Stories from Friday, March 18, 2005

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail It's been 20 years and a lot of ups and downs but Dave Adams is getting ready to leave the school district where he went from a health teacher and head basketball coach to the principal of the high school. "This is one of the hardest decisions of my life," Adams said. "I've really enjoyed the last 20 years. I'm happy about what lies ahead but I'll always cherish what we've done here in Nevada."...

Detective George Enke, Nevada Police Department, spoke to the Look Before You Leap Club at Truman Elementary Tuesday. Enke gave a talk on drug awareness and what to do in dealing with people who might offer drugs. The Look Before You Leap Club has a total of 300 members, 126 attended Tuesdays activities which included watching a video, singing the group's song and saying the group's pledge. Tuesday's activities were moved from their regular time because of spring break...

Nevada Daily Mail Assistant Superintendent Christie Peterson presented the Nevada R-5 school board with the district's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, during a meeting Wednesday night. "Any organization needs a set of goals and objectives and we are no different," Peterson said. "This is not only a good idea, it is a required document by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for accreditation purposes."...

Nevada Daily Mail The Community Council on the Performing Arts in association with the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee and the Bushwhacker Committee has announced the programming for Thursday evening of the 2005 Sesquicentennial Bushwhacker Days celebration...

By Ben Holman Nevada Daily Mail Tuesday nights at the YMCA are all about family fun and fitness according to Gigi Holman and Dana Redburn, program director and fitness director at the Osage Prairie YMCA in Nevada. On Tuesday, the YMCA kicked off its Family Prime Time program where any family can come and enjoy an evening of family activities...

Shon Earl Bogart, 34, Sheldon, died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Freeman Health System West, Joplin, following a farm accident. He was born Sept. 7, 1970, in El Dorado Springs, to Ralph Earl Bogart and Sally Ann Phillips Bogart. Shon was born and raised in this area and has spent his entire life here. ...

Oscar D. Jenkins, 87, died March 13, 2005. Services were held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel on March 17, at 2 p.m., with Dave Rorabaugh officiating. Musical selections were "Because He Lives" and "How Great Thou Art." Soloist was Wes Morton. Organist was Debbie Fast. ...

Fern E. Thomas, 83, formerly of Nevada, died March 15, 2005, in Omaha, Neb. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dyke Thomas Jr.; and son, Larry Dean Folkner. She is survived by a son Jim Folkner; daughter, Kozetta Thomas; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; and a nephew...

Ruth Ann Meisenheimer, 60, Nevada, died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, following a brief illness. She was born Aug. 28, 1944, in El Dorado Springs, to Dennis Dean Pursley and Pearl Ruth Martin Pursley. She married Ed Meisenheimer on Dec. 1, 1968, at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, and he survives of the home...

Charles Edwin Holland, 64, Nevada, died March 15, 2005. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home today, March 18, at 10:30 a.m., with Dan Doolin officiating. Soloist was Sonja Hart. Musical selections were "Precious Memories" and "In the Garden." Pallbearers were David Terrell Jr., Michael Deeser, Dudley Sawyer, Lecil Fields, Gene Shears and Cody Null. ...

There's no company as welcome as a best friend. It isn't that they don't deserve your best. It's just that you know they'll love you no matter whether you have it to give or not. And so it goes that my best friend Lynn arrived at my home this week from Texas to cat hair on the chaise lounge and a first-night meal of an Old El Paso taco kit...

By Jean Maneke "It is the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law." So begins the text of Missouri's Sunshine Law. This policy of openness in records of public bodies ensures that citizens will be able to access information on how public funds are spent...

Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS -- Fairleigh Dickinson coach Tom Green still believes a 16 seed will knock off a No. 1 someday. And for a little while, it looked possible to everyone in the RCA Dome. The 16th-seeded Knights took it to the nation's top-ranked team in the first half Thursday night, but Illinois (33-1) found life and came away with a 67-55 win. Fairleigh Dickinson outscored Illinois inside, won the rebounding battle and even led the Illini for a few seconds in the first half...

Associated Press Plaxico Burress will play with the New York Giants after all. The free-agent wide receiver reached an agreement with the team he spurned last week on a six-year, $25 million contract Thursday, a football source said. The deal includes an $8 million signing bonus, the source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday said team president Carl Peterson has agreed to a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the team's administrative helm through the 2009 season. The current contract for Peterson, who joined the club in December 1988, was scheduled to expire at the end of the 2005 season...

Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. -- At 6-foot-5, Missouri wide receiver Sean Coffey often relies on his lanky frame to out-jump smaller defenders so he can grab passes. Coffey blossomed in the Tigers' pass-heavy offense in 2004, producing career highs in receptions, touchdowns and yards. His progression pleased him, but as spring practice progresses he still has some goals...

Associated Press Barry Bonds might not be ready to resume his pursuit of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron when the season begins. After pushing his surgically repaired knee during rehab workouts, Bonds underwent a second operation -- a setback that makes it unlikely the slugger will be ready for opening day...