Stories from Friday, February 17, 2012

By Jason Peake Daily Mail Sports Editor NEVADA -- A poor second half had Dave Ketterman stumped. After a solid first half, Ketterman's Cottey Comets struggled after intermission in a 63-44 loss to Penn Valley on Thursday night at Hinkhouse Gymnasium...

Opal Regina Badgley, 95, Nevada, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada. She was born March 20, 1916, in Vichy, Mo., to Charles Edward Hart and Lulu Fannon Hart. She was married in 1937 to George C. Slone and he preceded her in death in 1948. She later married Fred D. Badgley in 1953 and he preceded her in death in 1973...

Heather Blake and Larry Pettibon of Nevada, Mo., and older siblings, Trevor and Ian Pettibon and Caiden Blake, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter and baby sister, Adilyn Blake Pettibon. Adilyn was born at 10:45 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 19 and 1/2 inches...

Travis and Sarah Olson of Nevada, Mo., and older sisters Kailey and Allison are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother, Jacob Lawrence Olson. Jacob was born at 11:20 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 20 and 1/2 inches...

Jan. 27 Tara Blum was released on $5,000 bond. Louis Briley was released to U.S. extradition officers. Jeffery Curcio was released to U.S. extradition officers. Mayann Eleazar was released to U.S. extradition officers. John McElhinny was released to U.S. extradition officers...

More than 2,000 Vernon County taxpayers received almost $4.5 million in Earned Income Tax Credits last year, an average of $2,236. "The EITC can put an extra $464 to $5,751 into the pockets of low income working individuals and families," said IRS spokesman Michael Devine, adding, "If they qualify and claim the credit, they could pay less federal tax or even receive a refund beyond the amount of tax withheld."...

Troop D of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, will join statewide law enforcement on Feb. 24 for an aggressive "Click It Or Ticket" mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up -- and save more lives, according to Capt. Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield...

Cottey students will join residents of Chapman Estates and Fairgrounds Estates for a social hour to include "fun, food, and games," on Feb. 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m. "This is the second event the Cottey women have sponsored this semester for our residents. The first was well attended and residents are looking forward to Saturday," said Housing Authority Director Carol Branham...

On Feb. 4, 9-year-old Cali Beshore sank 20 of 25 free throws to win the 2012 Missouri Elks Hoop Shoot Championship in St. Louis to qualify for the Central Region Hoop Shoot on March 10 in Paris, Tenn. "I'm not looking forward to the drive," Cali said Wednesday afternoon...

Missouri's state champion grocery bagger did not make the national finals in Las Vegas Monday afternoon, but he enjoyed the experience nonetheless because it was relatively low-key and emphasized camaraderie among the 24 contestants. Cody Bott, 18, of Moundville, a Bronaugh High School senior who works at Woods Supermarket in Nevada, said upon returning to work Thursday that there were major differences between the national event and the statewide contest he won last Aug. ...

The Nevada Superheroes of Kindness paid a visit to the Nevada Fire Department on Thursday and handed valentines to the firefighters, learned about the Fire Department and had a close-up look at the city's newest fire truck.

Nevada R-5 assistant superintendent and former NHS head baseball coach Tyson Beshore presents Danny Penn with a plaque at halftime of the Tigers Feb. 14 game with Springfield Central in recognition of Penn's selection to the NHS Wall of Fame. Penn is now the Tigers assistant baseball coach. ...