Stories from Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Over the weekend, the second winter storm of the season was just winding down when an invasion of folk with familiar round faces and round figures began in Nevada. Far and wide, these snow people appeared and were frequently spotted in front and back lawns wearing all sorts of attire, most of them smiling, and most of them reaching grand proportions. ...

It happens every year, the holidays, flu season and weather combine to frustrate collections at blood drives around the country. Blood levels fall and blood centers scramble to find enough of the right kind of blood to send to hospitals for transfusions...

Nevada is starting to come to the attention of people across the country. The city has been working with Wilson, Chapman, Ré, a Kansas City public relations firm to develop a marketing plan for the area. That plan is starting to get results with a new look and a number of stories in the media around the country about the new businesses that are coming to town...

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at Nevada Regional Medical Center Sunday afternoon. They arrived in a golf cart driven by an elf. Dozens of children visited with Santa and participated in games and activities during the hospital's first holiday open house...

John Steven Willers, 45, Nevada, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He was born May 2, 1958, in Nevada, Mo., to John Dale Willers and Burnita Joyce Disney Willers. Steve was born and raised in Vernon County and spent the majority of his life here. He made his living as a trucker...

Carol C. Poulter, 73, Appleton City, Mo., formerly of Rich Hill, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at Ellett Memorial Hospital, Appleton City, Mo. Mrs. Poulter was born April 27, 1930, near Metz, Mo., the daughter of Ray and Ruth (Payne) Christy. She was united in marriage to James I. Poulter, who preceded her in death on March 21, 1998...

June E. Flint, 93, died Dec. 10, 2003. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 15, 2003, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. Richard Thompson officiating. Soloist was Monty Gordon. Musical selections were "One Day at a Time," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace." Organist was Mollie Denning. ...

Richard B. Welch, age 90, of Horton passed away on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Kansas City, Mo., following a short illness. He was born on Aug. 31, 1913, in Arthur, Mo., to James and Myrtle Wasson Welch. On Dec. 24, 1934, he was married to Martha E. Perry in Nevada, Mo. ...

"Ladies and gentlemen, we got him!" The words Paul Bremer, American proconsul in Iraq, spoke Sunday just may go up there with "Don't give up the ship." Okay, so that may be hyperbole -- but they will be repeated often enough in the next few weeks that for many they will always be remembered when looking back on this in years to come. ...

100 Years Ago -- December 16, 1903 AD -- Special Sale of Smoking Jackets -- $5. We have just received a beautiful line of Smoking Jackets, bought late and at a special Low Price. They are strictly all wool, double-faced cloths of the Very Latest Colors and Combinations. Wide Shawl Collars, Color Faced Pockets and Cuffs and very beautiful. The jackets are the regular $7.50 kind and sold at that price by all stores for as long as they last only. W.E. Clark, the modern clothier...

JOPLIN, Mo. -- The Nevada Lady Tigers avenged an earlier defeat to Joplin with a 58-37 win for a fifth-place finish in the Freeman-Lady Eagles Classic on Saturday. Trailing 23-21 at the half, Nevada's smothering defense blanked the Lady Eagles in the third quarter, while reeling off 19 points to take a commanding 40-23 lead...

HUME, Mo. -- The Hume Hornets dismantled Sheldon early in a 73-30 rout on Friday. Hume (5-1, 1-0) ripped off a 22-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back in the Vernon County Conference regular-season opener for both teams. Three Hornets put up double-figure scoring numbers. James Salters led with 17, while Jeffrey Irwin and James Brooks added 15 and 13, respectively. Salters paced the rebounding stats, also, with eight...

Austin Forkner, 5, of Richards, Mo., stands next to first-place trophy he won in the 4 to 6-year-old, 50 cc class at the first annual Show-Me Motocross Series. Forkner captured two firsts and two seconds in the series of four events which were held in Moberly, Carthage and twice in Buffalo, Mo...

Melvin Chester Hartzfield, 84, Bronaugh, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Port Nuef Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, following a lengthy illness. He was born March 15, 1919, in Bronaugh, Mo., to John Hartzfield and Mollie Lehmkuhl Hartzfield. He married Helen Marie Moore on Aug. 14, 1944, in Englewood, Kan., and she survives of the home...