Stories from Saturday, February 19, 2011

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Two of the best ways to warm your heart during the winter is with a good bowl of soup and the company of friends. One local church provides that very combination for the community each winter. Walk down National Avenue on the third Friday of November, December, January, February, and March and there on the corner of National Avenue and Third Street a little sign shows the way to the entrance for the basement of the First United Methodist Church and their fellowship soup lunch. ...

Donald Pickering, 11, of Nevada sits patiently while Patrick Ogle of the Niles Hair Salon cuts the long hair it took Pickering two years to grow. Pickeriing saw a commercial on TV with some children who had no hair because they were undergoing cancer treatment. ...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- At least 75 people turned out Friday for open interviews to fill spots at the Goody's store, set to open April 20 at the South Main Shopping Plaza, 2400 S. Main St., Fort Scott. The 9,000-square-foot store, which will include 8,000 square feet of selling space, is part of a former Wal-Mart. Hibbett Sports and Rent-A-Center are also open at the same plaza, which includes Tractor Supply Co. and is expected to feature Family Dollar as well...

Nevada, Mo. -- The days are gone when an athlete could "play myself into shape" after the season started. Modern sports take year-round dedication so coaches can polish technique and be less worried about conditioning. Enhancing performance and avoiding injury are the watchwords at Nevada Regional Medical Center's Show-me Acceleration fitness center, where trainer Emelia Whiteaker is schooling 12 elementary, middle school and high school students from Liberal, El Dorado Springs, Lamar, Fort Scott and Nevada in the perspiring arts.. ...

Bobbie Lee Tennison, 66, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at the Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott. He was born Jan. 3, 1945, in Boone County, Ark., the son of Robert Grant Tennison and Stella Mary Slape Tennison. He grew up in Kansas City, Mo. ...

Phyllis Diane Offret, 72, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at her home in Nevada. She was born on Feb. 5, 1939, in Mason City, Iowa, to Vincenzo James DiMarco and Kunchetta Cecelia Abbate DiMarco. Phyllis exemplified the role of wife, mother, friend, sister, aunt and grandma. ...

Cindy Gooden of Nevada, Mo., is proud to announce the birth of her baby son, Kordell Howard Gooden. Kordell was born at 10:21 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 20 and 1/2 inches...