Stories from Friday, August 29, 2008

Arrests: Police reports:...

MAPLETON -- Attendance to the first Mapleton Health and Safety Fair was high, drawing in over 70 people on Saturday, the fair's coordinators said. The fair featured several booths, with information on health and safety, a St. John's MedFlight helicopter, a Drunk-Driving Course by the Kansas Highway Patrol, fire trucks from Fire District No. ...

Eleven women listened to Janice McNally, County Extension Agent for Coffey County, tell about "Breaking the Code: Understanding and Intervening in Teen Bullying." Six of these women were from Stariite F.C.E. of Bourbon County. Allen and Woodson Counties were also represented. This meeting took place in lola on August 21...

Topeka -- Kansas voters today obtained access to detailed and relevant information about district and appellate judges and justices standing for retention on election ballots this November, the Kansas Commission on Judicial Performance said. "For years, voters have been asked to vote on whether to retain judges without the benefit of non-partisan information about their performance," said Randy Hearrell, executive director of the commission and the Kansas Judicial Council. ...

Fort Scott Community College Environmental Technology Director Scott Flater recently attended the 89th Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Annual School to present the 2008 Jim Current Award. The award recognizes those who exemplify professionalism in the industry of environmental technologies among the working ranks of either water or wastewater backgrounds. ...

Bourbon County residents who are underinsured now have another option when purchasing prescription medications. The county recently signed a contract that will make free prescription drug cards available to residents in Bourbon County. With the new cards, area residents will have the opportunity to save an average of 20 percent on various prescription medications...

The name "brown recluse" describes the color and habits of this venomous spider that has earned a reputation for having a painful bite. According to John Hobbs, agriculture and rural development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, this spider is usually found in structures that contain dry, cluttered space that is undisturbed and has a supply of insects or other small organisms to serve as suitable prey...

Two long-time downtown shops are preparing to close for business this weekend. The last day of operation for the Kress Emporium and Tea Room, 17 S. Main St., and the nearby Village Shoppes, 23 S. Main St., will be Saturday, according to local resident Becky Cowlishaw, who manages both stores. Both buildings that house the businesses are currently owned by former area residents Charles Parsons and his wife, Brenda...

The legacy of Gordon Parks continues to build in Fort Scott. It was announced Thursday that the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity has been named as a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Arts. "It shows that Gordon Parks is a big part of Kansas history," said Gordon Parks Center Executive Director Jill Warford...