Stories from Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Bourbon County Commissioners have put in place a moratorium directed at the mining of cryptocurrency in the county. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Calvin L. Osborne recounted portions of the journey of his great-great-grandfather, William Lacy, from slavery to the battlefield in the Civil War-era south. Osborne, an author, historical researcher and Civil War re-enactor, shared stories during a Sept. ...

The Fort Scott City Commission on Oct. 7 approved engineering and surveying services for repairs to a city waterway system. City Manager Brad Matkin said the waterway was damaged during flooding earlier this year. He said city officials have been in contact with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since the damages occurred and were advised to hire an engineer. He said FEMA will reimburse the city for the cost of engineering services and repairs...

Nancy Ann Ellifrits, age 65, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at her home. She was born Oct. 9, 1959, in Gardner, Kan., the daughter of Vernon Charles Fortner and Anna Mae Deilman Fortner. Nancy had worked at area nursing homes as a nurse’s aide for 30 years. ...

Virginia Viel, 74, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2025. She was born on Dec. 22, 1950, in Hope, Ark., to Clinton and Bertha Lee. Virginia was known for her sharp wit, loud laugh, and even bigger heart. She spent many years working in customer service for Lincoln National, Mass Mutual, and UniCare Insurance before later retiring from Cavalry Crossing. No matter where she was, Virginia made friends easily and never hesitated to speak her mind...

Geneva Darlene Jennings, age 85, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com...

Marlean J. Roberts, age 66, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at her home in Ft. Scott. Arrangements will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com...

Darvin Theon Willard, known affectionately to friends and family as Theon, left this world to paint the heavens on Oct. 11, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. ...

Fort Scott High School tied for fifth as a team and two Lady Tigers qualified for state at the Class 4A Regional Tennis Tournament Friday and Saturday in Independence. The Lady Tigers finished with 5 team points to tie with Parsons behind Independence in first place with 14 points, Winfield in second with 13 points, Wellington in third with 10 points and Chanute in fourth with 9 points. Coffeyville finished in seventh and Iola landed in eighth place...