Stories from Friday, July 7, 2017

Don Hayes, age 86, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday July 5, 2017, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. Born to parents Jerome S. and Bonnie Marjorie Hayes on a farm in Bourbon County, Kan., Don loved the earth and its beauty. ...

Barbara Ann Krupinski, 87, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Barbara was born Feb. 13, 1930 in Bronson, Kan., to Harvey C. and Myrtle L. (Ebert) Eastwood. On March 18, 1950 she married William Joel Pruitt in Fort Scott, Kan., and he preceded her in death on Dec. 10, 2001...

Tom Eblen, longtime journalist, mentor and educator, died June 10, 2017, at Brighton Gardens in Prairie Village, Kan., after a long illness. He was 80. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, at Union Station’s Sprint Festival Plaza, 30 W. ...

Fort Scott city officials gave Rotarians an update Wednesday on the city budget and various projects that are in the works. City Manager Dave Martin, Director of Finance Jon Garrison, Public Utilities Director Michael Mix and Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt spoke during the Rotary meeting...

The Burke Street Parade had been advertised as a “rain or shine” event and there was truth in that. A little rain – actually a deluge– did not stop the annual parade Tuesday. Along with the patriotic colors, umbrellas and rain slickers were a common theme with participants and watchers. ...

Fireworks light up the night sky and reflect off the lake at Fort Scott Community College during a community fireworks display Monday night. The display was coordinated by the Elks Lodge No. 579.