Stories from Tuesday, July 3, 2012

As far as conversations with parents go, talking with them about moving into a nursing home and other end-of-life issues may be the hardest. "The first time talking about this is going to be really, really hard because it's a painful subject to think about," said Gayle Doll, assistant professor at Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology and director of the Center on Aging. "However, it is also one of the most important conversations you can have."...

Finally ... I have been meeting some new friends since we moved. I was beginning to wonder if anyone lives here in these apartments. Early in the morning, I go out on the patio with a cup of coffee and sit on my mom's ole glider and watch the people here in our complex hop in their cars and head to work...

Sandra Kay Gibbs, Fort Scott, and sibling Kolby Arthur are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter and sister Kyra Adele Gibbs at 8:29 a.m. June 28, 2012, at Mercy. Kyra Adele weighed 9 pounds and 6.5 ounces at birth.

Charles Lawrence Dewees, 32, Fort Scott, was arrested Thursday by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office on a Bourbon County warrant and is still being held at this time. Shelby D. Brown, 19, Fulton, was arrested Friday by the Fort Scott Police Department for minor in possession and pedestrian under the influence and is still being held at this time...

Juanita May Spencer, 74, a resident of rural Fort Scott, died Monday, July 2, 2012, at her home. She was born Dec. 7, 1937, in Yale, Ill., the daughter of Wilbert Fear and Velva Miller Fear. She married Norman James Spencer on June 11, 1977, in Nevada, Mo. Juanita enjoyed reading, crocheting and doing jigsaw puzzles...

If you have not visited the Old Fort Geneological Library, 1 E. Third St., you are missing a unique opportunity. Even if you are not particulary interested in geneology, the library has much to offer, a news release said. Software was recently purchased in order to enter materials on the computer, making research easier and faster...

The 16th annual Nation-Wayne reunion was held at the Linnville schoolhouse on June 17. A carry-in dinner was shared by the 51 people in attendance. After lunch, a group picture was taken by Danny Nation and everyone enjoyed visiting. Nancy Stewart read excerpts from a letter received from a relative, Helen King, Desha, Ark. She had also received communications from Irene Holbrook of Washington, Judy Bynum of California and Gerald Nation of Colorado...

The June Starlite F.C.E. meeting was held at the Yeager Building at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds June 21, at 1:30 p.m. Wanting to do more in Fort Scott, the Starlite F.C.E. club chose Tri-Valley Developmental Services to be the club's community project. The members brought newspapers to be bundled and donated to Tri-Valley to help with their recycling project...

Corey Dale Larson, 34, resident of Fort Scott, died Friday, June 29, 2012, following a jet ski accident on Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas. He was born July 7, 1977, in Fort Scott, the son of Curtis Dale Larson and Brenda Yoos Larson. Corey was a 1996 graduate of Fort Scott High School. He also graduated from the heating and air conditioning program at Pittsburg State University...

The Fort Scott Hurricanes defeated Humboldt, 605 1/2-120 1/2, in a Southeast Kansas Swimming League dual at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center Wednesday night. The Hurricanes will be idle this week due to Independence Day falling on a Wednesday, Their next meet will be at Chanute on July 11. Their final home meet of the season will be against Iola on July 18...

"Senator: There are those who say you cannot hear properly, you cannot speak properly, and that you've got no experience of government. Claudius: And that I am besides half-witted. Senators, it is true that I am hard of hearing, but you will find it is not for want of listening. ...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) Sheriff George Cowan will swear in two deputy sheriffs to assist in keeping the peace at Gunn Park and Athletic Park for the July 4th festivities so no rowdyism is to be permtited at either place. The sale of fireworks is not now permitted in Fort Scott. This is a great aid in keeping the peace on the Fourth...

An arraignment and possible plea agreement for Kimberly Cannon has been rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. July 18 before Judge Mark Ward in Bourbon County District Court. Cannon, a former paraeducator at Fort Scott High School, has been charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child, criminal sodomy and indecent liberties with a child...

Fort Scott city offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of Independence Day. The offices will re-open on Thursday.

The USD 234 Board of Education approved the following employment matters at the board's special meeting on Friday afternoon: hiring of Erik Yoakam as the physical education teacher and assistant football position at Fort Scott High School; and Jeff Armstrong as the head boys track coach at Fort Scott High School...

A 34-year-old Fort Scott man was killed in a Friday evening watercraft accident in Carroll County, Ark. Keith Stephens, public information coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in Little Rock, said Larson and a friend were on personal watercraft on Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas. One of them took off and let off the throttle and his friend struck him in the back...

Mercy Hospital on Monday officially launched its hospice program. Hospice care is appropriate when a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and life expectancy is six months or less and cure-oriented treatment is no longer being pursued, a news release said...

Fort Scott had its own stadium band moment Sunday when the Nov. 10 Luke Bryan-Jason Aldean concert sold out mere hours after tickets became available Sunday. Patient patrons lined up outside Buck Run Community Center, where tickets went on sale at 2 p.m. ...

While figures are still being tallied, organizers of the 4th annual Riverfront Festival said this year's event may be the most successful ever. The fete, which took place Saturday evening at the riverfront site located in the 400 block of North National Avenue, celebrates the continued development of the proposed Riverfront Park and trails project in that area. Activities included a hot dog roast, a hot dog eating contest, live music and activities for children...