Missouri

Blue Springs, Mo. -

Enter the double doors leading to the Blue Springs South High School multipurpose center, and there is the bulletin: Vote for David Cook.

Listen carefully, and you’ll pick up the chatter about Cook, one of 16 finalists vying to become the winner of Fox’s “American Idol.”

“David is so awesome. I just know he’s gonna win ‘American Idol.’ “

“David is ridiculously hot.”

“You know, David was actually a student of mine.”

The last statement comes from Room 207, where Susan Cooper, the Blue Springs South drama teacher, stands ready with a remote in hand.

“Don’t believe me?

(Read the full post about ‘Video: ‘Idol’ prospect’s performance roots trace back to high school’…)

CARTHAGE, Mo. -

More than 120 Carthage Junior High Girls stayed after school on Thursday, but they were not in trouble.

The first ever Girls Night Out featured forums on hobbies or careers, refreshments, crafts, speakers, and even some "girly" things like makeup tips.

Mary Ann Stone, a teacher and organizer of the event, said Girls Night Out was a chance "for girls to be with other girls, have fun and learn some new things."

"This originally started out with bringing an author to the book club," Stone said. "We got more ideas and finally it developed into Girls Night Out.

(Read the full post about ‘Girls night out’…)

“Definitely, Maybe” – A Universal release. Directed by Adam Brooks. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Derek Luke, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, and Kevin Kline. Rated PG-13.

Let’s face it, the romantic comedy has had more downs then ups recently, so it’s such a pleasure to report that "Definitely, Maybe" puts a fresh spin on the genre.

Expanding star Reynolds’ moves into leading man territory and, adding another solid performance from young Breslin and Weisz, along with Fisher and Banks, while delivering on it romantic comedy premise, the film accomplishes plenty.

Will Hayes (Reynolds) is young, well off, has a great daughter, and, oh yeah, he’s just received divorce papers.

(Read the full post about ‘‘Definitely, Maybe’ is the complete package’…)

“Diary Of The Dead” – A Weinstein Company release. Directed by George A. Romero. Starring Joshua Close, Michelle Morgan, Shawn Roberts, Amy Lalonde, Scott Wentworth, and Joe Dinicol. Rated R .

George A. Romero just keeps plugging away. His legacy is secure in horror history – heck, in film history. So why keep at it? Mostly because he has plenty to say.

Let’s face it, his films, especially his zombie films, have such a strong social commentary that they entertain on a level that few horror films aspire to. The director/writer famously tackled consumerism, among other things, in "Dawn of the Dead" (1978).

(Read the full post about ‘‘Diary of the Dead’ is a horror masterpiece’…)

  The Oscars were handed out Sunday night. I was sort of excited about the telecast, considering the Golden Globes were nixed.   But as it came down to crunch-time, my anticipation slowed.   For the first time I can remember, I almost wouldn’t have cared if the show aired or not. Watching the Oscars meant I had to miss “Big Brother.”   The Oscars have become more of a media frenzy than, say, a show to honor film excellence.   What the stars are wearing, who they’re with, and how they work the red carpet seems to be what people talk more about than who actually took home awards.   I’ll be the first to admit, though, the women take much more advantage of the moment. (Read the full post about ‘The Farr Side: Oscar telecast had its moments’…)

Parris

Earlier this week Kevin Parris, 37, of Boonville, announced his candidacy for the Boonville School Board as a write-in candidate.

“I have entered the race,” said Parris, “because I don't like the way our schools are heading, especially in areas of discipline and classroom management.”

Parris went on to discuss the flaws that he sees with the current system. “For example, I would like to see a reevaluation of the implementation of the BIST program, and the High School's cell phone policy is Draconian and hopelessly out of touch with reality.

(Read the full post about ‘Fifth school board candidate joins the race - Write-in candidate takes issue with district’s discipline program, cell phone policy’…)

CHARITON COUNTY - When Kevin Harrison appeared in Chariton County Associate Circuit Court on February 19 after being charged with First Degree Involuntary Manslaughter in the death of Bonnie Sue Cooper, the Chariton County Prosecutor was confident she would present enough evidence to get him bound over for trial.

Ninth Circuit Associate Associate Circuit Judge James P.

(Read the full post about ‘Manslaughter case turned down, Chariton County Prosecutor re-files against Marceline man’…)

BOONVILLE - It will be the end of an era this Saturday, March 1 as the BHS Silver Pirate Band hosts the 25th Annual Missouri River Valley Conference Band in Boonville. Since the Boonville R1 School system is leaving the MRVC at the end of this academic year it will also be the last conference band that will include Boonville as a participating school.

Boonville hosted the first MRVC Conference Band in 1984. The Conference Band showcases the finest players across the conference, including All-District and All-State players in a stellar performance after a day of rehearsals and clinics. 

This year's Conference Band will host two outstanding bands directed by two fine conductors.  

One band will be conducted by Mr.

(Read the full post about ‘Going out with a party - Boonville to host MRVC annual all-conference band for the last time’…)

MARCELINE-Marceline R-5 Secondary Principal Eric Marshall will be leaving the district after fulfulling his contract through June 2008.

The R-5 School Board accepted Marshall's resignation in a closed session early Thursday morning. According to Superintendent Gabe Edgar, Marshall has resigned in order to return to teaching Social Studies and coaching in Kearney.

Marshall began as R-5 Secondary Principal in the summer of 2007.

Missouri Sunshine Law limits closed session meetings of public bodies about personnel matters to the “hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded.” (Personal information is defined in the law as information relating to the merit or performance of individual employees.)

Edgar reports the meeting was held in closed session in order to allow board members to discuss the hiring of a new principal to replace Marshall.

(Read the full post about ‘Marceline principal resigns’…)

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Bicycle Federation today presented Attorney General Jay Nixon with its “Distinguished Service to Missouri Bicycling” award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the state's bicycling community and cycling resources. Members of the Federation were in Jefferson City to mark Bicycle Day at the Capitol by meeting with legislators and promoting legislation to make Missouri communities safer and more inviting for walking and bicycling.

Nixon was recognized for his 20 years of support for the Katy Trail State Park, created when Nixon was a state senator in 1987.

(Read the full post about ‘Missouri Bicycle Federation honors Nixon for 20 years of support of Katy Trail, ongoing efforts to protect the Trail’…)