Stories from Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Crowder College is looking into the possibility of beginning a registered nursing program at the Nevada campus. It is just in the planning stages and many requirements need to be met in order for the program to go forward. "The first thing I need to say is we're just doing an assessment to see if there is a need for a program in Nevada," Roger Wagner, Dean of Technical Education and Business/Community Relations at Crowder, said. ...

Surveillance cameras could soon be in place at the Nevada Animal Shelter to monitor activity there, according to Police Chief Christine Keim. Since the shelter closed unexpectedly in January, after what authorities say was a suspected outbreak of canine parvovirus, there have been instances of people dropping animals off at the closed animal shelter and other undesirable activity that Keim believes would be discouraged with the advent of monitoring...

The Nevada Parks and Recreation Board plans to hear plans for a kids fishing clinic at Radio Springs Park during its regular meeting at 5:30 tonight, in city council chambers, located in the city's public safety building at Ash and Austin. A presentation from the Southwest Missouri Retriever Club, which has shown interest in using Nevada parks for future events, is also on the agenda, as is a review of facility fee structures and other items...

When Empire District Electric Co. takes over the gas system in Nevada sometime this summer from Aquila, residents can expect to see a different approach to how they do business. "I think it will be a little different culture than what you are used to," Rick Hendricks, Empire District manager of community relations, told the city council Tuesday night...

Nevada City Manager Craig Hubler presents Nevada's new fire chief, Bill Jeffries, with his white hat and his shield during Tuesday night's city council meeting. Jeffries was promoted to the post on Feb. 10, filling the position left vacant since his predecessor, then Chief Bill Gillette, retired last year. ...

James Irl Drake Sr., Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Nevada, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2005. Mr. Drake was born Feb. 26, 1932, in Nevada. He worked for Cox Hide House in Butler, Mo., and at Rich Hill Rendering before he retired. He was a U.S. Army veteran...

Robert W. (Bob) Pennock, of El Dorado Springs, Mo. the son of Earl and Crete Pennock passed away at his residence Sunday morning, Feb. 19, 2006. He was born on Sept. 12, 1929, in Coats, Kan. Bob served his country it the United States Air Force. He was married lo Beulah Vickers on March 14, 1956. This next month they would have celebrated 50 years together. Bob lived what he loved, a passion for farming for many years...

William Leroy McGarraugh, 73, Nevada, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, at his home in Nevada following a brief illness. He was born Aug. 31, 1932, in Nevada, to William Andrew McGarraugh and Eda Charlotte Saemisch McGarraugh. Leroy was born and reared and spent virtually his entire life in this area. He made his living in a variety of farm-related endeavors...

Norma Jean Gooch, 69, Nevada, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., following a lengthy illness. She was born Aug. 8,1936, in Sheldon, Mo. She married Roland D. Gooch on Aug. 5,1961, in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1996...

Defending Christianity Dear editor, Anyone paying attention to international news knows of the recent controversy created over the publication of some cartoons characterizing the Islamic "prophet" Moham-med and other religious individuals. The cartoons originated in Denmark and were published in a French newspaper, then picked up and published in several other European newspapers...

It has been nearly three years since Wesley Johnson suggested a column be written on the need for a county dog pound. This subject has been considered since and it is now an appropriate time to give consideration to the idea. Wesley lives near the junction of highways 54 and 43. Apparently it is about the right distance from town for many to drop off dogs in that area...

Broken rail causes wreck WICHITA, Kan., -- Fifteen persons were severely shaken and bruised in a wreck on the Missouri Pacific yesterday when an eastbound passenger train was wrecked by a broken rail. The engine, baggage car and smoker passed over the broken rail in safety, but the rear coach was ditched. More then 100 yards of track were torn up...

NEVADA, Mo. -- In their final regular season game, the Cottey Comets made a statement Tuesday, defeating Ozark Christian College 81-45. Lacy Leonard dominated the paint with 31 points and 16 rebounds, and everyone on the roster got into the game as the Comets used a 12-0 run in the first half to pull away from the Lady Ambassadors...

The Bronaugh Wildcat basketball teams split a boys-girls doubleheader with Northeast Vernon County last week, then got swept by Dadeville Tuesday. Friday it was the Bronaugh boys beating the Knights 48-39. Will Daniels scored 17 points to lead Bronaugh, and Joshua Shaw added 12 as the Wildcats held off a fourth-quarter rally from the scrappy Knights...

Hume swept Ballard in basketball action Friday. The Hornets (16-7) beat the Ballard boys 44-28, thanks in part to a 12-point, nine-rebound effort by Justin Wehar. Hume only turned the ball over five times in the game. The Lady Hornets (2-19) got their second win of the season by knocking off Ballard's girls, 43-42...

The Calvary Christian Lady Eagles finished their season Monday at the El Dorado Springs Presidents' Day Tournament. Calvary first faced the Lowry City Falcons, falling 37-29. Lowry City used an 11-4 second period to pull away. Sha-Ree Chevalier scored 12 points and Rachelle Talley 10 to lead Calvary. Chevalier also had nine rebounds to lead the club...

The Nevada Youth Wrestling Club had 25 wrestlers in Butler Saturday, competing in a tournament. Eighteen local grapplers came back with medals. Hunter Mason, Skyler Scotten, Regar Hardin, Joshua Handler, Tanner Charles, Sam Ellifrits, Austin Denning and Trevor Fast each won their weight classes...

Pauline Grace (Reynolds) Losey, 92, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born Sept. 12, 1913, in Fair Haven, Mo. Graveside services with interment were held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Green Mound Cemetery in Harwood, Mo., with Gene Gray officiating. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City, Mo...