Stories from Tuesday, June 28, 2005

By Steve Moyer Nevada Daily Mail Who's to blame for the rising cost of energy? Is American's love affair with the automobile responsible for the latest round of price increases? People watch the prices on the signs at the gas stations get higher and higher and they want to know why...

About 500 people attended the 2005 Missouri State Eagles Convention held at the Nevada Aerie Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One of the purposes of the convention was to elect new state officers. Donations were also made to a number of charities supported by each aerie throughout the state. Larry Scism, a past president for the Eagles, lobbied hard for the event to take place here in Nevada. The Nevada aerie also has the largest facility in Missouri except for St. Louis...

By Marc Powers Nevada Daily Mail JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nearly 47 years to the day after the Missouri Fraternal Order of Eagles erected a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issued a ruling that likely protects it from potential constitutional challenges...

Karen J. Hanlin, 59, of Blue Springs, Mo., passed away June 24, 2005, at St. Joseph Hospital. Karen was born Sept. 19, 1645, in Clinton, Mo., to Clifford F. and Margaret I. (Fitzmorris) Brick. She was a member of St. Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church. She was a homemaker...

Helen Longabaugh, 88, Corning, Iowa, died Dec. 31, 2004. Graveside inurnment services will be held Friday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m., at Pryor Creek Cemetery in Metz.

Diana L. Faith, 73, Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Nevada, died Monday, June 27, 2005, at Blue River Care Center in Kansas City, Mo. Family information and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home.

Raymond Lewis Christopher, 72, Rich Hill, died June 26, 2005. He was born April 19, 1933, in Rich Hill, the son of Noble and Margaret (Hogan) Christopher. He married Alice (Debbie) Brock. He was a Rich Hill High School graduate. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired carpenter...

Marjorie Maxine Lambert, 77, formerly of Nevada, died Thursday, June 23, 2005, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. She was born Aug. 21, 1927, near Marshfield, Mo., the daughter of James Clyde Shannon and Mary Elberta Clift Shannon. She was a homemaker and member of the Black Oak Free Will Baptist Church...

Dixie L. LeeMasters, 57, of Lamar (formerly of Nevada), died Sunday, June 19, 2005. Services were held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel on June 26, at 2 p.m., with John Dille officiating. Musical selections were by Maxine Foster and Jolene Dille. Pallbearers were Paul LeeMasters, Willie Hunt, Kyle LeeMasters, Jaren Roberts, Donald Vinson and James Vinson. Honorary pallbearer was Tracy Byram. Interment was in Wagner Cemetery. Arrangements are by Evergreen Memorial Chapel...

Recently, in what many Americans believe is a publicity stunt to hype his new movie, Tom Cruise engaged in one of the most bizarre and embarrassing displays of human behavior since, well, every other day on TV. But it was pretty weird, even for "Oprah." Cruise, who is now -- I'm sorry, Tom! -- a middle-aged man, jumped up on his chair, got down on his knees, yelled and laughed uproariously, all to convince America that his new girlfriend had him acting like a lovesick 14-year-old again...

Starting on July 1 when you go to get or renew your Missouri driver's license you will have to prove that you are in this country legally. When you go into the license bureau you will have to have in hand either your birth certificate or a U.S. passport. The changes are a result of Senate Bill 1233, which according to a press release issued by the Department of Revenue, requires proof of "the rightful legal claim to be present in the United States."...

Firefighters deserve better Dear editor: I was upset when I read Thursday's article, "Search for chief to be a long process." As a firefighter's wife, I have a lot at stake with the Fire Department and I do not feel that they are getting the respect they deserve...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail The Nevada Griffons got back on track this weekend, taking the final three games of a four-game series against the Southwest Slashers to match their win total from the previous 12 contests. The Griffons had gone 3-9 since taking the first game of a doubleheader with the Slashers on June 13. After that game, Nevada dropped the nightcap to Southwest, split with the El Dorado Broncos and lost three out of four against both the Hays Larks and Liberal Bee Jays...

By Joe Warren Nevada Daily Mail Nevada Griffons starting pitcher Chris Rhoads has decided to return to his home state to play college baseball. The North Little Rock, Ark., graduate signed a letter of intent Saturday to play at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville...

By Rusty Murry Nevada Daily Mail The Vernon County Youth Fair got underway Saturday, June 6, at the home of Ron and Sonja Terry, when 27 competitors stepped up to the firing line of the 2005 Vernon County, 4-H Shooting Sports archery competition. The youths, 21 boys and six girls ranging from 8 to 18 years old, were divided by age into three flights: 8 to 10, 11 to 13,and 14 to 18 and shot from 10, 15, and 20 yards respectively...

100 years ago: Dogs put to use as lifeguards on Monogahela River PITTSBURG, Kan. -- Two huge, intelligent, St. Bernard dogs, owned by Policeman Charles Cooper, have been installed as life guards to save boys from drowning who swim in the Monogahela River here. They already saved many lives...