Stories from Wednesday, December 17, 2003

The Nevada City Council voted on eight measures Tuesday night that will bring a lot of tax dollars back to Nevada as well as help bring hundreds of new jobs to town over the next two or three years. "We've put some pretty good money back into Nevada tonight," council member Marie Wessley said at the end of Tuesday's council meeting...

December -- a time of holly wreaths, visits with Santa -- and taxes. While visions of sugar plums swirl about in the dreams of children, tax bills are coming and going. Phil Couch, Vernon County Treasurer, said the annual cycle of real estate and property tax payments is in full swing, with only two weeks left during which residents can pay those bills without penalty...

A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody ... but Detective Plotnick (portrayed by Steve Reed, standing in the center of the photo) plans to get to the bottom of things as the plot thickens in the murder mystery farce to be presented at the Fox Playhouse by the Community Council on the Performing Arts in a three-day run beginning Thursday, Dec. ...

On Monday, contractors and city officials got together at the newly-constructed Neal Center which is to house a new senior center, to check the details to make sure all is ready. Then, workers will fine-tune anything that needs it, and the final clean-up will begin. ...

The Nevada City Council gave its first-round approval to an ordinance relaxing the residency re-quirements for commissioned police officer to allow them to reside anywhere within Vernon County. They are currently required to live within four miles of the public safety building. This change had been requested by police officers earlier this year but was denied at the time...

Orpha Ruth Heitz, 59, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at her home following a short illness. She was born June 22, 1944, in Nevada, Mo., to Dee Vern Goodpaster and Sylvina Parker Goodpaster. She married Lester T. Heitz on July 19, 1965, in Nevada, Mo., and he survives of the home...

John Steven Willers, 45, Nevada, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He was born May 2, 1958, in Nevada, Mo., to John Dale Willers and Burnita Joyce Disney Willers. Steve was born and raised in Vernon County and spent the majority of his life here. He made his living as a trucker...

Richard B. Welch, 90, died Dec. 12, 2003. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 16, at 1:30 p.m., with John Nichols and Pastor Connie Locke officiating. Musical selections were "How Great Thou Art" and "The Angels are Singing" presented by Janet Smith and a congregational singing of "The Lord's Prayer." There was also a medley of Patriotic songs including the "Hallelujah Chorus." Organist was Laurel Mason. ...

More than a year ago, I wrote a column about the late Eddie Catron, a red-haired butcher in Harrisonville. He was a long time friend of mine and a cousin of Lyle Catron's. Soon after it was published, I received a phone call from Linda K.(Spangler) Sewell. ...

100 Years Ago -- December 17, 1903 In response to the call of President Jackson of the Business Men's Club there was a fair attendance at the club rooms last night but what was lacking in numbers was made up in enthusiasm. It was the unanimous voice of those present that Nevadans should and must maintain a business men's club, an organization of progressive men who would work for the material welfare and the up building of Nevada...

The second half belongs to the Nevada Lady Tigers. The Lady Tigers of Nevada "second-halfed" the Lady Tigers of Fort Scott (Kan.) in a 51-39 victory at Wynn Gymnasium on Tuesday. Nevada (5-3), led primarily by its defensive play, is proving to be a lethal closer...

The Nevada Tiger boys seem to be developing a pattern,as well, but it's a self-destructive one. A less-than-prolific scoring outfit, the Tigers' recent habit of falling far behind early is costing them dearly in the long run. Fort Scott jumped out to an 18-5 first-quarter lead, then held on for a 58-48 win over Nevada on Tuesday...

HUME, Mo. -- Archie's fast-break baskets hurt Hume in the Lady Hornets' 53-45 loss on Tuesday. "It was a very good ballgame by both teams," said Hume coach Larry Berry, whose team slipped under .500 at 3-4. Free-throw shooting, however, wasn't a good area for either team. Hume missed 16 and Archie bonked 15...

BUTLER, Mo. -- Bronaugh's unbeaten win streak extends to seven with a 52-28 win over Ballard on Monday. The Wildcat defense dominated the Bulldogs, limiting them to only two points in the second quarter. The Bronaugh offense managed only six, but took a 22-9 lead into the locker room at halftime...

WALKER, Mo. -- Northeast Vernon County recorded double wins over non-conference foe Calhoun on Tuesday. NEVC (3-4) defeated the Calhoun Eagle boys 76-59. Four Knights totaled double digits, led by Jared Taylor with 21. Dustin Terry, Joe Coy and Steve Koshko scored 19, 18 and 14, respectively...

The Calvary Lady Eagles couldn't make a 17-9 first-half lead hold up as they dropped a 39-30 decision to the Lowry City Falcons at the Nevada YMCA on Monday. Calvary Christian (0-6) was led by Toni Scougal and Sha-Ree Chevalier with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Both Scougal, with 18 rebounds, and Chevalier, with 12, recorded double-doubles...