Stories from Tuesday, April 19, 2005

As the investigation into the Saturday theft of two trucks from John Rector Motors continues, the Marshall Police Department has developed leads on possible suspects. Authorities were alerted to the thefts just prior to 8 a.m. Saturday and believe the incident occurred in the early-morning hours. In addition to cash and license plates, the suspects made off with two GMC pickups -- although one truck was recovered a short distance from the dealership...

While there were no fatal crashes reported anywhere in Missouri Monday, members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol assigned to Saline County were kept busy with a pair of injury accidents during the afternoon. The afternoon's first crash took place at 2:58 p.m. on southbound U.S. Highway 65 at the Interstate 70 south outer road...

With Monday's certification of the April municipal election results by the Marshall City Council it's now official: Sam Moten and Jim Ruff tied. The race for Ward 3's empty seat on the council ended with both men receiving 163 votes. As a result, the council adopted a resolution Monday setting a run-off election for Tuesday, May 3...

The city of Marshall gives its residents a chance to clean out their basements, garages and attics each spring, and it is an opportunity many seize. Ward 3 Councilman Tim Reeder, chairman of the municipal services committee, reported on the annual citywide cleanup at Monday's meeting of the Marshall City Council. "They are pretty amazing totals, quite frankly," he said...

By Matt Heger Staff Writer Showcasing young, up-and-coming students, the Marshall High School drama class is offering patrons three short performances for the price of none. The class will put on a one-act production as well as two scenes on Friday, April 22, at no charge for the public...

The Take Pride in Marshall litter pick-up is set for Saturday morning, April 23. Volunteers are asked to gather in the parking lot of the Marshall City Offices building just off Lafayette Street by 9:30 a.m. Clubs or organizations taking part in the state's Adopt-A-Highway program are also invited to take part in the litter pick-up. Bags, gloves and safety vests will be provided...

When the Saline County Commission met Tuesday morning, there weren't many items on the agenda -- until Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton walked in. Prior to Hinton's appearance, commission members announced that they would have a special meeting later Tuesday with Ron Watts, MoDOT representative, and other officials concerning construction of new bridges across the county. The bridges will be categorized and ranked in terms of importance for construction, which will begin within the next year...

John Eric Camp, 52, of Higginsville, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, in Higginsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home in Higginsville. Rev. George Sample will officiate. Music will be "On the Turning Away" by Pink Floyd. ...

John Tom Davis, 52, of rural Miami, died Monday, April 18, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Miami Cemetery. Rev. Jess Spurgin will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jerry D. Davis, Stewart Blessing, Roger Crank, John Roe, Walter "Jim" Taylor, Brent Narron, Russell Cooksey and Larry Holland. ...

Dorothy D. Page, 78, of rural Slater, died Sunday, April 17, 2005, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Slater Christian Church. Rev. Debbie Roath will officiate. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "In the Garden." Pallbearers will be Clint Page, Levi Page, Brad Edwards, Nathan Sullivan, Chad Forsee and Meredith Soper. ...

COLUMBIA -- Historically, one of the biggest challenges to the Marshall boys' tennis team within the NCMC has come from Hannibal. If that's the case, then the Owls are in good shape after Monday's convincing 10-2 victory over the Pirates at the Rock Bridge courts in Columbia. To its credit, Hannibal (1-2, 0-2 NCMC) inflicted the first individual losses suffered by the Birds in three conference matches -- both in lower positions...

Boonville scored a cheap run in the top of the eighth inning to send the Marshall baseball team to its fifth loss in the last six games Monday, 4-3. The Pirates' game-winner came when junior Chad Gibson's one-ball, two-strike pitch to senior Robert Thomas with two outs sailed to the backstop -- allowing senior Josh Weber to race home. However, Weber shouldn't even have been on third base...

SWEET SPRINGS -- The Sweet Springs baseball team is hoping that the curse which has seemed to plague it all season has finally been lifted. The Greyhounds had been ahead going into the late innings for four of their previous five games, but hadn't been able to get the win. The seven-game losing streak was snapped Monday at City Park with a 10-9 decision over Crest Ridge...

KNOB NOSTER -- Nine of the 10 Marshall boys' golfers who took part in Monday's dual match against Knob Noster shot between 40 and 43 on a challenging course. The 162 to 190 victory by the Owls' varsity was especially pleasing to head coach Erek Dusenberry coming off a rocky performance Saturday in the Hannibal Tournament. This on the Royals Oaks Golf Course at Whiteman Air Force Base...

BASEBALL Non-conference Boonville 4, at Marshall 3 (8) at Santa Fe 8, Concordia 3 at Sweet Springs 10, Crest Ridge 9 Mexico 6, at Rock Bridge 3 at St. Paul 13, KC-Lutheran 8 at Fulton 7, Macon 4 Helias 6, at Kirksville 4 Paris 13, at Salisbury 8 at Windsor 10, Osceola 3...