Stories from Monday, November 30, 2009

PRATT -- A 12-3 run to start the second half set the Pratt Community College women's basketball team up for a 61-55 win over Fort Scott Saturday night in the annual PCC Thanksgiving Classic. Pratt (3-7) was tied with Fort Scott at halftime, but got a 3-point goal from Phylicia Freeman, a putback by Dashia Williams and another basket by Freeman to open up a 37-30 lead three minutes into the second half...

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, 1519 S. National, will be the host of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. Chamber members can make an announcement about their business, organization or the community by donating a dollar toward "Dollars for Dolly."...

The Collegiate Farm Bureau at Fort Scott Community College will conduct its 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off. The event will take place starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Fort Scott Armory, 2301 S. Horton St. The cost is $10 per entry. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. For more information, contact Kyle Jacobs at (580) 829-2100...

Fort Scott Community College Choir Instructor Gregory Turner will present the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 6. The performance will include a choir and orchestra made up of musicians from the college and the community. Soloists for the event will include Ryan Goodbody, James Beltz, Amy Bradley, Treva Williams, Robert Nelson, Linda Jackson, Amber Goodbody, Alanna Masterson, and Greta Adams. ...

A new program at Tri-Valley Developmental Services can help area residents with their Christmas card shopping. In the program, TVDS clients and staff are trying to help people with the time it takes to find quality Christmas cards. Earlier this year, clients who participate in art therapy classes at TVDS began creating Christmas cards that will be sold to help fund the program...

About two months after being convicted, Fred Thornton received his sentence Monday afternoon. Thornton will serve two consecutive sentences of 165 months in prison for attempted murder in the first degree and 43 months in prison for aggravated assault. He will also serve two concurrent sentences of 12 months for violation of a court order and six months for criminal trespass. Thornton's total sentence will be 208 months within the Kansas Department of Corrections...

Drywood Township trustees are one step closer to making their storm shelter a reality. The Bourbon County Commission held the opening of bids on Nov. 23 and accepted the bid of Home Center Construction, of Pittsburg, during their regular Monday meeting...

The Fort Scott Community College Nursing Department continues to enhance its human simulation laboratory. The department was recently awarded a $29,850 Carl D. Perkins Reserve Funds grant to assist in funding for audio and visual equipment in the department's lab. The new equipment is designed to enhance simulation teaching and the nursing students' learning environment, officials said...