Stories from Sunday, April 17, 2005

By Marc Powers Nevada Herald JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Democratic co-chairman of the Government Review Commission on Friday suggested changes in Missouri's merit system might be needed to allow the state to lay off employees without regard to seniority during times when the state needs to reduce its workforce...

By Steve Moyer Nevada Herald Wear seat belts. That's the message Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Transportation Department, hopes to get across to Missouri motorists. "I know statistics are boring, but they can be compelling," Rahn said. "Right now 77 percent of people in vehicles wear seat belts. ...

By Lynn A. Wade Nevada Herald Since the Children's Center branch in Nevada opened in January 2004, 89 children who may have suffered some sort of abuse or witnessed a violent crime have been interviewed. The Children's Center offers a safe, comfortable and secure environment in which trained interviewers can get to the bottom of what's been going on and facilitates cases against abusers at the same time...

The annual carnival at Bryan Elementary, held Friday evening on school grounds, was attended by hundreds of people. Attractions included face painting, games, a moon walk, an inflatable obstacle course and a train. Above, a group of young carnival-goers enjoy a ride on the train. In addition to the carnival, kindergarten enrollment is under way at Bryan. For information about enrollment or screenings, call Bryan Elementary school at (417) 448-2060...

Jeremy and Jennifer Clyman, of Grain Valley, Mo., are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Ella Grace Clyman. Ella was born on April 2, 2005. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 20 inches. Grandparents are Terry G. and Juanita Pilcher and David and Glenda Clyman, all of Nevada. Great-grandparents are Dan Pilcher and Phyllis Clyman, both of Nevada, and Dorris and Margaret Jones, New Bloomfield, Mo...

Roberta Conley was born to Bruno Roehrl and Elinor Kirby Roehrl on June 5, 1943, in Binghamton, N.Y. She died April 14, 2005, at her home in El Dorado Springs, after a long and valiant battle with metastatic melanoma. She graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pa. ...

Jean Spears Graham, 81, Butler, died Thursday, April 14, 2005, at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Monday, April 18, at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660) 679-6555 in Butler. No visitation. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Memorials are suggested to Heartland Hospice...

Janet Phelps Corn, 58, Puyallup, Wash., formerly of Nevada, died Thursday, April 14, 2005, in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Wash. Family information and funeral arrangement will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Rolla E. Kimzey, 86, Nevada, died Friday, April 15, 2005, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, following a short illness. He was born Sept. 23, 1918, in Saline County, Kan., the son of Samuel Veniles Kimzey and Emma Royder Kimzey. He married Pearl O. Stone on June 1, 1943, in El Dorado Springs, and she survives of the home...

Last weekend, Ginny and I attended many of the festivities surrounding the Saturday inauguration of Dr. Judy Robinson Rogers as Cottey College's eleventh president. From time to time, when one of the College's old-timers told me, "We're glad you came today," I felt like saying, "Did you think you could keep me away?"...

Thanks to the community for inaugural success Dear editor: Cottey College inaugurated its 11th president last weekend. It was not only a glorious event for the College but was a wonderful shared experience with the Nevada community. The response from the community for all of the scheduled events was overwhelming. Members of the Cottey College Board of Trustees and I were so pleased to see such enthusiasm and high participation on the part of local residents...

By Joe Warren Nevada Herald Most 5-year-old boys like cars. They have a collection of Matchbox and Hot Wheels that they "drive" all over the house, and the yard, and anywhere else parents will let them. But how many actually follow racing? Peyton Walker does. But Walker does not just follow racing. Walker lives it...

Nevada Herald The Nevada Lady Tiger swimmers placed fifth in a 14-team field at the Carthage Invitational Friday. Nevada finished with a team score of 93, 20 points behind fourth-place Carthage and well be hind the two powers at the meet. Glendale and Joplin swam away from the rest of the competition, battling between themselves for the top spot with Glendale winning by 18.5 points. Glendale had a team score of 321...

Nevada Herald The Nevada Tiger tennis team visited Neosho Friday and struggled against the Wildcats. The Tigers lost 6-3, as they dropped four of six individual matches and two of three doubles matches. Justdan Lockwood and Taylor Hall both earned victories in singles play, while the doubles team of Derek Fast and Adam Gullett was victorious...

It's turkey time again! After a good Youth Hunt last weekend, the fifth for Missouri youngsters 15 and under, the regular spring season starts a three-week run this Monday. During the Youth Spring Hunt weekend, one hunter we know had the same results as the preceding seasons -- he came home empty handed...

When the telephone rang for the third time on the afternoon of March 14, I was getting tired of having to get up, walk over and answer it. As much as I hate to get up while watching Law & Order in the afternoon, most of the calls I receive are important enough to warrant my undivided attention. This one was no different...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After scoring a total of five runs during a three-game sweep by Seattle, the Kansas City Royals quickly found themselves down 5-0 to Detroit after one inning. But they rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Tigers on Friday night when Angel Berroa's two-run homer in the eighth capped an improbable comeback...

Associated Press MILWAUKEE -- Jeff Suppan took a five-hitter into the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals spoiled Ben Sheets' record payday with a 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. Sheets, a two-time All-Star, signed a $38.5 million, four-year contract with the Brewers before the game, the richest deal in team history...

Associated Press BERLIN -- Less than three months before the vote, the five cities vying for the 2012 Summer Games are getting a chance to make their pitches to a big Olympic audience. Paris, London, New York, Madrid and Moscow sent high-level delegations to a conference in Berlin, where they will present their bids to Olympic sports federation leaders...

Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Agee Jr. of Bronaugh, Mo., announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Debra Elaine, to Henry "Hank" Carson Hildebrant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Hildebrant of Pittsburg, Kan. Bride-elect Agee is the granddaughter of Mrs. Gail Agee of Nevada...

Hi neighbors. Another day in the neighborhood, and the world. Some days take stronger coffee than others. I see where the oil-for-food scandal now involves a Texas businessman. When this whole investigation started it was United Nations officers that were the main targets. It always comes back to a United States citizen being the bad guy doesn't it? A Korean man was involved as well according to the New York Times article...