Stories from Wednesday, July 15, 2009

One local family had a close encounter with a bolt of lightning early Monday morning. According to Fort Scott Fire Department Chief Paul Ballou, shortly before 2 a.m., fire fighters were dispatched to 910 S. Crawford to answer a call involving a lightning strike. Although the fire was extinguished by the residents at the address before firefighters arrived, the firefighters inspected the situation to ensure the fire was completely out...

The Fort Scott National Historic Site will once again offer a special evening tour starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. The tour, titled "For What it's Worth," will focus on 19th century land and property issues. There is no charge for the tour, which is open to the public, but those who plan to attend are requested to sign up in advance by calling the site at (620) 223-0310...

A meeting for retired veterans of the United States military will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday at the New Greenery Restaurant, 1303 N. State St in Iola. Michele Henry, executive director of the National Guard Association of Kansas will be the guest speaker...

The Gordon Parks Celebration of Culture and Diversity and Fort Scott Community College will receive a little extra operating cash next year. The Kansas Arts Commission recently notified Gordon Parks Center officials that the annual celebration is a recipient of a 2010 Operational Support Grant in the amount of $5,029...

A local woman pled no contest on Friday in Bourbon County District Court to a charge of aiding and abetting aggravated battery that stemmed from an incident that took place last fall. Laura Thornton, incarcerated on charges related to an incident that occurred Sept. ...

Tuesday morning the Bourbon County Fair was in full swing as youth of all ages showed up on what started out as a rainy morning to show rabbits and poultry, and tend to a wide variety of animals. Many 4-H families, who spend their vacations from work at the fair, have set up camp on the fairgrounds and will stay through the end of the week ...