Stories from Wednesday, July 4, 2012

100 YEARS AGO (1912) Probably the largest crowd ever assembled together in the history of Fort Scott was present at Gunn Park last night for the display of fireworks, general estimates placing the number at 115,000. The crowd rapidly increased as darkness approached as all were anxious to witness the fireworks display which was acknowledged by all to exceed in splendor anything of the kind previously attempted here, and an hour before the display was started there was scarcely standing room at any point from which a good view could be obtained around the large lake.. ...

A story in the July 3 edition of the Tribune inadvertently left out the name of the victim in a personal watercraft accident on Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas, which occurred June 29. The person killed was Corey Larson. The Tribune regrets the error...

The Vogts sisters from Erie will return to perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the Heritage Park Pavilion as part of the Friday Night Concert Series. Maggie and Abbey Vogts were the featured act for the first show of the season June 22 and have performed as part of the series in past years and been popular with the regular crowd...

William James Schafer, Mercy director of pastoral services, will be the guest speaker at the Diabetes Support Group at 6 p.m. Monday, July 16, in McAuley Room A and B at Mercy Hospital. The public is invited and individuals with diabetes or caregivers are encouraged to attend...

The quarterly meeting of the transient guest tax committee has been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, July 16, at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St. All transient guest tax committee members are encouraged to attend and the meeting is open to the public...

City Manager Dave Martin recognized the fifth and final Lowell Milken Center Fellowship honoree on behalf of Fort Scott Tuesday morning at City Hall. Journalism and AP language and composition teacher Chris Waugaman, Prince George High School, Va., is spending the week -- and holiday -- visiting Fort Scott and collaborating with the center. Like the fellows before him, local officials awarded Waugaman a key to the city and letter of recognition...

Students from Kansas high school and college technical education programs, including several two from Fort Scott Community College, won the nation's highest awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo. Industry leaders representing more than 1,100 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for their excellence in 94 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. ...

With her artistic talents, 8-year-old Kaydra Woods of Bronson won the All-Star Blue Crew Coloring Contest, sponsored by the Kansas City Royals. As one of five winners, Kaydra will participate in a clinic with Royals outfielder Alex Gordon at Major League Baseball's All-Star FanFest on July 9. MLB FanFest will be held at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City from July 6-10...

The Fort Scott City Commission recognized Fort Scott High School student Madyson McColm for placing 11th in the country at the recent National History Day Championships. Commissioners presented McColm, who will be a junior at the high school, with a certificate Tuesday night. ...