Stories from Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A miniature horse butted his nose against a walker as a Westport Estates' resident reached out to pet his mane. The horse, a pet of Patty Rebuck's, visited the assisted living community for the second time on Monday, Aug. 22. Two years ago Rebuck and her dachshund Cocoa began visiting retirement homes for pet therapy. Since then she's added six other dachshunds and two miniature horses to her team of four-legged volunteers...

Slater Board of Education members set a tax levy Tuesday evening, Aug. 23, during a hearing held before the regular meeting. Board members approved a total levy of $4.45 for 2011, a 9-cent decrease for taxpayers from 2010. The decrease is due to an increase in railroad and utility tax revenues...

Looked at from one perspective, the results of spring standardized testing was not good. Marshall schools continue to struggle to meet ever-increasing performance targets. Looked at from another perspective, there were glimmers of hope, as some classes improved performance...

Those with insurance will not be able to participate in the Vaccines for Children program due to a cut in 317 funding. At The Saline County Health Department Board of Trustees' regular meeting on Aug. 23, the board mourned the loss of funding for the Vaccines for Children's program. ...

Lighthouse Director Debbie Wallace advocated for the removal of the Planet Aid boxes at the InterAgency Council meeting on Aug. 23. The yellow clothing donation bins began appearing in Saline County roughly a month ago. Wallace reiterated Planet Aid has undergone several media investigations and reminded council members this "scam" takes away from organizations dedicated to helping local people...

Saline County Recorder of Deeds Jamie Franklin Nichols urged residents to be wary of a company offering to provide copies of legal documents. Record Retrieval, a Fulton based company, has mailed letters offering an official certified copy of deeds for $87 or more. This company merely contacts the recorder's office, obtains the documents and then mails them to the homeowner while charging a significantly higher fee...

When professional comedian and actor Michael Joiner comes to Marshall Monday, Aug. 29, he will not come alone. The organizer for the Comedy Night, Randy Shannon, announced Tuesday, Aug. 23, he has received word that Dustin Joiner will open the show...

Saline Medical Reserve Corps is sponsoring a Community Blood Center blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the First United Methodist Church New Life Center, 225 E. Arrow St. in Marshall. Summer blood drives are especially important because blood supplies are often critically low in the summer, according to a news release from Saline MRC. Colleges and high schools do not sponsor blood drives in the summer and regular donors may miss local blood drives due to vacations...

Interesting news and features published in our print edition and E-edition August 23.

On August 19th, David Thomas of Carrollton, Missouri, passed away at his summer cabin on Ottertail Lake, Minn. Born June 3, 1933 in Carrollton, David was the son of Dudley David Thomas Jr. and Ruth Rea Thomas. David attended public school in Carrollton and upon graduation he enlisted in the U. ...

Diapers towered above a folding table in Salt Fork YMCA's Kid's Gym, where organizers for the Dollars for Diapers Drive placed donated packages of diapers for an array of age groups. From newborns to toddlers, children in need will now have resources for their comfort and health...

MHS Round-up

Freda A. Mark, 86, of DeWitt, died Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral arrangements are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall.

Area high school scores for Monday, Aug. 22