Stories from Friday, June 17, 2011

Bronaugh School Board members have adopted the R-7 District's 2011-'12 budget and hired five new teachers. Convening Monday, the panel OK'd a spending plan for $2.1 million, the same amount as the current budget, and set a hearing on the property tax rate of $3.74 per $100 valuation for 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11...

The parks and recreation department will have the Walton Park parking lot closed today for re-stripping. Parking will be available in the Walton Aquatic Center parking lot.

During the Civil War, death and destruction came without warning to eastern Vernon County. On the main road from Fort Scott, Kan., to Springfield from 1861 to '65, Montevallo rivaled Nevada in importance with 250-350 citizens, most backing the Confederacy...

As anyone with children can attest, patience is a virtue. Now imagine working with children every day of your professional life and you can get an idea of the kind of patience that Margaret McLaughlin has. That's part of the reason Denise Nelson nominated her to represent the character word of the month for June, "She exemplifies patience by working with students on a daily basis," according to Nelson...

Lois Ozean Smith Tourtillott, 84, of Butler, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at Bates County Memorial Hospital after suffering a severe stroke on June 4. Lois was born May 7, 1927, at Carbon Center, the only child of Oren and Susie Smith. She graduated from Rich Hill High School, class of 1944, and was married to Denver Elroy Tourtillott on her 17th birthday, May 7, 1944, that same week...

Keith E. Ayers, 77, Nevada, died on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. 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...

Robert Fredrick Cummins, 51, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at Freeman Health System West, Joplin, Mo. He was born on March 1, 1960, in Bonner Springs, Kan., to Steven F. Cummins and Betty Lou Meisenheimer Cummins. Bob married Geneva (King) Cummins on Nov. 29, 2002, in Nevada, and she survives of the home...

Nathan Walbourn and Torie Arrington are proud to announce the birth of their baby son, Liam James Walbourn. Liam was born at 6:12 p.m., Monday, June 7, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 20 inches. Maternal grandparent is Tammy Grout of Sheldon, Mo. Maternal great-grandparent is Johnetta Rushlow of Sheldon, Mo...

May 26 Zackery R. Belcher, Nevada, excessive tire noise, seat belt law. Deana M. Puckett, Deerfield, Mo., speeding 46/30. May 27 Michael E. Edmunds, Nevada, harbouring vicious animal. Trevor G. Fast, Nevada, speeding 40/30, no proof of insurance, driving while intoxicated, failure to obey police officer, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, seat belt law...