Stories from Wednesday, September 22, 2004

A quote to ponder "Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy." -- Walter Cronkite A note from the director Banned Books Week starts on Saturday, Sept. 25. The theme this year is "Elect to Read a Banned Book: Ban No More in 2004." There will be a display in the library for patrons to learn more about banned books. We will also have "I read banned books" available for patrons...

Rumors have been making the rounds that the Slater Senior Center is on the brink of closure. After receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be on the Slater City Council, Theresa Durham, manager of the center, decided to raise the issue at Tuesday's council meeting...

A discussion of Marshall students' performance on the Missouri Assessment Program test included both good and bad news for the Marshall Board of Education. Rob Gordon, superintendent of schools, led the review during the board's monthly meeting Tuesday night. He said MAP results, Missouri's standardized evaluation system, have taken on increased importance because they will be used to determine if district's are meeting the requirements of federal No Child Left Behind legislation...

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

Despite a dip in County Aid Road Trust funds in September, Saline County's collections in 2004 remain ahead of recent years. A report on the year-to-date collections by Sam Jones, Saline County treasurer, was released Wednesday during the regular meeting of the Saline County Commission...

The first day of autumn marks the start of the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's fall season, which begins with "Visiting Mr. Green." The play, by Jeff Barton, tells the story of Ross Gardiner, a young executive sentenced to community service after nearly running down an elderly man at an intersection. For his service, Gardiner must visit Mr. Green, the man he almost hit...

Della Mae Speck, of Sweet Springs, died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs.

BOYS' SOCCER NCMC at Marshall 4, Fulton 3 Moberly 3, at Kirksville 1 Non-conference at Helias 9, Mexico 0 Hannibal 5, at Wentzville-Holt 0 VOLLEYBALLI-70 Wellington-Napoleon 25-25, at Sweet Springs 15-14 at St. Paul 25-27, Windsor 20-25 Non-conference...

SWEET SPRINGS -- The Sweet Springs volleyball team spent the night on the defensive during a 25-15, 25-14 I-70 Conference home loss to Wellington-Napoleon. The Lady Greyhounds managed only five kills during the match, but had to dig out 40 shots by the Lady Tigers (3-4, 1-1 I-70). Seniors Leslie Keesaer and Valerie Wulff each made eight saves for Sweet Springs, while sophomores Jennifer Vogelsmeier, Jenna Perkins and Kara Kreisel each had five digs...

LAMONI, Iowa -- Two women's volleyball teams seeking their first Heart of America Conference victory of the season met Tuesday at Lamoni, Iowa, with Graceland coming out on top. The Lady Yellowjackets (5-7, 1-2 HAAC) dropped the first game on a service error, but then won three in a row for a 28-30, 30-20, 30-20, 30-20 decision over Missouri Valley...

Missouri Valley 10, Bethel (Kan.) 0 Missouri Valley 7, Hannibal-LaGrange 0 The Missouri Valley College women's soccer team bounced back from last week's frustrating 1-0 loss to No. 19 McKendree (Ill.) by demolishing a pair of weaker NAIA foes by a combined 17-0 margin...

For the third time this season, the Marshall boys' soccer team came from behind late in the second half to pull out a victory, handing visiting Fulton its first NCMC loss Tuesday, 4-3. The Owls trailed 3-0 midway through the second half before senior Ryan Guthrie and junior José Garcia each connected on a pair of shots...

SEDALIA -- A two-day postponement for rain didn't bother the Marshall boys' cross country team in defending its championship of the Smith-Cotton Invitational at Sedalia. In fact, everybody got into the act for the Owls -- who won both the boys' and girls' team trophies and all four individual titles Monday. ...

MALTA BEND -- The third time was the charm for the Malta Bend softball team. After twice losing to Jamestown, the Lady Tigers banged out 12 hits and took an early lead they never relinquished for a 12-5 CCAA home win Tuesday. "It's hard to beat a team three times," quipped Malta Bend head coach Kristin Fenner. "If you can get it going the first inning, there's no looking back."...