Stories from Wednesday, June 11, 2008

All-state forward Courtney Henley and guard Amy Durham of Marshall will represent the North squad at the 20th annual Lions All-Star Basketball Games, set for Saturday in Missouri Valley College's Ashford Gymnasium. Henley and Durham led the Lady Owls to their first district title since 2001. Both were all-NCMC selections, Henley for the third time and Durham for the second. They were also three-time state tennis qualifiers in doubles, claiming a fourth-place medal in 2005...

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Swimmers from Marshall picked up four victories at a large regional meet over the weekend. Mason Weber, a three-time all-stater for the Owls, won twice at the Beach Bash at Blaisdell, held Friday through Sunday at Topeka, Kan. He was first in the 200-meter backstroke (2:21.70) and 200 breaststroke (2:38.18) for 15-and-over boys...

Ernest Whitney, 84, of Marshall, died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2008, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall. Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com...

Nannie J. Stephenson, 85, of Marshall, died Monday, June 2, 2008, at The Living Center in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Wayland Temple Church of God in Christ in Marshall. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. H.T. May and Son Funeral Home in Marshall is in charge of the services...

Mildred Louise Kessner Dieckhoff, 90, of Sweet Springs, died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Sweet Springs Villa. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, with Rev. Dan Wing officiating. ...

Darlene B. Davis, 70, of Marshall, died Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Mar-Saline Manor in Marshall. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Sweeney-Reser-Wills Funeral Home in Marshall.

As in the previous years, the Master Gardener program is providing gardening advice free of charge to people in Saline County. Master Gardener Berkeley Hall is available at 660-886-6908 to answer questions each Monday from 9 a.m to noon this spring and into summer...

The Missouri Department of Revenue announced Monday, June 9, that the new license plate will be available starting Monday, June 16, at all contract license offices across the state. "The Department is pleased that the day is almost here when we will begin issuing the newly-designed license plate selected by Missourians," said Director of Revenue Omar Davis. ...

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...

The Marshall Municipal Band will continue its summer season Thursday evening, June 12, with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. on the Saline County Courthouse lawn. Everyone is encouraged to bring their lawn chair and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the band under the direction of Kevin Lines...

Donald E. Parman, 40, of Kansas City, sustained minor injuries when he and his 1999 International truck collided with a deer on Interstate 70 at 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, near mile marker 76.4. According to a report from Missouri State Highway Patrol, Parman was eastbound on I-70 when the accident occurred. He was able to bring his vehicle, which also received minor damage, to a controlled stop on the highway shoulder after the collision...

Editor's note: This story is the second of three looking at the federal farm bill. On Thursday, June 5, Congress repeated its May 15 approval of the five-year "Food, Conservation Act and Energy Act of 2008." The new vote was required after it was discovered that due to a clerical error, a 34 page "trade title," which covered international food aid according to CNNMoney.com, was missing when President George Bush, vetoed the bill on May 21...

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Interesting news and features published in our print edition and e-edition Wednesday, June 11 On page 2: In "News of the Weird," readers learn of NYC men attempting to cash their dead friend's social security check, a British man who has to pay damages to his neighbors courtesy of his underground digging habits, and other oddities. ...

Shirley E. Heard, 77, of Slater, died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater. Funeral arrangements are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

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Wow! That is really the only way to say it. Our annual summer reading event this year completely took me by surprise. We have had more than 50 children register for the summer program before the first week has even passed. We are going to keep you filled in on what is taking place, as well as what is coming up...