Stories from Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Fort Scott and southeast Kansas has been recognized in the 2009-2010 Kansas visitors guide. The new visitors guide features Fort Scott and the surrounding area on the cover as well as in an article featuring the Freedom's Frontier, an effort to get 42 Kansas counties recognized for their historic contributions...

The Civil War was not just about the men who fought. Women also played an important part. During the war, women served as soldiers, spies, and nurses. They also ran farms, schools and businesses. But what about politics? Why were Kansans, such as Clarina Nichols, abolitionist and women's rights leader, initially critical of Lincoln? How did Lincoln relate to "strong-minded" women and their rights?...

Visitors to the Fort Scott National Historic Site this weekend will get a chance to see a different side of soldiers in Fort Scott during the Civil War. The 27th Annual Civil War Encampment, scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday at the site, will give visitors an opportunity to meet and talk with several park volunteers and re-enactors portraying army personnel and civilians in Fort Scott during the mid-1800s, when Fort Scott served as a major supply base and training ground for Union troops.. ...

On Monday, George Skaggs was sentenced to a little more than seven years behind bars. Skaggs, who in May 2007 was charged with raping and sodomizing a 13-year-old girl multiple times, appeared in the Bourbon County District Court to receive his sentencing...

Through a Kansas State Research and Extension program, groups of students in Bourbon County are learning how to live healthier lifestyles. "You need about five ounces of meat and beans everyday," K-State Research and Extension agent Ann Ludlum told a group of Winfield Scott Elementary School fourth grade students Friday during a nutrition lesson...

PITTSBURG -- The Jayhawk Conference finally has at least one "home" bowl game. Tuesday morning, at Pittsburg State's Carnie Smith Stadium, the Crawford County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University announced the creation of a junior college post-season bowl game to be held here for the next three years. Citizens Bank, N.A., based in Fort Scott with one of its branches in Pittsburg, has agreed to be the title sponsor of the game...

Violet Naomi Gaston, age 83, resident of Fort Scott, died Monday morning, April 13, 2009, at the Fort Scott Manor. She was born Jan. 18, 1926, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of William Sherman Bolden and Eva Elizabeth Hampton Bolden. She married William Fountain. He preceded her in death in 1979...

Cleta Marie Herrmann Jordan, age 85 formerly of Mound City, Kan., died Tuesday April 14, 2009 at the Grandview Care Center in Grandview, Mo. Funeral Services will be held 11 am Saturday April 18, 2009 at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in Mound City, Kan. ...

NUZUM -- Ashlee Hartford and Billy James Nuzum, Fort Scott, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Billy James Nuzum Jr. Billy was born at 4:40 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2009, at the Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. He weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth...

KOPPA -- SSGT. Daniel and Elaina Koppa, Oceanside, Calif., are proud to announce the birth of their son, Aden Cash Koppa. Aden was born at 9:21 p.m., February 25, 2009 at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center in Pittsburg. He weighed 8 pounds, 8.9 ounces at birth. ...

CARMEAN -- Chris and Bayly Carmean, Fort Scott, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Weston Christopher Carmean. Weston was born at 5:11 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2009, at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. He weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Kirk and Beth Bryant, Fort Scott. Paternal grandparents are James and Cyndi Copher, Norman, Okla...

WIGGANS -- Megan Wiggans, Fort Scott, and brother Kaden Wiggans, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter and sister, Kylee Jo Wiggans. Kylee was born at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. She weighed 6 pounds, 6.8 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are the late Mark Wiggans and Linda Wiggans, Fort Scott...

Pleasanton and Fort Scott junior varsity results included.

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High's golf team finished second to Chanute in the first Southeast Kansas League designated tournament of the year here Tuesday. The Tigers finished with a team score of 326, eight strokes behind the Blue Comets. Individually, Jeremy Gant of Chanute won his third straight tournament with a 34-36--70. Fort Scott's Cole Murrin was second at 36-39--75 and Paul Norris was fifth at 38-41--79...

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High School's tennis team earned a second-place finish in the Labette County High School Invitational here Tuesday. The Tigers finished four points behind Independence, which had 16 points. All four Tiger entries went 3-1 in tourney play...

If a decision is not reached during the upcoming Fort Scott City Commission meeting April, 21, the issue would passed onto the new commissioners. Top vote getter Sam Mason is not forming opinions on the issue of the city purchasing a golf course just yet. He said, because of his past experience as a judge, he would like to see more facts before making a decision...

The recent growth of the Bourbon County Area Farmer's Market has prompted organizers to move the event to a more suitable location this year. This year's market, which opens May 2 and runs from 7 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday through October, will take place at Skubitz Plaza near the corner of North Main Street and Old Fort Blvd. ...

USD 234 students can help provide their parents with the necessary tools to promote health and wellness in their families. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, area families are invited to participate in a Family Fit and Fun Night, which will take place at Frary Field north of Fort Scott High School. ...

Local VIPs assembled at Liberty Theatre for the world premiere of "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler." More than 400 people were in attendance to view the Hallmark Hall of Fame film. Attendees included Writer-Director John Kent Harrison, Executive Producers Brent Shields and Jeff Most, Hallmark CEO Don Hall with his wife, Adele, and other Hallmark representatives. Also attending were current and past members of the "Life in a Jar" project...

While holding up signs that had various anti-tax slogans on them such as "Freedom is our stimulus. You can keep your check" and "The Government does not solve problems 'IT' subsidizes 'THEM,' more than 200 residents in Bourbon County took part in a national movement to protest against high taxes and wasteful government spending...