Stories from Wednesday, December 8, 2004

By Ralph Pokorny Nevada Daily Mail One of the economic development incentives the city recently adopted has come to the rescue of four homeowners who paid to have a new sewer line built and dedicated to the city in 1994. That was the policy of the city in 1994. ...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail This weekend, the Dramatic Truth School of the Arts will present a show titled "The Mystery of Christmas." The annual show, performed in Kansas City, is a Christian version of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" and will feature a young local dancer who looks forward to performing with the group for her second year...

Nevada Daily Mail Nevada Regional Medical Center held their second annual Holiday Festival for Families on Dec. 5, with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus spending the afternoon welcoming families and taking part in festivities. A variety of activities was available to those attending...

Dana Cavener helps a young engineer ring the bell on the train engine that was brought in as a special treat for kids who participated in the Polar Express Pajama Party last night at the Nevada Public Library. Children who attended were able to sit on the train before being read "The Polar Express." After the story was read Santa Claus made a stop by the event to give the children the first gift of Christmas. ...

Brad and LouAnn Majors are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Madyson JaiAnne Majors. Madyson was born at 8:13 a.m., on Nov. 20, 2004, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin. She weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 19.5 inches. Paternal grandparents are Bob and Linda Majors. Maternal grandparents are Steve and Mary Ann Bell. Great-grandparents are Lavona Majors, Robert and Shirley Flake, Joe and Evelyn Bell and Stella McFarland...

Brian and Dana Watson, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of twins, Anthony Brian Edward Watson and Zachary Allen Loy Watson. They were born on Dec. 4, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Anthony, born at 8:10 a.m., weighed 4 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 17.75 inches. ...

Michelle and Greg Nelson, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Caleb Alexander Nelson. Caleb was born at 4:43 p.m., on Nov. 21, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches.

Felicia Ruth Jones, 51, Rich Hill, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. She is survived by one son, Jeffrey Derr, Rich Hill; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Mike Jones, Oak Grove, Mo.; and nieces and nephews...

Patsy Ann Cannon, 63, died Dec. 2, 2004. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 5, at 2 p.m., with John Nichols officiating. Musical selections were "How Great Thou Art" and "Peace in the Valley." Pallbearers were Gene Shields, Kendall Baker, Denver Westerhold, Brantley Johnson, John Shorten and Bob Hughes. Interment was in Marvin Chapel Cemetery in Nevada. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home...

Johnnie James Fritter, 85, Richards, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Mercy Health Center. He was born May 10, 1919, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of John Franklin Fritter and Bulah Severy Fritter. He married Helen Irene Beal on Dec. 2, 1945, at the First Church of God in Fort Scott...

Floyd F. Fowler, 94, of rural Sheldon, passed away Monday evening, Dec. 6, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Fowler was born March 19, 1910, in Sheldon, to Edward Garfield Fowler and Matilda Jane Beisley Fowler. On July 16, 1930, he was united in marriage in Adrian, Mo., to Mildred Helen Norwood, and she survives of the home...

Walter Roy Headrick Sr., 80, Richards, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin. He was born on Oct. 10, 1924, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Richard Byron Headrick and Mary Frances Barnett Headrick. He married Elsie G. Wagner on April 13, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kan., and she survives of the home...

100 years ago: Suspect arrested at Fort Scott thought to be man who robbed Richards Express office Sheriff Rodhouse is investigating details relating to the stolen fine bridle and whip that was found in the possession of the young fellow who attempted to sell it at Fulton one day last week. The fellow has been in jail here ever since and he insisted that he found the property...

Premiums for health insurance are high and keep getting higher. This trend is expected to continue for the next two years and then the pace of increases may slow. Many individuals and employers are getting tired of sending huge amounts of money to a health insurance company. Many would prefer to keep a big chunk of that money for themselves to spend on health expenses or save it for the future...

Nevada Daily Mail Three Nevada wrestlers won their weight class and two more finished second as the Tigers finished second as a team at the Pleasant Hill tournament Saturday. Seniors David Hawks, John Christie and Tyler Shouse each won their weight classes, while junior Joe Roberts and freshman Spenser Daniels both got second...

Associated Press ST. LOUIS - Matt Morris will return to the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing Tuesday night to a $2.5 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn an additional $4.5 million in performance bonuses. The NL champions also re-signed two other players, reaching one-year deals with right-hander Cal Eldred ($600,000) and outfielder John Mabry ($725,000)...

Nevada Daily Mail Bronaugh made the trip across southern Vernon County to play Sheldon Tuesday, and both schools came away with a win. The Bronaugh (3-0) boys jumped out to a 16-1 lead after the first period and cruised the rest of the way, winning 64-22...

Nevada Daily Mail The Hume girls improved to 3-1 with their 50-24 win over Appleton City Monday. Kayla Orear led a balanced attack with 18 points as the Lady Hornets took a 34-10 halftime lead and never looked back. The girls had also won against Kingsville Friday. Orear led the team with 21 points and Janine Castillo added 13 in that win...

Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. - Arkansas' first road game of the season was a marked improvement over the last two seasons. Ronnie Brewer had 20 points and five assists and the Razorbacks held Missouri to 30 percent shooting in a 62-52 victory Tuesday night, only their third on the road in three seasons under coach Stan Heath. They're 3-18 in that time, with the only other victories over Vanderbilt and Tulsa...

Associated Press PHOENIX - Baseball players gave their lawyers the go-ahead Tuesday to reach an agreement with owners on tougher testing for steroids. After negotiations with management were outlined to the executive board of the players' association, union head Donald Fehr said the board "authorized us to attempt to conclude an agreement consistent with those discussions."...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail This game was over quickly. While the regulation high school basketball game consists of four quarters, each eight minutes in length, the Nevada Lady Tigers used an 18-0 run during a five-minute stretch in the first period to put Tuesday's home-opener against Carl Junction out of reach...