Stories from Tuesday, September 28, 2021

The Nevada Speedway concluded its regular race season Saturday night and gave away $1,000 to the winner of a 25-lap Late Model special event to mark the occasion. Todd McCoin of Barnett went wire-to-wire against 10 other drivers from the four-state area to win the race, while Alan "The Wild Child" Vaughn returned to the Speedway to take second place. Shannon Phillips ended up in third, followed by Steve Johnson in fourth and Darren Moses in fifth...

The Cottey College esports team was one of 128 squads from all over North America to open National Association of Collegiate Esports tournament qualifier play this month — with the Comets drawing some of the toughest competition of the bunch, including an NCAA Div. I opponent...

The Cottey College volleyball team spent its Saturday afternoon battling Haskell Indian Nations University and Sterling College inside the Hinkhouse Center. The Comets earned a 3-1 victory over Haskell (25-21, 16-25, 25-23, 25-17) before falling to the Warriors 3-1 (26-24, 15-25, 16-25, 25-27)...

Nevada High School got off to a good start in its softball game at Carthage on Monday, but the Lady Tigers were unable to get much going on offense after the first inning — eventually losing the contest 6-1. Senior Bailey Ast went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored the team's lone run on a passed ball in the top of the first frame...

The Nevada High School volleyball team got an advanced look at their home opponent for Tuesday at the Dr. Jeffrey Knutzen Carl Junction Classic on Saturday. The Lady Tigers went 1-3 at the tournament, with their lone win (25-9, 27-25) coming against McDonald County — which NHS will host tonight inside Wynn Gymnasium...

The Nevada High School cross country teams on Saturday laced up their running shoes and competed at one of the largest annual high school cross country meets in Kansas. Junior Allie Rains brought home the lone medal for NHS from the Rim Rock Farm Classic, hosted by the University of Kansas on a hilly course in Lawrence, with her 22nd-place finish in the girls' Blue 5K with a time of 21 minutes, 18.2 seconds...

George "Erwin" Brannan, 76, of Bronaugh, Mo., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Erwin was born Nov. 13, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kan., to George F. and Revay Thomas Brannan. He married Gladys Holland on Dec. 14, 1963, in Nevada, Mo. She survives of the home...

Leslie “Scott” Smith, 40, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada. Scott was born Dec. 15, 1980, in Joplin, Mo., to Steven L. and Pamela J. (Rayburn) Smith. Scott was raised in the Bronaugh area. He graduated from Bronaugh High School Class of 1999. For the past four years he has resided in Fort Scott...

Marcia Lee Spencer, 81, of Clinton, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, at the Redwood of Raymore. Marcia was born Jan. 10, 1940, in Joplin, Mo., to Charles and Nadeen Angel. A brief memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, at the Ferry Funeral home in Nevada, Mo., with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home...