Stories from Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Nevada Area Habitat For Humanity is accepting applications from prospective homeowners, known as partnership families, now through Monday, Feb. 28. All Habitat for Humanity homes are completed with quality workmanship, assistance from the participating family and in accordance with all community codes and ordinances...

A county-wide meeting regarding a disaster hazard mitigation plan, to be hosted by representatives of the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission, will be conducted at 7 p.m., Feb. 10, at the Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center, 200 N. Ash, Nevada...

Lynn Dorrell, State Commander of The American Legion announced today that National Vice Commander John M. Mella will be visiting several communities and Legion posts Jan. 27-30, and plans to be at the Leon Ogier Post No. 2 in Nevada, at 10:30 p.m., Jan. 30...

Recipients of special recognition awards stand with the plaques awarded to their organizations during the 2010 United Way Appreciation and Awards Luncheon held at the Nevada Country Club on Friday, Jan. 21. Adam Dean, president and co-chair of the Vernon County United Way fund drive, welcomed those in attendance and asked Deanna Giessel to say grace for the meal. ...

The Northeast Vernon County FCCLA members hosted a blood drive recently, and had 21 registered donors and 10 first timer donors. The effort collected 13 units with a goal of 20, meeting of the group's goal. These 13 units could help save 26 lives, organizers said. Group members extended thanks to everyone who helped to make the drive successful...

Native Nevadan Sam Foursha, left, accepts the U.S. State Department's Franklin Award for his work as district support team chief in the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and as senior advisor to Kandahar Gov. Tooryalai Wesa. With him are Gov. Wesa, center, and U.S. Ambassador Karl Elkenberry...

Northeast Vernon County School Board members voted unanimously to accept an Overland Park company's bid to use innovative financing and replace lights, wiring, insulation, roofing and other worn-out features of the junior high-high school in Walker and of the elementary school at Schell City...

Robert Franklin Culp, 68, Nevada, passed away on Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, at Research Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., following an illness of several months. He was born March 20, 1942, in Fort Scott, Kan., to William Bryan Culp and Viola Z. Farris Culp. Robert was born and raised in Fort Scott, Kan., and attended Fort Scott High School. ...

Reagan Lynn Fry Merriman died at birth on Jan. 20, 2011, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs, Mo. She was a beautiful, perfect little girl weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and 21 inches long. She is survived by her parents Autumn Fry and Richard Merriman of El Dorado Springs; maternal grandmother, Tammy Fry; great-grandparents, Stan and Barbara Watkins; great-great-grandparents, James and Josephine Rives; great-great-great-grandmother, Alice Rives; paternal grandmother, Martha Merriman; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. ...

Mike and Paul Ponzini of Nevada, Mo., and big sisters, Sierra and Jena, are proud to announce the birth of their baby son and brother, Ian Michael Ponzini. Ian was born at 8:20 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 22 inches...

January 17 Arturo Dominguez was arrested for domestic assault. Bond is $15,000. Jail population: Total census, 53; state, 8; Vernon County Re-entry program, 4; Bates County, 2; Barton County, 1; Crawford County, 1; and Cedar County, 1. January 18 Kahlil Kilian was arrested for hold. No bond...