Stories from Tuesday, August 5, 2003

Now that the dust has settled on the 2003 Vernon County Youth Fair all those involved have issued a sigh of relief. Even when putting on a fair that is a large success it still is a lot of work. Fair board president Doug Shupe reported "Everything went really well." He was pleased that everything was pulled off smoothly. ...

Vernon County firefighters, their families and supporters gathered Saturday at the Nevada Eagles Lodge to raise money for area fire departments. According to Larry Scism, Eagles organizer of this event, due to the state budget crisis fire department funding has been cut and without this money the effectiveness of fire safety is being compromised. ...

The Nevada Library Board voted unanimously during a special meeting Monday afternoon to ask the city council to raise the tax levy to the maximum level permitted under Missouri law. The city council will hold a public hearing during tonight's meeting to discuss the tax levies for the city and the library. ...

WICHITA, Kan. -- Momentum can't be underestimated and the Nevada Griffons have it right now. How much a five-day layoff will sway "Ol' Mo'" remains to be seen. Nevada will not play again until a matchup with the Kearney (Mo.) River Bandits on Saturday at 1 p.m., with the winner climbing to the quarterfinal round of the tournament. ...

The $1000 prize money offered to the modified feature race winner brought new cars and drivers to Nevada Speedway on Saturday. Ron Bolin, Jr., of Fort Scott, Kan., fought off several yellows and a red flag to hold off the field and win the featured special. ...

100 Years Ago -- August 5, 1903 The 15th Annual Reunion of the Old Settlers of Vernon County was held at Lake Park today. The number of our old and respected citizens who were in attendance was not so large as last year but those present had a most delightful time renewing their acquaintances and were well entertained by the excellent program arranged for the occasion. ...

I read many opinion columns through the week, trying to get a sense of others' take on things. One I never miss is Jimmy Breslin, who writes in Newsday. Breslin writes with grace and an evident love of the language that shines through in each sentence he pens. ...

Sleep, a word that seems almost lost in my vocabulary. Sleep, a simple word with a very simple meaning but with a concept that I have yet to grasp. It seems like I have gotten myself into a cycle of either having too much or not enough. I am either so tired that I walk around like a zombie for the better part of the morning or too much and have so much energy that I burn myself out and turn into a zombie by mid-afternoon. ...