Stories from Wednesday, June 25, 2008

READINGER -- Andrew Wayne Readinger, a boy, was born at the Women's Hospital in Baton Rouge, La., at 5:33 p.m., June 10, 2008, to parents David and Emily Readinger. He weighed 10 pounds, 1.7 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Greg and Cathy Messina, Greenwell Springs, La. ...

Phyllis Jean Griggs, age 72, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, June 23, 2008, at the Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. She was born April 7, 1936, in Minden, Mo., the daughter of Dow McElroy and Nellie Geesey McElroy. She married Floyd Griggs on November 13, 1974, at Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death on July 12, 2004. Phyllis had worked in housekeeping at various motels...

Lois E. Houchin, 77, of Springdale, Ark., went to her heavenly reward on June 23, 2008. She left this life peacefully with the love of her children all around her. Lois now walks in the gardens of our blessed Lord. Lois was welcomed into the family of Albert and Addie Acox on October 5, 1930 in Fort Scott, Kan. ...

100 YEARS AGO (1908) Manager Orchard, of the Chautauqua, is going to appear before the city council and ask permission to pitch the Chautauqua tent across Scott Avenue, north of the high school. This will furnish a site that will be in line more directly for the south wind than if the tent be located directly at the north of the school campus...

The Class of 1945 of the Uniontown High school held a reunion Friday evening, June 20, at the El Charro Mexican Restaurant in Fort Scott. Those enjoying dinner together and visiting were: Bob and Faye Steele, Elmer and Mabel Miller, Dan Ward, Elbert Turner, Julia Biythe and guest Terry Cox, Mary Lea Nitcher Wright, Garice and Emma Jean Winship, Kansas City and their friend Don Mashbum, Raytown, Mo., who drove Garice and Emma Jean to Fort Scott. ...

Last week I watched several of the television specials about the life of Tim Russert, moderator of Meet the Press. While he was acknowledged to be a great journalist, everyone also mentioned his attitude toward life and his constant smile. Most of the stories which were told were not about his interviews with famous people, but about his concern for and interest in other people and his positive attitude...

We had another good evening for the senior citizens dance at the Buck Run Community Center with 68 present again. We didn't have any new dancers tonight, but several newer ones that have been coming and some older ones that haven't been able to make it every time were in attendance...

According to a press release from the Crawford County Sheriff's Department, at 7 p.m., Monday night, Crawford County law enforcement dispatched Crawford County Sheriff deputies to 908 N. 270 Street in rural Arcadia, Kan. regarding a possible assault in progress. The deputies and a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper arrived on scene and discovered the victim Thomas Morse II, 26, of Arma behind the residence with what appeared to be serious injuries, the release said...

Michael Aw and Ashley Rippe hope to return home with some new educational ideas following their three-week stay in Fort Scott. Aw, a sixth grade teacher at Memorial Elementary School in Hopedale, Mass., and Rippe, a second-year fifth grade teacher at Ogden Elementary School in Ogden, Kan., arrived in Fort Scott on Sunday to visit and learn about the Lowell Milken Center, an educational center located at 4 S. ...

About 30 downtown business owners and local residents gathered at the Heritage Park Pavilion on Tuesday to learn more about a redevelopment project that recently got underway in downtown Fort Scott. The meeting was called to update residents about the latest construction plans for the StreetScape Project, a plan developed by the 16-member Phoenix Downtown Redevelopment Committee to restore and revitalize portions of downtown Fort Scott...

The following are actual letters and examples of different scams used to victimize local residents. Information was provided by Arma Police Chief Albert Combs.

While most care centers offer residents the chance to participate in a family or activity night, Arma Care Center, Arma, used its recent family night to inform and assist in the protection of its staff and residents. Thursday night, as part of the monthly family night at the center, a public servant was on hand to inform those attending, about dangers and the latest concerns in public safety...

Tribune photo by Scott Nuzum