Stories from Friday, December 23, 2011

John A. Simons, 93, of Schell City, Mo., died on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at Community Springs Healthcare in El Dorado Springs, Mo. Cremation with memorial services to be held at a later date in Belvidere, Ill. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City, Mo...

Nov. 10 Robert J. Baer, Harwood, Mo., no proof of insurance. Nicholas T. Millman, Bronaugh, Mo., speeding 47/30. Nov. 11 Ellen L. Fanning, Nevada, no proof of insurance. James E. Hutchison, Schell City, Mo., expired license plate. Darrell T. Link, Nevada, expired license plate...

On My Own will host a Basic Tai Chi for Arthritis class in January and will continue its parent support group in the new year. The class is based on the Sun Style Tai Chi. Tai chi for arthritis is easy to learn, effective and safe and requires no prior tai chi experience. ...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Just in time for the busy holiday travel season, the Missouri Department of Transportation has launched a smartphone application that will allow users to check state road conditions from the palms of their hands. The Traveler Information Map App is available at both the iPhone App Store (for iPhone 3GS and above) and Android Marketplace and provides the latest information on road conditions, work zones, flooding and incidents. ...

Only twice in the history of the Missouri Lottery has a player won two prizes of $1 million or more. A Bonne Terre man won on two Scratchers tickets in 2010, and now a southwest Missouri man has won two multi-million dollar Scratchers prizes in 2011. Roger Hirshey, 66, claimed a $2 million top prize on a "Mega MONOPOLY" ticket on Dec. 19...

Are your stockings hung by the chimney with care? Have your family members all finished their wish list for the holiday? Did they include no traffic crashes on their list? The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a merry and safe Christmas. One way for it to be merry is for everyone to arrive at their holiday celebrations safely...

Numerous local dogs and cats will celebrate Christmas, too, if Vernon County People for Pets succeed again this year with their annual pet supplies drive. Board member Sharon Ross said collars, leashes, bowls, toys, kennels, dog houses and other items are needed along with monetary donations for vaccinations, spayings and neuterings...

In early 2011, the Nevada Police Department implemented a Crisis Intervention Team program as part of its efforts to improve the professional response of local law enforcement, especially when dealing with the mentally ill in a crisis situation. The CIT program has already paid off for the police by improving relationships with professionals in the mental health community and working closer together as partners to improve the quality of life for the mental health consumer and raise the level of efficiency for first responders, a Thursday press release noted.. ...

RICH HILL, Mo. -- An outpouring of love and generosity has been shown to the family of a deployed Missouri National Guard soldier after a fire consumed the family's house and all of the contents inside. In the early morning hours of Oct. 31, the home of Pfc. Lee Hatt, of Rich Hill, was devastated by fire when the wood stove area in the living room ignited and quickly spread...

Nevada fifth grade boys won first place in the Neosho Annual Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament the weekend of Dec. 17-18. Other teams in the tournament included Carthage, Neosho, Webb City, Baxter Springs, Kan., and Grove, Okla.