• To each of those precious few dedicated citizens who cast ballots in the recent municipal and school district elections. They struck a strong blow for continuation of the U.S. Constitution and its guarantee of freedom for all.

• To Greg Dagnan, Joplin, upon winning appointment as Carthage police chief.

• To Captain Randee Kaiser upon his advancement to the post of second-in-command of Carthage Police Department.

• To Timothy Teed and John Studebaker upon winning contested seats on the Carthage City Council and to Danny Lambeth, Jeff Jones and Tony Diggs for winning seats on the Carthage R-9 Board of Education.

• To all the Carthage Junior High School students who achieved honor roll status by the quality of their scholarship.

•  To Dr. Patricia Wilson upon her promotion to the superintendency of the Diamond R-4 Schools.

• To Amelia Maples for voluntarily launching a campaign to obtain help for members of the Hernandez family, who lost virtually all their possessions when fire destroyed their residence.