Stories from Saturday, December 31, 2016

In visiting with a neighbor this past week, he reminded me that the recent snow and cold isn't all that bad for an outdoorsman. "It's a great time for checking where the wildlife are by finding their tracks in the snow. Many people would be surprised to see how many birds and animals are closer than they might think and, for the hunter, he can see how and where deer, rabbit and other game animals spend their winter."...

Friday afternoon, in a packed courtroom -- the same one he has presided over for 16 years -- Judge James R. Bickel was honored by family, friends and colleagues as he retires from serving as presiding judge of the 28th judicial circuit (Barton, Cedar, Dade and Vernon counties) and begins service as a senior judge...

Tonight, Americans and others around the world will ring in 2017, and with it, the hope of better times to come. In addition to the fond memories and solemn remembrances of 2016, the black eyed peas and the champaign toast at midnight; many revelers will proudly boast resolutions of change...

A major story that transpired during the month of June was the trial and eventual first degree murder conviction of former Vernon County resident Jeremy Maples. The four-day trial, which began June 6, was forced to switch locations due to Bushwhacker Days ---- as the setting moved to Stockton for the final three days...

Community Council on the Performing Arts has officially scheduled auditions for its next season production, "Urning It," a comedy by Ed Vela sponsored by Metz Banking Company and directed by Linda Davidson. According to a CCPA press release, Roles include: parents in their 40s; two girls, one of high school-age and one younger; and one male, 8-years-old (or possibly older)...

The end of the Western Missouri 911 dispatch center came in May, when the Nevada City Council approved dissolving the board and replacing it with dispatch services from the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. This was the result of voters turning down a tax proposal in August 2015 to fund the center and to operate it with an independent board...

Leland Wesley Perkins, 73, Nevada, passed from this life on Thursday, Dec. 29, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. He was born on June 6, 1943, in Buckeye, Ariz., to O.D. and Ruby Jean Perkins. Wes was raised in Clovis, Calif., and graduated there. Following high school he attended Fresno State University in California and graduated with a degree in Education, majoring in Spanish. ...

Hazel Joan (Hess) Shelton, born April 26, 1935, at Hume, to Norman Ray Hess and Vena Viola (Davidson) Hess passed quietly surrounded by her husband, James Kenneth Shelton, and her family on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Hazel was married to Kenny Shelton, who survives the home, on July 4, 1954, at Independence Church, Hume. ...

Jason Miles (Neil) Sturm, age 44, passed away suddenly at his home in Lamar, on Dec. 24. He was born Dec. 9, 1972, in Nevada, to the late Debra Neil, and Olin Wyland of Mulberry, Kan. He was united in marriage on Oct. 3, 2013, to Kimberly Claunts, she survives at the home. To that union, one son, Jase Elijah Sturm was born and passed away Aug. 9, 2014. He has two sons from two previous marriages, Jay Davis Sturm, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jared Jason Sturm, Branson...

Ursalee Ann Crepinsek, 84, formerly of Nevada, died Friday, Dec. 30, at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood, Mo. A graveside service is planned on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at the Greenfield City Cemetery in Greenfield, Mo., at 11 a.m. Friends may call now until the time of service at the funeral home...