Stories from Friday, January 13, 2006

It's been over a year now since the historic building that housed Union Baptist Church burned to the ground. According to Bob Stewart, pastor of the church in north-central Saline County, the loss didn't seem dampen the spirits of the congregation. "The church burned on Dec. ...

Fitzgibbon Hospital played host to members of the Marshall community Thursday evening during a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of its latest addition. The new skilled nursing unit and rehabilitation department facility includes 8,456 square feet of space with room for the hospital's patient accounts, accounting and managed care departments...

A Marshall woman arrested in a drug raid in October received a 10-year prison sentence in Saline County Circuit Court this week. Tenecia D. Adams, 24, and Jason M. Payne, 20, were arrested when police searched their apartment in the 500 block of South Jefferson Avenue and found 142 grams, or just over a quarter pound, of crack cocaine, marijuana, a loaded .45 caliber handgun, $2,600 in cash and a notebook detailing illegal drug activity...

More than four decades ago, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to what he called "the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation" and described his vision for America in his famed "I Have a Dream" speech. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on that August day, King spoke of the nation making good on the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation signed a century before by President Abraham Lincoln. ...

The Sweet Springs Board of Education was in mid-season form for its monthly meeting Thursday evening, getting through its agenda in under 20 minutes. Superintendent Boyd Jones led off the reports from administrators, telling the board he has been in contact with bleacher manufacturers and hopes to have information to bring to the February meeting. He also noted that Sweet Springs schools will be in session Monday, Jan. 16, to make up a day missed because of bad weather in December...

The kick-off meeting for the 2006 Saline County Relay For Life will be held at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, in the community room of Wood and Huston Bank on the north side of the Marshall square. The theme for this year's event is "Working for the Fix in 2006."...

A presentation on college financial aid will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Marshall High School Little Theater for all parents of students in ninth through 12th grade. The Making College Financial Planning Count presentation will cover items including how to plan for and manage college costs, strategies to prepare for higher education and navigating the college financial aid application process...

The Rev. Darlene Easley, African Methodist Episcopal minister of Sedalia will present a message in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of hope. Her talk will focus on King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, discussing its relevance today. Easley is an educator who specializes in primary and special education, and she is an active member of a number of community groups, including the Sedalia chapter of the NAACP, Women in Ministry and the AME Ministers' Alliance of Greater Kansas City. ...

The Marshall Public Library will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday evening, Jan. 16, with a Family Fun Night event beginning at 7 p.m. The evening will include the stories "Martin's Big Words," "Happy Birthday Martin Luther King," "Skin Again" and "Whoever You Are," focusing on King's life and message of civil rights. Adrianne Diuguid, children's service coordinator, will be doing the reading...

Elfred Becker, 85, of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs. Funeral arrangements are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs.

Sister Mary Jo Kennedy, 76, of Independence, died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2006, surrounded by family, clergy and friends. She was born of John and Gertrude Kennedy of Shackelford. She entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1947. After graduating from the College of St. ...

Claudia Irene Washington, 60, of Marshall, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, as the result of an automobile accident. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 14, at First United Methodist Church in Marshall. Friends may call from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at H.T. May and Son Funeral Home in Marshall and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall. Memorials are suggested to the Claudia Washington Memorial in care of Bank of America...

In September of 2004, the Marshall Public School District received a very special gift. Not that the gift by itself was so unusual. What is special is how that gift snowballed into something truly remarkable. It all began with the Annual MHS Cross Country Invitational on Sept. ...

My first newspaper job out of college was also my first opportunity to tempt fate. Working at the Connellsville Courier about 35 miles south of Pittsburgh at a whopping $140 a week in 1977, I was the sacrificial lamb for the Friday the 13th picture...

The senior leadership of point guard Gary Morrow paid off the Missouri Valley College men's basketball team Thursday. Morrow made a three-pointer and four straight free throws down the stretch to give the Vikings a 71-67 Heart of America Conference decision over visiting Central Methodist. The Valley women also escaped with a narrow victory over the Lady Eagles, 81-79 in overtime...

MALTA BEND -- The Malta Bend boys' basketball team was unable to stop CCAA title contender Pilot Grove during a 79-45 home loss Thursday. The visiting Tigers, behind 16 points from senior Justin Twenter, enjoyed leads of 24-7 after one period and 52-21 at halftime. The host Tigers were more competitive during the second half, out-scored by a margin of only 27-24...

BOYS CCAA Pilot Grove 79, at Malta Bend 45 Non-conference Higginsville 44, at St. Paul 42 Jamestown 53, Missouri Deaf 42 Tipton 56, Prairie Home 42 Appleton City Tournament (Semifinals) Butler 53, Humansville 40 Osceola 91, Sherwood 55 California Tournament...