Stories from Friday, December 5, 2003

My fascination with "Trading Spaces" is just sad. Sick and sad. The sad part is that I don't even own a home, so I'm constantly trying to harass my friends into applying to be on the show. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law live in houses a stone's throw from each other, so they're growing accustomed to my arguments on why they're perfect for "Trading Spaces."...

100 Years Ago -- December 5, 1903 A new rule has been adopted. Recorder Ewing has adopted the rule laid down by the law charging not only the dollar for the license but also fifty cents for "swearing" the parties who wish to obtain a marriage license...

Homer Edward Wangler, 84, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., died Dec. 3, 2003, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. He was born on July 31, 1919, in Kansas City, Mo., to William J. and Armilda Jane (Brown) Wangler. He married Nola D. Kroger in 1959 and she preceded him in death...

JOPLIN, Mo. -- In just 27 breathtaking seconds, the Nevada Tigers' emotions ranged from dejected to delighted. Dejected when Joplin capped a late comeback with a rare four-point play to tie the contest with 27 seconds left. Delighted when Alex Hardin's 3-pointer rippled the cords with one tick on the clock to lift the Tigers to a 60-57 victory over the Eagles in the 57th annual Carthage Invitational Tournament on Thursday...

On Dec.11 there will be several activities being sponsored by the RIF Ingenuity Grant received earlier this year by the Nevada R-5 School District. The grant was a collaborative effort of the Coca Cola Company and the National Reading Is Fundamental organization to encourage the development of literacy skills among young children. ...

A poor second-half performance led to a 54-45 Nevada Lady Tiger loss to Joplin at Wynn Gymnasium on Thursday. Nevada (1-2) led 23-22 at the half, but could muster no second-half momentum, managing only seven third-quarter points. Joplin outscored the Tigers 32-22 in the half...

It's time once again for Nevadans to open their hearts to those who might not have a very merry Christmas without some help from friends and neighbors. The Vernon County Ambulance District has kicked off the annual Community Toy Drive. Ambulance Director James McKenzie said that they began sending out letters about two weeks ago and have already received donations. ...

This one was decided early. Cottey College suffered an 81-40 blowout loss to Penn Valley Community College on Thursday. The Comets (2-10) managed only 14 first-half points as Penn Valley ran off to a 49-14 lead at the intermission. Nati Lenchner, a first-year Cottey transfer, led the Comets with nine points. Freshman Adrianna Futrell added seven...

Pat and Eldy Richardson, Sheldon, have taken up a novel way to recycle light bulbs. Richardson paints the bulbs with a holiday motif and attaches a twist tie to the base to attach the bulb to a Christmas tree. Richardson said he has shipped the bulbs to several area towns and as far away as Kansas City...

Thursday night Vernon County dignitaries and curious residents gathered at the Bowman building to learn more about the fine art of leading and what steps can be taken to turn Vernon County into a more progressive community. According to Dr. Johanna Reed Adams, speaker at Thursday's meeting, establishing an Experience in Community Enterprise and Leadership, program in Vernon County can do this...

WEBB CITY, Mo. -- The undefeated Nevada Middle School seventh grade girls basketball team advanced to the championship round of the Tri-County Tournament. The Tigers (9-0) trampled Joplin Memorial 45-13 in a semifinal on Tuesday. Brooke Silvola paced the Tigers with 10 points, while teammates Felecia Chadd and Taylor Means netted eight apiece...