Stories from Saturday, December 25, 2010

Carl Leslie Beerbower, 78, lifelong Fort Scott barber and resident, died early Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010, at Mercy Health Center. He was born Oct. 21, 1932, in Fort Scott, the son of John Henry Beerbower and Ivy Myrtle Key Beerbower. He was a veteran having served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954. ...

Carl G. Belcher, 86, died peacefully Dec. 20, 2010, in Nevada, Mo. He was born March 18, 1924, in Herrin, Ill., to Doran D. Belcher and Nelle Marie Schafer Belcher. At Alton High School, he was well-known for his singing voice. He sang at the school assemblies as well as at the Old Cathedral and Evangelical Church and briefly considered a career with Muny Opera in St. ...

Norma Maxine Ghere Diehl, 89, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo. Norma was the oldest child of three born to Ralph Laurin Ghere and Allie Lena Wix Ghere. She was born April 28, 1921, in the Double Branch area east of Butler...

Robert Kelley "Bob" Lawson, 65, a resident of Fort Scott, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at his home. There was a cremation. Services were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com...

Derrick and Megan Trower, Springfield, Mo., are proud to announce the birth their baby daughter, Jenna Lyn Trower. Jenna was born at 2:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Mo. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and measured 20 and 1/4 inches...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- An old woman sits inside the entrance to the supermarket, ringing her bell right next to the familiar red kettle, and bundled up to protect her from the wintry air that blows in as people enter and leave the store. Though her body may not have been, Madeline Cooper's heart was soon warmed by an unexpected surprise from the Salvation Army. She could barely contain her emotion as she accepted the prize...

It may not be a classic white Christmas with a cascading snowfall, but there will be at least a little snow Saturday to make the Nevada and Fort Scott areas more festive. And considering the problems that heavy snow can cause, that may be the best outcome, a National Weather Service meteorologist said Thursday...

Following last week's tax law changes, the Internal Revenue Service announced that the upcoming tax season will start on time for most people, but taxpayers affected by three recently reinstated deductions need to wait until mid- to late February to file their individual tax returns. In addition, taxpayers who itemize deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A will need to wait until mid- to late February to file as well...

Fort Scott National Historic Site will be closed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 24-25 for the Christmas holiday and Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, in observance of New Year's Day. Visitors may enjoy the fort grounds during daylight hours, but the buildings and visitor center will not be open. The site will be fully operational throughout the remainder of the holiday season from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily...

The city of Nevada will begin the second round of picking up leaves on Monday, Dec. 27. Work will begin in the southwest quarter, followed by the northwest, northeast and southeast quarters of the city. Residents should rake leaves and pile them behind the curb -- not in the street, according to a press release from the city of Nevada...