Stories from Friday, December 12, 2008

Amanda Gail Shadden, age 11, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, along with her sister Coleen as the result of a house fire. She was born on May 6, 1997, in Nevada, to Ronnie Lee Shadden and Cheryl Denise Edmunds. Amanda was a sixth grade student at Nevada Middle School. She was active on the volleyball team, basketball team and band choir. Amanda was an honor student and had not missed a school day for the past four years...

Coleen Denise Shadden, age 5, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, along with her sister Amanda as the result of a house fire. She was born on Oct. 31, 2003, in Nevada, to Ronnie Lee Shadden and Cheryl Denise Edmunds. Coleen was a second year peer model at Cedar Ridge School, Nevada. She participated in soccer and was an avid swimmer. Coleen was a second year student in Jennifer and Lauri's Pre-School...

Dec. 10 There were reports of a structure fire in the Nevada area, a theft in the Nevada area, threats in the Nevada area, an escort in the Nevada area, a careless and imprudent driver in the Nevada area, a theft in the Moundville area, animal abuse in the Moundville area, a violation of an order of protection in the Milo area, a medical call in the Richards area, an abandoned vehicle in the Deerfield area, a vehicle accident in the Nevada area, a harassment in the Deerfield area, a vehicle accident in the Sheldon area, and an agency assist in the Bates County area.. ...

Jeffrey S. Wikoff, 40, of Metz, was injured in a one-vehicle accident on County Road 1529, about 2 miles north of Nevada. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, at about 8:40 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, the 1985 Ford F-150 Wikoff was driving ran off the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned. Wikoff, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Nevada Regional Medical Center...

The Nevada Parks and Recreation Department will again be selling Holiday Cards this season as a fundraiser for the department. Each card is hand made and features a photograph of this year's holiday light display at Radio Springs Park taken by photographer Ralph Pokorny...

Dr. Warren Lovinger announced he would not be running for re-election after 18 years on the Nevada R-5 Board of Education. Lovinger said he had enjoyed his time on the board and has a lot of fond memories of fellow board members but that it was time for him to step aside and allow someone else to fill his seat. Filing for his seat and the seat occupied by Chris Ellis will open Tuesday at the districts central office across the street from the high school and will run through Jan. 20...

As the holidays approach, local law enforcement officers will be stepping up enforcement on drunken driving. The Vernon County Sheriff's Office will participate in the crackdown as part of a statewide effort to combat the issue of drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs, during the next few weeks...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds travelers that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. If you're planning a trip during the holiday, please keep this in mind. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The Road Condition Report number is 1-800-222-6400. If bad weather is expected, make sure your vehicle is winterized. Allow extra time to reach your destination and obey all traffic laws...

All children deserve a loving, permanent home, which is the motivation behind Children's Division joining the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month in a local campaign to encourage members and families throughout the 28th Circuit to open their hearts and homes to foster care children who are waiting for forever families...

The Nevada Tigers wrestling team hosted their first home dual of the season against the Wildcats of Harrisonville Thursday night. The Tigers had very high hopes for a strong showing coming into the night against the Wildcats, but it was not to be. The varsity grapplers won just four individual matches on the night, but did come out with a few impressive performances...

In July of 1979, President Jimmy Carter used these words to describe the state of the economy, the state of our energy situation, and the state of the average American's confidence in the future. Like the country in 1979, the average citizen in Nevada now has a similar "Crisis In Confidence" in our local government...

Colleen "Coco" Masani, 36, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada following an illness of a few months. She was born in Redmond, Ore., to Gary Dwayne Estes and Many Lou Thiede Estes. Coco was born in Oregon and reared in California. She came to Nevada in April 2008 and spent the rest of her life here. She was a lover of animals and all things in nature...

Charles E. Hennen Jr., 68, of Linn Valley, Kan., died Thrusday, Dec. 11, 2008. Memorial services will be at 1 pm., Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Coffel-Schneider Chapel, LaCygne, Kan. Contributions are suggested to the Caldwell Alumni Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.coffelschneider.com...

Brian and Megan Hollands, of Nevada, Mo., are pleased to announce the arrival of their daughter, Lauryn Nichole. Lauryn was born Nov. 21, 2008, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. Lauryn was welcomed home by her sister Cailyn and brother Gage...

By Jason E. Silvers Herald-Tribune Topeka, Kan. -- Governor Kathleen Sebelius' office received a letter Thursday containing a suspicious powder-like substance. Nicole Corcoran, the press secretary for Sebelius' office, said Friday that preliminary tests by state officials have showed the substance to not be dangerous...

By Lynn A. Wade Herald-Tribune Nevada, Mo. -- It's the little gallery with big dreams, and as 2008 draws ever nearer to its end, the Vernon County Arts Council is looking forward to another year, bigger and better than the one before. Arts Council secretary Ladine Casey said, "We've had a great year. We're very pleased, because we had a good diversity of arts, a variety of subjects."...

Herald-Tribune TOPEKA, Kan. -- State Senator-elect Bob Marshall (R-Ft. Scott) has been chosen to serve as vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. The Senate Organization, Calendar and Rules Committee met yesterday at the capitol to choose committee chairs, vice chairs and ranking minority members...

NEVADA, Mo. -- Maggie Chad helps 18-month-old John decorate a cookie during the annual preschool and Parents as Teachers Family Night Santa's Workshop Thursday at Nevada High School.