Stories from Monday, November 21, 2005

Tony Stewart finished outside the top 10 for only the second time during the Chase for the Cup series, but 15th place was more than sufficient to land the 34-year-old Indiana native his second Nextel Cup championship. Only three other drivers had a chance to catch him going into Sunday's season finale, the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Although Greg Biffle won the race and Carl Edwards had a strong showing by leading 94 laps, neither were close enough to catch up unless Stewart faltered...

LIBERTY -- The Missouri Valley College women's basketball team nearly stole a second Heart of America Conference road victory Saturday. The Lady Vikings went into halftime with a one-point edge on William Jewell, but the Lady Cardinals feasted on the free-throw line during the second half -- with a 23-6 advantage in attempts and 18-4 gap in conversions -- to pull out a 58-52 decision...

First Team Player School Yr. Pos. Holly Schmidt Santa Fe Jr. MH Megan Rooney Concordia Jr. MH Michelle Aversman Santa Fe Jr. MH Kasey Brooks Crest Ridge Sr. OH Hilary Smith Concordia Sr. S Ashton Simon Crest Ridge Jr. S Paula Tieman Santa Fe Jr. S-H...

Ail Slaughter, 85, of Longwood, formerly of Houstonia, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, at Sweet Springs Villa in Sweet Springs. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Presbyterian Church of Longwood. Leo Burke will officiate. ...

Susan K. Owens, 54, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, at the Gardiner Home in Phonenix. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Sweeney-Reser-Wills Funeral Home in Marshall.

Alice V. McDaniel, 87, of Slater, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, at The Living Center in Marshall. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Slater City Cemetery. Rev. Robert Sisney officiated. Pallbearers were Cody Jenkins, Jeremy Pointer, Nicholas Malan, Chris Chamberlain, Mike Huston and George White Jr. Weiker Funeral Home in Slater was in charge of arrangements...

William O. "Bill" Laxson, 84, of Marshall, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, at New Haven Care Center in Odessa. Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. Rev. Don Simmons and William W. Harlow officiated. Jane Kelly, pianist, played "In The Garden," "The Old Rugged Cross:" and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers were Huey Pointer, John P. ...

Ruth Grubb, 85, of rural Hardeman, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Faith Family Church in Fayette. Rev. Jamie Page will officiate. Pallbearers will be Mitch Powers, Mike Fischer, Jamie Ulbrich, Jerry Bender, Randy Asbury and Chris Anderson. ...

The Marshall Christmas parade will be held beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Parade entries will line up on North Street from the corner of Benton and North starting at 6:15 p.m. the evening of the parade. The theme for this year's parade is "Christmas in the Heartland." Float entries are judged on originality, seasonal theme, creativity and float assembly. All floats must also bear the sponsor's name and must be lighted. No Santas are allowed on any float...

Although Marshall Municipal Utilities was able to reduce its overall health insurance costs last year, it would appear that it will not be able to escape a nearly 30 percent increase this year. With the looming increase, which could drive the utilities' annual health insurance costs to approximately $500,000, MMU management is taking a hard look at improving workplace safety. ...

A Marshall woman faces multiple felony charges after being accused of attempting to light several fires on the campus of Missouri Valley College Friday night. Marshall police were called to the college by John Haverstick, director of campus security, when he observed a woman later identified as Emily Marie Pogue, 66, walking around with a lit candle...

Big increases in the price of natural gas and propane for the coming winter heating season could have many area residents looking at other means for keeping warm. But experts also warn that there are safety precautions that must be taken when one considers heating with either wood or electricity...

While news of higher heating bills may have made many anxious about keeping warm over the next few months, a local community action group is again stepping in to help needy residents through the winter. The Heating Emergency Action Team, commonly known by its acronym -- HEAT, is again seeking contributions from area residents, organizations, civic and social groups to assist low-income families who experience problems keeping up with the cost of heating their homes...

Crews with Marshall Municipal Utilities were busy Monday morning putting up Christmas decorations around the square.