Stories from Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The first-ever combined Fort Scott High School Band, Orchestra and Choir concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the FSHS gym. In the past, the groups held separate concerts. Directors expect the gym to be packed. Each group will perform two numbers independently of one another with two pieces that are combined with all three groups...

Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees monthly meeting featured a change of venue for board members and guests on Monday, with business being moved to the Gordon Parks Museum inside the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Building. The move was in conjunction with a report to trustees by museum Director Jill Warford on the Nov. 30 "Chair-ity Auction."...

By Jason E. Silvers The Fort Scott Tribune Not a week after the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where 20 children and six adult school staff were killed, local emergency personnel responded Tuesday morning to a report of a prank call made from a local elementary school alleging a fire and intruder inside the school...

As a father of four children who attend USD 234 schools, Fort Scott Police Department School Resource Officer Toby Nighswonger is confident that Fort Scott schools are a safe place to send his children. Nighswonger, who is in his seventh year working for the district, said that a good working relationship between the district and the Fort Scott Police Department is what he believes helps make Fort Scott schools safe...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) A cigar salesman has been working the city selling a grade of cigars that are said to be of the usual Christmas quality. He has met with poor success. He is catering to the retail trade, but found that a majority of the smokers prefer to purchase their cigars from local dealers, where they know what they are buying...

The Fort Scott debate squad headed into action at Paola on Dec. 15 for one of three regionals held throughout the state. At each regional, the top-three placing teams advance to the state tournament. Unlike athletic regionals where seeding plays a big role, the debate regional is unique in the fact that each team faces every other team on both sides of the issue...

Clayton Whitson, husband of Maria Shead Whitson, a teacher in Tulsa, Okla., is in New York helping clean up the city after the Hurricane Sandy. He expects to be back home by Christmas. They will spend Christmas holiday with his parents in Wichita, Kan...

Gzamahna Meshauhah Osie Wrenn, 33, Sterling, Kan., was arrested at 10:30 p.m. Monday by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office on a Bourbon County warrant for nonsupport of a child and is still being held at this time.

Willeta Marie Johnson, age 65, Kansas City, Kan., formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. ...

Arlene Harvey, age 90, LaCygne, Kan., passed away as the result of an automobile accident Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, Calvary Baptist Church, LaCygne, Kan. Burial in the Cadmus Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. ...

The Bronson Ruritan meeting was held Monday, Dec. 17, at the Bronson Community Center with 20 members present. The meal was served by Elaine Stewart. President Alan Stewart called the meeting to order. Julia Rhoton led the group in the song, "America." Prayer was given by Geraldine Reeder...

Bronson Chapter No. 65 of the Order of the Eastern Star met Wednesday evening Dec. 12 for a regular meeting with the Worthy Matron Linda Neville and Worthy Patron Glenn Smith in the East. Worthy Matron read a Christmas blessing greeting to all 11 members present...

Members of the Fort Scott Nile Club held their annual Christmas party Dec. 11 in Zimmerman Hall of First Presbyterian Church. Kathy Reed catered the meal. Guests were spouses and friends of the members. Queen Diana Mason and Princess Royal Lindsay Deringer were also guests...

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High's girls picked up their second victory of the season here Tuesday night, downing Parsons, 59-44, in Southeast Kansas League action at Harold C. Johnson Gymnasium. Following an 0-4 start, the Tigers are now 2-1 in the SEK and 2-4 overall. Parsons fell to 0-4, 0-6, its last victory coming in last season's Sub-State semifinal...

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High School's boys got their first win of the season here Friday night but still had to overcome their recent first-quarter doldrums in order to get it. The Tigers made just 1 of 14 field-goal attempts in the first quarter but trailed only 9-6. They outscored Parsons 16-4 in the fourth to claim a 45-34 Southeast Kansas League victory at Harold C. Johnson Gymnasium...