Stories from Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Betty (Hutchison) Bartkoski, age 78, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov., 24, 2009, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Vernon County, Missouri on Oct. 4, 1931, to Walter and Ruby (Whitley) Hutchison. Betty was united in marriage to Joseph Edward Bartkoski on Jan. ...

Mary Joan Swarnes was led home by our angel, Buddy Fillpot, on Nov. 20, 2009. Joan was born on July 4, 1932, in Prairie City, Mo., the daughter of James (Doc) and Nancy (Deems) Bridgeman. She graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1950. Joan was married to Deb Swarnes for 52 years and had five children...

Oct. 19 Shawn A. Zoglmann, Nevada, two counts of no dog tags. Oct. 27 Betty J. Robinson, Horton, failure to remain stopped at a stop sign. Emily C. Walles, Richards, failure to stop at a stop sign. Oct. 28 Brendan M. Brown, Walker, driving while suspended...

Fido, the furry friend of Vernon County People for Pets, is eager to have his picture taken with his canine or feline friends, at the photo and fundraising event scheduled at Orscheln's Farm and Home, Nevada, 2-5 p.m., Nov. 27-28. In addition to the portrait event, the organization will be at the Radio Springs light display on Nov. 26. Fido plans to attend this as well, and he hopes for appearances by St. Nick himself, along with some elves...

The Gordon Parks Center at Fort Scott Community College plans to celebrate the anniversary of the Fort Scott native's birthday on Monday, Nov. 30. The event, which is free of charge and open to the public, will feature various films about Parks or directed by Parks that will be shown throughout the day...

On Monday, Gov. Jay Nixon donated a deer to Missouri's Share the Harvest program, a public-private partnership that provides meat to needy families across Missouri. The Governor shot the doe late yesterday afternoon while hunting in Pulaski County. After shooting the deer, Gov. ...

The following city, county and state offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday: all offices of the City of Nevada, all Vernon County offices, the Vernon County Courthouse; and all state of Missouri offices...

The good news: fair weather is in store for the area for Thanksgiving. Mild temperatures and sunny skies are forecast for Vernon County, through Saturday, although there could be a chance of showers on Sunday. The bad news: During the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 14 persons were killed and another 634 were injured in 1,736 traffic crashes...

The Vernon County University Extension Center now has the order forms for seedling trees and shrubs. These seedlings, grown by the Missouri Department of Conservation, are sold to persons desiring to make conservation plantings. Plantings may be made for such purposes as Christmas trees, the production of wood products, wildlife food and cover, windbreaks, erosion control, nut production or beautification. ...

My good friend, John McNeley, head basketball coach at Nevada High School, paid me among the highest compliments I have ever received at the recent Winter Sports Meet the Players Night. When speaking of my endeavors as the Nevada High School Athletic Director, he said I "Bled Crimson and Gray." As I reflected on what John had just said and as I gazed into the stands, I saw a former coach of mine, a former principal, many former classmates and many loyal fans of Tiger athletics -- lots of folks with lots of ties to NHS and Tiger and Lady Tiger Athletics.. ...

Editor's note: This is the final installment in a series delving into issues impacting the Missouri Public Defenders; prior stories in the Nov. 13 and Nov. 20 editions of the Nevada Daily Mail discussed the impact of too much work and too little time. This story talks about possible solutions already sought after, and the hope that a viable solution will come about before the system breaks under the pressure...

Four- H recognition night was held Saturday at the Home Economics building at the Vernon County Youth Fairgrounds. This is a special time when 4-H members are recognized for their accomplishments and achievements. One of those receiving special recognition was Josie Foley, daughter of Dwight and Jana Foley...