Stories from Thursday, May 26, 2011

True to his word, Joshua Darnell is not resting and he keeps making people aware of the fact that his mother, Cheryl Ann Kenney, went missing from a convenience store in Nevada, Mo., 20 years ago. Darnell has been very active in pressing for the resolution of the case and on Thursday, May 26, will be featured on the radio program, "True Facts with Jon Leiberman." Leiberman spent many years as an investigator with the successful TV show "America's Most Wanted", in which the case was profiled several years ago. ...

It's time again to sign up for a spot in the annual Bushwhacker Days parade, to be held at 6:05 p.m., Saturday, June 11. The committee welcomes entries of all sorts -- floats, vehicles, walking entries, bands, and more. There's no entry fee, and entries are due by June 2, according to the 2011 Bushwhacker Days Web site...

The 96th Missouri General Assembly held some frustrations but more satisfactions for State Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, who said putting more emphasis on fine arts was a priority of his as Senate Education Committee chairman. Pearce was pleased when the House on the Assembly's last day May 13 authorized the state's nine university-affiliated professional development centers to put a higher priority on debate, art, drama, music and band...

The Reds, Whites and Foods Festival, hosted by the Barton County Chamber of Commerce, is slated for 3-7 p.m., Saturday, June, 4, at the home of Lonnie and Cindy McFadden, 111 NW 10th Road, Lamar. The event features music as well as wine tasting of products from six different Missouri wineries, and appetizers from The Pepper Mill and The Wild Plum...

The Missouri Department of Transportation is suspending most highway construction and maintenance work throughout the state this weekend to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Memorial Day holiday. Work will stop at noon on Friday and resume Tuesday morning. Still, some lane and bridge closures will remain in place...

Nevada Mayor Brian Leonard presented a proclamation to Helen Wood, left, and Sheila Harper, from the Nevada American Legion Auxiliary, during the May 18 special city council meeting recognizing May 28-30 as Poppy Days in Nevada. All of the money collected from the sale of poppies will be used for services for veterans and/or their families...

Kendra Earl hopes to deliver truckload of donations from her home town in Pennsylvania to storm-ravaged families in Missouri.

Jean LaGuire, 87, Nevada, died on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Family information and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com...