Stories from Thursday, March 3, 2011

United States Army Specialist Christopher G. Stark, of Monett, the son of Teresa Stark, was killed Feb. 28, in Wardak Province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device, according to the U.S. ...

With a host of private citizens and businesses backing it, a Saturday benefit for a 43-year-old native Nevadan grievously injured in a Jan. 3 train accident appears poised for success. Larry McVay Jr., a conductor for Norfolk Southern Railway, lost his right arm and right leg when a train backed into him near Lafayette, Ind., and friends have organized a benefit hog roast and silent auction for 4-9 p.m., Saturday, at Boomer's Roadhouse at 705 N. Osage St...

Estimated cost of response tops $14 million; snow accumulations were as high as 23 inches.

Refunds totaling more than $18.5 million may be waiting for 20,300 Missouri taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2007. The Internal Revenue Service estimates that half of these potential refunds are $600 or more. "Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments," said IRS spokesman Michael Devine...

The pecan is an easy to grow tree native to Missouri and produces a nut that remains a fan favorite according to Patrick Byers, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension. Pecans were first harvested by Native Americans and early European settlers recognized the value of this native nut as well...

As part of the George Washington Carver Art and Essay program during Black History Month, fourth graders from across the four-states region answered the question, "What would you say if you could speak with George Washington Carver today?" More than 400 entries were received in both categories. Original artwork ranges from coffee can murals to printmaking and mobiles. Handwritten and typed essays were submitted from public and private school students...

In their "Race into Reading" program Friday, a program which incorporates age-appropriate reading materials about a variety of careers, at Benton Elementary School, high school students from Nevada Regional Technical Center read to second graders about culinary careers. ...

Cayden Bailey, 4, of Nevada points to a funny picture as The Cat In The Hat reads "Put Me in the Zoo" to a class at the Nevada Head Start on Wednesday morning. Kolby Boos, a high school student from Hume, Mo., portrayed the cat as part of a public service project. ...

James Edwin Rinehart, 89, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center, Nevada, following a lengthy illness. He was born May 24, 1921, in Nevada, to Joseph Raymond Rinehart and Ula Blanch Letton Rinehart. He married Helen L. Hines on July 13, 1946, in Nevada, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 18, 1988...

Lois Kraus, 81, died Feb. 28, 2011, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, in Enid, Okla. She was born Jan. 7, 1930, near Montevallo, Mo., to E.A. "Duke" and Flossie Rider Fletcher. Due to the death of her mother at the age of 4 months, she was loved and cared for by Amy J. ...

Clarence Jay Baker, 76, Nevada, died on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at his home in Nevada. Family information will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 5, at Ferry Funeral Home with Steve Knoll officiating. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. Cremation will follow...

Anthony and Courtney Palmer of Nevada are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Grace Palmer. Abigail was born at 5:31 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 21 inches...

Kyle and Brittany Houchin and big sister, Raelyn Nacole Houchin, are proud to announce the birth of their baby son and brother, Kyle James Houchin Jr. Kyle was born at 2:29 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and measured 20 inches...

February 14 John D. Kehrman, Nevada, speeding 41/30. February 15 Michael E. Cartwright, Nevada, expired license plate, failure to register vehicle. Sherry F. Galster, Nevada, speeding 30/15. Charles C. Gundy, Walker, Mo., expired license plate, no proof of insurance...