Stories from Thursday, July 10, 2008

VARNER -- Austin Jeremy Varner, a boy, was born at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, at 4:33 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2008, to parents Stephanie and Clifton Varner, Fort Scott. He weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Ken and Debi Cook, Fort Scott. ...

STOCK -- Klara Belle Stock, a girl, was born at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, at 3:15 a.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2008, to parents Kolby S. and April B. Stock, Redfield. She weighed 8 pounds, 13 and one half ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Norman and Laura Nation, Fort Scott. ...

Wayne and Marge Stringer enjoyed an Alaskan cruise recently. There were around fifty from Fort Scott, so all had a very good time. Wednesday, July 2, Betty Hixon, Mike and Lori Hixon and a friend traveled to Pittsburg, and enjoyed eating at Chicken Mary's on the way home...

The Bronson Chapter and Moran Chapter of the Eastern Star held a meeting at the Moran Chapter Hall in honor of Kay Hill, District Aide for District No. 6. Also present was Nancy Kernick, Grand Ruth; Betty Willis, Grand Representative of Kentucky in Kansas; Rex Bowen, Past Grand Patron of Oklahoma; Tom Johnson, Excellent High Priest of Iola No. 8 Royal Arch Masons; Robert Willis, Worthy Patron from Erie and Kay Hill, Worothy Matron from Erie...

The descendants of Ray and Louise Singmaster gathered for a reunion after four years. It was held June 20, 21 and 22. Jim and Jeanie Comstock hosted a supper for the ones that came on Friday. Hamburgers, brauts and hotdogs were grilled for the 38 who were present. Salsads, deviled eggs, baked beans and desserts were brought by others. Some of the cousins went in and walked the Relay For Life with cancer survivors of the family. They enjoyed the evening and the others played cards and visited...

100 YEARS AGO (1908) Nearly $100,000 is spent in Mexico City every week on lottery tickets, and in the same period only about $70,000 is paid back in premiums. Pearl necklaces and pearl earrings are popular for summer wear. See what we have and get our prices. -- D. Prager & sons...

The Great Outdoors has always lured people for a variety of reasons. But more and more young people are heading to places like Fort Scott National Historic Site because it's the right thing to do. They want to give back to the environment and community while exploring possible careers in conservation...

Bourbon County residents will soon have the opportunity to save an average of 20 percent on some prescription medications. According to Bourbon County Commissioner Bill Brittain, the county has signed a contract that will make free prescription drug discount cards available to residents in Bourbon County. ...

By Jason E. Silvers The Fort Scott Tribune As hot summer temperatures start to become more common, it is also time to use extra precautions in order to avoid heat-related illnesses. Bourbon County Public Health Nurse Alice Maffett, who works with the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, said there are several key safety tips area residents should follow to protect themselves from severely hot temperatures...

The President declared Wednesday, a major disaster exists in the State of Kansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes during the period of May 22 to June 16, 2008...

A flock of flamingos, which have been visiting different houses in Fort Scott this summer, is doing its part to help the local economy. The flamingos are participating in the Flamingo Frenzy FUN-raiser, which is a program created to raise funds that will be used to promote tourism of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Katie Casper said...

As rain fell on the Fort Scott Middle School parking lot Tuesday night, the determination of area residents and the Youth Activity Team continued to rise as the community attempts to break an unusual world record. About 14 weeks has passed since YAT, an organization formed through the Fort Scott Visioning process and in place to seek out and assist in the realization of activities desired by local youths, announced their plans to upgrade facilities at Ellis Park in Fort Scott by approximately $4 million.. ...

The first part of the new farm bill to be implemented is enrollment in the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP). Local FSA offices have started this process which must be completed by the end of the fiscal year -- September 30, 2008. Farm bases and yields for the new five year period covered by this farm bill will match those included in the last DCP. ...

It is hard to believe what the wind can do to trees, young and old alike. I know that many of you are contemplating over what to do with your storm damaged trees. The major dilemma you face is whether a tree may be saved or not. The downed trees are cleaned up, but what about those that lost major and or minor limbs? Trees do have an amazing ability to recover from storm damage. ...