September: Drug testing controversy, murder case continue

September drifted in on cool breezes leftover from an unusually cool, wet summer. But no one complained as an exhibition of colorful photos set to music and titled "Galactic Wars" opened in the P.E.O. Gallery at Cottey College. New signal lights at Centennial and Austin were being installed and Precision Aero announced a new chief operating officer.

A state audit of the county revealed concerns in the general revenue and road and bridge funds while "Cuts in the state's tourism budget could have local impact" especially on the state's advertising campaign. And the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced increased enforcement efforts for the upcoming holiday.

The city council approved a computer grant for Elmwood Estates early this month and local youths Natalie Wolf, Jenna Snead and Megan Brackenridge will be featured on RFD-TV while participating in the 2009 Missouri 4-H Equine Tour back in March. In politics six candidates for city council respond to questions before the primary election on Sept. 6. The four candidates chosen to run for the two council seats during the general election in Nov. were Brian Leonard, Sherry Steward, Joe Kraft and Amyl Bishop.

The Christian Coalition made news as members protested the rental of pornography at the Family Video store on Austin Boulevard, but some good news was that the Vernon County Cancer Relief fundraising dinner raised more than $20,000 to help local cancer patients with expenses.

In legal news, Judge James Bickel ruled in favor of a new judge in the Garrett Mason case but declined to rule on a motion for a change of venue saying the new judge would make that ruling. City councilman Seth Barrett issued a public apology for his involvement in an Aug. incident concerning a truck and trailer stolen from the Nevada Country Club.

The nations wars have caused an increase in activity at Camp Clark and Gov. Jay Nixon visited the camp this month to observe training exercises and on Sept. 11, state and local officials and firefighters gathered to honor those victims of the 2002 terrorist attack vowing, "We will never forget their sacrifice."

In education news, the R-5 board has raised public concern over its proposed drug testing policy, and the tax levy extension, Prop C is beginning to become more of an issue as the general election draws near. Cottey College hosted the Kaysinger Business Conference for several dozen attendees and announced Sept. 21 as the beginning of "Peace Week."

Work kept progressing on Nevada's new sewer treatment facility and despite weather related delays the completion date of March 2010 still seems realistic.

Also, 3M made news with the hiring of a new plant manager and Proposition C was back in discussion and scheduled for more before the Nov. general election.

Gale Pelser was in court twice in Sept. Once to answer the misdemeanor charge of careless and imprudent driving in a case involving the death of two local teens.

Pelser returned a few days later to face sentencing following a guilty plea, and a preliminary hearing for Charles E. Stewart, who was charged in connection to a Schell City arson, was postponed until Oct. 8.

County events later in the month included Walker Fun Days and the Bronaugh Fall Festival. And the Nevada Daily Mail ran presented two special sections this month; a fall hunting and fishing guide and a home improvement guide gave readers a lot of good information on both subjects. And the month closed out as mildly as it began.