different topics led to the “TL’s Road House” podcast, which has featured such guests as HARDY, Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson.

Over three decades into his decorated career, Lawrence’s legacy continues to evolve. With plans to join Riley Green’s Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tour this spring, and his first-ever headlining show at the Ryman, he is poised for a monumental year ahead. After revisiting his catalog with the Hindsight 2020 Vol 1, 2 and 3 and Live at Billy Bob’s Texas albums, Lawrence is gearing up to release his Out Here In It EP, set to arrive on June 7. Meanwhile, Lawrence continues to uphold his commitment to helping those in need across Middle Tennessee and beyond with his Mission:Possible non-profit committed to serving the homeless. Since its humble beginnings cooking Thanksgiving dinners for the Nashville Rescue Mission to frying over 84,000 turkeys to date, the organization has raised more than $1M for those in need In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, Lawrence was honored with the 2023 CRS Humanitarian Award.

Ruby Leigh is a 16-year-old self-taught singer from Foley, Missouri, a small 68-person town.

Despite coming from a non-musical family, Ruby Leigh found her voice at nine-and-a-half-years-old and knew she had a gift from God, She knew her life’s journey would be in the music industry! She started her career at an open competition karaoke contest at nine-and-a-half-years-old and sang a capella against the all-adult field ending up in 3rd place! After that day she went on a streak winning everything she entered – local, regional, national and even international competitions. Recently she made it through the long audition process to have a chance for a blind audition for NBC’s “The Voice” where she quickly turned all four chairs and continued undefeated until the final round where she came up less than one percent short of the title! Ruby Leigh is the only artist to go viral on the show and she did that twice. Her audition is the highest viewed in the show’s history! Not too bad for a self-taught Missouri Girl!

Tickets to this show are $40 and $35 and will go on sale to the public starting at 9 a.m., May 21 through Etix. More information about State Fair concerts can be found on the Fair’s website.

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Butler Easter Egg Hunt March 30th at Medicalodges

 Medicalodges Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, MARCH 30^TH .The Community is invited. Age categories Birth to 3, 4-6 and 7-10. Children will go at separate times so parents can be with each child. Enjoy Cotton Candy, prizes, pictures with the Easter Bunny and more! Saturday March 30^th  at 1:00 pm.      

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