Stories from Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Belva Mae Chanove, 74, Salina, Kan., passed away on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at the Salina Regional Medical Center following a short illness. She was born Nov. 5, 1933, in Nevada, to Ben Hightower Poland and Elsie Mae Compton Poland. She was married to Otis W. Wright on Feb. 16, 1953, in Fort Scott, Kan., and this union produced three children. Belva later married Milton L. Chanove Jr., on Oct. 23, 1965, and this union produced one child...

A subject was in mind for last week's column that is rather controversial. Generally it is the aim not to be too controversial; still at times some readers disagree with what had been written, even if most do agree. The subject was changed because of the "Man Bug" that was an essay written by our oldest granddaughter and was used in the column...

An outbreak of devastating tornadoes killed dozens in Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky on Feb. 5, but this episode of unusually deadly winter tornadoes doesn't mean Missourians are necessarily in for a rough storm season, according to a University of Missouri climatologist...

The Nevada Lady Tigers swim team finished their regular season last Friday and Saturday in 11th place, ahead of Nixa and Lamar in the Southwest Missouri Championships in Springfield. The swimmers competed in preliminary events on Friday and those who qualified swam in the finals on Saturday...

"It was ugly, but it was a win," Cottey Comets head coach Dave Ketterman said after the Comets beat Forest Park Lady Highlanders 71-66 Saturday afternoon in their final regular season home game. The win on Saturday gave Cottey a 14-6 overall record and 5-3 against Region 16 teams while Forest Park is 6-30 overall and 2-7 in Region 16 play...

Katlyn Logan, an 11-year 4-H member of Sheldon 4-H Club from Vernon County, was selected as a delegate to represent Missouri 4-H at the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults -- at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture -- assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities...

People love their pets, but pets need more than love from their owners -- they need proper veterinary care. To help out, Vernon County People For Pets is teaming up with the National Humane Society and three local veterinarians -- Dr. Eric Anderson, Dr. Rex Byergo and Dr. Brad Copeland -- to help host Spay Day U.S.A. on Feb. 20...

USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr announced that the agency is accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. "These Rural Development funds support small businesses and help producers find new markets and expanded uses for agricultural products," Dorr said. "USDA is committed to working with rural farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs to increase their economic opportunities and create jobs that boost the local economy."...