Stories from Friday, June 10, 2016

Rebecca Sue Blunt, 56, Nevada, Mo., passed from this life on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at St. Lukes Hospital, in Kansas City, Mo., following a brief illness. Rebecca was born Sept. 24, 1959, in Fort Scott, Kan. She was united in marriage to Wayne Thomas Blunt on April 29, 1977, in Walker, Mo., and he survives of the home...

Leslie Waldo Haines Sr., 82, of Milo, Mo., died Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Mercy Hospital, in Fort Scott, Kan. He was born Dec. 18, 1933, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Harry Waldo and Vera Isabelle (Woodman) Haines. He married Betty Jane Smith July 5, 1953, in Wichita, Kan., and she survives of the home...

My first $2 wager was made in February of 1964. I was quite certain I was going to win, when I put up that considerable portion of my pocket money. I was devastated when Cassius Clay knocked out the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Sonny Liston. It was the last time I ever made that mistake...

Editor's Note: This column originally ran in the Feb. 25, 2010, edition of the Daily Mail. I was recovering from a bad cold for several days last week. I didn't have too many responsibilities and the weather wasn't inviting to be outside, so I decided to really take good care of myself and stay inside and rest. I was disappointed that I didn't have any good books to read as I had neglected to pick up some from the library, so I turned to the TV for entertainment...

Nevada Daily Mail Former Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman described a startling message on his home answering machine as defense testimony began Thursday on day three of the Jeremy Maples trial in Stockton. "Sheriff, on July 15, 2009, you were at the Beisly farm investigating Belinda's death," said lead defense attorney, Rebecca L. Elliston. "Please describe the phone call you received from your wife."...

Nevada Daily Mail On Wednesday, day two of the murder trial of Jeremy Maples, Missouri Assistant Attorney General, David J. Hansen went to the heart of the prosecution's case by calling Travis Beisley to the stand. Because this testimony was crucial, Hansen came prepared to overcome possible roadblocks to testimony as if he had a Plan A, B and C...

Bronaugh High School alum Dusty Murray has been named the new head boys' basketball coach of the Sheldon Panthers, replacing Tyler Judd. Murray will also serve as the head girls' varsity basketball coach, replacing interim coach Jason Irwin, who was recently named the Sheldon R-8 Superintendent...

The Nevada Griffons suffered their second loss of the season, falling 2-1 to the Joplin Outlaws Wednesday night in Joplin. The victory made it three in a row at home for the Outlaws, as they improved to 4-1 while the Griffons fell to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in MINK League-play...

Nevada 8-year-old, Emree Cameron, placed third at the U.S. Kids Texas State Golf Invitational, held June 8-9 at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas. Cameron shot a personal best (two-day total) of 76, leaving her one stroke out of second-place. ...