Stories from Saturday, April 19, 2008

Tom and Meleesa (Younggren) Pruett, of Overland Park, Kan., are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Madelinde Grace Pruett. Madelinde was born at 8:41 a.m., on Friday, April 4, 2008, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 18 1/2 inches...

Kira Marie Dailey and Derric Kenyatta Dailey Sr., of Fort Scott, and siblings Aleya Alexis and Mario Cortez, are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother Derric Kenyatta Dailey Jr. Derric was born at 4:50 p.m., on Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Mercy Health Center, in Fort Scott. He weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces...

Hi neighbors. Did you get your taxes done on time? I know several people who postpone doing their taxes till the last minute. I guess if they think they have to pay in they want to make the government wait as long as possible. Taxes are important. We all live here after all. We all drive on the streets and over the bridges our taxes help pay for. All of us remain safe behind our military's protection...

"Let Evening Come -- Reflections on Aging" by Mary C. Morrison considers the sources of strength and dignity that truly allow people to grow old gracefully and to retain a joy for life. The following is an excerpt from the 87-year-old author's book:...

Tom and Diana Charles, Richards, Mo., and Mark and Charlotte Folbre, Auxvasse, Mo., announce the approaching marriage of their daughter, Mary Allison Folbre, to Gregory Lyle Veach, of Springfield, Mo., son of Robert and Pat Veach, of Nixa, Mo. Bride-elect Folbre, a graduate of Nevada High School, is employed as a server by Nakato's, Springfield...

Dennis and Teresa Summers, both of Dixon, Mo., announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Jessica Nicole Summers, Springfield, Mo., to James Robert Wheeler, of Springfield, son of Sharon Wheeler, Milo, Mo., and the late Robert Wheeler...

Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Brewer will observe their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house on Sunday, April 27, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Nevada Sunrise Restaurant Banquet Room. Carl Wayne Brewer and Carol Foley were married on April 21, 1958, in Belton, Mo., at the home of the bride's parents, with the Rev. ...

A reception will be held on April 19, 2008, in Memphis, Tenn., to celebrate the marriage of Christina M. Warner and David G. Metzger. The couple exchanged vows on the island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, on Oct. 3, 2007. The bride is currently employed as a psychologist at the University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities. The groom is employed as a financial advisor for Legacy Wealth Management. The couple reside in Memphis...

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Claypool will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, April 20, 2008. The couple's children, Tom, Jon and Tim and their families, will host an informal reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Moore-Few Community Room, in Nevada...

George and Wilma Vandenburg, of Richards, Mo., will observe their 50th wedding anniversary on May 6, 2008. In honor of the occasion and following the renewal of vows, the couple's children will host a reception Saturday, May 3, at the Nevada/Vernon County Community Center from 2 to 4 p.m., with a family dinner to follow...

The task of putting lives back together after a natural disaster can be overwhelming when families try to repair and replace their homes and personal possessions. According to Annette FitzGerald, family financial education specialist with University of Missouri Extension, if you don't already have a household inventory, now is the time to compile one...

On Friday, April 18, many areas of Missouri experienced the aftershocks of a 5.2, and a 4.5 earthquake in Mount Carmel, Ill., along the Wabash Seismic Zone. Mount Carmel is approximately 130 miles east of St. Louis. Early this morning, Gov. Matt Blunt activated state agencies to respond to local requests for assistance. The State Emergency Management Agency has activated portions of the Earthquake Annex and is contacting local jurisdictions for damage information...

Gov. Matt Blunt and the Department of Public Safety offer the following safety information to Missourians:...

The number of volunteers willing to help staff emergency shelters in Vernon County is increasing. The number rose significantly as a result of the 33 participants who completed the Red Cross "Shelter Operations and Simulation" certification Saturday, April 12, at the Osage Prairie YMCA in Nevada...

Mercy Health Center is encouraging parents and children to become more proactive with their health care. Child obesity rates have tripled since 1980, according to information provided by Mercy Health Center Director of Marketing and Development Carla Bryant Farmer. In addition, the rates have continued to grow faster than adult obesity rates. According to Farmer, most children who become obese will struggle with health problems for the rest of their lives...

n New technology can make all the difference in quality of life. Janet Braun can breathe a little easier these days thanks to a new innovation in home medical care. The Fort Scott resident and asthma sufferer has been able to live a more comfortable lifestyle recently after purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator -- a device that provides oxygen therapy for people who suffer from lung problems or other respiratory ailments...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Clouds, cold, and a few raindrops couldn't put a damper on things at the Fort Scott Relays Friday night at Frary Field. Just about each of the eight boys' and girls' teams had individuals perform well and the meet itself went off without any delays due to rain or lightning...

Marie Thorton Tuck, 82, of Lamar, died at 4:40 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2008 at St. John's Medical Center, Joplin. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 20, at Konantz-Warden Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, April 21, at Konantz-Warden Funeral Home, in Lamar. Burial will be in Lake Cemetary, in Lamar...

The Civil War was two years old in April of 1863 and by that time one would think the menace and depredations of the Kansas "Redlegs" (outlaw Union soldiers and civilian outlaws) would have been stopped and eliminated, but such was not the case. In fact, bands of these rogues continued to rob, plunder and murder soldiers and civilians indiscriminately until the end of the Civil War in 1865...