BREAKING NEWS: Fort Scott holds first of two world records

Fort Scott is now slated to grace the pages of Guinness World Records 2010 edition after successfully laying 1 mile of pennies in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 1 second Thursday night.

Despite some doubting, the large group of Fort Scott area residents and Youth Activity Team members was able to complete this feat 1 minute, 14 seconds faster than the previous record holders, a group of teachers and students from the United Kingdom.

Youth Activity Team member and Fort Scott High School Athletic Director Larry Fink said, "I was a doubter, but I was wrong."

When the last penny was laid down, all in attendance -- several hundred people -- roared with applause.

Youth Activity Team Co-convener Diana Mitchell said, "If we can do this we can do anything."

The record breaking event is part of an attempt to complete a major renovation project on Fort Scott's Ellis Park.

The first phase was to collect $34,000 worth of pennies, then to break two world records.

The first record attempt was Thursday's successful fastest mile. The second is expected to be complete tomorrow, according to Mitchell, consists of laying 40 consecutive miles of pennies end-to-end across the Fort Scott Middle School parking lot.

Look for the full story in Friday's edition of The Tribune.