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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010 Oppose a performance tax on local radio. Click here to learn more.

The Barton County Sheriff's Department says a two-year-old was killed in an apparent farming accident Thursday. County coroner Tucker Joustra pronounced Rayce P. Michna, of Lamar, dead in a field North of Iantha. Rescue workers were dispatched about 12:40 p.m. The sheriff's office at Lamar has not released any further information. Arrangements for the younster are to be under direction of Konantz-Warden Funeral Home, Lamar.

More than 330 Vernon County voters have asked for absentee ballots in Tuesday's primary elections. Absentee balloting continues through 5:00 p.m. Monday at the Courthouse office of county clerk Tammi Beach. Her office is to be open between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Saturday for those unable to cast ballots in person Tuesday.

Three candidates are seeking the republican nomination for associate circuit judge in Cedar County Tuesday. Mercedes Watson, Dennis Reaves and Michael Ash want to succeed judge Joseph B. Phillips, who has served since 1995. During a recent forum in Stockton, Watson pledged to make judgements with an open mind, using the law, truth and justice as her guides if she's elected. Reaves said he had not anticipated a run for the bench but when someone offered to purchase his law practice, he thought he still had something to offer Cedar County. Ash, the current prosecuting attorney, said it is important for candidates and elected officials to conduct their lives above reproach. The winner of the nomination Tuesday will be unopposed in the general election November 2.

The Nevada city council is to hold a special meeting in executive session at 11:30 a.m. today. The meeting's to be held in the city council chambers of the Public Safety building, 120 S. Ash. City manager J.D. Kehrman has requested the executive session for a discussion of personnel.

The Nevada airport board is to meet at 12:00 p.m. today at the airport -- on U.S. 54 just East of Nevada. Airport board members are to be updated on the apron project and a discussion of Precision Aero also is scheduled.

In Vernon County circuit court Tuesday, 41-year-old Michael Brigman, Jr., Nevada, was ordered to serve the balance of a seven-year prison sentence he received when he pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge more than two years ago. His probation was revoked after Tuesday's hearing. Probation also was revoked for 30-year-old Regina Thomas, Ozark, and she was sentenced to six years behind bars for forgery. The prison term was suspended, pending successful completion of five years probation. Thomas entered an Alford plea to the charge last August 25. 21-year-old Dillon Reed, Nevada, pleaded guilty to charges alleging illegal drug possession and resisting arrest and was sentenced to terms of five- and four years in prison. The sentences were suspended, pending probation, including 120 days of shock time in the Vernon County jail. A 49-year-old rural Nevada man is scheduled for trial later this year on charges alleging sexual misconduct and child molestation. The counts against Verne Covell were filed earlier this year and the trial dates of December 9 and 10 were scheduled Tuesday by circuit judge James R. Bickel.

Nevada/Vernon County Chamber-of-Commerce ambassadors were encouraged to help WalMart officials celebrate the completion of renovations this morning. The ceremony was planned at 7:30 a.m. at the WalMart SuperCenter, 2250 E. Lincoln Avenue, Nevada.

The second Living Out Loud "Rocking In The Park" event is scheduled between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. today in Marmaduke Park, Nevada. Peformances are planned by Maria Morris, a member of Nevada High School's Class of 2010, and the bands Fraught With Peril and Recess On A Field Trip. All Vernon County students in grades nine through twelve are invited as are members of the Classes of 2010 at Northeast Vernon, Bronaugh, Sheldon and Nevada High Schools.

The third annual Vernon County Cancer Relief dinner is scheduled August 28. It's to be held at the Nevada Eagles Lodge with a social hour starting at 6:00 p.m. with dinner to be served an hour later. Tickets are $25.00 each and are on sale in advance from Vernon County Cancer Relief board members Mike Turnbull, Barb Renwick, Marie McCullough, Betty Easley, Susan Barrett, Janet Guthrie, Ranea Schulze and Debra Compton. The proceeds from the evening are to be used to assist active cancer patients in Vernon County.

The Civil Emergency Alert System in Nevada was to be tested at mid-day today, weather permitting. City police Captain and acting police chief Casey Crain says the community's storm warning sirens were to be sounded as part of the exercise at 12:00 p.m.