Stories from Sunday, July 17, 2005

By David A. Lieb Associated Press Writer JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two potential Republican nominees for state auditor each reported more campaign cash than Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill -- a fact that might shed as much light on McCaskill's plans as it does the Republicans' prospects...

By Jim Salter Associated Press Writer ST. LOUIS -- William Larson figured his hypertension and heart disease probably had something to do with the second-hand cigarette smoke he was forced to endure. It wasn't like Larson could simply walk away -- he's serving life in prison for a murder 23 years ago in St. Louis. Trapped inside prison walls and forced to breathe the dirty air, he filed suit against Corrections Department officials...

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail The show pavilion at the Vernon County Fairgrounds was crowded Saturday for the Vernon County Youth Fair beef judging where 78 competitors in 10 classes vied for the championship ribbon. Taylor Scotten took home the Grand Champion ribbon and Courtney Peckman the Reserve Grand Champion ribbon for their efforts...

Taylor Edmonds was one of several hundred Harry Potter fans that took part in the festivities at Cavener's Library & Office Supply Friday night, in anticipation of the midnight distribution of J.K Rowling's latest book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. ...

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. That's what the sunflowers must be saying to themselves as Vernon County farmers begin to grow confectionary sunflowers -- those that are destined for the cheeks of professional baseball players and others who love the salty treat. A field of sunflowers is just east of Nevada by Jake's Fireworks and along D highway west of U.S. 71 rows and rows of the yellow flowers greet passing motorists...

Jason Gilliland and Amber Weisensee, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Trae Anthony Gilliland. Trae was born at 4:43 p.m., on July 12, 2005, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, and measured 19.25 inches.

Mr. and Mrs. Matt Fletchall, Nevada, and Bryce, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter and sister, Hadley Elizabeth Fletchall. Hadley was born at 8:35 a.m., on July 7, 2005, at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. She weighed 8 pounds, and measured 20 inches. ...

Norma Kathleen Breen, 83, Nevada, died July 12, 2005. Services were held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel on July 16, at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Ralph Clark officiating. Instrumental musical selections were "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art" and " Just a Closer Walk With Thee." Organist was Karen Hertzberg. Interment was in Newton Burial Park. Arrangements are by Evergreen Memorial Chapel...

On the afternoon of July 9, 2005, driving home from Somewhere, I was listening to a story, "Turning Cars into Havens of Entertainment, Comfort," by Celeste Headlee, on KRPS (National Public Radio), that caught my attention and prompted some flights of fancy. ...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada Griffons built a 7-3 lead after five innings thanks in large part to two home runs by Tim Santiago, but they couldn't hold off the Liberal Bee Jays at Lyons Stadium Friday. The Bee Jays scored nine runs in the final four innings to take a 12-8 Jayhawk League road victory -- only their second of the season...

Associated Press DETROIT -- Nate Robertson's teammates knew he deserved to win a game at home. On Friday night, it finally happened. Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run homer and Robertson ended his season-long drought at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1...

Associated Press DALLAS -- The Gator Bowl will invite a Big 12 team to its New Year's Day game twice during a four-year agreement that starts with the 2006 regular season, the conference announced Friday. Under the arrangement, the Big 12 will have two bids each to the Gator Bowl and the Sun Bowl and will face a Big East opponent. ...

Rachel Prewitt was awarded the 2005 Jack Swearingen Scholarship worth $1,000 recently from First National Bank. The scholarship is given annually to a graduating Nevada High School golfer who is furthering their education. "(Prewitt) was by far the most qualified," David Swearingen, President and CEO of First National Bank, said. ...

Associated Press NEW YORK -- The NHL and the players' association reached an agreement in principle Wednesday on a six-year labor deal, ending a lockout that wiped out last season. The sides met for 24 hours starting Tuesday afternoon to hammer out the collective bargaining agreement that will return the NHL to the ice on time in the fall. In February, commissioner Gary Bettman canceled the season, making the NHL the first North American sports league to lose a year because of a labor dispute...

Nevada driver Brandon Leer scored his second Feature win of the season July 9, at Nevada Speedway. Leer competes in the Mini Stock division at the speedway and his win has him in fourth place in the season points race among Mini Stock drivers.

Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Aaron O'Neal never played a down for Gary Pinkel. But when the freshman linebacker died after collapsing in a volunteer workout, Missouri's coach said it hit him like the loss of a family member. ''This is just a devastating situation,'' Pinkel said Wednesday at a hastily called news conference. ''He was a player who just had a great future.''...

If you have been a fan of Missouri Tiger basketball for very long there is a pretty good chance you recall that old feeling. You know, the feeling that has seemed to have taken a hike in recent years. After Norm Stewart painstakingly dragged the MU basketball program out of that dreary old bat cave named Brewer Fieldhouse and into the sparkling new Hearnes Arena, the Tigers were ranked among the top programs in the country for years. ...

Nevada Herald Apollo Christi Smith became the bride of 1st Lt. Michael Scott Schloss on Jan. 15, 2005, at the Bridge Builders Church in Meridian, Miss. Minister Roger Doyle solemnized the vows of the ceremony amid church decorations in the bridal colors of burgundy and gold. Bridal music featured "God of Second Chances."...

Special to the Herald Max and Toni Slates of Nevada announce the engagement and approaching marriage, of their daughter, Ashley Slates, to Derik White, son of Danny and Rhonda White, Nevada, Mo. Ashley is a 2005 graduate of Nevada High School. She will be attending Crowder College in the fall and then plans to attend Southwest Missouri State University, where she hopes to major in agriculture finance. She is employed by Heritage State Bank...

Special to the Herald Debbie, Jeff and Lee, children of Des and Betty Dehon, would like to announce the celebration of their parents' 55th wedding anniversary on July 21, 2005. The Dehons will gather with their children and families on Sunday, July 24, 2005, to celebrate privately at their home...

Scott and Bonnie Stone, married June 9, 1990, and Shannon and Veda Stone, married June 10, 1989, shared their anniversary celebrations "Hawaiian Style" with a large gathering of family and friends on June 25 at the home of Lula Bradley, Nevada. Everyone enjoyed the food, fireworks and the music by Crazy Julie and CRS band. ...

Hi neighbors. I'd like to make some comments on several things this week. Feel free to start talking about these things yourselves because you certainly know as much about most of them as I do. First, the movies. Is there anyone still alive who heard the original radio show "War of the Worlds?" I'd like to talk to them. My Mom said she was just a child, but remembers the adults talking about it. Apparently people even committed suicide over the fear of Martian invasion...

**100 years ago: The race meeting The officers of the Nevada Park Driving Club are now closely engaged in completing the arrangements for the big race to be held next week. The race track is being worked every day and is now in splendid condition, and if the weather continues favorable, horsemen expect to see the fastest races ever held at the race park...