Stories from Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A bridge that has fallen into disrepair, change orders to a planned bridge project and of course, the details of the 2011 budget were highlights of the Vernon County Commission meeting in its offices on the second floor of the court house on Tuesday...

State Rep. Barney Fisher says that news of big overtime costs at state habilitation centers has gotten the attention of legislators and mental health officials, but groups that want to privatize mental health services may be making an effort to fan the flames of controversy...

By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for healthcare quality and safety, Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval. "We sought accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to our patients," says Holly Bush, performance improvement administrative officer. "We believe that this helps strengthen our community confidence and the quality and safety of our care."...

Diamond, Mo. -- In memory of Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington Carver National Monument invites the public to attend films on his life. The films will be shown on Jan. 14-17, at 1 p.m. The following films will be shown: George Washington Carver National Monument preserves the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver: scientist, educator, and humanitarian. ...

Nevada city ordinances require all dogs that reside in the city limits to be licensed and to have the license attached to the dog's collar for identification purposes. So, each year, to offer a convenient way that citizens can meet this responsibility and make sure dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations, the city offers sessions during which the public can obtain vaccinations and purchase dog licenses at the same time...

It happens every year; the weather gets bad and people make a rush to their favorite grocery or auto parts stores to stock up on groceries or buy something for the car. This year is no different, and the first winter storm of the season has created an increase in sales for some local merchants...

As temperatures drop across the country and we head full steam ahead into the winter season, American Red Cross is urging families to take the following actions now to prepare for hazardous winter weather. Although the precipitation across the area has ended, hazards of winter weather continue. ...

Sandra Joan Higgins, 69, a resident of Richards, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at the St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. She was born Aug. 24, 1941, in Butler, Mo., the daughter of Roy Earl Cameron and Dorothy Tilton Cameron. She married Melvin Higgins on Dec. 11, 1959, at Girard, Kan. Joan enjoyed cooking and often helped with funeral dinners for friends in the Richards community...

Robert Duane Carpenter, 65, of Walker, Mo., died on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, Mo. Private services are planned at a later date with burial in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City, Mo. Arrangements are made by Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City...

December 27 5:03 p.m.: An accident occurred at U.S. 54 Highway and Route BB involving a car driven by Treva J. Jones, Nevada, and a van driven by Larry L. Brown, Nevada. No injuries were reported. December 28 9:13 p.m.: An accident occurred at Adams Street and U.S. 54 Highway when a pickup driven by John W. Smith, Nevada, struck a pedestrian, Chelsea Hood, Nevada. Hood received evident, not disabling injuries...