Stories from Thursday, December 10, 2009

Nov. 18 Benjamin I. Welborn, El Dorado Springs, speeding 42/30 and seat belt law. Nov. 19 Afton D. Baldwin, Nevada, speeding 27/15. Amy D. Beverley, Nevada, speeding 27/15. Michael J. Brown, El Dorado Springs, failure to stop at a stop sign and expired driver's license...

Dec. 8 There were reports of an ambulance request in the Nevada area, a follow up in the Milo area, trespassing in the Milo area, a stranded motorist in the Nevada area, and a careless and imprudent driver in the Vernon County area. Michael D. Folk, 28, of Nevada, was arrested and processed by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office on charges of probation violation. He is being held in lieu of a $7,500 bond...

Dec. 7 A report of a petty theft in the 500 block of west Highland, was made by Melanie Messick, of Nevada. Clothing and a small amount of cash was reported stolen. Dec. 8 An accident occurred at 11:23 a.m., at Floral and Elm, involving a van driven by Ashley M. McKinney, of Nevada, and a truck driven by Franklin J. Lurten, of Horton. No injuries were reported...

Betty Mae (Sparks) Lowe, 73, of Wichita, Kan., L and L Enterprises co-owner, wife, mother and grandmother passed away Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. She is survived by her husband Raymond Lowe; sons William (Millie) Ekstrom and Ronald (Dee) Ekstrom; grandchildren Jenna Ekstrom and Chase Ekstrom and brother Lee Sparks. She is preceded by her parents Roy and Mary Sparks; brother Earl Sparks. Services 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center, Kan...

Gene Lee Mitchem, 65, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., following a lengthy illness. He was born Jan. 28, 1944, in Nevada, to Everett Lee Mitchem and Wilma Ruth Walker Mitchem. He married Mary Ann Riggs on June 24, 1962, in Nevada, and she survives of the home...

Nevada Daily Mail CARL JUNCTION, Mo. -- "I was really pleased with them." Nevada Lady Tigers head basketball coach Brent Bartlett had a lot to be pleased with as his team took full advantage of the chance at revenge that was afforded them against the Lady Bulldogs of Carl Junction Tuesday night...

Heating with wood brings added responsibilities for homeowners, according to Bob Schultheis, a natural resource engineering specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Homeowners should check their chimney for damage and flue for creosote buildup before the heating season, and at least twice a month during the heating season. A buildup of creosote in the flue increases the possibility of a chimney fire," said Schultheis...

Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. Some of these changes include the following: Special charitable contributions for certain IRA owners...

As part of a broad, concerted effort to lower high school dropout rates in the community and state, the Nevada R-5 School District is poised to start participating in the statewide initiative known as "Graduation Matters in Missouri" beginning in January, 2010...

Friends are important at each stage of our life. As children we have a "best friend," which may change daily. As teenagers we usually have an "in-group" of friends we can count on. Again, that group can change with circumstances, and love affairs that complicate the grouping. But as we enter the middle age plus years, friendships become stable and especially important to us. As we lose our parents and some of our siblings, we find that having a wide group of friends is more essential than ever...