Stories from Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Homer Asbury Ellis Jr., age 82 of Nevada passed away on Friday, November 21, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., following a short illness. He was born on Sept. 22, 1926, in Nevada to Homer A. Ellis Sr. and Lillie Pearl Ruddick Ellis. Homer was married in 1950 to LaUna Jean Houchin and she preceded him in death in 1982. He was married to Nancy Prideaux in 1984 and she survives in Louisburg, Kan...

William Woods "Woody" Workman, of Liberal, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at St. John's Hostpital, in Joplin. Services were held Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m., at the Liberal Community Center, in Liberal. According to Mr. Workman's wishes, he was cremated and a celebration of his life was held...

Melanie and Travis Farran, and big sisters Khloie and Clara Kate, are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother, Alec Brent Farran. Alec was born at 10:01 p.m., on Nov. 21, 2008, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 21 inches...

Nov. 22 There were reports of a stranded motorist in the Sheldon area, a custody issue in the Compton Junction area, a careless driver in the Milo area, threats in the Deerfield area, a careless driver in the Horton area, a structure fire in the Walker area, and a vehicle accident in the U.S. Highway 71 area...

Nov. 17 An accident occurred at 1:09 p.m., at McDonalds parking lot, involving a car driven by Matthew E. Webb, of Nevada, and a van driven by Kendall L. Stroer, of Nevada. No injuries were reported. An accident occurred at 5:50 p.m., on K Highway and U.S. Highway 71, involving a pickup driven by Elena G. Boyd, of Richwood, Mo., and a SUV driven by Melanie S. Rice, of Sedalia, Mo. No injuries were reported...

The Nevada Middle School seventh grade A and B teams competed against Carthage Monday evening with little success. The B game got off to a slow start for Nevada as the Carthage defense dominated the game right from the outset. Lacey Stephens of Carthage came up with three shot blocks in the opening period alone and Nevada was unable to knock down a field goal, taking a 6-1 deficit to the second quarter...

The Cottey College Comets suffered their second loss of the season at Labette County Community College in Parsons, Kan., on Nov. 22. The offensive effort in the contest was led by Jessica Roberts with 28 points and the Comets shot well as a team, but were unable to earn the victory. Cottey found themselves in a rather deep hole early in the contest as Labette County outscored them 43-26 in the first half...

Two annual events hosted by the the Nevada Regional Medical Center Foundation and the hospital are coming soon. First to take place is the Tree of Shining Memories Lighting Ceremony, set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1:45 p.m., on the southeast corner of the Courthouse lawn, Nevada...

A Dederick couple, Jason and Marsha Gerster, and their two daughters lost their home at the intersection of highways 54 and K in a fire Saturday morning. The family was not at home when the fire was discovered at approximately 7:30 a.m. Walker volunteer firefighters, El Dorado Springs firefighters and the Vernon County Ambulance District responded...

The city of Nevada Public Works will be picking up leaves starting Monday, Dec. 1. Twigs, bagged leaves or limbs will not be accepted. Residents should have the leaves raked behind the curb and not in the street. Leaf pick-up will begin in the southwest quarter of the city, then move on to the northwest, northeast and southeast quarters, in that order...

Nominations are being accepted for the January election of the Vernon County University of Missouri Extension Council members, according to Council Chairman, Larry Buckles. Council members are elected or appointed to two-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Nominees must be at least 18 and must reside in the district from which they are selected. Nominations must be made prior to Dec. 5, 2008...

The city of Nevada is again in search of a new city manager. Monday night the Nevada City Council held a special meeting to unanimously pass on first and second readings of an emergency ordinance to "terminate and conclude" the city's employment agreement with William R. McGuire...

They've worked across the hall from each other in in the Vernon County Courthouse for nearly two decades; and Friday, the community came out in force to congratulate them and wish them well on their retirements. Carol Parmenter has been the Vernon County Extension youth specialist and Virginia Habjan has been the Vernon County public administrator for the past 18 and 20 years, respectively...