Stories from Saturday, November 24, 2012

Greg Spoor passed away on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. He was 58. An avid fan of both the Illini and the Chiefs, Greg always had a lively story to tell, especially when "his" teams were winning. He got along well with others... well, at least those who agreed with his opinions. Greg had particular love and dedication to his 10 year-old grandson, Talon, for whom he provided thoughtful care and guidance...

Elvie Ray McNeely, 54, Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Mo., following a lengthy illness. He was born March 5, 1958, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Clarence Adolf McNeely and Pearl Scholes McNeely. He married Debra Nocks on April 5, 1975, in St. Joseph, Mo., and she survives of the home...

Eugene Carroll Carr, 64, Nevada, Mo., died on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada, following a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 24, 1948, in Kansas City, Mo., to Ernest Eugene Carr and Beatrice Orpha McLaughlin Carr...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- While hundreds of bargain-hunting shoppers hit the streets for the start of their holiday spending on Black Friday, local restaurants saw little change -- and some even a reduction -- in the amount of business walking through their doors...

The Nevada City Council voted 3-1 during a special council meeting at 9 p.m. Wednesday to give preliminary approval to increasing the city's financing package for a new public safety building by $800,000 to cover the cost of including a dispatch center in the facility if it becomes necessary...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- For local resident Jim Walker, his participation in the Fort Scott Ladies of the Elk organization's annual Children's Christmas Party is all about the children. Walker, a longtime member of the Fort Scott Elks Lodge No. 579, and his wife, Vickie, have portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus for the last several years during the annual event, which provides Christmas gifts for needy children in the area who would not otherwise receive them...

Fresh from a day indoors with turkey, dressing and football games, Thanksgiving celebrants were ready to get out and see the Black Friday promotions around Nevada. The start of the Christmas season saw goodly numbers of shoppers at Hertzberg Furniture, Rinehart Jewelry, Sutherlands and Walmart, among other businesses observing the annual event, merchants said...

On its first Black Thursday/Friday, so to speak, Goody's clothing store in Fort Scott exceeded expected sales and other outlets in town also fared well. This was the first time Goody's had opened to shoppers on Thanksgiving night. "It was awesome," Manager Melinda Collins said. "We totally exceeded our sales plan."...

The best news to come from the Nov. 17 fundraising event for Avery Morris was that her leukemia is currently in remission. However, she is still undergoing another 56 weeks of a different type of treatment, said Lindsay Jackson, who helped promote the event...

While the firearms deer hunters were winding down their good season, waterfowl hunters were busy last Thursday. The cold weather up north had pushed thousands of ducks and geese into the state and, as of Thursday, the entire state was open for hunting...

Hi neighbors. Turkey Day is over for most of us and the fun of leftover exploration has already become old. I hope everyone got what they wanted on Black Friday. If not, don't despair. Cyber Monday is still waiting for your hard-earned bucks. For many people the weeks after Thanksgiving leading into Christmas are like the entire year speeded up for a month. As 2012 nears its close, we don't even slow down to see it pass until Dec. 31...

Herald-Tribune DEKALB, Mo. -- Former Nevada Lady Tigers and Cottey College Comets basketball player Lacy (Leonard) Warren's basketball coaching career started Tuesday night with a win by the DeKalb High School Lady Tigers at Craig/Fairfax by a final score of 60-32...

David Phillips, U.S. Army Air Corps veteran and longtime driver examiner, started his career in law enforcement as a military policeman. Drafted and sent to training at Fort Leavenworth near the end of World War II, he went on to serve in the military police in France, Germany and Austria. "It was beautiful country. In Germany, there are beautiful mansions," he noted...