Stories from Thursday, February 3, 2011

Speaking last Friday at National Pheasant Fest 2011 in Omaha, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the next general signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will begin on March 14 and continue through April 15. This is the second consecutive year that USDA has offered a general CRP signup...

There are many reasons to prune your trees and shrubs, and this is a good time to start thinking about it. Trees are fully dormant and have been for a few weeks; however, pruning during temperatures below 20 degrees can injure the wood tissue. Deciduous shade trees can be pruned during any season, but the ideal time would be during dormancy. ...

Jeffrey Lynn Bronson, age 61, a resident of rural Fort Scott, died late Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at his home. Funeral service for Jeffrey Lynn Bronson will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Fort Scott, Kan.

Charles Howard Trimble Jr., age 29, 1713 Cameron, Fort Scott, was arrested on Jan. 26, at 9:38 a.m. by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office for possession of stimulants and is still being held at this time. Tony Lee Barnes, age 43, 7946 South Hulch, Hume, Mo., was arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 27, at 11:30 a.m. for battery, burglary, theft of services, and possession of marijuana. Barnes is still being held at this time...

The snow has fallen and the sun has come out to shine on a community that appears to have been virtually undisturbed by Tuesday's major winter storm. Bourbon County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers said the storm dropped between 17 and 19 inches of snow on the area, which was right on target for what was being forecast Monday. Jeffers said that the massive snowfall combined with the wind has created snowdrifts throughout the county ranging from four to 10 feet high...

Just as the city is digging out from up to 19 inches of snow, another round -- though not as dramatic -- is predicted for the beginning of next week, according to the National Weather Service in Joplin, Mo. The storm system that hit Bourbon County and Southeast Kansas crossed the Rocky Mountains and swung through the Southern Plains, then through Arkansas and the Ohio Valley. ...