Stories from Thursday, July 8, 2010

UMB Financial Corporation, based in Kansas City, Mo., has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the assets of Prairie Capital Management LLC, an independent asset management and wealth management firm also based in Kansas City, Mo. The transaction is expected to close on July 30, 2010...

A glance at the calendar confirms that we have already passed the 4th of July! Fort Scott and Uniontown High Schools have both hosted all class reunions already this summer. (I attended and enjoyed my class get-together this time -- wow! 40 years is a long time!) The swim team has already hosted their last home swim meet for the summer. ...

Though soil tests are useful for identifying nutrient deficiencies as well as soil pH, they do not tell the whole story. We often receive soils from gardeners that are having a difficult time growing crops even though the soil test shows that nothing is deficient. Following are some factors that can affect plant growth that are not due to nutrient deficiencies or pH...

The Bourbon County Conservation District will receive an allocation in state cost-share funds from the State Conservation Commission to assist landowners in installing enduring soil and water conservation structures. The State Water Resources Cost-Share Program for applying conservation practices is an asset in the important task of protecting the soil, water, and related natural resources of Bourbon County...

PITTSBURG -- Residents in Southeast Kansas suffer a higher than average incidence of cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the opening of its Heart Center in 2003, Via Christi Hospital has continued to strive to provide the highest quality of care for this critical community health issue. ...

This week Amanda, my 16-year-old granddaughter, is playing on an all-star softball team in Denver, Colorado, while her dad, brother, sister and I are here in Las Vegas. Yesterday Amanda made an error that put her team behind. Her coach immediately pulled her from the game and had her sit on the bench. Nikki, her mother, texted me as the game progressed, and I found myself angered that such an embarrassing injustice had to be inflicted on such a dedicated athlete...

The Civil War here in Kansas and Missouri is perceived by "Easterners", folks living east of the Mississippi River, as being the "Civil War" in the WEST! This is true from an eastern perspective because most of the land from western Kansas to the Rocky Mountains and from northern Texas to the Canadian border was still unsettled and organized into territories...

A while back our grandson, Kurt, and his son, Parker and daughter, Lauren, came out for the weekend. In fact it was still the spring turkey season. He spent quite a bit of time turkey hunting and on Saturday morning I mentioned to Lauren that Walmart was having a big sale on their winter clothes, in fact I had found quite a few things there the day before...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs are partnering on a special two-pack ticket and parking package for the Major League Baseball-Monday Night Football doubleheader at the Truman Sports Complex on Monday, September 13. Fans may take advantage of this special offer at www.kc2pack.com or by visiting the Chiefs Ticket Office during regular business hours...

Fort Scott Community College will induct three individuals into FSCC's Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Saturday, October 9th, 2010. The inductees for FSCC's Class of 2010 are Adam LaRoche, Senator Bob Marshall, and Rhonda Reeves. These three individuals made outstanding contributions in the sports of baseball, football, and women's basketball respectively at FSCC. Equally as important, all three individuals have made outstanding contributions to their respective communities...

With the date of the primary election nearing, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is helping local voters learn more about candidates for local, state and federal offices. The FSACC and its Government and Community Quality Division will host a candidates forum scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. ...

President Obama visited Smith Electric Vehicles to talk about how energy companies are improving the economy.

By Michael Pommier The Fort Scott Tribune Officials announced Thursday that the animal cruelty allegations against a local horse trader do not hold water. Following an investigation by the Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray and the Kansas State Veterinarian Paul Grosdidier, the allegations of starvation and neglect made by Senior Editor and Founder of Thomas Paine's Corner Jason Miller against local horse trader Raymond Tucker of Tucker Brothers, LLC, were unfounded. ...