Stories from Monday, August 29, 2016

The Bourbon County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, to discuss the proposed 2017 budget. In addition to a 2.955 mill increase, the budget also contains changes in appropriations to outside agencies. Some agencies will not see any changes, while others have been cut or completely eliminated from the proposed budget...

With the new USD 234 school year starting Thursday, district officials are asking community members to help with last-minute cleaning efforts in school buildings. Superintendent Bob Beckham sent out an e-mail Monday asking the community "if you are willing and able -- please help us put the 'finishing touches' on the buildings as we make final preparations for students."...

The 60th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta took place throughout the weekend at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. The event, which kicked off with a parade of antique, classic farm implements and other entries, continued Saturday and Sunday at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. The three-day event featured arts and crafts, quilts, gas and steam engine exhibits, demonstrations of farming equipment and machinery and other operations, live musical entertainment and other activities...

Lavon Lucas Loar, age 92, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and more recently of Overland Park, Kan., died Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at the Morningside Place Memory Care Center in Overland Park. She was born Jan. 6, 1924, in Hockerville, Okla., the daughter of Wales Aldridge and Ellen Harrison Aldridge. ...

Dale Robert Eshelbrenner, 56, died Saturday evening, Aug. 27, 2016 at his home after a courageous 10-month battle with cancer. He leaves his wife, Sara, and two young children, Tyler and Hattie of Prairie Village; his mother Sandra Dudley of Fort Scott, Kan.; his father Robert Eshelbrenner and his wife Barbara of Derby, Kan.; sister Rama Eshelbrenner of Coos Bay, Oreg.; and brother Derek of Havana, Kan...

Robert Lee Burcham, age 83, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, at his home. He was born May 3, 1933, in Fort Scott, the son of Ralph Burcham and Ruby Hayes Burcham. Bob was raised in Harding, Kan., and graduated from the Fulton High School in 1951. ...