Stories from Friday, November 14, 2025

Donald E. Johnson, 85, passed at home after a battle with pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Don was the youngest of five born in Blue Mound, Kan., to William McKinley and Alma Ida Tinsley Johnson. He attended Blue Mound schools, and graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1958. ...

Leland Ray Underwood, age 79, Fulton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. He was born on July 16, 1946 at Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Clifford and Wilma Clayton Underwood. He served time in the United States Navy. He then became an equipment operator in the Army National Guard where he retired from. ...

Billy Joe Cowan, 95, originally of Devon, Kan., and later of Nevada, Mo., passed away Nov. 10, 2025, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, N.C. He was born in Walnut, Kan., April 11, 1930, the son of Charles Oscar and Grace Olive Boileau Cowan. He married Norma Jean Riggs on Aug. 12, 1951. She preceded him in death on Sept. 21, 2021. His son, Phillip Cowan, also preceded him in death Aug. 8, 2022...

Lavon K. Middleton (Richard), 84, of Uniontown, Kan., passed away Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Moran Manor in Moran, Kan., surrounded by her loved ones.  She was born on Nov. 30, 1940, in Redfield, Kan., to Vern Richard and Mary Richard (Reinecke). Lavon graduated from high school in Uniontown, Kan., in 1958. She was Uniontown’s first ever homecoming queen. She went on to marry Kenneth Middleton, her high school sweetheart, on July 22, 1961, at Paint Creek Church in Redfield, Kan...

Local veterans were recognized Wednesday during a program similar to one that took place about 30 years ago at Fort Scott Middle School. The school’s Veterans Recognition Program was based off a 1996 program in which staff and students honored World War II veterans and student advisory groups met specific veterans. FSMS Principal DJ Brown recalled that program, which took place during his second year as a teacher...

Bourbon County Commissioners and citizens Monday questioned representatives of a company conducting a bitcoin mining operation as work continues to find a solution to noise concerns. Commissioners have discussed a possible noise resolution and company officials have said measures have taken place to reduce noise and the impact on citizens who live in the area of the operation. ...