Stories from Thursday, April 19, 2012

Brush control is a major problem is Eastern Kansas. The major species involved are buckbrush, locust, dogwood, hedge, elm, red cedar, brambles, oaks and sumac. The main objective of brush control is to obtain an acceptable population of woody plants on rangeland to increase or maintain an optimum amount of area available for livestock grazing...

For those who are fans of college basketball, the two weeks of the NCAA tournament that just recently concluded was an interesting time. Some of the television networks have finally figured out (after all these years) that if they cooperate, they can provide coverage for all the tournament games from start to finish. That was great. What a treat. Right, basketball fans?...

Welcome to golf season. As the season gears up we want to update you on the things that we have completed at the course and let you know what exciting things are happening this season. Since the city bought the course around this time last year, we have been working hard to make it the best municipal course in the area. ...

Fort Scott Manor's residents and employees will be celebrating 50 years of service this week. Dan and Jan Kiel, who own the facility, are also the proprietors of The Residencies at Pleasanton and Quality Care Home Care. The businesses employ 105 people, including 62-65 in Fort Scott...

Delbert Johnson Jr., 64, resident of Scott View Apartments, Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, April 17, at his residence. He was born Aug. 29, 1947, in West Plains, Mo., the son of Delbert Johnson Sr. and Letha Faye Rose Johnson. He worked as a truck driver for Midwestern Distribution in Fort Scott for many years. He later drove for Palmetier Trucking Company, Kansas City, Mo. He married Billie Gayle Martin on Feb. 27, 1970, in Nevada, Mo...

Ruth Marie Coon, 97, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Wednesday morning, April 18, 2012, at Fort Scott Manor. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Carol Jean LeFever, 76, formerly of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, April 16, 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She was born April 3, 1936, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Bill and Blanche (Tucker) Madison. She married Charles LeFever 36 years ago in Pampano Beach, Fla., and he survives of the home...

Brook Andrew Brady, 25, Oklahoma City, Okla., was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday for driving without a license, DUI and reckless driving. He posted a $1,500 bond and was released at 2:20 a.m. Wednesday. David Wayne Ripple, 43, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office at 10:54 p.m. Tuesday for a Bourbon County warrant for nonsupport of child. He posted a $500 cash bond and was released at 1:17 a.m. Wednesday...

Fort Scott Garden Club held its monthly meeting at the home of Pam Korinek on April 16. The theme this month was salad supper with each member bringing a different type of salad to enjoy. Also, different hats were worn in accordance with the Easter holiday for roll call...

To the Editor: National Volunteer Week is April 15-21, a time to recognize and celebrate the thousands of men, women and young people who volunteer in communities across the country. I am the manager of volunteer services at Hospice Care of Kansas, and want to honor all of our volunteers who are dedicated to providing care and support for the patients and families we serve in our community who are nearing the end of life's journey...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) (April 17) -- The Cunarder Carpathia, bearing 868 miles from New York at noon today, word was eagerly awaited that would elucidate the catastrophe of Sunday night, which cost 1,312 lives. Sable Island was in brief communication with the rescue ship this morning but no additional names of the survivors were obtained. The White Star officials think the Carpathia will arrive here about nine o'clock tonight...

After going five weeks past their original estimated date of completion, DECO Demolition and Excavation finished the removal of the AT&T microwave tower located on Judson Street between Wall and First streets in Fort Scott on Friday. Employees with the Kansas City-based firm removed the final piece from the 23-year-old tower on Friday afternoon. Monday and Tuesday were spent cleaning up the construction site...

Local first responders are scheduled to join their peers from several neighboring counties for a functional tornado exercise Sunday in Uniontown. Bourbon County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers briefed 15 local fire officers and other responders who plan to participate about the plan of action for the mock scenario Wednesday evening in his office. Jeffers said the goal of the tornado exercise is to practice response times and to build communication and teamwork...

Like their ancestors, a group of local women is creating a tapestry of comfort. Instead of Civil War soldiers, this time the seamstresses are creating their counterpanes for people who have been touched by disaster. Nancy Swanwick, busily piecing one of the quilts together on a sewing machine at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, said the women in the group, called Quilts to Comfort, have been working since September to make personalized quilts for the American Red Cross. ...

The USD 234 Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Board of Education office, 424 S. Main. The purpose of the meeting is an executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and to consider employment, a news release...

Incumbent state Rep. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, has filed for reelection to the post. Serving since 2011, Tyson has worked tirelessly to represent constituents, a news release said. "The 4th District has the moral and ethical values of what America once was," Tyson said in the release. ...

The battle for the final playoff spot in the Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division intensified during the first two days of this week. Labette took three of four games from Allen Monday and Tuesday, passing Independence in the standings. Labette, ninth in the division going into last weekend, passed Indy for eighth place and would be the final qualifier from the East for the Region VI Tournament if the season ended today...

COLUMBUS -- Fort Scott High's boys track team finished in second place at the Columbus Invitational here Tuesday, missing out on first place by just one point. Tiger girls finished third behind Pittsburg and Labette County. Labette County won the boys' team title with 99 points while Fort Scott finished with 98. The Tigers won 17 medals and three events...

Catcher Mackenzie Jackman drove in 5 runs in each game of a Southeast Kansas League doubleheader at Don Hewett Field Tuesday as Fort Scott High's softball team posted an 11-4, 13-5 sweep of previously-undefeated Independence. The Tigers (5-1 SEK, 6-2 overall) moved into second place in the league ahead of the Bulldogs (4-2, 7-2). League-leading Labette County (8-0, 10-0) comes to Don Hewett Field Friday for a key SEK battle...

Kathy (Hancock) Claflin and Vincent Ashworth of Sheldon, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelsey Jo Hancock, to Joshua Roy Westerhold, son of Jack and Renea Westerhold of Richards. Kelsey is the granddaughter of Tom and Janie Claflin of Sheldon. Joshua is the grandson of Don Steck, Rich Hill...

Troy and Julie Scotten of Nevada announce the engagement of their daughter, Jordan Kristine Scotten, to Anthony Phillip Cauthon, of Columbia, Mo., son of David and Jodi Cauthon, of El Dorado Springs, Mo. Jordan is a 2007 Nevada High School graduate, and a 2011 graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Education. She is employed by CJ's Hot Wings, and is an infant caregiver...

Don and Denise Nelson of Nevada announce the engagement of their son, Brent Matthew Nelson, to Sara Christine Castle, daughter of Dennis and Diane Castle, of Troy, Mo. Sara is a 1996 graduate of Citadel High School, a 2000 graduate of Maryville University, and a 2005 graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law. She is currently an Attorney Advisor with the Social Security Administration in Columbia, Mo...

Phoebe Paula Sage, of Moundville, Mo., announces the engagement and upcoming marriage of her daughter, Phoebe Maria Harper, to Aaron Christopher Davis. Aaron is the son of Lavoe and Lill Davis, Nevada, Mo. The couple plan to be married on May 26, 2012, at the Northwoods Wedding Chapel, Nevada...

Kevin and Tina (Wilson) Nolin of Joplin, Mo., and Curtis Gose of Nevada announce the engagement of their daughter, Stefani Gose, to Justin Burris, son of Jerry and Donna Burris of Seneca, Mo. Stefani is the granddaughter of Barbara Wilson, of Nevada, and the late Paul Wilson, and Chuck and Sue Gose, Nevada...