Stories from Saturday, December 19, 2009

After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Thomas Allen Whitten Sr., peacefully took the hand of Jesus, and entered his eternal home Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. Tom was born on Feb. 23, 1943 at Butler, Mo., the son of Thomas Lee and Dorothy Cleo Zwahlen Whitten. ...

Welcome Mae Van Sickle, 101, of Fulton, Kan., passed away early Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 at home. Rev. Janet Myers will conduct funeral services 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the West Liberty United Methodist Church, with burial following in the West Liberty Cemetery. ...

Hi neighbors. Christmas shopping jitters aside, it's been a pretty decent week. It seems every person has only one thought in mind -- getting ready for the Christmas holiday. Have you noticed all the Christmas-based shows on television? Every year or so some one comes out with a new Christmas show for television or the theaters. Most holiday shows that appear in the theaters will eventually make their way to the small screen at Christmas time...

I'd thought I'd seen it all, but last week brought a new one. For some time now they've been advertising Snuggies on television and explained how you can be warm, answer the phone, and read while encased in a Snuggie. Later Snuggie came out with leopard prints and a variety of colors. There are Snuggies for college students, Snuggies for kids, but the final straw was when I got an advertisement in my paper last week selling Snuggies for dogs...

Nevada, Mo. -- Presiding Judge James Bickel wasted no time Friday morning declaring a recount in the Nov. 3 election for a seat on the Nevada City Council shortly after the 9 a.m. start of court. The recount was triggered by the small margin of votes between Joe Kraft and Sherry Steward, who was ahead by only two votes, 413 to 411...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A USD 234 school has been awarded grant money toward the district's continued health and wellness initiative. Winfield Scott Elementary School was recently chosen as the recipient of a $1,000 Healthy Habits for Life grant that is funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation. The grant program is offered to help school nurses across the state address obesity and other childhood health and nutrition issues...

Despite not having a coach, the six students who make up the Bishop Seabury Academy debate team will be competing this weekend as Fort Scott High School hosts the Kansas Class 3-2-1A Regional Tournament. The debate program is in its first year at the school and is run by the students. ...

Donald and Charlene (Mason) Simpson will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary on Dec. 22, 2009. The couple would appreciate cards and shared memories sent to 2333 Deer Road, Garland, KS 66741. The Simpsons have four children: Mason (Paula), of Mound City; Scott (Becky), and Brady (Patty), of Fort Scott; and Lisa Ireland (Lanny) of Stewartsville, Mo...