BUTLER, Mo. (AP) — Bates County authorities say a western Missouri woman wanted her ex-husband dead and asked for gruesome proof of the crime.

Thirty-two-year-old Joann R. Stepp of Rich Hill is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder after trying to hire a hitman to kill her ex-husband and bring her his tongue.

The Kansas City Star reported Thursday that Stepp pleaded not guilty and is being held on $300,000 bond.

Court documents indicate that Stepp offered to pay a man $4,000 to commit the crime. The man was an undercover Bates County detective.

Stepp also allegedly asked the man to bring her pictures of the dead body so she could show her son that she had arranged the murder.

Online court records do not indicate if Stepp has an attorney.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com


Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mo-woman-charged-with-trying-to-have-ex-killed-1527817.php#ixzz1SmQk1AO6

Saturday I was down near Passaic, MO showing one of our listings. A home for sale on 10 acres, since we lowered the price we've been getting a lot of interest!

I had gotten pretty hungry and didn't want to roll on over the the 2011 Bates County Fair without filling up first.  The Filling Station had only been open for about 4 weeks so I was pretty eager to check it out! Man, did I ever make the right choice!

The Filling Station serves locally raised corn-fed beef that is melt-in-your-mouth GOOD! They've got quite a menu from great steaks, burgers and broasted chicken to sandwiches, burn ends and more kinds of fries than you can name!

I was a little short on cash so I kept to the sandwich portion of the menu and ordered up the prime rib sandwich and some good iced tea! I was so impressed I darn near ordered another one to go! Tender, flavorful, juicy and just about perfect!  It was so good I called up a buddy I heard was headed to the Bates County Fair to see the Rodeo and told him to stop in too!

The Feedlot sits at the corner of Business 71 and F Hwy, you can reach them at 660-679-4363.

I'd really like to see this business thrive, the service was great, the food was fantastic and they got pictures of John Wayne on the wall! Can't get much better than that!

My buddy stopped in on his way to the Bates County Fair and had the same thing I did, he said "I think I inhaled it, that was good"! He also ordered the sweet potato fries which were also amazing!

Saturday night was pretty exciting in Butler, it was quite hot and so was the competition. The Bates County Fair Queen and Princes selection was filled with lovely contestants from all over the county. A friend of ours Samantha Dawson, of Adrian was entered in the Princess competition.

2010 Bates County Fair Princess; Tara Chandler, 2011 Princess; Haley Triebel, 2010's Queen; Whitney Bagby and 2011 Bates County Fair Queen; Maggie Massey were all on hand for the awards ceremony.

The rodeo was exciting with what was billed as a Redneck Bull Extravaganza, bringing out bull riding contestants from all over. As always the no alcohol rules were posted so most everyone just kept their drinks in a covered cup and had a good time.

I know we're good God fearin' folks but for goodness sakes... rodeo and beer are like biscuits and gravy; one just ain't right without the other!  A stop in at the Phillips 66 confirmed that plenty of folks were stocking up on beer and alcohol specifically to take to the rodeo.  While the sales were great at the liquor stores, there would have been a lot more revenue generated if the beer sales were taking place at the fairgrounds.

The Money the hard way finally got underway with several brave young men willing to put themselves up against a big ugly Brahma bull for the chance to collect $100 off his head.  A few folks had some minor injuries and one young fella mighta decreased his chances of fatherhood from the looks of where he took a horn from that bull.

Thanks for Visiting Bates County Real Estate

Butler, MO, Jun 23, 2011 -- In a ceremony on Thursday, June 23, 2011, Pam Anglin, USDA Rural Development Missouri Housing Program Director, presented a certificate of congratulations to the Board of Directors of Butler Rural Housing Corporation to celebrate the reamortization of their loans. The property, which consists of 80 one bedroom apartments, was originally constructed with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture. The apartments were originally constructed in two phases, from 1976 to 1978. The interest rates of the original loans ranged from 8.125% to 8.5%

The board requested approval to reamortize their unpaid balances specifically to reduce the interest rate and to reduce their loan payments. Their request was approved by USDA and the loans were reamortized.

The reamortization resulted in a reduced payment to Rural Development (savings of $13,249 per year) and reduced government subsidy to the property due to the decreased interest rate. The note rents were reduced which caused the rent amount to decrease for many of the tenants. The maximum note rent now is $365 with utilities included.

“I am happy to celebrate the reamortization of the loans for the Butler Rural Housing Corporation,“ said Anita J. Dunning, Missouri State Director for USDA Rural Development. “The lower interest rates will help keep the rental rates affordable for our tenants by reducing the mortgage payments on the rental complex.” Earl Van Slyke, Board President of Butler Rural Housing Corporation, was presented a door mat for the front door and a certificate of congratulations from USDA Rural Development. Also present was Mike Landers, Vice President of Bell Management, who manages the day-to-day operations of the complex.

Affordable rental property in rural areas is an important part of any rural area. Apartment living can be an alternative for many people who cannot afford the purchase price of a home or may not be able to maintain a house. The USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Rental Housing (RRH) program, provides assistance to rural communities in meeting the needs of adequate, safe and affordable housing.

Since the beginning of the RRH program in Missouri in the late 1960’s, Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration) has financed over 900 rental projects in 113 of the 114 Missouri counties. Through the hard work of dedicated citizens that volunteered their time working through a non-profit corporation, such as Butler Rural Housing Corporation, this federal program has benefited many rural communities.

For those interested in rental projects funded by USDA Rural Development in a particular county, you can access information by visiting http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo/mfhpage.htm and follow the instructions. The name of the complex, type of apartments (elderly or family), number of apartment units and the contact person are available online.

Anyone seeking more information about the Rural Rental Housing program or any other USDA Rural Development program may visit the homepage at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo/, or contact Carol Platt, Area Specialist, carol.platt@mo.usda.gov, 625 West Nursery, Butler, MO 64730 at (660)679-6112 x4.

“Committed to the future of rural communities.”

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W.,

Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

BUTLER, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol says an autopsy has been scheduled for a Texas man who apparently shot and killed himself while being pursued by police in western Missouri.

The patrol said troopers were called to help Butler police with a vehicle pursuit in Bates County on Wednesday afternoon. The patrol said the suspect was being pursued after he reportedly left a convenience store without paying for gasoline.

The patrol said that during the pursuit the suspect displayed a handgun, and then died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Patrol spokesman Collin Stosberg said the suspect was identified as 42-year-old Forrest Scott Smith of Houston, Texas. The autopsy is planned for Thursday in Jackson County.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/7642891.html#ixzz1RQn33GE6