Stories from Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Brenda Laura McConnaughey, 58, Nevada, passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., following a brief illness. She was born Nov. 21, 1953, in Nevada, to Eldon Elston Garton and Rosalee Smith Garton. She was married March 4, 1977, in Miami, Okla., to James McConnaughey and he survives of the home...

Joyce Joann Burris, 75, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at her residence in Nevada. She was born May 4, 1936, in Pekin, Ill., to Robert Sutton and Kathleen Mary Patruska Sutton. Ms. Burris was born in Illinois and grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. ...

Libby Elise Pryor, 49, of Joplin, passed away on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at her home. Libby was born May 2, 1962, in Colorado Springs, Colo., and grew up in Nevada, Mo., where she graduated from high school. She also received an associate's degree in business from Vatterott College in Joplin. ...

Donald Lee Hendrix, 86, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at his home in Utica, Ky. He was born on Feb. 13, 1925, in Nevada, Mo., to the late Merrit and Myrtle Hendrix. He retired as a carpenter for Local Union No. 61 and had served in the U.S. ...

Parking could be limited on Friday night at NHS On Friday Nevada High School is hosting two events -- boys basketball vs. East Newton and the NHS Debate and Forensics Tournament. NHS Athletic Director Kevin McKinley said basketball fans and visitors from East Newton are encouraged to use the North entrance to Wynn Gymnasium off of Ashland Street...

Virginia Lee "Tootie" Meek, 86, a former resident of Richards, Mo., and currently of Fort Scott, died early Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at the Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. She was born Nov. 7, 1925, at Richards, Mo., the daughter of William Leon Poyner and Elsie Pearl Buris Poyner. ...

Mary Hunter, 74, of Nevada, died Dec. 31, 2011, at Truman Healthcare Center. Mary was born March 12, 1937, at St. Elmo, Ill., to John R. and Pearl Edna (Chrisman) Hunter. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, at Morehead Cemetery...

Byron Kenneth Duke, 62, Nevada, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, at the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., as the result of a sudden illness. He was born Aug. 1, 1949, in Sikeston, Mo., to James Owen Duke and Claire Dunn Duke. He was married Sept. 26, 1971, in Pasadena, Calif., to Sharyon Taylor and she survives of the home...

Nevada knocks off Clinton on Tuesday

In 2011 the community struggled with a slumping economy, but fun and tradition also took its place this year. A look back at the trials and triumphs of 2011 continues today.

Another Christmas has come and gone and many people are left wondering what to do with this year's tree. If it's artificial, you simply box it up and stash it in the attic until next year, but if it's a real tree, the disposal is more challenging. Old trees can be used as kindling, potpourri, or wildlife habitat just to name a few things. ...

The city of Nevada has hired a part-time treasurer. Following a closed session held at the close of the Nevada City Council's meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Brian Leonard announced that Michael Wade, who recently retired from the city of Belton, where he had been finance director for 10 years, has accepted the position...

The 20 or so members of the Nevada High School debate team will be hosting around 500 other debaters from 22 schools ranging in size from Sherwood to Kickapoo this Friday and Saturday in the annual Nevada Debate and Forensics Festival. This year's event has almost doubled from last year when 13 schools took part...

A snow storm dumps 2 feet of snow on Nevada and people need shelter from the cold. A fire causes people to be evacuated from a neighborhood or a tornado rips through town leaving people homeless and knocking out electricity throughout town. Where do you go for shelter in Nevada when there is no electricity?...

Area roundup: Bronaugh tops Miami

Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada Middle School seventh grade boys basketball team hosted Joplin North on Tuesday. Nevada's A team defeated North 47-22. Matt Sommer scored 16 points for Nevada. The B team lost to Joplin North 28-27 in overtime. Cameron Diaz scored 19 points for Nevada...