Fundraiser for Former Butler Resident Brandi Ortega Lopez, formerly Brandi DuCharme

 In today’s local  news Dominick Smith the owner of Electric City Tattoo and Body Art in Butler is reaching out to the community of Butler to help endorse the following fundraiser for a former Butler resident in need. We thank Electric City Ink for promoting this endeavor.

Brandi Ortega Lopez, formerly Brandi DuCharme, grew up in Butler, Missouri, where she attended school, played volleyball, and even served as Boomer the Bear, the school mascot! She made many friends throughout the community and may be remembered by former classmates, coworkers, and neighbors.

During her years in Butler, Brandi worked at several local businesses, including Sonic, Pizza Hut, and Medical Lodge. She also spent time picking tomatoes for a local farmer along Highway 71.

Brandi's life took a difficult turn in ninth grade when her father was involved in a serious car accident that left him in a coma for three months. She made the decision to leave school to help care for him, eventually helping him rebuild his strength and learn to walk again.

After marrying and moving away from Butler, Brandi continued working hard, holding a job at a Kansas trash company and working as a machinist at Grahamview and as a material handler. She later attended college to study personal training.

Despite never completing high school, Brandi went on to establish Marry Pottin's Supply LLC, dedicating herself to helping people dealing with pain, depression, cancer, and other challenges through cannabis education and CBD/THC products.

Her passion for agriculture and helping others led Brandi to become a pioneer in Missouri's hemp industry. She reports being the first person in Missouri to establish an indoor hemp-growing operation, as well as the state's first female hemp farmer. Her involvement in the hemp industry opened the door to further opportunities, including serving as a Missouri chapter leader for the National Women in Agriculture Association. She has also participated in podcasts with the USDA and founded a children's gardening club in Archie, Missouri, called Marry Pottin's Misfits, sharing her love of gardening and agriculture with the next generation.

Brandi a former Butler Resident is also the proud mother of two children, Hannah, 22, and Dayne, 18.

Today, Brandi is battling Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. On November 7, 2026, friends and supporters are hosting Rockin' for Brandi: A Community Rockabilly Dinner & Dance Fundraiser in Raymore, Missouri, to help with the costs of the treatment options she is pursuing. This event will be held at The Raymore Hall at 19100 South State Route J in Raymore.

Those hosting the fundraiser is  hoping to reconnect with anyone in the Butler community who remembers Brandi DuCharme — whether from school, volleyball, her days as Boomer the Bear, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Medical Lodge, working along Highway 71, or simply growing up together.

If you remember Brandi, they would  love for you to reconnect and help spread the word!

Thank you Dominick Smith at Electric City Ink for supporting the advertising and local news releases on behalf of Brandi . look for a Tattoo donation on the auction block during the dinner and dance.

For Event Tickets search:  https://www.tickettailor.com/events/rockinforbrandi/2417703

To place Donations see :  http://spot.fund/63dq5nvsc

These links may be found on the 921news now Facebook page.

 

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BCMH Christmas Tree Ornaments

 Bates County COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION IS NOW ACCEPTING ORDERS FOR MEMORY TREE ORNAMENTS

 

The Bates County Community Health Foundation (BCCHF) is pleased to announce that orders are being accepted for our annual Memory Tree Ornaments now through Dec. 4, 2026.

 

The Memory Tree provides a special way to honor or remember loved ones during the Christmas season while supporting a meaningful cause in our community. All proceeds will support the BCCHF Scholarship Program. These scholarships, which BCCHF has been providing since 2007, are awarded to individuals who are pursuing a career in healthcare, and plan to return and serve the healthcare needs of Bates County residents. Your support helps cultivate the next generation of healthcare professionals and strengthens the future of healthcare in our community.

 

Personalized ornaments may be purchased with a donation of $15 for one ornament or $25 for two.  Due to space limitations, only one name may be included on each ornament.

 

Donations may be made by check (BCCHF, PO Box 370, Butler, MO 64730) or through the Venmo app (@BatesCoCHF). Simply submit your Name, Address, Phone and the Name of your loved one with your payment.

 

Thank you for supporting the Bates County Community Health Foundation and helping invest in the future of healthcare in Bates County. Your generosity makes a lasting difference 

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Papinville Picnic Follow up

 A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT THE PAPINVILLE PICNIC

It was a great day at the Papinville picnic.

There was a lot of good food, great auctions, games, contests, wagon rides, music and the children enjoying the big inflatable slide.

The association put on a great event and they all worked hard to make the event successful. The following people helped to make this years event the biggest one yet. Angela Stangel, Alisa Swarnes, Trent and Janet Nelson, Lori Stewart and Kevin Colborn, John and Phyllis Stewart, Elvin and Brenda Henley, Bob and Lorrie Swarnes, Roc and Zack Marquardt, Dave and April Stewart, John and Connie Coffman, Jeff Watts, Beverly Sullins, Kathy Heuser, Arthur Stewart, Carrie Klinksick, Jeff Miller ( for the wagon rides), music entertainment by Kent Paige, face painting by Meghann  Case and for all the helpers who helped with games and serving food. A thank you to the pie contest judges Sandy Hendren, Barrett Case and Kim Jacobs and to   Tom Altinburg for the Papinville Bridge painting that was auctioned. Roc Marquardt was the high bidder. Thanks goes to Phyllis Stewart for the quilt (Winner Christy Jones) and for the history stories in Mid America and Butler Radio Station. Papinville  thank the business people and individuals that donated items for the silent auction and live auction. There were 130 items  in the silent auction to bid on. Thanks to the bakers who baked pies for the pie auction, cakes for the cake walk and dinner table. We appreciated the donations you gave for the dinner.

If you enjoyed the Papinville Picnic tell someone from the organization. We hope you will come back next year. The following are the results from the contests:

Coloring contest; 2-5 years : 1^st place Sam Salazar, 2^nd place Keleigh Sales:  6-10 years : 1^st place Gracelea Swarnes, 2^nd place Liam Greer:  11-15 years : 1^st place Baelynn Hay, 2^nd place Guage Fisher

Pie contest: Juniors 15 and younger:  1^st place Gracelea Swarnes(Strawberry and Rhubarb): 2^nd place Clayanna Johnson (Pineapple)

Adults 16 and older: 1^st Place Alisa Swarnes (Cinnamon roll apple): 2^nd place Montana Stangel (Apple)

A honor ceremony was held to honor the only surviving board member  ( Bob Swarnes), who got the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association started in 1989. The other board members  honored were Paul and Jerry Stangle family, Harold and Shorty Klinksick  family and Ron Gilkey  Sr. family.  

Until next year have a wonderful year and thank you for your support helping to keep the history of this community alive.                           Submitted by Phyllis Stewart

 

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Donna Kauffman, 81, Butler

 From the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory . . . Donna Kauffman, age 81 of Butler died Sunday, October 11 at the Bates County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, October 15 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel. Visitation from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 14 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Double Branch Cemetery. Contributions to the Double Branch Cemetery. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com Donna is survived by four children, Carmen Behringer and husband Mike of Butler, Kermit Kauffman and wife Angie of Butler, Kristy Revis and husband Russ of Bates City and Curtis Kauffman of Butler; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Harlan Hess and wife Carol of Pittsburgh, Kansas. That’s Donna Kauffman with funeral services 10 a.m. Thursday, October 15 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler.

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Adrian Optimists Monday Night Bingo Jackpots for October 19th

 The Adrian Optimists host Monday Night Bingo weekly from the Optimist building in Adrian. They open the doors at 5pm and have food and concession selections from the kitchen for you to enjoy.

Bingo starts promptly at 7pm –so grab a friend and head to Adrian every Monday night for an evening of fun and excitement,

You must be 16 years old or older to play bingo.
(this must be recorded on every ad)

This week’s jackpots for Monday: October 19th

Hotball: 650.00

Blackout: 1550.00

King of Diamonds will pay: 9510.00

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Drexel VFW Fish Fry

 Everyone is invited to the Drexel Memorial VFW Post 4347 Annual Fish Fry.

The Fry will be held on Saturday October 17^th  . Serving starts at 5 pm.

The Drexel VFW Building is located at 114 South First Street in Drexel.

It’s a free will donation and everyone is invited ! Free will donations will be appreciated.

That’s the annual Drexel Memorial VFW Post 4347 Fish Fry Saturday October 17^th .  

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Worx26 Exhibit

 Worx26 is proud to host an exhibit of works by Robert Klausing at 26 North Delaware in the heart of Butler. The exhibition will run from Friday, October 9^th through Sunday, October 25th . The exhibit will be open on Fridays from 4pm until 7pm, Saturdays 10am until 7pm and Sundays from noon until 4pm. There will be a reception Friday, October 16 from 4pm until 7pm, and there will be live music during Hucksters Day on Saturday October 17. Follow Worx26 on Facebook at workx26 .

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Adrian Pumpkin Patch

 

Fall is here, and it's time to find that perfect pumpkin! Load up the family and head to the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch, 10 miles west of Adrian on Highway 18. Just watch for the signs! Choose your own pumpkin, whether it's a small one for just $4 or a large one for $5. Perfect for carving a jack-o'-lantern, decorating your home, or making something delicious in the kitchen! No games, no frills, just good old-fashioned country fun for the whole family! Family owned and operated by Welliver Farms of Adrian. Open Saturdays from 10 to 5 and Sundays from 1 to 5. For questions, call Kathy at 816-590-2047. U-Pick Pumpkin Patch… make this fall a little more memorable!

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Awarness

 

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Kickin Chicken Dinner

 

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Now Hiring

 

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Huckster's Day Festival

 

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Ellen Beahan 54 Butler

 From the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory . . . Ellen Beahan, age 54 of Butler died Tuesday,

September 22 at the Butler Center.

Ellen’s wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories. There are no public services

planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel. Online

condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com

Ellen was well loved and will be missed by many family and friends.

That’s Ellen Beahan with no public services at this time. Arrangements under the direction of the

Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel

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Bates County Memorial Employee of the Month

 Bates County Memorial Hospital Names Forest Davenport, October Employee of the Month

Bates County Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize Forest Davenport as the October Employee of the Month in honor of his outstanding work ethic, positive attitude and dedication to BCMH.

Forest is a member of the BCMH Housekeeping Department and has been a valued employee for more than 10 years. His hard work and commitment help keep BCMH clean, comfortable and welcoming for patients, visitors and employees.  Through his attention to his work and willingness to help wherever needed, Forest plays an important role in creating a positive environment for everyone who walks through the doors of BCMH.

 

“Forest is very hardworking and always willing to help,” a nominating coworker stated. “He consistently goes above and beyond to keep BCMH clean, comfortable and welcoming. Forest always has a positive attitude, never complains and is great to work around.”

Forest’s kindness, dependability and pride in his work make him a valued member of the BCMH team. While much of his work takes place behind the scenes, Forest’s dedication makes a difference every day and is felt throughout the hospital.

Stay connected with your local hospital! Visit https://bcmhospital.com/news/

 

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Alpha-Gal Syndrome Awareness Class

 

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