Stories from Saturday, February 11, 2012

Willard Eugene "Red" Mitts, 83, of Fort Scott, Kan., formerly of Linn County, Kan., died Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott. He was born Oct. 2, 1928, at Amoret, Mo., the son of Robert and Eva Jewell Shaw Mitts. Willard "Red" spent most of his life in the Linn County area, graduating from Pleasanton High School. He married Wanda Grosshart who preceded him in death in 1962. He later married Mary McGoey on July 14, 1963, and between them they raised six children...

Do you ever wonder what's going on out at Camp Clark? If so, the Nevada-Vernon County Chamber of Commerce is holding their annual luncheon there on Friday, Feb. 17. Everyone, not just Chamber members, is welcome to come out, take a tour of the camp, have lunch and find out what the National Guard is doing there and how it impacts the Nevada economy...

A group of Missouri lawmakers has formed the Legislative Rail Caucus to work toward offering more passenger train routes, possibly adding service to Springfield, Joplin and St. Joseph to augment Amtrak's current Missouri River Runner line from St. Louis to Kansas City...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Although there have been a few changes, the purpose of a fundraiser later this month organized by a local family remains the same. The Wheeler family, who do volunteer work with the Care to Share cancer support group and The Sharing Bucket, will host their third annual fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton. The event raises money to help local cancer patients and their families...

Armed with a $2 million federal Disability Employment Initiative grant, Lacie Worcester and Kyle Williams of the Kansas Department of Commerce are bringing more physically and intellectually disabled people into the workforce. Worcester, Business Leadership Network administrator, and Williams, coordinator of the Disability Employment Initiative, attended the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce coffee last week at Bartlesmeyer Jewelry. The gathering was attended by about 45 people...

Luke Brown (left) and Brysen Russell (right) were crowned Homecoming king and queen during the Fort Scott High School boys basketball game on Friday night.

Herald-Tribune ANDERSON, Mo. -- Nevada's girls nearly overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half on Friday night. But in the end, host McDonald County held on late for a 51-45 win over the Tigers. Nevada falls to 13-10 on the season with the loss...

Bronaugh's Patrick Hallam (11) and a host of NEVC Knights can't control a loose ball on Thursday night during a Golden Valley/Vernon County Conference tourney showdown. Hallam led Bronaugh to a 84-68 win over NEVC during the game. A junior guard, Hallam has been scoring points in bunches of late, with several 30-point games. ...

Mac County senior comes up big late

Kay Wingate and Marvin Swickhamer were married on Feb. 17, 1962, at the Methodist Church in Metz, Mo. The Swickhamers have two daughters, Karla and Lucinda, and three granddaughters, Savanna, Rheagan, and Haydn. To honor the couple's 50th wedding anniversary, a celebration will take place at the Community First Bank, 915 W. Fort Scott St., in Butler, Mo., from 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2012. The presence of family and friends are the only gifts desired...

Ann Schnichels of Fort Scott, Kan., was surprised after church on Jan. 29, 2012, by her family and Bethel church family at a celebration honoring her 80th birthday, which occurred on Jan. 28. More than 100 cupcakes, as well as mints, peanuts and chocolate chip cookies and punch were served by Mary Schnichels and Jennifer Elder. Tables were decorated with balloons and rose vase centerpieces. Cards were received and a guest book signed by all in attendance...