Stories from Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Fort Scott Tribune Fort Scott Police officers arrested a man for his alleged involvement in a structure fire on Monday afternoon. According to a press release from the Fort Scott Police Department, shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday, Fort Scott Police officers and firefighters were dispatched to 1205 S. ...

By Michael Pommier The Fort Scott Tribune Bourbon County will be hosting a Tax Foreclosure sale at noon today in the lobby of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National. Resident who currently do not have outstanding property tax are being invited to place bids on the 72 properties including 46 Hidden Valley Lake lots for sale by the county. By law, properties may be redeemed by the owner until the time of the sale so the number of properties may change...

As Kansas saw another spike in December for claims from jobless workers looking to claim their first unemployment check, so did Bourbon and surrounding counties. The state Department of Labor reported Tuesday more than 37,000 Kansans filed their initial claims in December. That's more than double the 18,000 who filed their initial claims in December 2007...

By Rayma Silvers The Fort Scott Tribune Several Linn County residents recently fell prey to the childish pranks of a group of Linn County youth. On Jan. 17 and 18, four Pleasanton juveniles, who ranged in age from 14 years old to 16 years old worked their way through the cities of Pleasanton and Mound City in addition to parts of rural Linn County vandalizing mailboxes with baseball bats and eggs, according to a press release from the Linn County Sheriff Department...

By Jason E. Silvers Fort Scott Tribune A local cancer support group, which has been going strong for nearly two years, has big plans for 2009. The group's founder and local cancer survivor, Theresa Davenport, Farlington, Kan., said public response has been greater than she imagined since she first created the group in late 2007 as a way for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers to discuss ideas related to the deadly disease that strikes millions of people each year...

By Michael Pommier The Fort Scott Tribune The opportunity to work for President Barack Obama could become a reality for one local farmer. Diana Endicott of Good Natured Family Farms Alliance found out Monday she had been nominated for the first ever position of White House Farmer. Endicott is one of 75 nominees to work as a farmer for the White House...

By Michael Pommier The Fort Scott Tribune Due to a new state law, raising the number of candidates in the city commission needed to hold a primary election from six to 10, residents will not see the positions on the ballot until April's general election...

Fort Scott Tribune TOPEKA -- Students from across Kansas will commemorate the state's 148th birthday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today, when the Kansas Museum of History presents its Kansas Day celebration. "Mr. Lincoln Comes to Kansas!" is this year's theme, which coincides with the opening of the museum's special exhibit, Lincoln in Kansas...

Community Christian Church, at 1919 S. Horton, Fort Scott, will be showing the movie "Fireproof" a second time on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. The first showing was "packed out" according to pastor Kevin Moyers, and the staff of the church has felt there are many others in the community who could benefit from a second showing. It will be free to the public...

The Bourbon County Arts Council has announced its 17th Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit. The mixed media competition is open to artists 16 years of age and older. Categories include painting, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, jewelry, drawing and graphics, mixed media, pastels and photography. Entry fee is $7.50 per piece and entry and entry deadline is March 2...

By Rayma Silvers The Fort Scott Tribune USD 234 is paying a special tribute to school board members, who contribute to the betterment of the local school district. According to a press release from the USD 234 Board of Education, the Kansas Association of School Boards has declared January as School Board Recognition Month in Kansas. The month has been declared a time to establish an understanding of the essential role the school board plays in the community, according to the release...

By John Hanna Associated Press Writer TOPEKA -- The Kansas Senate advances a budget-balancing bill after backing off some cuts in social services and public school funding. Senators gave the measure first-round approval on a voice vote Wednesday night. Another vote will determine if the bill goes to the House...

By Jason E. Silvers Fort Scott Tribune UNIONTOWN -- USD 235 faces budget cuts the next couple of years after recent proposed solutions by state leaders to reduce the state deficit. Last week, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced a proposed plan to cut about $186 million in state debt by June 30, a plan that included a proposal to reduce state aid per pupil by $22 -- from $4,433 to $4,411 -- for the 2008-09 school year...