Stories from Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Farmers in the Bronson area finally got some help with their feral hog problem last week, but they know the three-day kill by a U.S. Department of Agriculture sharpshooter will only reduce the number of -- but not eliminate -- the animals that have been destroying their crops and hay fields...

For area gardening enthusiasts, March 31 may seem like another holiday. That's what Tri-Valley Developmental Services officials are hoping for as they plan for the Gardener's Christmas from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 31, at the TVDS Service Center, 4305 Campbell Dr. The focus of the event is a huge silent auction featuring a variety of gardening and interior design accessories, books on related topics, as well as deck and patio items...

There are around 12,000 restaurants in Kansas, and on Monday, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius named a Pittsburg-based restaurant as one of the seven best in the state. Healthy eating establishment Sweet Greens, located at 620 S. Broadway in Pittsburg, was recognized by Sebelius with the Best of the Best Award during a ceremony in Topeka. ...

DOUGHERTY -- Grady Feller Dougherty, a boy, was born at 7:55 a.m. on Monday, March 19, 2007 at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, to parents Mike and Kathy Dougherty, Iola. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth. He joins siblings, Kyler age 15, Braden, age 13, and Gentry, age 6. Maternal grandfather is Elmer Tatsch, Iola. Paternal grandparents are Rick and Idris Dougherty, Iola...

BECERRA -- Britny Yulissa Becerra, a girl, was born at 2:39 a.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, to parents Anna Barnica and Uriel Becerra, Chanute. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces at birth.

LILLICH -- Aiden Reed Lillich, a boy, was born at 2:02 p.m. on Monday, March 19, 2007 at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, to parents Julie Stephenson and Andrew Lillich, Kansas City. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. He joins one sibling, Olivia Lillich. Maternal grandmother is Rhonda Riley, Frontenac. Paternal grandparents are Doug and Carol Lillich, Shawnee. Paternal great-grandmother is Nadine Vogts, Kansas City...

At the beginning of the city commission meeting Tuesday, city staff had to carry extra chairs in the meeting room inside city hall. And there still were people who didn't get a seat. They had to stand in the back of the room. Normally not a high turnout, Tuesday's meeting produced 64 residents that showed up to support the Fort Scott Fun Center, a bowling alley that was recently forced to close...