Stories from Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Delton Watt Jr. hosted a men's conference for the Faith Family Church at his farm home in Fayette, Mo. Barbecued meat with trimmings was served. The 40 men attending enjoyed activities such as a golf chipping contest, washer pitching and fishing. Delton and his brother, Bill Watt from Napoleon, Mo., visited their mother, Mae Watt, for three days this past week...

Susan Elaine Anderson, 56, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at Cox Medical Center South. She was born Nov. 12, 1954, in Jefferson City, Mo., to Richard and Mary (Ramsey) Dixon. Susan worked as a dental assistant and receptionist for over 33 years. She was a loving mother and sister. She loved camping and horseback riding. Susan was a campfire enthusiast "pyro." She enjoyed motorcycle rides with her friend, Monte, and will be greatly missed by all...

Ralph O. Willard, 74, of Fort Scott, died Monday evening, Aug. 15, 2011, at the Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home. Funeral arrangements for Ralph Willard are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Jennifer Lynn Ennis, 31, a resident of Hiattville, Kan., died unexpectedly Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at her home in Hiattville. Funeral services for Jennifer Ennis will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

PITTSBURG -- The Mount Carmel Foundation announced that it is the recipient of a $6,000 grant from the Rita J. Bicknell Women's Health Fund hosted by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. The grant will benefit the Women's Services Project currently under construction at Via Christi Hospital. The Mount Carmel Foundation has pledged to raise more than $1 million for the Women's Services Project...

Jeffrey Lee Sisney, 48, 729 E. 680th, Arcadia, Kan., was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department on Aug. 15 at 5:16 p.m. for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is still being held. Anthony Blake Morton, 34, 4 N. Eddy, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department on Aug. 15 at 7:02 p.m. for driving while suspended and is still being held...

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." --Abraham Lincoln Every so often I like to highlight a success story of one of the people we serve. The reason why is that people with disabilities, in many instances, are thought of by society as being weak or sick and not being able to function independently in the community...

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Mercy announced plans Tuesday night to build a state-of-the-art hospital in Joplin, at I-44 and Main Street -- along with plans to build additional health care services elsewhere in Joplin. In total, Mercy's commitment to Joplin will include upwards of $950 million -- something unheard of in most communities today, a news release said...

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will host its weekly Chamber Coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday at Fort Scott Manor, 736 Heylman St. Chamber members can make an announcement about their business, organization or the community by donating a dollar toward "Dollars for Dolly."...

A Breakfast Club for Alzheimer's caregivers will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 in the Xavier Room at Mercy Health Center. The Breakfast Club offers an opportunity to talk with individuals who share similar issues while enjoying a free breakfast...

The Fort Scott City Commission unanimously approved the 2012 budget without a mill levy increase Tuesday night. Fort Scott Assistant City Manager Susan Brown told the panel that through continued discussions with the Fort Scott Library Board, the only mill levy increase anticipated would be the .1 mill hike from the city. She said the discussions led her to investigate what it would take to keep the city's mill levy steady and found it would take an additional reduction of $5,000...

A new program at Fort Scott Community College has already saved time and money. During their regular meeting Monday, the FSCC Board of Trustees heard a report from FSCC Director of Business Operations Mindy Russell on the Hound Card, a program the college implemented one year ago to help better serve students in getting their refunds and help provide cost savings for the college...

For the second consecutive year, the Garland Rural Fire Department has taken the title in the annual "Battle of the Badges Blood Drive." Local residents who came to Buck Run Community Center Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning cast their votes in a friendly competition when they presented to offer a donation. Votes were cast for whichever local police or fire department they liked most...

Is the Fort Scott Community College football program on probation? It depends on who you ask. But at this moment, the majority answer seems to be "no," without specifically saying "no." FSCC Athletic Director J.D. Ettore and President Clayton Tatro both avoided using the word "probation" when they returned phone calls to the Tribune Tuesday afternoon...