Stories from Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A recent article revealed that Ashlee Simpson, the very well known celebrity and famous person who is widely recognized for being famous, has begun Botox treatments -- at age 23. The point, presumably, was: Why had she waited so long? The beginning age for Botox treatments has been dropping faster than Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's friends on Capitol Hill...

Our tiny, backyard pecan grove of three trees has become a symbol of Mick Jagger's famous song, "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Oh, the nuts are there, but before we can snag any, every squirrel in the neighborhood, maybe St. Louis County, has nabbed them. And they're greedy little devils, scurrying off with entire branches of the clusters, not just a mouthful at a time...

For five years, now ending, it has been my privilege to write this column for the Rural Policy Research Institute. But if rural America is to overcome its plight and live up to its potential, rural voices must continue to speak. Loudly. And in unison...

Nevada High School's senior class of football players displayed character, loyalty and togetherness that many programs can only dream about. Sure, the Tigers didn't win many games -- they went 2-8 each of the past two seasons -- but in the broader picture they have proven a significant amount...

Counts for opening weekend of deer season in Vernon County took a dramatic downturn in 2007. Hunters harvested 466 antler bucks, 97 button bucks and 307 does this past weekend for a total of 870 deer. Those numbers pale in comparison to 2006, when there were 1,270 deer bagged including 614 antler bucks, 137 button bucks and 519 does...

Cottey College will attempt to remain perfect on the season when it hosts Mid America Nazarene tonight at 7 p.m. in the Hinkhouse Center. The Comets, who pounded University of Saint Mary jayvees 77-40 last Friday, being a 2-0 record into the contest...

WEBB CITY -- Tiffani Long scored eight points as Nevada Middle School's eighth grade A-Team defeated host Webb City 33-26 in girls basketball on Monday. The Lady Tigers improved to 6-2. Cassidy Lowery netted eight points while Bailey Harbit added seven to power Nevada's B team over Webb City 24-16...

Dick Stahir is enjoying a tremendous November of golf. Stahir, 86-years-old, carded a hole-in-one on the par-3, 135-yard, No. 7 at Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course on Friday, Nov. 9. He used a 7-wood to garner his first career ace, witnessed by Rich Johnson, Bernie Wooldridge and Jim Marquardt...

Sophomore Tara Cooper led four Cottey College volleyball players named All-Region 16 for 2007. Cooper was selected to the first-team all-region volleyball squad. Cottey freshmen Lauren Jenkins, Jesse Jargowsky and Anna Cruse were each named to the second team...

The annual holiday parade and Miss Merry Christmas pageant organizers have begun taking registrations for these holiday events, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 1. Forms are available at the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce office located on the lower level of the Carnegie Building, 225 West Austin,...

On Thursday Nov. 8, 30-year-old Bobby Whitley Jr., of Iola, Kan., stood before the Vernon County Circuit Court to face 14 counts of illegally hunting, possessing and transporting wildlife. Although each of these counts are considered misdemeanors Whitley could receive up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine per charge, if found guilty...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- More than 70 percent of all people who light cigarettes actually want to quit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, only 5 to 10 percent are successful on any given attempt. As the Great American Smokeout rolls around again this year, a University of Missouri-Columbia respiratory therapist says there are more ways than ever to support smokers who want to kick the habit for good...

As the sound of the military helicopter leaving throbbed in the sky above the Northeast Vernon County R-1 gymnasium, Charles Naas, R-1 superintendent, led in a moment of silence in memory of those veterans who gave their all for our freedom. Presentation of Colors was given by NEVC honor students Drew Hoagland, Courtney Justice and Taylor Highfield, after which Darcy Scotten, NEVC Student Council president, led in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag and the high school choir sang the national anthem.. ...

Billy Dean Reed, age 79, of Adrian, Mo., was born March 25, 1928, the son of James William and Oma Berniece (Hurst) Reed. He passed from this life on Friday evening Nov. 9, 2007, at his home in Adrian. Early in his life Dean, along with his family, moved to the Schell City area where he attended school and was one of the graduates of Schell City High School Class of 1947. ...

Hettie Mae Helton, age 89, formerly of rural Fort Scott, more recently of Country View Nursing Home in Prescott, Kan., died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, at the nursing home. She was born Sept. 10, 1918, in Stratton, Colo., the daughter of Frank Louis Beattie and Daisy Pugh Beattie. ...

Harry Earl Bell Sr., age 71 of Hume, died Thursday Nov. 8, 2007, at his home from the effects of lung cancer. He was born April 13, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of LeRoy S. and Carrie G. Evans Bell. He was a 1954 graduate of Center High School in Kansas City and served his country in the United States Army in 1959 and 1960. He married Mildred K. Brooks on July 31, 1965, in Kansas City...

Weldon B. "Buck" Rogers, 87, Humansville, Mo., died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, Mo. Weldon was born Sept. 20, 1920, in Vernon County, Mo., to Delbert and Cora (Crum) Rogers. He lived in Vernon County, until moving to Kansas City in the early 1940's., He Married Patricia Journey Dec. 26, 1942 in Carthage, Mo...

Melissa and Justin Gould are proud to announce the birth of their son Trace Daniel Gould. Trace was born on Nov. 8, 2007, at 2:23 a.m., at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, and measured 21 inches. Maternal grandparents are Jerry and Donna McCormick, of El Dorado Springs. Maternal great-grandparents area W.D. and Judy Eason, and Hazel McCormick, all of El Dorado Springs. Maternal great-great-grandparents are, Zeleph Culbertson, of El Dorado Springs...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's staff are traveling throughout the state to hear from local residents, and to inform them of the numerous ways her office can be of service to all Missourians. McCaskill's staff are hosting a series of "Kitchen Table Talks" statewide. The staff are documenting all problems that constituents are facing, as well as any input that residents have on impending legislation. The findings will be reported back directly to Senator McCaskill...