Stories from Saturday, December 5, 2009

Senator David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) was recently appointed to the newly created Senate Select Committee on Redistricting by Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph). The committee is charged with performing all duties necessary for the General Assembly to prepare for its role in the 2010 Decennial Census, which involves determining Congressional redistricting to reflect changes in shifting populations...

Proper care of holiday greenery can keep your decorations looking fresh longer, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. "Greenery and other cut plant materials brought into the home at the beginning of the season are likely to get very dry by the time New Year's Day arrives," said David Trinklein...

The United Way of Bourbon County has reached the halfway mark of their 2009 campaign. According to United Way of Bourbon County Executive Secretary Whendi Martin, the organization has raised about $50,000 of the $101,000 goal since beginning the campaign in mid-September...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce seminar next week is designed to help managers and owners of local businesses understand tax issues that are often complicated. The FSACC, in conjunction with the Diehl Banwart Bolton CPA firm, will conduct a seminar for area small businesses at 5 p.m. ...

All children deserve a loving, permanent home. That is the motivation behind Vernon County Children's Division joining the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month in a local campaign to encourage families throughout Vernon County to open their hearts and homes to children in foster care waiting to be adopted...

Marcel Normand, a retired social science instructor from Fort Scott Community College, recently published an informal biography of a priest who completely changed his life and that of his family. The book, titled, "Father John Reinkemeyer: God's Humble Servant" tells the story of this uncommon priest who wanted to be a farmer, but God had other plans. He said, "It wasn't really a question of what I liked or wanted; it was what the Lord wanted me to do, and if that's what He wants, I'll do it."...

A reception to honor the 50th wedding anniversary of James and Twila Earll will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the Nevada Country Club from 2-4 p.m. The family would welcome the presence of friends and family to help them celebrate this special occasion...

Ray and Coleen Zellner, together with Steve and Kendell Mason, announce the upcoming marriage of their children, Holli Raye Zellner and Alex Tyler Mason. Holli is a 2009 graduate of Uniontown High School and is attending Fort Scott Community College. She is employed by S.E.K. Mental Health. She is the granddaughter of the late Earnest "E.W." and Virginia Zellner, and the late Marvin "Dude" and Nadine Davidson...

Ethan and Amanda Smilie, of Irving, Texas, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Helena Marie Smilie. Helena was born at 3:49 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. She weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 20 inches. Maternal grandparents are Dave and Sheila Blubaugh of Fort Scott. Paternal grandparents are Dale and Patty Smilie of Fort Scott...

Howard Rice, 87, formerly of Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, following a lengthy illness. He was born April 13, 1932, in Sheldon, to Earl August Rice and Leona May Moore Rice. He married Edna Mae Gordon on Sept. 15, 1940, in Bronaugh, Mo., and she survives of Nevada...

Naomi R. Lawrence, 95, retired Secretary for the Loan Committee at Farm and Home Savings and Loan Company, died in Carmichael, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. She was born, Naomi Ruth Fleming in May, Okla., Woodward County, on July 26, 1914, to Thomas M. Fleming and Mabel Robertson Fleming. Mrs. Lawrence graduated from May High School, taught for two years in country schools and attended business school in Oklahoma City, Okla...

Jay Ward Claypool, 76, of Richards, Mo., formerly Harrisonville, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Christian Health Care in Nevada. He was born Dec. 30, 1932, in Richards, Mo., to Joseph Ward Claypool and Bernice Evelyn Sharp Claypool...

Hi neighbors. We all made it through Thanksgiving and hopefully all that turkey is long gone. I was glad that this year most of the stores waited till Thanksgiving week at least to start playing Christmas music and putting up trees. Are you a "Black Friday" shopper? You know, the day after Thanksgiving when stores traditionally mark down prices on lots of their inventory...