Stories from Monday, June 7, 2004

By the time the Corps of Discovery made its way to what is now Saline County, the Missouria tribe -- which the state and river were named for -- had already moved from the area, American Indian historian Matthew "Sitting Bear" Jones told an audience Saturday at Van Meter State Park -- the site of a Missouria village...

Entries are being accepted for the Demolition Derby which will be held July 10 at the Saline County Fairgrounds in Marshall. Prize money in the amount of $1,100 will be awarded during the event. Rules are available at the Marshall city offices, The Marshall Democrat-News and Gilpin Auto Parts. They are also listed on the promoter's web site -- GASDemoDerby.com -- or by calling (217) 623-5619, (217) 306-4027 or Shelly Arth at the Democrat-News office, (660) 886-2233...

The Saline County Commission said Friday it will have a public budget hearing at 9:15 a.m. Friday, June 18. Officeholders are invited to attend to request changes for their annual budgets. The commission will meet this week to discuss construction of the Bar Hollow Bridge south of Nelson. The 10 a.m. meeting Thursday will involve the contractor and project engineer and is open to the public...

The Saline County Commission Monday opened seven bids for climate control units of the Marshall building used for mental health counseling and services. The commission voted 3-0 to award the bid at a later date. The bids ranged in price from $5,052 for a 125,000-Btu furnace and 5-ton air conditioner, which did not meet the minimum bid specifications, from Bob's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Sedalia to $13,118 from Beerman Heating and Cooling of Marshall for two 60,000-Btu furnaces and two 36,000-Btu air conditioners.. ...

After hearing from two lawyers Thursday, the Saline County Commission will replace four of the six members it had appointed to a nine-member commission to look at developing the Marshall Junction area. Rick McConnell, an attorney with Gilmore and Bell of Kansas City, told the TIF commission that members couldn't be on the commission if their property would benefit from forming a tax increment financing (TIF) district. ...

Three people were injured, one seriously, in separate traffic crashes over the weekend in Saline County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the first wreck occurred about 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the junction of Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 65. ...

Marshall police have arrested a man accused of assaulting and robbing a Gilliam teen at knifepoint. According to Marshall Police Chief Jim Simmerman the incident occured at 10:30 p.m. Saturday when the juvenile was walking on Odell Avenue near Rea Street in Marshall...

A Marshall man faces a felony assault charge following an altercation outside a local nightclub. A city police officer on patrol near the Marshall square was flagged down about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The officer observed a group of people standing around a man lying on the ground...

A long-standing tradition continued Saturday evening on the Marshall courthouse lawn as two new fair queens received their crowns and the responsibility of representing Saline County. Amanda Bock, 17, daughter of David and Pamela Bock of Blackburn, took the junior queen crown, passed on by last year's winner, Emma Pfizenmaier. Jennifer Vogelsmeier, 15, daughter of Jay and Amy Vogelsmeier of rural Sweet Springs, was first runner-up among the juniors...

Friday, June 4 BASEBALL MSHSAA Class 3 Championships (Columbia) (Semifinals) Ozark 2, Sikeston 1 StL-Country Day 4, Grain Valley 3 MSHSAA Class 2 Championships (Columbia) (Semifinals) StL-Vianney 1, Helias 0 KC-Rockhurst 6, Hazelwood Central 5 GIRLS' SOCCER...

The "Monster Mile" at Dover (Del.) International Speedway earned its nickname Sunday. A crash with 54 laps remaining wiped out nearly half the field in the MBNA 400, including defending champion Ryan Newman, but left Mark Martin undamaged when he stopped before reaching the melee. Martin got another break when Kasey Kahne, who seemed to be cruising to his first Nextel Cup victory, found some oil on the track and slid into the wall with 18 laps to go...

While Missouri Valley College head women's basketball coach Bill Wolf watched Lindsey Maple command the action on the Volney Ashford Gymnasium floor Saturday, he couldn't help imagining her wearing an orange and purple uniform. The Knob Noster guard was a powerful presence in the South's gold jersey during the Lions Club District 26-I (We) All-Star Classic, scoring 25 points for a 76-62 victory over the North. ...

The annual Lions Club District 26-I (We) All-Star Classic routinely produces helter-skelter basketball action, and Saturday's contest in Missouri Valley College's Volney Ashford Gymnasium was no exception. "It was like an NBA game," remarked Marshall guard Jonathan Durham. ...

CARROLLTON -- Kaleb Long's walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning and a five-hitter by Tommy Summers ruined the debut of the newly-independent Marshall Seniors-level baseball team Sunday at Carrollton. Long's homer completed Carroll County's comeback from what had been a five-run deficit for a 14-11 victory and Summers didn't allow a run after the first inning during a 3-1 win...

I've always been a fan of disaster movies. I enjoy their silly plotlines, predictability and cheesy special effects. Usually, the cornier the movie, the more I enjoy it. Sometimes it's just fun not to have to think for a couple of hours. Having said that, I decided to take advantage of Memorial Day weekend by taking my mother to see the latest grandiose disaster epic, "The Day After Tomorrow." I thought it would give me the opportunity to spend some time with her and have a little fun. ...

Elsie May Wilson, 62, of Napton, died Saturday, June 5, 2004, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. William W. Harlow will officiate. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. Pallbearers will be Nick Griffitt, Fred Hayes, Charles Mabrey, Mike Mabrey, Terry Mabrey and Roger Mabrey. Burial will be in Zoar Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice...

Joseph H. "Joe" Melies, 93, of Marshall, died Friday, June 4, 2004, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Marshall. Father Kevin Gormley will officiate. ...

Donald F. Buford, 65, of Higginsville, died Saturday, June 5, 2004, at Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, at Sweeney-Reser-Wills Funeral Home in Marshall. Rev. Greg Fine will officiate. ...

John James "J.J." Aulgur, 82, of Jefferson City, formerly of Saline County, died Friday, June 4, 2004, at Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 7, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. ...