Stories from Thursday, June 30, 2011

Back in April, I devoted space in this column to information I had run across chronicling the incredible progress in our nation's agricultural production over the past 40 years (since 1970). The increase in production has been phenomenal over this period, as farm and ranch producers have benefited from using innovations in breeding (both plants and animals), in feed use and production, in more effective ag chemicals and in using GPS technology for field work and fertilizer application, etc...

Animals that spend time in corrals or pastures are at risk of eating toxic forages. Summertime, with its high temperatures, too much or not enough rainfall and agricultural chemical applications can heighten the risks, as they all can change the toxicity level of plants...

Tony Pino, president and chief operating officer of The EPOCH Group, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, recently announced the key management team that will head up the local medical claims adjudication and call center opening in Fort Scott July 5...

UMB Bank, a subsidiary of UMB Financial Corp., has announced the addition of Debra McKenney and Gary Palmer to its Fort Scott advisory board. McKenney owns Fort Scott Area Radio Stations and Central Communications, a provider of local radio stations in Fort Scott and the surrounding areas. Palmer owns Captured Images, a professional photography company providing services ranging from portraits to commercial prints and advertising...

George Junior Covey, 96, of Elsmore, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at his home. He was born March 30, 1915, in Wichita, Kan., the son of George and Golda Faye (Botkin) Covey. He attended East High at Wichita and graduated from Wichita State University in 1937...

Grace Vera "Gracie" Cobler, 83, of Fort Scott, died at Mercy Health Center, Tuesday evening, June 28, 2011. She was born March 22, 1928, in Kingfisher, Okla., the daughter of Robert Francis and Esther May (Truitt) Criner. She married Kenneth Laurence Cobler Sept. 21, 1944, in Woodland, Calif. He preceded her in death June 10, 1995...

Donald Elbrader, 78, longtime owner and operator of Elbrader Used Cars, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at his home following a cancer illness. Funeral arrangements for Don Elbrader will be announced by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Diana and Wayne Leatherman, Metz, Mo., along with siblings Alex and Olivia Leatherman, are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter and sister Sophia Claire Leatherman on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at 8:09 a.m. at Mercy Health Center. Sophia weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces...

Gabrielle and Matthew Humberd, Fort Scott, along with Tyasha, Kiaha, Dontaie and Darius Humberd are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter and sister Jayden Aonna Humberd on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at 11:18 a.m. at Mercy Health Center. Jayden weighed 8 pounds, 11.5 ounces...

Kirsten Lynn Dieudonne, 27, 519 Heylman, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department on June 28 at 5:29 p.m. for domestic battery and is still being held.

Clifford and Betty (Tremain) Wilson of Fort Scott celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 18 at the 4-H building in Fort Scott. Hosting the potluck celebration were their children; Bill and Tracy Wilson, Karney, Neb., Regina Wilson, Munger, Kan., Carla Wilson and Brent Anderson, Dodge City, Kan.; and Brent and Barbara Wilson, Minneola, Kan...

The Elks Lodge House Committee Fundraiser is scheduled for July 1. This includes three pieces of chicken, German potato salad, German slaw and bread for $7 a person. It will be delivered to the lodge at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. This will be conducted the first Friday of every month...

If you have an overabundance of produce from your garden, if friends have taken to hiding when you drop by with "a little extra" or if you've started leaving bags of zucchini on the neighbors' doorstep, The Beacon invites you to help them feed the less fortunate of Fort Scott. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they will be accepting donations of your fresh garden vegetables from 9 a.m. to noon...

Jaice Cross, an 11th grade student at Insight School of Kansas, a public online high school, has earned a position on the Missouri State high school rodeo team and will compete in the 63rd annual National High School Finals Rodeo, July 17-23, in Gillette, Wyo...

Despite one drawback to the event, organizers of a silent and live auction hosted by Fort Scott Community College earlier this month are calling it a success. On June 11, FSCC hosted "A Summer Bash" at the Liberty Theatre, which raised money for all scholarships offered at the college, improvements to campus facilities and academics. ...

Not only is July 4 a celebration of national independence, but it's a time when kids of all ages can revel in the sights and sounds of fireworks and sparklers lighting up the night sky. Several tents offering a myriad of pyrotechnic items can be found around Bourbon County...

It may not be up by much, but nonetheless the county's assessed valuation increased in 2011. Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long told Bourbon County Commissioners during their June 24 meeting that the county's valuation had increased by $685,206 taxable dollars, meaning it will not take as many tax dollars per person to get the same amount of tax money as last year...

The sales tax passed by the citizens of Fort Scott on April 5 is set to take effect Friday. By an overwhelming margin, the 10-year, half-cent sales tax to fund a $3.9 million renovation to the municipal pool and an addition to Buck Run Community Center was passed. Of the $3.9 million, $400,000-$500,000 will be used to fund a 6,000-square-foot addition to the south end of Buck Run Community Center with the remainder going to fix the city's vintage 1936 pool...

A worker with Cutler Services LLC of Fort Scott operates a skid steer on the site of a building being constructed to house the Dollar General store next month. The store is moving from its current location at 203 S. Scott Ave., to this building located on South Main Street between a U.S. Cellular office and KFC/Long John Silver's restaurant. Stava Building Corp. of Tulsa is the general contractor for the construction project. The target date for the store opening in its new location is July 12...