Stories from Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Robert "Bob" J. Minor, 90, passed away June 4, 2009 in Newton, Kansas. He was born on Oct. 24, 1918 the son of Mary F. (Bond) and John D. Minor in Rinehart, Missouri. On Oct. 17, 1941 he married Rachel F. Zimmerman in Nevada, Missouri at the First Christian Church...

Margaret J. (Eaton) Brown, 88, Savannah, Mo., formerly of Brookfield, Mo., passed from this life on Sunday, June 7, 2009, at LaVerna Village Nursing Home, Savannah. Margaret was born Aug. 8, 1920, in Chanute, Kan., to George and Luella (Palmer) Eaton. Margaret married Wilbur A. "Bill" Brown on Jan. 16, 1943 in St. Louis, Mo. They were married for 66 years. He preceded her in death on Feb. 14, 2009...

June 1 There were reports of a lost dog in the Nevada area, a vehicle accident in the Moundville area, and suspicious persons in the Nevada area. Rachel R. Woods, 29, of Nevada, was arrested and processed by the Nevada Police Department on charges of passing bad checks. She was released on a $100 bond...

May 23 There was a report of a petty theft from a motor vehicle in the 1200 block of west Wight, made by David Hope, of Nevada. He reported cash and compact discs stolen. An accident occurred at 5:32 p.m., at Austin and Barrett, involving a car driven by Joseph W. Terry, of El Dorado Springs, and a SUV driven by Robert E. King, of Indepedence. Rhonda R. Brown, a passenger in the King vehicle, was listed with evident but not disabling injuries...

Josalynn R. Rutledge and Bryan K. Bowman, and big sister Jenea Mel-Lea Bryann Bowman, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter and baby sister Jadynn Keitlee Olivia Bowman. Jadynn was born at 8:14 a.m., on June 2, 2009, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 18 3/4 inches...

The Nevada Griffons got back into action Sunday afternoon, hoping to take advantage of the momentum swing they were afforded after a strong 11-4 victory over the Mac-N-Seitz A's Friday night. The Griffons came into the day with a 3-2 record on the year and were hoping for their fourth win in a row as they hosted the Joplin Outlaws. The Outlaws came into the day looking to recover from a loss to the Sedalia Bombers Saturday night...

The Empire District Gas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Empire District Electric Company, announced Monday that it has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to increase annual revenues by approximately $2.9 million, or about 4.9 percent. The proposed increase for residential customers is approximately $4.83 per month...

Here they come again. High gas prices are rearing their ugly nozzles. Don't despair. Help is just a computer click away. To help ease the drain at the pump, the Missouri Department of Transpor-tation has launched a Web service called Carpool Connections that can help match you with fellow carpoolers anywhere in the state...

One-third of Missouri's 43 native amphibians have deteriorating populations, but you can help out by taking some steps to make your backyard more attractive to amphibians, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. "Amphibians native to Missouri play an integral role in our ecosystems," said Marlin Bates. Frogs, toads, newts and salamanders feed on insects and rodents and are in turn eaten by larger animals...

A Family and Consumer Sciences class at a southwest Missouri high school has spent the past semester learning about how to make healthy food choices and save money on the food bill. Now they are sharing that information with their peers through YouTube videos...

A patch of gravel caused a two-motorcycle wreck that left three people injured on Route M 5 miles west of Schell City Saturday evening at approximately 5:45. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Harley E. Funk, 41, Nevada, driving a 2001 Harley Davidson, struck loose gravel on a curve, and a second motorcycle, driven by Daniel S. Larsen, 34, Lee's Summit, driving a 2007 Honda motorcycle, struck the first and both motorcycles left the roadway...

A Nevada resident had a close call early Saturday morning after going back inside a burning home to try to rescue pets inside. According to a press release from the Nevada Fire Department, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at 535 N. Washington, Nevada, just after 2 a.m., Saturday, June 6...

The Nevada Public Library is buzzing with books and fun this summer and to add to that excitement, they have added two new early literacy computers for children ages2-8. "We were so thrilled to find out we got a grant for these", Susan McBeth, library director, said. We've already had lots of children using them every day who seem to love the experience. They are learning, but they think they're just having fun!"...

Calling all dogs -- and their owners, of course. Wednesday will be the Bushwhacker Dog Show. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m., show to follow Bushwhacker opening ceremony at 6:30. This event is co-hosted by Vernon County People for Pets and Wonderful Animal Giving Support, and will be announced by Carol Parmenter...