Stories from Saturday, February 28, 2009

Andrew and Emily are proud to announce the birth of their son, Derek William Franks-Busch. Derek was born on Feb. 9, 2009, at Mercy Hospital, in Oklahoma City, Okla. He weighed in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and measured 21 1/2 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Alex and Melissa Franks, of Omaha, Neb. ...

Kourtney Rae Masters, 18, Lamar, Mo., passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., following a lengthy illness. She was born Feb. 26, 1991, in Nevada, to Robert Wesely Masters and Helen Christine Speagle Masters and they survive of the home...

Florence Lorene McMillin, 80, Nevada, passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 at her residence following a lengthy illness. She was born July 27, 1928, in Nevada, to Purl Clifford McReynolds and Bertie Caroline Wetsel McReynolds. She was married Oct. 24, 1975, in Miami, Okla., to Carol "Curly" McMillin and he preceded her in death Nov. 11, 1996...

Katherine Harris Ripley, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, in LaMonte, Mo. She was born the daughter of Thomas and Ethel Harris in Northeast Kansas City, Mo. She was born and reared at 12th and Indiana. She married Maurice Ripley on Aug. 9, 1941. He preceded her in death Aug. ...

During the season of Lent, All Saints' Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church will gather together in worship, at 6 p.m., each Sunday during Lent. The March 1 service will be conducted at St. Paul Lutheran Church; March 8, at the United Methodist Church; March 15, at St. Mary's, March 22, at All Saints' Episcopal Church; March 29, at St. Paul Lutheran; and the April 5 service will be conducted at the United Methodist Church...

Planting a tree or shrub is very satisfying, but planting a native species displays a commitment to conservation. It's also a great way to help restore lost wildlife habitat. Missouri has many native tree and shrub species that are excellent choices for home landscapes...

The MFA Oil Company will be celebrating 80 years of serving Nevada in 2009. The MFA company is a farmer-owned cooperative with more than 40,000 members that supplies fuels, lubricants and propane to customers in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. ...

On Friday, members of the Marine Corps Mobilization Command visited Fort Scott to salute local businessman Jim Smith. At a special luncheon conducted at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Col. Patrick McCarthy, Deputy Commander for the Marine Corps Mobilization Command, located in the Kansas City area, presented a plaque of appreciation to Smith...

Reservations are now being taken for Vernon County's annual meeting for all of the human services providers in and serving Vernon County. The fourth "Vernon County Resource Share" Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at the Nevada Elks bingo hall. More than 100 area providers have attended each of the first three luncheons...

Plans to make the Harry S. Truman birthplace in Lamar part of the National Parks system have taken one more step toward realization with the Jan. 15 passing by the U.S. Senate of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. Passing of the bill introduced by U.S. ...

Studies show that viewing too much television can have adverse affects on children, causing more aggressive and violent behavior, poor school performance, early sexual activity and drug and alcohol use. "These children don't get as much physical activity and don't get exposed to new activities," said a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist. ...

In June 2008 the mural honoring Vernon County veterans was torn from the wall of Rings Appliances by high winds; and a couple of weeks ago -- the date was not readily available -- portions of the mural on the side of Perry Grizzle's insurance agency were beginning to come loose from the wall and city crews removed them to prevent damage...

Fort Scott, Kan. -- The pivotal role that women played on a frontier military fort during the mid-1800s will be the focus of a series of programs this month at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. In observance of Women's History Month, FSNHS staff and volunteers will present three special programs that will take place on Saturdays in March. The programs are designed to teach visitors more about the 19th century woman, experiences they endured, and the society in which they lived...

After six months of campaigning, the United Way of Bourbon County has reached its goal of $99,999.99. "Yeah! We made goal," United Way of Bourbon County Executive Secretary Whendi Martin said. It was determined the goal was met after a series of hearings in which 15 non-profit agencies made a presentation to the organization's board of directors. ...