Marshall Democrat-News: : Sweet Springs

Sweet Springs

Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen consider expanding July 27 tractor pull (04/09/13)
Bruce Hoyes with the Sweet Springs Festival Committee attended the Tuesday, April 9, meeting to speak with the board of aldermen about adding an Outlaw Tractor Pull Committee event to the schedule for the July 27 tractor pull.

Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen approve new reserve officer, transient guest tax committee (01/08/13)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen approved Robert Salzmen as a new reserve officer for the Sweet Springs Police Department at the meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

(Updated 11:15 a.m.) Sweet Springs board to begin preliminary work on new track (12/13/12)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education authorized an architect to begin work on a design for a new track at the school during their regular meeting on Thursday, Dec. 13. Superintendent Donna Wright presented the board with total cost estimates for the project, which ranged between $400,000 and $700,000...

Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen postpone city sticker ordinance, discuss lagoon loan (12/11/12)
The Sweet Spring Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, Dec. 11, to discuss the revised city sticker ordinance, but postponed voting the ordinance into action so that it can yet again be rephrase.

Fourth Annual Trunk or Treat and Costume Contest (10/15/12)
On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Sweet Springs Optimist Club will host a costume contest at the Festival Gardens stage at 3 p.m. After the contest, at approximately 4 p.m., Trunk or Treat will be held in front of local business on Miller Street.

Sweet Springs Aldermen raise water rates to deal with heavy water loss (10/10/12)
A leaking pool and 22 water main breaks in the past two months have left the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen with little choice but to raise the water rates because of the amount of water the city is losing on a regular basis.

Stallings presents use tax information to Sweet Springs Alderman, pipeline staging area needed (10/10/12)
Saline County Commissioner Tom Stallings spoke at the Sweet Springs Alderman meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9, about the out of state use tax. Stallings explained that the use tax is not a "new" tax, but that it is replacing a tax deemed unconstitutional in Jefferson City. Seven other counties have it on their ballot this fall.

Sweet Springs Aldermen work on city's budget (03/11/11)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen met in special meeting to work on the 2011-2012 budget Tuesday, March 8. The board discussed adding $5,000 for street work in the cemetery. Other topics on the discussion table included making the part-time police officer position a full-time position, purchasing a new computer and software for the city court, a new meter reading system, a new computer for the city clerk and accounting software...

Sweet Springs man hurt in 1-vehicle crash Monday (11/30/10)
A Sweet Springs man suffered minor injuries Monday evening, Nov. 29, in a one-vehicle crash, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Lucas T. Hall, 20, declined treatment at the scene, troopers said. The crash occurred about 6:15 p.m. on Route YY just south of 139th Road...

Sweet Springs woman hurt in 1-vehicle crash Wednesday (10/28/10)
A Sweet Springs woman suffered minor injuries Wednesday, Oct. 27, in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Jane I. Forbes, 67, was taken to Center Point Hospital in Odessa. The crash occurred about 7:30 p.m. one mile west of state Highway 131. Forbes was traveling westbound when her vehicle went off the side of the road, struck a guard cable and overturned, troopers said...

Sweet Springs man hurt when tractor hit by truck (10/19/10)
A Sweet Springs man suffered moderate injuries Tuesday, Oct. 19, in when a tractor he was driving collided with a 1991 International truck, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Norbert H. Werneke, 68, was taken to I-70 Community Hospital for treatment...

Sweet Springs man hurt in 3-vehicle crash (10/19/10)
Two men suffered minor injuries, including one from Sweet Springs, in a three-vehicle pileup in Pettis County Monday, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Daniel R. Guier, 21, was taken by private vehicle to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia...

Patrol car puts Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen in stalemate (07/12/10)
In its meeting Monday, July 12, the Board of Aldermen were cautious with proceeding. The police department received a bid from OMB Express for a patrol car that would cost $2500 to keep in running condition. OMB offered $1200 worth of credit in exchange for the vehicle, which could be used for the department to purchase merchandise. Already, a main computer at the department is down, requiring the hard drive to be transferred into another machine...

Sweet Springs man hurt in 1-vehicle accident (05/08/10)
A Sweet Springs man suffered minor injuries late Friday, May 7, in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 65 in Pettis County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Spike Harrington, 46, declined medical treatment at the scene, troopers said...

No. 1 again: Sweet Springs FFA Chapter places first in state | Thornton named VP | Marshall chapter places ninth (04/17/10)
Sweet Springs FFA placed first out of 324 chapters in the state, earning the Top Chapter Award at the 82nd Missouri FFA Convention, according to a news release from the state FFA organization. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive the Top Chapter Award each year...

Perkins to receive State FFA degree (04/13/10)
Brandon Perkins, son of Linda and Steve Perkins of rural Sweet Springs is one of seven Marshall High School FFA members who will receive their State FFA Degree on Friday, April 16 at the Missouri State FFA convention in Columbia. Brandon joined FFA at Sweet Springs in seventh grade before transferring to Marshall as a freshman...

Empty car narrowly misses entering I-70 roadway (04/09/10)

Joyce Kathleen Goosen (04/06/10)
Joyce Kathleen Goosen, 61, of Sweet Springs, died Sunday, April 4, 2010, at I-70 Community Hospital in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2010, at Memorial Chapel of Richland. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery in Richland. ...

Sweet Springs Inc. receives USDA certificate of appreciation (03/26/10)
Sweet Springs Inc., a nonprofit group formed by the city, received a certificate of appreciation from United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Thursday afternoon, March 25. The organization has already been awarded $11,850 in grants and $67,150 in loans to finance a pumper fire truck through USDA Rural Development as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act...

Sweet Springs Board of Education discusses salaries (03/25/10)
Changes in salaries were one topic for Sweet Springs Board of Education members during their meeting Thursday, March 18. Board members voted to move all teachers one step up in their salaries, but tabled discussion on the base salaries until the May meeting, when information about state funding cuts to education is more certain...

Area high school students learn about county government (03/05/10)
Editor's note: This is the first of two stories about the annual Government Day event. Students from Malta Bend, Marshall and Sweet Springs school districts gathered at Saline County Courthouse Thursday, March 4, for the annual Government Day, sponsored by the American Legion...

State data system blamed for incorrect info about Sweet Springs school district (02/11/10)
Superintendent Boyd Jones discussed the school district's annual report card during the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Wednesday, Feb. 10, saying there were at least three mistakes he had noticed. First, it lists the number of students per teacher as 32, rather than the correct number of 15. ...

Sweet Springs aldermen to vote on sewer charge increase (02/09/10)
Sweet Springs aldermen voted to draw up an ordinance to raise the minimum sewer charge to $6 for Sweet Springs' water customers during their meeting Monday, Feb. 8. They will vote to pass the ordinance during the next board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 8...

James R. VanSteenburgh (01/28/10)
James R. VanSteenburgh, 66, of Sweet Springs, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, at First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. Gene Smith and William W. Harlow officiating. ...

Allen Morris Blackerby (01/20/10)
Allen Morris Blackerby, 74, of Sweet Springs, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at his home. Memorial graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall, with Rev. Jerry Scott officiating. Memorials may be made to family choice in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Haesemeyer resigns as Sweet Springs' superintendent of public works (01/11/10)
The mood turned somber as Doug Haesemeyer announced his resignation as superintendent of public works during the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday evening, Jan. 11. Citing negative feedback, Haesemeyer said it was clear to him that he was "not getting the job done," and so he planned to "take my enthusiasm elsewhere."...

Caleb Lee Rader (12/29/09)
Caleb Lee Rader, 6 weeks old, of Sweet Springs, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs. Burial will be in Blue Lick Cemetery south of Marshall. ...

Two 7-year sentences for knife attack (12/21/09)
Setting aside a more lenient recommendation from Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Donald G. Stouffer, Judge Dennis A. Rolf sentenced Timothy L. Iliff to two concurrent seven-year sentences in Missouri Department of Corrections in Circuit Court proceedings Monday, Dec. 21...

Sweet Springs education board discusses lighting (12/17/09)
Sweet Springs school board members discussed possible lighting upgrades to the schools and nearby areas during their meeting Wednesday, Dec. 16. Superintendent Boyd Jones reported that Kansas City Power & Light is offering grants for schools to install appliances deemed to be efficient in their electricity use. The district has applied for two grants, one for lighting at the high school and one for lighting at the elementary school, and will be able to apply for two more grants next year...

Possibility of rate increases in Sweet Springs brings crowd to Aldermen meeting (12/14/09)
bout 20 Sweet Springs citizens came to the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Dec. 14, to hear about possible increases to their costs for wastewater treatment, but learned that there are no immediate plans to do so. The Missouri State Operating Permit that allows Sweet Springs' wastewater treatment plant to operate will expire March 22, 2012, and the next permit may have more stringent regulations applied to the wastewater, said Scott Adams, environmental engineer for Missouri Department of Natural Resources...

Helen Linder Hayob (12/03/09)
Helen Linder Hayob, 86, of Sedalia, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at The Lutheran Nursing Home in Concordia. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Rev. James R. West officiating. ...

Cheryl Hemme (11/30/09)
Cheryl Hemme, 51, of Sedalia, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma, with Pastor Rick Swanson officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. ...

I-70 Community Hospital celebrates fourth anniversary (11/20/09)

KCP&L workers volunteer to benefit Sweet Springs Food Pantry (11/19/09)
Sweet Springs Food Pantry workers got some help from Kansas City Power & Light employees Wednesday, Nov. 18, as part of KCP&L's company-wide campaign "renewable energy from the heart." KCP&L Employees Heather Allred, Vic Taylor, Kathy Gaughan, Linda Reid and Corey Miller, alongside James Jones and Bill Meyer from The Lighthouse Shelter, helped Sweet Springs Food Pantry workers transfer the food in one truck to another in Marshall before the newly-laden truck headed to Sweet Springs. ...

I-70 Community Hospital marks fourth anniversary (11/18/09)

Newscope: I-70 Community Hospital to celebrate 4th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 15 (11/12/09)
I-70 Community Hospital invites area residents to attend its fourth anniversary celebration dinner Sunday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The complimentary meal includes chili, soup, beverages and desserts. I-70 Community Hospital is located at 105 Hospital Drive in Sweet Springs. For more information, visit www.i70medcenter.com...

Jens W. Payne (10/28/09)
Jens W. Payne, 91, of Sweet Springs, formerly of Marshall, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

MoDOT announces reopening of Route 127 in Saline County (10/14/09)
MoDOT has announced plans to open to traffic the Route 127 bridge over the Blackwater River in Saline County on Friday afternoon, Oct. 16. The bridge is located at the south edge of Sweet Springs. The bridge, chosen as a candidate for the Safe & Sound Bridge Program, was closed July 13 to replace the deteriorated bridge deck. The program will replace or repair 802 bridges by October 2014. Seventy-five bridges in north central Missouri are included in the program...

Sweet Springs council paves the way for mayor salary hike (10/13/09)
Sweet Springs Mayor Ray Kinney got no argument from the Board of Aldermen Tuesday, Oct. 13, when he suggested the mayor get a 50 percent salary increase. The raise is not necessary for him. If approved, it won't go into effect until the next term begins, and he said he has not decided whether he will run for re-election...

Unoccupied home, garage destroyed by fire in rural Sweet Springs (10/06/09)
Sweet Springs firefighters and a Saline County sheriff's deputy responded late Monday afternoon, Oct. 5, to a report of a house fire at 270th Trail and Garland Avenue in rural Sweet Springs, according to a sheriff's department report. They arrived at 5:06 p.m. and found a house and garage engulfed in flames. The house had already collapsed and the detached garage collapsed soon after firefighters arrived, the deputy said...

St. Joseph man hurt in 1-vehicle crash in Saline County (09/18/09)
A St. Joseph truck driver suffered moderate injuries Thursday evening, Sept. 17, in a one-vehicle crash near Sweet Springs, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Michael L. Hacker, 47, was taken by ambulance to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, troopers said...

Sweet Springs aldermen discuss storm water drainage problems (09/15/09)
Drainage issues, budgetary changes and wheelchair ramps were discussed during the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Sept. 14. Aldermen approved adjustments to the budget. City Clerk Ronda Nienhueser said she had not changed the budget for the swimming pool fund because she knew money was still scheduled to go in and out of that fund...

Violet Jean Hicks (09/01/09)
Violet Jean Hicks, 78, of Sweet Springs, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society and an online guest book is available at www.campbell-lewis.com...

County commission clears the way for ARRA bond money (08/26/09)
Saline County Commissioners signed a resolution to designate all of Saline County as a recovery zone during their meeting Wednesday, Aug. 26. "Recovery Zone Bonds are to be issued with respect to or to finance certain expenditures located in or attributable to an area ... (that) has a significant level of ... poverty, unemployment, home foreclosures, or general distress," reads the resolution, number 2009-2...

3 charged with passing bad checks (08/24/09)
Three area men, each charged with passing bad checks, will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Associate Division 6courtroom in the Saline County Courthouse before Judge James T. "Tut" Bellamy. Nelson R. Gabriel, 41, of Marshall, has been charged with class C felony passing a bad check of $500 or more...

Henry E. Haesemeyer (08/24/09)
Henry E. Haesemeyer, 93, of Sweet Springs, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at Sweet Springs Villa in Sweet Springs. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. Rev. Daniel Wing will officiate. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sweeney-Reser-Wills Funeral Home in Marshall...

Sweet Springs aldermen discuss pool budget, create ordinances (08/13/09)
The meeting of the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen opened Monday, Aug. 10, with Mayor Ray Kinney alerting aldermen to each of the five expense categories in which the city's swimming pool is over budget. These categories included salaries, advertising, drug testing and supplies and maintenance. Kinney reminded board members that the board's next meeting will include a budget adjustment...

Sweet Springs aldermen wrestle with funding requests (08/13/09)
Requests for funds were discussed by Sweet Springs aldermen at their meeting Monday, Aug. 10. The board heard a request from Sweet Springs Revitalization Inc. for "bed tax" funds. The funds requested were for a "bounce house" for children, souvenir T-shirts and mugs, radio and newspaper advertisements and a banner and fliers to further advertise the event. ...

Sweet Springs Board of Education approves sale of interest-bearing bonds (08/11/09)
Larry Hart, president and CEO of St. Louis-based L.J. Hart & Company, was present at the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Aug. 10, to discuss the sale of interest-bearing bonds related to the proposed additions to Sweet Springs' school building that currently serves fifth- through 12th-graders...

Sweet Springs woman suffers minor injury in collision Thursday (08/06/09)
A Sweet Springs woman suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash in Lafayette County Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. April L. Guffin, 41, told troopers she would seek treatment on her own, according to the report...

Arrest warrants issued in burglary spree (07/31/09)
Arrest warrants have been issued in Saline County for two area teens who have been charged with class C felony receiving stolen property of more than $500, according to court documents released by the Saline County prosecuting attorney's office...

Sweet Springs school district receives $2.2 million interest-free bonds (07/23/09)
Sweet Springs Board of Education members heard some good news regarding the R-VII district's fiscal ability to build the proposed addition to Sweet Springs High School. Superintendent Boyd Jones reported that the district will receive $2.2 million in interest-free federal bonds to help pay for that addition, which is expected to cost $3.6 million. He stated he does not have all the details on the matter, but those details will be available Thursday, August 13...

Johnny Lee Williams (07/20/09)
Johnny Lee Williams, 63, of Sweet Springs, died Friday, July 17, 2009, at Sweet Springs Villa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at William Wood Funeral Home in Boonville, with Rev. Mel Eaton officiating. "Amazing Grace" and "The Old Country Church" will be performed by Steve and Debra Kruger. ...

2 from Sweet Springs injured in motorcycle crash (07/19/09)
Two Sweet Springs residents and two Houstonia residents suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle crash involving a deer Saturday afternoon, July 18, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. The accident occurred about 3:15 p.m. on U.S. Highway 50 in Morgan County near the west end of the Lamine River bridge, troopers said...

Brandon Scott Charles (07/17/09)
Brandon Scott "Brutus" Charles, 29, of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, July 16, 2009, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 20, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Sweet Springs, with William W. Harlow officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children. Friends may sign an online guest book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Sweet Springs aldermen approve requests for use of 'bed tax' funds (07/13/09)
The aldermen of Sweet Springs approved two requests for funds from the tourism tax -- or so-called "bed tax" -- fund during their regular meeting Monday evening, July 13. One request came from the Sweet Springs Chamber of Commerce with plans to use the funds to purchase a sound system for use at community events, such as the upcoming Street Fair...

Vollmer's probation revoked, sentence reduced (07/08/09)
(CORRECTION: The correct charge in this case is class A misdemeanor; the story has been changed to reflect that fact.) At a probation violation hearing Wednesday, July 8, Judge James T. "Tut" Bellamy sentenced Michael F. Vollmer, 32, of Sweet Springs, formerly of Marshall, to serve the previously suspended 180-day sentence for class A misdemeanor domestic assault to which Vollmer pleaded guilty in December 2008...

Clifford G. Schroeder (07/08/09)
Clifford G. Schroeder, 92, of rural Sweet Springs, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma. Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Alma. Memorials may be made to family choice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Selma Steinkuehler (07/06/09)
Selma Steinkuehler, 104, of Sweet Springs, died Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Sweet Springs Villa Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2009, at St. John United Church of Christ in Emma, with Pastor Tim Biesemeyer officiating. ...

Wyoming man hurt in Saline County crash Thursday (07/04/09)
A Hillsdale, Wyo., man suffered minor injuries Thursday morning, July 2, in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 70, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. David L. Villmer, 17, was hurt when the 1998 Dodge Dakota he was driving eastbound on I-70 left the roadway, went through the median, became airborne at the Blackwater River bridge and came to rest upright, troopers said...

Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen estimate for fire department building grant (06/23/09)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen discussed a grant for a fire department building at a special meeting Monday afternoon, June 22. The board heard of a proposal from Robert Rollings Architects LLC regarding the fire department building. The company offered to perform a cost estimate of the building's construction for purposes of a grant application, according to unofficial minutes. The

Irvin Luther Robb (06/23/09)
Irvin Luther Robb, 89, of Houstonia, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Golden Oaks Nursing Home in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Range Line Presbyterian Church in Houstonia. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia. ...

Mary J. Bailey (06/15/09)
Mary J. Bailey, 70, of Sweet Springs, formerly of Marshall, died Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at Sweet Springs Villa. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Carrollton. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Sweet Springs receiving fewer responses to income survey than needed (06/11/09)
Stephanie Ross of Midwest Assistance Program Inc. was present at the Monday, June 8, meeting of the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen where she discussed the responses to the income survey that the city has received. The income survey responses will be used to qualify for grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Community Development Block Grant program...

Sweet Springs school board discusses health insurance, math team results, summer school at May 14 meeting (05/28/09)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education discussed employee health insurance options at its meeting Thursday evening, May 14. One plan is a "typical PPO" with copays and deductibles, said Superintendent Boyd Jones. Employees who choose this plan will pay $25.88 out of pocket each month for the coverage...

Sweet Springs to purchase fire truck (05/21/09)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen discussed the purchase of a fire truck during a special meeting Wednesday evening, May 20. According to the meeting's unofficial minutes, the board voted to purchase a 1995 Freightliner Fire Truck using funds loaned by Community Bank of Marshall...

Sweet Springs aldermen approve ordinances on possession of alcohol, child safety restraints (05/14/09)
At its meeting Tuesday evening, May 12, the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen passed two ordinances, one regarding the possession of alcohol by minors and the other regarding the use of safety belts and child restraints. The board passed an ordinance prohibiting minors from possessing intoxicating alcohol within the city limits...

Graduation 2009: Sweet Springs eighth-graders 'promoted' (05/14/09)
The Sweet Springs Eighth Grade Promotion ceremony, held Monday evening, May 11, started with two students -- Spencer Thomas and Mikalah Vogelsmeier -- sharing some of the memories they have formed so far in the journey with their classmates. "Our class gets along extremely well," said Vogelsmeier after she finished reminiscing. "...We know that with this class, we'll have many more (fun memories) in the coming four years of high school."...

Sweet Springs resident charged with meth possession (05/12/09)
Nakia L. Tabor, 33, of Sweet Springs, was arrested and charged with class C felony possession of methamphetamine Thursday, May 7, by Sweet Springs police. According to the incident report, Tabor was stopped because the arresting officer knew Tabor's driver's license had been revoked and would not be reissued until 2013...

Graduation 2009: Sweet Springs High School graduates honored (05/11/09)
During the Sweet Springs High School graduation ceremony Friday evening, May 8, 34 seniors received their diplomas. Superintendent Boyd Jones welcomed attendees to the ceremony, telling them the purpose of the event was to celebrate a new beginning more than mourning an end...

John Paul Kelley (05/05/09)
John Paul Kelley, 74, of Sweet Springs, died Sunday, May 3, 2009, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. David Goode and Rev. Jim West officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Fairview Cemetery. ...

Lady 'Hounds win I-70 tourney debut (04/29/09)
CONCORDIA -- The Sweet Springs softball team jumped on top of Crest Ridge with six runs in the first two innings Tuesday and made it stand up for a 6-4 victory in the first round of the I-70 Conference Tournament at Concordia. Junior Kathleen Tyler singled in two runs and scored in the first inning and senior Sammi DeWeese followed junior Kristin Jones' RBI single with a two-run hit in the second for the fourth-seeded Lady Greyhounds...

Mary Catherine Mark (04/24/09)
Mary Catherine Mark, 77, of Sweet Springs, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at Sweet Springs Villa. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. David Goode officiating. Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs. Burial will be in Antioch Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Everett Lavern Sims (04/24/09)
Everett Lavern Sims, 74, of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2009, at Mt. Zion Christian Church in Dunksburg, with Pastor Gene Smith officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs.

Pair of area FFA chapters take top honors (04/21/09)
Editor's note: Some information for this article was provided by a press release from the Missouri FFA convention. Two area FFA chapters earned top honors at the 81st Missouri State FFA convention held April 15-16 in Columbia. The Sweet Springs FFA chapter was once again named the number-one "Top Chapter" in the state of Missouri, while Marshall FFA was named the state's 13th top chapter, improving nine places from a year ago. ...

Hinck wins Missouri FFA Diversified Crop Production Placement Proficiency Award (04/18/09)
COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2009 -- Travis Hinck of the Sweet Springs FFA Chapter, Sweet Springs was named the winner of the Diversified Crop Production Placement Proficiency Award at the 81st Missouri FFA Convention. Hinck, a graduate of Sweet Springs high school, and is the son of Greg and Donna Hinck. His FFA advisors are Brent Niemeyer and Kristen Fenner...

Sweet Springs FFA chapter places first in state (04/19/09)
COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2009 -- Sweet Springs FFA placed first out of 317 chapters in the state, earning the Top Chapter Award at the 81st Missouri FFA convention, according to a news release from the state FFA organization. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive the Top Chapter Award each year...

Sweet Springs Board of Education reorganized (04/15/09)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education was reorganized at its meeting Wednesday evening, April 15. The board accepted the unofficial results of the election April 7. Board member John Dohrman left the board with kind words. Among other things, he thanked community members for their overwhelming support of the Kids First initiative, which passed with 76 percent of the vote.

Elbert Vogelsmeier (04/13/09)
Elbert Vogelsmeier, 94, of rural Sweet Springs, died Sunday, April 12, 2009, at Columbia Regional Hospital in Columbia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. Dan Wing officiating. ...

Linda Jean McAllister Lamb (03/24/09)
Linda Jean McAllister Lamb, 57, of Concordia, formerly of Sweet Springs, died Monday, March 23, 2009, at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Sweet Springs. ...

Sweet Springs school board tweaks plans for high school building addition (03/18/09)
Changes to the plans for the high school's addition were made at the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Tuesday, March 17. The board voted to change the plans for the addition to the high school to add 10 feet to the width of the gym. This was done in order to increase seating in the gym, said Superintendent Boyd Jones, by an amount "equal to the current seating on either side." The cost for this addition is $92,810...

2 hurt in 2-vehicle crash on I-70 Sunday (03/08/09)
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 70 near Sweet Springs Sunday afternoon, March 8, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. James L. Jaeger, 60, of St. Louis, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs, according to the report...

Harold J. Vogelsmeier (03/03/09)
Harold J. "Bud" Vogelsmeier, 89, of rural Sweet Springs, died Sunday, March 1, 2009, at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dan Wing officiating. ...

Suzanne Garrison (03/02/09)
Suzanne "Suzy" Garrison, 51, of Warsaw, formerly of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at her home in Warsaw. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Sweet Springs, with William W. Harlow officiating. Burial was in Payne Cemetery in rural Johnson County. Memorials may be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses. Friends may sign an online guestbook at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Iliff charged with assault after Feb. 10 incident (03/02/09)
Timothy L. Iliff, 46, of Sweet Springs, was taken into custody Wednesday, Feb. 25, in connection with an incident that took place Feb. 10 at a private residence in Sweet Springs. He is being held on a $5,000 cash-only bond. According to the incident report, Iliff assaulted Talmadge Ingalls, attacking him with a knife during an argument...

Paperwork for sale of I-70 Medical Center to HMC/CAH finalized (02/27/09)
The final "i" has been dotted, the final "t" crossed, and so the sale of I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs to HMC/CAH Consolidated of Kansas City is complete as of Friday, Feb. 27, according to a news release from the hospital. The sale was initiated in July 2008, when the hospital board of directors, in a split vote, opted to accept HMC's offer for the hospital...

Sweet Springs Progress: Changes afoot at I-70 Medical Center (02/20/09)
Events of the past year have given Sweet Springs opportunities to look forward. Here we offer an excerpt from one of the stories you'll find in the special insert in the Friday, Feb. 20, edition of The Marshall Democrat-News.

Sweet Springs school board reviews district performance report (02/19/09)
A number of visitors were present for the Sweet Springs R-VII School District Board of Education meeting Wednesday, Feb. 18. The board approved the school district's annual "report card," despite inaccuracies regarding the number of black students listed and even the name of the school district, which read "Sweet Springs R-V," rather than "R-VII."...

Sweet Springs aldermen praise police officer, vote to raise water rates (02/11/09)
Changing the water rate, appointing new members to the Park and Recreation Board and the commending a Sweet Springs police officer were among the actions taken by the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen at its regular meeting Monday, Feb. 9. The board voted to change the water rate to $8.25 for the first 133 cubic feet of water and .062 cents per cubic foot of water after that. ...

Koster gives green light to I-70 Medical Center sale (02/03/09)
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster approved the sale of the I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs to the for-profit company Hospital Management Consulting Monday, Feb. 2.

Attempted burglary reported by rural Sweet Springs resident (02/02/09)
A rural Sweet Springs woman reported an attempted burglary Saturday afternoon, Jan. 31, according to a Saline County Sheriff's Department report. The woman told deputies her daughter saw an older full-sized panel van approach the home. A man got out of the van and tried to open the front door. He then drove the van to the rear of the home and tried to enter through the back door, according to the report...

Newscope: Sweet Springs A+ Career Day to be held Wednesday, Feb. 4 (01/30/09)
Sweet Springs High School will hold an A+ Career Day Wednesday, Feb. 4, beginning at 8:15 a.m. High schoolers will listen to presentations by MVC students before breaking out into four sessions, each consisting of one representative of a career...

Sweet Springs police officer to receive commendation for actions during house fire (01/30/09)
Sweet Springs police officer Ben Burge was recently recommended by Sweet Springs Fire Chief Todd Anderson to receive a commendation for his acts on Dec. 29, 2008, in relation to a house fire. On the evening of Dec. 29, Burge, as he said he often does, tried to overhear the content of an emergency call...

Catherine Lange (01/19/09)
Catherine Lange, 77, of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at The Living Center in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs.

Ada Maurine Parsons Tyler (01/14/09)
Ada Maurine Parsons Tyler, 80, of rural Sweet Springs, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at Lutheran Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Concordia. Funeral services will be held Friday morning, Jan. 16, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Blackwater Chapel United Methodist Church, with Rev. ...

Maurine Tyler (01/13/09)
Maurine Tyler, 80, of rural Sweet Springs, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at The Lutheran Nursing Home in Concordia. Funeral arrangements are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs.

Charles Edward Jackson Jr. (12/29/08)
Charles Edward Jackson Jr., 60, of Liberty, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, at his home. Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home. Visitation will precede the services from 3 to 4 p.m. ...

Danny E. Widder (12/22/08)
Danny E. Widder, 70, of Sweet Springs, and long-time resident of Ulysses, Kan., died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Round Rock, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Sweet Springs. Pastor Jack Thomas will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Sweet Springs Historical Society c/o Campbell Lewis Funeral Home, 226 S. Odell, Marshall, MO 65340...

Sweet Springs bands and choirs give audience 'A Night of Carols' (12/18/08)

Sweet Springs celebrates the holidays with 'Santa Saturday' (12/09/08)
Sweet Springs saw a lot of Christmastime activities during "Santa Saturday," Dec. 6, part of the town's "Winter Weekend." Children and their parents were able to have "Breakfast with Santa" for the tenth consecutive year at the Lions Club thanks to the Sweet Springs Optimist Club, where they could eat pancakes and sausage and drink either milk or orange juice before the children sat on Santa's lap...

'Hounds debut with two wins (12/05/08)
SWEET SPRINGS -- The Sweet Springs boys' basketball team run-and-gunned its way past visiting Malta Bend, 94-25, to begin the season Thursday, while the Lady Greyhounds used their more methodical approach to dominate their Saline County rival, 58-8...

Sweet Springs student wins anti-dumping poster contest (12/02/08)
Bailey Coyer, student at Sweet Springs Elementary, received the most votes for her entry in the 2009 Saline County Illegal Dumping Awareness Poster Contest, beating 12 other entries for placement on a local highway billboard and the cover of the calendar featuring entries from the contest...

Paula M. (Sidwell) Forsyth (12/01/08)
Paula M. (Sidwell) Forsyth, 76, of Wichita, Kan., formerly of Sweet Springs, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, in Wichita. Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Cochran Mortuary in Wichita. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. Online condolences cam be left at www.cochranmortuary.com...

Sweet Springs man hurt in 1-vehicle accident (11/29/08)
An 18-year-old Sweet Springs man received minor injuries Friday afternoon, Nov. 28, in a one-vehicle accident, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Lucas T. Hall was taken by a family member to I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs, troopers said...

Sweet Springs woman suffers minor injuries in 2-vehicle crash (11/27/08)
Robin DeWeese, 39, of Sweet Springs, received minor injuries about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, when the 1999 Chrysler she was a passenger in was struck by a 2000 Ford F150, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. The accident occurred in Pettis County near the intersection of Highway 127 and Salt Fork Road...

Norman Eugene Rayl (11/21/08)
Norman Eugene "Gene" Rayl, 74-year-old resident of Sportsman Shores (Langley), Okla., died early Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, in Langley. The funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs, with William W. ...

Sheriff's deputies investigate burglary at Sweet Springs quarry (11/18/08)
Saline County sheriff's deputies are investigating a second business burglary near Sweet Springs several days after a contractor reported a break-in and theft from a construction site near there. The second burglary occurred at Lafarge Quarry between 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and 6:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, according to the report, and between the loss of a equipment and damage to facilities, the cost is estimated by company officials to exceed $50,000, deputies said...

Sweet Springs school board to seek voter approval for building expansion bond (11/14/08)
The primary issues discussed at the Sweet Springs R-VII School District Board of Education meeting were the placement of a bond issue for construction of a new pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade school on April's ballot and the score of the district's annual performance report...

Contractor reports vehicles, tools stolen from construction site (11/14/08)
The Saline County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft from a construction site new Sweet Springs of two vehicles and a number of tools. A report made Friday, Nov. 14, by representatives of Premier Contractors Inc. noted that two skid-loaders and the tools were taken from a site a quarter of a mile south of Interstate 70 on County Road 329...

Sweet Springs man charged with stalking (11/12/08)
Raymond S. Nold, 41, of Sweet Springs, was arrested Monday, Nov. 10, and charged with the class A misdemeanors of stalking and harassment. According to a report from Saline County Sheriff's Department, Nold was taken into custody after a former girlfriend reported several instances in which Nold allegedly threatened or confronted her, her son and another acquaintance, including dozens of phone calls...

Traffic ordinance dominates meeting of Sweet Springs council (11/11/08)
During the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Nov. 10, the board discussed the implementation of a new Model Traffic Ordinance, the purchase of a fire truck and the ongoing issue of water loss due to old water meters misreading the amount brought in...

Chance Carl Koch (10/20/08)
Chance Carl Koch, stillborn son of Christopher and Chenoa Koch of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at St. Luke Hospital in Kansas City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. ...

Katherine Juanita Welch (10/21/08)
Juanita Welch, 73, of Sweet Springs, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at University Hospital and Clinics in Columbia. Funeral services are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs.

Littering ordinance, water meter upgrades dominate Sweet Springs council meeting (10/15/08)
During the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen's meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 14, much time was spent discussing a proposed littering ordinance and the need to replace or repair water meters inaccurately measuring the water used. The littering ordinance was brought to the board's attention for a number of reasons, including the fact that there had been no such ordinance and a problem the city had been having with citizens allowing their grass clippings to make their way into the city's sewer system.. ...

Saline County artist retrieved from obscurity by historian (10/09/08)
A wedding gift, given to a young couple in 1955, led a retired college professor to uncover perhaps one of Missouri -- and Saline County's -- great artists from the 19th century. However, the artist, William B. Cox, had been all but forgotten in art history...

Sweet Springs plans first Octoberfest for Saturday, Oct. 4 (09/30/08)
The first Sweet Springs Octoberfest is slated for Saturday, Oct. 4, downtown on Miller Street, according to a news release. Events will get underway at 10 a.m. and will continue through the evening hours with dinner and music. Crafters and venders will be set up ready to go by 10 a.m. There will be a variety of crafters, including pottery, ceramics, wickless candles, jewelry, artists and more...

Sweet Springs man hurt in 1-vehicle accident early Sept. 25 (09/26/08)
A Sweet Springs man received moderate injuries and was taken to Fitzgibbon Hospital as a result of an accident on Thursday morning, Sept. 25, according to a report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The collision occurred at around 5:40 a.m. on Route EE north of County Road 314 when Shannon L. Rader, 25, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned after striking a culvert, according to the report by Sgt. Woody Hicks...

Sweet Springs woman hurt in 1-car wreck (09/13/08)

Closing delayed, but HMC officials think hospital sale will be approved (09/09/08)
The ball remains in the state attorney general's office regarding the sale of non-profit I-70 Medical Center to for-profit HMC/CAH and as of Friday, Sept. 5, an AG spokesman would only say that the agreement is still being reviewed. At the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Sept. ...

KC man sentenced to federal prison term for robbing Sweet Springs bank (09/07/08)
A Kansas City man convicted of robbing two banks in April, including First Community Bank of Sweet Springs, was sentenced Friday, Sept. 5, to seven years in federal prison, according to a news release from John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri...

Fern Adelle Vaught (08/29/08)
Fern Adelle Vaught, 83, of Sweet Springs, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at Golden Living Center in Odessa. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs, with William W. Harlow officiating. ...

Prep Grid Preview � Week 1: 'Hounds face daunting task versus No. 1 Orrick (08/28/08)
SWEET SPRINGS -- Despite a new offensive backfield, Sweet Springs head coach Tim Smith is full of confidence about the season ahead. Whether that optimism will survive the opener remains to be seen, since the Greyhounds' task is formidable: taking on defending Class 1 state champion Orrick on the road. Coming off another I-70 Conference title run, the Bearcats -- despite the loss of all-state running back Taylor Eubank -- enter the season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll...

Chester Griffitt (08/28/08)
Chester Griffitt, 92, of rural Sweet Springs, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. ...

Sweet Springs school board gets good news on tax impact of new law (08/26/08)
The Sweet Springs School Board dealt with mostly routine business in a short meeting held at the elementary school on August 21. The longest discussion centered around the tax rate hearing and what the recently passed Senate Bill 711 actually meant...

Support for I-70 Medical Center strong, but opinions divided about proposed sale (08/22/08)
The clear consensus at a three-hour public hearing in Sweet Springs Thursday, Aug. 21, was that members of the community strongly support the I-70 Medical Center and want to see it succeed. Past that, opinions diverge about how best to achieve that goal...

Virginia Wackerman (08/21/08)
Virginia Wackerman, 79, of Sweet Springs, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at University Hospital & Clinics in Columbia. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Sweet Springs, with William W. Harlow officiating. ...

Public hearing on Sweet Springs hospital sale set for Thursday (08/16/08)
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced Friday, Aug. 15, that a public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Sweet Springs elementary school on the subject of the impending sale of the I-70 Medical Center. Missouri law gives the attorney general 20 days to evaluate the proposed agreement between non-profit I-70 Medical Center and for-profit Hospital Management Consulting before the deal can be finalized, according to a news release from Nixon's office...

I-70 Medical Center sold to HMC/CAH (08/01/08)

Sold? I-70 Medical Center board member says hospital sold; CEO says it's premature to comment (07/28/08)
I-70 Medical Center, a private, non-profit hospital located in Sweet Springs, may be up for sale. According to an article in the Sweet Springs Herald last week, six of 11 members of the hospital board voted to sell the center to a private company in early July...

Sweet Springs aldermen consider guest tax, address changes (07/18/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen discussed a guest tax ordinance and considered address changes recommended by the Saline County 911 Commission at their regular meeting Monday, July 14. The proposed guest tax would cost Sweet Springs visitors 5 percent of their room rate...

Virgil Nolting (07/14/08)
Virgil Nolting, 85, of rural Houstonia, died Friday, July 11, 2008, at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. Dan Wing officiating. ...

Sweet Springs school board votes to allow students a choice between band and chorus (07/11/08)
A group of parents questioned the Sweet Springs School Board of Education on Wednesday, July 9, about a policy requiring all 5th and 6th grade students in the district to take band. The matter seems to be resolved, however, as school superintendent Boyd Jones said in a later interview that the board voted in executive session to allow the 5th and 6th graders the choice beginning this year to take either band or vocal music...

MSDC to help Sweet Springs develop community plan (07/09/08)
The Marshall Saline Development Corporation discussed the possibly of creating a community plan for Sweet Springs at their Tuesday, July 8, meeting. "We have joined with a number of our community and regional partners to develop a community plan for Sweet Springs," said Executive Director Roy Hunter. "The first step in this effort will consist of an open meeting in Sweet Springs."...

Tracy Ekstrand (07/08/08)
Tracy Ekstrand, 57, of rural Clinton, died Monday, July 7, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw, with Rev. Gene Ekstrand officiating. Burial will be in Shawnee Cemetery, Warsaw. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Benton County Cancer Fund in care of Reser Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at ...

Mary Frances Milburn (06/20/08)
Mary Frances Wortheam Milburn, 59, of Sweet Springs, died Monday, June 16, 2008 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2008, at Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home in Lexington. Burial will be held in Lexington Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the family...

Controversy returns: Sweet Springs council disagrees over board appointment (06/17/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen has had fewer contentious moments recently, but controversy returned at its meeting Monday, June 9. When Alderwoman Billie Clevenger recommended former mayor Roxanne Hinton for appointment to the recreation board, Alderwoman Vivian Wiley and Alderman Jim Lindemann began what proved to be a night of arguments...

Sewer rate increase approved for Sweet Springs (06/11/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen met Monday, June 9, and approved a sewer-rate increase. The current sewer service rate is $2.55 for 0 to 133 cubic feet of water and $0.0125 for each cubic foot of water used thereafter. At the last meeting of the board, there were three rates proposed. Alderwoman Billie Clevenger was not present to propose her own rate...

Newscope/School boards to hold regular meetings this week (06/09/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education is scheduled to meet Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m. The Malta Bend Board of Education meets Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m.

KC man injured in I-70 accident following pursuit (06/07/08)
A Kansas City man suffered moderate injuries Friday afternoon, June 6, when he lost control of his car after hitting "stop sticks" placed in his path by Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers. Tracy J. Black, 40, was being pursued by troopers on eastbound Interstate 70 when he struck the "stop sticks" about 5:20 p.m. at the 71.8 mile-marker, according to a highway patrol report...

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...

GPS leads woman astray near Sweet Springs, cell phone helps her get back on track (05/22/08)
Three Saline County Sheriff's deputies and one Sweet Springs fireman spent over an hour Wednesday, May 21, trying to locate a woman in rural Saline County whose Garmin GPS took her astray. Sheriff's department received a call at 11:26 a.m. from a woman who said she was on County Road 330 near Bridge Street in Sweet Springs. She was stuck in a ditch and couldn't get out, according to the incident log...

Summer with no swimming pool?/Sweet Springs pool board says more lifeguards needed in order to open city pool (05/14/08)
The Sweet Springs pool might not be opening on schedule this year unless more lifeguards are hired. Members of the Board of Aldermen heard concerns at their regular meeting Monday, May 12, from the pool board about the possibility of not being able to open the pool this summer...

Sweet Springs school board approves bus purchase (05/12/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Thursday, May 8, to approve purchasing a new bus and replacing carpet in the high school. Superintendent Boyd Jones said the district has purchased large buses the last two years. "If we buy this one, we can hold off one year before buying another," Jones said...

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...

Health insurance tops Sweet Springs school board agenda (05/09/08)
Sweet Springs Board of Education discussed health insurance policy options at its regular meeting Thursday, May 8. Superintendent Boyd Jones said for the first time in recent memory the district has a competitive bid from someone other than Forrest T. Jones...

Sweet Springs FFA students bid farewell to long-time advisor (05/06/08)
Although he wanted the focus to stay on the students, the large crowd at the Sweet Springs FFA Banquet on Wednesday, April 30, made sure that longtime advisor Dan Hill knew he was appreciated. Hill is retiring this year, after 30 years of serving as the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at the high school. The Sweet Springs FFA chapter was named the number one chapter in the state of Missouri at the Missouri FFA Convention held April 17-18 in Columbia...

Giant mushrooms (05/06/08)

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...

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...

Sweet Springs aldermen approve street projects (04/28/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Alderman selected the street overlay projects for this year's budget at its meeting Monday, April 14. Hank Taber, superintendent of public works, presented the board with a list of potential streets to include in the 2008 overlay project. The list has more than a mile of city streets that need repair...

Bonner Springs teen killed in collision on I-70 April 27 (04/28/08)
A Bonner Springs, Kan., teen was killed early Sunday, April 27, and six people were injured in a two-car accident on Interstate 70 west of Sweet Springs, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol. Joshua K. Gaffney, 14, was pronounced dead at the scene by Saline County Coroner Willie Harlow. Next of kin have been notified, according to the report...

Sweet Springs FFA Chapter earns top honors at state convention (04/18/08)
Two area FFA chapters received Gold Chapter Awards on the first day of the 80th Missouri FFA Convention, while four local students took first place proficiency awards for the state. The Sweet Springs FFA chapter was named first out of the state's 311 chapters, while Marshall's chapter was named 22nd...

Suspect in Sweet Springs bank robbery arrested (04/17/08)
Saline County Sheriff Wally George announced early Thursday, April 17, that according to Missouri State Highway Patrol officials, a suspect in the bank robbery April 8 in Sweet Springs was arrested April 16 by Independence police. The suspect escaped after the robbery with an undisclosed amount of money. Sweet Springs police, sheriff's deputies, MSHP troopers and FBI agents have been investigating the case...

Dohrman turns over reins of Sweet Springs school board after long tenure as president (04/17/08)
President John Dohrman stepped down after about 11 consecutive years of holding the office at the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Thursday, April 10, after one returning and two new members were accepted to the board. The board certified the results from the Tuesday, April 8, election giving Robert Fuehring, Troy Schroeder and Brian Vogelsmeier the three open spots on the board...

New mayor takes office in Sweet Springs April 15 (04/15/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen met Monday, April 14, to swear in newly elected officials and new Mayor Raymond Kinney had to break a tie vote right off the bat. City Clerk Ronda Nienhueser swore in Kinney to the position of mayor and James Lindemann and Billie Clevenger to positions of aldermen...

FBI seeks leads in Sweet Springs bank robbery/First Community Bank announces reopening; praises employees' responses during incident (04/10/08)
Area law enforcement officers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI are still looking for a suspect in the robbery Tuesday, April 8, of First Community Bank in Sweet Springs. Meanwhile, the bank announced it was open for business as usual Wednesday...

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...

2 Sweet Spring teens killed, 2 hurt in collision late Monday, April 7 (04/08/08)
A two-vehicle accident near Sweet Springs left two Sweet Springs teenagers dead Monday, April 7. The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the accident at about 10:19 p.m. Monday on the South Outer Road, 1 1/2 miles west of Missouri Highway 127...

Suspect still at large Tuesday after mid-morning bank robbery in Sweet Springs (04/08/08)
Law enforcement officials in Saline County were searching the southwest part of the county Tuesday morning, April 8, after a report of a bank robbery at the First Community Bank of Sweet Springs. Sheriff Wally George said the call came in at 10:28 a.m. that a white male, about 5-foot, 8-inches tall and about 220 pounds, approached a teller and passed a note demanding money "or he would shoot."...

'Friends of Sweet Springs FFA' hopes to send member to leadership conference (04/08/08)
The newly "officially" formed Friends of the Sweet Springs FFA is looking for those interested in joining their organization and also looking for two Sweet Springs FFA members interested in attending the Washington Leadership Conference. "We want to help keep the FFA strong in Sweet Springs," said DeEtta Murphy, secretary of the newly-formed group. Among the group's other goals are to "connect the Sweet Springs chapter's historic past, to the present, while helping build for the future."...

April election/Sweet Springs school board candidates make their cases (04/07/08)
Editor's note: The candidates running for Sweet Springs Board of Education were all asked the same questions. Why are you running? What qualifies you for this position? What are two or three issues, problems or goals you think should be top priority in the coming year, if elected to the school board?...

Sweet Springs firefighter charged with felony in alleged theft case (04/04/08)
Sweet Springs Volunteer Fireman Ryan A. Hall was arrested March 8 after allegedly using a credit card belonging to Sweet Springs Fire Department to purchase gasoline for his personal vehicle. On March 8, Officer Melvin Taber filed a probable cause statement that stated he believed Hall committed one or more offenses on or around Oct. 30, 2007, to March 8, 2008, at Break Time in Sweet Springs...

Sweet Springs council approves $2.29 million budget (03/27/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Alderman held a public hearing Wednesday, March 26, to answer residents questions about the 2008-2009 city budget and then approved the $2.29 million budget. "I am glad you're getting the budget done," said Raymond Kinney, who is running unopposed for Sweet Springs mayor in April...

Sweet Springs youngster hurt in gun accident March 18 (03/19/08)
A Sweet Springs 6-year-old was injured by the recoil of a shotgun on Tuesday, March 18, and taken to I-70 Medical Center for evaluation, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Department. The juvenile sustained a superficial wound near his right shoulder, deputies said...

Sweet Springs school board approves 2008-09 calendar, class schedule change (03/19/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Thursday, March 13, to approve the proposed 2008-2009 school calendar and a proposal generated by the teacher committee changing class scheduling. The proposed calendar year for Sweet Springs school district has school beginning Thursday, Aug. 14, and ending Friday, May 15. This calendar features make-up days reordered to allow spring break to remain more intact. It also includes an early out on the last day before Christmas vacation...

Disagreement over information distribution marks Sweet Springs school board meeting (03/18/08)
Voices rose on a couple of matters at the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Thursday, March 13. Board member Cindi Sims asked the board to discuss distribution of board packets for closed session material. Sims apparently asked for materials prior to the Thursday meeting to prepare herself for the decision to be made that night and was denied until further investigation on if there was a policy or motion made by a board in the past on distribution of this material and also to get all board members input.. ...

Sweet Springs council considers use-or-lose policy on insurance (03/17/08)

Saline County Republicans select delegates for district and state conventions (03/17/08)
Richard Clemens, chairman of the Saline County Republican Committee, announced the results of the party's caucus, held Saturday, March 15, in the Club House on the Marshall square. Selected to serve as delegates to the district convention in Sedalia April 19 are Lester Bailey, Gordon Buckner, Clemens, Ken Hughson, Ron Murphy, G. Edward Richards, Melvin Smith and Bill Stouffer...

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...

Newscope/Marshall, Sweet Springs to host Easter Egg hunts (03/12/08)
Indian Foothills Park will host two Easter Egg Hunts this year. The first on Friday, March 14, at 8 p.m. is a "Flashlight Egg Hunt." It will be for 11 to 14 year olds and will take place down in the Lyon's Bowl. Pre-registration is suggested. The second hunt is the Saturday, March 15, at 10 a.m. and children participating will meet at the tennis courts. Special characters will be there to greet children and parents can take pictures...

Lindemann appointed to complete Bernard's term on Sweet Springs board (03/07/08)
In the big-shoes-to-fill department, the man of the hour Thursday, March 6, in Sweet Springs was Jim Lindemann. The former Sweet Springs alderman, who had filed to run for a seat on the board in the April election, found himself appointed to the post early after Alderman Derl Bernard's death Feb. 28 left the board with just enough members to make its quorum...

Lady Orioles defend district title (03/03/08)
CONCORDIA -- A year ahead, a year away. That's how Sweet Springs head girls' basketball coach Boyd Jones sees his sophomore-laden team. The Lady Greyhounds' 17 wins -- tying the school record set by the fine Shelley Rennison-led 2004 squad -- and first-ever appearance in a district championship game foretold good things to come, maybe sooner rather than later...

Sweet Springs loses long-time community leader Derl Bernard (02/29/08)
The community of Sweet Springs will be different from now on. For the first time in nearly 50 years, Derl Bernard will no longer be in or around the offices of local government. Bernard died Thursday, Feb. 28, after a lengthy illness that increasingly kept him from participating fully in the work of the Board of Aldermen...

Sweet Springs school board hears school achievement reports Feb. 18 (02/22/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Monday, Feb. 18, to hear several reports on school achievements. Janell Castle, A+ program coordinator, told the board that the school had its designation review Jan. 16. "It went very well," she said. The recommendation based off the review will be presented to the Missouri State Board of Education in April...

Costs cited as Sweet Springs school board opts to charge admission for baseball, softball games (02/19/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Monday, Feb. 18, to approve an admission fee to softball and baseball games. Superintendent Boyd Jones said, "We have spoken previously about charging admission to the baseball and softball games." Several I-70 schools are already charging admission...

Florissant man hurt in 1-car wreck on I-70 Feb. 5 (02/06/08)
Christopher R. Fromme, 29, of Florissant, sustained moderate injuries in a rollover crash Tuesday, Feb. 5, on Interstate 70, two miles west of Missouri Highway 127. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Fromme was injured when he lost control of the 2005 Chevrolet he was driving westbound on I-70...

Sweet Springs aldermen approve fire department repair costs (02/04/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen approved two requests during recent meetings by the city's fire department for equipment replacement and maintenance. At its Jan. 22 meeting, the board approved the expenditure of $1,600 for equipment that was damaged while battling a truck fire on Interstate 70 recently...

Lady 'Hounds fall at Sacred Heart (01/31/08)
SEDALIA -- Sacred Heart broke open a tight game with a 17-4 run during the third quarter Wednesday to take a 49-29 non-conference victory over the Sweet Springs girls' basketball team. The Lady Greyhounds hung around for a half, getting three buckets -- including a three-pointer -- from junior Stephanie Krause. ...

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...

Sweet Springs aldermen low on options for budgeting lawsuit settlement costs (01/29/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen is leaving no stone unturned as it seeks a way to pay a $25,000 lawsuit settlement out of the current fiscal year budget -- but so far none of the stones has yielded the required amount. Mayor Roxanne Hinton raised the issue at the board's Jan. 22 meeting, noting that the settlement has been paid, but the budget now needs to be adjusted to account for it...

Sweet Springs man injured in 1-car accident Jan. 27 (01/28/08)
Edwin D. Nelson, 41, of Sweet Springs suffered moderate injuries early Sunday morning, Jan. 27, in a one-car accident on South Outer Road, about 0.10 miles west of the North Outer Road overpass, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Nelson was eastbound on South Outer Road of Interstate 70 when he lost control of his 2000 Chevrolet and traveled off the left side of the road, according to the report...

Sweet Springs Aldermen approve water rate hike (01/28/08)
Water rates in Sweet Springs were nudged up Tuesday, Jan. 22, when the Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance setting the new rate at $8 for the first 133 cubic feet and 6 cents for each cubic foot thereafter. The previous rate per cubic foot was 5.7 cents...

Newscope/Sweet Springs council to meet Jan. 28 (01/25/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen has scheduled a special closed meeting for 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28. The only item on the agenda indicates the board plans to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters.

Sweet Springs mayor decides not to seek re-election in April (01/23/08)
While observers of state politics were busy reacting to the surprise announcement that Gov. Matt Blunt will not seek a second term in office, another political leader closer to home made the same decision known. Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton did not file for re-election by the 5 p.m. ...

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...

Newscope/Sweet Springs aldermen to meet Jan. 22 (01/21/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen will convene Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. to hold a meeting that was postponed from Monday, Jan. 14, when the board did not get a quorum of members present. On the agenda will be budget adjustments, an ordinance setting water rates, an ordinance on display of city stickers and an ordinance to put a telecommunications business license on the ballot...

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...

Robert Gene Venable (01/14/08)
Robert Gene Venable, 74, of rural Sweet Springs, died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall. Memorials may be made to Big Bend Retreat. Online condolences may be sent to www.campbell-lewis.com...

Sweet Springs BOE hires auditor, hears about award (01/11/08)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Monday, Jan. 7, to hire next school year's auditor. The board approved hiring auditor Randall Fiene. He has been the district auditor for a number of years. "I can't remember a time when someone else has done it," said Superintendent Boyd Jones. "I am aware of no reason to end that relationship."...

Newscope/Sweet Springs FCCLA hosts Chili and Soup Dinner (01/11/08)
Sweet Springs High School's Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will host its annual Chili and Soup Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the high school commons area. Freewill donations will be accepted. The group will be serving chili, soup, drink and desserts...

30-year career nears end for Sweet Springs ag teacher (01/07/08)
Sweet Springs' vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Dan Hill is now beginning his last semester. He plans to retire this year after 30 years at the school district. "It's time to let somebody else have all the fun," laughed Hill, who was named the outstanding agriculture instructor in Missouri in July 2007 by the Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teacher's Association...

The life of a teacher: Dan Hill recounts career roots (01/07/08)
It's no secret that many students -- and former students -- of Sweet Springs High School have credited Dan Hill, FFA advisor and agriculture teacher, with helping them be successful in the school's FFA program and in life. Now in his 30th and last year teaching at the high school, Hill, who was Missouri's vocational teacher of the year in 2007, credits his high school agriculture instructor, Tony Asburry, for his desire to become a teacher...

Newscope/Sweet Springs school board to meet Jan. 7 (01/04/08)
Sweet Springs Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at Sweet Springs Elementary School, 105 Main St. Agenda items include the December financial report, School Board Recognition Week, the February board meeting and the 2007-08 audit. The board will also meet in closed session to discuss personnel and student issues...

Sweet Springs aldermen approve grant application, discuss tax collection change (12/28/07)
Sweet Springs Aldermen met in regular session Monday, Dec. 10, to address a lengthy agenda, including an application for a planning grant from Rural Development. The $9,000 grant would help the city address ways to improve the city lagoon. Approval to pursue it was unanimous...

Newscope/Sweet Springs man charged with bribery (12/27/07)
A Sweet Springs resident, already under scrutiny for allegedly driving while intoxicated, driving while his license was suspended and with two warrants outstanding from earlier incidents, added another charge to the list Friday, Dec. 21, when he tried to bribe the arresting officer...

Sweet Springs school board approves several contracts (12/14/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Monday, Dec. 10, to approve contracts with MUSIC, Interstate Studio and Walsworth publishing. Sweet Springs school district's property insurance rates are due on Dec. 31 each year and cover a full calendar year...

Sweet Springs man dies in fire late Nov. 30 (12/01/07)
A 69-year-old Sweet Springs man died in a blaze at his home on Rose Street late Friday, Nov.30, according to Fire Chief Todd Anderson.

Kansas City woman seriously hurt in accident on I-70 at Sweet Springs Nov. 30 (12/01/07)
A Kansas City woman was seriously injured in a one-car accident on Interstate 70 Friday, Nov. 30, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Joan K. Kohler, 76, was transported by air ambulance to St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, troopers said...

Sweet Springs board sets election filing dates in shortened meeting (11/30/07)
The tone for the meeting of the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen was set early when Alderman Lewis Bybee made a motion to shorten the agenda considerably in consideration for two members who are in poor health. Hinton objected, noting that the business of the city has to be addressed in spite of health issues on the board...

Sweet Springs Aldermen join Verizon settlement (11/27/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on Friday, Nov. 16, in the board room of I-70 Medical Center to help accommodate an alderman who was in the hospital. The board approved joining the Verizon Wireless class action settlement, in which both Marshall and Slater have already agreed to participate...

Sweet Springs man killed by trooper Nov. 24 (11/26/07)
A Sweet Springs man died Saturday, Nov. 24, in a residence north of Houstonia, when his allegedly violent and uncooperative behavior brought the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT) to his doorstep. Dennis R. Mullins, 27, of Sweet Springs, was shot by a member of the team after two gunshots were heard coming from upstairs in the home. Mullins later died at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall...

Official: No reports of MRSA at Sweet Springs schools (11/26/07)
Sweet Springs School District Superintendent Boyd Jones reported there have been no cases of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) in the Sweet Springs school district so far. Jones assured the board that they are taking every precaution available...

Newscope/Sweet Springs Board of Education agrees to football co-op with Malta Bend school (11/26/07)
Malta Bend students will have their first opportunity to play football after the Sweet Springs Board of Education unanimously agreed to allow the school to co-op with them in football. The board met on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at noon to discuss the proposition with five of seven members present...

Newscope/Sheriff's deputies investigate a variety of incidents (11/19/07)
Saline County Sheriff's Deputies were busy with a variety of incidents over the weekend, beginning with an arson investigation Saturday morning, Nov. 17, around 7 a.m. at the southeast corner of County Road 401 where it intersects tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad near Grand Pass...

Malta Bend students may get chance to play league football if boards reach agreement (11/15/07)
Malta Bend has never had a football program, but not for lack of interest, according to school officials. That may soon change if a proposed partnership with Sweet Springs school district comes to pass. The Sweet Springs Board of Education discussed at its Nov. 6 meeting the possibility of forming a partnership with Malta Bend that would allow students from the smaller school to play on Sweet Springs' team...

9-1-1 Commission moves toward filling director position, key to progress (11/09/07)
The Saline County Enhanced 9-1-1 board got a lot of work done at its meeting Thursday, Nov. 8, in Sweet Springs. The board approved publication of ads for the position of director, placing the salary in the range of $40,000 to $60,000, depending on education, overall qualifications and experience. A benefit package will be negotiable...

MoDOT plans repair work on I-70 (11/07/07)
The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Oct. 30 that asphalt repair operations will begin on I-70 in Saline County on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7 a.m. and will be completed on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. The first project will begin at the junction of I-70 and Route EE east of Sweet Springs and will continue east to end at the junction of I-70 and Route YY west of Marshall Junction...

Sweet Springs man arrested for alleged drug possession (11/06/07)
A routine traffic stop for an expired license plate resulted in the arrest of a Sweet Springs man on Monday, Nov. 5, at his residence. Further investigation turned up an active arrest warrant for a non-moving traffic violation in Pettis County and a suspended driver's license...

Judge dismisses 2 suits against Sweet Springs Alderman Oct. 31 (11/01/07)
Two order of protection suits against Sweet Springs Alderman Lewis Bybee have been dismissed, according to court officials. The suits, one filed by Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton, and one by Alderman Billie Clevenger, were prompted by a heated exchange during the Sept. 12 Board of Aldermen meeting...

Sheriff seeks tattooed suspect in 2 recent vehicle thefts (10/25/07)
Saline County Sheriff's Department officers are looking for a Boonville man in connection with the theft of two vehicles, one a classic 1964 Ford Impala SS owned by Stanley Horman of Sweet Springs, on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The man is described as a white male, 6 feet tall and 165 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair, a goatee and heavily-tattoed arms. He was last seen in the vicinity of Sharon township...

Sweet Springs man dies in auto-repair accident at his home Saturday, Oct. 20 (10/22/07)
Sweet Springs resident Gabriel R. Navarro, 47, died Saturday afternoon, Oct. 20, at his home, as a result of injuries sustained while he was attempting to repair a 1992 Ford minivan. Saline County Sheriff’s Department officers were called to the scene at 204 E. Marshall in Sweet Springs about 4:30 p.m. Saturday by Kathy Navarro, wife of the victim, who said she had been away from home earlier and returned to find her husband under the van...

Orville A. Hinck (10/19/07)
Orville A. Hinck, 78, of Sweet Springs, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 20, 2007, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. Dan Wing officiating. ...

Sweet Springs school board adjusts pay policy to account for tax law change (10/17/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met on Thursday, Oct. 11, to adopt an amendment to policy that would keep the district and teachers from being penalized because of a change in the federal tax code. The tax law change says that any employees who work only part of the year -- not just educators -- and who have a choice on how they are paid may be subject to an additional 20 percent tax if they opt to spread out their compensation over 12 months...

Newscope/Friday, October 12 (10/12/07)
Order of protection hearing continued in Sweet Springs aldermen case Sweet Springs Alderman Lewis Bybee's day in court was postponed for another 20 days when Judge Randall Shackelford granted a continuance requested by Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton at a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the courthouse in Marshall...

Sweet Springs aldermen continue to deal with tensions (10/11/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen conducted its business without incident Tuesday, Oct. 9, after an argument during its previous meeting resulted in an assault complaint by two members against a third. But tension remained evident among members of the board as it discussed several difficult issues, including one motion referring to the assault complaint...

Newscope/Thursday, October 11 (10/11/07)
Sheriff's department investigates report of loose dogs causing problems near Sweet Springs On Monday, Oct. 8, Saline County Sheriff's Department officers were asked to investigate reports of dogs running loose and invading neighbors' properties at a rural Sweet Springs location...

Legal fees may force Sweet Springs to cut back city staff (10/10/07)
Sweet Springs city officials may have to make staffing cutbacks to compensate for expected budget shortfalls primarily caused by unexpected attorney fees. Mayor Roxanne Hinton offered the Board of Aldermen a proposal during its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9, for reducing staff enough to free up $30,730...

Newscope/Wednesday, October 3 (10/03/07)
Marshall woman suffers minor injuries in 1-vehicle accident No one was seriously injured and vehicle damage was minor in an accident at 11:40 p.m. Oct. 2, on Missouri Highway 240 at Route O, according to a report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol...

Conflict at Sweet Springs board meeting results in assault complaint filed against alderman (10/01/07)
According to a report from the Saline County Sheriff's Department, a complaint of 3rd degree assault has been filed against Lewis Bybee, Sweet Springs, as a result of his actions at a Sweet Springs City Council meeting on Sept. 12. The complaint was lodged against Bybee by Sweet Springs Mayor Roxanne Hinton, after what she said was "threatening" behavior directed at her and at Alderman Billie Clevenger over a discussion about an issue before the council regarding the city swimming pool...

Sweet Springs Board of Education sets senior trip, graduation dates (09/21/07)
Sweet Springs Board of Education met on Thursday, Sept. 13, and set the senior trip and graduation dates. The Class of 2008's senior trip dates are from Friday, May 2, to Wednesday, May 7, 2008. They will graduate on Friday, May 9. The board also heard an update on the Washington, D. C., trip that will include grades eight, nine and 10...

Columbia man suffers minor injury in accident on I-70 (09/17/07)
A 30-year-old Columbia man was taken to I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs Sunday, Sept. 16, after an accident involving three vehicles at the 67 mile marker on Interstate 70. Aaron C. Cook suffered minor injuries in the accident, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report...

Columbia man suffers minor injury in accident on I-70 Sept. 16 (09/16/07)
A 30-year-old Columbia man was taken to I-70 Medical in Sweet Springs Sunday, Sept. 16, after an accident involving three vehicles at the 67 mile marker on Interstate 70. Aaron C. Cook suffered minor injuries in the accident, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report...

Marshall man sentenced for robbing bank in May (09/14/07)
A 35-year-old Marshall man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for robbing Community Bank of Marshall's Sweet Springs branch in May. The U.S. Attorney's office announced Wednesday, Sept. 12, that Jeffrey Lee Wright was sentenced to 41 months without parole in federal prison for robbing the bank...

Sweet Springs aldermen adopt ordinance limiting the number of dogs residents can keep/Board also reduces the speed limit on 2 city streets (09/12/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen was able to find a compromise on a controversial ordinance limiting the number of dogs residents can keep. The board voted three to one to approve an ordinance allowing a maximum of six dogs over the age of six months to be kept in any residence within the city limits...

Sweet Springs finances get good marks overall from auditor; city still faces challenges with debt in water and sewer funds (09/11/07)
The city of Sweet Springs received good marks from its independent auditor at the Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Sept. 11. The board also set the city's tax levy for the coming year. The audit report was presented by Allen Schelp, a certified public accountant with the office of Randall C. Fiene. He said the auditors were able to give the city an unqualified or "clean" opinion on the city's finances, but he offered a note of caution about the city's debt load...

Sweet Springs Board of Education votes to shift levy funds (08/30/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met on Thursday, Aug. 23, to not raise the tax rate but to place 50 cents of the $3.35 tax levy in the capital improvement fund instead of a general fund. "The levy has nothing to do with generating income," said Superintendent Boyd Jones. "This (movement of money) will not hinder any other part of the school's function."...

Sweet Springs man hurt in 1-car accident Sunday, Aug. 26 (08/29/07)
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol accident reports, a Sweet Springs man received minor injuries in a one-car accident in Johnson County. On Sunday, Aug. 26, a 1989 Ford was being driven northbound on NE 1051 at NE 1200 by John Crank, 53, when he approached the T- intersection. The vehicle slid through the intersection and struck a grass embankment, the report said...

Sweet Springs aldermen vote to replace police patrol car (08/28/07)
To repair or replace, that is the question. The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen faced a dilemma many car-owners eventually face, whether to put money into repairing a well-used vehicle or put the money toward replacing it. After some discussion at a special meeting Friday, Aug. 24, the board decided a police patrol car with transmission and rear end problems was not worth the more than $4,100 the repairs were expected to cost...

Sweet Springs school board approves bid to replace leaky roof (08/27/07)
Sweet Springs School Board awarded Meyer Roofing Inc. (MRI) of Springfield, Ill., the bid to replace the 35-year-old leaky roof above the gym and older portion of the building at the Marshall Street campus, on Thursday, Aug. 23. Superintendent Boyd Jones told the board that everyone he called to find out information on MRI gave them "gleeming" recommendations. He called schools on the list given by the company and schools not on the list...

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)...

Newscope/Tuesday, August 21 (08/21/07)
Marshall police arrest pair on drug charges Marshall police arrested Jonni K. Sutton, 27, of Marshall and Jesse D. Brock, 26, of rural Sweet Springs, on charges of drug possession Monday, Aug. 20, at Sherry Estates Apartments at 800 S. Miami...

Sweet Springs aldermen continue to work on legislation to regulate dogs in the city (08/16/07)
Before the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance regulating vicious dogs at its June 11 meeting, a provision was taken out for later consideration regarding the number of dogs that could be kept in the city. At the board's meeting Monday, Aug. 13, that provision was revisited, but several citizens spoke against it and the proposal to limit to three the number of dogs any individual can keep was tabled...

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. ...

2 hurt in 2 one-car accidents in Saline County Friday, Aug. 3 (08/06/07)
Two separate one-car accidents left a Sedalia woman with moderate injuries and a Sweet Springs woman with minor injuries on Friday, Aug. 3. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol accident reports, Lori Maddex, 40, of Sedalia was driving a 1998 Pontiac southbound on U.S. 65 just south of Route UU when the vehicle traveled off the right edge of the roadway...

Two break-ins reported, one involving knife attack/Blackburn man apprehended by deputies on burglary charge, held in lieu of $50,000 cash bond (07/30/07)
The Saline County Sheriff's Department responded to two incidents of burglary over the weekend, one involving an assault with a knife that resulted in injuries to the alleged assailant and to one victim. On Saturday, July 28, the department was contacted by Sweet Springs Police Department in regard to a knife attack at a rural residence in Sweet Springs...

3 weekend accidents result in 6 injuries (07/30/07)
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol accident reports, three weekend accidents left five people with minor injuries and one with moderate injuries. On Friday, July 27, a 2007 Chevrolet driven by Thomas Rufus, 60, of Homeland, Calif., was totaled on County Road 328...

Sweet Springs officials learn of $20,000 sales tax error (07/17/07)
It's Christmas in July for some lucky Missouri city, but at the holiday comes at the expense of Sweet Springs. Sweet Springs officials were notified within the past week that an apparent sales tax filing error by an area company resulted in an overpayment to the city last year of more than $20,000, money that should have gone to another Missouri city...

Sweet Springs school board nominated for state honor (07/13/07)
The Sweet Springs School Board handled mostly routine business during the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, July 12. Superintendent Boyd Jones told the board that they have again been nominated as outstanding school board by the Missouri State Teachers Association. Last year they were named in the top 15 of boards from across the state...

High tide in Sweet Springs (07/02/07)

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...

Newcope/Monday, June 2 (07/02/07)
Litter pick-up event rescheduled for July 7 After rain Saturday, June 30, caused the postponement of the scheduled "Take Pride in Marshall" litter pick-up, organizer David Kemm announced that the event would take place Saturday, July 7. Volunteers should meet at the City Office Building, 214 N. Lafayette in Marshall, by 9:30 a.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...

Sweet Springs school board keeps cafeteria prices stable, approves list of class trip destination possibilities (06/15/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Education met on Tuesday, June 12, to discuss cafeteria prices, senior trip destinations and staff appointments. Superintendent Boyd Jones said he researched the cafeteria prices of several comparative area schools and there is a "wide variance from one school to the next."...

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. ...

Sweets Springs council approves bid to fix library roof, sets water rate (06/13/07)
The chronically leaky roof over the Sweet Springs Library will get a new coating that city officials hope will finally stop the drips. The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen approved a bid at its meeting Monday, June 11, by Brady Construction to apply a coat of elastic sealant to the roof of the library at a cost of $11,569...

Sweet Springs aldermen approve vicious dog law (06/12/07)
Regulating vicious dogs proved to be non-controversial, but regulating nuisance dogs may be trickier, judging by discussions at the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, June 11. The board approved a new ordinance regulating vicious dogs, a measure that has been under consideration for several months...

Sweets Springs council approves vicious dog ordinance, water rate hike, library roof repair (06/11/07)
The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen approved a new ordinance regulating vicious dogs that has been under consideration for several months. The new law was proposed in response to reports of dogs attacking people, according to the preamble to the ordinance...

Newscope/Friday, June 8 (06/08/07)
Sweet Springs Board of Education to meet June 12 The Sweet Springs R-VII Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, June 12, at 8 p.m. in the elementary school to approve several appointments and hire part-time custodians and summer part-time maintenance workers...

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