Stories from Friday, December 7, 2012

Buddy Cliff Roufs, age 58, a resident of rural Mapleton, Kan., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at his home. He was born July 15, 1954, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clifford Antone Roufs and Margaret Ballard Roufs. He married Pamela Shepherd in March of 2009, in Miami, Okla...

Shawn and Christina Young, and siblings Natalie and Makayla, Fort Scott, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Jacob Owen Young, at 8:29 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at birth...

Jack Parker Meyers, 19, Topeka, was arrested at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday on a Bourbon County warrant for driving while suspended and maximum speed limits. He is still being held at this time with a surety bond of $2,500. Vincent Allen Shaffer, 50, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday on a Bourbon County warrant for nonsupport of a child. He posted a $500 cash bond and was released at 5:22 p.m. the same day...

Few things impact us like our faith. According to the most recent Gallup Poll, about 43 percent of us say we attend church weekly or almost weekly. That's been pretty steady over the past three years. Those who live in Mississippi are the most frequent churchgoers in the nation, with 63 percent reported attendance. Nine of the top 10 states in church attendance are in the South; the only non-Southern state is Utah, with 56 percent frequent attendance...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) The last annual school report showed that of more than 8,000 school students in the county, between 3,000 and 4,000 attend the rural schools, while the school attendance in Fort Scott is more than 4,000. The school students in Fort Scott have athletic associations, basketball, baseball and other games, societies and social and other things outside their school work which make school life pleasurable. ...

It was a picturesque day on a mountain trail outside of Steamboat, Colo., last July when my son's friend, Kendra, posed a question to me: "Have you ever thought of what your life would be like if when you woke up each morning, the only things you had left were the ones you had thanked God for the day before?" My answer ("Wow! No...") was anything but profound -- partly because the high altitude had deflated my lungs and it was all I could do to even breathe, but more realistically because Kendra had hit a spiritual nerve. ...

For the next several weeks, we (the 15th and Crawford Church of Christ) will be stating several Bible principles and asking the questions: Have you heard? Do you agree? Do you follow? Would you like to know more, giving everyone the opportunity to hear and believe (Romans 10:17). It is also an opportunity to learn (Acts 8:30-35). If you would like to write in, email any questions, or responses to be answered or published, feel free to do so...

The First Presbyterian Church will hold its "Blue Christmas Service" at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. The service is open to the community and is designed to acknowledge the need for healing during the holiday season. The service of Scripture readings and prayers will last about 45 minutes...

Join Cherry Grove Baptist Church this Sunday morning as Pastor Dale Cummins brings the message, "God is our Light." The sermon explores the spiritual strength and hope that God gives in this darkened world. It will open the possibility of living unafraid in life's uncertain times, resting in God's love, grace, mercy and eternal promises, a news release said...

The Civil War ended in April of 1865, and during the next year or so the United States War Department demobilized the "Union" forces and materials of war throughout the country. Reducing the manpower, or number of soldiers, was relatively easy in that they were discharged and sent home. ...

The Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center Inc., based in Parsons, will be closing its Woodson County SKIL Office, located at 119 W. Butler in Yates Center on Dec. 31. SKIL is focused on people with disabilities, their families and communities and provides advocacy, education and services to break down barriers and bridge social gaps, its website said...

Announcements made during the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday morning included holiday events this weekend, the recent promotion of two city employees and an upcoming fundraiser by the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club. Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Betty Boyko said only a few tickets remain for the 31st annual Candlelight Tour, scheduled to take place tonight and Saturday evening at the historic site. Boyko said this year's event "could sell out."...

Fort Scott Community College employees and students are teaming up to make dozens of children's Christmases a little brighter by donating gifts and time to the Adopt-a-Child Program run by The Beacon, a local food pantry and community assistance agency...

Another option to help children in need this Christmas season is being planned by a familiar local retail store and the Salvation Army. Walmart, 2500 S. Main St., is one of several outlets in Kansas and western Missouri planning to host a "Fill the Truck" toy drive to support the Salvation Army from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The initiative is designed to help provide a cheerful Christmas for needy area children...

With a tiara perched atop her head, sitting in a raised seat, Tribune columnist Nell Dikeman greeted at least 200 visitors Thursday on the occasion of the start of her 50th year at the newspaper. Dikeman began her career at the Tribune Dec. 1, 1963. She was chosen by Watson Marble, the owner of the paper at the time, from 57 applicants...

HUMBOLDT -- Both of Uniontown's teams fell to Erie Thursday night in second-round games at the Humboldt Emprise Bank Tournament. Eagle girls dropped a 33-22 verdict while Uniontown's boys lost 52-45. Erie boys held a 16-11 lead after one but the Eagles (1-2) got back within 21-22 at the half...