As of Feb. 25, the Bates County Sheriff's Office is utilizing a new alert system platform for citizens wishing to receive emergency alerts (sheriff's office, weather, and more) as soon as they are released. Those interested in receiving the alerts are instructed to text the letters BCSHERIFF to 91896. Afterward, a text will be received, stating, “You have requested to join Bates County Sheriff’s Office’s TextMyGov notification list. Reply ‘YES’ to opt-in.” After this text is received, type and send the word YES to finish initiation. Residents may opt out of the service at any time after signing up by texting STOP to the same number. Those that were receiving alerts under the sheriff's office's previous service do not have to sign up for the new system, as all numbers were transferred over to the new system.
For more information, see the article published in the Feb. 26 edition of the St. Clair County Courier/Appleton City Journal and Rich Hill Mining Review.
