Stories from Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has announced the launching of a new website that allows Kansans to submit their ideas on laws or regulations they believe should be considered for repeal, http://repealer.ks.gov/. "The top priorities of my administration are to grow the state's economy and get the more than 110,000 unemployed Kansans back to work," Brownback said in a news release. ...

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will have its weekly coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday at Heidrick's True Value, 1508 S. National Ave. Chamber members can make an announcement about their business organization or the community by donating $1 toward "Dollars for Dolly."...

100 YEARS AGO (1911) Fire Chief Joe Ausman is busy looking after violators of the law when he is not busy driving his big white horse to the scene of a fire. He has found a few violators and has made them remedy defects. The last place to be found was the Pictureland Theatre. ...

This has been a very busy week in the Capitol and fairly productive. Many bills passed and some controversial bills failed either in committee or one of the chamber floors. We have also received numerous e-mails, calls and letters about many different issues...

Mercy Health Systems dietitians keep tight control over what patients eat, but employees and visitors, not so much. Jerry Campione, executive chef for the Sisters of Mercy Health Ministry, has been visiting all the facilities under the Sisters of Mercy banner introducing new, healthy items to the cafeteria menus. ...

Residents around Fulton should keep an eye out for pedestrians as they travel across the Clever Creek Bridge beginning this week. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, a field survey team will be working near the bridge on Kansas Highway 31, three miles east of the K-31/K-7 junction...

In the final weeks before the election, Fort Scott City Commission candidates are providing insight into their views about the panel. There are four candidates and three open seats. Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Gary Bukowski, Tom Gorman and Jean Parker will face off in the general election on April 5. The top two vote-getters will each receive four-year terms and the third-place finisher will garner a two-year term. Bukowski is currently serving a four-year term and Parker is serving a two-year term...

Those attending this year's Beacon Soup Line may notice some new faces at the long-standing community event. Current coordinators of the annual fundraiser benefiting the local food pantry and community assistance agency are in the process this year of shifting organizational duties for the event to the Young Professionals League, a network of area business professionals who are active in the community...

To the Editor: I happened to read the Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 Pittsburg Morning Sun newspaper and they had an article entitled "How they Voted" listing the Kansas House of Representatives names, party affiliation and how those representatives voted on the Secure and Fair Election Act. ...

To the Editor: One year ago March 23, President Obama signed "Obamacare," officially entitled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), into law. Unfortunately, a check of the facts proves the law isn't as advertised. It neither protects patients nor eases health care costs. For example, the $2.6 trillion legislation has forced many Americans to switch out of plans that they liked and pay higher premiums. It has reduced health care choices for patients of all ages...

Wanda YeVonne Johnson, age 54, a resident of Merriam, Kan., died Monday, March 21, 2011, at her home. She was born Nov. 30, 1956, at Bay City, Texas, the daughter of Harry Shadden and Coleen Joles Shadden. Wanda married Ronald Gene Johnson on Jan. 12, 1976, at Nevada, Mo. He preceded her in death on Jan. 24, 2009...

Edna Juanita Vaughn Holsman, age 92, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Prescott Country View Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday March 25, 2011 at the Wall Street Christian Church. Burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery...

ARMAN -- Troy and Kim Arman, Parker, and siblings Ashlyn, 4, and Scarlett, 3, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Nathaniel Alexander Arman. Nathaniel was born at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott on March 21, 2011. Maternal grandparents are Ray and Lona Alexander, Overland Park, Kan...

JONES -- Barend and Jill Jones, Schell City, Mo., are proud to announce the birth of their son, Brendan Cole Jones. Brendan was born at 12:02 a.m., at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Dennis and Kim Vantellman, Schell City, Mo...

SEEK -- James and LeeAnna Seek, Fort Scott; and siblings Bryceton and Isaiah, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Keagan Kael Seek. Keagan was born at 8:21 a.m., March 22, 2011 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. He weighed 8.01 pounds at birth...