Stories from Friday, May 2, 2003

"Brainy" might not be the first word which comes to mind when watching a series of humorous skits staged by elementary and junior high students. But that is how students in the Marshall School District Gifted and Talented Expanded (GATE) program chose to express some of their talents during a Parents' Night Wednesday in the MHS Little Theater...

Rock Bridge ran its unbeaten string to 14 straight boys' tennis matches Thursday with an 8-1 decision at Marshall. The lone Owls' victory came at No. 1 singles, where freshman Myles Yokeley edged Bruin senior Bart Wilson -- who had moved up two spots from No. 3 -- by a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 margin. Although senior Blake Garrett and freshman Jesse Murphy extended their Bruin foes past regulation during their first sets, both fell in two frames...

FULTON -- Marshall boys' golf coach Erek Dusenberry figured the first experience for his players at Tanglewood Golf Course near Fulton would be an eye-opener. As it was, the Owls' combined score of 420 for sixth place in the NCMC Tournament on Thursday was a pleasant turn...

SLATER -- A pair of makeup games this week between Slater and Fayette both went the way of the Falcons, but the Wildcats made some progress. After stumbling through a 12-error, 14-7 loss during Wednesday's third-place game in the Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament, Slater cut down on its mistakes and threatened at the end before falling short at home, 7-4, during Thursday's regular season clash...

MOBERLY -- The Good Ship Owl is taking on water and sinking fast. Sophomore Owen Reid and senior Brian Blandford combined on a no-hitter Thursday as NCMC rival Moberly handed the visiting Marshall baseball team its fifth loss in a row, 10-0 in six innings...

CONCORDIA -- The Sweet Springs baseball and softball teams came aware with very different feelings following Thursday's consolation finals of the I-70 Conference Tournament at Concordia. The Lady Greyhounds possessed a fifth-place trophy by virtue of a 16-6, five-inning victory over Wellington-Napoleon. The Sweet Springs boys' chagrin was obvious after kicking the ball around for 10 errors and eight unearned runs during their 11-6 loss to the Tigers...

LIBERTY -- Unlike the Chicago wardheeler who "seen my opportunities, and I took 'em," the Missouri Valley College baseball team squandered most of its chances Thursday during the Heart of America Conference Tournament at Liberty. The Vikings bore little resemblance to the group which tore down the stretch of the regular season, winning 13 of its last 14 games -- including 10 in a row against league foes. ...

Ray Guthrie, 76, of Slater, died Thursday, May 1, 2003, at his home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Marshall Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Marshall. Rev. Rich Shugert will officiate.

Edgar R. Bredehoeft, 73, of Emma, died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma. Pastor Walter Snyder will officiate.

Blackwater garden club to host Sunday dinner The newly-formed garden club in Blackwater is holding a fund-raiser Sunday dinner at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 4 at the Iron Horse Restaurant in Blackwater. The club also plans to sell plants and baskets at the event. All proceeds will go to purchase flowers and plants that will brighten rock gardens throughout the city...

In Saline County Circuit Court this week, a Marshall man who pleaded guilty to setting fire to his residence on East Yerby received a suspended execution of sentence and was placed on probation. Carl H. Girard, 30, pleaded guilty to class C felony arson in the second degree last month. In a sentencing hearing this week, Presiding Judge Dennis Rolf sentenced Girard to seven years in the Department of Corrections, but suspended the term and placed him on five years probation...

The second of two year-capping Bueker Middle School music concerts will also include another aspect of the students' expression: art. Before the concert, which begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in the Harold L. Lickey Auditorium, families and friends can treat themselves to the BMS art show in the gymnasium. Art instructor Ted Denton said two-dimensional artwork will be displayed to show the hard work and development of his students...

Southern District County Commissioner Mike Dillon reported Friday on a meeting he attended for the Missouri Association of Councils Of Government (MACOG). "It was a very diverse meeting," he said. Dillon, who serves as chairman for the four-county Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission, said MACOG covered everything from Pioneer Trails to health issues at its regular monthly meeting Thursday in Jefferson City. ...

BASEBALL NCMC at Moberly 10, Marshall 0 (6) Lewis & Clark Fayette 7, at Slater 4 Non-conference at Hallsville 3, Fulton 0 at Salisbury 4, New Franklin 3 Rock Bridge 10, at Hickman 6 Westran at Sturgeon, ccd. I-70 Tournament (Concordia) (Consolation Final)...