Stories from Friday, December 24, 2004

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail Several parents brought their concerns over a perceived lack of communications and scheduling conflicts to the Nevada R-5 Board of Education Wednesday, Dec. 8. Since then, parents say "great strides" of progress have been made in addressing their concerns...

Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Natural gas bills for customers of Missouri Gas Energy are expected to drop a little after Jan. 1. The Missouri Public Service Commission said the company's rates are falling to reflect changes in the cost of natural gas for the rest of the winter...

n How about ''Ms. Merry Christmas''? By Carrie Antlfinger Associated Press MILWAUKEE -- ''Merry Christmas'' is more than just a greeting for some people. It's the name on their birth certificate. Merry C. Christmas, in Savannah, Mo., said she was named by her godfather and the family doctor in Vernon, Texas, who delivered her...

Nevada Daily Mail Yesterday, several injury accidents occurred on Missouri highways in the Missouri Highway Patrol's Troop D region, which includes Vernon County. Reports say three of them occurred in Vernon County. Three teenagers suffered minor injuries in a crash that occurred at about 1:30 p.m., Dec. ...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail Two years ago, seven long-time friends met for lunch to rekindle friendships that had been neglected over the years. During the afternoon meeting, the conversation revolved around the difficulties of maintaining friendships with old friends. ...

Jered and Crystal Burch, Walker, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Cole William Burch. Cole was born at 4:32 p.m., on Dec. 22, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 21.5 inches. He joins a sister, Kate LeighAnn Burch. ...

Tony and Amanda Keightley, Harwood, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Mitchell Lawrence Keightley. Mitchell was born on Dec. 16, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, and measured 19.5 inches. Paternal grandparents are Daniel and Donna Keightley, Harwood. ...

George Alfred Gilman, 77, Nevada, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004, at his home in Nevada following a lengthy illness. He was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Fulton, Kan., to George Gilman and Lydia Womelsborf Gilman. He married June Ellen Pettibon on Oct. 15, 1950, in Deerfield. She preceded him in death on March 2, 2000...

This infamous editorial was first printed in the New York Sun, 1897, this letter to the editor and the response from Francis Pharcellus Church, editor of that publication. It is reprinted in this issue for your enjoyment. Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?...

While much has been made of the societal benefits of a bio-based economy that increases our energy independence, our farmers and rural communities may be the primary benefactors. In fact, bio-based production has perhaps the greatest potential for revitalizing rural America...

100 years ago: Dr. Todd found guilty of second degree murder The trial of Dr. J.D. Todd, ex-representative of Vernon County, which has been in progress during the past 12 days, came to a close this morning when the trial jury returned a verdict of murder in the second degree, assessing his punishment at 12 years' confinement in the state penitentiary...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Last time Kansas City hosted a Christmas Day game, the NFL promised such a thing would never happen again. And for a long time, it didn't. But that was 33 years ago and times change. The storm of protest that erupted when the Chiefs and Miami Dolphins stalled Christmas dinner with a game that lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds on Dec. 25, 1971 has faded into the distant past...

Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Mark Mulder believes his late-season swoon had nothing to do with being traded to the Cardinals. The left-hander, acquired from Oakland on Saturday, was the AL starter in the All-Star game and was the first 17-game winner in the major leagues. But he was 0-4 with a 7.27 ERA in his last seven starts and was a reason why the Athletics missed the playoffs for the first time in five years...

Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to one-year contracts with outfielder So Taguchi and pitcher Mike Myers, the club announced Wednesday. Taguchi will earn $550,000 plus performance bonuses. Myers agreed to $600,000. Taguchi, 35, returns to the Cardinals after batting .291 with 26 runs and 25 RBI in 109 games for the club last season...

Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Linas Kleiza says it after every game, but it was never more true than following a closer-than-expected 70-64 loss to top-ranked Illinois. Missouri's sophomore forward 25 points and added seven rebounds and three assists Wednesday in the annual ''Braggin' Rights'' game in St. Louis. Afterward, he again noted the youth of the team, which has just one scholarship senior and whose leading scorers, Kleiza and Thomas Gardner, are sophomores...

Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- David Eckstein agreed Thursday to a $10.25 million, three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, completing a trio of shortstop switches. Boston started it by luring Edgar Renteria from St. Louis with a $40 million, four-year contract. Anaheim then chose to cut loose Eckstein on Monday and give a $32 million, four-year deal to Orlando Cabrera, who played last season for the Red Sox...