Stories from Wednesday, November 21, 2007

In many ways, this has been a great 4-H year in Vernon County. This was especially apparent on Saturday night, during the 4-H recognition night held at the youth fair home economics building. A large number of awards were presented to high-achieving 4-H members who had major accomplishments...

Frances Ellene Hopkins, 83, Sheldon, passed away on Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, at her home in Sheldon following an illness of several months. She was born Oct. 13, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Duff Brown and Emma Lorene Parsons Brown, Frances married Daniel L. Hopkins on Jan. 8, 1946, in Las Vegas, Nev., and he preceded her in death on April 4, 1993...

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., NOV 20, 2007 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will temporarily close eight state parks for public safety reasons for three weekends during December while special hunts are being conducted to alleviate deer overpopulations...

The Nevada Lady Tigers rolled their way to a win last night over the Joplin Lady Eagles. In the first quarter, Nevada shot 4 for 5 free throws in 3 trips to the line, to Joplin's 2 for 7 in 4 trips. And, Nevada went 1 for 2 to Joplin's 0 for 2 from 3 point range, leading to an early 15-10 lead for the Tigers...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds motorists that wearing a seat belt can save your life. As the holiday season approaches, many Missourians are making plans to travel. Thanksgiving weekend is a time for great food, football, and family. If you will be traveling this holiday, please remember to observe the traffic laws and buckle up. Take the time to make sure your car is in good condition before beginning your trip. It is also important that you are well rested before you start driving...

Jayne Novak became the fourth and final candidate for the 2008 city council election when she filed Tuesday to run for one of the two available seats. Filing for the election ended at 4 p.m. Nov. 20. Novak, 823 N. Washington St., who lost in the 2007 primary, joins Joyce Wilson, Rick David and incumbent councilman Tim Wells to round the field of candidates...

The drive-through holiday light display at Radio Springs Park will open Friday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m., when Mayor Bill Edmonds will preside over the 2007 lighting ceremony. Meanwhile,the park will be closed for vehicular traffic as final preparation is taking place for the annual display. The lighting ceremony is open to the public. The park will open each evening through Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m...

For the third time since he was elected to the council in 2006, Tuesday night councilman Bill Gillette failed to gain the support of a majority of the councilmen to amend the city code to permit city employees, to run for any non-partisan elective offices, except for the city council...

On Nov. 16, a celebration was going on at Prairie Pride Inc., a facility located near Eve. "The long-awaited production of the company's first biodiesel is happening!" proclaimed a press release dated Monday. PPI started as the dream of a handful of agricultural producers...

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires and the Nevada Fire Department, along with National Fire Protection Association is urging the pubic to keep safety in mind when preparing holiday meals. Cooking fires are more likely to happen on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. In 2005, cooking fires were involved In roughly 1,300 reported home structure fires on Thanksgiving -- almost three times the daily average...

A Liberal couple's tardiness last weekend put them in position to save a rural woman's life. The Joplin Globe reported that David and Lynn Smith were 15 minutes late on their trip to Joplin Saturday when they spotted 73-year-old Ruby Flaker in dire need. ...

The Nevada American Legion is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Day meal once again Thursday as volunteers prepare to serve 80 to 100 people at the Legion hall. The dinner has a long history in Nevada and many families have been served over the years. Recently a transplant from Colorado, Jeff Day, has been very generous with his time and money to help make sure the tradition continues...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Gov. Matt Blunt pardoned a Missouri turkey on Tuesday, at the Governor's Mansion as part of this year's Thanksgiving celebration highlighting Missouri agriculture and the many blessings that Missourians have to be thankful for this holiday season. More than 24,300 Missourians logged on to the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Internet site to be a part of this year's celebration by assisting in naming the Missouri Thanksgiving Turkey, Gobbles...

Kristin and Myles Miller, and siblings Grant and Gage, of Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother, Drew Allen Miller. Drew was born at 5:53 p.m., on Nov. 18, 2007, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 20 inches...