Stories from Thursday, December 30, 2004

By Ralph Pokorny Nevada Daily Mail Wednesday evening the Nevada Parks Board voted to recommend that the city council ask Nevada voters to approve a renewal of the one-half cent parks and recreation sales tax for nine years so the city can continue making improvements to the city's parks and recreation facilities. If the council approves of the recommendation, the renewal issue will appear on the ballot for the April 5 election...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail A small crowd gathered in the second-floor lobby of the Vernon County Courthouse Wednesday morning to witness the swearing-in of several re-elected county officials whose terms begin on Jan 1. Vernon County Clerk Tammi Beach asked each individual to present him or herself and, with right hand raised, swear an oath to execute the duties of office within the confines of federal, state and local law...

Nevada Daily Mail Vernon County PWSD No. 1 has joined Missouri One Call System, an non-profit organization established for the protection of underground facilities. Missouri law requires anyone planning to dig, drill or blast to report the location of the dig site by calling (800) DIG-RITE. ...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail Winter is a time when cold temperatures can drive utility bills through the roof. With many people living paycheck-to-paycheck, a high utility bill can wreak havoc on a thinly stretched budget. In order to save on energy bills during the winter, the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Missouri Extension Office have some tips that home-owners can use to help make their homes more energy efficient in cold weather...

Members of the Community Outreach board recently presented Larry Rose, who is retiring from the Missouri National Guard, a retirement gift in recognition of the many years he has worked with the Food Pantry and Community Outreach on their annual Christmas basket project. Front row: Barbara Long and Larry Rose. Back row: Teri Posey, Diana Smith, Janet Forkner and Thaylee Pierson...

Daniel and Lorenne Armstrong, Moundville, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Randall Austin Armstrong. Randall was born at 6:45 p.m., on Dec. 27, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches. He joins four siblings, Daniel W. Jr., Kendall R., Samuel C. and Krystal D. Armstrong. Maternal grandparents are Fred and Jackie Henry, Nevada. Maternal great-grandparents are Lloyd and Nancy Crites, Reno, Nev...

Dennis and Dana Stevens, Springfield, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Dominick R.A. Stevens. Dominick was born at 7:53 p.m., on Dec. 27, 2004, at Cox Medical South in Springfield. He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 20 inches. He joins a sister, Delana. Paternal grandparents are R.A. Jr. and Adeline Stevens. Maternal grandparent is Betty Green, Springfield...

Georgia Wallace, 70, died Dec. 25, 2004. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 28, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Jim McCoy officiating. Musical selections were "Peace in the Valley" and "In the Garden." Pallbearers were Seth Vannaman, Tom Millirons, Don Lawrence, Ryan Wallace, John Lanham and Eddie Hardy. Interment was in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home...

Beth Spencer, 94, died Dec. 24, 2004. Services were held at the First Christian Church today, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m., with David Rorabaugh officiating. Soloist was Theresa Spencer. Musical selections were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Organist was Pat Woodfill. Pallbearers were Brad Thompson, Greg Cavener, Bob Thompson, Myles Miller, Brad Shull and Mark Miller. Interment was in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home...

Holidays are wonderful. You get to see people you don't get to be with very often. You sometimes receive great gifts. Sometimes you even receive not so great gifts but appreciate the thoughts behind them. Food is usually plentiful even if you are the one providing it, and games, programs, and recreational possibilities abound...

Volunteers at the Bushwhacker Museum are at last nearing completion of the fascinating, if herculean, task of inventorying the original Vernon County probate papers: hundreds of boxes, thousands of file folders covering more than a century of deceased individuals...

100 years ago: Judge Timmonds retires With his disposition of the Todd case Judge H.C. Timmonds finished his official term on the circuit bench here Wednesday afternoon. When his court closed for the last time there was a fitting finale which marked the respect not only of Nevada's bar but also of Nevada and Vernon County people. This came with the presentation of a beautiful gold-headed cane -- a gift from members of the bar -- by Judge Charles G. Burton...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Brian Waters looks around the Kansas City locker room, and a feeling of nostalgia tugs at his heart. The Pro Bowl left guard knows that with only one game left in a bitterly disappointing season, he'll soon say goodbye to a host of friends and teammates who want very much not to leave...

By Steve Wilstein AP Sports Columnist It's in the nature of athletes to imagine themselves immortal, if not impervious to harm, as though they live by a different set of rules from ordinary people. The rest of us often buy into that illusion, too, admiring these charmed lives blessed with luck and skill, strength and wealth, passions that drive them to succeed...

Making New Year's resolutions is like following your favorite sports team. Both come with high hopes and good intentions, but very rarely do they pull through like you intended. That is why I usually shy away from making resolutions. My fragile psyche can only handle so many disappointments in one year...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Neither football's Chiefs nor baseball's Royals have threatened to leave the Truman Sports Complex if improvements aren't made to their home venues. But the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority says a plan for stadium upgrades needs to be in place -- and soon -- to keep the county from defaulting on the terms of its leases with the clubs...

Associated Press OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The state has committed to $49.4 million in public financing for this Kansas City suburb's proposed entertainment district, which would include an 8,000-seat arena. But before it can use special bonds that would be repaid by sales taxes in the district, the city must meet nine conditions set by state Commerce Secretary Howard Fricke...

Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri guard Spencer Laurie will be out four to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery, the Tigers announced Wednesday. Laurie underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday night to repair a partially torn meniscus. He was injured during practice on Dec. 20 before Missouri's Nov. 22 game against No. 1 Illinois...