Stories from Thursday, February 26, 2009

Effective March 1, the interest rate on USDA Rural Development home loans has been reduced to 4 percent. Home prices are at the lowest level in years. Low prices and the rate decrease make this an excellent time for low and very low income families to purchase a home in rural areas through the USDA Rural Development program according to Randy Griffith, director of Single Family Housing Programs for USDA Rural Development in Missouri...

Fred Blair Kruse, 56, of Fort Scott, passed away at his home, Sunday morning Feb. 22, 2009. He was born July 28, 1952 in Conway, South Carolina, the son of Fred Carl and Catherine (Lovin) Kruse. He married Ellen Marie Miller June 4, 1971, in Mt. Vernon, Iowa...

Andrew David Olson, Baptized into the Hope of Christ's Resurrection, suddenly passed away on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. Precious son of David and Jacqueline Olson (nee Stallone); beloved brother of Phillip and John Olson; grandparents, Roy Dailey and Lucille Phillips, of Nevada. ...

Feb. 23 There were reports of a burglary in the Nevada area, an animal in the Nevada area, a vandalism in the Sheldon area, a grass fire in the Walker area, a controlled burn in the Metz area, a controlled burn in the Sheldon area, a controlled burn in the Milo area, a grass fire in the Milo area, a traffic hazard in the Nevada area, a medical call in the Nevada area, a vehicle fire in the Richards area, a controlled burn in the Walker area, a grass fire in the Nevada area, and an intruder in the Nevada area.. ...

The Cottey College Department of Theater will present "A Thurber Carnival" on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28, in the Auditorium of the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts. The curtain will rise at 8 o'clock, both evenings. This revue, with dance and music, features humorous sketches by American humorist James Thurber. ...

Members of the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce and its board of directors have selected finalists in each of five Pacesetter of the Year categories. The process identifies those members of the Vernon County community who are being honored for their outstanding contribution. In addition to the Pacesetter of the Year Awards, a President's Award will recognize an individual for outstanding volunteer efforts and the Wayne Neal Impact Award will be presented...

The Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday that taxpayers who qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit and purchase a home this year before Dec. 1 have a special option available for claiming the tax credit either on their 2008 tax returns due April 15 or on their 2009 tax returns next year...

Nevada Regional Medical Center Chief of Nursing Operations Harlo McCall told the board of directors during their regular monthly meeting that the hospital's nursing vacancies are at an all-time low. McCall said the low turnover rate may be in part the result of a program to be sure proper orientation is given to nurses in new positions...

As Cottey College travels through its 125th year, there's much to celebrate, said Cottey President Dr. Judy Rogers, during a breakfast hosted by the college Wednesday morning. Like everyone else, the economic climate of the past few months has had its impact on Cottey, "but we're financially sound."...

There are some new and interesting exhibits slated for the May 1 opening of the Bushwhacker Museum, according to museum coordinator Terry Ramsey. Right now museum volunteers are preparing a place for a new Alice Ghostley exhibit. Ghostley was a well-known actress who was born in the train station in Eve, Mo., just west of Nevada...

Of all the major figures in the history and folklore of Old West outlaws, perhaps the most little-known and poorly understood is Belle Starr, "the bandit queen." Amid the floods of sensationalist popular articles and dime novels which began appearing in her lifetime, only one serious biography has seen the light of day since her violent death in 1889...

In our culture a handshake has long been recognized as a sign of trust, of friendship, and occasionally of firming a deal. Two friends meet and immediately one or both will offer a hand for the other to shake. Some societies have their secret handshakes that show the two share a special bond. A left-handed shake has special meaning...