Stories from Thursday, March 4, 2004

The news keeps bringing us stories of violence. Violence between two individuals, violence between nations, violence within a nation, and violence in films are constantly being reported. It makes me want to withdraw from human associations, sit back, and observe the nice tranquil scenes of nature. The crocus bulbs are blooming, there is a faint hint of color in the forsythia bush, and the sky is remarkably blue these days...

A column in this newspaper not long ago reported on a new book, "The Blank Slate: The Modem Denial of Human Nature," by Steven Pinker. It "challenges the foundational principle of modem liberalism:" that human life is determined by environment, not heredity, "nurture," not "nature"; that human ills are the results of "ignorance, discrimination, poverty, and disease," not some biologically immutable "human nature," with a built-in propensity for evil; and that thus "education, legislation, and alteration of environment can produce men like gods.". ...

100 Years Ago - March 4, 1904 AROUND TOWN -- There are many imitators of Mr. J.C. Lewis' novel and unique method of heralding the advent of the St. Plunkard Company, in each city he appears he presents the only and original country band parade which is well worth going miles to see...

George Breen, 84, of Nevada, Mo., the son of Frank and Elizabeth Weber Breen, was born May 29, 1919, in Armour, S.D., and died March 3, 2004, at Christian Health Care in Nevada. Mr. Breen was a graduate of Armour High School in 1937. After entering the U.S. Army in 1942 he was sent to Camp Clark in Nevada, Mo., where he served until 1944 during the time the Italian Prisoners of War were at Camp Clark...

Aaron Becker, 87, of Moundridge, Kan., formerly of Rich Hill, Mo., died Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at Moundridge Manor in Moundridge, Kan. He was born Sept. 4, 1916, to Jacob B. and Mary Unruh Becker in McPherson County, Kan. On Feb. 4, 1940, he was married to Hannah Koehn in Galva, Kan...

DREXEL, Mo. -- The Hume Lady Hornets picked an excellent time to avenge an earlier loss. Second-seed Hume (20-6) defeated No. 3 Montrose 49-36 to advance to the final of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 12 Tournament. After an even first quarter, the Lady Hornets put up 20 second-quarter points to secure a 29-21 halftime lead...

By Larry Lewis Northeast Vernon County in tiny Walker, Mo., boasts one of the area's most prolific high school basketball scorers in Katie Foreman. Foreman has amassed 1,321 points in her career and she's not finished. Opponents must contend with the five-foot-seven junior guard for another season...

By Ralph Pokorny Despite the rumors floating around there is no current plan to close the Nevada Habilitation Center or any of the other five habilitation centers in Missouri. Bill Edmonds, Nevada Habilitation Center superintendent and Nevada mayor, said during Tuesday night's city council meeting that everyone he has talked to in Jefferson City has assured him that rumors based on a recommendation from the Missouri State Auditor's Office are not true...

By Steve Moyer As Nevada nears its sesquicentennial Althea Humphrey celebrated her 101st birthday Tuesday at Moore-Few Nursing home. Humphrey was born Althea Jane Fowler, the third child of Edward G. and Matilda Jane Beisley Fowler. Humphrey was feted on her birthday by her daughter, Alberta Peters and one brother, Beverly Fowler. ...

By Larry Lewis "Inspiring Hope and Possibility" was the theme of Cottey College's celebration of African-American and women's history month at the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts. The event, sponsored by Cottey's Center for Women's Leadership, convened with an art and essay exhibit of Nevada's black history as perceived by local students and community members...

By Lynn A. Wade and Marc Powers Last week's Missouri Supreme Court decision upholding the state's concealed gun law as constitutional has not put an end to debate about when and how the new rules can actually be implemented. "There are still a lot of questions. Everybody has questions," said Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman, who has not yet begun to accept or process applications for permits to carry a concealed weapon...

Heavy rain struck the area at around 10 o'clock this morning, sending the runoff rushing violently from drain pipes like this one, located on the back of the building housing May's Floral and Gifts in Nevada, and transforming streets and gutters into raging rivulets of water. Police monitored road conditions, prepared to close certain areas affected by high water if necessary...