Stories from Saturday, April 14, 2012

PARSONS, Kan. -- Fort Scott High School's golf team claimed the title at the Parsons Invitational Thursday as four Tigers finished in the top 10 at the KATY Course. "The golfers had a good outing," Fort Scott head coach Ken Klassen said, "not scoring much better than they did Tuesday, but playing fairly well on the KATY's narrow, tree-lined fairways."...

UNIONTOWN, Kan. -- Pitching was the key in each game of a Three Rivers League doubleheader at George Warren Field Friday evening. Jayhawk-Linn hurler Tess Murrow had the hot hand in the opener while Uniontown's Mandie Ridge had the better of it in the nightcap...

George Edward Harkrader, 87, of Pappinsville, Mo., died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Willow Lane Nursing Home. He was born Jan. 27, 1925, to George and Sophia Harkrader in Pleasant Gap, Mo. Edward is survived by his wife, Lorna Mae Harkrader of Rockville, Mo.; two sons, Dean Edward Harkrader and wife, Shelli, of Nevada, and Jerry Alan Harkrader and wife, Bobbie, of Butler, Mo.; five daughters, Wilma Griffith and husband, Philip, of St. ...

Thelma Arlean Watson, 94, Grand Junction, Colo., formerly of Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2012, at LaVilla Grande Care Center, Grand Junction, Colo. She was born Nov. 24, 1917, in Durango, Colo., to Herbert E. Warner and Rose Ann Palmer Warner. She married J.K. "Pete" Watson and he preceded her in death in 1995...

Edward Starr, 89, of Independence, Mo., passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012, at St. Mary's Medical Center. Ed was born Dec. 19, 1922, in Bates County, Mo., to George and Goldie (Siefers) Starr. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Starr was employed for 34 years by the Missouri Pacific Railroad/Union Pacific railroads before retiring 27 years ago as foreman of the shops at Neff Railway Yard...

Louise Louderback, 97, formerly of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, on May 25, 1914, the daughter of Lewis G. and Audrey J. Beard Martin. She married Glen Louderback on June 23, 1971, in San Antonio, Texas. He preceded her in death on July 1, 1985. She moved back to San Antonio, Texas, after Glen's death...

Violet Louise Smith, 86, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in Nevada, following a brief illness. She was born May 3, 1925, in Trenton, Mo., to Hollie Renfro and Mary Gott Renfro. She was married May 6, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Cecil Leroy Smith and he preceded her in death May 17, 2000...

Marion "Dutch" Harden, 82, of Eldon, Mo., passed away Friday, April 13, 2012, at Eldon Nursing and Rehab in Eldon, Mo. On Dec. 20, 1929, he was born in Nevada, Mo., the son of the late John Raymond and Willa Rose (Edison) Harden. On Jan. 4, 1952, he was united in marriage to Mary Lue (Ashley) Harden who preceded him in death on Sept. 22, 1997...

There are no tastier fruits and vegetables than those just gathered from the vine and field. That's why organizers of the Vernon County Farmers' Market are optimistic about the bi-weekly exposition's annual revival May 12 in Nevada. They say the market has run well below its potential with no more than 12 to 14 vendors in recent years and they hope to make it competitive with the highly successful expo in Webb City, north of Joplin...

The Kansas Highway Patrol plans to be in Bourbon County starting this evening for a special enforcement aimed at reducing aggressive driving and removing impaired drivers from public roadways. It's part of RAVE -- Roving Aggressive Violation Enforcement -- which will take place Saturday night and into Sunday morning...

When the internationally acclaimed ensemble "Dallas Brass" visits Fort Scott Community College to perform Tuesday night, they'll enlist the skills of local musicians. The Fort Scott High School and FSCC bands will perform "An American Tableau," a medley tribute to America, with the Dallas Brass after intermission...

Philanthropic Fort Scott couple gives $100,000 to park project.