Stories from Thursday, December 22, 2011

Janie Hipp, senior adviser to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for Tribal Relations, recently reminded Native American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement remains open through Dec. 27. "Native American farmers and ranchers who feel entitled to funds under the Keepseagle settlements have just a few days remaining to file a claim before the Dec. ...

For those planning to supplement winter's furnace heat with a wood-burning stove or fireplace, forester Charles Barden has two words of advice: "Be careful." Gathering or buying good firewood requires some savvy, explained Barden, who's a forestry specialist with Kansas State University Research and Extension...

Frances Merrell, Fort Scott, will celebrate her 100th birthday on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Mrs. Merrell was born in 1911 in an area of Oklahoma formerly called Indian Territory. In honor of her birthday, Mrs. Merrell would be pleased to hear by mail, by phone or visits from friends and acquaintances...

Name your favorite Christmas decoration was the roll call answered by 41 members and three leaders at the Northeast Scott 4-H Club on Dec. 14. The club welcomed new member Jane Kerr. Kenzi Thorpe and Kaylee Coombs gave an illustrated talk on no-bake cookies. Dylan Ruggles gave a project talk on archery, and Ryann Allison gave an illustrated talk on handy hemming...

Jill and David Hensley, Fort Scott, and sibling Cali Marie are pleased to announce the birth of their son and brother Carter Reid Hensley on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at 2:34 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Carter weighed 7 poounds, 15 ounces and was 21.5 inches in length...

Meagan and Aaron Portmann, Pleasanton, are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Emma Lynn Portmann on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at 5:44 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Emma weighed 7 pounds, 12.3 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Teddi and LeRoy Wisdom, Pleasanton...

Tanya and Marc Olkowski, Fort Scott, are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Emi Rose Olkowski on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at 3:03 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Emi weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Maternal grandfather is James Rouse of Mississippi...

David Michael Knackstedt, 40, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 11:36 p.m. on Dec. 20 for pedestrian under the influence. He was released on Dec. 21 at 6:01 a.m. for time served. Terrance Dewayne Lee, 27, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 2:10 a.m. on Dec. 21 for driving while license is canceled and driving under the influence. He was released on Dec. 21 at 8:10 a.m. for time served...

100 YEARS AGO (1911) Fire Chief Ausman has issued a second holiday warning asking that the greatest caution be used in all Christmas decorations. It should be taken into consideration by property owners that their insurance is invalid when they have increased the fire risk by installing decorations of a flimsy combustion nature, and should a fire result it would be difficult to collect on the loss...

There will be no coffee on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Scottish Rite Center in Fort Scott, but beginning Jan. 3, 2012, everyone is invited to join the conversation with coffee and a doughnut every Tuesday morning around 8 a.m. You don't have to be a Scottish Rite member or a Mason to participate...

The city of Fort Scott's offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The city of Fort Scott's tree and leaf dump site will also be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24...

Christmas will be a little brighter this year for 85 area children and their families, thanks to efforts by the Fort Scott Ladies of the Elk organization and the community. The group conducted its annual Children's Christmas Party on Saturday at the Elks Lodge. Each year, the event helps provide Christmas gifts for needy kids in the area who would otherwise not receive them. The event has been held for about 13 years...

A large pile of donations left for The Beacon this weekend was ruined by recent rain. The Beacon Director Bob Eckles said the local food pantry has had an issue for years regarding what the volunteers refer to as "dumping" -- when people leave donated items by the front door after hours...

Ottawa City Manager Richard Nienstedt, who formerly held the same title in Fort Scott, has received the Buford Watson Jr. Award at the Kansas Association of City/County Management's annual conference. The conference was held Oct. 7-10 in Wichita. The recognition was announced Oct. 10 and Nienstedt actually received the plaque Dec. 1...