Stories from Saturday, April 12, 2008

Calvin Custer Thomas, age 84, resident of rural Fort Scott, died Thursday, April 10, 2008, at his home. He was born Nov. 24, 1923, in Canadian County, Okla., the son of Lloyd Thomas and Sibyl Roush Thomas. Calvin married Virginia M. Maxon, on Aug. 22, 1986, in Reno, Nev. ...

Hannah Pearl Brown McMillen, age 101, former resident of Fort Scott, died late Thursday, April 10, 2008, at the Country View Nursing Home, in Prescott, Kan. She was born April 10, 2007, in Union Town, Kan., the daughter of Thomas Jackson Ballah and Laura Loretta Bailey Ballah. ...

When I was growing up and we saw someone who appeared to be uncoordinated or awkward, we often joked and said, "They can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time!" Now days it appears that we have evolved and one of the buzz words that is frequently heard is that people are "multitasking." I guess this is supposed to mean that we can talk on the phone and drive the car and thus be more productive...

Hi neighbors. A call has gone out from the Bushwhacker Museum that they need volunteer docents for this season, which starts May first. If you want to be a docent but don't want to tackle it alone, ask a friend to volunteer with you. As your fellow docent, your friend can work the same days and hours you do...

FORT SCOTT -- The Fort Scott City Commission will discuss a proposal from the Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union to purchase a portion of land the city owns so it can remodel a building. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside the Commission Room in City Hall, 1 E. Third St...

FORT SCOTT -- Former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, Topeka, said that economics is the number one issue affecting residents in the 2nd Kansas Congressional District. Ryun, a Republican who hopes to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, visited The Fort Scott Tribune Tuesday as part of a Kansas Values Tour in which he is taking part. During his visit, Ryun spoke about several issues that affect area residents. Ryun served five terms in Congress, representing the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas...

FORT SCOTT -- Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro plans to speak to the USD 235 Board of Education on Monday about a construction trades program that FSCC plans to start up this fall. Tatro, who is helping to promote FSCC during National Community College Month, visited with the Bourbon County Commission on Friday and plans to speak to the USD 234 Board of Education on Monday, as well...

A local group with national and even international reachings has set out to destroy stereotypes and misconceptions by utilizing their intimidating and gruff appearances in a very positive way. Bikers Against Child Abuse refers to itself as a body of bikers who promote the protection and empowerment of abused children...

Those cleaning up damage caused by recent flooding should take precautions to avoid exposure to asbestos, which can cause scarring of the lungs, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos was used in a variety of building materials, but structures built since 1980 should not contain significant amounts of asbestos...

As you read this fine piece of literary commentary, reporters Michael Glover, Jason Silvers and I are at least halfway to Kansas City, Mo., to brave harsh elements and a throng of people who will no doubt be crushing through the gates at Kauffman Stadium hours before the first pitch tonight...

Herald-Tribune INDEPENDENCE, Kan. -- Each of Fort Scott's girls' and boys' track teams won 19 medals and four events at the Independence Invitational at Emmot Field here Friday. Both Tiger teams also finished in second place in team standings. Fort Scott's girls scored 118 points, finishing six behind winner Independence. Both schools were well ahead of the rest of the pack, with third-place Neodesha scoring 65 points...

Herald-Tribune PARSONS, Kan. -- Fort Scott High School's tennis team had to deal with high winds at a five-team tournament here Thursday afternoon. But considering all the other activities that had been rained out earlier in the week -- somehow, the tennis program got by with just one postponement of a JV match -- head coach Lynn Barr said that dealing with the weather was tough, but not impossible, to work with...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- It was cool on the tennis courts in Fort Scott Friday but Fort Scott's junior varsity was fairly hot in a 6-3 dual win over Chanute. These matches had originally been scheduled for Monday but rain that day forced postponement until Friday...

The following after action report describes a successful surprise attack before dawn by Confederate guerrillas in southeast Missouri that is a typical example of a vicious, brutal and nasty engagements that occurred throughout the entire state. At first it appears to be a Confederate victory, but the guerrillas chose to disappear in the brush to fight another day as the Union blue bellies successfully defended their camp. ...