Stories from Thursday, September 24, 2009

For the first time, "The Marshall Messenger" is publishing a book honoring area veterans called "Saline County Heroes." The pictorial keepsake book will include images and brief captions, telling the collective story of servicemen and --women from Saline County...

The Marshall Tourism Commission met Wednesday morning, Sept. 23, although there was not a quorum, so no official decisions were made, Treasurer Gracie Bouws said. The group's August meeting also failed to achieve a quorum. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8:30 a.m. At that time, members will review applications for tourism funds. Bouws said she hopes the commission will elect officers at the meeting as well...

John L. "Jack" Davis Jr., 82, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, in St. Peters. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Rev. James Brice Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. ...

Ernest R. "Ernie" Hammer, 75, of Marshall, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Pastor David Hague officiating. ...

The 2009 Holiday Project will be held at Martin Community Center, said Debbie Wallace during the Holiday Project meeting Wednesday, Sept. 23. This space has been donated to the Holiday Project and will cost nothing. This year's project will run from Tuesday, Dec. 8, through Thursday, Dec. 10, with the gifting day set for Wednesday, Dec. 9, said Wallace...

At their meeting Thursday morning, Sept. 24, Saline County Commissioners approved two large financial transactions. First, commissioners transferred funds in order to make the first payment, of $299,996, on the courthouse renovation bond. Commissioners also approved the disbursement of $211,740.84, collected from fines and forfeitures, to county schools. This is an annual transaction...

Although Saline County Health Department is running low on seasonal flu shots, there are other locations where area residents can get vaccinated. Red Cross Pharmacy on the Marshall square is administering flu shots from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary to get a vaccine, though there is some minimal paperwork involved...

Posted in a wheelchair at the south entrance to Marshall's post office Thursday morning, Sept. 24, was Charles Lance DeFrates, panhandler. DeFrates said he travels a wide area by car seeking cities where he can make money from handouts. "I've been to so many cities I can't name them all," he said...

Transportation officials announced Wednesday, Sept. 23, the agency will close to traffic the Missouri River Bridge at Miami on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 a.m. to begin the bridge renovation project. The bridge will be closed to traffice for a period of up to 12 months, according to the news release...

"Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary ... Dead at 72" The news came to us from Danbury, Connecticut early in the morning on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009: Mary Travers, one-third of the popular folk singing trio Peter, Paul and Mary, had died at the age of 72 after a long battle with leukemia...

Interesting news and features published in our print edition and e-edition September 24. On page 3: Advice from Annie's Mailbox and the calendar of events. On page 4: Columnist Bob Stewart writes about the death of folk singer Mary Travers. A letter to the editor about animal control from Myra Copeland of Marshall...

The first Marshall Pumpkin Festival, which was scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10, has been cancelled, members of the Downtown Marshall Association said Wednesday, Sept. 23. The festival was part of DMA's attempt to draw people to the downtown area, and revitalize downtown as a whole.

John L. "Jack" Davis Jr., 82, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, in St. Peters. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Rev. James Brice Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. ...

Ernest R. "Ernie" Hammer, 75, of Marshall, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Pastor David Hague officiating. ...