Stories from Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Nevada City Council will have a number of issues to consider during their meeting at 7 tonight in the council chambers in the Public Safety Building, 120 S. Ash St., including an amendment to the 2011 budget. The special ordinance amending the 2011 budget will provide all city employees a 2.5 percent cost of living raise as well as update the city's table of organization and revise the city's pay plan...

Changes could be coming to the school day for Hume R-8 students next year, according to a report presented to the Hume school board by Kenny Otto, during a regular meeting held last Wednesday. A plan that would make the school day a bit longer, starting the day at 8:05 and ending at about 3:40-3:45, with study hall time incorporated into the middle of the day, with different options for all classes, is under consideration. ...

Representative Barney Fisher joined Dr. David Stephens, Superintendent of the Nevada R-5 School District, at a dinner and workshop on the Missouri public school foundation formula held recently in Jefferson City. The dinner and workshop were sponsored by the Missouri Association of School Administrators and were held in its meeting room in Jefferson City...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The recent blizzard proved a challenge and hardship to many Missourians including those who work in Department of Mental Health facilities serving more than 2,000 of Missouri's most vulnerable individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. ...

Members of Nevada High School's swim team earned slots in the state championships. In Saturday's Southwest Missouri championship finals, Grace Reichard had broken all but two Nevada High School records. She is slated to compete at state in the Women's 50 Freestyle with a qualifying time of 25.08 and in Women's 100 Freestyle, qualifying with a 54.05 on Friday...

The Cottey College Comets just keep winning. On Saturday, they extended their winning streak to 15 games with a 69-51 victory over the Hesston College Larks. The Comets swept the season series with Hesston with this road win. Cottey had previously defeated the Larks back in November at home...

Charles Eugene Johnson, 66, a former resident of Fort Scott, and more recently of Sarcoxie, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at the St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. He was born Sept. 26, 1944, at Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Earl L. ...

Celia Ophelia (Waugh) Bush, 94, of Walker, passed away Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, at the Christian Health Care Center in Nevada, Mo. She was born Nov. 12, 1916, in Cedar County, Mo., to Isaac and Mabel (Neely) Waugh. She was a graduate of El Dorado Springs High School. ...

February 1 Matthew Day was arrested for shock incarceration. No bond. Newell Howell was arrested for hold. No bond amount. Erin Ralston was arrested for hold. Bond is $15,000. James Steele was arrested for probation and parole. No bond. Jail population: Total census, 62; state, 8; Vernon County Re-entry program, 3; Bates County, 5; Cedar County, 2; Barton County, 1; El Dorado Springs Police Department, 1; Dade County, 1; and Layfayette County, 1...