Stories from Wednesday, July 9, 2008

It is the first full week in July and this week the Vernon County Youth Fair is being held, which is rather early for this important event. The youth fair provides many great experiences for the participants. It is something that many will remember for a life time. It offers many learning opportunities and it provides fun for the young people. The weekend edition of this paper contained a youth fair special which included information for the fair and provided the schedule for the events...

Dear editor: Beat the drums slowly. The death knell has sounded for the Kansas City Star daily delivery in Nevada after who knows how many years, and do we loyal readers ever miss it. My goodness, for some of us it had become almost one of the family since the day it was the old Journal-Post. ...

Renee Cowley and Johnathan Bird, of Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, McKayla Marie Bird. McKayla was born at 5:48 a.m., on June 21, 2008, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 20 inches...

Stephanie Bailey and Chris Starbuck, of Nevada, and siblings Cayden Bailey and Addison Starbuck, are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother, Cayson Christopher William Starbuck. Cayson was born at 8:23 a.m., on July 6, 2008, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 18 3/4 inches...

On Tuesday, Gov. Matt Blunt asked Tim Kelley, executive director of the Missouri Farm Service Agency, to begin conducting damage assessments in counties affected by excessive moisture and flooding that caused rivers and tributaries to overflow their banks...

The Governor's Committee to End Homelessness, Missouri Housing Development Commis-sion, numerous not-for-profit and government agencies, and faith based organizations will partner to conduct a street count of homeless individuals throughout Missouri on Tuesday, July 15, as part of the 2008 Continuum of Care planning process...

Vernon County resident Melissa Earll spoke to the Vernon County Commis-sioners about the county's efforts to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Tuesday morning. Earll said she was hoping the county would make use of her expertise and willingness to help...

Hundreds attended the royalty coronation activities at the Vernon County Youth Fair Tuesday night. Each candidate was introduced, with the princess candidates taking the runway first, each dressed in elegant formal attire. The candidates voted amongst themselves for Miss Congeniality, which went to Hailee Miller. First runner up in the princess competition was Morgan Compton. This year's Vernon County Youth Fair Princess is the county's first third-generation Youth Fair royalty -- Hailee Miller...

The Nevada Griffons suffered a hard fought loss to the Hays Larks at Lyons Stadium last night. Michael Ratigan started off strong for the Griffons, retiring all three batters he faced and recording his first strikeout of the game. After a lead-off walk followed by a wild pitch and a groundout, Korby Mintken came through for Nevada in the top of the first with a one-out single that scored Tyler Redick. ...

The Nevada Speedway held its Firecracker Special on Saturday, July 5. To start the evening, the visiting "Race Brothers" Show Me Racing Series cars and drivers lined up in the infield. Then the National Guard presented the colors and a 21-gun salute to our country and Melany Ast sang the National Anthem...