Stories from Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Long-time YMCA Member Services Director Suzanne Smith has been named the new director of the Salt Fork YMCA, according to John Raines, president of the YMCA board.

During the "Kids Come First Minute" at the Marshall school board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, third-graders in Angie Harvey's class read poetry.

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 26, the local chapter of The Salvation Army, sponsored by Marshall Ministerial Alliance, will have their Red Kettle outside the south entrance to Wal-Mart once again. Standing at the Kettle will be representatives from local churches, working together to raise funds from the community to assist those throughout the year who need assistance during difficult times...

With the holiday season comes fluctuations in our community's blood supply, according to American Red Cross officials. The Red Cross needs the help of the community to be sure that blood is available when it's needed, according to a news release from the organization...

Bids to develop the Guthrie Play Area and Peyton Park were due this past Friday, Nov. 21. According to Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Stubblefield, six bids were received from "all the major players." Miracle Recreation Equipment, ABCreative, Playworld Systems, GameTime, ATHCO and Terra Pad all submitted bids for the projects. The price range for the Guthrie area is $225,000 to $250,000, and for Peyton the cost is $40,000 to $50,000...

The Attorney General's Office has some advice for Missouri seniors on Medicare, who soon will have the chance to make changes to their Medicare prescription drug coverage, according to a news release from the AG's office. Enrollees subscribing to Medicare Part D will have the chance to switch drug plans during the annual open enrollment period from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31...

The Marshall High mat room may seem like a mighty lonely place this year. In his previous 13 seasons as head coach, Jim Heinzler has never finished with fewer than 19 wrestlers. For 2009, he begins the campaign with only 17, of which just two are returning starters...

PILOT GROVE -- Defending CCAA boys' basketball champion Pilot Grove indicated during Monday's season opener that it had no intention of easily relinquishing its crown, least of all to Malta Bend. The host Tigers jumped all over the visiting Tigers to build a 30-point halftime spread and coasted to an 83-43 victory. Senior Trey Schibi scored 10 of his game-high 21 points during the first quarter, giving Pilot Grove (1-0, 1-0 CCAA) a 22-13 lead...

The Marshall Board of Education will meet in regular and executive sessions Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Central Administration office at the intersection of Miami Avenue and Vest Street. The agenda includes the monthly "Kids Come First Minute," this month featuring students from Northwest Elementary School...