Stories from Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Saline County Health Department officials announced Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 22, that several seasonal flu clinics have been cancelled and no further appointments will be taken for seasonal flu shots. Flu clinics scheduled for Malta Bend on Sept. 24, Arrow Rock on Sept. 30 and Marshall at the Martin Center on Sept. 29 have been canceled, according to a news release from the health department...

For the first time, all four Marshall elementary schools have been designated by the state as needing improvement, but district officials point out that it's not because students are doing poorly. It's because performance goals on standardized tests continue to increase, while student performance remains fairly stable...

The Slater School Board looked at the artist's rendition of the proposed Slater Early Childhood Center during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The bond issue for the $1.3 million building to house kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students will be on the November ballot. ...

Workers began this week rebuilding the cupola atop the Saline County Courthouse tower. Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, they had the base of the structure set up. For many years, the top of the tower was used to mount radio antennas for use by emergency agencies. The antenna tower was removed in August and antennas relocated. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)...

Interesting news and features published in our print edition and e-edition September 22. On page 2: Nutrition advice and stories about health care reform and surgery fires on the health page. On page 3: Advice from Annie's Mailbox and the calendar of events. Entertainment news from The Associated Press...

The Missouri Department of Transportation has postponed the temporary closure of Vest Street in Marshall at its intersection with U.S. Highway 65 due to inclement weather, according to a MoDOT news release. The work is now scheduled to take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25, from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day, but the project is weather-dependent and could be delayed or rescheduled...

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency will receive a grant of $57,000 under the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, said Saline County Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner at the meeting of county commissioners Tuesday, Sept. 22...

Editor's note: This story is the first of two covering the "cap and trade" plan being considered by the federal government and the effect it might have on farmers. Farmers keep hearing the term "cap and trade," but probably few have waded far enough into the 1,200 page "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" (HR 2454) to see how it could affect local operations...

SEDALIA -- The Marshall cross country team took individual titles in three out of four divisions Saturday during the Smith-Cotton Invitational at Sedalia. Junior Nick Jenkins enjoyed his first-ever varsity championship, covering the 3.1-mile circuit in 17:30 to break his personal record by a minute, 18 seconds. He cut his time on the course by 1:41 to best the Tigers' Anthony Beck by seven seconds...

SWEET SPRINGS -- Junior Molly Sander knocked down nine shots Monday as the fourth-ranked Santa Fe volleyball team escaped from Sweet Springs with a 25-18, 20-25, 25-15 I-70 Conference win. The Lady Greyhounds gave the visitors a tussle, though head coach Kristen Niemeyer admitted they "tired towards the end" of the match. Even with that, Sweet Springs scored six straight points after falling behind 23-9 in the third set before the Lady Chiefs finished off the win...

FAYETTE -- The Slater softball team split two games Saturday for second place in the Fayette Tournament. The day before, the Lady Wildcats had dropped an 8-6 non-conference game at Glasgow. The Lady Yellowjackets scored four runs in the fifth inning on three hits, including an RBI single by sophomore Madelyn Brand, a walk and three errors to take a 7-3 lead...

Sophomore Tyler Nichols achieved state-qualifying time standards in two events over the weekend during the Park Hill Invitational at Kansas City. Nichols broke his personal records while winning the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.54) and placing second -- by .41 seconds to Smith-Cotton senior Ehan Sherman -- in the 50 free (22.94 seconds). The Owls were seventh in the 14-team meet, won by the host Trojans, with 99 points...

At their meeting Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, Saline County Commissioners reported on the economic impacts of low county revenues. "We are asking that each office be very conservative on spending," Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner said. She continued, "We are taking measures to move forward and be able to work with the ever-constant concern with lack of sales tax" revenue...

Anthony M. Wright, 18, of Marshall, is the subject of an arrest warrant issued Monday, Sept. 21. Wright is wanted in connection with an assault on a woman with whom he resides. According to the incident report filed by Marshall police, Wright attacked the woman while she was doing homework, grabbed her by the hair, yelled at her and threw her on the floor...

On Saturday, Sept. 26, at 9 a.m., the doors of the Salt Fork YMCA gymnasium will open for the 22nd annual quilt show sponsored by Country Patchwork Quilt Guild. The main attraction at the show is six quilts and three quilters from Gee's Bend, Ala. Lucy Mingo, Ruth Kennedy and Louisiana Bendolph, who represent three generations, will travel 589 miles to show off their handiwork, which has become renowned in art and quilting communities worldwide...

An arrest warrant has been issued for Steven J. Cooper Jr., 26, of Concordia, following an assault on a Sweet Springs police officer Sunday, Sept. 20. According to a report from Sweet Springs police, Cooper was observed near a Sweet Springs car wash, in the act of assaulting a woman with whom he had a relationship when officers were called to the scene...

Harold F. Shepard, 81, passed away at home Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Cremation. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date with burial of cremains in Gilliam. He was born March 2, 1928, to Jesse and Hattie (Jackson) Shepard. ...

Robert E. "Pee Wee" Conner, 85, of rural Mt. Leonard, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at Sweet Springs Villa in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. ...

Lloyd Dee "L.D." Simmons, 82, of Sweet Springs, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at Liberty Hospital in Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Blue Lick Cemetery south of Marshall. Memorials may be made to Blue Lick Cemetery. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

"I just like to go fast," was a phrase repeated by those showcasing their drag racing vehicles at North Point Shelter in Indian Foothills Park Sunday, Sept. 20. The event was an effort to inform the community about the Marshall Drag Racing Team and to highlight the safety of the team's activities, said Jacque Dryer...