Stories from Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Anniversaries commemorate events both happy and tragic, and Parsons is recognizing one of the latter. It is the 100th anniversary of the burning of an iconic town structure, The Katy Depot. That event is the focus of the History Zone at Katy Days, Memorial Day Weekend...

Elizabeth and Ryan Kinnaman of Siloam Springs, Ark., are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Rylee Jade on April 30, 2012. Rylee Jade Kinnaman weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces and measured 20.5 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Jim Stringer and the late Cynthia Stringer of Rogers, Ark. ...

Amanda and Ryan Aldis, Fairway, Kan., and siblings Nora and Asher are pleased to announce the birth of their son and brother Corbin Ryan on May 3, 2012, at 9:23 a.m. at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Corbin Ryan Aldis weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces and measured 20.5 inches in length at birth...

Wanda Louise Sleightholm, 70, of Fort Scott, passed away early Monday, May 7, 2012, at Mercy. She was born Nov. 30, 1941, in Robstown, Texas, the daughter of Reece L. and Bernice L. (Weeks) Wallis. Wanda moved to Wichita, Kan., from Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1990 and then to Fort Scott in 1993. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution...

Brooke Arlene Daniels, 42, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 12:16 p.m. Friday on a warrant out of Linn County. She was transferred to Linn County at 12:28 p.m. Friday. John Joseph Oberle, 65, Fort Scott, was arrested at 1:14 a.m. Saturday by the Fort Scott Police Department for driving while suspended. He posted a $1,250 bond and was released at 4:13 p.m. Sunday...

Saturday, April 28, Shirley White and Linda McBride enjoyed having breakfast in Hume, Mo., with the Prescott Birthday Ladies. Bill and Laurie Center, Lolo, Mont., visited family and friends here. They came to help Kelsie Jo Collins celebrate her 5th birthday at Farlington Lake and Laurie's parents, Bob and Carol Russell, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary...

The NCAA has appointed Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott to serve as a Region 3 representative on the Division II Presidents Council, which is the governing body responsible for establishing and directing the general policy for Division II athletics. The appointment marks the first time that a Pittsburg State University president has been selected for such a role and Scott said he is honored by the appointment...

Opening day at the Farmers' Market contained the most amazing array of produce. This extraordinary weather has jump-started some earlier-than-normal items (no one minds this). Produce available at the market includes green onions, radishes, peas, turnips, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuces, greens, Swiss chard, herbs, gooseberries, rhubarb and strawberries. Fresh eggs, meat, jams, jellies, honey and baked goods were also available...

If you know something's bad for you, why can't you just stop? About 70 percent of smokers say they would like to quit. Drug and alcohol abusers struggle to give up addictions that hurt their bodies and tear apart families and friendships. And many of us have unhealthy excess weight that we could lose if only we would eat right and exercise more. So why don't we do it?...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) The lack of interest in Evergreen Cemetery is regarded by those who are directly concerned with the management of the cemetery as being astonishing. There are 5,000 bodies buried in the cemetery and yet only 12 people attended last year's annual meeting of the lot owners. The year before, the attendance was but 13. The cemetery is being beautified continually and it is believed that more interest will make it still a more suitable place...

To the Editor: Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback proclaimed May is Beef Month in the state of Kansas. May has been celebrated as Beef Month for 28 years. Beef is the largest agricultural commodity in the state of Kansas. Did you know that Kansas ranked third nationally with 6.10 million cattle on ranches and in feedyards as of Jan. 1, 2012, according to Kansas Ag Statistics? That is over twice the state's human population of 2.818 million as reported in the U.S. Census...

The Airport Advisory Board will meet at noon, May 18, at the Airport Terminal Building. The topic will be the height and hazard project. The meeting is open to the public.

Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, will host the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Tiger forensics ended their season with a sixth consecutive state trophy, finishing third at the state Class 4A tournament in Topeka. Although Fort Scott came up short of earning its fourth title in a row, the top-three finish was a solid accomplishment considering that 10 of this year's 14 team members were first-timers at state and that 10 state medalists from the prior year were not on this year's squad...

Fort Scott native Chris Howard, gone from town for several years, recently returned to start his own business. Howard, 26, is a 2004 graduate of Fort Scott High School who lived in Fort Scott for 18 years before moving to Joplin, Mo., where lived most recently. He has been back in town for about a month...

With sunny weather warming Fort Scott this weekend, opening day at the Farmers' Market and the Elks Fishing Derby attracted numerous participants. The Bourbon County Master Gardeners Club and Garden Club had its annual swap meet at the market as well. All manner of vegetables, pastries, jams and crafts were featured. For a little culture, four members of the Fort Scott High School Orchestra played...

Early in her teaching career, a former student gave Pat Harry a Precious Moments music box with a girl sitting at a piano. It played "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." The keepsake was appropriate for Harry, 63, who was just starting out as a music teacher...

CHANUTE -- Fort Scott High School's boys collected more medals at the Thad Clements Invitational here Friday but the girls came away with a higher place in team standings. Fort Scott's boys won 13 medals, all of them third, fourth or fifth places. They finished in sixth place in the standings. Chanute was the team champ with 83 points, just one ahead of Colgan...

CHANUTE -- Seniors Kyle Altic and Bryce Daly will represent Fort Scott High School at this weekend's Class 4A State Tennis Tournament, earning a spot in the championships by finishing fifth in doubles at the Chanute Class 4A Regional Tournament here Friday...