Stories from Thursday, February 17, 2011

For the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity at Fort Scott Community College, African-American history isn't just commemorated for one month, it's a year-round celebration. "Part of the center's purpose is to keep black history going all year," Director Jill Warford said...

The Fort Scott High School Music Department, including the band, orchestra and choirs, will conduct a potato feed fundraiser from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday in the FSHS commons area, 1005 S. Main St. The meal includes a big baked potato with toppings, dessert and a drink for $5...

A mother and her two daughters gave up part of their crowning glory Wednesday for a good cause. Mary Ashlee Montojo, her sister, Andrea, and their mother, Manuelita Tan, all had their hair cut by Shelly Bradley, owner of The After Affect Salon, for a donation to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 in the United States and Canada who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis...

With a new show coming to Memorial Hall, the city has been looking at modernizing the facility. During Tuesday evening's meeting, the Fort Scott City Commission approved spending up to $15,000 to update the sound system at the hall. Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin said the city had been looking into updating a few things in the auditorium, but it was not until the last two or three weeks that the city realized just how out of date the equipment was...

Elsmore Ruritan Club will sponsor a soup supper Saturday at the Elsmore community building from 5 to 7 p.m. Club members will serve chili and broccoli/cheese soup and vegetable soup, plus crackers, dessert and a drink for a free-will donation. Tickets will be available for desserts, which will be given out in drawings throughout the evening. ...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently called attention to the 25th anniversary of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) which has protected our nation's natural resources since the signing of the historic Food Security Act of 1985. The act provided for the establishment of CRP and for the protection of highly erodible land...

U.S. consumers are increasingly interested in how their food is grown, and a recent study shows that media coverage of animal welfare issues does have an impact on demand for meat. The study, which involved a search of U.S. newspapers and magazines from 1982 to 2008, suggested that media attention to animal welfare issues has not directly impacted beef demand. It did, however, reduce pork and poultry demand...

The corn school, originally scheduled for Feb. 3, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 23. It will be held in the Girard United Methodist Church which is located on west 47 Highway in Girard just across from Pizza Hut. The meeting will begin with registration at 9 a.m. ...

Fort Scott Community College's basketball teams were swept by Cowley College Wednesday night at Arnold Arena. Greyhound women faltered in the second half of a 58-42 loss to the Tigers. Cowley's men bombed the 'Hounds from 3-point range as they took a 69-44 victory...