Stories from Thursday, May 14, 2009

Billy Don Edmonds, 61, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, following a lengthy illness. He was born April 16, 1948, in Butler, to William Donald Edmonds and Norma Frances Cole Edmonds. He married Marilyn Kay Grooms on Feb. 14, 1980, in Miami, Okla., and she survives of the home...

Merita Fern Sheehy, 61, of Fort Scott, passed away early Wednesday morning, May 13, 2009. She was born Sept. 26, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Ross and Bessie Fern (Ruby) Riley. Merita owned and operated R&R Building Supply from 1973 until 2004, and was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church...

A bill that will phase out state income tax for military retirement income has passed the Missouri House and Senate and is heading to Governor Jay Nixon for his signature. House Bill 82, co-sponsored by Representative Stanley Cox (R-Sedalia) and handled by Senator David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) had overwhelming support with a unanimous vote in the Senate with only 4 no votes in the House. ...

Lexington, Mo. -- The United States Army Cadet Command announced that the Army Reserve Officers' Training Crops unit at Wentworth Military Academy and College, commanded by LTC Tom Tracy, is recognized as having achieved its assigned commission mission and is among the top performers of Cadet Command's 273 units for the 2007-'08 school year. ...

Patrons of the Nevada R-5 School District will have a chance to stop by and wish Christi Peterson, the district's assistant superintendent, well as she prepares to retire. A reception in her honor will be held at the district's central office on Hickory across from the high school Friday May 22 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m...

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon sent joint federal and state damage assessment teams to 28 counties in southern Missouri that were affected by the May 8 storm system that brought tornadoes, straight line winds and flash flooding. The teams will canvass areas with local officials, verifying damage to homes and businesses from the storm to support the Governor's request for Federal Disaster Assistance. ...

Vernon County People for Pets has a busy summer planned, filled with fun, games and special activities that feature and benefit local pets in a variety of ways. Just a few years in existence, the group is proud of its efforts to control the population of unwanted pets through its spay and neuter program. In 2006, the group coordinated 250 spay or neuter procedures; and more than double that figure in 2007, to 643; and the increase continued in 2008 with 681 animals spayed or neutered...

Nevada First Baptist Church Kids' KORE wrapped up a successful year with a closing ceremony last Wednesday, April 29, with about 350 in attendance. Kid's KORE is a program for children in preschool thru sixth grade. At KORE, kids learn about Jesus, how to be more like Him, and how to apply these Bible truths to their own lives. One major element of Kid's KORE is Service...

I recently overheard a conversation between some men who were taking a rest from a construction job. I was pleased to hear how important their faith was. The longer I listened the more I could see that God was a very important part of their lives. One young man, in particular, was very fond of telling the others about his own personal relationship with God. ...

"It's pretty cool." Tyler Gast and Joseph Ferry gave a similar reaction to the fact that they have become the only two Nevada Tiger golfers to qualify for the state tournament in the 2009 season. Gast is headed to state for the fourth time in his high school career, a feat that not many golfers -- or participants in any competitive activity, for that matter -- can take the credit for accomplishing. ...