Stories from Wednesday, January 5, 2005

By Ralph Pokorny Nevada Daily Mail Tuesday night, after a lengthy discussion, the Nevada City Council took the first step to renew the city's one-half cent parks and recreation sales tax, by passing three special ordinances to put the measure on the April 5 ballot...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail Four Vernon County 4-Hers are headed to Denver this week to participate in the National Western Invitational Livestock Contest, that takes place during the stock show in Denver, Colo. Jared Liles, Cody Claflin, Whitney Hinkle and Spencer Thompson will be competing in the 4-H/FFA livestock judging competition...

By Marc Powers Nevada Daily Mail JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Key players in the looming legislative effort to overhaul Missouri's system for funding public schools shared ideas Tuesday during an education summit organized by Gov.-elect Matt Blunt. Blunt, a Republican who takes office Monday, acknowledged the issue will be difficult to tackle, given the competing interests that stand to gain or lose from a rewrite of the complex formula for distributing state financial support to school districts throughout the state.. ...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail All this week the Vernon County Commissioners are working to put together the 2005 budget. Today and yesterday commissioners met with representatives of various county entities to discuss budget requests. On Tuesday the commission met with Lynn Ewing III, county prosecutor, Phil Couch, treasurer, Virginia Habjan, county administrator, David Ferry, coroner, and the University Extension Office...

Joe and Julie Heathman, Nevada, are the proud parents of Vernon County's New Year's Baby, Abigail Kay Heathman. Abigail was born in Nevada Regional Medical Center at 9:25 p.m. New Year's Day and weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19.75 inches long. Maternal grandparents, Jim and Deanna Giessel, Nevada and maternal great-grandmother Francies Myers, Blue Springs, along with paternal grandparents Tom and Shirley Heathman and Carol Heathman and paternal great-grandparents Edith Heathman and Paul and Anna Rapp, all of Nevada, welcomed the new member of the family.. ...

Joe and Julie Heathman, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Kay Heathman. Abigail was born at 9:25 p.m., on Jan. 1, 2005, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 19.75 inches. Paternal grandparents are Tom and Shirley Heathman, Nevada, and Carol Heathman, Nevada. ...

Evan and Jennifer Koehn, Butler, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Logan Scott Koehn. Logan was born at 8:12 a.m., on Dec. 13, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 21 inches. He joins a sister, Brianne Joy Koehn. ...

Alvin Daniel Hawes, 77, Nevada, died Jan. 1, 2005. Services were held at the Pentecostal Assembly today, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. J.O. Howard officiating. Eulogy was given by Bobby Huffman. Singers were Tricia Brandt, Shelby Brandt, Jackie Hawes and Marie Huffman. ...

Lola Irene McDowell, 81, Nevada, died Dec. 31, 2004. Services were held at the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kan., today, Jan. 5, at 12:30 p.m., with the Rev. Paul Mooney officiating. Interment was in the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kan. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home...

Leonard "Buck" Hough Jr., Rich Hill, 74, died Dec. 21, 2004. He was born Feb. 13, 1930, the son of Leonard Hough Sr., and Iva Woodall Hough. He was a life-long resident of the rural Rich Hill and Bates County area. He married Melba Ferrell on Sept. 26, 1952...

I have always been a firm believer in the concept of "leaving a place better than you found it" and have made this my guiding principle throughout my tenure as your lieutenant governor. As I depart office after having served four years, I believe I am leaving the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in a better position to serve Missourians in the future. ...

One year has ended and another one has started. It is good to turn over a new leaf, but what makes us think that this year will be any better than the past year? It is always good to evaluate the previous year, and to make plans for a new year. By now, most likely, many of the New Year's resolutions made have been broken. Still, it is good to establish some resolutions or to set goals. Remember, if you shoot for the moon and miss, you may hit a star. A star is high also...

100 years ago: Shartel names Neff postmaster The hot factional fight among Vernon County Republicans for postmaster at Nevada has been settled by decision of Hon. C.M. Shartel, congressman-elect, by decision in favor of O.W. Neff, editor of the Nevada Herald, for the position...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail Lacy Leonard got things going and Hillary Adams took over down the stretch. The two Lady Tiger seniors carried most of the offensive burden for Nevada as they beat Carl Junction 65-54 in the first round of the Carthage Lady Tiger Invitational Tuesday night...

Nevada Daily Mail The Bronaugh boys handled Miami-Amoret Tuesday, 68-39. The Wildcats were led by Alex Gordon's 27 points, while Tyler Judd also got in the scoring groove with 22. The two combined to score 18 points in the first period as Bronaugh put the game out of reach with a 21-6 lead...

Nevada Daily Mail The Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights beat Ballard Tuesday, 47-26 in Walker. The boys fell just short of pulling the sweep, as they fell 67-65 despite getting 21 points from Steve Koshko. The junior varsity boys did win, getting a 12-11 decision in two quarters of play...

Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada Youth Wrestling Club went to Belton over the weekend and came home with eight medals among the 13 wrestlers who participated. Tanner Charles won first place, Jacob Johnson, Slade Stiles, Zach Shepherd and Nicholas Conner each received second place while True Beisly, Daxtyn Osburn and Sam Ellifrits each placed...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The top leadership of the Kansas City Chiefs indicated Tuesday that their defensive problems may mostly be solved by helping current players get better. Essentially, that's what coach Dick Vermeil and general manager Carl Peterson decided last year. After finishing 29th overall in defense in 2003, they re-signed seven of their own players and brought in a new coordinator, Gunther Cunningham...

Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Making the toughest shots, and the easiest ones, helped Missouri win its final tuneup before Big 12 play. Jason Conley had 12 points and 10 rebounds and the Tigers were 10-for-22 from 3-point range in a 64-51 victory over American on Tuesday night, their most production from long range since going 12-for-23 in a victory over Houston on Nov. 16. Every bit as important was their 18-for-23 showing at the free-throw line, considering a poor showing in the last game...