Stories from Saturday, January 25, 2014

Billie Floyd (Bill) Householder, 70, of Nevada, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at Freeman West Hospital, in Joplin, Mo. Bill, as he was known, was born June 24, 1943, in Nevada, to Harry Carol and Jennie Ann (Swift) Householder. He was married for many years to Ruby Elaine Williams and together had four children. ...

Hi, neighbors. Long winter days and cold winter nights remind us all how good it feels to curl up with a good book, in front of a warm fire, while sipping some hot coffee. It doesn't get much better than that. There is at least one thing better: sitting in front of a video of a fireplace, holding a computer and working with a fired up passion to put just the right words in the most entertaining order...

This year has taken off in a hurry and just like last year, things are moving fast! This month I attended meetings with the C-Net Drug Task Force, the Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force, the Vernon County Chaplains, business owners from around the county, and of course the Vernon County Commission...

For the second year, I attended the United Way of Vernon County Appreciation and Awards Luncheon. The annual event serves to recognize the agencies, businesses, and volunteers who make a difference in helping this organization help us in our community...

Nevada Parks and Recreation director Tiaras, Cinderella dresses, party shoes, and glitter...what little girl doesn't dream of being a princess? Last year, when I was approached about offering a Father-Daughter Ball, I was all for it. I thought, if a group of individuals could plan an event that would make even one little girl feel like a princess, for a single night, it was well worth the effort...

The Bourbon County Arts Council's 22th Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit is looking for entries. The mixed media competition is open to artists 16 and older. Categories include painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, drawing and graphics, mixed media, pastels, textiles and two photography categories. Entry fee is $7.50 per piece and entry and entry deadline is March 7...

Chatham Baroque, a musical trio, will perform at 8 p.m., Feb. 7, in the auditorium of the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts on the Cottey College campus. Founded in 1990, Chatham Baroque reaches local, national, and international audiences with "dazzling technique and lively interpretations" of 17th and 18th-century music played on instruments of the period. ...

Nevada Daily Mail Connecting community and school together to address the issue of bullying, the Vernon County Youth Task Force brought in Youth Enrichment Services to its meeting Thursday. Youth Enrichment Services member Nick Geeding explained the group's initiative to add a bullying prevention week at Nevada schools...

Nevada Daily Mail "A new normal" is what Nevada Regional Medical Center CEO Judy Feuquay has called recent changes and ongoing assessments to the hospital. That normal has included a staff reduction of 11 percent and evaluations of all patient services, a process that is still ongoing, with no definitive end in sight. ...