Stories from Saturday, March 20, 2010

Kenneth Woodcook, 81, Montevallo, Mo., passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at the Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs, Mo., following a brief illness. He was born Nov. 20, 1928, in Helena, Mont., to David Wilmont Woodcook and Cleo Heberling Woodcook. He married Estoal Mae Stepp on March 11, 1951, in Reno, Nev., and she survives of the home...

Blake Allen Beerbower, age 22, a resident of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, March 17, 2010. He was born Aug. 10, 1987, at Fort Scott. Blake had worked for both Wal-Mart Automotive and Valu Merchandisers. Blake enjoyed working with stereo systems as well as playing video games. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends...

Charles Stewart, of Schell City, Mo., appeared, with his attorney Eric Landoll, in the Circuit Court of Vernon County on Friday, March 19, and pleaded guilty to one class D felony charge of knowingly burning and two class A misdemeanor counts of reckless burning in connection with two incidents in Schell City last summer...

On Friday, the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced it has liquidated grain-related assets of Prairie Pride Inc. in Deerfield, Mo. to ensure that farmers in the area receive payment for previously delivered soybeans. In February, Prairie Pride, Inc. became financially unable to meet its obligations forcing the Department of Agriculture to suspend the company's grain license and secure assets to protect Missouri farmers...

Douglas Stangeland, of Nevada, and Andrew Wadel, of Rich Hill, made appearances in a Vernon County courtroom on Thursday, March 11, in connection with an alleged November 2009 home invasion at the rural Vernon County home of Charles Scammell. Stangeland waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over for arraignment in the Circuit Court of Vernon County. He and his attorney, Tracey Martin, of Joplin, Mo., are scheduled to appear in front of Judge James R. Bickel on April 20...

FULTON, Kan. -- Farming has run in Kenny and Beth Snyder's families for generations. The Snyders are one of six Kansas couples who have been named as Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers for 2009 in recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship and service to their communities. All couples were honored at a banquet Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Junction City...

David and Karen Watson, of Ozawkie, Kan., announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Holly Michelle Watson, to Austin Joseph Pyle, son of Kevin and Mary Jo Pyle, Halstead, Kan. Holly graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2004, and the University of Kansas in 2008, with a degree in speech language pathology...

Dennis and Lois Pendrak, of Nevada, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jan Elaine Pendrak, to Nick Hoth, son of Mary Hoth of St. Peters, Mo., and the late William Hoth. Bride-elect Pendrak graduated from Nevada High School in 2000, Northwest Missouri State University in 2004, and is presently teaching and coaching tennis at Mexico High School, Mexico, Mo...