Stories from Saturday, March 24, 2012

Danielle Stephenson, a pitcher from Cotter, Arkansas, has signed a letter of intent to play softball for Cottey College. Pictured in front are Danielle Stephenson and father William Stephenson. In back is Danielle's aunt Sabrina Stephenson and Cottey softball coach Shelli Stanley. On the table is a photo of Danielle's grandfather Jody Stephenson...

Jimmy D. McIntosh, 50, passed away on March 22, 2012, at Harry Hynes Hospice. Rosary will be held Tuesday, March 27, at 9:30 a.m., with funeral service at 10 a.m., both at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2007 N. Arkansas. Jimmy is preceded in death by his father, Richard Earl McIntosh. ...

The Nevada Habilitation Center's pending closure and the moving of its residents into independent living-supported homes has brought in a new non-profit agency to promote relationships on the "Big Brother, "Big Sister" model. Funded by the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities and Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services, the Center for Advocacy & Inclusive Communities is tasked with establishing 15 relationships before the initial two-year grant expires in April next year...

TOPEKA -- The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will hold a public comment period regarding the proposed expansion of a construction and demolition landfill operated by Bourbon County. The landfill is currently operated under a permit from KDHE and is located at 2286 Noble Road, northeast of Fort Scott...

The Kansas Senate recently approved a two-year education plan that aims to return lost money to school districts and allow those districts to have more control of their budgets. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said in a phone interview she believes the two-year plan "would provide some stability for school districts to show the legislature wants to start reinvesting in education...

The imperiled status of small-town post offices has added urgency to the Bushwhacker Museum's work on an exhibit with artifacts from Montevallo, Richards, Horton and Metz. Featuring the letters slot and 80 boxes, an old wooden structure from Metz known as a "postal unit" is so far the star of the display, along with a rural carrier's hackney carriage from Montevallo and a carrier's sorting desk and front window section from Richards and Horton...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Nine-month-old Ty Lundberg has been through a lot in his young life and local groups recently stepped up to help the child's parents handle costs related to his treatment. The Elks Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America, along with the Care to Share cancer support group and The Sharing Bucket, recently held a chicken noodle lunch and dinner for Ty and his family...

Robby D. Stafford Sr. and Stephanie L. Overton of Nevada announce their marriage on March 21, 2012, in Sheldon. The bride and groom were assisted by Sunny and Linda Sewell. The Stafford children are Kregg Stafford, El Dorado, Mo., Robby D. Stafford Jr., Nevada, and Kingston C. Stafford, Nevada...

Bobbie Harms of Bartlett, Kan., and Kevin and Sue Harms of Harwood, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Harms, to Kirk Haddix, son of Robert and Kim Haddix, Schell City, Mo. The bride is a 2007 graduate of Northeast Vernon County High School and a 2011 graduate of Crowder College Nursing Program. She is currently employed by Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. The groom is a 2007 graduate of Northeast Vernon County High School. He is currently employed by 3M, Nevada...