Stories from Tuesday, October 7, 2003

Law enforcement officers in Vernon County were kept busy this weekend. In addition to the Rich Hill shooting Saturday evening, two men escaped from the Vernon County Jail Sunday at about 3:30 p.m. Travis Stinnett and Aaron Stevens escaped from the bullpen during visitation time by tampering with a lock. ...

What sounds like a rifle shot breaks the serenity of a quiet Nevada afternoon. Onlookers glance up in surprise but quickly dismiss the thought of danger. The noise is just the backfiring of the Nevada High School Construction Technology class's old dilapidated bus. ...

A fire erupted at the home of Leonard and Lucy Garrett about 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Compton Junction and Milo fire departments responded to the blaze, which completely destroyed the home. The firefighters spent more than two hours fighting the fire, and at one point, witnesses said, flames shot high above nearby treetops, and some reported that a propane tank next to the home exploded during the fire. ...

A shooting just south of the Bates County line left one man dead and another injured. Terry Robinson, 38, of Rich Hill was shot once in the chest, during an apparent altercation at his Rich Hill home, at about 7:30 Saturday evening. Deputies arrived on the scene and found a man, later identified as Robinson, already dead. ...

CARTHAGE, Mo. -- The Nevada Tiger girls softball team took its knocks in the third annual Carthage Tournament on Saturday. In the highly competitive tournament, Nevada met No. 2-seed Carl Junction in its first game. The Bulldogs run-ruled the Tigers, 9-0, on one hit in five innings. ...

Playing with a healthy blend of energy, emotion and expertise, the Cottey Comets are rapidly developing into a formidable foe. "When this group came in, I saw the potential," said Cottey coach Marla Kannady. "Each player brought special skills that made a good fit. ...

LAMAR, Mo. -- Nevada High School's girls tennis team showed no "love" in an 8-1 win over Lamar on Monday. The Tigers improved to 7-4 in dual meets. "We played well up and down the line," said Nevada coach Dennis Pendrak. "It was one of our best nights, particularly since Lamar is much improved over the last time we faced them." Highlights of the match were the impressive comebacks of the No. ...

100 Years Ago -- October 7, 1903 Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Hardy of Bronaugh were greatly and agreeably surprised October 6, their silver wedding anniversary by a number of their friends. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were informed that an old acquaintance of theirs was sick at Moundville and of course these two good people went directly to Moundville to render assistance. ...

Probate judge George Greer has sentenced Terri Schindler-Schiavo to death by starvation. Her crime? Being defenseless. Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, doesn't want his wife to live. She has been under treatment for 10 years following a mysterious collapse at her home. ...