Stories from Sunday, July 23, 2006

By Steve Moyer Herald-Tribune Nevada, Mo. -- Claire McCaskill ended a nine-city tour in Nevada Friday afternoon in the City/County Community Center in Nevada. McCaskill, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat now occupied by Jim Talent, is promoting her energy plan to end America's dependence on foreign oil...

By Ralph Pokorny Herald-Tribune Nevada, Mo. -- The state of Missouri has given Community Support Services, Joplin, approval to develop five group homes in the Nevada area to serve 30 individuals with developmental disabilities with about 70 professional and para-professional employees...

Herald -Tribune Fort Scott -- Vibrant music and a variety of theatrical talents are showcased in the Liberty Theatre's production of "Godspell" in Fort Scott. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. on July 30. This show marks the first dramatic performance in the newly remodeled theatre...

By Michael Glover Herald-Tribune Fort Scott -- Residents of Lake Fort Scott are in favor of creating a sewer district that is expected to decrease costs for discarding wastewater and correct the problem of pollutants that have been seeping into the lake...

Marian Washler Holmes, age 87, former resident of Prescott, Kan., more recently of Presbyterian Village, Fort Scott, died Thursday, July 20, 2006, at the Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home. Marian was born Sept. 3, 1918, the daughter of O. V. and Amy Washler at Sterling, Kan. She graduated from Langdon High School, Langdon, Kan., in 1936, and attended McPherson College. Marian taught in rural schools and also at the Kingman Kansas Grade School from 1938 through the Spring of 1945...

Beverly Troutman, Fort Scott, Kan, died during the early morning hours of Saturday, July 22, 2006, at her home, following a cancer illness. Funeral arrangements for Beverly Troutman will be announced by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Greg and Melanie Ramsey, Nevada, and Christopher, Dakota, Nicole and Elizabeth, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Coleton James Ramsey. Coleton was born at 2:15 p.m., July 20, 2006, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 19 inches...

Phil Banes and Sheila Gooch, Sheldon, and Ryain, Nikki and Gretchen, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Colter Phillip Banes. Colter was born at 8:27 a.m., July 14, 2006, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 20.5 inches...

Chase and Deandra Owen, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Kyrsten Marie Owen. Kyrsten was born at 6:19 p.m., July 7, 2006, at Mercy Health, Fort Scott, Kan. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 21 inches. Paternal grandparents are Jim and Cam Owen, Nevada...

Hi neighbors. A good way to beat the heat Sunday afternoon is to attend the "Music of Missouri" production at the Fox Playhouse in Nevada. The show starts at 2 p.m. and lasts about two hours. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. Not a bad deal for a comfy seat, air conditioning and good, old-fashioned musical enjoyment...

Two summers ago in July, I decided to make a parking area using Bandera stones from three different old foundations around Bourbon County. In less than one year, I had learned some sad lessons: Number one: Don't use stones that have been in a fire because they tend to break...

Clifford Ratcliffe and Amanda Piagari announce their engagement and approaching marriage on July 29, 2006, in Denton, Texas. The bride-elect is the daughter of Barbara Piagari, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She is a 2002 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. She currently teaches at Bridgeport Intermediate School in Bridgeport, Texas...

Angela Michelle Cole and Dustin Nicholas Huff, Iola, Kan., are planning a Sept. 9 wedding at River Tree Christian Church in Iola. The bride-elect is the daughter of Steven and Rema Cole, Gas, Kan. She is a graduate of Iola High School. She is employed by the city of Iola...

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Forsythe and Mr. and Mrs. Doug Eden, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their children, Rachel Forsythe and Vance Eden. The bride-to-be is a 2004 graduate of CBI Academy and attended Ozark Christian College. The prospective groom graduate from Uniontown in 2003 and will graduate from Pittsburg State University in December with a degree in elementary education...

April Dawn McMechan became the bride of James Edward Ragan on Saturday, July 8, 2006, in The Old Congressional Church in Fort Scott, Kan., which had been decorated with an arch in the bridal colors of red and white, accents of greenery, white tulle and large white pew bows. Clyde Hendricks officiated the 4 o'clock ceremony...

Terry and Donna Rolando of Bronaugh, Mo., celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary June 2, 2006, by renewing their vows at Radio Springs Park, Nevada. Family and friends were present for the occasion.

Charles and Mildred (Lessen) Leamon, Fort Scott, Kan., formerly of Arma, Kan., will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on July 26. They were married July 26, 1946, at the United Methodist Church at Arma. Dr. Bramble conducted the service with Robert Lessen and Helen Kriegsman attending the couple...

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Johnson, Nevada, Mo., celebrated their 25th anniversary on July 18, 2006, with dinner in Kansas City. The couple plans to renew their vows in a private ceremony at a future date, with vows to be solemnized by the Rev. Wendell Johnson, the groom's brother-in-law, who also officiated the couple's wedding on July 18, 1981, at the Beloit Baptist Church, Beloit, Kan...

Throughout the Civil War, bands of Redlegs, Bushwhackers and outlaws would often use a "Public House" (tavern, inn or store) as a rendezvous point in Kansas and Missouri. One of the most notorious "Redleg" gathering places was the "Six-Mile House" that was a combination of a tavern and inn, which was located six miles from the town of Wyandotte on the Leavenworth Road. ...

Russell and Marian Erwin, of Nevada, Mo., announce the marriage of their daughter, Robin J., to Clinton Eugene Williams. Clinton is a son to Don Williams, of Blue Mound, Kan., and Ron and Judy Maus, of Schell City, Mo. The maternal grandparents are Howard and Gerry McKee, of Stockton, Mo., Bill and Jo Erwin, of Nevada, and Maurice and Charlotte Cundiff, of Lamar, Mo. The paternal grandparent is Lorene McCollam, of Pleasanton, Kan...