Stories from Tuesday, July 18, 2017

James Eugene Swafford, 94, resident of Tucson, Ariz., passed away peacefully on July 7, 2017. He was preceded in death by sons Herbert T. Swafford and Charles E. Swafford. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Maria Tucker Swafford, his son James E. Swafford Jr. (Doris), grandson Max Swafford and daughter-in-law Suzanne Swafford...

Carl Wayne Sweat, 49, of Mapleton, Kan., passed away Friday, July 14, 2017 at his home. Carl was born May 7, 1968 in Albany, Mo., to Bryan and Wanda (Riley) Sweat. He was preceded in death by his father and one grandson. Survivors: companion, Sonja Wriedt; mother, Wanda Wisdom; children, Samantha, Richard, Ashlyn, Sean and Brenda Sweat, Tosha and Regina Burton; brothers, Robert (Tracy) Sweat, Myron (Sandy) Sweat, Jeremiah Sweat; sisters, Vicky (Randy) Fish, Debbie (Brian) Hardy, Reva (Gerald) Wisdom; step-brother, Joe Macon; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.. ...

Erma Jean Maycumber, 82, Hot Spring Village, Ark., passed away July 14, 2017. Born March 23, 1935 she was the daughter of Merritt Gerald Swaim and Ethel Adella Swaim. Erma attended Fort Scott High School and on Oct. 28, 1955, married Larry A. Maycumber. Erma worked for Western Insurance Co. for 29 years before retiring in 1990...

Carolyn Lucille Beltz, 92, of Fort Scott, died Sunday evening, July 16, 2017 at the Guest Home Estates. She was born March 8, 1925, in Fairmount Station, Mo., the daughter of William Everett and Winnie Francis (Dickinson) Sagaser. She was a graduate of Southeast High School. She married Ormonde R.F. Beltz Aug. 29, 1943, in Kansas City, Mo., and he preceded her in death Oct. 25, 2014...

C.L. “Pete” Peterson, age 75, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday July 14, 2017 as the result of an auto accident in New Mexico. Funeral arrangements for Pete Peterson will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS...

Laura M. Benson Croan, age 94, a resident of Fort Scott, died Tuesday, afternoon July 18, 2017, at the Fort Scott Manor. Funeral arrangements for Laura Croan will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St. Fort Scott, KS.

Mary Lou Brungardt, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott. There was cremation. Father Robert Wachter will conduct a graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the Memory Gardens Cemetery. ...

Recent state law increasing regulation of amusement park rides has forced the indefinite closure of two water slides at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. The slides have been closed since July 2 as a result of amendments made this year to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act and Amusement Ride Insurance Act. The act considers pool slides at least 15 feet tall to be amusement rides...

The Bourbon County Fair got underway with the dog show on Saturday and the horse show on Sunday. Today’s features include judging for bucket calves, dairy cattle, dairy goats, family and consumer science projects and beef cattle. The junior livestock sale is at 7 p.m. Friday. The fair wraps up Saturday with the annual tractor pull...

Lana Ross will take over coaching duties of the Fort Scott Community College softball program, according to a statement that was posted on the team’s Twitter acount Thursday. Ross replaces Kristin Janes, who leaves after five seasons. Taking over following a winless (0-47) 2012 campaign, Janes posted a 73-176 record, but her teams were 63-95 over the past three seasons. ...