Stories from Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Three teachers who were asked to resign in May have requested hearings before the school board, according to Interim Superintendent Donn Quick. The teachers allegedly were involved in a breach in standardized test security. The hearings are tentatively scheduled for July 8 and July 9, according to Quick. He said the hearings might be open to the public, but that could change if the teachers request a closed hearing...

SEDALIA -- Marshall came up with three not-too-close victories during Monday night action in the Sedalia League's 16-and-under Competitive Division. The ersatz Lady Owls, who are not using that or any other moniker this summer, cashed in on opportunities for big innings in each of the three games -- including a six-run third in the 7-4 win over the Sedalia Lady Bandits in the opener...

With summer holidays approaching, the local U.S. Postal Service has a few reminders for the community, including how to help protect mail carriers and others from dog bites. The Humane Society of the United States reports that small children, the elderly and letter carriers -- in that order -- are the most frequent victims of dog attacks...

Interesting news and features published in our print edition and e-edition Tuesday, June 4 On page 2: "Nutrition Wise" columnist Karen Collins answers questions about avoiding soy products while undergoing cancer treatment and how to choose the most nutritious margarine. ...

A free clinic will be conducted Saturday in the Marshall High School gym by new Owls head boys' basketball coach Kevin Hart and his staff, with donations accepted for the Fitzgibbon Hospital Community Cancer Center. Basketball Players Against Cancer will have four one-hour sessions, starting at 7:30 a.m. for incoming first- and second-grade students. Third- and fourth-graders will begin at 8:30, following by fifth and sixth grades at 9:30 and seventh and eighth grades at 10:30...

One of the things for which Marshall head coach Ian Verts is most hoping is that a summer full of baseball will mean improvements on defense. During the spring season, the Owls committed 69 errors, resulting in 76 unearned runs, in 21 games. Even with the use of more -- and younger -- players during the summer, those numbers have been slightly better for the Travelers: 33 errors and 28 unearned runs in the first 11 games...

Assault charges are pending against a Malta Bend man Monday, June 23, after he and another Malta Bend man were involved in a fistfight Monday, June 16, in Malta Bend. Both men were injured during the fight. The argument apparently began when one of the men allegedly insulted the other's fiancée...

The pool may be the favorite place for kids to cool off in the summer, but it's not the only game in town, as these kids from First Christian Church in Marshall demonstrate. Cynthia Farris, youth director and associate ministor for the church, said the youth group tries to have a fun activity at least once a month and Monday, June 23, the activity was running through a sprinkler to slide across a soapy sheet of plastic...

Slater City Council discussed vandalism issues and the new Slater sign at their Tuesday, June 17, meeting. In response to restrooms being damaged and trash thrown in the pool, Mayor Stephen Allegri recently told police officers to ban teens from loitering downtown or at city parks...

By TRAVIS WATTS Staff writer A $300 per year increase in tuition prices for non-district high school students was unanimously approved by the Slater Board of Education at their Tuesday, June 17, meeting. "Some type of increase would be warranted," said Superintendent John McEachern. "I think we're (being) extremely reasonable."...

Missouri Valley College announced that it is joining several partners -- The Missouri Division of State Parks, GEAR-UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) St. Louis and University of Missouri-St. Louis -- to conduct a six-year heritage project at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site in St. Louis...