Stories from Monday, July 30, 2007

As children across the state prepare to head back to school, it's also time for those children and their parents to start thinking about school bus safety. To ensure that all school vehicles will load, transport, and unload students safely, Kansas Highway Patrol troopers are inspecting school buses and other vehicles across the state for compliance with safety regulations, according to a KHP statement. ...

COFFEYVILLE -- An oil spill that damaged hundreds of Coffeyville homes during flooding four weeks ago was caused when the valve on a refinery storage tank was left open, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said. The refinery's owner, Coffeyville Resources, has long acknowledged that a storage tank overflowed as the refinery was swamped by floodwaters from the nearby Verdigris River. ...

In 1986, members of the Bourbon County Watershed District No. 102 created a plan to help decrease the negative effects of floodwaters. This plan paved the way for the building of 60 retention dams over an undetermined time period. Currently, only 14 of these retention dams have been completed and one more dam is currently under construction...

Robert Steven Emmerson, 61, of rural Sheldon, passed away Monday, July 23, 2007 at his home. Steve was born on Sept. 22,1945, in Fort Scott Kan., to Robert A. and Christine (Harris) Emmerson. He had farmed near Sheldon for many years and did concrete work for many Barton County projects. He was an avid fisherman...

Mary Ernestine Howeth, 71, a resident of Fort Scott, died Thursday, July 19, 2007, at the Mercy Health Center. At Mary's request her body was donated to the University of Kansas Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at the First Church of the Nazarene, Third and Margrave Streets, Fort Scott Friends and family are invited to attend...

Cal H. Dickinson, 80, of Baldwin City, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 29, 2007, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park. Funeral arrangements for Cal Dickinson are pending and will be under the direction of t the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home in Baldwin City, Kan...

Rosie McReynolds, 80, former resident of Fort Scott, died early today, Monday, July 30, 2007, at the Moore Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo.Funeral arrangements for Rosie McReynolds will be announced by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701...

The opportunity is open to 11-year-olds and up. All supplies will be provided for the classes. Tuesday and Thursday classes are scheduled for the National Guard Armory at 23rd and Horton streets in Fort Scott. Saturday classes will be conducted in Gunn Park...

100 YEARS AGO (1907) If Fort Scott is to operate as an independent Chautauqua next year, it is argued that bookings should be made as early as possible. If some generous person were to endow the local Chautauqua for a season and get things formally started, it is believed that the people would finally waken to the fact that the sessions work for good and get nearer the point of exerting themselves in behalf of the assemblies. A strong list of attractions should be brought here next year...