MO Statewide Tornado Drill and Severe Weather Awareness Week

JEFFERSON CITY – The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri's local emergency management offices urge Missourians to use Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 3-7, to plan and prepare for how they will react to tornadoes, flash flooding and other severe weather. Missouri will conduct the 40^th annual Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m. If severe weather is in the forecast on March 4, the drill will be moved to Thursday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m.

On March 4, Missouri outdoor warning sirens and weather alert radios will sound, indicating that Missourians should seek shelter during the statewide tornado drill. The safest shelter location is the basement or an interior room in the lowest level of a building. The drill is complete once everyone is accounted for in the designated shelters.

Remember:

· Tornado watch means watch the sky. A tornado may form during a thunderstorm.

· Tornado warning means seek shelter immediately.

· An interior room without windows on the lowest floor is the safest shelter location.

· Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse.

· Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building.

· Overpasses are not safe. An overpass' under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect.

· If you are driving, you should stop and take shelter in a nearby building.

· If you are driving in a rural area, drive away from the tornado to the closest building. If you cannot get away, seek shelter in a roadside ditch. Protect yourself from flying debris by covering your head with your arms, a coat or a blanket. Be prepared to move quickly in case the ditch fills with water

· Never drive into standing water. It can take less than six inches of fast moving water to make a slow moving car float. Once floating, a vehicle can overturn and sink.

Show ‘n Tell Program at the Bates County Museum

BUTER, Mo - The Bates County Museum’s annual Show ‘n Tell Program will be held on Saturday, February 1^st which gives everyone an opportunity to bring items they want to show and tell about. All the excitement begins at 10am and is held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting and Election of Directors.

Bates County Historical Society members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting and exercise their right to vote. A donation lunch will be served following the meeting. The 2013 Board of Directors were: Donna Gregory, President; Jim Fisher, Vice-President; Alan Mundey, Treasurer; Joyce Grainger, Secretary.  Other board members include Doug West, Stan Sechrest, Jim Bartlett, Jim Ray and Kevin Hines.

Make your plans now to attend the Show ‘n Tell Program and the Annual Bates County Historical Society annual meeting.

Adrian court warming royalty crowned

ADRIAN, Mo - Adrian crowned a new Courtwarming King and Queen on Friday, January 10th. Senior Makyna Six was crowned queen and Junior Chris Comer was crowned Courtwarming King.

Congratulations to the winners.

Missouri bill would broaden life vest rules for kids

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — More Missouri children would be required to wear life vests while boating and swimming under proposed legislation.

Missouri law now requires children younger than 7 to wear a life vest while they're aboard any watercraft.

The legislation would apply the rule to children younger than 8, and require them to wear life vests when they're swimming in more than 3 feet of water without a lifeguard present.

People who allow young children to boat or swim without life vests could be charged with a misdemeanor.

Missouri lawmakers open their annual session Wednesday.

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Life vests is HB1186

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov

Upcoming Events to add to your Calendar

School starts in Appleton City Schools August 21st

Appleton City Athletic Boosters Inc. Meet and Greet 4:00pm behind the high school on August 21st

Ellett Memorial Hospital Auxiliary meeting 2:30pm in the dining room on August 22nd

Appleton City Museum and History Center, 503 N. Maple, open 1:30pm to 4:30pm on August 23rd

Fit and Fun Block Party at Ellett Memorial Hospital 9:00am till 1:00pm on August 24th

State Climatologist Calls our Summer “Interesting”

MISSOURINET - Climatologist Pat Guinan (guh-NAN) says it’s been a summer of extremes. Typically, he says, north Missouri receives as much as three inches of rainfall in July and August.

But it has received almost none while southern parts of the state have gotten three to six inches of rain and in some places as much as twenty inches.

He calls it “incredible precipitation disparity”

“It’s incredible to think that in a two-hour drive to the north from southern Missouri to northern Missouri we go from extreme wetness, historic flooding, to a drought across northern Missouri,” he says.

The reason for all of this is the kind of stuff television weather people like to show you on a map and wave their arms about when they explain it. But basically, Missouri has been the meat in a weather sandwich.

We’ve been caught between a low-pressure area in northwestern Canada at the same time there has been a strong ridge of high pressure across the southwest. Our interview with Guinan, posted below, contains much richer detail.

He says crops in north Missouri’s prime growing areas are showing stress from the drought, with high temperatures moving in. And Guinan says there is no immediate rain relief in sight.

The National Climate Prediction Center forecasts some rain later in September but Guinan says that might be too late to do much good.

Butler Bears Work Day, August 24th

BUTLER, MO - The success of any community project is the volunteers that step forward to help. With this being said the Butler Bear Backers need volunteers to join them for a work day at the new Butler Athletic Complex.

The complex will make its opening debut on September 6th at the first home game, as the Butler Bears take on the Sherwood Marksman at 7 pm.

On Saturday August 24th volunteers will band together to help with last minute details to put the final touches on the field before the first game of the season.

If you would like to help … the work day will be Saturday August 24th at 2 pm at the new Butler Athletic Complex on Nursery Street. Hot Dogs and Burgers will be served on site for the volunteers.

Any and all help will be appreciated.

Lions Club: Butler Memories DVDs Still Being Sold

BUTLER, MO - REMINDER: the Butler Lions Club is still selling the remake of the 1939 DVD of Butler Memories.

Each DVD sells for 1 for $20.00 or 2 copies for $30.00.

The Butler Memories DVD is still available at the following locations, Community First Bank in Butler, The Computer Aisle at Corner Hardware, Adrian Bank or from any Lions Club Member.

Enrollment Period for 4-H Youth Program Underway

BUTLER, MO – Open enrollment for 4-H clubs in west central Missouri is underway now and runs to November 1, 2013.

As the largest out-of-school youth organization in the world, 4-H is open to all boys and girls, ages 5 to18. Children who are five to seven years old (as of Jan.1, 2014) are eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an introductory program.

Youths who are 8 to 18 years of age (as of Jan.1, 2014) can select from a variety of 4-H projects and activities that stress social and life skills in areas such as decision making, communication, social interaction, civic responsibility and physical skills.

“You do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H,” said Alan J. Mundey, 4-H Youth Development Specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Project opportunities include computers, robotics, foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and much more.”

Missouri 4-H is University of Missouri Extension's youth development program. The program is designed to help create opportunities for young people to be valued, contributing members of their community.

To learn more about 4-H and how to get involved locally go online Click Hereor visit the nearest University of Missouri Extension Center.

For information on enrolling with an existing club, becoming a volunteer or starting a new 4-H club in Bates County, contact Alan J. Mundey, 4-H Youth Specialist, phone: 660-679-4167, email: mundeya@missouri.edu

Sales Tax Free Weekend Starts Today

This weekend is the time to buy school supplies even if you haven’t gone to school for decades. The tenth annual school supplies sales tax holiday starts Friday and goes through Sunday. The state sales tax will not be charged on specific purchases. Although the state sales tax won’t be charged, more than 200 cities and counties will continue to collect their local sales taxes.

But Revenue department spokesman Michelle Gleba says some school supplies are not included—no refrigerator for the college dorm room, for example. “But if you wait until Spring and take advantage of our Green Sales Tax holiday, that might be a good time to do that,” she says.

A comprehensive list of what is eligible for the sales tax exemption is on the revenue department’s web page. And here’s a list of the places where local sales taxes will still be collected, although the state sales tax won’t be.


160 COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT TAKING PART IN THE HOLIDAY:

Alton, Ash Grove, Ashland, Battlefield, Bellerive Acres, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Black Jack, Blackwater, Bland, Bloomfield, Bolivar, Boonville, Branson, Brentwood. Bridgeton, Byrnes Mill, Cabool , California, Camdenton, Canton, Carl Junction, Carthage, Cassville, Centertown, Chamois, Charlack, Chillicothe, Claycomo, Clayton, Collins, Columbia, Cool Valley, Crystal City, Des Peres, Desloge, DeSoto, Doniphan, Edmundson, Eldon, Eldorado Springs, Ellisville, Ellsinore, Elsberry, Everton, Fair Grove, Farmington, Fayette, Fenton, Ferguson, Festus, Flint Hill, Freeman, Fremont Hills, Frontenac, Fulton, Garden City, Gerald, Glasgow, Granby, Grandin, Grant City, Green City, Greendale, Halfway, Hartville, Hawk Point, Hayti, Higginsville, Hollister, Holts Summit, Houston, Ironton, Jane, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kennett, Kingdom City, Kirkwood, Koshkonong, Ladue, Laurie, Leadington, Liberal, Licking, Loma Linda, Malden, Manchester, Maplewood, Marble Hill, Marceline, Marlborough Village, Marshfield, Marthasville, Merriam Woods Village, Meta, Moberly, Montgomery City, Moscow Mills, Mount Vernon, Mountain Grove, Naylor, Neosho , New Haven, New Madrid, New Melle, Nixa, Noel, Norborne, North Kansas City, Northwoods, Oakland, Osage Beach, Overland , Owensville, Ozark, Palmyra, Paris, Pattonsburg, Peculiar, Pevely, Platte Woods, Poplar Bluff, Purdy, Qulin, Reeds Spring, Richmond Heights, Riverside, Rock Hill, Rockaway Beach, Savannah, Sedalia, Seligman, Shelbina, Shrewsbury, Skidmore, Smithton, Smithville, Springfield, St Ann, St Elizabeth, St Mary, St Peters, Ste Genevieve, Stockton, Sugar Creek, Taos, Thayer, Town & Country, Trenton, Twin Oaks, University City, Urich, Vandalia, Velda, Walnut Grove, Warson Woods, Washburn, Waynesville, Webster Groves, West Plains, Willard, & Willow Springs


FORTY-NINE COUNTIES HAVE OPTED OUT OF THE HOLIDAY:

Audrain, Barry, Benton, Bollinger, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Christian, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Grundy, Henry, Howard, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Lawrence, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ray, Reynolds, Saline, Shelby, St. Francois, Ste Genevieve, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, & Wright.

July 31, 2013 By Bob Priddy - MissouriNet

Butler R-V Back to School Information

BUTLER, MO - According to the Butler R-V School District regarding back-to-school information students’ class schedules will be available, but there are designated times for students of each grade to pick up their schedules.

Butler High School Juniors and Seniors will pick up their schedules on Friday August 2.

Juniors will pick up their schedules and the locker assignments at 1PM to 3PM,

Seniors at 8:30AM to 11:30AM. Juniors will pick up their schedules at the Butler High School Principal’s Office and Seniors at the Butler High School Counselor’s Office.

Seniors will also complete a survey and briefly meet with the High School Counselor regarding graduation status and post-secondary plans.

Butler High School Freshman and Sophomores will pick up their schedules and locker assignments on Monday August 5th.

Freshman can pick theirs up from 1PM to 3PM and Sophomores from 8:30AM to 11:30AM.

Both Freshman and Sophomores will pick up their schedules at the Butler High School Principal’s Office.

Butler High School Eighth Graders will pick up their schedules and locker assignments on Thursday August 8 at 8:30AM to 11:30AM. They can pick up their schedules and locker assignments at the Butler High School Principal’s Office.

All students that have scheduling conflicts or those who wish to change their schedules should report to the Butler Counselor’s Office immediately after picking up their schedules.

Butler Bears & Bear Backers Gearing up for First Game of Season

BUTLER, MO - First game will be August 30th in Adrian, first home game will be Septmember 6th in Butler.

The Butler Bears and the Butler Bear Backers are gearing up for the first home game of the 2013 season at the new Butler Bears Stadium.

The Butler Bear Backers will host an exciting pre-game opening prior to the first game on Friday night September 6th.

The Bear Backers will also have new 2013 Bear merchandise available.

For more information Click Here

Belton Educational Foundation Hosts Gala

BELTON, MO - In Belton news, The Belton Education Foundation will host its fourth annual Back-To-School Gala on August 1st.

The gala will be held at the Loch Lloyd Community Club. This event is for those in the community to help raise funds to support the education of the Belton School District through the

For more information about The Belton Education Foundations Back-To-School Gala or to purchase tickets visit Click Here

Bates County 4-H Scores Big at Ozark Empire Fair

Springfield, MO - According to Alan J. Mundey, 4-H Youth Specialist, Bates County 4-H’ers once again displayed first-rate exhibits at the Ozark Empire Fair, held July 25 through August 3, in Springfield.

A total of 90 exhibits were taken to the fair. The local 4-H’ers brought home 6 Grand Champion ribbons and 12 Reserve Champion ribbons. In addition, Bates County 4-H’ers were awarded 72 blue ribbons and 17 red ribbons.

The Grand Champion recipients are as follows: Erin Armentrout for zucchinis, Bethanie Cole for a cathedral window quilt, Alex Jenkins for a boot planter and a deer antler knife, Alexis O’Farrell for a sundress and purse, and Triston Trumbore for a shooting sports bag.

Reserve Champions include Shelby Bartz for a roadtrip gift basket and for a pig board, Haley Bolling for her Haley and Rusty Shadow Box, Morgan Bradley for a matching game, Gabrielle Cole for a scarf, Luke Crawford for corn, Allison Jenkins for her owl cake, Isaac Kagarice for his rabbit nesting box, Emma McIntire for a vest, Jack Rotert for a bee house, McKenzie Self for tile stone, and Dakota Steinhoff for a rabbit cage.

Missouri History in Song at the MO State Museum

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Columbia singer-songwriter Paul Fotsch is scheduled to appear as the third storyteller in Missouri State Museum’s summer series, “Telling Missouri’s Stories,” sponsored by Missouri State Parks.

Fotsch will perform “Missouri History in Song” at 7PM on Wednesday August 7.
Fotsch sings and plays original folk music on several instruments including fiddle, guitar, mandolin and harmonica. His songs tell stories about Missouri’s past and include topics ranging from the state’s rivers and steamboats to the Civil War to Jesse James.

The series is part of the ongoing “Museum after Hours” events when the Museum stays open until 9PM on the first Wednesday of the month. Evening entry to the museum will be through the carriage entrance on the south side of the building underneath the grand staircase.

The Missouri State Museum, which is part of the Missouri State Park system, is located on the first floor of the Missouri State Capitol.

For more information, contact the museum at 573-751-2854 or visit mostateparks.com.

Stuff the Bus

What a great event starting at Walmart in Butler- STUFF THE BUS!

You can purchase extra school supplies and leave them in the designated totes by the cash registers. These items will be stuffed into a bus out front, then later disbursed throughout all schools in Bates County by West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, including the Butler Elementary School.

They will be accepting donations between the dates of August 1st thru the 8th.

This is a great event to help the children of Bates County, please everyone come out and help us "Stuff The Bus"

You can join on Facebook by Clicking Here

Missouri Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Missouri's Tax Free Weekend for back-to-school supplies and clothing runs from August 2-4, 2013 and applies to the following items:

Clothing under $100
School supplies under $50
Computer software under $350
Computers/computer equipment under $3,500

Also remember most schools will have a School Supply List located in Walmart.