Stories from Saturday, June 4, 2011

Riverside, Mo. -- Riverside, Mo., Police Officer Jefferson "Jeff" Taylor, who was struck by lightning on Monday, May 23, while on tornado disaster response duty in Joplin, Mo., died Friday in Springfield, Mo. He was 31 years old. "Jeff Taylor volunteered to assist with the Joplin disaster recovery," said Greg Mills, chief of police and director of public safety for the city of Riverside. "He was a highly dedicated officer and a devoted public servant, and we will always remember his sacrifice."...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A packed house saw a record number of contestants take the stage to perform during the sixth annual Fort Scott Idol competition Thursday evening at Memorial Hall. Contest organizers said the competition featured 39 singers, the most in the event's history. ...

Local children wave to the crowd from the Early Beginnings Day Care float in Friday's parade during the 30th Annual Good Ol' Days Festival. The annual street fair will continue through Sunday in downtown Fort Scott.

Are you looking for new ideas for your yard or garden, or would you just like to spend a couple of hours next Saturday visiting several Nevada area gardens? If so, the Vernon County Four Seasons Master Gardeners Club will be hosting "Always in Season ... ...

Lee J. Gilbreth, 72, died Friday, June 03, 2011, at the Medicalodge of Gardner, Gardner, Kan. Services will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Harold Capps, 88, of Clinton, Mo., died Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Mo. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 4, at 11 a.m., at the Vansant-Mills Chapel. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Englewood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home, Warrensburg, Mo., in care of the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Mo...

Linda Lee Clark (Chamness), was born Dec. 26, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio, to Lee and Catherine (Hagstrum) Chamness. Nine years later her sister, Beth, was born. Her father served under General Patton in World War II. His MOS led to government work upon discharge, and in the course of time, the family moved to Maryland for government work. ...

Johnathan Baker and Kamey Smith of Lamar, Mo., and older siblings Trevor, Edward, Kristopher, Qwenshaun, Johnathan, Kayana, Justice and Crystal are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother, Dustin Kyle Baker. Dustin was born at 9:31 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 20 and 1/2 inches...

May 20 Cory Harper was arrested for probation violation. Bond is $5,000. Damyon Fisher was arrested for hold. No bond amount. Dustin Jones was arrested for shock incarceration. No bond. Caleb Martin was arrested for shock incarceration. No bond. Joshua Gillespie was arrested for hold. Bond is $7,750...

Dean and Carla LeLaCheur, of Coffeyville, Kan., and Ted and Sarah Jones, of Coffeyville, announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Julie Sue Jones, to John Andrew Laflen, son of Jerry and Betty Jo Laflen, of Moundville, Mo. Julie is a 2004 graduate of Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville. ...

John and Evelyn Morgan of Lexington, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Tyne Morgan, to James Hulsey, son of Tonya and Alex Ball, of Plainview, Texas. Morgan is the granddaughter of Hayden and Jennie Morgan of Nevada, Mo. Morgan is a graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia where she obtained a degree in agricultural journalism. She currently resides in St. Louis, Mo., and works in Corporate Communications and Marketing for Monsanto Company...

Jennifer Beth Clines and Stanton Rockwell Kelso were married in a 1 p.m., March 12, 2011, ceremony at Parkway Church of God Holiness, Fort Scott. The Revs. Chad Snider and Mark Stetler officiated. The bride is the daughter of Garry and Ruth Clines of Mound Valley. The groom is the son of Steve and Betty Kelso of Fort Scott...

Kenneth Hutchison and LaDonna Moore and their families will host a 50th wedding anniversary celebration in honor of their parents, Walter and Ruth Ann Hutchison, of rural Schell City, Mo., on June 11, 2011, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Schell City Community Building. The event is open to friends and family. The family requests the omission of gifts...

Don and Denise Nelson of Nevada will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on June 5, 2011, with a family dinner, in Kansas City, hosted by their children, who will then surprise the couple with a trip to Napa Valley, Calif. Don and the former Denise Gookin were married June 5, 1971, in Fairfield, Iowa. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Shattuck will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary June 12, 2011, at their home in Prescott, Kan. Lyle and Louise were married June 12, 1951, in Seattle, Wash., and have farmed and raised cattle in Linn County since they were first married...