Stories from Friday, April 26, 2002

A man spent several years in the Saline County Criminal Justice Center for drug use and addition, but was finally able to return home to his family thanks to the help of a local prison ministry. Drug-free for more than a year, Randal Huff Sr. now attends church regularly and is outspoken about what the Lord has done and continues to do in his life...

BASEBALL (NCMC) at Marshall 9, Moberly 3 - (Non-conference) at Santa Fe 9, Sweet Springs 2 St. Paul 10, at Slater 8 at Concordia 15, Crest Ridge 5 (5) at Fulton 20, Hallsville 0 (5) at Westran 12, Sturgeon 2 (5) Jefferson City 4, at Helias 2 at Kirksville 22, Putnam Co. 4 (5)...

COLUMBIA -- If Marshall head boys' tennis coach Susan Carney felt Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Warrensburg was a case where her team "let one get away," there was no such frustration following Thursday's 9-0 shutout at the hands of host Rock Bridge. "We're just not in their league," admitted Carney, whose squad became the 14th opponent the Bruins have blanked this season. ...

There are days when even a good-hitting team doesn't exactly smack the baseball around the park. Such was the case Thursday for Marshall, which entered Thursday's NCMC clash with visiting Moberly with a lofty .352 team batting average. However, the Owls have other weapons -- such as speed, which they displayed by stealing 14 bases during a 9-2 victory...

COLUMBIA -- Apparently, Tuesday's 174 shot during a dual home match with Warrensburg was merely a momentary setback for the Marshall boys' golf team. The Owls regrouped nicely Thursday by firing a 154, their lowest nine-hole score in three years, to give host Rock Bridge (5-1) its first dual loss of the season -- by three strokes at par-35 L.A. Nickell Golf Course in Columbia...

ALMA --- A two-week layoff from the mound didn't seem to bother Santa Fe's Joe Michael on Thursday. The senior right-hander held tenth-ranked Sweet Springs in check, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out 10 during the host Chiefs' 9-2 victory...

ALMA -- The word around the dugout of the Sweet Springs softball team Thursday was "F-U-N." That may have seemed strange with the winless Lady Greyhounds facing undefeated Santa Fe. However, rather than being scared, it was Sweet Springs that made matters uncomfortable -- if only for a brief period -- for the potent Lady Chiefs during a 10-4 loss...

SLATER -- Thursday's tilt between Slater and visiting St. Paul was a tale of missed opportunities. Although the two teams combined for 25 hits and got 20 more players on base with walks and hit batters, they stranded 23 runners. The Saints, while slightly less efficient -- leaving 13 on base and having two more wiped out on double plays -- held on for a 10-8 decision...

George W. Welch, 96, of Stover, formerly of Marshall, died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at Golden Age Living Center in Stover. Funeral services will be held at a later date under the direction of Campbell-Lewis Funeral home in Marshall.

Jeanette L. Carson, 36, of Slater, died Monday, April 22, 2002, as a result of injuries she suffered in an automobile accident on Interstate 70 near Grain Valley. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 29, at First Baptist Church in Slater. Rev. Robert Sisney will officiate...

The 32nd annual Women's Hall of Fame Tea was held Thursday, April 18, in the formal lounge of Ferguson Center at Missouri Valley College. Each year, one woman is honored with induction into the hall based on nomination, grade-point average and her activities and involvement in the community and the college...

Marshall High School instrumental music students brought home a total of five "I" (the highest possible) ratings from the state music festival Thursday. To reach the Missouri State High School Activities Association state music contest, all students had to first compete at the district level and receive a "I" rating on a solo or for a small ensemble...

Graduation is the event that closes the end of each school year. This year, Missouri Valley College is graduating its seniors on Saturday, May 4. In about one week, graduates will be on their way to the future. Some students have definite plans while others are relaxing and taking a break between school and their careers...

Members of the Saline County Inter-Agency Council met for their monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Sweetwater Restaurant and Lounge in Sweet Springs. The first topic of discussion was brought up by Margaret Cott, a representative of the Missouri Valley Human Resource Community Action Agency. ...

Formal charges have been filed against two men arrested Wednesday when police executed a search warrant in Marshall. On Thursday, Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Don Stouffer filed charges of class A felony trafficking in the first degree and class C felony possession of a controlled substance against Tommy Michael Hammer, 45, and Daniel B. Randolph, 27, both of Marshall...

Spring, in all of its glory, has truly arrived when the mailbox starts overflowing with missives from your alma mater. For all the thousands of dollars I contributed over four years, plus all the hundreds of thousands of dollars the ol' college (now a university) has received from wealthy philanthropists, you'd think the powers that be could do a little bit of research on who has "made it" in the real world and who hasn't...