Stories from Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Arcadia friends were happy to hear from Emory and Betty Briggs who live in Nowata, Okla. At Thanksgiving time they entertained both Betty's family and Emory's family and are making plans for a similar Christmas holiday dinner. The Sunday before Christmas, Willa Cable, Patty Peterson and Mary V. ...

Alice E. Hays, formerly of the Fort Scott area, passed away in the early morning on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Medicalodges of Wichita in Wichita, Kan., at the age of 75. Alice was born the daughter of George Blackburn and Hazel Irene Miller on Monday, Aug. 31, 1936, in St. Helens, Ore...

Coetta Louise Young, 84, of Fort Scott passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at the Mercy Health Center. She was born Dec. 27, 1926, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Edward and Faye Belle (Hopper) Elkins. She married Merle Albert Young Sr. June 2, 1945, in Fort Scott, Kan. He preceded her in death June 19, 1998...

Mary Maxine McDow, 85, homemaker and caregiver, passed away Dec. 15, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, H.V. "Mac" McDow, parents Theodore and Minnie Collins and brother Walter "Buck" Collins. Survivors are sons Victor (Jane) McDow of Paola, Kan., Howard W. ...

Earlene Johnson, Savonburg, will celebrate her 80th birthday Dec. 21. Her children are asking that friends and family send their mom greetings this week in celebration of her special birthday. Cards may be sent to Earlene Johnson, Prairie Mission Retirement Village, 242 Carroll St., St. Paul, Kan., 66771...

Dustie Lynn Miller and Dominique Washington, Fort Scott, along with siblings Angel and A.J., are pleased to announce the birth of their son and brother Landon Letrel Washington on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at 2:26 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan...

Happy 100th birthday to Lilly E. Knight. A card shower is requested by Lily's girls from Helping Hands: Debbie, Kate, Kori, Niki, Sarah, Megan, Kay, Jessica, Courtnie, Lynette and Kathy. Please send cards to 120 W. 23rd St., Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.

100 YEARS AGO (1911) We will close Christmas. We the undersigned merchants, do hereby agree to close our respective places of business all day on December 25, 1911, Christmas Day: M. Liepman & Bro. Rodecker Bros. Bob Roberts Bamberger's Clothing House...

The Capitol's copper dome and roof need to be replaced not repaired, according to the statehouse architect. He reported to the governor's office the estimated replacement will cost $10.3 million for the dome and $11.3 million for the roof. The original dome was completed in 1903 and is constructed of hollow clay tiles set into an iron truss and brace system covered with sheet copper. The dome was repaired in 2000 and treated with patina chemicals to achieve a verdigris color...

This past week, the House passed H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. We have now sent another pro-growth jobs bill to our colleagues in the Senate. Should the Senate choose to act, through this one bill we will accomplish a great environment for significant jobs growth. ...

One of Fort Scott's historic downtown buildings got a modern upgrade Tuesday as new air conditioning units were installed. The building, which takes up the northwest corner of Wall and Main streets and serves as the host for several local businesses such as The Bulb and Crain Insurance Agency, is owned by Linda Wunsch and her husband, owners of Fort Scott Properties...

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will host its weekly coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford St.

All members of the Fort Scott Scottish Rite, 110 S. Main, Fort Scott are asked to attend the regular stated meeting and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Dinner menu is ham and beans, cornbread, veggie tray, brownies and tea or coffee. For those wishing to attend, RSVP by no later than Wednesday, Jan. 4. Call (620) 223-1330, fax (620) 223-3851, or email fsscottishrite@sbcglobal.net...

The Bourbon County Courthouse and transfer station will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 26-27. In addition, the transfer station will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24.

Bourbon County Commissioners will host a public hearing on amending the 2011 budget during their regular meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 30. Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long said commissioners will hear comments and concerns from the public regarding an amendment which would increase the expenditure of the employee benefit fund from $2,034,200 to $2,135,460 and increase the expenditures in the road and bridge fund from $1,880,794 to $2,225,000...

Although the competition may be fierce, the city of Fort Scott plans to apply for a federal Transportation, Community and System Preservation grant that would finance preliminary design and land acquisition to extend 23rd Street to Margrave Street. The city commission gave its approval to make the application for a yet-to-be determined amount of funding at its meeting Tuesday night...