Stories from Saturday, December 17, 2011

Walter Allen Moon, 82, of Nevada, formerly of Stockton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Medicalodges Nursing Home, Nevada, after a long illness. He was born June 8,1929, in Hutchinson, Kan., to Ray Lester and Hattie Cross Moon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray L. and Hattie Moon; two brothers, Lester Moon and Howard Moon; and four sisters, Ruby Renner, Mary Ballard, Frances Keever and Helen Owen...

Bill Marion Hall, 91, formerly of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Woodland, Calif. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

NEVADA, Mo. -- The International Coin Collectors Association (ICCA) will be making a stop at America's Best Value Inn, located at 2345 E. Marvel Road, Dec. 19-23. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. The ICCA will be purchasing coins, paper currency, gold and silver on behalf of their global network of collectors, dealers and refineries. The event is free and open to the public...

The Vernon County office of the University of Missouri Extension has announced that it will continue the "Just Slip In" energy conservation program it started last year. According to program director Pat Miller, the Vernon County office received a "mini grant" last fall to do something related to saving energy...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- An award-winning artist will have ornaments he created for sale during a downtown open house from 5-8 p.m., Dec. 20. Proceeds from the sale of Gary Hawk's work will go to Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. The purpose of Friends of the Fort is to support and enhance FSNHS's interpretation of the military post's role on the American frontier from 1842-1873...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Bill and Doris Kramer typically decorate their house for Christmas each year, but this time the local residents are taking a shot at winning some money. The Kramers' home at 412 Circle Dr. is one of six entries in the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Light Up Fort Scott decoration contest. Participants had a chance to enter their homes with traditional, humorous or religious themes...

NEVADA, Mo. -- The Vernon County Ambulance District is in desperate need of toys for its annual toy giveaway on Tuesday, Dec. 20. "I have 470 children on my list -- last year I did 400," VCAD head of billing and secretary Jeri Senkevech said late Friday afternoon...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A preliminary hearing was postponed Friday afternoon in the case of former Fort Scott High School paraeducator Kimberly Cannon. Cannon, 39, has been charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child, criminal sodomy and indecent liberties with a child...

NEVADA, Mo. -- Heartland Behavioral Health Services, a widely known hospital and residential center for children and teenagers with psychological or emotional problems, is spending $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 to expand its hospital. Having turned away more than 650 youngsters for lack of space this year, the 1500 W. Ashland St. facility is increasing its acute psychiatric hospital beds from 37 to 53, CEO Alyson Harder said, noting the overall capacity of 145 will not change...

Five babies were ensconced this past week in fleecy red Christmas stockings, thanks to the handiwork of Mercy Health Center Auxiliary member R. Caroline Lowery. Lowery has been making the stockings for about five years. She's also on the Care Bears Committee, with which she sews and distributes bears to pediatric patients. All babies from after Thanksgiving to Christmas Day receive a stocking, Mercy spokeswoman Tina Rockhold said...

Wildcats, Hornets split red-green showdown

BALLARD -- Led by senior Grant Davis, Northeast Vernon County's boys basketball team earned a 66-43 victory over Ballard on Thursday night. The Knights led 22-3 at the end of the first quarter. NEVC's Davis poured in 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Tanner Stutzman scored 12 and Jacob Bell chipped in 10...

Fair Play swept a basketball doubleheader from Sheldon on Friday night. Fair Play won the girls game 61-30 and then took the boys game 68-57. Eric Leavell scored 23 points for Sheldon.

HARRISONVILLE -- Nevada's girls basketball team held on late for a 39-36 win over Butler in a first round game of the Harrisonville Holiday Tournament on Saturday. Tori Dahmer scored 15 points to lead the Tigers (8-1). Nevada will play again at the tourney on Tuesday night...