Stories from Friday, June 15, 2012

The Fort Scott FFA chapter is giving back to the community. Because cancer has touched the lives of so many of their members, the group chose to help The Sharing Bucket. One member, Natalie Wolf, came up with the idea of doing a Penny War between the ag classes. Kyle Parks, FFA advisor, agreed to the fundraiser...

The annual reunion of the Pitts, Inman and Lusk families was held June 3 at the Community Christian Church in Fort Scott. A carry-in dinner was held at noon, with the blessing given by Patrick Aguilera. The afternoon was spent visiting family, sharing stories of the past, along with viewing old photos and taking new photos...

By its very nature, a guerrilla war is a most savage war. This has been indicative of guerrilla warfare throughout the ages and was particularly true of the guerrilla war in Missouri and eastern Kansas during the Civil War. Very often it was difficult to determine who the enemy was, be they Bushwhackers from Missouri or Red Legs from Kansas or the just plain civilian outlaws from both states...

Though 11-year-old Rosa has always dreamed of going to school, that opportunity has never been a reality for her. Not only could her parents not afford it, but Rosa has a severely clubbed foot that is turned almost backwards. Knowing how cruel other children can be, her father and mother, Carlos and Juana, chose to keep her at home away from the teasing and taunting...

It was a dirty concrete slab. Its cinderblock walls were about six feet high, a tin roof offering our only protection, but within minutes it was transformed into a children's church thanks to some eager pre-teens and a few helpful parents. As one 12-year-old girl grabbed a broom from the back of our truck and began sweeping the floor, other youngsters began teasing with Jorge, our driver and event organizer, enticing him to bop them on the head with his inflated plastic mallet, causing them to squeal with delight.. ...

Jim and Christi Womeldorff, Fort Scott, are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Beth, to Brett Marshall, son of Brian and Brenda Marshall, Frontenac, Kan. Womeldorff graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2008. She attended Pittsburg State University and graduated with honors receiving a bachelor of science degree in nursing in 2012. She plans to continue her education in nurse anesthesiology. She is currently employed by Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., as an ICU nurse...

President Drew George called the monthly meeting of the Uniontown 4-H Club to order May 22. Fifteen members answered roll call with their favorite color. Marissa Meanor led the group in the 4-H pledge and Bryce Meanor led the flag salute. The favorite foods projects were discussed. The group voted and approved having a fair booth, fair banner and educational committees...

Johnna R. Meek, of Fort Scott, passed away at her home Thursday, June 14, 2012. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Hattie Dorene Parks Mason, 91, resident of Fort Scott, died Thursday, June 14, 2012, at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott. She was born March 5, 1921, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Roy C. Davis and Jenny Hatch Davis. She was a 1939 graduate of Fort Scott High School...

Phyllis Darlene "Phil" Riley, 72, resident of rural Fort Scott, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at her home. She was born April 7, 1940, in Mulberry, Kan., the daughter of Vernie Totman and Ethel Pearl Scratcher Totman. She married Richard Riley on Aug. 31, 1957, at Miami, Okla. She had been employed by Ennis Printing for 30 years. Phyllis was a member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene...

John Radford Walker III, 71, formerly of Fort Scott, died June 9, 2012, in Baltimore, Md. He was born June 9, 1941, in Fort Scott, the son of John Radford and Betty Jean (Beatty) Walker. John is survived by a brother, Bill Williams, of Pittsburg, Kan...

Tommy Dean Feagins, 62, resident of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at his home. He was born Aug. 11, 1949, in Fort Scott, the son of Thomas Harold Feagins and Mary Louise Cullen Feagins. Tommy had served with the United States Army during both the Korean and Vietnam eras. ...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) D.E. Watkins, secretary of the Kansas Automobile Association, will be in Fort Scott Tuesday evening and at that time he hopes to organize the automobile owners of Fort Scott and Bourbon County, both for a local organization and as a branch of the state and national association. ...

A government task force recently proclaimed that the Prostate Scientific Antigen (PSA) test need not be administered to detect cancer. The report indicates that the results of surgery can result in incontinence, sexual dysfunction, heart problems and even death. ...

Tri-Valley Developmental Services has announced that Aimee Banks has joined the organization as its new director of PR and grants, replacing Anna Methvin who is now working at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. "We are excited to have Aimee at Tri-Valley. She will be a great asset to the organization," Executive Director Tim Cunningham said...

The Fremar Foundation for Accordion Arts will feature the Frank Busso Jr. Trio, from Washington, D.C., and Kansas City Ensemble Vivant! at their, "Music & Merlot" concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at All Souls Unitarian, 4501 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo...

County and state employees have differing opinions about how the state's new vehicle system is faring a little more than a month after being upgraded. Kansas Department of Revenue spokeswoman Jeannine Koranda said across the state and in larger counties, things seem to be getting back to normal after delays and longer lines were reported...

Recognizing his leadership, Chief Judge Richard M. Smith was honored with the Kansas District Judges Association Scales of Justice Award during the group's annual meeting Thursday in Overland Park. Smith, who presides over the 6th Judicial District headquartered in Mound City, was KDJA president. He was succeeded at the gathering by Mike Keeley, chief judge of the 20th Judicial District based in Great Bend...

With a nationally recognized team under its umbrella and having vaulted over its fundraising and participation objectives, Bourbon County Relay for Life is ready to roll tonight -- and into Saturday. "We are ecstatic to announce that we have already surpassed our $50,000 goal. ...

Recreation will be the theme of the next "Update Fort Scott" meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave. Economic Development Manager Macy Cullison, one of the organizers of the new monthly meetings, said the gathering will give local residents a chance to hear from city and county officials, as well as guest speakers, about all the recreational activities available in town...