Stories from Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Fourth in a six-part, weekly series examining key issues in the Missouri governor's race. By Marc Powers Nevada Daily Mail JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Sometime during the four-year term of Missouri's next governor, a pending lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's system for funding public schools likely will be resolved...

Nevada Daily Mail The Vernon County Health Department has prepared a distribution plan for flu vaccine in Vernon County. Last week, the Daily Mail reported that a production problem at a British supplier of the vaccine was discovered, indicating that a far smaller supply of the vaccine would be available throughout the United States...

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail Dale "Mad Dog" Mesmer began his talk at the Nevada High School by saying that some of the things he said might be offensive. "Some of what I tell you might offend you," Mesmer said. "I don't care. What I have to say could save your life."...

By Ralph Pokorny Nevada Daily Mail Nevada police officers will have to wait until at least Nov. 16 before they can arrest people who violate the state's concealed weapons law. Tuesday night, after Charles Johnson raised a number of objections, the city council postponed the second reading of an ordinance to bring the city's codes into agreement with the state's new law allowing permits to carry concealed weapons, until its Nov. 16 meeting...

Nevada Daily Mail A parade and ceremony honoring National Guard troops who've been to Iraq and those soon to follow them brought out a crowd of dedicated citizens, despite the damp, chilly rain that drizzled the area throughout the day. The parade, which encircled the Square and ended at the City/County Community Center in Nevada, was followed by a ceremony featuring a devotional message and a proclamation presented by the Nevada City Council. ...

Births Zane Matthew Gragg Justin and Amy Gragg, Blue Springs, Mo., are proud to announce the birth of their son, Zane Matthew Gragg. Zane was born at 8:24 a.m. on Sept. 29, 2004. He weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 19.75 inches long. Paternal grandparents are Phil and Becky Gragg. ...

Goat project for 4-H members to consider Last week National 4-H Week was observed, a time for special promotion of 4-H. Effort is being made to recruit new members and volunteer leaders. The theme for this year is "4-H online!" Still, there are many other aspects to 4-H in addition to the computer and the Internet...

100 years ago: Woman gets second divorce within a year Joplin, Mo. -- Mrs. Flossie Davis, a church lecturer of this city, was granted a divorce yesterday from Alex Davis, a prominent Joplin merchant, and allowed $750 alimony. Mrs. Davis was given her maiden name, Miss Flossie Johnson. This is her second marriage and divorce within a year. Her first marriage was with William Miller, a wealthy coal man of Mulberry, Kan...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada Lady Tigers took a big step toward a possible Southwest Conference volleyball title Tuesday, when they defeated Webb City in a close match 27-29, 26-24 and 25-22. The home win was revenge for a loss last week at Webb City, and with it Nevada improved their conference record to 4-2...

Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada freshman team is still unbeaten and untied this season as they defeated Webb City Tuesday 25-14 and 25-13. The freshman team was led by Kristen Badgley's seven kills and Emma Dryer's seven points in their straight sets win over the visiting Lady Cardinals...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada Lady Tigers went into the district softball tournament needing an upset to make history. The Lady Tigers had never won a district tournament game, and were seeded sixth out of six teams. Their first opponent, McDonald County, was one that Nevada had not beaten this season...

Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- The Houston Astros started the season with high hopes, confident their pitching package of Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte and Wade Miller could carry them a long way. Now, coming off the first postseason series win in team history, Houston heads into the NL championship series -- with Brandon Backe and Pete Munro set to start the first two games against the St. Louis Cardinals...

The Nevada junior varsity volleyball team won their own tournament Saturday, winning all six matches they played including the championship match against El Dorado Springs. The Lady Tigers are: (front from left) Kellie Cooper, Amanda Wilson, Elizabeth Bain, Ashley Eaton, (middle row) Coach Jenny Allard, Bethany Brower, Mandi Gash, Kaitlin Gullett, (back) Angel Claypool, Andrea Ast, Ashleigh Bryson, Kaitlin Holland, Abby McCoy and Kaitlyn Lamb...

I am an animal lover. I have had pets of one form or another for just about as long as I can remember. And I think that folks owning pets is generally a good thing on a number of levels. But I've noticed something lately that disturbs me to no end. Dogs on chains in yards. There are several houses around town where you'll see a dog chained up at all times and in all weather. It seems to me that some folks would rather have a lawn ornament than a pet...