Stories from Sunday, December 17, 2006

By Jennifer Johnson Herald-Tribune El Dorado Springs, Mo. -- Mark and Jennifer Koca have found a way to keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long. Owners of the Czecherboard Woods Christmas Tree Farm on rural 7190 S. 51 Rd, just southwest of El Dorado Springs, Mo., both Mark and Jennifer have combined their love for the Christmas holiday with their knowledge of farming to create a lasting family experience for their customers...

By Ralph Pokorny Herald-Tribune Nevada, Mo. -- When Austin Boulevard was built in the late 1960s, there was no Wal-Mart, Sutherlands or Social Security office in the east part of town. There were few pedestrians and the lack of sidewalks was no problem. ...

Herald-Tribune FORT SCOTT, Kan. --Mercy Health Center is going tobacco-free on Jan. 1. As of that date, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted -- inside or outside -- on hospital property. This initiative also will include the elimination of designated areas outside Mercy Health Center where employees, patients and visitors currently use tobacco...

By Michael Glover Herald-Tribune Fort Scott, Kan. -- Looking at the carnage left behind from a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 69 in Crawford County, it was hard to believe anyone lived. But the two people involved in the crash Friday escaped with their lives...

Pooh-bear lights up Christmas Fort Scott, Kan. -- Winnie the Pooh, that favorite silly old bear, has transformed into a whimsical version of a jolly old elf as he strings holiday lights around candy cane posts at this home at 1401 S. National, Fort Scott. A host of Christmas characters can be found throughout Bourbon and Vernon counties, with more of them appearing daily as Christmas approaches...

Sarah Belle Johnson, 45, Nevada, Mo., passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Mo. She was born July 25, 1961, to Roy Johnson Jr. and Margie Louise Brooks Johnson. Sarah graduated from Walker High School in 1980. She then attended Fort Scott Community College receiving her Registered Nursing Degree in 1987. ...

Joyce Eileen Stewart, age 62, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at St. John's Regional Health Center in Joplin, Mo. She was born April 9, 1944, in rural Linn County, the daughter of Harry Marmon and Arlene Clay Marmon. Joyce worked at Dayco and Tower Metal. She married George Wingate and was later divorced. She married Melvin Stewart and also later divorced. Her hobbies include crocheting, and working with animals, especially horses...

Leroy Harris, age 72, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the Fort Scott Manor. He was born Aug. 12, 1934, in Fairplay, Mo., the son of James S. Harris and Jesse E. Ford Harris. He married Shirley Ballou on Jan. 26, 1954, in Fort Scott, Kan...

Mabel Louise Springer, age 90, died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at the Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan., where she was surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 9, 1916, in Forrest Township, Ill., the daughter of David Hartman and Mary Peters Hartman...

Hi neighbors. What kind of Christmas shopper are you? If you spend any time in the stores this month, you'll soon discover we all fit some category. First there are the browsing moseys. These are the folks we always find standing right in front of the shelf with something on it we want...

Early, before dawn on the cold winter morning of Dec.16, 1858; Captain James Montgomery and approximately 100 of his "Free State Raiders" attacked Fort Scott to rescue one of his men, Ben Rice, who was a prisoner in the "Free State Hotel" that was located on the northwest corner of Carroll Plaza. ...

By Scott Nuzum Herald-Tribune PITTSBURG, Kan. -- Fort Scott High School's defense took over in the second half Friday night as the Tigers took a 58-39 non-league victory over Pittsburg at the PHS gymnasium. After a high-paced first half, Fort Scott held Pittsburg to 4-of-20 field goal shooting in the second half. The Tigers (3-2) also were able to get a transition game going off that defense and the Purple Dragons (2-3) had no answer...

By Joe Warren Herald-Tribune NEVADA, Mo. -- Bryan Campbell's sprained left ankle hurts so bad he can hardly walk. Spencer Thompson can barely lift his right arm over his head because his shoulder is in so much pain. James Tumm has been battling a left foot ailment since football season. Jordan Kerbs has to wear a brace on his left ankle from an injury sustained during basketball preseason workouts...

By Scott Nuzum Herald-Tribune PITTSBURG, Kan. -- Fort Scott's girls gained their first victory of the season Friday night and very likely shattered defensive records in doing so. The Tigers (1-4) held Pittsburg to three field goals on the night in a 43-9 victory over the winless Purple Dragons...

Herald-Tribune PITTSBURG, Kan. -- Pittsburg Colgan swept Uniontown in a non-league basketball doubleheader Friday night. Colgan's girls took a 47-24 win while the boys prevailed 51-37. Uniontown's girls (3-2) tied the game at 17-17 with seconds left in the half on a basket from Jayme Shank that capped an 11-0 run. ...

Herald-Tribune The Hume boys and Bronaugh girls won their ends of the GVVC conference doubleheader in Bronaugh Friday. The Hornets (6-0) beat the Wildcats (1-4) 79-45 as Ryan Austin hit four 3-pointers in the third period to help blow open what was a six-point game at halftime...

Late on the night of Dec. 13, 2006, the founder of the "Foolish Club," the man who challenged the supremacy of the National Football League, passed forever into the pages of history. Lamar Hunt is dead. One thing about the Grim Reaper. When he knocks on your door, you answer...

Tisha Bailey and Chris Thompson, Schell City, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Liya Saige Bailey-Thompson. Liya was born at 6:52 p.m., Dec. 13, 2006, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 19.5 inches...