Design Of Airport Runway Expansion In The Works

The Fort Scott Airport Advisory Board discuss improvements at the facility Wednesday morning at city hall. From left, clockwise FS City Clerk Diane Clay, Bill Waldren, Matt McGhee, Greg Post, Mary Pemberton, Jim Gladbach and Kenny Howard, airport manager.

Fort Scott Airport is in the design stage of expanding its runway.

The FS Airport Advisory  Board met Jan. 24 for an update from Kenny Howard, the airport manager.

“We signed a contract for the design of the (runway expansion) project,” Howard told the board. “That part of the project should be done in April.”

The runway expansion designer is Olsson Associates, Lincoln, Nebraska.

“It will be paid for by the city and private donations,” Howard told fortscott.biz.

The design plan will estimate the cost of the runway expansion project, he said.

Once the cost is projected, grants will be sought to fund the expansion project, Howard said.

The current length of the airport runway is 4,400 feet, the proposed runway expansion would increase that to 6,150 feet, according to Howard.

In addition, the city has applied for a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate the runway lights, Howard said. The estimated cost of that project is $290,000.

Howard said approximately 600 aircraft took off and landed at the facility last year.

Pilots file and cancel their flights using their cell phones, he said.

Most air traffic at the facility is between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A property owner near the airport, Kenneth Merriman, told the board “the noise decibel is pretty bad over my house.”

Merriman lives one mile south of the airport.

Howard said a noise analysis done on the airport shows the noise is staying on the airport property.

“People that have concerns can come out and talk to me,” Howard told Merriman. He said 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the best time to reach him at the airport.

Order Enchiladas By Jan. 25 To Benefit The Beacon

YPL members making enchiladas in 2017. From left: Chris Petty, Jamie Armstrong, Bailey Lyons and Melissa Wise.

Tomorrow is the last day to order enchiladas to benefit The Beacon.

Bourbon County’s YPL

 (Young Professionals League)

will be making
HOMEMADE ENCHILADAS.
 
  • Enchiladas are $20 for a dozen and can be made of any combination of beef, chicken, or cheese.
  • Enchiladas will come packaged and ready to take-and-bake or freeze for later use.
Deadline to order is Thursday, January 25th 
 ~ All orders must be prepaid.
 
Order by calling Jessica Schenkel at 785-817-8877 
 
or Click HERE to order online. 

Drive-thru pickup is Saturday, February 3th from 2-5pm 
at Kennedy Gym (behind St. Mary’s School) 

Obituary Of Willa Ellis

Willa Jean Ellis, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, January 22, 2018, at her home. She was born March 25, 1930, in Rich Hill, Missouri, the daughter of Howard and Gertie (Williams) Marlin.

She married her childhood sweetheart Danny Ellis February 8, 1948, in Nevada, Missouri.

Willa was a beloved mother and grandmother; a devoted wife and trusted friend to many.

Together she and her husband were strong supporters of the Fort Scott community including The Beacon, Ellis Family Performing Arts Center, and Ellis Park.

In the early 1960’s Willa and Danny started Midwestern Distribution with just three trucks. It eventually grew to 1,000 trucks and employed over 2,000 people. They sold the company to Leaseway Transportation in 1981 and started Multi Service Corp., a trucking and aviation credit card which is currently the largest aviation credit card in the world.

In 1998 Willa and Danny started the Ellis Foundation after the death of their daughter, Kathy Ellis-Adriance, The foundation has awarded over 4,000 scholarships and currently supports 738 students in college.

The Ellis Foundation will celebrate twenty years this June 2018 and has awarded over twenty-million dollars.

In addition to her husband Danny, Willa is survived by her son, Chris Daniel Ellis and wife Cathy, of Louisburg, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Daniel Marlin Ellis, Joshua James Shaffer, Christopher Charles Ellis, Nathan Cole Ellis, Sarah Freeman Spray, Sybil Claire Ramstad, Brooke Adriance Cade, and Erin Blaire Adriance; and ten great-grandchildren, Olive Madison Ellis, Emory Parker Ellis, Freeman Andrew Spray, Ellis Nicole Spray, Gabriel Rose Spray, Bennett John Ramstad, Davis Matthew Ramstad, Vivian Faye Shaffer, Leo Henry Cade, and Finlay George Cade.

Willa was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Wanda June Taylor, and her daughter, Kathy Lyn Ellis-Adriance.

Following cremation, Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct funeral services 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, January 26, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ellis Foundation for Memorial Scholarships and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Planning Commission Business: Zoning

The Fort Scott Planning Commission: from left facing the camera, Pam Hightower, Mitch Quick , Diana Endicott, Mark Lewis, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt and Darcy Smith. Not pictured: Carol MacArthur and Mark McCoy. Not present:  Jared Leek and Geoff Clark. With back to the camera is city clerk Diane Clay, left and administrative assistant Allyson Turvey, right.

The Fort Scott Planning Commission met Jan. 22 at city hall to recommend a new member and review the five-year comprehension plan they have been working on.

Members of the commission are Geoff Clark, Mark McCoy, Diana Endicott, Carol MacArthur, Pam Hightower, Jared Leek, Mitch Quick, Mark Lewis and Darcy Smith.

The group reviewed three chapters of the plan and made arrangements to finalize it and present it to the Fort Scott City Council in early March.

The group also discussed letters of interest to serve on Planning Commission from two interested residents, Josh Jones and Frank Adamson.

In the end, Jones was selected to serve.

“Tell Frank it’s nothing against him,” Diana Endicott, chairman of the group, said.  The group decided since his wife is on the city council it might cause issues.

The group will meet February 1 to discuss zoning the old trailer park property, Endicott said.

The function of the planning commission, according to the city’s website is to:

  • Review and adopt (as well as update) the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott
  • Establish zoning districts and allowable uses
  • Review zoning regulations within the City
  • Review requests for special permits or conditional uses within certain zoning districts in the City

The Commission also reviews site plans for planned areas and is responsible for zoning within the three-mile limit of the City of Fort Scott.   They meet on an “as needed” basis.
There are 10 members who serve three-year terms. Seven members must reside within the city limits, three may live outside the city limit.

Obituary Of Lula Mae Piotrowski

Lula Mae “Lou” Piotrowski, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 22, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

She was born February 18, 1937, in St. Paul, KS, the daughter of Chares “Bud” and Vera Mudd Groner. She graduated from St. Paul high school. Lou married Robert “Pete” Piotrowski on June 6, 1959, in St. Paul.

She worked as a seamstress for Key Work Clothes. She then worked for many years as the bookkeeper for the family business, Sunflower Supply.

She enjoyed collecting dolls, sewing, crafts, refinishing furniture, making miniature furniture, and flower gardening.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, St. Anne’s Altar Society, and participated in the Adoration Chapel for many years.

Survivors include her husband Pete; three children, Patty West and husband Terry, Redfield, KS; Robert “Bob” Piotrowski and wife Julie, Ft. Scott; and Mary Younggren and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; a brother, Warren Groner, Pittsburg, KS; seven grandchildren: Chrystal Cowan and husband Josh, Ashlee Piotrowski and fiancé Taylor, Gregg Piotrowski, Kayla Collins and husband J.D., Heather Chavis and husband Josh, Emilee Piotrowski and Zach, Casey Proctor and husband Travis; seven great grandchildren, “the grandkids who made her great”, Raylee, Laramee, Jace, Cheyann, Caroline, Hayes, Jackson, and one more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Groner; three sisters, Mary Ann Groner, Ruth Read, and Virginia Payne; and her parents.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am Monday, January 29, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 pm Sunday, January 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Visitation will follow from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.

Memorials are suggested to either St. Mary’s Catholic School or Mercy Hospice and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

6th at Lowman Street Closed For “Tiny House” Water Line Work

The tiny houses at 6th and Lowman Streets will likely be completed April 1, the owner said.

The tiny houses at 6th and Lowman Streets will be completed April 1, according to Mike Rogers, the owner.

This is a little ahead of schedule, he said.

Monday evening crews were finishing the sheetrock and today the inside painting will begin Rogers said.

Also today the City of Fort Scott will be laying water and sewer lines to the four houses, he said.

That work will close 6th Street at Lowman Street until water/sewer work is completed, estimated to be Wednesday afternoon, if all goes as planned.

There are four houses with 782 square feet each. Each house has two bedrooms and one bathroom, with appliances included.

There will be a small yard with privacy fence and designated off-street parking for each unit.

Rogers said a “ballpark estimate” for each rental is $650 per month including appliances, trash, and lawn care.

To inquire about renting, call 620-223-5598 or email [email protected]

To see the previous Fort Scott.Biz story:

New “Tiny” Houses In Production

 

 

Agenda For Today’s Bourbon County Commission

The agenda for today’s Bourbon County Commission meeting at 9 a.m. at the courthouse, 210 S. National is below.

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-10:15- Commissioners consider and take action on any and all question regarding the law enforcement project

11:00-11:15-Justin Meeks

11:15-1:30-Jail Update Meeting in Commissioners Room

1:30-Jail Project balance

2:30-Employee Handbook

 Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

1st District Commissioner  is Lynne Oharah; 2nd District-Jeff Fischer; 3rd District-Nick Ruhl; County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

Obituary Of Hattie Homan

Hattie Lela Homan, 99, of Uniontown, Kansas passed away Friday evening, January 19, 2018, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home. She was born December 17, 1918, in Rolla, Kansas, the daughter of LeRoy Johnathan and Lena Effie (Saul) McMillan.

She married Leslie Otto Homan September 28, 1944, in Lawrence, Illinois. He preceded her in death March 2, 1982.

Hattie was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Uniontown.

She played the guitar and the banjo with the Kansas Old Time Fiddlers, and also the Pickers & Singers.

Hattie is survived by her two sons, Leslie Marvin Homan and wife Rachel, of Manteca, California, and Henry O. Homan and wife Patty, of Redfield, Kansas; a sister, Velma Hittle of Hugoton, Kansas; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Hattie was also preceded in death by her parents; twin infant daughters; a grandson, Christopher Homan; a daughter-in-law, Mary Homan. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Isaac, who died when he was just three years old. Her other brother, Marvin, died when his submarine, the Sugar Deuce 8 (S-28), went down during WWII.

Rev. Marty DeWitt and Steve Hittle will conduct funeral services for Hattie at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening January 24, 2018, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Uniontown Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.