Locked up for a good cause

Some of the local residents taking part in the Children's Center lock-in held at the new Vernon County Jail on Friday, May 29 are: standing, left to right Stan Ford, Billy Ray Cliffman, Renn Corbin, Steve Stinson, Gary DeCocq, Stan Drake; seated, left to right Walt Coleman, Neal Gerster, Mike McCullick, Tina Seitz and Ashley Kautz. Through warrants issued, bonds paid and T-shirt sales the event raised $1,550 for the Children's Center of Southwest Missouri. Wal-Mart associates raised more than $10,000 for the Children's Miracle Network by swearing out warrants on many of their managers who were among about a dozen people spending the entire night in the jail. Sheriff Ron Peckman said the event was a success and everybody had fun for a small investment. --Rusty Murry/Daily Mail