Candlelight Vigil Held for Missing Girl

GOLDEN CITY, MO - Community members held a vigil Tuesday night in the park where Adriaunna Horton was last seen. Dozens of people came out to show their love and support for Adriaunna and her family. Those who attended were visibly upset about the events.

We spoke with friends and family at the ceremony held early this evening in the park where the little girl was last seen. Everyone is telling us they are still hopeful, but the morale is starting to dwindle with each hour that passes without finding Adriaunna.

"People you've never seen before in your life. You see a trailer load full of four-wheelers from a neighboring business, things like that. People on horseback, they just keep coming in. For such a sad time, it's a great thing. It's just wonderful," said Linda Brunner, Adriaunna's Great Aunt.

"This little girl is part of our family. We're family in this community and we watch out for our own and we want to bring her home," said Dixie Taylor, Golden City Resident.

"I love her with all my heart and I hope she's up in heaven with my grandpa. At least she won't be hurting," said Larry Horton, Uncle and Godfather.

Adriaunna's uncle says he is still hopeful she is alive, but he is fearing the worst. Volunteers have been told to get some rest tonight and pick backup in the morning. Law enforcement are still questioning Bourne and continuing to knock on doors this evening following any leads. If anyone has any information in the case, they are asked to contact the Barton County sheriff.


(story contributed by KODE, Joplin, Mo)

Man is Charged with Kidnapping Missing 12-year-old Girl

GOLDEN CITY, MO - Late Tuesday afternoon, a man was charged with kidnapping a 12-year-old girl on Monday. Bobby D. Bourne Jr., 34, was charged after being held in the Barton County jail for 24 hours. He now has a $1 million bond.

An intense search for the missing 12-year-old girl continued on Tuesday. Fourteen law enforcement and public service departments looked for Adrianna Horton, who got in a vehicle at a park in Golden City late Monday afternoon. She was playing there with friends after completing the first day of a new school year.

“I'm just lost. You always want your baby to be in your arms, to know she's safe and at home and not lost and cold,” said Adrianna’s mother, Wendi Jackson of Overland Park, Kan., as she fought back tears.

Jackson says words can't describe the emotions that she's felt since Adrianna disappeared and she rushed to Golden City.

“Yesterday, my little girl was over here. She just got home from school. She went to Hazel's Park here in Golden City, she was playing with her sisters and two friends and a guy pulled up and coaxed my daughter over to the vehicle and abducted her,” said Adrianna’s dad, James Horton of Golden City.

Horton says Bourne once worked for him.

“His kids and my kids played together, they were all friends and everything. This is just a sick individual who needs dealt with swiftly and very sternly,” he said.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, Horton called police to report his child was missing, after the group of friends with whom she was playing at the park told him what they saw.

“Based on the information that was given by a witness at the scene, the driver in that vehicle was stopped a little after 6:30 yesterday evening. That driver and vehicle are being detained,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Mike Watson.

Adrianna wasn’t with that driver. More than 14 law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad, began an extensive search effort for the missing girl.

“There are different areas around the city and then pressing a little farther outside of town that the searchers and law enforcement will be at,” said Watson.

Officers declined to comment on where specifically they've searched, if they are looking at any other people of interest, or if they have come across any clothing or belongings of Adrianna.

“Leads are coming in all the time and, as the investigators are coming back, they are providing more information, and then sending those investigators back out to talk to different people,” said Watson.

In this small town of fewer than 800 people, the Horton family asks that no stone be left unturned when it comes to locating their daughter.

“Any help, any volunteers and anybody that wants to help and has a flashlight and good feet,” said Horton.

The family said Tuesday morning that the sheriff asked the family not to participate in the search. Others are welcome, however.

“The more eyes the better. It may be the difference between finding that key piece of evidence that you may miss because you don't have enough people,” said Watson.

Farm Business Plans Improve Efficiency and Profitability

EDINA, MO – Like any other business, a farm is more likely to succeed with a written business plan.

“A business plan can serve as a road map for your business,” says Karisha Devlin, a University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist in Knox County.

“You are defining what your goals and objectives are,” Devlin says. “You are saying who, what, when and where as far as what you produce, how you are going to market it, and the financing behind your business.”

A written business plan is often a requirement when seeking financing to start a new business or expand an existing one, but a plan is a good idea even if you’re not looking to borrow money.

“You are not setting the next generation up to be successful if you are keeping everything to yourself,” Devlin says. “Putting everything down on paper, not only for yourself but for others in your operation, helps everyone feel like a team and understand the direction that the operation is going. It really does lead to improved efficiency and improved profitability.”

Devlin says experienced producers can use business plans to make better-informed decisions, whether it be exploring market options, mapping out a transition on the farm, adding more family members or preparing to sell or transfer the business.

Developing a business plan might sound daunting if you’ve never done one, but don’t get overwhelmed. A business plan, Devlin says, is just telling your story: What you want to do, what you presently do, and who’s involved in it.

Local MU Extension business specialists can help with information and resources for putting together a business plan. Devlin also suggests a free online program called Ag Plan, at www.agplan.umn.edu, that provides a template that helps develop a plan.
Finally, once you develop your plan, you should use it.

“Don’t just stick it on a shelf and forget about it,” Devlin says. “Also remember to go through and revise it. Any time there are circumstances that change in your farming operation it’s good to go back and review it and make sure it accurately reflects where you are.”
Additional information on business plans is available from MU Extension.
(courtesy MU Extension)

CDC: Poultry Sold in New Mexico Linked to 37-State Salmonella Outbreak

NEW MEXICO - A New Mexico hatchery may be behind a salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 300 people in 37 states, health officials said Monday.

The New Mexico Department of Health said in an Aug. 19 statement that the strain of salmonella was found in a duck pen at Privett Hatchery in Portales.

As of Monday, 316 people have been infected, including who have been hospitalized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. No deaths have been reported.

Privett Hatchery supplies baby chicks, ducklings and other live baby poultry to feed stores and mail order customers throughout the country. A total of 113 feed store locations and 18 mail-order hatcheries associated with the outbreak have been identified, according to the CDC.

"The Department wants to remind parents not to keep live baby poultry in their homes," Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward said in a press release. "Any time anyone handles baby ducklings or chicks, they need to wash their hands thoroughly to reduce the risk of contracting salmonella."

The most cases have been reported in Colorado (37 infected), followed by Texas (32) Washington, and New Mexico (tied at 19 cases).

Ninety-seven percent of those sickened reported purchasing live poultry, and 81 percent had contact with a bird within a week of getting sick. Illnesses in outbreaks like these take about two to three weeks to be reported, according to the CDC, so some that occurred after July 22 may still not be accounted for.

Salmonella is bacteria that causes an infection, called salmonellosis, that typically lasts for about a week, bringing symptoms like diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within 72 hours of exposure. Most people will recover without treatment, but some -- including the elderly, young children and individuals with weakened immune systems -- may develop more serious illness if the infection spreads from the gut to the bloodstream.

About 60 percent of those sickened in the current outbreak are aged 10 and younger.

The health department says a salmonella infection could occur when parents keep the baby poultry inside the house and allow their small children to handle or snuggle them. If parents handled the birds outside, they may also carry the infection if they don't wash their hands properly, and indirectly give the bacteria to their kids.

"Salmonella can be present in the droppings of chicks and other baby birds, even though the animals themselves usually won't show signs of illness," Dr. Paul Ettestad, New Mexico's public health veterinarian, added in the press release. "This makes it easy for people to let their guard down, and that's when they run the risk of getting salmonella."

Sky-Scan Evening Forecast

Currently we have a few clouds with a temperature of 86, Humidity at 52% and wind speeds SW at 7mph.

Other current readings:
Barometer30.08 in
Dewpoint66°F (19°C)
VisibilityNA
Heat Index88°F (31°C)
Last Update on 20 Aug 1:55 pm CDT

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 6 mph.

Tomorrow - Sunny, with a high near 89. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Bates County Sheriff Department Helping In Search For Missing Golden City Girl

BATES COUNTY, MO - Several Bates County Sheriff Deputies have been in Golden City Missouri since the Southwest Major Case Squad was activated late yesterday. BCSO search equipment was also sent to assist.

Those deputies have been rotated out and returned to Bates County to get sleep. They will be ready in a few short hours to return to Golden City to assist in the efforts to bring this missing child home.

We ask for your prayers for the family and the Golden City community along with the hundreds of Law Enforcememt Officials that are in a joint effort to resolve this case.



MISSING: An endangered person advisory has been issued for Adrianna Horton, 12, from southwest Mo.

She was seen getting into a car in Golden City around 5 p.m. Monday. The car was stopped about 6:30 p.m. and a suspect was taken into custody, but the girl was not with him.

If you have information please contact your local authorites.





(courtesy Bates County Live)

Stolen Truck Out Of Nevada Missouri

NEVADA, MO - A 1998 silver over black Chevrolet Club Cab Z71 truck was stolen. The truck has new tires and chrome Denali wheels.

The truck was locked with NO KEYS inside of it and was stolen from Nevada Missouri after 2230 last night.

A possible tag on this truck is Missouri tag 0WF417, Expiring in 2013.

If you have information, you are urged to contact the Nevada Police Dept. at 417-448-2720

(courtesy Bates County Live)

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

Nissen Honored at Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame

Columbia, MO - Making the best better for generations of Missouri 4-H’ers, Ron Nissen of Bates County joined the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame, held August 17 at State Fair Community College.

According to 4-H Youth Specialist Alan J. Mundey, Ron Nissen has been an active 4-H volunteer for more than 25 years, from the time his oldest son joined 4-H until now, when his son has children of his own. Ron has served his 4-H club as a project leader, and his community as a Bates County Fair Board member.

Ron’s tireless efforts to organize and build the Cured Meats project helped many children across the county to become interested in this ancient craft. Ron is the epitome of the excellent volunteer---dedicated, kind, interested in the welfare of children, and willing to serve in any capacity.

The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes individuals who have created a legacy of service to 4-H by honoring them with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame.

“These leaders have made exceptional contributions to the lives of Missouri 4-H members,” said Missouri 4-H Foundation Executive Director Cheryl Reams.

Hall of Fame inductees from 40 counties established a legacy totaling 1,465 years of service to 4‑H. Family members and friends attended the seventh annual event.

Celebrating more than 60 years of service to 4-H youth, the Missouri 4-H Foundation was established to secure and manage funds for the state Missouri 4-H youth development program.

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.