Stories from Tuesday, December 21, 2004

n Veteran senator says commission should be abolished. By Marc Powers Nevada Daily Mail JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A special state commission that was constitutionally required to meet this year and recommend salary adjustments for state elected officials and judges was never even appointed, and the reason why this mandate apparently was ignored is unclear...

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail Santa and his helpers stopped over in Jerico Springs at the community center Saturday, Dec. 11, to give area children toys and gifts of fruit and candy. Helpers included A.C. Cooey who stood in for the jolly old elf and handed out the presents...

Nevada Daily Mail The field of candidates running for the two seats up for election in April grew to six Monday when incumbent councilmen Bill Edmonds and Tim Moore filed for the election. The addition of two more candidates means that there will be a primary election on March 8, with the top four candidates in the general election to be held on April 5...

Nevada's National Guard Armory was a busy place Monday morning for the annual distribution of toys by the Vernon County Ambulance District and food baskets by Community Outreach. Above, Tabitha Pitts, left, and Kara Foster gather a basket of food. Meanwhile, Barbara Long, Community Outreach director, presented a gift to Larry Rose (not pictured) in appreciation of his many years of service helping with the annual food distribution. ...

Despite the cold weather, members of the First Christian Church in Nevada held a living nativity on Saturday. The nativity was presented in stations -- each telling a different portion of the Christmas story.

Delores June Lewis, 71, Nevada, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital, El Dorado Springs. She was born Jan. 18, 1933, in Blakeman, Kan., to Joseph Walter Robbins and Dollie Pearl Johnson Robbins. She married Weldon Wooley on Oct. 22, 1951, in Rangley, Colo. Later, she married John C. Lewis on Feb. 21, 1969, in Peru, Ind., and he preceded her in death in 1978...

Loyd Gene Starlin, 64, of Carthage, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, at McCune Brooks Hospital in Carthage. He was born Aug. 11, 1940, in Stotesbury, Mo., to Claude and Minnie (Shepard) Starlin. He lived most of his life in Barton County. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Lamar, Mo...

Lillian Eva Slaughter Hickman, 88, died Dec. 15, 2004. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 21, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Greg Ferree officiating. Musical selections were "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and "The Lord's Prayer." Pallbearers were Bill Hickman, Hal Hickman, Doug Hickman and Bill Mapp. Interment was in Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home...

Erma L. Irwin, 90, died Dec. 16, 2004. Services were held at the Bronaugh Methodist Church on Dec. 20, at 10:30 a.m., with Bill Radford and John Swatosh officiating. Soloist was Ed Post. Musical selections were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In the Garden." Organist was Shirley Robinson. ...

James E. Perry, 94, Rich Hill, died Dec. 18, 2004, at Joplin. He is survived by his wife, Nadean Perry, of the home; two daughters, Diane Bradley, of the home, and Carol Johnson, of New Mexico; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. ...

Charles R. Douglas, 78, Nevada, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2004, at Freeman West Health System in Joplin. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m., at Ferry Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m., Thursday. Family information will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home...

Wining and dining This past weekend my wife and I hosted the main course of a progressive dinner for my wife's work's Christmas party -- for those who are unfamiliar with what a progressive dinner is, it is a meal where those involved travel between houses, eating a different course of a meal at each house...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Nearing the end of a disappointing season, not all is gloomy for the Kansas City Chiefs. A number of first- and second-year players are shining brightly in what amounts to real-time auditions for spots next year in what is certain to be a dramatically revamped roster...

Nevada Daily Mail The Calvary Christian Eagles got production from a new source and ran away from the Lowry City Falcons Friday in Osceola. Devan Scougal led the team with 21 points and had eight rebounds as the Eagles rolled to a 63-31 win. Tyler Border scored 17 for Calvary, while Kenny Rood had 10...

Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Major league baseball in the nation's capital may not be dead, after all. After a day of negotiations among the mayor's office, baseball officials and the head of the District of Columbia city council, government leaders announced an agreement Monday night they said would revive a deal to move baseball's Montreal Expos to Washington...

I saw recently that Bill Gates gets 4 million e-mails a day. In others words, about half what I get during a single trip to the coffee machine. Not that I mind opening 8 million e-mails. It's just difficult to compose 8 million thoughtful replies. (OK, maybe a few get deleted.)...