Stories from Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Dr. William John Franklin Bird, 81, of Urbana, Mo., died suddenly at home on Monday, March 17, 2014. It was a peaceful death in his favorite chair, in the home he loved, with his loving wife, Julie, and faithful dog, Abby, nearby. He is also survived by his children, Elizabeth Hooker (Brent), Amanda Bird (Jon), Ashley Bird (Tony), William Bird (Melisa), Bryan Bird, Victoria Olvera (Michael), Garrett Bird, Chandler Bird, and Sevren Bird; and his six grandchildren Libbie, Nathan, Montana, Parker, Liliana and Danica.. ...

Ronald Joseph Johnson, 71, Nevada, Mo., passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at St. Luke's Mid-American Heart Institute, in Kansas City, Mo. He was born July 6, 1942, in Kansas City, Kan., to Otis Meredith Johnson and May Elnora Murphy Johnson. On July 18, 1981, Ronald was united in marriage to Susan Seely in Beloit, Kan., and she survives of the home...

Wava N. Halcomb, 81, Nevada, Mo., passed away Monday, March 31, 2014, at her residence, in Nevada, following a lengthy illness. Wava was born May 4, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Audrey Brown and Ruby M. Gardner Brown. She was united in marriage to Calvin Amos Halcomb on July 9, 1951, in Carrollton County, Ark., and he preceded her in death June 30, 1988...

Gloria Eva Locke, 87, of Nevada, Mo., passed away Monday, March 31, 2014, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born March 9, 1927, in Dr. Primm's home/office, in Deerfield, to Charles and Gladys Mildred (Henley) Lewis. On June 29, 1946, she was united in marriage to Bennie Joe Locke and he survives of the home...

James L. Caviness, 58, of Sallisaw, Okla., formerly of Nevada, Mo., lost his long battle with cancer on Friday, March 28, 2014, with family by his side. He was born July 2, 1955, in Spirit Lake, Iowa, to Jerry and Agatha Caviness. He is survived by three sons, James A. ...

Nevada Daily Mail Moundville man Derrik Jones is set to be arraigned on April 15 following his involvement in a pursuit with Vernon County Sheriff's deputies. During that pursuit, Jones attempted to hit a deputy with a vehicle. Jones was charged with felony assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and failure to stop for an emergency vehicle. His case has been transferred to the circuit court, where he will appear in front of Judge James Bickel in two weeks...

Nevada Daily Mail The Vernon County Youth Fair Board is looking to fund a project that will re-energize the fairgrounds: improvements to its electrical system. Fair Board President Doug Johnson said the youth fairground's electrical system is outdated, and causes problems during fair season. He said the improvements have been needed for nearly 15 years...

Nevada Daily Mail Nevada and Vernon County residents will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about a Joint Land Use study at a public meeting on April 22. The land use study, which began in late January, evaluates the impact Camp Clark and its military operations has on the community and land around the base...

Nevada Daily Mail Community members and property owners in Sheldon gathered at the Community Building on Monday to learn about and discuss a Community Development Block Grant that would provide funds for tearing down vacant, dilapidated buildings in town...

Nevada Daily Mail Nevada Mayor Seth Barrett announced during Tuesday night's council that Rinehart Jewelry had been selected as the city's 2014 Revitalization Award winner. The award will be presented during the council's April 15 meeting. In other business the council:...

Executive Director The Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce some of its newest members for 2014. Liberty Tax Service, the fastest-growing tax company in the industry, according to the company, is founded by John Hewitt. With 44 years of tax industry experience, Hewitt is the most experienced CEO ever in the tax preparation business, he said, and is founder of two of the top three tax companies...

Nevada Parks and Recreation director I'll never forget the first time I signed up to "coach" a youth baseball team. A colleague approached me with the sad dilemma he did not have enough parent "volunteers" and he really didn't know how he was going to make the league work...