Stories from Monday, May 4, 2009

Missouri health officials on Saturday discovered four probable cases of swine flu from the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The new findings bring the number of probable or confirmed cases in Missouri to eight...

Saline County Health Department is taking significant steps to deal with a new strain of H1N1 flu which has prompted federal officials to declare a nationwide health emergency, according to a news release from the department. Missouri received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control on May 1 that a woman in Platte County who recently traveled to Mexico had tested positive for the H1N1 flu...

U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection (As of May 3, 2009 11:00 AM ET) Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens...

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling places new limits on what constitutes a reasonable search of a vehicle when an occupant is suspected of committing a crime, according to documents released by Saline County Sheriff Wally George. The case, Arizona vs. Gant, was decided April 21. Justices ruled by a 5-4 vote effectively banned the practice of searching a vehicle without a warrant after suspects have been taken into custody, according to court documents...

Joshua A. Fink, 24, of Marshall, was arrested Wednesday, April 29, and charged with class A misdemeanor domestic assault in the third degree in connection with an incident that occurred in Marshall. According to an incident report filed by Marshall police, Fink assaulted his wife when she arrived at his residence on North Bond Avenue to collect some personal items...

There's more than one kind of "Wonder Dog." Wonder Dog Day on Saturday, May 2, was kicked off with a demonstration of two dogs regularly used to detect drugs and track individuals by members of the Higginsville Police Department and Lafayette County Sheriff's Department. K-9 Officer Danny Logan from HPD addressed the crowd with a description and explanation of the dogs.

Berniece Rippel, 92, of Higginsville, formerly of Marshall, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Private family burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Moberly. Memorials may be made to Marshall Public Education Foundation. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Hannibal scored three unanswered goals during the final seven minutes Friday for a come-from-behind 3-1 NCMC road win over the Marshall girls' soccer team. After a scoreless first half, during which neither team was able to launch an on-target shot, the Lady Owls broke through six minutes into the second frame when freshman Allea Summers connected from short range...

FULTON -- Junior Brandon Hall turned in his career-best 18-hole performance Friday, but the Marshall boys' golf team had to settle for seventh place in the NCMC Tournament at Fulton. Hall covered a soggy Tanglewood Golf Course in less than ideal conditions with a steady three-over-par 75, three strokes lower than the 78 he turned in four days earlier at Chillicothe. It was the second time Hall claimed an NCMC medal, having finished ninth last year...

FAYETTE -- Faith in one's self and one's teammates can be a powerful force in sports. Throughout the season, the Missouri Valley College softball team has been inspired by the mantra it shouts from the dugout, "I believe, you believe, we all believe in you."...

Interesting news and features published in our print edition and e-edition May 4 On page 2: Read about Carla Fricke, recently inducted into Missouri Valley College Women's Hall of Fame. On page 3: Reports from recent Kiwanis and Optimist club meetings...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's staff are traveling throughout the state to hear from local residents, and to inform them of the numerous ways her office can be of service to all Missourians. A representative will be at the Grapevine Family Dining, 311 N. Main in Slater, Thursday, May 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m...

Missouri Valley College will confer 215 degrees on students at its commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9, at Gregg-Mitchell Field on the MVC campus. The 2008 graduating class is the 120th class to graduate from MVC. Including spring 2009 graduates, MVC will have conferred 8,739 degrees since 1889...

The Marshall City Council heard a report on the annual citywide clean-up held April 13-17 at its meeting Monday, May 4. A total of 222 tons of refuse was collected, which is 59 tons more than in 2008, council member Dan Brandt said. Pick-up of recycled paper and yard waste was down during the clean-up...

More than 50 Saline County residents came to Marshall and gathered in front of the Jim the Wonder Dog Park for Wonder Dog Day Saturday, May 2. Attendees were encouraged to bring their canine friends to compete for the title of Top Dog Model, Jim the Wonder Dog Look-Alike and Wonder Dog of the Year, or simply to socialize with the other dogs present...