Marshall Democrat-News: : Slater

Slater

Slater council hears about street work, tree trimming (11/03/09)
Slater city streets are being prepared for crack and seal treatments, Mayor Stephen Allegri said at the city council meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 3. The work is just part of regular street maintenance. "It's all part of our comprehensive street program," Allegri said...

Martin Esparza Vazquez (10/27/09)
Martin Esparza Vazquez, 42, of Slater, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital. Funeral services and burial will be at Templo Senor de las Rayos Church and Cemetery in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Local arrangements are being handled by Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Martin Esparza (10/26/09)
Martin Esparza, 42, of Slater, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital. Funderal arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Habitat for Humanity welcomes family to their new Slater home (10/22/09)
The dedication of a Habitat for Humanity home in Slater Sunday, Oct. 18, would not have been possible without "thousands of hours of careful thought and lots of hard work on the part of everyone in this room and lots more people, as well," said Rev. Pam Sebastian to those in attendance at the dedication ceremony...

Slater Board of Education hears budget update, Red Ribbon Week activity report (10/21/09)
Slater Board of Education members discussed the district's audit report during their meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 20. Superintendent John McEachern said since the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the district's net assets have decreased by $95,368. Income from property tax had decreased by $107,508, income from sales tax had decreased by $12,337, and total earnings had decreased by $39,000, leading to a decrease of $184,933 in total revenue. Expenditures were up $56,431 from 2008-2009 levels...

City of Slater prepares for annual tree-trimming work (10/20/09)
Slater Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith reported on city business and departments at the city council meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 20. The city will begin its annual tree-trimming program this month, Griffith said. "Really, we're running about a month behind," he said, partly because of the weather...

Slater Fall Fest features successful car show Saturday (09/30/09)
After being rescheduled more than once, the third annual Steve McQueen Days car show was held Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of the town's fall festival. Organizer and city councilman Terry Jordan said 46 cars were entered into the show, and he was pleased with the results...

Slater connection: Steve McQueen home in LA for sale (09/28/09)
An entry on a Los Angeles Times real estate blog has an entry today, "Where Bullitt used to relax," describing a home owned by the late Steve McQueen and his wife, Barbara, that has been put on the market. Asking price? $1.95 million. The writer, Lauren Beale, notes a Slater connection in McQueen's decision to purchase the home...

Keith D. Head (09/28/09)
Keith D. Head, 53, of Slater, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at University Hospital in Columbia. Funeral services were held Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at Salem Evangelical Church north of Arrow Rock, with Rev. Tony Gallagher officiating.

Updated: Slater school board looks at artist's rendering of proposed building (09/22/09)
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. ...

Slater council hears about fall festival, approves engineer for water study (09/15/09)
The Slater City Council heard a preview of the city's fall festival, scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25, at its meeting Tuesday evening, Sept. 15. "It's a great time for all," Mayor Stephen Allegri said. Council member Terry Jordan said about 100 cars will be at the car show to be held Saturday, Sept. 25. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon, and it costs $20 per car...

Featured patriot: Guthrie leads local efforts to honor veterans (09/11/09)
Veterans have a well-earned reputation for being generally reluctant to talk in detail about their service, so as area veterans emerged from morning interviews Thursday, Aug. 6, with a team from the Missouri Veteran Stories project, I asked each why he had agreed to participate...

City of Slater receives "A" on audit (09/01/09)
At their meeting Tuesday evening, Sept. 1, Slater City Council members heard the results of the city's 2008 audit. Norma J. Schlesselman from Wilson, Toellner and Associates said the city's financial statements "present fairly," and that is "the best opinion that can be given in an audit."...

Slater school board sets tax levy (08/28/09)
The Slater school board set its tax levy during a brief meeting Friday, Aug. 28 at Slater High School. The board voted unanimously to approve the property tax levy at $4.4143 per $100 of assessed property. The operating levy was set at $3.8531 and the debt service levy was set at $.5612...

Donald G. Riddle (08/27/09)
Donald G. Riddle, 85, of Slater, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater. Rev. Pam Sebastian will officiate. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "How Great Thou Art" and "Whispering Hope." Burial with military honors will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Donald C. Riddle (08/26/09)
Donald C. Riddle, 85, of Slater, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Skies over Slater feature aerial show (08/24/09)
Seventy-three pilots from around Missouri and beyond flew 108 remote-controlled airplanes, jets and helicopters at the third annual Slater R/C Field of Dreams Fun Fly, held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23, at Slater Memorial Airport. There was, almost without exception, at least one plane in the sky at all times, with the action subsiding for a few reasons, including the arrival of a full-sized airplane on the runway and a mid-air collision between two aircraft, as well as the subsequent search in the cornfield for any parts of the airplanes.. ...

Jack Sumpter (08/24/09)
Jack Sumpter, 77, of Slater, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at University Hospital in Columbia. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Memorials are suggested to the charity of donor's choice in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Slater council welcomes Rep. Joe Aull, approves new tax levy (08/18/09)
Unlike the city of Marshall, Slater has seen a decrease in the assessed value of property within city limits. Because of this, the city council voted Tuesday evening, Aug. 18, to raise the city's tax from $1.153 per $100 of assessed value in 2009 to $1.2092 in 2010...

Slater Board of Education discusses tax levies (Updated 10:35 a.m. 8/19/09) (08/18/09)
The Slater Board of Education set operational and debt service levies during its meeting Tuesday evening, Aug. 18. The operating levy was set at 3.8531 cents per $100 of assessed value and the debt service levy was set at .5612 cents per $100 of assessed value...

Slater school board to put $1.3 million bond issue on November ballot (UPDATE: 9:09 a.m.) (08/10/09)

Local veterans share their stories (UPDATE 6:35 a.m. Aug. 18) (08/18/09)
Whether in peacetime or war, on the battlefield, aboard ship, in kitchens or shops, the people who serve in the military have stories to tell about the experiences. Some are exciting -- too exciting, in some cases. Some are mundane. But one thing the Missouri Veteran Stories interview team insists on is that every veteran's stories are valuable, interesting and worth recording for posterity...

Slater receives grant for water system evaluation (08/04/09)
The city of Slater continues to update and maintain its infrastructure. In their meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, city council members voted to rebuild two aging pumps in the waste water plant. Two similar pumps were restored earlier in the year. The cost for the final two pumps is estimated at around $26,000, which will come from the city's reserve funds...

Helen Edna Borgman (08/04/09)
Helen Edna Borgman, 90, of rural Slater, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church near Saline City, with Pastor Mark Hass officiating. ...

Helen Borgman (08/03/09)
Helen Borgman, 90, of rural Slater, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral arrangements are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall.

Two area bands play at Slater Fall Festival fundraiser (07/31/09)

Slater City Council discusses 'property rights,' animal ordinance (07/21/09)
The Slater City Council approved a resolution requesting that citizens not to sign petitions from Missouri Citizens for Property Rights and discussed additions to the city's animal ordinance during its meeting Tuesday evening, July 21. The resolution was drafted by City Attorney Pat Cronan, who gave the board a summary of the efforts of MCPR...

Slater school board delays decision on bond issue (07/21/09)

Slater brothers arrested Thursday after alleged assault (07/20/09)
Billy S. Hayes, 25, of Slater, and Timothy J. Hayes, 27, also of Slater, were the subject of an incident report from Saline County Sheriff's Department, in connection with an incident in the parking lot of Gilliam School Thursday, July 16. According to the incident report, deputies were called to the scene when a woman reported she had been assaulted by Billy Hayes. ...

Slater school board approves bid for elementary building repair work (07/13/09)
The Slater Board of Education approved a bid Monday, July 13, for repair work on Alexander Elementary School. The work is aimed at fixing water seepage that is damaging masonry above windows on the third floor, according to Superintendent John McEachern...

Independence man charged with felony driving while revoked after arrest in Saline County (07/08/09)
Ronald J. Pycke, 62, of Independence, is in custody at Saline County Justice Facility on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. Pycke was charged Saturday, July 4, with class D felony operating a motor vehicle while revoked after he was questioned by Missouri Highway Patrol officers at the scene of a traffic accident in Slater...

Slater council welcomes new member (07/07/09)
Newly appointed Slater City Council member Brett Heymeyer was sworn in at the council's meeting Tuesday evening, July 7. Heymeyer was chosen by Mayor Stephen Allegri to replace Rex Cantlin, who resigned from the council in June. Heymeyer jumped right in to council business, joining council members Terry Jordan, Harry Lightfoot and Ruby Romine on a new committee to discuss the city's regulations concerning four-wheelers, golf carts, dirt bikes and other small motorized vehicles...

Gerald S. Wood (07/01/09)
Gerald S. Wood, 87, of Slater, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at his home. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3, 2009, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Slater, with Rev. Robert Sisney will officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "It Is Well With My Soul." Burial will be in Rehoboth Cemetery. ...

Slater board closes out school year (UPDATED 8:22 a.m.) (06/30/09)
The Slater School Board held its end-of-the-fiscal-year meeting at noon on Tuesday, June 30 to close the books on the 2008-09 school year. As it has in past years, the board voted to adopt a 2009-10 budget of $3,694,863.12 -- the actual expenditures for the past year.

Storm can't stop the blues: Bear Creek Blues Fest headliners play on (06/29/09)
Karen Teeter of Kansas City had her name picked in the drawing for an autographed Ibanez AS73 hollow-body guitar with a transparent cherry finish during the Bear Creek Blues Festival Saturday, June 27, in Slater, making her the excited new owner of the guitar...

Juanita R. Sartain (06/26/09)
Juanita R. Sartain, 82, of Slater, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater, with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating. ...

Russell Leon Jackson (06/22/09)
Russell Leon Jackson, 80, of Slater, died Friday, June 19, 2009, at his home. Private family funeral services were held Sunday, June 21, 2009, with burial and military honors at Slater City Cemetery, with Rev. Cliff Cato officiating. Memorials are suggested to Fitzgibbon-Mary Montgomery Hospice in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Charles L. Long (06/22/09)
Charles L. Long, also known as Dick Anthony, 92, of Slater, died Friday, June 19, 2009, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Cremation. Memorial graveside services with military honors will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, with Rev. David L. Duncan officiating. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Annual Bear Creek Blues Festival to be held June 27 in Slater (06/19/09)
Slater will host the Bear Creek Blues Festival for the sixth consecutive year Saturday, June 27. This year's festival will feature seven acts performing between 3 p.m. and midnight, including headliners Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnios King, who will begin their performance at 10:30 p.m...

Boonville woman charged with passing bad check in Slater (06/19/09)
Amber N. Roth, 26, of Boonville, has been charged with class C felony passing a bad check in connection with a July 2008 incident at a store in Slater. According to the incident report from Slater Police Department, Roth wrote a check for $225 at a Slater business July 21, 2008, and closed the account on which the check was written just two days later. Attempts by the retailer to contact Roth were unsuccessful, and the case was turned over to Slater Police in September 2008...

Slater School Board considers bond issue for new building (UPDATED 9:34 a.m.) (06/18/09)

Slater School Board says goodbye to longtime principal (06/18/09)
The Slater School Board said farewell to longtime elementary principal Jean Dowell at the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 18 in the school library. "We appreciate everything you've done for the school system," said board president Rick Hays...

Slater School Board says goodbye to longtime principal (06/18/09)
By MARCIA GORRELL Staff writer The Slater School Board said farewell to longtime elementary principal Jean Dowell at the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 18 in the school library. "We appreciate everything you've done for the school system," said board president Rick Hays...

Seniors hear of "self-management" techniques for arthritis (06/18/09)
Amber Phelps, health program specialist at the Central Missouri Regional Arthritis Center, came to the Slater Senior Center Tuesday evening, June 16, to give her presentation titled "Managing arthritis so it doesn't manage you" to the more than 15 senior citizens assembled there...

Slater mayor appoints new council member (06/16/09)

Commissioners approve ordinance for Slater enterprise zone (06/09/09)
Saline County Commissioners discussed updates on Slater's proposed enhanced enterprise zone at their meeting Tuesday morning, June 9. Commission members approved an amendment to the ordinance to establish an enhanced enterprise zone in Slater. This amendment, 2009-1A, "gives Slater the opportunity to work each individual deal," said Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner, rather than setting an across-the-board ruling on the percentage of tax breaks a qualifying business will receive...

Hunter reports progress on MSDC projects (06/09/09)
Executive Director Roy Hunter gave updates on several projects at the Marshall-Saline Development Corporation Board meeting Tuesday morning, June 9. Project Green, MSDC's name for Saline Green Project, the planned ethanol-, furfural- and electricity-producing plant, has had activity in the realm of both preparation and submission of the financial package, according to Hunter's prepared material. Hunter expects he will receive an informative update on the project during the week of June 15-19...

Weiker, Summers named senior and junior fair queens for 2009 (06/06/09)
Lauren Ann Weiker, 18, of Slater and Kaleigh Elizabeth Summers, 17, of Slater were named Saline County senior and junior fair queens, respectively, Saturday, June 6, at the Saline County BBQ. Like all other candidates for senior queen, Weiker, daughter of Bethany and Jason Weiker, answered a question picked at random from a group of sealed envelopes held by emcee William Harlow. Her question asked how she defines success...

Slater Lotto winner gets big check (06/03/09)
On Saturday, May 16, John Markovich of Slater won the Missouri Lotto jackpot of $2 million. Representatives from Missouri Lottery came to Markovich's store, City Pharmacy, on Wednesday, June 3, for an official award ceremony. According to Markovich, he discovered that he had won on May 17, the day after the drawing...

Cantlin resigns from Slater City Council (06/02/09)
Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri accepted the resignation of third ward council member Rex Cantlin at the Slater City Council meeting Tuesday evening, June 2. Cantlin was not present at the meeting, but Allegri read his letter of resignation to the council...

Dickey twins differ in some ways but share academic achievement (06/01/09)
On Saturday, May 9, twins Aaron and Josh Dickey of Arrow Rock graduated from Slater High School as the top two students in the class of 2009. The sons of Mike and Diana Dickey, the boys are technically identical twins who share the same chromosomes, but slight differences in hairstyles, glasses and stature make them easy to differentiate...

Slater girls finish in top 20 at state meet (05/26/09)
JEFFERSON CITY -- Slater sophomore Ana Jackson was on the platform for four awards ceremonies Saturday at the MSHSAA Class 1 Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City. Although none of Jackson's four medals was gold, she and three other Lady Wildcats -- freshmen Jacqueline Anderson and Betty Goodman and sophomore Saria Leimkuehler -- did finish fourth in the 800-meter relay (1:52.29)...

Slater school board approves activities code of conduct (UPDATE: 4:55 p.m.) (05/20/09)
After a long discussion, the Slater Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a new "Activities Code of Ethical Behavior."

Slater council approves effort to find sources of sewer infiltration (UPDATE: 11:35 a.m.) (05/19/09)
The city of Slater is going on the hunt -- for sewer problems. The city council approved spending about $7,500 to scan storm sewers on the city's west side in an effort to find sources of inflow and infiltration. Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith said there is evidence too much water is getting into the sewer lines...

Call to child abuse hotline results in probation (05/14/09)
Ashley M. Neel, 22, of Slater, pleaded guilty to filing a false report of child abuse in Associate Circuit Court Wednesday, May 13. Neel is accused of placing a telephone call to the child abuse hotline of Saline County Division of Child Services in November 2008 and making false allegations of child abuse. The false report, a class A misdemeanor, carries a possible sentence of one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000...

Rev. Amos McGowan (05/13/09)
Rev. Amos L. McGowan, 67, of Slater, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at his home. Graveside services with military honors will be held Friday, May 15, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.

Rev. Amos McGowan (05/12/09)
Rev. Amos McGowan, 67, of Slater, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at his home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Velma M. Stevenson (05/06/09)
Velma M. Stevenson, 93, of Slater, died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 8, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater, with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall. Visitation will be held from noon until time of service on Friday. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church in Slater...

Slater council discusses city policies, maintenance and events (05/05/09)
City policies and maintenance were the main topics of discussion at the Slater City Council meeting Tuesday evening, May 5. In his report, Mayor Stephen Allegri reminded Slater residents that grass is not allowed in city streets and gutters because it can cause problems with drainage...

William M. Krog (04/29/09)
William M. "Mac" Krog, 62, of Slater, died Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at his home. Memorial graveside services with military honors will be held Saturday, May 2, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Versailles City Cemetery in Versailles, with Todd Foreman officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at First Baptist Church in Slater. Memorials are suggested to Versailles City Cemetery in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Local author: Slater teen to publish first novel (04/23/09)
Sean Pummill, a high school student from Slater, has recently finished a three-year-long project: his first novel, titled "Demons and Dragons: The Golden Age." "I started writing, just off and on, off and on, for the last three years, just kind of doing it on my own time, and then this year came around and I was closer to being done, and I decided I'd be interested in looking into publishers," Pummill said...

Mary Lee Brucks (04/23/09)
Mary Lee Brucks, 95, of Park Hill, formerly of Slater, died Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at Mineral Springs Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 24, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater, with Fr. ...

Patricia Gunzburg (04/23/09)
Patricia "Pat" Gunzburg, 74, of Slater, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall. Memorials may be made to family choice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Grant application for new storm sewers discussed by Slater City Council (04/21/09)

Slater student named state FFA secretary (04/21/09)
After a long day on Thursday, April 16, interviewing for a state FFA office and judging livestock, Lauren Weiker of Slater still found the energy to jump up when she found out she had been named the 2009-2010 Missouri state FFA secretary. "I had to be the first to interview, because I had to go to my CDE (career development event) judging livestock," she said. ...

Frances L. Lamkin (04/20/09)
Frances L. Lamkin, 89, of Slater, died Friday, April 17, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services were held Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. at Slater Assembly of God Church, with Rev. Lowell Moore officiating. Burial was in Slater Cemetery. Pallbearers were Aaron Boston, Steven Fornshell, Andrew Murphy, Jesse Murphy, Bradley Cain and Justin Winkler. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Lauren Weiker of the Slater FFA named state FFA secretary (04/19/09)
COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2009 -- Lauren Weiker of Slater, Mo., and Area 6 has been selected as the 2009-2010 State FFA Secretary, according to a news release from the state FFA organization. She is a senior at Slater High School and a member of the Slater FFA Chapter. Her advisor is Zach Crews...

Frances Lamkin (04/17/09)
Frances Lamkin, 89, of Slater, died Friday, April 17, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Slater School Board hears presentation (04/16/09)
By MARCIA GORRELL Staff writer The Slater School Board dealt with mostly routine business during their meeting on Thursday, April 16, before breaking into executive session to interview candidates for the elementary principal position. The job came open last month after Jean Dowell announced she would retire at the end of the school year after 16 years as principal and 31 years in education...

Slater teachers to receive small raise (04/13/09)
The Slater School Board took a "conservative" approach for the 2009-10 year and approved a one percent raise for the teacher's base salary during a special meeting held on Monday, April 16. "This year it's better to stay conservative with the economy the way it is," Slater superintendent John McEachern told the board members. "If we wind up where we can give a four or five percent raise next year (2010-11), by all means we will."...

Slater, the city of festivals, to hold two events in April (04/07/09)

Charlotte I. Thurman (03/25/09)
Charlotte I. Thurman, 80, of Higginsville, died Monday, March 23, 2009, at Meyer Care Center. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church in Higginsville, with Thomas D. Thomas officiating. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. ...

Slater woman charged with felony child abuse (03/22/09)
A Slater woman was charged Monday, March 16, with class C felony child abuse, according to the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney's office. La'Chelle Hockaday, 22, is accused of repeatedly hitting a neighbor's child with a belt on March 14, according to court documents...

Slater gears up for spring events (03/18/09)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday, March 17, to discuss upcoming events in the town. Steve McQueen Days are March 27 and 28, and a tentative schedule has been published. Events on Friday begin at 5:30 p.m., and Saturday is a day full of activities from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m...

Tillie A. Seibold (03/17/09)
Tillie A. Seibold, 86, of Slater, died Monday, March 9, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Salem Evangelical Church near Arrow Rock, with Rev. Tony Gallagher officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will accompany the congregation in singing, "God Will Take Care of You" and "We Are Going Down the Valley." Burial will be in the church cemetery. ...

Ninalee Barton (03/16/09)
Ninalee Barton, 76, of Slater, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, at University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital. Cremation. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater, with Rev. Pam Sebastian officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "Ave Maria" and "Shennandoah." Cremation will follow the services. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Fitzgibbon Cancer Center...

Tillie A. Seibold (03/09/09)
Tillie A. Seibold, 86, of Slater, died Monday, March 9, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Warrant issued for man who allegedly threatened Slater woman (03/03/09)
An arrest warrant has been issued for Michael W. Hibdon, 41, of Grandview, in connection with threats Hibdon allegedly made to a Slater woman. According to the probable cause statement issued by the county prosecutor's office, Hibdon made multiple phone calls in which he threatened to kill the woman, burn her house down and kill her children...

Ike O. Wright (02/25/09)
Ike O. Wright, 56, of Kansas City, formerly of Slater, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at Shady Lawn Nursing Center in Savannah. Graveside services will be held Monday, March 2, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Slater, with Rev. Carl Branch officiating. Weiker Funeral Home in Slater is in charge of arrangements...

Wallace D. Hitaffer (02/23/09)
Wallace D. Hitaffer, 85, of La Monte, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia, with Rev. Gene Smith officiating. ...

Slater man hurt in one-vehicle crash late Tuesday (02/18/09)
A Slater man suffered moderate injuries when his car went off the road and overturned shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Roger L. Burns, 27, was taken by ambulance to Fitzgibbon Hospital for treatment, according to the report...

In Friday's paper: Slater Progress Edition (02/13/09)
Although they may not be well known in Saline County or even in Missouri, one Slater business has had national attention for the specialty service they provide dog and cat owners from across the United States and Canada. Anthony Eddy Wildlife Studio, located on Main Street in Slater, is one of only a handful of businesses that "freeze dry" small mammals, including dogs and cats, for grieving pet owners...

Pearl Underwood (02/17/09)
Pearl L. Underwood, 86, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater, where she and her husband, Earl, had lived for four years. Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City, S.D. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Monday at the church.

Earle B. Lovick (01/29/09)
Earle B. Lovick, 87, of Spring Hill, Fla., a former Saline County resident, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Memorial services and burial will be held at a later date at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Slater veterans thank Kinder, Aull for support of video stories project (01/29/09)
Several members of Slater American Legion and VFW met in Jefferson City Wednesday, Jan. 14, with Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder to thank him for his support of Missouri Veteran Stories, a project that is intended to honor Missouri's military veterans by capturing their stories on DVD, preserving them for future generations, according to Charlie Guthrie of Slater...

Slater woman hurt in 1-car crash Wednesday on Route C (01/29/09)
A Slater woman suffered minor injuries Wednesday morning, Jan. 28, in a one-vehicle crash on Route C in Saline County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Kamekia S. Knox, 24, was taken by ambulance to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, troopers said...

Slater woman hurt in 1-car crash Tuesday on U.S. 65 (01/28/09)
A Slater woman suffered minor injuries Tuesday morning, Jan. 27, in a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 65, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Nicholette Kruger, 22, was traveling northbound one-third of a mile south of County Road 304 at about 10:53 a.m. when her 2008 Ford Ranger went off the left side of the roadway, struck a ditch, overturned and came to rest on its passenger side, troopers said...

Prep Hoops Round-up: No. 7 Chiefs get past Fayette (01/27/09)
SLATER -- One of the most anticipated match-ups of the power-packed 28th Wildcat Classic at Slater almost didn't happen. One of the two state-ranked Class 2 teams in the field was nearly tripped up Monday, No. 7 Santa Fe needing a 26-point fourth quarter to overcome Fayette, 55-51, in a first-round clash between the fourth and fifth seeds. ...

Ronnie R. Bird (01/22/09)
Ronnie R. Bird, 66, of Slater, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at his home. Private family services will be held. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater. Memorials are suggested to Slater Volunteer Fire Department or Slater Ambulance District...

Ronnie Bird (01/21/09)
Ronnie Bird, 66, of Slater, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Slater mayor: City continues to burnish image as 'clean' town (01/21/09)
At the Slater City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Mayor Stephen Allegri gave the "State of the City" address to all present. The mayor reported that five more houses were demolished in 2008 and that streets were being well maintained in efforts to clean up the city...

Lester C. Feuers (01/19/09)
Lester C. Feuers, 90, of Slater, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater, with Fr. Michael W. Penn will officiating. Organist Bethany Weiker will accompany the congregation in singing "Amazing Grace," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "On Eagles' Wings." Weiker will accompany Barbara Thieman as she sings "The Lord's Prayer." Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Kenneth G. Eddy (01/02/09)
Kenneth G. Eddy, 67, of Springfield, formerly of Marshall, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. ...

Slater High School seniors to visit Chicago for senior trip (12/22/08)
The Slater School Board approved a trip to Chicago for the senior class during a mostly routine meeting held on Thursday, Dec. 18, in the library. Senior class president Lauren Weiker and class member Emily Kruger showed the board a slide show presenting their proposed Class of 2009 senior trip. In the slide show, the seniors said their plan was to leave on a Thursday morning, taking a bus to Sedalia, then traveling by Amtrak to Chicago...

Prep Hoops Round-up: Lady 'Cats win fourth straight game (12/16/08)
CARROLLTON -- A second-quarter shutout was indicative of the strong defensive performance turned in Monday by the Slater girls' basketball team, which notched its fourth win in a row with a 53-30 non-conference victory at Carrollton. The Lady Wildcats, thanks to a pair of three-pointers apiece from senior Rachel Gonzalez and sophomore Saria Leimkuehler, were already leading by 11 points heading into the frame. ...

Bonnie L. Galloway (12/17/08)
Bonnie L. Galloway, 74, of Slater, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Slater United Methodist Church, with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating.

Emily F. DeGroodt (12/15/08)
Emily F. DeGroodt, 96, of Lebanon, formerly of Slater, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at Christian Health Care-South in Lebanon. Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater, with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating. ...

Emily DeGroodt (12/12/08)
Emily DeGroodt, 96, of Lebanon, formerly of Slater, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at Christian Health Care-South in Lebanon. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Laura J. Sandwith (12/11/08)
Laura J. Sandwith, 79, of Slater, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Marshall, with Rev. Debbie Roath officiating. Organist Jane Kelly will play "How Great Thou Art," "Peace in the Valley" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Burial will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. ...

Slater takes step toward enterprise zone designation (12/09/08)
The Slater City Council and the Saline County Commission met with a representative from the Missouri Department of Economic Development Monday, Dec. 8, to discuss a resolution to establish an Enhanced Enterprise Zone in Slater. "This gives us a better opportunity to attract companies to Slater by offering tax credits and abatements," said Mayor Stephen Allegri...

Ricky D. Berger (12/09/08)
Ricky D. Berger, 52, of Slater, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at his home. Cremation. Private family services are planned. Weiker Funeral Home in Slater is in charge of arrangements. Born Nov. 4, 1956, in Independence, he was the son of the late Jerry W. and Betty Clark Berger. He was a self-employed carpenter and longtime Slater resident...

Laura Sandwith (12/09/08)
Laura Sandwith, 79, of Slater, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Ruth A. Pugh (12/08/08)
Ruth A. Pugh, 101, of Slater, formerly of Gilliam, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Graveside services were held Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at 2 p.m. in Gilliam Cemetery. Rev. Mike Blackwood officiated. Pallbearers were G.B. Fletcher, Gary Vincent, James Blackwood and Jerry Blackwood. Memorials are suggested to Big Bend Retreat, in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Slater council hears updates on holiday events, approves equipment purchases (12/03/08)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday, Dec. 2, to discuss the town's Christmas festivities and hear reports from Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith. Mayor Stephen Allegri said the town's recent turkey giveaway and tree-lighting ceremony was a great success, with at least 250 people in attendance...

Donald E. Wylie (12/01/08)
Donald E. Wylie, 78, of Warsaw, formerly of Slater, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ...

Slater woman hurt in 1-vehicle crash early Saturday (11/23/08)
A Slater woman received moderate injuries in a one-vehicle crash at about 6:35 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Toni L. Brumit, 18, was taken to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. The accident occurred near the intersection of Highway 240 and County Road 142 as Brumit's vehicle apparently traveled off the right side of the road...

Slater mayor provides update on GE situation, offers city's help (11/19/08)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday, Nov. 18, to discuss the GE plant, Slater's many festivals and other business. In his report, Mayor Stephen Allegri discussed a conversation he had with Tim Beckley of Kansas City's GE offices about the factory and its employees. He talked about the next set of voluntary layoffs, for an eight-week period, and how that would affect Slater...

GE in Slater extends voluntary work cutback as business continues to be slow (11/18/08)
GE Energy spokesman Bryan McGuire said Monday, Nov. 17, that a continuing downturn in demand for products manufactured at the Slater facility has led to the extension of a program of voluntary cutbacks. Employees were asked in early September to consider voluntary cutbacks, "considering their own personal circumstances," in a program that ended Monday...

Dolly Eddy (11/13/08)
Dolly Eddy, 90, of Slater, died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, at her home. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Saline County officials help Slater mark Veterans Day (11/12/08)
Flags were flying and music was playing at Slater High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in celebration of America's veterans. The bleachers were full of young and old, uniformed and civilian, men and women, Americans all. The Slater High School band and Shyanne Sellers performed "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the opening prayer. The high school choir also performed...

Leslie V. Anderson (11/10/08)
Leslie V. "Andy" Anderson, 82, of Slater, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at Big Bend Retreat Nursing Home in Slater. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at Slater Presbyterian Church. Rev. Pam Sebastian will officiate. Connie Clements, organist, will accompany Becky Poitras as she sings "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," "Beyond the Sunset" and "In the Garden." Burial with military honors will be held in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Water service interruption averted for Slater apartment dwellers (11/07/08)
The city of Slater found itself caught recently between a group of disgruntled apartment building tenants and an elusive new owner of the building after the previous owner requested the utilities be taken out of his name. Residents of Slater's Edgewood/RPM Apartments had a scare when their landlord, Mike Minor, defaulted on his mortgage and asked the city to remove his name from the utilities...

Scott L. Hays (11/05/08)
Scott L. Hays, 42, of Grain Valley, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Slater. Rev. Ed Bell and Rev. Robert Sisney will officiate. ...

Veterans Day ceremony to be hosted by Slater schools (11/04/08)
Saline County residents are invited to attend a Veterans Day service in the Slater School gymnasium Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. Slater High School Band and Shyanne Sellers will perform the national anthem. There will be a salute to troops by Jean Gallagher, Sam Jones, Margaret Pond, Wally George, Sharon Crawford, James T. "Tut" Bellamy and Jamie Nichols...

UPDATED: Slater man charged with DWI after Nov. 1 arrest (11/04/08)
A 21 year-old Slater man was arrested Saturday evening, Nov. 1, for driving while intoxicated, after an argument with his girlfriend. The man's vehicle left ruts in the front yard of a Malta Bend residence as he left the area following the argument. The owner of the residence then called the Sheriff's department to file a report of the incident...

Lillian Janneck (11/03/08)
Lillian Janneck, 93, of St. Elizabeth, formerly of Saline County, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Care Center. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Maria Gutsman (11/03/08)
Maria Gutsman, 68, of Slater, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Slater. Burial was in Slater City Cemetery.

Slater Senior Center volunteer honored with Senior Service Award (10/28/08)
"It was awful nice," said Wanda Taylor, of Slater, shortly after being awarded the Lieutenant Governor's "Senior Service Award" at the Slater Senior Center on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Missouri's Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder presented Taylor the award for her volunteer work at the Slater Senior Center in front of family, friends and other volunteers at the center...

Larry D. Miller (10/24/08)
Larry D. Miller, 58, of Columbia, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, at University Hospital. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at First Assembly of God Church in Columbia. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society and can be left with Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Online tributes may be left at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com...

Slater superintendent proposes 'Saturday School' to address attendance problems (10/22/08)
At the school board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, Slater Superintendent of Schools John McEachern introduced the possibility of "Saturday School," to help students whose repeated, unexcused absences are putting their education at risk. McEachern said a Saturday program has been successfully implemented elsewhere and that it often serves as a deterrent to absences...

Slater council discusses how to implement new FTC regulations (10/22/08)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday evening, Oct. 21, to discuss upcoming events, their roads and a new requirement on the city as a creditor. The council discussed a recent ruling by the Federal Trade Commission requiring any organization that extends credit to any person to create procedures to prevent identity theft, including "red flags" to identify those who might be using another's identity. For Slater, this means their utility customers...

Frances H. Smith (10/13/08)
Frances H. Smith, 86, of Slater, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater. Fr. Michael Penn will officiate. Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Slater officials see progress addressing vandalism problem (10/09/08)
Slater city officials, citizens and students have taken steps to stop the vandalism that has plagued the Kiddie Park in recent months, and Mayor Stephen Allegri said the good news is that the town is pulling together to solve the problem. Vandals have hit the restroom at the Kiddie Park twice in recent months -- the facility is freshly renovated as part of a big park improvement project -- setting fires, writing graffiti on the walls and leaving feces on the floor...

Slater school board discusses bus routes, finances, annual Veterans Day observance (10/09/08)
The Board of Education for the Slater School District met Friday, Oct. 3, to discuss bus routes, fiscal matters, and the yearly Veterans Day program. The first item brought to the board's attention was the concern of a parent who had noticed a district bus idling throughout an entire ball game...

Slater's clean-up program sees progress (10/08/08)
There was good news from Slater's program to clean up neglected properties at the city council meeting Tuesday, Oct. 7. Council members heard about one nearly finished project and one potential project. Council member Terry Jordan told the council that Habitat for Humanity is planning a dedication of its two new houses at 5 p.m. Nov. 2...

Mary Baker Berlekamp (10/06/08)
Mary Baker Berlekamp, 83, of Slater, died Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at Mar-Saline Manor Care Center in Marshall. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Cheryl Kay Fizer (09/19/08)
Cheryl Kay Fizer, 48, of rural Slater died Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Slater teens join city officials to address vandalism problem (09/17/08)
There was plenty of other business on the agenda, but the main focus of the Slater City Council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17, was vandalism in city parks. Mayor Stephen Allegri passed around photographs of the most recent incident, which occurred some time over the weekend of Sept. 13-14, again to Kiddie Park bathrooms. This time, the damage was more permanent -- extensive spray-painting of gang-related graffiti and foul language...

Slater plant copes with slowdown, asks employees to cut hours (09/10/08)
GE in Slater met with employees last week to ask for voluntary reductions in hours, according to a GE spokesman. Bryan McGuire, communications leader for GE Energy Environmental Services in Raytown confirmed Wednesday, Sept. 10, that the step was taken to compensate for a seasonal downturn in business...

Roddie L. Hockaday (09/10/08)
Roddie L. Hockaday, 54, of Slater, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church in Slater. Rev. Noah Poole will officiate.

Karen L. Avery (09/05/08)
Karen L. Avery, 63, of Slater, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at her home. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating.

Slater council wrestles with vandalism problem (09/03/08)
Slater city officials believe kids are responsible for recent cases of vandalism and they may consult kids in seeking a solution to the problem. Mayor Stephen Allegri didn't mince words Tuesday, Sept. 2, when reporting the latest case of vandalism at the city's Kiddie Park...

Slater couple hurt in crash Aug. 25 (09/02/08)
Daniel L. Boggs, 51, of Slater, was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated following an accident on Missouri Highway 41, south of County Road AC, on Monday evening, Aug. 25. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boggs was northbound on Highway 41 in a 1977 Volkswagen when he struck a deer and exited the right side of the roadway...

Jerry A. Adkins (09/02/08)
Jerry A. Adkins, 68, of rural Slater, died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, at his home. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Blue Lick Cemetery south of Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Memorials may be made to Fitzgibbon Cancer Center in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

City of Slater gets an 'A' on recent financial audit (08/26/08)
The city of Slater received a "clean" audit report at the city council's Aug. 19 meeting. Normal Schlesselman, a CPA with Wilson, Toellner & Associates, presented highlights of the audit report, noting that "once again, this is considered to be a clean audit. That's as good an opinion as auditors give. Your financial (records) reflect the true position of the city's finances."...

Slater school board revises compensation for activity supervisors (08/20/08)
The Slater Board of Education Tuesday, Aug. 19, approved a revised compensation plan for activity supervisors, shifting from hourly pay to per-event fees for administrators. The board also discussed summer maintenance at their regular meeting. In previous years, administrators supervising extracurricular activities have been paid an hourly wage and received gas money. ...

Pearl H. Fleischmann (08/15/08)
Pearl H. Fleischmann, 97, of Slater, died Friday, August 15, 2008, at The Living Center in Marshall. Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater, with Rev. Tony Gallagher will officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "In the Garden" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye." Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Muriel G. Balicki (07/23/08)
Muriel G. Balicki, 87, of Slater, died Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Cremation. Memorial services will be held Friday, July 25, 2008, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater, with Fr. Michael Penn officiating. Inurnment will be at 1 p.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital or The Salvation Army in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Slater water rates bumped up to pay for plant repairs (07/18/08)
As foreshadowed at its June 3 meeting, the Slater City Council approved a water rate hike that will go into effect for the Nov. 1 billing cycle. The rate increase is the first since 1992, according to Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith, and it is designed to be as gentle as possible on the pocketbooks of the city's water customers...

Slater woman arrested July 15, charged with drug possession (07/17/08)
Amie M. Calder, 23, of Slater, was arrested Tuesday, July 15, in connection with a report of "suspicious activity" at Bogey's Restaurant, 259 E. Morrow St., in Marshall. According to a report from the police department, Calder has been charged with class C felony possession of a controlled substance, a violation of Revised Missouri Statute 195.202...

Slater City Council agrees to raise water rates to pay for plant improvements (07/15/08)
As foreshadowed at its June 3 meeting, the Slater City Council approved a water rate hike that will go into effect for the Nov. 1 billing cycle. The rate increase is the first since 1992, according to Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith, and it is designed to be as gentle as possible on the pocketbooks of the city's water customers...

Jewel F. Thomas (07/08/08)
Jewel F. Thomas, 58, of Meridian, Miss., formerly of Slater, died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian. Cremation. Memorial graveside services will be held Friday, July 11, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Concord Cemetery near Saline City. Rev. Lowell Moore and Rev. Emory Schambliss will officiate. Weiker Funeral Home in Slater is in charge of arrangements...

Jewell F. Thomas (07/07/08)
Jewell F. Thomas, 58, of Meridian, Miss., formerly of Slater, died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Rush's Hospital in Meridian. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

William E. Johnson (07/07/08)
William E. Johnson, 87, of Slater died Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Cremation. Memorial services will be Friday, July 11, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Salem Evangelical Church near Saline City. Rev. Tony Gallagher will officiate. Inurnment with military honors will be held in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church or Beverly School and Farm in Godfrey, Ill., in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater...

Slater council informed of new storm warning siren protocol (07/02/08)
By TRAVIS WATTS Staff writer Storm protocol and siren usage were the focal point of conversation at the Tuesday, July 1, Slater City Council meeting. During a mid-June storm, Slater emergency sirens wailed for nearly 30 consecutive minutes. Assistant Administrator Russell Griffith and Police Chief Keith Wright addressed the issue by examining the town's storm procedure...

Dancing in the mud: Blues fans unhampered by soggy Slater field (07/01/08)
"The blues is my business, and business is good." So sang Lew Jetton of Lew Jetton & 61 South during the band's first song at the 2008 Bear Creek Blues Festival in Slater Saturday, June 28. The assertion seemed appropriate to the event. The festival had a Woodstock-ish feel this year...

Robert L. Thurman (06/30/08)
Robert L. Thurman, 64, of rural Slater died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Slater, with Rev. Bob Stewart officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace." Burial will be held in Mount Horeb Cemetery in Slater. ...

Energetic performances on tap for blues fest/Organizers hope 2008 event will continue recent growth trend (06/20/08)
Jill Murray expects to see some energy on the stage of the fifth annual Bear Creek Blues Festival Saturday, June 28, in Slater. The founder and lead organizer of the festival knows her blues bands and makes it a point to see bands live before she invites them to perform at Slater's annual blues bash...

Slater school board considers tuition hike, approves FFA float trip (06/16/08)
The Slater Board of Education met Friday, June 6, to examine tuition prices for the 2008-2009 school year. "I would like for you to consider raising tuition," said Superintendent John McEachern. "It's a little bit more economically feasible." Slater's current tuition is $3,500 per year. While McEachern is interested in upping the price for out-of-town students, he made it clear he wants to stay below Marshall's price of $4,200...

Newscope/GE to sponsor wellness clinic Saturday, June 14 (06/10/08)
On Saturday, June 14, from 1 to 3 p.m., GE Energy and the Wellness Clinic will be sponsoring a children's fair to teach kids about health, wellness and safety. The fair will be at former Slater Felt Co. Inc. building and will have several local and county agencies in attendance...

Slater man suffers minor injuries in 1-vehicle wreck (06/09/08)
Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated an accident on County Road 410, 0.3 miles east of County Road 413, which left a Slater man with minor injuries Saturday, June 7. Bryan K. Mobley, 31, was traveling eastbound on County Road 410 at 4:15 p.m. when his 2003 Ford Explorer ran off the left side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned coming to rest on its top, according to the report...

Slater council approves agreement for water plant improvements, hikes mileage reimbursement rate (06/04/08)
Higher water rates are likely in Slater soon after the city council approved a lease-purchase agreement for improvements to the water plant. The rate hike will be considered by the council at a later date and will have no effect on wastewater charges, according to Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith...

Saline County BBQ 2008/Meet the 2008 Saline County Fair Senior Queen candidates (06/04/08)
Editor's note: Below are this year's senior queen candidates. In the story to the right, two more junior queen candidates are profiled. Tomorrow we'll feature the first Saline County Fair Queen, Carolyn Erickson. Hannah Boyer...

Saline County BBQ 2008/Meet the 2008 Saline County Fair Junior Queen candidates (06/03/08)
Editor's note: Saline County Fair Queens will be crowned at the Saline County BBQ Saturday, June 7. Profiles of the senior queen candidates will appear in the Wednesday, June 4, edition of The Marshall Democrat-News. Alyssa Chastine...

Slater school board discusses grants, hiring issues at May 20 meeting (05/29/08)
The Slater Board of Education met Tuesday, May 20, to discuss grants and consider hiring a cook. Superintendent John McEachern informed the board of his desire to pursue a grant from Qwest Technologies. If Slater was awarded the grant, the district would be given 32 electronic handheld devices intended to aid classroom instruction. The devices tie into a main computer and allow teachers to give examinations electronically...

Slater man in critical condition (05/28/08)
A Slater man, Harold Thurman, 42, was severely injured Friday, May 23, when the dump truck he was driving became entangled in power lines east of Carrollton, near Sinclair Pipeline on Highway 24.

Pro wrestling event, blues fest and water equipment presentation on Slater council agenda May 20 (05/28/08)
At the Slater City Council's regular meeting Tuesday evening, May 20, council members approved bill payments and listened to a presentation by City Engineer Bill Marshall about replacing clarifying equipment for city water. Mayor Stephen Allegri announced a pro wrestling match to be held in the city on Saturday, June 7, and invited everyone to join in what he said would be "great family fun and a good evening of entertainment."...

Veterans reminisce during Memorial Day ceremony in Marshall Monday, May 26 (05/27/08)
Floyd Case of Marshall was already at an induction center in Kansas City, ready to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II, when he received an emergency phone call that his father had died. He returned to his Slater home, and in the early years of the war, he stayed home, the sole support of his mother and siblings. He finished high school, working all day and doing his homework at night, and eventually enlisted in the Navy in 1944...

Slater couple named 2008 Al Bunch Humanitarian Award winners (05/14/08)
Carole Raynor offered the words above from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" to help characterize the kind of person the late Rev. Al Bunch was and the kind of people the Saline County Mental Health Association (SMHA) chooses to bestow its annual Al Bunch Humanitarian Award upon each year.

Slater school board votes to continue membership in insurance consortium (05/13/08)
The Slater Board of Education held a meeting Friday, May 9, to discuss issues about their insurance consortium and consider applying for a grant through AT&T. Facing a 19 percent hike in rates, the NOMOSIC consortium -- Slater Public Schools is currently a member-- has opted to change its insurance provider, from Mercy to Market...

Slater commencement speaker urges graduates to trust their passions, success will follow (05/12/08)
An hour delay of graduation ceremonies for a track meet didn't dampen the spirits of the 34 graduates of Slater High School who received their diplomas Saturday, May 10, in the high school gymnasium. "We want to welcome and thank all of you for your patience and understanding," said Superintendent John McEachern, after the class of 2008 marched in to "Pomp and Circumstance" performed by Slater's combined concert bands. ...

Graduation ceremonies at area schools (05/09/08)
High school graduations: Sweet Springs High School graduation ceremony will be held Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the school. Slater High School graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. Marshall High School graduation ceremony will be held Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. in the sports complex...

Slater field of festivals continues to flourish (05/08/08)
Slater's fleet of festivals continues to grow, according to city officials. Mayor Stephen Allegri reported to the city council Tuesday, May 6, about recent events, each of which was successful in its own way, he said, in bringing people to town, and he previewed events coming this summer...

Slater officials express disappointment in 9-1-1 Commission site selection decision (05/06/08)
Two members of the Slater City Council expressed their disappointment with the decision of the 9-1-1 Commission to build the centralized dispatch center on land near the Marshall airport rather than selecting a site proposed by the city of Slater.

Rural fire districts redraw boundaries to prepare for enhanced 911 (05/02/08)
With the upcoming countywide 911 coming online, Saline County rural fire districts have met and changed their boundaries in order to encompass areas that were once not covered by any fire department. "Everybody's area has changed somewhat with the exception of Glasgow, Malta Bend and Waverly. Theirs didn't change," said John Rieves, captain of Marshall's Fire Department...

State of Saline County key questions: Next generation farmers? How can tourism be encouraged? (05/02/08)
After the opening of the State of Saline County meeting Thursday, April 24, moderator Jean Gaddy-Wilson sent participants off to their small group sessions with three questions to consider: --What are three activities that are occurring in your area right now that will help Saline County progress at a faster pace than it has progressed in the past decade?...

Newscope/Medicare topic slated for Slater Senior Center presentation May 5 (05/01/08)
"Everything you always wanted to know about Medicare and were afraid to ask" is the subject of a presentation by Rona McNally, manager of The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol, District III Area Agency on Aging, at Slater's Senior Center, Monday, May 5. The presentation is free and open to the public. McNally will answer questions about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. For additional information, call Lucy Brandon at the Senior Center, 660-529-2828. The Center is located at 123 No. Main, Slater...

9-1-1 Commission chooses site near Marshall airport for proposed central dispatch center (05/03/08)
Pamela Teague, new director of the 9-1-1 dispatch center for Saline County, released minutes of Monday's closed session of the commission late Wednesday, April 30, announcing the commission's decision to build the center on a tract of land adjacent to the new Shirley Martin Community Center/Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum, near the Marshall Municipal Airport.

Enhanced 9-1-1 center site chosen, location not yet released (04/30/08)
Saline County 9-1-1 Commission President John Fletcher said Wednesday, April 30, that the commission has selected a site for the 9-1-1 dispatch center, but would not confirm the location of the site, pending a news release later in the day. The decision was made at a closed-door meeting of the commission Monday, April 28...

Jasper's piano students to perform recital May 4 (04/30/08)
Martha Jasper's piano students will perform their spring recital at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Gill Memorial Baptist Church, 475 S. Miami Ave. in Marshall.

State of Saline County: Population growth lags but potential for economy remains good (04/25/08)
The fourth annual State of Saline County meeting Thursday evening, April 24, kicked off with a challenge from Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri. "We're changing the demographics here in Slater, and we can do it all over the county," he said. "People in the cities would love to have what we have here," he continued...

Slater woman competes in international mucking contest/Jen Fizer participates on Missouri University of Science & Technology women's mucking team (04/24/08)
The University of Science & Technology (MST) hosted the International Mucking Contest on their campus in Rolla recently. Slater native Jen Fizer, a senior at MST majoring in mining and aerospace engineering, competed on Team A, one of MST's two women's teams in the event...

Newscope/State of Saline County forum in Slater April 24 (04/21/08)
Anyone interested in discussing the challenges and possibilities of Saline County is invited to attend the fourth annual State of Saline County forum Thursday, April 24, at Slater High School. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with an indoor picnic, followed by a speaker who will address demographic trends in the county. There will be break-out sessions allowing participants to discuss issues in more detail...

Slater teachers to get 3 percent salary boost (04/18/08)
The Slater Board of Education met Thursday, April 17, to discuss board policy revisions and faculty salaries for the 2008-09 school year. The board approved an $810 increase in base salary for teachers in the Slater school district. The increase raises base salary to $27,810, which is a 3 percent pay raise from the previous 27,000...

MSDC director gives updates on several potential business projects (04/16/08)
The Marshall-Saline Development Corporation met Tuesday, April 8, to hear project updates from Executive Director Roy Hunter. Project Silo is a national project and MSDC has been informed that site evaluation is underway at this time. Hunter said they are working with a new project manager and communication is not as strong as it used to be. He said MSDC should expect a visit within the next 30 days if Marshall is selected as one of the potential sites...

Slater to host Fourth Annual State of Saline County event April 24 (04/14/08)
The fourth annual State of Saline County meeting will be held Thursday, April 24, at Slater High School. The meeting, "Seeing the Opportunities in Saline County," is intended to give area leaders an opportunity to work together in shaping the future of Saline County...

9-1-1 Commission hears addressing update, welcomes new director and new members April 10 (04/11/08)
The Saline County 9-1-1 Commission welcomed Director Pam Teague to her first meeting Thursday, April 10, heard reports from GeoComm Project Coordinator Jane Bevans about addressing work remaining to be done and swore in new commission members. Teague started work Monday, according to Chairman John Fletcher. Her temporary office is in the Marshall Municipal Court Building...

April election/Courthouse renovation tax gets nod from voters (04/09/08)
Editor's note: All vote totals below are unofficial preliminary tallies as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 9. The 1/4-cent sales tax to finance a major renovation of the Saline County Courthouse won handily in the local election Tuesday, April 8...

Slater man hurt in 1-car accident early April 8 (04/08/08)
A Slater man received moderate injuries in an accident in Chariton County early Tuesday morning, April 8. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred as a 2007 Chrysler, driven by Christopher E. Audsley, 27, was traveling northbound on Missouri Highway 5, three miles west of Salisbury, at about 1:40 a.m. when he drove off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility pole and an embankment...

MoDOT: Ferry service closer to becoming reality; Bids opened Friday morning (04/04/08)
MoDOT: Ferry service closer to becoming reality; Bids opened Friday morning Missouri Department of Transportation officials announced Friday, April 4, that bids from contractors to provide a ferry service at Glasgow during the upcoming bridge closure were opened at 10 a.m...

(Untitled) (04/04/08)
MoDOT: Ferry service closer to becoming reality; Bids opened Friday morning Missouri Department of Transportation officials announced Friday, April 4, that bids from contractors to provide a ferry service at Glasgow during the upcoming bridge closure were opened at 10 a.m...

April election/Candidates for Slater Board of Education (04/04/08)
Editor's note: Each candidate was asked three questions: What qualifies you for this position? Why are you running? What two or three issues or problems do you think should be top priorities in the coming term? Voters will have an opportunity to vote for three candidates....

April election/Candidates for county 9-1-1 Commission describe their qualifications, discuss issues (04/03/08)
Editor's note: Each candidate was asked three questions: What qualifies you for this position? Why are you running? What two or three issues or problems do you think should be top priorities in the coming term? Voters will have an opportunity to vote for three commissioners in each district, northern and southern, and for one at-large commissioner....

Bigger and better: Slater ramps up for second Steve McQueen festival (03/26/08)
Fans of the late actor Steve McQueen will have plenty of ways to celebrate his life and work in the coming weekend. Slater's second annual Steve McQueen Day birthday celebration begins Friday, March 28. The event kicks off with a 5:30 p.m. barbecue dinner, followed by a talent show at 6 p.m...

9-1-1 commission selects director, reviews proposed sites (03/14/08)
The Saline County 9-1-1 Commission has hired a director for the centralized emergency dispatch center and released a list of proposed sites for the facility at its meeting Thursday, March 13, in Miami. The commission announced Friday, March 14, that it has selected Pamela Teague, who has experience implementing 9-1-1 services in Benton County and is currently operations manager and training coordinator of the Barry County enhanced 9-1-1 organization in Cassville...

3 arrested for allegedly attempting to produce methamphetamine in rural Slater home March 1 (03/04/08)
Three people were arrested Saturday, March 1, by Saline County Sheriff's deputies and later charged with class B felony drug offenses. Thomas Jeremy Castle, 28, of Marshall; Joel J. Harris, 38, of Slater; and Amie M. Calder, 23, of Slater were charged with attempted manufacture of a controlled substance, according to court documents...

Newscope/NAACP to host voter registration opportunities in Saline County March 1 (02/29/08)
On Saturday, March 1, the Mar-Saline Branch of the NAACP will conduct voter registration in Marshall and Slater, according to branch officials. Those who are not registered to vote in the upcoming April elections, August Primary election and the November General Election can come to the Wal-Mart store in Marshall or Slater General Store in Slater from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m...

Slater council continues to prepare for water plant improvements (02/28/08)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday, Feb. 19, to discuss lease/purchase options for improvements at the water plant. G. Joseph McLiney of McLiney and Company Investment Banking gave the council several options for financing the much-needed improvements at the water plant...

Slater council unveils new goals, reviews traffic stop data (02/27/08)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday, Feb. 19, to hear the list of goals for 2008 and statistics of Slater Police Department vehicle stops. In 2007, the city of Slater reached 17 out of 30 goals it had set for the year. "I think we did a really good job last year," said Mayor Stephen Allegri. The council set 27 goals for 2008, including six goals that were not met last year. Seven of the goals included on the list were met last year, but the council has decided to expand on them...

Slater Board of Education agrees to pursue ag education grant to revitalize greenhouse (02/21/08)
The Slater Board of Education met Tuesday, Feb. 19, to discuss an agricultural grant and act on several other important issues. A motion to pursue an agricultural education grant was unanimously approved by the board. If obtained, the grant will be used to revitalize the high school's greenhouse...

Skelton reminds students: History matters to future leaders (02/19/08)
"History matters," said U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., speaking at Slater High School Monday, Feb. 18, in honor of President's Day. Skelton told students it's important they study history and make a lifetime habit of reading history, to gain "a basic understanding of where we come from."...

Newscope/The Preachers Quartet to perform in Slater Feb. 18 (02/15/08)
The Preachers Quartet will play at Slater Presbyterian Church in Slater Monday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. The Preachers Quartet is composed of four full-time preaching ministers of the gospel who love to sing southern gospel style music: Gene McCoy, minister to Memorial Christian Church, Mountain Home, Ark.; Paul Hamm, minister to First Christian Church, Summersville; Rodney Brown minister to Parkview Christian Church, Sedalia; Jack Holland, minister to First Christian Church, Mountain Grove; and Freida Brown, wife of Rodney Brown, an extraordinary pianist, accompanies the group.. ...

Slater school board discusses committees, creation of new position (02/12/08)
The Slater School District Board of Education met on Feb. 11 to discuss the recent selection of site-based committees. Teachers and staff were responsible for nominating and voting on the committees. "(There was a) good representation of both groups," said Slater Superintendent John McEachern...

Trudie LeeAnn Hutchison (02/11/08)
Trudie LeeAnn Hutchison, 37, of Slater, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in DeWitt. Memorials may be made to family choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.campbell-lewis.com...

Slater officials back effort to ask Congress for help/Additional funding needed to pay for alternative transportation (02/08/08)
Slater officials said they would support Glasgow's efforts to get additional government assistance to provide alternative transportation when the Missouri River bridge at Glasgow closes this summer. At the Slater City Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 5, Councilman Ron Monnig reported on a meeting he attended in Glasgow on the subject of the bridge project, which is slated to start this summer and will require the bridge be closed for at least a year...

Slater ministry suffers serious damage from deluge (02/08/08)
When Deacon Thomas Poindexter approached the front door of Powerhouse Ministries Friday evening, Feb. 1, he suspected something was amiss. He was right. The glass doors were streaked with ice and water. When he opened the door, water poured out of the building...

Elsie W. Leimkuehler (02/07/08)
Elsie W. Leimkuehler, 92, of Slater died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. at Slater United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jess Spurgin officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "The Old Rugged Cross" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Slater school board adjusts summer school teacher pay, sets date for baccalaureate (02/06/08)
At their monthly noon meeting Friday, Feb. 1, Slater Board of Education members unanimously approved a change in teacher pay schedules for summer school and set the date of baccalaureate as Sunday, May 4, at a time to be decided later. Teachers in the Slater district have previously been able to take all of their summer pay in a lump sum at the beginning of the summer or spread it over more than one pay period. ...

Mabel A. Spradley (02/06/08)
Mabel A. Spradley, 94, of Slater, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home is Slater.

More weird weather: Area hit by hail Feb. 3/Slick roads result in more accidents (02/04/08)
Last week's tumultuous weather -- ranging from balmy to blizzardy -- continued Sunday, Feb. 3, when a hail storm rolled into the county just before noon, producing suddenly slippery conditions on area roads. And more traffic accidents. Three injury accidents were reported in Saline County by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two on Interstate 70 and one on Highway 240...

Periods of heavy snow cause more accidents (02/01/08)
There were a dozen or more accidents in and around Saline County yesterday afternoon and evening, Thursday, Jan. 31, while 4.5 inches of snow accumulated, according to Saline County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Marshall Police Department...

Newscope/Slater City Council to meet Feb. 5 (02/01/08)
The Slater City Council will meet in regular session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in City Hall.

Hoops games rescheduled (01/30/08)
Tuesday's snowstorm caused the postponement of several Saline Area high school basketball games. The Marshall boys' NCMC contest at Moberly has been rescheduled for Feb. 7, although the Lady Owls' home tilt against Chillicothe -- which was snowed out on its original Dec. 8 date -- has been canceled...

Michael Jaden Blackenter (01/24/08)
Michael Jaden Blackenter, infant son of Michael Dean Blackenter and Marcia Michelle Wilson, who survive of Slater, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. ...

Filing period ends; Ballots set for April election (01/23/08)
The April ballot for local government offices has taken its final shape after the filing period for most boards and councils ended Tuesday, Jan. 22. For Marshall City Council seats -- one in each ward --incumbents have filed to be on the ballot: Sheila Cook, Ward 1; Vince Lutterbie, Ward 2; Dan Brandt, Ward 3; and Ron Duvall, Ward 4...

Slater school board meeting starts with steaks (01/21/08)
The monthly school board meeting of Slater School District began Thursday, Jan. 17, with a steak dinner served to board members and families by students, in appreciation of the work they do for the district. Superintendent John McEachern kicked off the meal with a short speech, thanking board members for their participation and their time, and thanking members of their families for supporting that commitment...

Slater woman hurt in accident on Highway 240 (01/18/08)
A Slater woman received moderate injuries in an accident at 9:20 a.m. on Highway 240, east of County Road 107, on Thursday, Jan. 17. A 2004 Ford, driven by Amanda Durham, 24, of Slater, was traveling westbound when she lost control on an ice-covered roadway, according to the report...

Local government offices for April ballot begin to fill out (01/18/08)
The April ballot for local government offices is beginning to fill out as more people have thrown their hats in the ring. For Marshall City Council seats -- one in each ward -- incumbents have filed to be on the ballot: Sheila Cook, Ward 1; Vince Lutterbie, Ward 2; Dan Brandt, Ward 3; and Ron Duvall, Ward 4...

Mayor's State of Slater address emphasizes the positive: 'The city is in tremendous shape' (01/16/08)
On the evening Gov. Matt Blunt was delivering the annual State of the State address, Mayor Stephen Allegri delivered a State of Slater address to the Slater City Council. Like the governor, Allegri was very pleased with the accomplishments he listed...

Prep Hoops Round-up/Lady 'Cats notch first Lewis & Clark victory (01/15/08)
PARIS -- Revenge is sweet, as the Slater girls' basketball team discovered Monday. The Lady Wildcats had been unable to hang on to a slim lead down the stretch Friday against Paris, losing a 54-51 overtime decision. Three days later, Slater went on the road and came back from a five-point halftime deficit to defeat the Lady Coyotes, 42-40, for its first Lewis and Clark Conference victory of the season...

Janice M. Raspberry (01/14/08)
Janice M. Raspberry, 51, of Salisbury, formerly of Slater, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Drivers receive minor injuries in 2-vehicle accident Jan. 5 (01/07/08)
Two drivers escaped serious injuries in an accident that extensively damaged one car and totaled another late Saturday afternoon, Jan. 5, on U.S. Highway 65 at County Road H. According to a report from Missouri State Highway Patrol, Penny D. Newsome, 45, of Slater, was northbound on Highway 65 in a 1986 Oldsmobile, when she slowed to make a right turn...

Slater City Council approves $3.7 million budget/Water and sewer plant improvements top list of 2008 projects, officials say (12/28/07)
The Slater city budget looks pretty much the same as it has the past decade or more, according to Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith. It's just a bit bigger. Griffith noted during a public hearing on the 2008 budget Thursday, Dec. 27, that an increase in electricity costs that went into effect this year will account for most of the increase in total budget from $3.3 million this year to $3.7 million in 2008...

Newscope/Slater teacher reports being accosted (12/28/07)
A substitute teacher at Slater High School reported to police that she was accosted at the high school by another teacher Friday, Dec. 14. According to a Slater police report, the substitute teacher said the other teacher made threatening remarks. The other teacher denied doing so, according to police...

'Santa Train' returns to Slater (12/27/07)
From left, Tanner Walter, Bret Nauerth and Bailey Nauerth of Higby turn after getting a closer look at "Rudy," the tank car of The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express, commonly referred to as the "Santa Train." The boys were with Christina Nauerth of Higby...

Marshall man arrested in Slater on suspicion of burglary after standoff with deputies (12/27/07)
Saline County Sheriff's Department deputies spent several hours Wednesday, Dec. 26, trying to talk a burglary suspect into coming out of a mobile home in Slater. While deputies waited for a search warrant that would allow them to enter the trailer, a relative of the suspect and an acquaintance joined the effort to get the suspect to open the door, without success...

Slater students receive kudos from crafters (12/20/07)
Slater Schools Superintendent John McEachern said, "It's good for our kids to be known as great kids," at the school board meeting Tuesday, Dec. 18. McEachern was referring to comments he said he heard from every crafter who participated in the craft show sponsored by Slater High's Student Council...

Mayor: Slater is a hive of activity during the holidays (12/19/07)
"There's a lot going on during the holidays for a small town like this, and we invite everyone in the surrounding counties to come and see," said Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri, speaking at the Slater City Council meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4. In his monthly report to the council, Allegri ticked off a list of events that were held Saturday, Dec. 8, at Slater's Winterfest, a downtown celebration the city hopes to make an annual event...

Newscope/'Santa train' set to visit Slater Dec. 20 (12/17/07)
The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express, also known as "The Santa Train," is scheduled to stop in Slater at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. The six-car train includes a smiling tank car; a flat car carrying Santa's sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a ginger bread box car; the elves' workshop; the reindeer's stable; and a little red caboose...

Sharon L. Butcher (12/10/07)
Sharon L. Butcher, 63, of Slater, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Slater, with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating. Bethany Weiker, organist, will play "How Great Thou Art," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Victory in Jesus." Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Newscope/Slater City Council to meet Tuesday, Nov. 4 (12/03/07)
The Slater City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. in the council chamber of city hall. On the agenda are updates on the upcoming Winter Fest, the visit from the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express and under new business, an equipment purchase...

Slater High School seniors make pitch to school board about class trip destinations (11/30/07)
The newly-formed Slater High School Student Council kicked off the monthly meeting of the Slater Board of Education Tuesday, Nov. 20, with a PowerPoint presentation by seniors Sam Spurgin and Tony Navarette and a trifold brochure about possible destinations for the senior class trip in April 2008...

Holiday briefs/Monday, November 26 (11/26/07)
Thursday, Nov. 29 Missouri Valley College presents its annual Celebration of Christmas Choral Music Show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, and Friday, Nov. 30, at Eckilson-Mabee Theatre on the Valley campus. Admission is free; donations are welcomed at the door...

Nativity festival gives Habitat for Humanity a big budget boost (11/20/07)
Thanks to the ecumenical efforts of several churches in Saline County, the 2007 Nativity Festival at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Marshall raised $4,200, including a matching grant of $500 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to benefit the work of Saline County Habitat for Humanity...

Cities of Marshall, Slater accept Verizon settlement payments (11/08/07)
Marshall and Slater city councils have unanimously decided to participate in the municipal class settlement with Verizon Wireless. "Basically, (Verizon) decided to not fight it anymore and pay it," said Marshall's City Administrator Charles Tryban. The settlement means a small revenue boost for both cities and the potential for additional tax revenues in the future...

Newscope/Tuesday, November 6 (11/06/07)
Veterans Day service to be held at Slater High School Nov. 9 Veterans Day services will be held Friday, Nov. 9, in the Slater High School gymnasium at 10 a.m. The featured speaker will be Rear Admiral J. Stanton Thomas, USN (ret.). The public is invited to attend the service. The event is sponsored by Slater American Legion Post 178 and Slater VFW Post 4367...

McEachern: Slater school district finances sound (11/05/07)
The Slater Public School District is "financially sound," according to the proposed budget for the school year 2007 - 2008. Superintendent John McEachern said the budget has been "conservatively calculated" and described it as "a living document that may be amended at various times throughout the year to meet the needs of specific area."...

2-house Habitat project in Slater gets boost from bank grant, volunteer labor (10/19/07)
Handy with a hammer? Slick with a saw? Ready with a wrench? Habitat for Humanity of Saline County can use your talents and they’ll even feed you lunch. They always need volunteers. If you’re age 16 or older, show up at the 200 block of East Emma in Slater any Saturday morning between 8 and noon, and in less time than it takes to tell it, someone will hand you a hammer or a saw and point you in the direction of work that needs to be done...

Slater street maintenance project in less glamorous -- but important -- prep phase (10/17/07)
"All that glitters is not gold," as the old saying goes -- and vice versa. Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri provided the city council with an update on street maintenance at the council meeting Tuesday, Oct. 16, and noted that the current crack-sealing part of the project may be the most important, if not the most impressive to see...

Drug offender's forfeiture to benefit local schools (10/09/07)
Kevin V. Conway of Slater made a welcome donation to local public schools recently, though the "donation" wasn't exactly voluntary. On Sept. 27, Judge Dennis A. Rolf ordered the forfeiture of $5,180 in cash and a 1994 Buick Park Avenue automobile belonging to Conway after Conway was sentenced to two 15-year prison terms for distributing cocaine in or near government housing...

Slater gets grant for police camera (10/03/07)

Four brothers among five sets of siblings honored during Slater veterans ceremony (09/24/07)
The ceremony in Slater Saturday, Sept. 15, to honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War included five sets of brothers. The biggest set was the Roschers, originally of Sweet Springs. Four brothers, Phil, Curtis, David and Dennis Roscher all served in the U.S. Army during a period from 1966 to 1977...

Slater officials defend actions of police, EMTs in Aug. 31 incident (09/20/07)
Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri and Slater Police Chief Keith Wright are in full support of Slater emergency personnel and members of the Slater Police Department in their handling of an incident involving Slater resident Teddy C. Hammer on Friday, Aug. 31...

Parents, teachers express concerns to Slater school board (09/19/07)
Most of the Slater Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Sept. 18, covered routine matters, including updates on roof repairs and software problems, but the meeting ended on a tense note after teachers and parents expressed concern about two controversial issues...

Slater council raises mayor's spending limit, hears complaint from resident about emergency response (09/19/07)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday night, Sept. 18, and approved raising the mayor's discretionary spending limit from $1,000 to $2,000. Mayor Stephen Allegri said there have been times that he has spent more than $1,000 without the council's approval that was not in compliance with the ordinance because of various emergencies. He related to a time when the water plant needed a part to continue in operation...

Slater man arrested after allegedly fleeing officers (09/18/07)
The Saline County Sheriff's Department reported Tuesday, Sept. 18, that a Slater man has been detained for resisting arrest and possession of an intoxicant. A Slater police officer and a sheriff's deputy sought to locate the 17-year-old -- who was under house arrest -- early Tuesday morning after state probation officials reported that he had turned off his electronic monitoring device...

Slater ceremony honors Vietnam vets (09/17/07)
It was a day of atonement. Hundreds of friends, family and well-wishers congregated on Main Street in Slater just in front of Veterans Park to honor Vietnam veterans Saturday, Sept. 15. More than 70 veterans or family members representing them were presented with medallions and certificates commemorating their service to the country...

Slater woman receives summons for leaving the scene of accident (09/16/07)
A 25-year-old Slater woman was cited by Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers for leaving the scene of an accident and several other alleged infractions following a one-car accident shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Christina A. Healey was also cited for careless and imprudent driving, no valid drivers license, no proof of insurance and failure to display valid license plates, according to the MSHP report...

Newscope/Thursday, September 13 (09/13/07)
Peace Lutheran Church to host barbecue during Slater fall fest Peace Lutheran Church will host a barbecue dinner Friday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. during the Slater Fall Festival. Dinner will be served at the City Pharmacy corner lot and will include pork and turkey, cheesy potatoes, beans, pickles, drink and dessert. The cost is $6 per person...

Slater farmer escapes unhurt from combine fire (09/13/07)
Slater firefighters were called out Wednesday, Sept. 12, to a combine fire at the farm of David and Sandy Copeland of Slater. Slater Fire Chief Richard Johnson said the fire was extinguished in about 45 minutes, but the John Deere combine appears to be a total loss. No one was injured...

Program posted for ceremony Sept. 15 in Slater honoring Vietnam veterans (09/10/07)
New details are available on a ceremony to honor Vietnam War veterans or surviving family members set for Saturday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. in Slater. Veterans Park on Main Street is the venue for the ceremony, which is being coordinated by Charlie Guthrie, chaplain of Slater American Legion Post 78...

Slater mayor touts city street program, notes progress (09/10/07)
The Slater City Council heard an update on the city's street resurfacing project and learned of a new event in the city's growing stable of festivals at its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 4. Mayor Stephen Allegri said resurfacing work is done and the project is moving to the next phase, which involves sealing pavement cracks in preparation for resurfacing next year...

Newscope/Wednesday, September 5 (09/05/07)
Marshall Aquatics Center to host 'doggie plunge' Sept. 13 The Marshall Aquatics Center at Indian Foothills Park will be going to the dogs as the swimming season wraps up. The Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a "doggie plunge" event at the MAC pool from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13...

Area Vietnam veterans to be honored in Slater Sept. 15; applications for special medallion still being accepted (08/30/07)
As many as 55 Vietnam War veterans or surviving family members will be honored Saturday, Sept. 15, in Slater at the Veterans Park on Main Street. Charlie Guthrie, who is coordinating the local ceremony, said the statewide program is overseen by the Missouri adjutant general's office...

Newscope/Wednesday, August 29 (08/29/07)
Arthritis expert to speak at Slater Senior Center Sept. 6 Marian Minor, an arthritis expert from the University of Missouri, will be the featured speaker at a 7 p.m. dinner meeting on Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Slater Senior Center in Slater. Minor's talk will focus on what's new in arthritis treatments and what can be done to manage the disease and its symptoms...

Newscope/Arthritis program/Blackwater theater/Aug. 28 (08/28/07)
Arthritis expert to speak at Slater Senior Center Sept. 6 Marian Minor, an arthritis expert from the University of Missouri, will be the featured speaker at a 7 p.m. dinner meeting on Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Slater Senior Center in Slater...

Howard E. Beeler (08/28/07)
Howard E. Beeler, 72, of Independence, formerly of Saline County, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at his home. Cremation. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Rev. Walter Admire officiating. Burial will be held in Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall with military rites. Memorials may be made to Children's Mercy Hospital or American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to www.campbell-lewis.com...

Softball/New Franklin 15, Slater 0 (08/24/07)
SLATER -- Some of the troubles which haunted the Slater softball team last year plagued it during Thursday's season opener, a 15-0 non-conference loss to visiting New Franklin. The Lady Wildcats committed 10 errors to allow six unearned runs and were limited to one hit -- a one-out single by senior Jessica Fleetwood in the fourth inning -- by sophomore pitcher Sam Ginter, who struck out 11 batters...

Slater City Council hears report from auditor (08/22/07)
The Slater City Council met on Tuesday, Aug. 21, to hear the outcome of the 2006 audit. Norma Schlesselman and Amanda Schneider of Wilson, Toellner & Associates, L.L.C. prepared the audit and gave a brief overview. The city decreased $71,000 in net assets than in previous years because of more capital outlays...

Mo. PSC holds public hearing on KCP&L rate increase request (08/21/07)
Kansas City Power and Light Company's (KCP&L) request to increase its rates was the purpose of a public hearing in Marshall and Carrollton on Monday, Aug. 20. The company serves 271,000 consumers in Western Missouri and made its initial request in February to the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC)...

Cooling centers in Saline County posted (08/10/07)
The Saline County Health Department announced Friday, Aug. 10, that county residents can seek shelter from the heat in the following "cooling centers:" In Marshall: The Marshall Senior Center, 72 W. Morgan, (660) 886-9888, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; The Marshall Public Library, 214 N. ...

High heat apparently causing area residents few problems ... so far (08/09/07)
A week into a severe heat spell area residents and services seem to be holding up well. Marshall Municipal Utilities official says peak electric usage rates will be set this week for the year. "The city load in Marshall is pretty much the same as last year except we will set the peak for the year in August instead of July," General Manager Kyle Gibbs said. The peak usage was about 42 megawatts last year...

Slater City Council fields electricity bill complaints, approves bids for 2 projects (08/08/07)
It may seem like a good comparison to make, but Slater officials said Tuesday night, Aug. 7, that comparing this month's electricity bill with last month's bill is like comparing apples and oranges. Some electricity customers have called city officials to complain their bills are too high, but Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith said the increase in energy costs are right in line with what officials predicted...

Newscope/Wednesday, August 8 (08/08/07)
Marshall woman to perform in 'Idol' contest at state fair Jessica McKinney of Marshall will sing in the Budweiser tent at the Missouri State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 11, at 3:30 p.m. as part of the "Missouri State Fair Idol" contest. McKinney was first runner-up in the Colgate Country Showdown at the Saline County Fair in July...

Slater official says clean-up efforts beginning to pay off, get noticed by other cities (08/06/07)
The city of Slater is starting to get noticed by officials from other Missouri cities as a result of its recent efforts to clean up poorly-maintained properties, according to Mayor Stephen Allegri. "We're really getting a lot of compliments on our town," Allegri said...

Slater school board approves plans for 2007-2008 school year (07/24/07)
The Slater School Board met Tuesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. at Slater High School. The board met to discuss plans for the upcoming 2007/2008 school year. The board agreed that prices for reduced lunches would remain the same as last year. The criteria students are required to meet to apply for free lunch was also approved...

Slater school board marks end of fiscal year, end of Vaillancourt era at June 29 meeting (07/02/07)
The Slater school board wrapped up its fiscal year and the Paul Vaillancourt's seven year term as superintendent at a noon meeting on Friday July 29. Vaillancourt is retiring after 35 years as an educator in the Slater district. His successor, John McEachern, takes over duties Monday, July 1, as the new superintendent of Slater Schools, although Vaillancourt will help out with the transition for the next month and will oversee the current building project...

Independence Day 2007 (07/02/07)
Arrow Rock: On July 4, movie memories from "Tom and Huck" filmed in Arrow Rock in 1972 will be held at 10 a.m. at the Christian Church on Main St. Old fashioned games such as hoops, sack races, jump rope, croquet and tug-o-war will be played at 11 a.m. A parade down Main St. will begin at 1 p.m. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater will show "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" at 2 p.m. A picnic buffet will be held at "Becky Thatcher's home" on Main St. at 5:30 p.m...

Food, fireworks and music featured in area festivities (06/28/07)
Arrow Rock: On July 4, movie memories from "Tom and Huck" filmed in Arrow Rock in 1972 will be held at 10 a.m. at the Christian Church on Main St. Old fashioned games such as hoops, sack races, jump rope, croquet and tug-o-war will be played at 11 a.m. A parade down Main St. will begin at 1 p.m. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater will show "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" at 2 p.m. A picnic buffet will be held at "Becky Thatcher's home" on Main St. at 5:30 p.m...

A heart attack later: County health board president exemplifies reasons to quit smoking (06/27/07)
Stephen Allegri wanted to be a good role model. He turned out to be a cautionary tale, too. Allegri, a chiropractor, mayor of Slater and president of the Saline County Health Department Board of Trustees, announced at the Tuesday, June 12, board meeting that he had made it two months without smoking a cigarette...

GE volunteers to help clean up South Fork Creek during 'Take Pride in Marshall' event (06/26/07)
On June 30, volunteers from GE Energy's Slater facilities will help clean up the banks of South Fork Creek in Marshall. The Missouri Stream Team is hosting the event to begin at 9:30 a.m. The group of volunteers will be picking up litter that surrounds the creek...

Dorothy L. Smith (06/25/07)
Dorothy L. Smith, 81, of Macon, formerly of Slater, died Sunday, June 24, 2007, at Columbia Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be Friday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at the Gospel Center Church in Macon. Rev. Jim Palmisano will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. ...

Slater officials urge MoDOT to speed bridge work/Council expresses concern about economic impact if Glasgow bridge is closed for an extended period (06/21/07)
Slater City Council members passed a resolution during their meeting on Tuesday, June 19, urging state and federal officials to do what they can to speed up the replacement of the Glasgow Bridge on Highway 240 east of Slater and to help the affected communities contract with a ferry service...

Bear Creek Blues Fest promises 8 hours of music and fun (06/21/07)
It will start with a beat and end with a bang. This year the Bear Creek Blues Festival in Slater will conclude with a fireworks show, according to organizer Jill Murray. The new feature will help launch the fireworks show season in the area and will cap eight hours of fun and music, according to Murray...

Slater school board hears summer school report (06/21/07)
Slater school board officials heard about a successful summer school program during their meeting held Tuesday, June 19, at the school. "I have heard lots of good comments," noted board President Rick Hays, about the summer school program which ends on Friday...

Several blood drives planned this summer/Area residents have opportunities to be philanthropists without writing a check (06/14/07)
In the next two months, Saline County residents have three opportunities to donate blood through the Community Blood Center. And if Carrollton isn't too far to go, there is a fourth opportunity to donate between now and August 16. GE Energy of Slater is sponsoring a blood drive in the break room of GE Energy at 342 W. ...

Marshall man hurt attempting to elude deputies (06/11/07)
A Marshall man was seriously injured Saturday, June 9, after rolling his pickup truck while apparently attempting to elude Saline County Sheriffs Deputies, according to reports issued by the Sheriff's Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol. Floyd K. Brown, 19, of Marshall, was taken by air ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. His condition was not available Monday morning, June 11. A passenger in the truck suffered minor injuries, according to the reports...

Bricks tumble from wall of Slater business (06/06/07)
Slater residents have much to talk about since the north wall of Harv's Bar and Grill, located at 126 N. Main, collapsed at about 3:15 p.m. on Monday, June 4. No one was injured in this accident because Harv's Bar and Grill is closed on Monday; however, one employee was in Slater's H&R Block when the wall caved, said Stephen Jaeger of Slater, who works at Marshall's H&R Block...

18 compete for Junior Saline County Fair Queen title (06/01/07)
Molly E. Deibel Molly Elizabeth Deibel, 15, the daughter of Katy Meyer and Corey Deibel of Waverly, is sponsored by Work-to-Win. She will be a sophomore at Santa Fe High School in the fall. She is on the A Honor roll, is a State FFA record book winner, 2006 Cover Miss Queen, a member of the 2005 district Softball Summer League Championship team, has won numerous medals in track, and is a District band contest winner for her drum solo...

Dorothy A. Johnson (05/23/07)
Dorothy A. Johnson, 94, of Slater, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be Sunday, May 27, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Slater. Rev. Robert Sisney will officiate. Bethany Weiker, organist, will accompany Gerald Gerhard as he sings "It Is Well With My Soul" and "My Jesus, I Love Thee." Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. ...

Slater man recalls time in Merchant Marines (05/22/07)
Editor's note: First proclaimed by Congress in 1993, May 22 is National Maritime Day, originally to commemorate The Savannah's May 22, 1819, voyage, the first steam-propelled vessel to cross the Atlantic. The observance has since become an opportunity to honor the nation's Merchant Marines...

Newscope/Tuesday, May 22 (05/22/07)
Slater Senior Center to hold Fitness Fair May 31 The Slater Senior Center will sponsor a Fitness Fair at the Slater Youth Center, 164 W. Front, on May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. This is the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event...

Warrant issued for Slater woman suspected of parental kidnapping (05/21/07)
A warrant was issued Friday, May 18, for a Slater woman on suspicion of parental kidnapping, according to a news release from the Saline County Sheriff's Department. Bobby Jean Winters, 38, is suspected by law enforcement authorities of leaving Saline County with her son, who is currently under the jurisdiction of the Saline County Circuit Court Juvenile Division, supervised by the Children's Division...

Ray-Smith advises seniors on elder abuse (05/18/07)
Kathy Ray-Smith, Regional Ombudsman for Care Connections, has a message for area seniors: "It is never all right for someone to abuse you." Ray-Smith brought her message to the Slater Senior Center on Thursday, May 17, with her presentation on the serious issue of elder abuse...

Slater council swears in new member May 15 (05/17/07)
The Slater City Council met on Tuesday, May 15, to renew liquor licenses, consider a resignation from the cemetery board, to swear in a new councilman for Ward 1 and to approve a trash rate increase ordinance. The council approved the renewal of liquor licenses for Johnson's Package Shop, Casey's, Ole Town Pizzaria, Break Time, City Pharmacy Inc., and Harv's Bar and Grill with Councilman Terry Jordan abstaining...

3 injured in 2 Saline County traffic accidents May 16 (05/17/07)
Two Sweet Springs residents suffered moderate injuries in a one-vehicle accident on Route 127 and a Slater woman received minor injuries in an accident on Route 240. Both accidents occurred early Wednesday morning, May 16. Amber D. Gustafson, 29, of Sweet Springs was driving on Route 127 just north of County Road 422 at 12:22 a.m. when she apparently swerved to avoid striking a deer, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report...

Slater High School honors 27 graduates in ceremony May 12 (05/14/07)
A wet football field kept the Slater High School graduating Class of 2007 from an outside ceremony, but didn't dampen the spirits of the 27 seniors who received their diplomas inside the Slater gymnasium Saturday, May 12. The graduates entered the gym to "Pomp and Circumstance," which was performed by Slater's combined concert bands under the direction of Mike Williams. ...

2 hurt in separate accidents recently (05/14/07)
Two motorists suffered minor injuries in separate accidents recently. On Thursday, May 9, Joseph Bascom, 19, of Sedalia was hurt in an accident that occurred at 9:05 p.m. on U.S. 65 about a mile north of Route F, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol...

Boil order issued for District No. 2 customers in area near Arrow Rock (05/14/07)
Public Water Supply District No. 2 of Saline County announced a 24-hour boil order for parts of rural Arrow Rock that will lift at noon on Tuesday, May 15. Tina Huff, clerk, said the boil order is for the area from the intersection of County Road 127 and 148 to the edge of Arrow Rock but not including Arrow Rock. She said Arrow Rock does get their water from the district; however, they have their own tower...

Newscope/Monday, May 14 (05/14/07)
Marshall Optimist Club Pork Loin Bust slated for May 18-19 The 43rd Annual Optimist Pork Loin Bust is scheduled for Friday, May 18, from 10 am to 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 19, from 10 am to 2 p.m. on the east side of the Saline County Courthouse lawn...

Newscope/Friday, May 11 (05/11/07)
Mental Health Association to host annual dinner, awards May 15 The Annual Mental Health Association of Saline County dinner meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., May 15, at the Club House on the east side of the Marshall square. The cost is $12 per person. Reservations are required...

Graduation 2007 (05/10/07)
Graduation ceremonies for area schools include the following commencement ceremonies: -- Bueker Middle School: 7 p.m. Friday, May 11, at Bueker Middle School; -- Sweet Springs High School: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, in the high school gym; -- Slater High School: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the high school football field or in the high school gym in case of rain;...

Area schools adjust scheduled last days after Blunt signs 'snow days' bill (05/07/07)
For students, parents and teachers wondering when exactly school would be out for the summer this year, the wait is over. Legislative wrangling over a proposed reprieve for schools that had missed many days due to severe ice storms this past winter provided some suspense over what is normally a routine matter...

Newscope/Thursday, May 3 (05/03/07)
Slater Senior Center to host session on estate planning May 15 "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?" is the theme of an estate planning workshop sponsored by the Slater Senior Center and scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, at 12:30 p.m. The workshop is open to the public...

Slater council fills vacancy, hears update on visiting artist (05/02/07)
The Slater City Council voted to accept a new member to fill a vacant seat on the council during their regular meeting at Slater City Hall on Tuesday, May 1. Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri asked the council to approve the appointment of Matt Campbell to fill the Ward 1 seat left vacant after Charlie Guthrie, who was re-elected to the seat by write-in votes, declined to accept the seat. The council voted unanimously to accept Campbell's appointment...

Slater teacher nominated for 'Who's Who' publication (04/24/07)
Heather M. Johnson, a teacher at Alexander Elementary School in Slater, has been nominated for "Who's Who Among America's Teacher's" by a former student. Students who themselves are currently listed in "Who's Who Among American High School Students" or "The National Dean's List" were asked to nominate the one teacher from their entire academic experience who made a difference in their lives by helping to shape their values, inspire interest in a particular subject and challenge them to strive for excellence. ...

Slater school board re-elects officers (04/10/07)
The Slater School board certified election results and elected officers during a special meeting on Thursday, April 5. The board elected Rick Hays as their president, Mike Venable as vice president and Jodi Fuemmeler as treasurer. Each officer was re-elected after previously serving in their respective positions...

Slater council approves KCP&L energy contract/Rates slated to increase 70 percent; city will absorb half and pass half on to customers (04/05/07)
The Slater City Council voted to accept a contract with Kansas City Power and Light (KCP&L) during their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 4. On June 1, KCP&L will institute a rate increase for the wholesale purchase of energy by the city of Slater...

Newscope/Wednesday, April 4 (04/04/07)
Marshall Public Library to reopen April 9 The Marshall Public Library remains closed this week for remodeling, according to Library Director Amy Crump. The library will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, April 9. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday...

Orearville students to perform selections from musicals (03/27/07)
Orearville School will turn itself into Broadway on Thursday, March 29, with performances of selections from two popular musicals at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the school auditorium. The public is invited to attend. The Kindergarten and first through fourth grade classes will present selections from "Mary Poppins."...

Steven McQueen Days filled with bikes, cars, fun (03/26/07)
The weather cooperated and the people came in droves for Slater's first Steve McQueen Days festival Saturday, March 24. Slater's Main Street was a showcase for the machines that were so much a part of McQueen's film career: thundering motorcycles, courtesy of the Freedom of the Road Riders, gleaming vintage automobiles, including a selection of Cobras courtesy of the Mid-American Cobra Club, and crowds of festival-goers...

Steve McQueen 'would have been proud' of Slater fest (03/26/07)
"Like Steve McQueen All I need's a fast machine And I'm going to make it all right ..." -- Sheryl Crow It was Steve McQueen's kind of event, according to his widow, Barbara McQueen. Fast cars. Rumbling motorcycles. Good people. And maybe a beer or two...

'Gearhead' paradise in Slater (03/26/07)

Slater officials, NAACP meet to discuss profiling (03/21/07)
Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri reported about a meeting between local officials and a representative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), during the Slater City Council's regular meeting on Tuesday, March 20. Allergri said he met with President of the Mar-Saline Branch of the NAACP Clyde Williams and Slater Police Chief Keith Wright over issues that Williams brought up at a prior Slater City Council meeting concerning the racial profiling of African-Americans in Slater. ...

NAACP: Racial profiling of blacks occurs in Slater (03/07/07)
The Slater City Council discussed the findings of its annual "racial profiling report" during its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 6. The report is required by the Missouri Attorney General's office and must be submitted annually. The report breaks down the total number of stops, warning and citations issued by city police officers in a year. The report also breaks down the race and the demographics of individuals stopped in the report year...

Newscope/Tuesday, March 6 (03/06/07)
Forums scheduled about Community Cancer Center Capital Campaign in several communities in March Representatives of the Community Division of the Community Cancer Center Capital Campaign of Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall will be hosting a series of forums to share information about the campaign...

4 nabbed in drug sweep (02/27/07)
Four people were arrested on suspicion of drug offenses during two separate incidents in Marshall on Monday, Feb. 26, police said. Police arrested three individuals at a residence on the 700 block of Oak Avenue after entering the house to search for an individual with an active arrest warrant. After receiving permission to search the house, officers found what is believed to be crack cocaine and a pipe used to smoke crack cocaine...

Slater teen injured in 1-vehicle accident Thursday (02/23/07)
A Slater teen was injured in a one-vehicle accident about 5:25 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, on Route O near the intersection with County Road 136. Brandie L. Carter, 16, was taken by ambulance to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall with moderate injuries, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report...

Newscope/Tuesday, Feb. 20 (02/20/07)
Slater school board to meet Feb. 20 The Slater Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 515 N. Elm St. The agenda is expected to include consideration of the calendar for the 2007-08 school year, discussion about how to handle making up school days canceled because of bad weather, update on insurance, approve bus routes and a report on investments...

Gilliam, Slater fire crews battle blaze (02/12/07)
Gilliam and Slater volunteer firefighters responded to a house fire in Gilliam on Sunday, Feb. 11. The home of Barry G. and Terry L. Narron at 208 S. Bartlett in Gilliam was destroyed in the blaze, a report said. No one was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported...

Slater's birthday party for McQueen detailed (02/09/07)
Slater is throwing a special birthday party for Steve McQueen this spring. The actor, box-office champion and icon of "cool" will be honored by civic and business officials from his hometown with a special weekend festival to celebrate his life and commemorate what would have been his 77th birthday...

Newscope/Friday, Dec. 29 (12/29/06)
Wright, Berlin to be on Pepper show Anita Wright and Bryan Berlin will be guests on the Paul Pepper Show, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, 10 a.m., on channel 8. They will be talking about the Nicholas-Beazley-Civic Center project. Missing vehicle sought in Slater...

Slater schools leader to retire (12/28/06)
Editor's note: This is the second of two stories about retirements in the Slater School District. Thursday's story focuses on Slater Superintendent of Schools Paul Vaillancourt. Slater Superintendent of Schools Paul Vaillancourt is retiring at the end of the school year...

Crews to retire at Slater (12/27/06)
Editor's note: This is the first of two stories about retirements in the Slater School District. At the start of the 2007-2008 school year it may feel a bit strange for students and staff at the Slater School District. Two familiar faces will not be roaming the halls and classrooms as a pair of long-time fixtures at the school will be absent...

Slater tax revenues are down, but town financially OK, administrator says (12/20/06)
Slater City Administrator Gene Griffith reported during the Slater City Council meeting on Dec. 19 that tax revenue for the city is down almost $34,000 from last year and sales tax figures are down $6,600. Griffith said that there are a number of reasons that the figures are low...

49 deer donated for 'Share the Harvest' (12/15/06)
A total of 49 deer were donated by area hunters to help feed needy families through the "Share the Harvest" program. All of the deer were donated at Smith's Meat Processing in Slater. The donated meat was ground into hamburger and given to the Community Food Pantry for distribution to the community...

KC Southern Holiday Express in Slater (12/12/06)
The line stretched down the street Sunday, Dec. 10, as adults and children waited to visit the Kansas City Southern Railroad Holiday Express. They had good reason: Santa Claus was stationed in the caboose. The sixth annual Holiday Express train is in the last week of a trip that began at Thanksgiving in Shreveport, La., and will end Sunday, Dec. 17 at Kansas City's Union Station after visiting 23 cities and towns in seven states, according to the train's head elf, Willis Kilpatrick...

First Slater Winterfest set for Dec. 9 and 10 (12/07/06)
The first Slater Winter Fest will be Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec.10, in downtown Slater. Councilman Terry Jordan updated the Slater City Council on the event during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Jordan said that 14 businesses had signed up to participate in the Winter Fest. The businesses will offer sales and specials to go along with the events planned for the festival...

Newscope/Friday, Dec. 1 (12/01/06)
Two injured in Nov. 30 accidents Two people were injured in an accident in Saline County on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 30, police said. Amanda A. Borgman, 20, of Slater was traveling on Highway 240 near County Road 138 at approximately 7:45 a.m. when she apparently fell asleep and drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic where her vehicle collided head-on with a 1993 Ford being drive by William A. Norris, 50, also of Slater, police said...

Refrigerator, stove needed by Napton family hit by blaze (11/30/06)
A fire on Monday, Nov. 27, burned down the home and all of the possessions of Anthony and Renata Jones of Napton. Fire fighters declared the home a complete loss after the fire -- which started because of a collapsed flue on their wood-burning stove...

Newscope/Thursday, Nov. 30 (11/30/06)
New exhibit at Van Meter State Park A new exhibit titled "An Exhibition of the Original Osage Allottees" will be on display through February inside the new Missouri's American Indian Cultural Center at Van Meter State Park in Miami. The exhibit is being provided by the Osage Tribal Museum in Pawhuska, Okla., and was created by Kathryn Red Corn and Priscilla Hokiahse Iba...

Several local issues given green light (11/08/06)
A number of ballot issues were approved by Saline County voters in the election Tuesday, Nov. 7, including a school bond in Slater, a motel tax in Sweet Springs and a sewer bond in Mt. Leonard. Voters authorized the Slater School Board to borrow $1 million to pay for number of improvements to school facilities by a vote of 638 to 127, according to unofficial election results released by Saline County Clerk Ken Bryant...

Guns taken in theft (11/06/06)
Numerous firearms were stolen from the residence of Aaron R. Cornine of Slater on Sat. Nov. 5, police said Monday, Nov. 6. Saline County Sheriff's deputies investigated the theft of five rifles and a 9- mm handgum from the residence. According to the report, Cornine noticed that his guns were missing on Sunday, Nov. 5. Cornine said that his residence was unlcoked and there was no forced entry in the theft...

Helicopter appearances scheduled in Marshall and Slater (11/01/06)
The Air-Evac Lifeteam helicopter team will be in Marshall and Slater on Saturday, Nov. 4 Air-Evac is an air-ambulance company based in West Plains, It has bases all over the Midwest and southeastern United States. From the bases the company provides air-ambulance services to rural communities...

Flu shot clinics will be at 19 polling places (10/31/06)
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, those who go to the polls in Saline County will have another choice to make. The Saline County Health Department will be setting up 19 flu shot clinics at local polling places throughout Saline County as part of a nationwide pilot program to help better the health of Americans, one of 15 health districts across the country participating in the Healthy Voter Program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. ...

Sweet Springs, Slater receive TEP money (10/24/06)
Two Saline County communities have been selected to receive funds from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission in the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP). Slater is set to receive $65,866 for sidewalk replacement and a walkway. Sweet Springs was selected to receive $42,311 for sidewalk improvement...

Are we ready? A look at emergency preparedness in Saline County/9-1-1 up for Nov. 7 ballot decision (10/23/06)
Editor's note: This is the last in a series of three stories about emergency preparedness in Saline County. Saline County is one of only a handful of Missouri Counties that does not currently have enhanced 9-1-1 service or is not either planning or implementing county-wide enhanced 9-1-1 services...

Slater students meet 9 of 14 marks on tests (10/20/06)
Slater School District students met nine out of 14 requirements on their annual performance report for 2006, Superintendent of Slater Schools Paul Vaillancourt said at the Slater school board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The score could qualify Slater for a partial waiver for accreditation with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)...

Newscope/Wednesday, Oct. 18 (10/18/06)
Benefit dinner for Neel scheduled for Nov. 4 A whole hog benefit dinner is being held Saturday, Nov. 4, by family and friends of Carol Neel to raise money to help her with medical expenses related to cancer treatment. The dinner will take place in the Slater Youth Center Building from 4 to 8 p.m. In addition, there will be a raffle and silent auction. Donations appreciated...

Slater votes to demolish buildings (10/18/06)
The Slater City Council accepted bids for the demolition of four buildings in Slater during its regular meeting at Slater City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The council chose to accept two bids from Billy Ray Haynes and two bids from Wayne Brown of Brown Brothers Construction...

PSC to hold public hearing in Slater on natural gas rate request (10/13/06)
The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a local public hearing in Slater on Oct. 24 to receive customer comment on a natural gas rate case filed by Missouri Gas Energy (MGE). Customers may also bring any service related problems to the commission's attention during the local public hearing...

Law enforcement agencies receive POST money (10/10/06)
Gov. Matt Blunt announced recently that over 570 local law enforcement agencies around the state will share more than $1.3 million from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission Fund. The Saline County Sheriff's Department will receive $2,121.95, and the Marshall Police Department will receive $1,627.62, while the police departments of Sweet Springs, Slater and Blackburn will receive $500 each. ...

Woman injured in accident (10/04/06)
A Slater woman received serious injuries in an automobile accident on state Route 240 in Saline County on Tuesday, Oct. 3, police said. The accident occured at Route 240 and County Road 134 at approximately 12:50 p.m. as a 1990 Chevrolet being driven by Jessica N. Wolfe, 20, of Slater was attempting to pass a 2001 Ford being driven by Kandy J. Laney, 37, of Marshall...

Slater mayor says town residents facing 50 percent electricity increase (10/04/06)
Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri warned citizens of Slater of an upcoming electric rate increase by Kansas City Power and Light during the Slater City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The increase which will start on June 1, 2007, is expected to be sizeable...

Sheriff honored by Optimist Club of Marshall with George Award (09/25/06)
Saline County Sheriff Wally George did not win an award at the Optimist Club of Marshall's annual awards banquet Thursday, Sept. 21. He did better than that. He had an award named for him. Dale Zank, past president of the club, announced the creation of the George Award to recognize lifetime achievement in law enforcement...

Over 1,000 students receive safety information at Monsanto program (09/22/06)
Over 1,000 Saline County students may be a little bit safer at home and on the farm after attending the second annual Monsanto Farm Safety Day held Tuesday, Sept. 19 and 20, at the Monsanto soybean warehouse in Marshall's Industrial Park. The kindergarten through sixth-grade students from Hardeman, Orearville, Malta Bend, St. ...

Slater publisher defends her paper before council (09/20/06)
Slater Main Street News publisher Jean Black and a throng of supporters appeared at the Slater City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, to address issues related to her newspaper. "I'm here to defend my paper and my employees," Black said during her address to the council. "I'm not here to fight. We worked really hard and to be passed over really hurt us."...

Slater Blues Fest group gears up for fundraiser (09/20/06)
The Slater Blues Fest committee is hosting a beer garden Saturday, Sept. 23, behind the Ole Town Pizzeria in downtown Slater during the Slater Fall Festival. All proceeds will go towards the 4th annual Blues Festival which will be held on June 23, 2007...

Higher gasoline prices in Marshall irritate customers/Slater, Carrollton, Waverly, Sedalia all have lower prices (09/07/06)
After a story about gas prices ran in The Marshall Democrat-News on Thursday, Aug. 31, the paper received feedback from Marshall residents about the issue. The main concern was the fact that Marshall gas prices are consistently higher than surrounding towns...

More than 7,500 visitors go to Slater 'Wall' exhibit (09/06/06)
Slater City Councilmen Charlie Guthrie and Ron Monnig gave their report on "The Wall That Heals" exhibit, during the Slater City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Guthrie reported more than 7,500 visitors to the wall, which was in Slater Aug. 24 to 27...

Newscope/Thursday, Aug. 31 (08/31/06)
Health book coloring contest winners announced The winners in the health book coloring contest sponsored by The Marshall Democrat-News and participating businesses are Karson Heying, 10, of Marshall, in first place, and, Chloe Ann Mullins, 6, of Slater, taking second place...

Diesel price puzzles businessman (08/31/06)
Dan Weber of Weber Seeds Inc. in Marshall runs six tractor trailers in his business, as well as two combines on his farm. Weber buys his fuel in bulk, by the tanker load straight from the distributor, "but it's still crazy," he said. The recent price drops help, Weber said, but prices are still high. Weber wonders why diesel is still 50 cents higher than unleaded, even though it's less refined than unleaded...

Grand champion (08/31/06)
Chris Peuster, 21, of Slater, won the Grand Champion Steer in the FFA Charolais Steer competition at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

Beef, Angus tours highlight several Saline County farm operations (08/30/06)
More than 225 beef producers from across Missouri visited Marshall and Fenner Farms and Mid Missouri Energy of Malta Bend as the Missouri Commercial Agriculture Beef Tour and the Missouri Angus tours traveled through the county late last week. On Friday, Aug. ...

'The Wall That Heals' brings tears to those who visit (08/28/06)
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you Stan. I miss you- -go easy buddy. -Jack" Taken from a letter left at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. and displayed at "The Wall That Heals" exhibit in Slater. "It's taken me since 1974 to get here," Earl Buck a Vietnam veteran from Glasgow said. He stood back from the wall for a moment, "I'm going to go say good-bye right now." He went to the wall and knelt in front of it...

Area students stream to 'Wall That Heals' exhibit in Slater (08/25/06)
"The Wall That Heals" in Slater had a busy opening day on Thursday, Aug. 24. School groups from Marshall, Slater and other area schools toured the exhibit throughout the day in addition to a constant stream of individual visitors from Saline County and beyond...

Municipal band to play in Slater (08/24/06)
The Marshall Municipal Band will perform a rare post-season concert this Saturday afternoon, Aug. 26. The concert will be part of the traveling exhibit of "The Wall That Heals," the Vietnam Memorial replica in Slater. The concert will be held at the athletic fields/Slater City Park and will begin at 12:30 p.m. "We're very honored to be a part of the planned activities," said Director Kevin Lines, "and we've planned a concert of patriotic music befitting of the occasion."...

'The Wall' ready to visit in Slater (08/24/06)
Volunteers and organizers worked all morning on Wednesday Aug. 23, to set up "The Wall That Heals" Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Replica at the football field in Slater City Park. "Everything went well. You've got good crews here," said Barbara Smith, the site manager for the exhibit...

Slater school board receives principal reports (08/23/06)
The Slater school district board met on Tuesday, Aug. 22, and received reports from elementary and high school principals. "We had a very successful first day of school," elementary principal Jean Dowell reported. She added that, "It wasn't too hot. It was comfortable most of the day."...

Schroeder's steer sells for premium of $4,300 at sale (08/23/06)
A large audience of buyers and parents watched 15 steers sell Tuesday evening, Aug. 22, at the Saline County Steer Sale, with the grand champion steer of Justin Schroeder selling for a premium of $4,300, to a large group of buyers. Schroeder, along with Mindy Montgomery and Tyler Clemens gave speeches thanking family and friends for their support through their many years of showing. ...

Slater ready for 'Wall That Heals' (08/22/06)
Preparations are complete for "The Wall That Heals" exhibit which will visit Slater on Thursday, Aug. 24, to Sunday, Aug. 27. "The Wall That Heals" is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. The replica stretches to nearly 250 feet in length and will be accompanied by an information center and a traveling museum displaying memorabilia left at the wall in Washington, D.C...

Grand champion (08/22/06)
Chris Peuster, 21, of Slater, won the Grand Champion Steer in the FFA Charolais Steer competition at the Missourii State Fair in Sedalia. Peuster is the son of Susan and Tom Peuster

Newscope/Monday, Aug. 21 (08/21/06)
Slater benefit dinner scheduled Saturday, Sept. 9 A whole hog dinner and dance Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Slater American Legion Hall will help raise money for Bob Thurman, who is suffering from cancer, according to a news release. The event will begin at 4 p.m. with new and donated items auctioned at 7 p.m. There will be a raffle for a hand made quilt, a .22-.410 combo Rossi gun and a 13-inch color television and DVD player...

Five area 21 year olds will end careers at Saline County Steer Sale (08/21/06)
By Marcia Gorrell Staff writer The Saline County Steer Sale to be held Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m., will mark the end of long careers in cattle showing for five area 21-year-olds. Tyler Clemens, Justin Durham, Mindy Montgomery and Justin Schroeder will be selling calves for the last time Tuesday night at the Saline County Fairground, while Chris Peuster, who had the reserve champion steer at the Saline County Fair, is not eligible to sell his steer, because he sold his champion lamb during the fair in July.. ...

Summer is giving way to school days Monday/Marshall classes to start later (08/17/06)
Schools around the area are in the process of launching the 2006-07 year, and for Marshall public schools, that means a renewed focus on developing a professional learning communities approach. One of the key changes this year is a scheduling adjustment that will regularly give teachers time to converse and collaborate, according to Superintendent Rob Gordon...

Slater council sets levy rate (08/16/06)
The Slater City Council met on Tuesday Aug. 16, and set the tax levy at $1.145 per every $100 assessed property value -- with 72 cents going to the general revenue fund, 22 cents to the park fund and 22.5 cents to the library. The council voted unanimously to set the levy...

Newscope/Tuesday, Aug. 15 (08/15/06)
Guest speaker at Van Meter State Park Holly Jones, a research archaeologist at Missouri State University, will present "Delaware Town -- Archaeological Investigations in the James River Valley, Christian County, Mo." at Van Meter State Park on Saturday, Aug. 19...

Bueker Middle School 6th grade class to visit 'Wall That Heals' (08/14/06)
The entire sixth grade class at Bueker Middle School in Marshall will get the chance to visit "The Wall That Heals" monument as it visits Slater. "The Wall That Heals" is a half scale replica of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. The students will visit the wall in two groups, the first group of 100 visiting on Thursday, Aug. 24, and the second group of 100 students visiting on Friday, Aug. 25...

State fair winner (08/14/06)
Chris Peuster of Slater won the Grand Champion in the event of FFA Crossbreed Market Lamb at the 2006 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia on Aug. 10th. He is 21 years old and is the son of Susan and Tom Peuster.

Municipal Band to hold concerts in Marshall, at Missouri State Fair (08/09/06)
The 85th season of the Marshall Municipal Band will draw to a close this Thursday, Aug. 10, with a trio of performances. Besides the home concert that will be at 7:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn, the band will play two additional performances at the opening of the Missouri State Fair...

Plattner re-elected presiding commissioner/Quarter of a century since presiding officer a winner (08/09/06)
Frank McGraw was the last Saline County presiding commissioner to be re-elected, according to county officials. That was more than a quarter of a century ago. According to preliminary results of the Democratic primary election Tuesday, Aug. 8., it looks like Becky Plattner has picked up where McGraw left off...

Newscope/Monday, Aug. 7 (08/07/06)
Marshall schools registration Aug. 9 and 10 The Marshall Public School District will hold registration at all schools Wednesday, Aug. 9, and Thursday, Aug. 10. Registration times on Wednesday will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m...

Tuesday is election day in Saline County (08/07/06)
Saline County voters go to the polls for the August primaries on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Contested local races include the seat of Saline County Presiding Commissioner. Three Democrats are running for the seat. Incumbent Becky Plattner is running against Ron Monnig and Chris Post. They are unopposed on the Republican side...

Skelton celebrates test plots at Alma (08/04/06)
Long-overdue rains fell in Alma the night before U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton spoke at the Santa Fe Agrileaders annual demonstration seed plot tour Thursday, Aug. 4, and folks were glad to give him a little good natured credit for it. "I'll be glad to bring rain whenever I can," Skelton said with a smile as he concluded his remarks...

Schedule of 'Wall That Heals' appearance in Slater is released (08/03/06)
A replica of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display in Slater at the athletic fields of Slater City Park from Aug. 24 to 27. "The Wall That Heals" is a half-scale replica of the wall in Washington, D.C. The replica stretches to nearly 250 feet in length, and will be accompanied by an information center and a traveling museum displaying memorabilia left at the wall in Washington D.C...

Newscope/Tuesday, Aug. 1 (08/01/06)
Native American games program at Van Meter On Saturday morning, Aug. 5, Van Meter State Park staff will hold a program about Native American games. The interpreter will demonstrate a variety of games played by tribes throughout the country. Several of our modern-day games have originated from these early games, organizers said...

Election 2006/Candidates for 15th Circuit Judge offer their views (08/01/06)
Editor's note: This is the second article about contested races in the Tuesday, Aug. 8, primary election. Today we focus on the Democrat candidates for 15th Judicial Circuit Court judge serving Saline and Lafayette counties. Dennis Rolf Dennis Rolf grew up on his family's dairy farm near Alma and went on to attend the University of Missouri where he received a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. ...

Newscope/Monday, July 31 (07/31/06)
Workers' compensation update is scheduled There will be workers' compensation update, Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 710 E. Yerby, Marshall. Breakfast/registration will be 7:30 a.m. and the presentation is at 8 a.m. Guest speaker is Carl Mueller, administrative law judge for the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations...

MoDOT to begin structural repairs on Miami River bridge (07/28/06)
The Missouri Department of Transportation's maintenance bridge crew will begin structural repairs on the Miami River bridge on Route 41 in Saline and Carroll counties next week. Work will begin on Monday, July 31, and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 31, weather permitting...

Newscope/Friday, July 28 (07/28/06)
Saline County Sherriff's Department deputies were called to Bryan's Propane on U.S. 65, south of Marshall, on Friday, July 28, just after midnight, on reports of loud "popping" noises, police reports said. Officers smelled anhydrous ammonia and followed the noises to a large anhydrous tank with the motor running. Officers serached the area for people leaving the scene, but they did not find anyone...

Girl sells cupcakes, jewelry to donate to cancer center drive (07/25/06)
Regulars who showed up for their usual hair appointment at Renee's Beauty Shop, 404 E. Gordon in Marshall, got their hair done, the usual friendly conversation with owner, Jeanne Holland, and a little extra last week -- Holland's granddaughter, 9-year-old Drew Hemeyer, was there selling fresh-baked cupcakes and jewelry that she had made herself, for only 50 cents a piece...

Schroeder, Peuster have their final showing at Saline County Fair (07/24/06)
By Marcia Gorrell Staff Writer Justin Schroeder and Chris Peuster have been showing cattle for many years, but their last Saline County Fair Cattle show ended in fine fashion with Schroeder showing the grand champion steer, while Peuster showed the reserve grand champion steer...

Gass named champion rider of 4-H and FFA Horse Show at fair (07/24/06)
Abigail Gass was just barely old enough to compete in the 4-H and FFA Horse Show at the Saline County Fair Wednesday, July 12, and as she began leading her horse across the upper arena at the Saline County Fairgrounds her mother, Anna Gass, was urging her on from behind the gate...

Goat show winners from county fair listed (07/21/06)
The Saline County Fair Goat Show had many entries and very warm weather Thursday, July 13. In the dairy goat division, Derek Eddy showed the grand and reserve senior does. He also had the grand junior doe, while Audra Taylor had the reserve junior doe...

Slater school board sets Aug. 22 meeting to discuss 54-cent levy (07/20/06)
The Slater school board met Tuesday evening, July 18, and the main discussion revolved around a tax levy. For its next meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 22, the school board will hold a levy hearing as the first item on the agenda. The 54-cent levy would finance improvement projects at the elementary and high schools. The proposed levy rate is 54 cents per $100 property valuation...

City finances main topic at Slater City Council (07/20/06)
Finances were the main discussion when the Slater City Council met on Tuesday, July 18. City Administrator Gene Griffith discussed the city's finances. He said that the general fund and sales tax receipts were down from last year, adding he was "confident that we will come out of it."...

Black Cochin Hen garners grand champion at Saline County Fair (07/20/06)
The Saline County Fair poultry show grand champion was Alex Brownfield with his Black Cochin Hen, bantam, and the reserve grand champion was Blayne Vogel with his mallard hen, according to poultry Superintendent Gerry Snapp. Other results from the Thursday, July 13, show include:...

Road tax would allow graveling every 2 years, not 4 (07/20/06)
The Saline County Common Road District commissioners want support of a new road tax to pay for gravel. The proposed tax is on the Aug. 8 ballot. A letter, signed by common district road commissioners Joe Clements Sr., Gary Page, Bill Treece and Bert Shannon, was put together during a meeting with the Saline County Commission, Tuesday, July 18. ...

Exhibitors listed for state fair (07/19/06)
The following blue ribbon exhibitors at the Saline County Fair earned the privilege of showing their projects at the Missouri State Fair in August: Daniel Andrews: wooden shell holder. Allyson Bargfrede: welcome home basket. Lyle Bargfrede: adjustable rod holder, beetle spins and extension cord instruction book...

2006 Saline County Fair judged a success; Slater student lauded (07/17/06)
Editor's note: Additional news, photos and results from the Saline County Fair will run in future issues of The Marshall Democrat-News. The Saline County Fair came to a close Sunday, July 16, with the traditional ham breakfast, and Sam Igo, president of the fair association, said overall the 2006 fair was a great event...

Sheep show winners decided (07/14/06)
Hot weather and small numbers didn't mar the show for the participants in the Saline County Fair Sheep Show held Thursday morning, July 13, at the Saline County Fairgrounds. Chris Peuster of Slater took the grand champion market lamb crown, while Jade Jenkins of Marshall showed the reserve grand champion market lamb...

Napton man, mother face hearings on cattle bait-and-switch scheme (07/13/06)
Lance E. Neff, 34, of Napton and his mother, Peggy Morrow, 56, of Rocheport, appeared before Judge Kenton Askren of Cooper County on Tuesday, July 11, for arraignment on charges of criminal consumer fruad. Neff and Morrow, along with three others, are charged with defrauding customers in a cattle bait-and-switch scheme...

Local FFA students shine at district fair (07/11/06)
FFA students from up to 52 schools converged on the Saline County Fairgrounds Monday, July 10, to take part in the Central District FFA Fair. Light rain and cool weather greeted the students who came to show horses, rabbits, poultry, quail, hogs and sheep. Other students brought corn, soybeans, potted plants, vegetables and woodworking projects to be judged in the Vanderlinden building. Over 100 welding projects, big and small, were also on display and judged at the fairgrounds...

Napton man captures demolition derby (07/10/06)
By Blake Arth and Lucas Scott Staff writers A Napton man came out of the consolation heat to capture the feature Saturday, July 8, in the demolition derby at the Saline County Fair. "It was hard fought all the way to the end," said Lee Vogl. Vogl drove the No. 8 car. He was one of three winners in the consolation heat then a winner in the fifth and final heat...

Woman injured in wreck (07/10/06)
Three accidents were reported in Saline County over the weekend. According to Missouri Highway Patrol reports, Lillian B. Kettler, 92, of Slater, was eastbound on Route P Sunday, July 9, when she failed to stop for a stop sign. Her 2004 Chevrolet slid across Route D and struck an embankment. Kettler was taken to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall with serious injuries...

Purr-fect start to Saline County Fair (07/10/06)
The Saline County Fair commenced over the weekend under mostly fair skies and mild temperatures, getting off to a fine start, according to Sam Igo, president of the Saline County Fair Association. "On the whole it's off to a good start. The weather was perfect," Igo said. "It's been unseasonably reasonable."...

Native American pottery program at Van Meter (07/05/06)
On Saturday morning, July 8, Van Meter State Park staff will present a program about Native American pottery making. The staff will briefly discuss techniques used and the history of clay pots. An activity will follow and participants are urged to wear old clothes...

Three taken into custody in drug investigation (07/05/06)
Three people were taken into custody late Tuesday, July 4, after Saline County Sheriff's deputies and Missouri Highway Patrol troopers served a search warrant at a rural Slater residence. Richard Mitts, of rural Slater, Richard Perkins, and Amanda Lawson were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a probable cause statement released by the Saline County Sheriff's office...

Miami Pre-Fourth of July celebration includes 'Junior Redneck Olympics,' fireworks and fun (07/03/06)
Miami may be small, but the community certainly knows how to celebrate Independence Day. The Pre-Fourth of July celebration Saturday, July 1, began at 3 p.m., when registration for the baby contest began, and lasted past 10:30 p.m., when the fireworks display ended...

Drive to put sales tax on for countywide 911 is continuing (06/29/06)
The drive to put a sales tax for a countywide 911 service is starting to heat up just like the season. At the most recent meeting of Saline County Citizens for 911 Central Dispatch, held Thursday, June 16, the group made plans for presentations at local government meetings in Sweet Springs and Slater along with appearances at summertime events across the county...

Conservation Reserve Program lauded during tour of farms (06/29/06)
Saline County was the showcase for Missouri agriculture Wednesday, June 28, as about 60 national, state and local farm leaders, politicians and statewide media representatives took part in the Conservation Reserve Program tour celebrating 20 years of CRP in the United States...

Where to see the sparklers (06/28/06)
Where to see the sparklers Arrow Rock There will be an impromptu parade at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. The parade goes from the schoolhouse down Main Street. Anyone can march, ride or join the kazoo band. The Lyceum Theatre will perform the musical "1776" at 2 p.m. For ticket information visit www.lyceumtheatre.org or call (660) 837-3311...

Slater school board approves FFA members' trip (06/26/06)
During a brief special session over the noon hour Friday, June 2, the Slater Board of Education approved plans for an annual trip by FFA members and approved offering a combination high school/junior high social studies teaching position. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said the board approved a float trip on the Niangua River for later this summer by Slater FFA members. He said the float trip is an annual activity of the local chapter...

Slater teen injured in crash (06/20/06)
A Slater teen was injured in a single-vehicle crash Monday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Amelia G. Fizer, 16, lost control of her 1977 Ford eastbound on Highway 240 near its intersection with Route D, running off the right side of the roadway and striking a ditch...

MDA fundraiser set for Slater (06/20/06)
There will be a Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, June 23, in the State Bank of Slater parking lot. "Bankfurters (hot dogs)" will be $1, Polish sausauge $1.50, chips 50 cents and pop 75 cents. All donations go to neuromuscular disease research...

Junior queen selected as senior queen at barbecue (06/05/06)
Kali Hedrick was busy at the Saline County Bar-B-Q Saturday evening, June 3. After delivering her final speech as 2005 junior Saline County queen and crowning her successor, Jennifer Vogelsmeier of Sweet Springs, she received her crown as 2006 senior Saline County queen from 2005 queen Amanda Bock...

11 to try for junior queen crown (06/02/06)
Editor's note: This is the final of two articles about the Saline County Queen contest. The first part, featuring candidates for the senior queen title, appeared Thursday, June 1. Today's article discusses the junior queen candidates. The Saline County Queen contest will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Saline County BBQ. Following are brief biographies of the 11 contestants in the junior queen category...

Spectrum/It's time for the annual Saline County Bar-B-Que (06/02/06)
The 49th Annual Saline County Bar-B-Que scheduled for Saturday, June 3, in Marshall has got my mouth watering already. By the way, the annual Bar-B-Que begins with lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the talent contest is at 4 p.m. and the queens contest is at 8 p.m. Dinner is from 4:30 to 8 p.m...

Memorial Day 2006/Veterans gather at Marshall square to remember their comrades in arms (05/30/06)
With flags dancing in a warm morning breeze, Marshall veterans and residents gathered on the square Monday, May 29, to honor those who have given their lives in service to the country. State Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton), who delivered the keynote address, took time to acknowledge the service of those who stay behind as well...

Slater couple keeps war memories alive (05/26/06)
Memorial Day is a time for remembering, and one Slater couple does an especially good job of keeping alive the memories of their experiences during World War II. Bo and Jean Murray are celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary this week, remembering a life together that they very nearly didn't have...

Blues invade Slater City Park for June 24 Bear Creek Blues Festival (05/23/06)
Slater is usually known for its "Purple Pride," as in the predominant color in the local high school athletic teams and school organizations, but it will again assume a definite "blues" tint in late June with the third annual Bear Creek Blues Festival set for Saturday, June 24, in the Slater City Park...

Aug. 29 deadline for Slater schools levy extension (05/19/06)
With the 2005-06 school year coming to a close this week, the Wednesday, May 17, meeting of the Slater Board of Education focused primarily on upcoming issues including asking voters to extend a debt service levy. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said he told the board that Aug. 29 is the deadline for putting a question on the Nov. 7 ballot asking patrons to extend a debt service levy of 54 cents per $100 assessed valuation...

Slater man suspected of drug, traffic violations, sheriff says (05/18/06)
A Slater man was arrested by deputies with the Saline County Sheriff's Department very early Thursday morning, May 18, on suspicion of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia along with other alleged violations including failure to register a motor vehicle, failure to maintain insurance on a motor vehicle and defective equipment...

Slater hears about continuing plans to host 'The Wall That Heals' (05/17/06)
During Tuesday evening's, May 16, regular meeting, the Slater City Council heard about continuing plans for hosting The Wall That Heals, a scale model of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., this summer and also got into verbal argument with a resident who objected to a notice that his property was deemed in violation of the city's nuisance ordinance...

Slater receives nearly $500,000 in grants (05/17/06)
Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri noted at the Tuesday, May 16, meeting of the Slater City Council that the city has already received nearly a half-million dollars in grants, including a very large $400,000 Community Development Block Grant announced at the meeting...

Slater notes scholarships at graduation (05/16/06)
At Slater High School ceremonies held Saturday evening, May 13, counselor Tom Doherty announced the scholarships and honors earned by several of the seniors. Those honored and their achievements were: -- Cassidi Allen: George M. Kendrick Scholarship and President's Award for Academic Achievement;...

55 Slater grads brave cool, windy weather (05/15/06)
Cool, windy weather didn't dampen the spirits of the 55 graduates of Slater High School who received their diplomas Saturday night, May 13, at the Slater athletic field. The group of students marched onto the field to "Pomp and Circumstance" played by a combined concert band directed by Mike Williams. A group of students from the senior choir then sang "Don't Forget to Remember Me," a song by country singer Carrie Underwood...

Graduations to begin Saturday (05/04/06)
Graduation ceremonies for area colleges and high schools include the following commencement ceremonies: -- Marshall High School: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at the Marshall High School sports complex; -- Malta Bend High School: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 14, in the Malta Bend High School gym;...

Public works facility planned in Slater; two buildings purchased (05/03/06)
Slater has a new public works facility in the making. Mayor Stephen K. Allegri told the City Council at its Tuesday, May 2, meeting the city has purchased the Giger building on Maple Street for $50,000. The building will serve as a public works department building, the mayor said...

Farmers Grain Terminal appealing assessment, superintendent says (04/27/06)
During its brief regular monthly meeting Tuesday, April 18, the Slater Board of Education heard reports from school administrators and moved its May meeting to Wednesday, May 17. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said Farmers Grain Terminal is again appealing a judgment regarding its property tax assessment and bill. The corporation has already lost two challenges to the assessment and is now in its second round of appeals at the state level, he said...

Marshall, Slater drug charges are pursued (04/24/06)
Two search warrants were served over the weekend by law enforcement agencies, resulting in three arrests. The first search took place a little after 11 p.m. Saturday, April 22, when officers with the Saline County Sheriff's Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol served a warrant at 556 W. North St. in Marshall...

Slater council has organization session; changes health insurance provider (04/21/06)
Large hail took a toll on vehicles around Slater Tuesday evening, April 18, and cut short the Slater City Council's regular meeting. But before adjourning, the council did swear in members re-elected on April 4, all without opposition. Among those taking the oath of office were Mayor Stephen Allegri and council members Cathie Jeffries, Ruby Romine, Harry Lightfoot and Charlie Guthrie. Councilman Rex Cantlin was not present...

Slater man injured in crash (01/26/06)
A collision in rural Saline County resulted in minor injuries for a Slater man Wednesday evening. According to a preliminary report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred north of Marshall at the intersection of County Road 103 and County Road 128...

Fire destroys home; one hurt (01/23/06)
A fire early Sunday consumed a home in rural Gilliam, authorities reported Monday. John Brownfield, chief of the Slater Fire Department, said the fire at the residence of Neale Harris was reported at 1:26 a.m. and the first units were on the scene at 1:30 a.m. Joined by mutual aid units from Marshall and Arrow Rock, firefighters managed the fire until 8 a.m...

Filings will continue in Slater council race (01/23/06)
With the unexpected death of Slater City Councilman J.E. Durham Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, it appeared the April 4 ballot for municipal officials might have two races without candidates. Filing was to have closed at 5 p.m. last Tuesday, and Durham was the only candidate in Ward 2 to sign up before the deadline...

3 to run for 2 Slater school board seats (01/20/06)
Three candidates will be vying for two seats on the Slater Board of Education in April. Incumbent Rick Hays filed before Tuesday's deadline, along with challengers Richard Johnson and Rebecca Uhlich. Incumbent Nancy Haynes did not file to seek re-election...

Slater looks at extending school bond (01/20/06)
The Slater Board of Education is looking to learn about what district patrons want for the future concerning local school facilities. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said that toward the end of Tuesday's regular school board meeting the board established a committee that will be charged with seeking public input on long-range plans for the Slater school buildings and grounds...

4 of 6 Slater elections uncontested (01/18/06)
Four out of six Slater municipal election races in April will be uncontested, with the other two being wide open. For one City Council seat, in Ward 4, incumbent Cathie Jeffries did not file for re-election. And in Ward 2 incumbent J.E. Durham had filed for re-election on Dec. 20 but died shortly before Tuesday evening's regular council meeting...

Slater councilman found dead (01/18/06)
Coroner says J.E. Durham stricken by heart attack

Slater Chamber of Commerce to meet Tuesday� (01/06/06)
The Slater Chamber of Commerce will be holding its monthly dinner meeting at noon on Jan. 10 at the Slater Youth Center. John Beakley will present the program. Beakley is the small business advocate from Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's office in Jefferson City. He will be discussing some of the programs and services that are available for small businesses in Missouri and the importance and impact small business makes throughout the state...

Funds being raised in Slater for 'The Wall That Heals' display (01/04/06)
Bumper stickers, yard signs and magnetic decals supporting American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are common across Saline County today, not withstanding some people's reservations over the politics behind the "war on terrorism." But three decades ago such public support for soldiers was not common and many veterans of Vietnam still have ill feelings about the treatment they received after coming home...

Habitat expects to fill Slater home (01/03/06)
Habitat for Humanity of Saline County is planning two home dedications this month and preparing to receive applications for a four-bedroom, two-bath home already built in Slater. Rev. Pam Sebastian, president of the local Habitat board, said she expects the Slater home to be filled soon. The family which was in the home -- one of nine Habitat for Humanity houses in the county and the only one outside Marshall -- is moving, she said...

Slater budget includes no increases for residents (12/30/05)
Slater's city budget for 2006, approved without dissent by the Slater City Council in a special meeting Tuesday evening, is similar to the budgets of the last few years according to Gene Griffith, assistant city administrator and budget officer. In his budget summary, Griffith pointed out that there are no increased proposed for residents in terms of water, sewer or electric rates. ...

Slater postmaster to step down (12/28/05)
Jerry Kindred, a fixture at the post office in Slater for more than a decade, will be hanging up his United States Postal Service uniform at the end of this year. Kindred has served the Saline County town as postmaster for the last 13 years, a little less than half his time in the USPS...

Slater schools' 'report card' available on-line at state department Web site (12/21/05)
The Slater Board of Education moved quickly through its agenda Tuesday evening for its last meeting of 2005, with many of the items consisting of either updates or routine monthly paperwork. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt reminded the board members and district patrons that the district's annual "report card" is now available on-line at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Web site and copies are also available through the local school offices...

Slater schools' report card on Tuesday agenda (12/19/05)
The Slater Board of Education will meet in regular session Tuesday evening, Dec. 20, with several items listed as new business on the agenda. A few of those discussion topics -- the district's annual "report card" issued through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, medical insurance and building improvements -- will be centered around updates from Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt...

Slater expects election races in 2006 (12/08/05)
Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting focused on the political landscape of the city, which will feature at least one new council member next year and possibly a new mayor. There are five council seats that will be up for election in April 2006. Candidates can filebeginning Dec. 13...

Slater City Council approves budget revision (11/16/05)
During Tuesday's regular meeting, the Slater City Council approved a budget revision for 2005 and touched on an expense local residents might see not far in the future. The board unanimously approved the budget revision for the current fiscal year, with Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith outlining some of the more notable changes including an increase in expenditures from the capital improvement fund to deal with the recent collapse of the "Hamid Building" on Main Street, which affected an adjacent business and the city's library.. ...

Slater council hears about possible 2006 events (11/16/05)
Slater is anticipating a couple of cameo appearances during 2006, the Slater City Council was told during its regular meeting Tuesday evening. First, Mayor Stephen Allegri noted during his report that Kansas City Southern Railroad responded that this year's Santa Train schedule -- which has included Slater for the past several years -- has been set, without a stop in Slater, and cannot be altered at this date. ...

Pair of Veterans Day events also scheduled in Slater (11/09/05)
As with Marshall, Slater will see multiple Veterans Day observances this Friday. The first ceremony, sponsored by Slater American Legion Posts 78 and 178 and VFW Post 4367, begins at 10 a.m. in the Slater High School gym. Larry Avery will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Saline County Northern District Commissioner Norvelle Brown will give an opening prayer. Guest speakers include Slater Mayor Stephen Allegri and State Rep. Joe Aull...

Slater school board hears about deficit spending (10/24/05)
Last week's regular Slater Board of Education meeting might have had a color theme, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt reviewed plans for Red Ribbon Week activities and an amended budget for the 2005-06 school year that contains about $360,000 in deficit or "in the red" spending...

Slater just misses out on CDBG funds for storm sewer work (10/20/05)
The Slater City Council came up just short in its application for Community Development Block Grant funding for a storm sewer project, Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith told the council during its regular meeting Tuesday. Griffith said the city's application ranked tenth out of more than 30 received by the state for the 2005 round of funding, but just nine projects received money this year. ...

Slater meeting dominated by news of building collapse (10/06/05)
Tuesday evening's regular Slater City Council meeting led off with news of the further collapse of a building that had recently been deemed hazardous by inspectors. According to Mayor Stephen Allegri, the building, known as the "Hamid Building," located just a stone's throw from the council's meeting place, suffered additional structural collapse on Sunday...

2005 edition of Slater Fall Festival kicks off Thursday (09/21/05)
This weekend, the Slater Fall Festival will once again delight area residents. Gene Griffifth, assistant city administrator, said the event has been an exciting autumn event for over a century and shows no apparent signs of slowing down. "This has been going on for over 100 years now," Griffifth said. "It's changed names several times throughout the years, but it's still the Slater Fall Festival."...

Slater councilman steps down because of health (09/21/05)
Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting produced the second resignation in the last four months because of poor health by a high-ranking city official. Two weeks ago, Mayor Andre� Petersen ceded her position to Councilman Stephen Allegri, citing health concerns. Tuesday, longtime Councilman J.H. Audsley resigned because of health reasons. His seat on the council will be taken by Rex Cantlin, whose appointment was approved at the meeting...

New music instructor for Slater schools traces teaching dream back to early years (09/20/05)
From an early age, Michael Williams, former music teacher for the Malta Bend schools now serving the Slater School District on the other side of Saline County, knew that his life would be centered around music. "When I was in eighth grade, I knew I was going to teach music," Williams said. "Going to college was like going to 13th grade ... it was nothing. It was just a continuation of high school. I never had to choose my profession. It was 10 or 12 years before I realized how lucky I was."...

Slater council hears about Broadway work (09/08/05)
Although many of the matters announced at Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting were overshadowed by the announcement that Mayor Andree Petersen had resigned because of health reasons, there were also several newsworthy items of importance on the agenda...

Allegri takes over as Slater mayor (09/07/05)
Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting was dominated by the announcement that longtime councilman and mayor pro tem Stephen Allegri will replace retiring Mayor Andree Petersen in the position that Petersen held for nearly 14 years. Allegri read a letter written by Petersen, who stepped down due to health reasons, in addition to his own introductory speech to council members and the general public...

Slater schools see improved test scores in many areas (08/26/05)
With standardized test results in from last school year, Slater Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said he was pleased with progress in the district. The results of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and ACT college preparatory exam show improvement in the district, though district scores still remain consistently below state averages in most areas...

Slater school board sets levy, ponders bond extension (08/24/05)
Demonstrating the need for continued work on the district's buildings, Slater Superintendent of Schools Paul Vaillancourt brought a piece of one with him to the Board of Education meeting Tuesday. The piece of gray stone was about one foot by two feet and over an inch thick. "The thought of this coming down on someone, that would cause some problems," he said...

Slater council expresses concern about building (08/17/05)
Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting once again was without several officials, most notably Mayor Andre� Petersen, who is currently recuperating from an illness in Fitzgibbon Hospital. Led by Councilman Stephen Allegri, serving as mayor pro tem, the council covered several minor items and one major issue on the agenda...

Slater council hears audit report, OKs Main Street landscaping (08/04/05)
The big news at Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting was the absence of Mayor Andree Petersen and Councilman Ron Monning, who suffered a heart attack and was recuperating at home. Petersen's absence was due to a prior engagement. The meeting, led by Councilman Stephen Allegri, was split into two portions. The first segment centered around the annual city audit while the latter part focused on the purchase of several botanical items to be placed along Main Street...

Second drug raid conducted over weekend in Slater (07/26/05)
Members of the Saline County Sheriff's Department were in Slater again this week, serving another search and arresting three men on drug charges. After conducting a raid in Slater Saturday, officers returned Sunday, serving a warrant at a house in the 100 block of North Porter Street around 10:30 p.m...

Slater council hears budget, water tower in good shape overall (07/21/05)
Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting may have been brief, but the members who comprise the council covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. The city's financial report showed portions of the budget to be slightly in the red, such as the city park. But, according to Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffifth, the figures are right about where they normally are at this time of year...

Slater school board takes up '05-'06 budget (06/30/05)
Although the school year recently came to an end, Slater school officials and school board members are already getting prepared for the 2005-06 school year. Wednesday evening, the Slater Board of Education met and discussed several items on its agenda pertaining to the upcoming school year...

Slater City Council invites residents to use lot for farmer's market (06/23/05)
Discount retail chain Pamida may have left the city of Slater because of monetary goals that were not achieved, but at least the ground on which the property once stood will be put to use for economic activity. At Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting, council members announced that any area resident who wishes to sell home-grown produce can use the former Pamida parking lot along Main Street as a farmer's market at any time of the day or night, free of charge...

Slater council updated on city events (06/08/05)
When it met Tuesday evening, the Slater City Council's tackled an agenda filled with reports about a number of upcoming community activities. The council announced that there will be a city-initiated garage sale this coming Saturday, June 11 at 7 a.m. Residents interested in signing up for the event were encouraged to do so no later than June 9 at the Slater Bank...

Slater Senior Center gets go-ahead for coordinator, filling cook post on hold (05/26/05)
The Slater Senior Center may be getting the coordinator it has patiently waited for, but the seniors who attend the facility on a regular basis will continue to have meals shipped in from Marshall and the position of a cook at the Slater center will remain vacant...

Summer school popular in Slater (05/25/05)
School's out in Slater. For a few days at least. "The school year ended, I thought, on a very positive note," Alexander Elementary Principal Jean Dowell told the Slater Board of Education at its regular meeting Tuesday. "I was kind of sorry to see some of them go."...

Slater plans Blue Star Salute for Saturday (05/18/05)
On Saturday, May 21, the Slater American Legion Post No. 78 will conduct a Blue Star Salute in recognition of Armed Forces Day. The American Legion wants to honor members of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard and Reserves along with their families...

Slater High School bids farewell to 38 graduates (05/17/05)
Although the Slater High School gymnasium felt like an evening in an oversized sauna to many during Saturday evening's 2005 commencement ceremony, that didn't deter hundreds of family members and friends from showing up to celebrate the graduation of the senior class...

Slater City Council changes meeting date (05/04/05)
Among the few action items at Tuesday's Slater City Council meeting was changing the date for its other meeting this month. The council announced that its next scheduled meeting has been changed to Tuesday, May 24, to accommodate several council members who want to attend the Missouri Municipal League meeting in Concordia that conflicts with the regular meeting date, May 17...

Slater to stage benefit concert (04/29/05)
A benefit concert featuring Phillip Officer, formerly of Slater and recipient of the 2004 New York Nightlife award for outstanding vocalist, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15, in the auditorium of Slater's Alexander Elementary School. Proceeds will go to the school's music program and Bear Creek Blues Festival...

Slater Senior Center reportedly 'thriving' (04/26/05)
A month after staffing problems temporarily closed the doors of the Slater Senior Center, officials said the operation "is open and thriving." "While we've had turnover in our staff, we actually have never ceased to deliver services in Slater," said Jody Manuel, senior services director for Saline County, in a press release...

Slater to honor military veterans May 21 (04/21/05)
The foremost item on Tuesday's agenda of the Slater City Council was the signing of a proclamation by Mayor Andre� Petersen acknowledging members of the United States armed forces. The proclamation, read by Councilman Terry Jordan, proclaimed that the citizens and city government of Slater would recognize Saturday, May 21, as "Slater Blue Star Salute Day." There will be a festival held in honor of the current and former armed services members at Veterans Memorial Park on Slater's Main Street at 2 p.m.. ...

Slater schools busy with activities as academic year winds down (04/21/05)
Standardized tests are in full swing, prom is set for Saturday, contests abound and field trips keep the busses moving. So said Slater principals Paul Crews and Jean Dowell to the Slater Board of Education Tuesday. With the official last day of school set for May 19, the school year is winding down...

Slater takes bids for demolition of city-owned properties (04/11/05)
During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Slater City Council announced that it has begun taking bids from companies for the demolition of five city-owned buildings that council members and other city officials have determined to either be eye-sores or in hazardous condition...

Slater school board accepts resignations, increases teacher base pay (04/11/05)
While certifying election results that kept some familiar faces on the Slater Board of Education, that same group accepted the resignation of a few faculty members, including an employee of over 30 years. In a special meeting at noon Friday, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said the board accepted the resignation of pep club sponsors Cindy Beltz and Pat Peterson, social studies and physical education teacher Nicole Victor and high school secretary Edna Gochenour. ...

Four in running for three seats on Slater school board (03/30/05)
Next week's election will decide if the current set of Slater Board of Education members will continue in their respective positions or whether a new representative will sit on the board during a time of fiscal challenges for the district. Four candidates, including three incumbents, are running for three seats on the board...

Slater school board makes budget cuts (03/29/05)
The Slater Board of Education took a major step toward balancing a declining budget last week, cutting nearly $100,000, with both teaching staff and athletics taking hits. The majority of the budget reduction comes from trimming the district's teaching staff. Two elementary teachers will be released, one fifth grade and one third grade teacher, as well as a special programs aide...

Slater students can still get some reimbursement for dual-credit courses (03/25/05)
After contemplating cutting a program that reimburses fees paid by students taking dual-credit courses, the Slater Board of Education reconsidered Tuesday under the advice of Paul Crews, principal for the junior high and high school. The program as it currently stands rewards students in ITV college credit classes, where teachers are transmitted through the magic of television into the classroom. ...

Woman awarded $300,000+ in sexual harassment suit (03/24/05)
Nearly two years after being fired, a Slater woman has been awarded more than $300,000 by a federal judge. In her complaint filed in the U.S. District Court Western Division of Missouri, Carol Jeanine Dowell alleged that her termination from MorPower LLC was made in retaliation to her complaints of sexual harassment. The suit names MorPower, its related companies (Powerrite LLC, American Sport and Tool LLC and Bradson Industries) and MorPower employee James Nelson as defendants...

Slater Senior Center closed temporarily (03/24/05)
In September 2004, Teresa Durham, former coordinator of the Slater Senior Center, addressed rumors of the center's possible closure before the City Council. At the time, Durham had said "There are no plans to close the center, but without community support ... we don't know how much longer it will be open."...

Slater man wins $5,000 in Powerball (03/22/05)
A Slater man said he plans to pay taxes with the $5,000 he won Saturday, March 19, playing the Missouri Lottery's Powerball game. William Erickson, 65, said winning the prize came at a good time of year for him and his wife, Carolyn, with taxes due in a few weeks...

Pamida set to possibly leave Slater (03/17/05)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday night and discussed a variety of subjects, but its stated top priority at this point is trying to keep one of the city's retail businesses from bolting the small town. The Slater Development Corporation and the City of Slater were notified last week that Pamida Corporation intends to terminate the lease agreement with the city effective on Aug. 31...

Newton Learning to run Slater summer school (02/25/05)
After approving plans to allow Newton Learning to run the district's summer school program in a special meeting on Feb. 4, the Slater School Board approved summer school dates at its regular meeting Tuesday. The board approved the summer session dates -- from May 26 until June 29 -- without dissent at the meeting...

Bids for roof work on Slater schools come in higher than expected (02/24/05)
When bids came in to the Slater Board of Education on roof work the local school buildings badly need, they were a bit higher than the estimated $150,000 price tag. Presented to board members at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, the apparent low bid came from Watkins Roofing Inc., a Columbia business. ...

Slater council hears about health insurance carriers (02/17/05)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday night and discussed several topics on its agenda, but the primary issue was the city's group health insurance. The city's policy through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is expiring soon, and due to the rising cost of renewal rates, the council might instead opt to switch carriers to one of three other insurance companies...

Continued cleanup, new occupants, streets top Slater's 2005 to-do list (02/03/05)
With the year entering its second month, the Slater City Council discussed a list of goals for 2005 during its regular meeting Tuesday evening. Council members had submitted lists of objectives they would like to see the city tackle or accomplish during their second January meeting...

Slater school board looks over architects' plans for improvements to roofs (01/27/05)
The Slater Board of Education reviewed architects' drawings of planned work on the elementary and high school building roofs Tuesday. Architect Joe Venturoni of Sam A. Winn and Associates from Springfield reviewed drafted plans and fielded questions from the board at its regular meeting. Venturoni gave a very rough estimate of costs for the project at $165,000, including architects fees and all construction...

Slater considers Newton Learning summer school offer (01/27/05)
About a month after the Sweet Springs schools decided to contract out summer school to a private company, the Slater Board of Education is considering doing the same. Newton Learning, the company that will provide summer school curriculum, materials and structure for Sweet Springs this summer, hopes to do the same for Slater...

Parent voices concern to Slater school board about unsupervised after-school situation (01/26/05)
Administrators say steps already taken to correct problem

Slater City Council formulates goals, gives away lot (01/20/05)
The Slater City Council met Tuesday for the first time in 2005, discussing a variety of topics including the city's bills, the difference in cost of living between living in Marshall and Slater and also setting a list of goals for the city to aim for this year...

Slater City Council covers bills and budget (12/30/04)
Briefly recapping 2004, the Slater City Council approved a budget of $2.9 million for the 2005 fiscal year and finished paying 2004 bills at a special meeting held Tuesday evening. The budget for next year anticipates revenues will outweigh expenses, leaving a surplus of $37,255...

Slater seeking emergency generator (12/29/04)
About a month after ice caused power outages in Slater, the city is looking into purchasing a generator to run local utilities in an emergency situation. Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith reported to the City Council Tuesday evening that he had located a 155-kilowatt generator which might meet the city's needs. ...

Slater school board tackles heating, insurance issues (12/22/04)
Plans to resolve some heating problems in the old high school building in Slater were put into place, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt told the Slater Board of Education during its monthly meeting Tuesday. The problems, which affect the portion of the school near the band room, stem from a boiler that hasn't been working properly. ...

Slater council gives green light to stop signs (12/09/04)
The city of Slater will have a few more traffic signs going up soon, with the approval of new stop signs at two intersections as well as two new yield signs. City Council members approved the measure, without dissent, at the regular meeting Tuesday evening...

Natural gas rates rise in Slater, electric rates stable for now (12/09/04)
Slater residents will notice a new rise in the price of natural gas this winter. In a letter to Slater Mayor Andree Petersen, Missouri Gas Energy announced gas rates in the city will increase by 16 percent, though in reality that rate increase is closer to 17 percent. Petersen made the announcement during Tuesday's regular Slater City Council meeting...

Slater council approves beautification, economic development initiatives (11/19/04)
A few more vacant buildings in Slater are being targeted to be reduced to rubble in an effort to tidy up the town. At the regular meeting of the Slater City Council Tuesday, city leaders decided to look into demolishing three houses in the city limits, located on Maple, Short and Leroy streets...

Slater getting in Christmas spirit (11/18/04)
The city of Slater is untangling the Christmas lights and preparing to get a move on the holiday celebrating, preparing for its second annual turkey and ham giveaway and the Christmas lighting ceremony. "Santa Clause is coming," Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith told the City Council Tuesday, confirming the portly philanthropist's RSVP for the Nov. 24 event. Clause will be meeting with the public at the Slater General Store that evening...

Slater council agrees to delay street work for season (11/04/04)
Some street repairs in Slater will need to be postponed until next summer, the Slater City Council heard at its regular meeting Tuesday night. "I think we're getting to the point with the weather conditions this year where we [will] have to double up next year," said Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith of the street work plan...

Slater schools look at needed repairs (10/22/04)
A small explosion in one of the furnaces in the Alexander Building was the most dramatic example of repairs needed to buildings in Slater schools. The burst was caused when a small amount of gas leaked from valves into the larger furnace. Then, when lighting the smaller furnace, flames jumped through a flue connecting the two, igniting the gas in the larger furnace. ...

Slater man escapes injury in four-car pileup on Interstate 70 (10/15/04)
A Slater man escaped injury in traffic crash that injured four people and totaled three vehicles Thursday. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash occurred at 11 a.m. on Interstate 70, just east of Route H in Lafayette County...

Slater City Council hears update about activities (10/07/04)
With an extremely light agenda, Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting was given largely to reports and discussions of current and upcoming activities. The lone item officially on the agenda, approval of a liquor license for Ruby Sue's to sell alcohol by the drink, was approved on a 6-0 vote with councilmen Terry Jordan and J.H. Audsley abstaining...

Slater Fall Festivities (09/27/04)
Saturday evening's parade helped cap the 2004 edition of the Slater Fall Festival. The annual parade featured horses, antique tractors and cars, floats including the one by the Orearville 4-H Club (above) and the Slater High School marching band (right)...

Slater schools superintendent warns of possible budget hit (09/27/04)
The Slater School District's budget could drop as much as $100,000 for the next academic year, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said. "We took a pretty big hit from the state," Vaillancourt said of the district's state aid. The potential revenue losses stem from a number of sources such as fewer students who qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program...

Slater working toward park restroom renovations (09/22/04)
Restroom facilities in the Slater City Park may be poised to get a estimated $34,600 face lift. The Slater City Council is seeking a grant to make improvements on the facilities near the children's playground portion of the park, improving the restrooms and making them more accessible to the handicapped...

Slater council hears concerns about senior center and cemetery (09/22/04)
Rumors have been making the rounds that the Slater Senior Center is on the brink of closure. After receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be on the Slater City Council, Theresa Durham, manager of the center, decided to raise the issue at Tuesday's council meeting...

Slater Fall Festival gears up (09/21/04)
Games, music and more will brighten the streets of Slater as the annual Slate Fall Festival gets under way later this week. Featuring three days of fun, the event rolls into town on Thursday, Sept. 23. As something new this year, the blues will be creeping in for an autumn evening as Kirksville band Biscuithead headlines in the new beer garden organized by the Slater Blues Committee. It will cost $5 to get in, and no minors or carry-in alcohol will be allowed...

Slater makes changes in cemetery prices, rules (09/09/04)
Something is rising in the Slater cemeteries -- the prices. In a somewhat offbeat part of Tuesday night's regular session, the Slater City Council, in addition to other changes, voted to raise the price of lots in the Slater City Cemetery and Mt. Moriah Cemetery to $250 each, up from the previous price of $200...

Slater City Council sets tax rate, approves bid (09/08/04)
The Slater City Council set the 2004 real estate and property tax rates at $1.1353 for every $100 of assessed value during Tuesday's meeting. The rate breaks down to 20 cents toward the park fund, 22.27 cents for the library fund and 71.26 cents going to the general fund...

Slater school board approves levy increase of about 4 cents (08/25/04)
In its meeting Tuesday night, the Slater Board of Education unanimously voted to raise the district's operating tax levy by approximately four cents. The increase brings the levy to its ceiling amount of $3.7489 for every $100 assessed valuation. "Bringing it to $3.7489, we're still 12 cents below what our operating levy was two years ago, so as far as that goes it's a good thing for the taxpaying public, but not a real good thing for our revenue situation here," Superintendent Paul Vallaincourt told the board. ...

Get on the bus (08/24/04)
The yellow and black bus that pulled into Slater Monday morning wasn't headed to the elementary school. In fact, the school year didn't start at Slater public schools until Tuesday morning. Nevertheless, some area students got on the vehicle as it was parked outside the Slater Youth Center and they learned something...

Slater residents concerned about large dogs (08/19/04)
A movement is beginning in Slater that could have Rottweilers join pit bulls as prohibited in the city. Slater resident Cindy Beltz, representing a larger group that could not attend, brought up the matter at Tuesday's meeting of the Slater City Council. She said the group was concerned about large, aggressive dogs in general and Rottweilers specifically being kept inside the city...

Slater City Council lacks quorum, hears reports (08/18/04)
Lacking a voting quorum, the Slater City Council heard a number of reports at its regular meeting Tuesday. Gene Griffith, assistant city administrator, updated the council on issues concerning construction of a restroom at the city-owned football field, the testing of the city's electrical system and a proposed Eagle Scout project...

Slater 'lifters claim SMSG swag (08/16/04)
COLUMBIA -- It was another good year for the Slater powerlifting team at the Show-Me State Games in Columbia. The Wildcat musclemen came home with 11 medals, seven of them gold, during the event. The 14- to 16-year-old boys' group did especially well, with three titles: Jeremy Fizer at 114 pounds -- with a combined bench press and dead lift of 350 pounds -- Scott Leimkuehler at 165 pounds (total weight: 545 pounds) and Bryan Simpson at 220 (670). Jason Owens (395) was third at 148...

Slater City Council approves entering mutual aid agreement (08/05/04)
The city of Slater will enter a mutual aid agreement with other cities in Missouri. City Council members unanimously passed an ordinance at their Tuesday meeting authorizing Mayor Andre� Petersen to sign a contract with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. ...

Slater school board reacts to potential revenue loss (07/21/04)
In its regular meeting Tuesday, the Slater Board of Education discussed the repercussions the district would see in tax receipts should the local Farmers Grain Terminal be successful in having its assessed valuation, and thus its property tax bill, lowered in an appeal to the county Board of Equalization...

Slater City Council to pursue CDBG funding for drainage, sewer improvements (07/21/04)
Problems with drainage and sewage areas in Slater have prompted City Council members to move ahead with plans of pursuing Community Development Block Grant funding. During the council's regular meeting Tuesday evening, Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith presented members with a map of areas that could be improved if CDBG funding, granted through the U.S. ...

Holden stresses education, health care in Slater campaign visit (07/20/04)
Visiting a Democratic party gathering in Slater Saturday, Gov. Bob Holden joked, "It's great to be in a big town." Growing up in Birch Tree, in southern Missouri, Holden said the town's population was placed at 320, "and that's if you count the dogs and cats."...

Teens escape serious injury in traffic crash (07/19/04)
A pair of Saline County teens escaped with only minor injuries after a crash in rural Saline County on July 5. The Missouri State Highway Patrol report, released late Friday afternoon, states the crash occurred nearly two weeks before at 11 p.m. on County Road 140 near its intersection with County Road 111...

Slater man charged in weekend knife assault (07/15/04)
A Slater man faces felony charges after allegedly cutting a former girlfriend during an argument. Marshall police were alerted to the incident early Saturday by Fitzgibbon Hospital, which treated the woman for cuts on her right shoulder, lower back, left thigh and lower leg...

Candidates for several state offices interact, speak at Slater forum (07/15/04)
Residents in the Slater area were given the opportunity Tuesday night to interact with those seeking to represent them in state office. Several state candidates mingled during the dinner, introducing themselves to many of the approximately 125 people who attended the event...

Governor's tour to stop in Slater (07/16/04)
Gov. Bob Holden will make a brief stop in Slater at noon on Saturday. Slater City Councilman Stephen Allegri will host Holden at his house at 225 N. Broadway in Slater. Holden will speak in other area cities during a tour of rural Missouri.

Dixon suing city of Slater (07/16/04)
Duane Dixon of Marshall is suing two people involved in the demolition of a one-story rental house in Slater that was found to be in violation of the city's nuisance property ordinance. He named Slater Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith and Wayne Brown, who actually demolished the house, in the suit filed June 21 in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City. The city of Slater hired attorney Louis J. Leonatti of Mexico in a special session Tuesday evening to defend against the suit...

Candidates planning to attend forum in Slater (07/08/04)
Before casting votes in the Aug. 3 primary and Nov. 2 general election, people in Saline County have the opportunity to meet the candidates in person. Slater Chamber of Commerce is offering a dinner and discussion Tuesday, July 13, at the Slater Youth Center and has invited county, state and presidential candidates to speak. ...

Slater receives clean audit (07/08/04)
The auditor for Slater said the city "presented fairly" in 2003 at its council meeting Tuesday. "Although it doesn't sound very flowery, 'presents fairly' is as good as it gets," said Norma Schlesselman, a certified public accountant for Wilson, Toellner and Associates. "That's the best opinion you can get from an auditor."...

Slater council approves ban on concealed weapons (07/07/04)
Concealed weapons are banned from city buildings in Slater after the City Council passed an ordinance by a 5-2-1 margin Tuesday night. Councilman Terry Jordan voted against the ordinance because he said he doesn't feel the city needs such an ordinance. ...

Slater offering children's events (07/02/04)
Children can compete in a fishing tournament Saturday, July 3, and water games Monday, July 5, in Slater. The Only Way Fishing Club will have a fishing contest for children 13 and under from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at the club's lake in Slater. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest, smallest and most fish caught...

Slater school board meets at close of fiscal year (07/01/04)
Slater school board members met Wednesday, the last day of the district's fiscal year, during a special luncheon session. End-of-the-year business included clearing student body accounts, such as athletics, and approving amendments to the 2003-04 budget...

Slater barbecue contest is a friendly affair (06/28/04)
For a competition, Slater's annual barbecue contest Saturday had a lot of camaraderie. Several of the cooks sat together, talking, drinking and, after the final judging of the 10th annual contest, sharing food. "Gloating rights are what we're after," said Fred Utlaut of Waverly, who won the state fair barbecue contest last year and finished in the top third at the American Royal Barbecue contest...

Slater school board hears about good MSIP review (06/24/04)
The 2003-04 fiscal year is coming to an end for the Slater School District, which had a school board meeting Tuesday evening so members could make several year-end decisions. After meeting with J.D. King, area supervisor with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt had a pleasing report for the board. ...

Slater school board OKs bids for summer projects (06/24/04)
Summer school in the Slater district ended Tuesday afternoon, and by the end of the school board's meeting that evening, plans for summer projects were under way. In addition to regular maintenance work such as cleaning and painting rooms and hallways and mending portions of the roof, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said there are three larger projects that need to be done before classes resume Aug. 24: floor removal, replacement of those floors and concreting/drainage installation...

Slater to have barbecue contest, blues fest (06/24/04)

Slater rallies behind troops, families (06/14/04)
A 15-by-25-foot American flag waved over dozens of people assembled on Main Street in Slater Sunday afternoon for a support rally for soldiers and their families. Teresa Thomason of Slater was one of many to write names on yellow balloons, released during the 45-minute ceremony. One balloon was for her son, Derrick, another for his cousin John and four others for family friends actively serving their country...

Local veteran remembers D-Day invasion (06/11/04)
Although an accurate death toll may never be known, thousands of American, Canadian and British troops died on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. "We could not get off that beach and there were thousands of them dying out there," said Jack Sandwith, 78, who was part of the first wave of soldiers to hit well-defended Omaha Beach at 6:35 a.m. ...

Slater graduates look forward to good things (05/24/04)
The 35 Slater High School graduates entered the school gym Sunday afternoon, took their seats and soon grabbed their forks. The plastic, purple forks weren't a symbol of the saying, "Stick a fork in me. I'm done," often used by graduates, but of good things yet to come. ...

Slater school board selects Newman to fill seat (05/19/04)
The four candidates who applied for the open seat on the Slater Board of Education made the elected members' final choice a difficult one. During the board's monthly meeting Tuesday evening, members voted that Robbie Newman should fill the position, although they said Jim Peel, James "Buddy" Griffith and Richard Johnson had also impressed them during their interviews...

Slater council continues debate on concealed carry ordinance (05/19/04)
Everyone is invited to take part in the city of Slater's events, but they should leave their pistols at home. The Slater City Council continued its discussion of potential ordinances prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms in city-owned areas during Tuesday's regular meeting...

Grandma's song inspires book (05/12/04)
The Froggy song and memories of sitting with her Grandma Hinnah on the front porch swing inspired a Slater elementary teacher to write a book. The book, titled "Grandma's Song," is available for purchase through Trafford Publishing, based in Victoria, Canada, and the Trafford Web site, www.trafford.com...

Slater board interviews final candidate (05/11/04)
The Slater Board of Education had a special luncheon meeting Friday, interviewing Slater resident Richard Johnson, a candidate for the board's open seat. Before the board's regular meeting in April, Slater residents Jim Peel, Robbie Newman and James "Buddy" Griffith were interviewed, but Johnson had been unable to schedule an interview at that time. ...

Catch of the day (05/06/04)
Slater eighth-grader Zach Brownfield and seventh-grader Nikita Howell wait for physical education teacher Bob Gonzalez to put some stinkbait on their lines before they go back to the pond's edge to fish Wednesday morning. Several junior high and high school classes fished at Stan Hinnah's pond just outside Slater this week as part of the district's outdoor skills program offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation...

Slater going ahead with park improvements, plans for youth events (05/06/04)
The city of Slater did not receive a grant for park improvements but will proceed to spend the $40,000 it allocated to match the grant. The Slater City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to spend the money budgeted from the capital improvement half-cent sales tax -- plus $7,000 in donations including $5,000 from the local schools -- on upgrading bathrooms and the roof at the concession stand building between the football and baseball fields and upgrading bathrooms at Pettigrew Park...

Slater school board to meet in special session (05/05/04)
The Slater Board of Education will meet in special session at noon Friday, May 7. Items on the board's agenda include interviewing a possible board member and a discussion of salaries. The board is also slated to meet in closed session regarding personnel...

Slater council discusses concealed carry ban (05/05/04)
Members of the Slater City Council discussed a proposed ordinance on banning concealed weapons from city property and will revisit the issue at their next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 18. Although some council members voiced opposition to passing the ordinance, everyone agreed it should be discussed...

Conservation dept., Slater schools teaching outdoor skills (04/26/04)
Slater High School freshman Kasey Johnson felt like she was on fire, not because she was literally in flames but because she hit the target two out of three times while shooting a compound bow. Johnson practiced her aim during the most recent outdoor skills unit being taught in the Slater schools: archery. ...

Slater council discusses properties (04/22/04)
The Slater City Council discussed the donation of six dilapidated houses in executive session Tuesday night. The council is working on finalizing the proposal, said Gene Griffith, assistant city administrator. Council members made several announcements and approved bills during a short regular session Tuesday. ...

Slater students get extra encouragement to do well on MAP tests (04/22/04)
Students in the Slater schools are continuing their Missouri Assess-ment Program Tests this week with some extra encouragement. During the school board meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt read a letter from elementary teacher Pat Peterson commending Alexander Elementary Principal Jean Dowell on her efforts to inspire the younger students to try their best on the tests. ...

Fundraiser set for Slater After-Prom (04/19/04)
The Slater After-Prom Committee will hold a fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Slater Youth Center on Front Street. The fundraiser will feature mechanical bull riding and the cost is $5 per ride.

Slater residents have until May 15 to clean up nuisance law violations (04/15/04)
It's time for Slater residents to get serious about their spring cleaning. The town's nuisance ordinance was a topic of discussion during Tuesday evening's Slater City Council meeting. Residents have one month to take care of any violations or face action by the city...

Slater school board reorganizes (04/12/04)
Slater Board of Education members met Friday during a reorganization luncheon meeting to certify the April 6 election results. Members Joey Gochenour and John Brownfield were selected for the two open school board seats, filling them without an election, as is allowed by Missouri law. ...

Slater residents vote to maintain status quo (04/07/04)
Challenger Bobby Huff Jr. did not unseat incumbent J.H. Audsley Jr. from his position on the Slater City Council. That was the only contested race in Slater's four wards. Ward 1 Councilman Harry Lightfoot retained his seat with 51 votes, Ward 2 Councilman J.E. ...

Audsley, Huff contend for Slater City Council seat (03/30/04)
J.H. Audsley Jr. and Bobby Huff Jr. will battle for the Ward 4 seat on the Slater City Council in the council's only contested race April 6. Incumbent Audsley said he has been on the council 10 years and has lived in Slater for nearly 30 years. "I've enjoyed it and I've done all I could," he said...

Slater school board seeks new secretary (03/26/04)
The Slater Board of Education accepted the resignation of its secretary Tuesday night, electing another member as an interim secretary and preparing to fill the vacancy. Board President Rick Hays read the resignation letter received from Dale Sweigart, who was serving his 11th year as a school board member. ...

Slater council discusses nuisance properties (03/17/04)
The calendar says Saturday is the first day of spring and Slater residents may want to start thinking about spring cleaning. City Attorney Pat Cronan will be looking at nuisance properties starting next week, he said Tuesday at the Slater City Council meeting...

Slater opts out of sales tax holiday (03/03/04)
When the state sales holiday occurs in August, stores in Slater -- along with numerous other municipalities -- will not be participating. The Slater City Council decided Tuesday the city's retailers will still charge sales tax on school supplies, clothing and computers, the items exempted during the second weekend of August...

Slater council votes to construct storage building (03/03/04)
After tearing down a dilapidated building in December, the city of Slater was left without a place to put construction materials formerly stored there. At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Slater City Council voted to construct a new building on the old structure's foundation...

Slater mayor, councilman critical of tougher Sunshine Law provisions (02/23/04)
Slater Mayor Andre� Petersen said it may be harder to find volunteers willing to serve on governmental boards if the General Assembly passes a bill that would impose up to a $5,000 fine for those violating Missouri's Sunshine Law. Dianna Long, an attorney who substituted for City Attorney Pat Cronan at the Slater City Council meeting last week, said the Missouri Legislature has tried to pass a similar measure for several years. ...

Slater school board moves graduation (02/19/04)
Summer will be coming a little bit later to Slater this year, with snow makeup days pushing the end of the school year deeper into May. At Tuesday's meeting of the Slater Board of Education, it was decided to move graduation to allow seniors to make up some of the days classes have been canceled. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt noted that a flu outbreak and winter weather led the district to close its doors seven days this year. "That's 10 percent of a quarter," he said...

Slater council agrees to pay more for city workers' health care coverage (02/18/04)
Slater City Council spent a large portion of its regular meeting Tuesday discussing which health insurance option would cost the least and offer the best benefits. The city had paid $5,729.71 per month last year for insurance to cover 21 employees who chose the city's plan, and a total of $7,054.63 per month for employees and their families. ...

Slater sets goals for 2004, looks back at 2003 (02/18/04)
Continuing cleanup, street improvements, drawing more businesses slated as top priorities

Slater council denies request to donate plat for apartment development (02/18/04)
Slater City Council denied a request Tuesday from David Kruger to turn a donated city property into the site for a small apartment complex. Ward 1 Councilmen Stephen Allegri and Harry Lightfoot said residents they talked with in their ward did not want a multifamily unit near the corner of Porter and Watts streets, near Casey's General Store...

Candidate withdraws (02/12/04)
A candidate for the Slater City Council has announced he is no longer seeking office. John Pat George, who had initially filed to run for the Ward 1 seat currently held by Harry Lightfoot, said Monday that he has dropped out of the race. George said he had actually decided to end his campaign some time ago and was surprised to see his name in a Marshall Democrat-News article concerning the upcoming April election. Monday's announcement was made to clear up any confusion for Slater voters...

Slater woman injured in wreck (01/27/04)
Icy roads continue to play havoc with area drivers, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol attributing them as the cause of crashes throughout the region. According to a preliminary MSHP report, a Slater woman was injured Monday morning after the vehicle she was riding in ran off U.S. Highway 65 south of Marshall...

Taking shape (01/22/04)
Brett Tieman picks up cut pieces of wood for the walls of a metal spinning shop coming to the corner of Front and Central streets in Slater while Joe Winfrey and Woody Nieman pound the boards into place. The building will house Slater Metal Spinning Shop, owned by Ronnie Pointer of rural Marshall. The new building, located next to Central Missouri AgriService's facility, will be owned by Slater Development Corporation and leased to Pointer. He expects the business to open in mid-February...

Slater approves 2004 budget (01/02/04)
Slater City Council approved a $2.8 million budget for the calendar year 2004 at a special meeting Tuesday. "The 2004 budget is basically the same $2.8 million budget as in the past years, as no rate increases have been proposed in water, sewer or electric," said Gene Griffith, assistant city administrator, in his 2004 budget summary. "City property taxes were decreased in '04 as the city paid off a general obligation bond for the water plant improvements."...

Slater school board makes insurance, spending decisions (12/17/03)
Despite calling off school for the remainder of the week -- and until the scheduled end of the Christmas break on Jan. 5, 2004 -- because of sickness and student absences, the Slater Board of Education met Tuesday evening in regular session. In the elementary school principal's report, Jean Dowell said attendance in the lower grades had been about 92 percent during the past 20 school days, and of the 20 preschoolers served by the district, eight had been sick on the same day...

Slater council prepares for year's end (12/17/03)
Slater City Council spent the majority of its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday evening adjusting its annual budget in anticipation of the end of the year. Gene Griffith, assistant city administrator, said general revenue is below what was projected for the year, but the city should still see benefits from property taxes paid by the end of December...

Slater Youth Center begins monthly dances (12/10/03)
The Slater Youth Center's planned monthly teen dances got off to a slow start Saturday, but disc jockey Daniel Johns expects the events to gain in popularity. About 45 teens and a few younger children attended the dance from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, said Johns, who, along with his family, served as disc jockey for the event. ...

Slater council passes three ordinances (12/03/03)
Slater City Council passed three ordinances at its regular meeting Tuesday evening. All three of the ordinances had been debated previously. An ordinance giving the name Wildcat Alley to the paved alley between Broadway Street and Park Place north of Lincoln Street passed with little debate. Bobby Huff suggested the name be Wildcat Alley, after the Slater High School mascot, at the mid-September council meeting. The council approved placing a sign on the street as soon as possible...

Slater man killed in holiday crash (11/28/03)
A three-vehicle collision in Boone County claimed the life of a Slater man Thursday evening. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 26-year-old Allen D. Gessling died after his vehicle was struck in the rear by another and overturned...

Slater school board hears about changes discussed at state level (11/20/03)
Slater school board members met Tuesday evening, focusing primarily on a briefing from Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt. As a member of the Central Missouri Administrators Association, Vaillancourt attended an annual meeting in Salisbury Nov. 12. State leaders such as Rep. Jim Seigfreid of Marshall and House Budget Chairman Carl Bearden were among officials in attendance...

Slater council gives reports to mayor (11/20/03)
Slater Mayor Andre� Petersen said it was good to be back Tuesday, presiding over her first City Council meeting in months after recovering from surgery. "We're glad to have our mayor back with us," said Councilman J. H. Audsley. The meeting consisted of reports from the councilmen and Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith...

Slater school invites business leaders to speak about fields at annual A+ career fair (11/18/03)
Slater High School students received a more personal glimpse of life in the career world Friday at an A-plus Schools career fair. Myra Jones, A-plus program coordinator for the district, described the fair as an afternoon for students to gain a better understanding of the working world and their area of interest. However, she said the afternoon also proved beneficial for students who have yet to decide which type of career they want to pursue...

Slater teen arrested on warrant (11/10/03)
Saline County officers located a Slater teen wanted for drug possession over the weekend. Saline County Sheriff Wally George reported that Calan E. Keyton, 17, was arrested late Sunday on a warrant for class C felony possession of a controlled substance...

Slater business, council members object to media coverage (10/23/03)
After three businesses were named as possible violators of the city's nuisance ordinance, the Slater City Council is rethinking how it conducts business in open session. At the council's meeting Tuesday, Councilman Ron Monnig said he had a problem with the businesses being named in open session at the Oct. ...

Slater schools prepare for 2003-04 MISP review (10/23/03)
The Slater School District will have a Missouri School Improvement Plan review in the spring, so what better time to focus on preparations and improvements than the present? During the monthly Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt reviewed the preliminary Annual Performance Report (APR). ...

Slater improves ISO rating (10/23/03)
While Slater's beautification efforts might be more apparent, work on the town's infrastructure hasn't gone unnoticed. Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith reported at Tuesday's Slater City Council meeting that the city's public protection classification has improved. A survey by ISO Commercial Risk Services shows considerable improvement to city's fire protection capabilities...

Slater sticking with current noise ordinance (10/22/03)
Since the Slater City Council began holding workshops to draft a new noise nuisance ordinance, things have gotten a little quieter around town. "The problem seems to have corrected itself," Councilman Terry Jordan said. "The really loud, window-vibrating music doesn't seem to be as bad."...

Lawn tractor pull in Slater Saturday (10/17/03)
Slater will host the Missouri Garden Tractor Pull Fall Nationals at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Slater airport tractor pull track. All proceeds will benefit the Slater Volunteer Fire Department, which is organizing the event. Anyone interested in participating can register at the track by 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The city is expecting over 250 tractors from five states. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to 12...

Slater councilman to recommend enforcing current noise ordinance (10/17/03)
Slater City Councilman Terry Jordan said a workshop Tuesday night on a proposed noise ordinance attracted about 50 Slater residents. Jordan believes council members will ask the police to enforce the city's current noise ordinance, which addresses noise lasting for 10 minutes, rather than accept a new ordinance...

Slater to buy sewer camera (10/10/03)
Slater will be ordering a sewer camera within two weeks, said Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith. The city was awarded a $6,502 grant to cover 75 percent of the camera's cost from the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association. Kelly Beets of the association was at the Slater City Council's regular meeting Tuesday to give the city a plaque and a check. He said Slater is one of about 65 cities in the insurance pool and is one of 24 to receive a grant...

Slater city attorney: Businesses not exempt from nuisance ordinance (10/08/03)
Slater City Council members pondered four concerns raised by City Attorney Pat Cronan Tuesday night -- all relating to the city's nuisance ordinance. Cronan asked the council at its regular meeting if he should enforce the nuisance ordinance on business properties as well as residential lots. ...

Slater preps for Homecoming (10/02/03)
Slater will have its annual Homecoming parade at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The parade will start and end at the high school. Each class will get a chance to display its float and the high school band will play. The Homecoming queen, which students chose Thursday, will be announced during halftime of Friday evening's game. The three candidates are senior Lindsay Jordan, junior Amber Pullen and junior Madeline Boggs...

Slater workshop on noise ordinance reaches some compromises (10/01/03)
Second workshop set for Tuesday, Oct. 14

Skelton visits Slater (09/30/03)
U.S. Senator Ike Skelton talks about history Friday to high school and junior high school students in Slater. He told the story of how Francis Scott Key wrote a poem inspired by the British attack of Fort McHenry. The poem was later set to the tune of a drinking song and was adopted as the national anthem...

Slater board to decide on school newspaper (09/26/03)
Several Slater High School students may see their names and articles in print at the school if the district's Board of Education votes to allow the publication of a student newspaper. High School English teacher Randy Niswonger and one of his creative writing students, junior Jessica Lock, approached the board Tuesday night seeking approval to publish a bi-weekly school newspaper...

Slater school board reviews budget, MAP test scores (09/25/03)
The Slater Board of Education met Tuesday night to review the current district budget and the schools' 2002-03 Missouri Assessment Program test results. Figuring that the district will probably come close to the income projected by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said a big impact on the budget was the approximately 17-cent reduction in the district's operating levy approved during a levy hearing in August. ...

Slater parade expands for 125th birthday celebration (09/23/03)
Although children still brought bags to collect candy, the Slater Fall Festival parade Saturday was a little different this year. Many of the staples were present, such as the Slater High School band and the winners of the baby contest, but mixed in with the usual sights and sounds was music of bagpipes from the Boone County Fire District Pipe and Drums...

Slater turns 125 (09/22/03)
Slater looks at how citizens viewed the future by opening 1978 time capsule

Slater council sets workshop to shape noise ordinance (09/18/03)
Police, residents invited to provide feedback Sept. 30

Slater set to celebrate 125 years (09/17/03)
With events spread over the last few months, Slater's celebration of its 125th anniversary will culminate this weekend, coinciding with the town's annual Fall Festival. City hall will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday to sell caps, T-shirts, pins, a Slater 125th Anniversary book and other souvenirs...

Family of four excited about first Habitat home to be built in Slater (09/09/03)
Rhonda Whitely of Slater and her three children can hardly wait to start working on their very own home. With completion next year of what will be the first Habitat for Humanity house in Slater, and the first Habitat house built outside the Marshall city limits by the local chapter, the Whitelys will move out of their Slater Housing Authority apartment and begin what they are viewing as a new start in life...

Slater council praises celebration efforts, events (09/04/03)
With Mayor Andre� Petersen recuperating after heart surgery, Councilman Stephen Allegri presided over the regular semi-monthly meeting Tuesday evening and will serve as acting mayor while Petersen recovers. "She's doing better," he said. "I told her we're eagerly waiting for her to come back."...

Slater enrollment down slightly in elementary grades (08/21/03)
Members of the Slater Board of Education met during their final summer session Tuesday evening after administrators and teachers had spent one last day preparing for the start of classes Wednesday. Beginning the session with new business, the board voted to readopt a "conflict of interest" policy formed by the Missouri School Board Association. The policy, as agreed upon by the district, must be approved every two years...

Slater school board approves 17-cent levy reduction (08/20/03)
Before the Slater Board of Education had its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, members voted to set the district levy. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt said that, based on the figures from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the district's operating levy ceiling decreased by about 17 cents compared to last year. ...

Slater council debates noise ordinance, agrees to another round of property inspections (08/08/03)
Slater City Council unanimously approved ordinances and revisited several concerns at its regular semimonthly meeting Tuesday evening. An ordinance to transfer a strip of land to ownership by the William E. Ripley American Legion Post 178 for use as a parking lot passed with few comments as did an ordinance to disclose potential conflicts of interest of business owners in their roles as city officials...

Slater council OKs new school parking rules, traffic flow changes (08/06/03)
When parents, students and teachers drive to school in Slater next Wednesday, they will find the high school parking lot expanded and other measures taken to keep control traffic flow. The Slater City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday to address the issue of parking at the local schools...

Slater board revises sick leave policy (06/19/03)
Members of the Slater Board of Education agreed Tuesday night during their regular monthly meeting to accept the district's sick leave/personal days policy, but only after revisions are made. The board reviewed the current policy and decided some changes needed to be made concerning the use of teachers' sick leave and personal days. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt brought up the issue, first explaining the policy as it currently stands...

Slater council discusses new lamps, fighting ordinance (06/18/03)
Vehicles must stay off Slater's Main Street June 30 and July 7, said Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith Tuesday. The street will be milled, or ground down, June 30 and the street is set to be paved the following week, Griffith said at the city council's regular semi-monthly meeting. Councilman Terry Jordan said citizens will be able to park in the alleyways off the street, which are usually no parking zones, as well as the Pamida parking lot, during the two Mondays of construction...

Accomplishments being made in Slater school district (06/18/03)
Reports from the Slater school district's administrators Tuesday night during a regular board meeting showed several accomplishments are being made this summer. In place of A-plus Schools Coordinator Myra Jones, Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt provided an update about the physical aspects of the program. ...

Citywide garage sale blends in with Slater's 125th anniversary (06/16/03)
Saturday wasn't a day for many Slater residents to sleep in. Citywide, 67 households opened garage sales at about 7 a.m. when the city's whistle blew and the annual event officially began. Several families prepared for early-morning customers by waking up at 5 a.m. ...

Barbecue contest adds flavor to Slater festivities (06/16/03)
Barbecue cookoff teams at Slater City Park Saturday filled the air with aromas of chicken, beans, sausage and ribs while garage salers went from house to house in search of a good deal. The citywide garage sale began early that morning, but the cookoff contestants weren't far behind. Teams such as the Roadkill Redeemers, Excel and Up in Smoke staked their claims to a portion of the park so they could set up their tents and get their smokers ready...

Slater sets full slate of weekend events (06/13/03)
Slater continues its summer-long celebration of 125 years this month with a tractor pull, city-wide garage sale and barbecue contest and lunch -- all set for this weekend. The tractor pull will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Slater Airport Industrial Park and will last for several hours, said Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith. ...

Slater City Council members speak out on nuisance ordinance (05/22/03)
"This is getting a little ridiculous and the word on the street is getting bad," said Councilman J.E. Durham of Slater's nuisance ordinance and the council members in violation of it. Although the Slater City Council, at its regular meeting Tuesday, said the ordinance has been in place for over a decade, council members had agreed to have their properties in compliance by January 2003. ...

Slater school board tables '04 graduation date, MSTA membership (05/22/03)
The regular meeting of the Slater Board of Education Tuesday night included considerations of several actions board members will need to take within the next few months. One of the main issues discussed was the possibility of changing the date of the 2004 high school graduation. ...

Slater school board lists capital projects, approves policies (05/22/03)
Days away from the end of the school year, members of the Slater school board met Tuesday night to make monetary and policy decisions that will affect the district for the summer and coming year. Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt introduced the option of whether to transfer anywhere from $75,000 to $100,000 from the district's operating fund into the capital projects fund. ...

Slater graduates urged to make wise desicions in life (05/14/03)
The "Hallelujah Chorus" could be heard in Slater Tuesday night after 40 high school seniors experienced the moment they had awaited for so long. During the graduation ceremony, class president Stacie Vogl described post-graduation days as an opportunity to continue making the right choices in life. Earning the title of valedictorian, Vogl presented a speech about how she and her peers shouldn't wait for some far-off time to begin making those choices...

Slater votes to rearrange classes (05/13/03)
The Slater Board of Education met last Friday for a special noon meeting at the school. Members voted to move the remainder of the junior high classrooms from the third floor to the first floor of the Alexander building. The move would mean less noise on the third floor and better management as students transition from class to class, said Superintendent Paul Vaillancourt. He also said the arrangement may help alleviate some behavioral problems...

Durham selected to reign as Miss Slater (05/13/03)
Crystal Durham will reign over events celebrating Slater's 125th anniversary. Durham was named Miss Slater over six other senior high school girls competing in the event Friday evening. Rachael Perry was voted to serve as the alternate. One-third of the competition was determined by the amount of donations collected by contestants...