Stories from Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Nevada Middle School is set to host a couple of back-to-school events to promote the school's drug-free activities. The Nevada Middle School volleyball skills clinic will be open to all fifth through eighth grade girls and comes with a participation fee of $25. The clinic will be held Monday through Thursday, Aug. 17-20, with afternoon sessions running from 3:30-5 p.m. on Monday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 3-5 p.m. on Thursday...

The Nevada Griffons organization sent out a big thanks to all who participated in their first bridge marathon season. The winners in the 2008-09 inaugural season were: For more information or to participate in the 2009-10 season, call Diane McDonald at (417) 944-2982...

American storyteller Garrison Keillor recently opined that, "the joys of a state fair are pleasures that Google and Facebook and a computer in a cubicle cannot provide, and that's why something deep in us still wants and needs a state fair." Missouri's festival of the senses, the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, www.MoStateFair.com, begins Aug. 13 and continues for 10 days, combining traditions with a number of new and exciting features intended for visitors of all interests and ages...

A date of Sept. 2 has been set for a hearing in Barton County Circuit Court on a condemnation petition by the city of Lamar directed toward the vacant O'Sullivan property at the south end of Gulf Street. The city has been trying to purchase the property through the process of eminent domain to resell it to a developer for renovation. ...

"Murder Most Fowl" has been committed at the McGennis Old Barn Theatre and area sleuths are needed to find the evil feathered culprit responsible for the deaths of world renowned chef Frank Fricassee and the beloved head cook of Pickachick High School, Beulah Brooder (played by Eugenia Brocka)...

It did not make any sense to spend all that money to replace the sewer lines on the Locust Street project to connect it to 600 feet of sewer line that needed replacement, Nevada City Manager Harlan Moore, told the city council during a special meeting at 8:30 Tuesday morning; and so, "I made an executive decision to have Rosette Construction go ahead and replace that sewer line as well," Moore said before the council voted 3-0 to approve the expense...

Veterans, legislators, local officials and art lovers gathered at The Springs Art Gallery in El Dorado Springs on Tuesday to see an exhibition of artwork created entirely by veterans. Veterans from a Kansas City veterans art group made up the bulk of the exhibitors but works from local artists also were displayed...

Recently, I saw Allen Laflen at the pharmacy where we both had gone to get prescriptions filled. This gave me an opportunity to visit with him, since it had been several weeks since I had last seen him. As we left the building and went to his pickup, I opened the door for him. ...

Genevieve "Irene" Coons, 88, Holden, Mo., formerly of Nevada, died Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at Bristol Manor in Holden. She was born Feb. 24, 1921, in Swartz, Mo., to George B. Craig and Ada Belle Dory Craig. Genevieve, as a child, lived in a variety of locales with her family, predominately in the Midwest. During the time spent in Nevada, she baked pies for others. She liked to cook for her family and friends and it was how she showed her love for them. Genevieve attended the Church of Christ...

Robert Eugene "Rob" Gillette, age 43, of Lamar, passed away at 4:09 p.m., Aug. 11, 2009, at his home after more than three years of ill health. Rob was born April 18, 1966 in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Gerald Lloyd and Roberta Jane (Hudson) Gillette. Having lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, Rob attended South East High School in Cherokee, Kan., until his senior year and then joined his maternal grandfather and uncles in their construction/brick laying business. ...

James Thomas "J.T." Jeans, 74, passed away from this life Tuesday, Aug.11, 2009 at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, Fort Scott, Kan. He was born Aug. 24, 1934, in Orlando, Okla., to Thomas Leslie Jeans and Dora Finnel Jeans. J. T. was the third of five children and grew up on the family farm. ...

Band camp prepares students for fall performances.

The Vernon County commissioners heard from Tim Bourassa, GIS director, on the progress being made to finalize the E911 database so the system can go online. Presiding Commissioner Bonnie McCord asked Bourassa what was needed to finalize the database...

Polish up your pitchin' shoes, grease your pullin' tractors and practice your dance moves; it's time for the 105th Sheldon Old Settler's Picnic. The annual festivities will begin in the city park with the opening ceremony at 6 o'clock tonight on the bandstand when the American Legion Post175 presents the flag and The Coleman Boys sing "The Star Spangled Banner."...

Adding two words to the Nevada R-5 School Districts activities policies may have a big impact on students who participate in interscholastic activities. During Wednesday's monthly R-5 Board of Education meeting the board voted 7-0, at the recommendation of R-5 Superintendent David Stephens to add the words "up to" to the penalty for the first time students are found guilty of attending a party where alcohol is being consumed illegally by minors...

Garrett Mason, 17, of Nevada, appeared in a Vernon County court Wednesday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Mason, who faces charges in connection with the May 24 stabbing deaths of two Nevada teens, Anne Reed, 18, and Kylie Leyva, 14. Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Ewing III called three witnesses, then the court recessed and Mason and his attorneys waived his right to a preliminary hearing. An arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 25...