Stories from Thursday, March 31, 2011

Last Wednesday was the deadline for the full House to debate bills. Over 50 bills were considered between Monday and Wednesday. I voted no on several of these bills. One bill was over 460 pages. I was one of 11 no votes. Another bill would allow judges to sign up for part-time positions without restriction. ...

100 YEARS AGO (1911) The family of G.S. Sample, vice president of the Citizens National Bank, arrived last evening from Kiowa, Kan., and will be at the Goodlander Hotel until they find a suitable residence property. For Sale or Trade: 160 acres six miles from Fort Scott, on R.F.D. ...

To the Editor: We the people must have entities such as a new swimming pool and (expansion of) Buck Run Community Center to entice new residents to the city of Fort Scott. The reason for the new swimming pool is that it was built in 1936 -- 75 years ago. It is leaking, pipes are rusting, the light fixtures need to be replaced and the pumps are 25 years old and need to be replaced also...

YATES CENTER -- On a cold, wet evening, Uniontown's softball team started the season with a sweep of Yates Center here Tuesday by scores of 12-1 and 15-5. Both games were stopped after five innings. The first game was fairly close until the Eagles (2-0) outscored the Wildcats 10-0 over the final three innings. Tayler Shook allowed 3 hits and didn't walk anyone while striking out 5...

The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team at Pittsburg State University rose to the top at their recent regional competition and will soon be headed to nationals in Minneapolis. The team was one of 17 that competed regionally in Rogers, Ark., on March 11 and PSU was named one of eight teams that will advance to nationals. Approximately 120 teams will participate in nationals, May 10-12...

Some Pittsburg State University students returned from spring break with tans, but a group of technology education majors came home with gold and silver. A dozen members of the PSU Technology Education Collegiate Association (TECA) traveled to Minneapolis last week with professors Mike Neden and Andy Klenke to compete at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Conference. ...

Farmers in Bourbon County who suffered crop or livestock losses due to severe winter storms and snowstorms occurring Jan. 31-Feb. 5 may now apply for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans, FSA Farm Loan Manager Robert E. White said in a news release...

The Fort Scott Design Review Board will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, April 4. The meeting will be held at City Hall, 123 S. Main, and is open to the public.

With both parents in the medical profession, it was pretty much of a sure thing that Dr. Amy Sachau would follow in their footsteps. In third grade, Sachau's mother was pregnant with her brother. "I was absolutely fascinated with the whole thing. I decided I wanted to bring babies into the world," she said...

By Michael Pommier The Fort Scott Tribune Bourbon County Commissioners will have a chance to learn more about the workings of the county next week as they sit down with all county employees. Commissioners will meet with staff members at the county barn from 7-8 a.m. Tuesday and are tentatively scheduled to talk with courthouse employees from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Thursday...

A long-awaited piece of Gordon Parks memorabilia is finally available at the Gordon Parks Museum and Center for Culture and Diversity at Fort Scott Community College. The museum and center recently announced that "The Learning Tree," a 1969 film directed by Parks, is now available on DVD at the center. ...

Christopher Allen Culp, 86, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at the Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The role of fire has turned a full circle in managing the grasslands of the Great Plains. Natural wildfires once occurred frequently, but as the grassland was settled, plowed and fenced, wildfires became less frequent. Now research and experience has proven that fire can benefit the grassland and the animals that graze it...

This time of year is always fascinating with the coming of spring, all those college basketball games, baseball and softball teams getting started, planting season upon us, etc. To add to the excitement this year is a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign up...

Tribune Staff Report _ Local shoppers will get a new treat when popular retail store Goody's opens its doors next month at the South Main Shopping Center, 2400 S. Main St. The store's official grand opening is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 20. On this date, the store will offer a promotion in which the first 150 customers will receive a free tote bag. Two of those customers will have a chance to win a $250 shopping spree at the store, a company spokeswoman said...

The Ladies' Retreat held in Arcadia Christian Church on Saturday, March 26, was a great success in that, in spite of heavy rain at the hour that breakfast was served, many had already gathered. A total of 32 ladies and two men were present for the day...

The March FCE meeting was held March 10 at Calvary Crossing. Nine volunteer hours were reported for the month. The secretary's and treasurer's reports were given. Marge Stringer gave the report on the Spring Social, which will be held April 5. The guest speaker will be Deborah Vogts, a Christian writer from Erie, Kan. She will be bringing her latest release, "Blades of Autumn," the third book in her Flint Hills series, for a book signing...

Submitted to The Tribune _ The second annual Scrapping for Kathy will be held in the Humboldt High school cafeteria and old gym Saturday April 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event was established last year to support the Kathy Young Memorial Scholarship fund that Kathy's family set up after her death. Last year $1,500 was given to Humboldt High School graduates from the scholarship fund...

It seemed to be forgotten in the debate over whether or not the City of Fort Scott should purchase the property formerly known as the Fort Scott Country Club. Where was the high school golf team going to play? With no other options available as long as the course was closed, the Tigers have been practicing three days a week on open space at Gunn Park -- which is often soggy, thanks to Mother Nature's whim -- and once a week over at the public course in Nevada...