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Catherine Shackelford, 95, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning September 28, 2020, at Via Christi Ascension in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She was born August 24, 1925, in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of John and Dora C. (Goeller) Ivan.
She married Robert Everett Shackelford in Colton, California and he preceded her in death August 29, 2001.
Catherine and her husband Robert owned and operated restaurants in California where they lived for a number of years. She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Catherine is survived by her children, Gaylord Oberst and wife Deb, of Fort Scott, Glenn Oberst, also of Fort Scott, Carol Arner of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rose Workman and husband Scott, of Lawrence, Kansas; eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Robert, Catherine was also preceded in death by her parents, and all of her siblings, having been the last surviving member of her family.
Father Yancey Burgess will officiate graveside services at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2020, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
A new audio file will be available for Fort Scottians to download to a computer or mobile device about the demise of Mercy Hospital in 2018.
It will be a series, which can be subscribed to, entitled “Where It Hurts.” The first season is “No Mercy.”
The author of the series is Sarah Jane Tribble, a Kaiser Health News Senior Correspondent.
Tribble returned several times to Fort Scott following Mercy’s closure, to interview residents.
She spent more than a year recording the lives of people and how they changed.
“Their stories are full of grit and hope. Along the way, Tribble finds that the notion that every community needs a hospital deserves questioning,” according to the press release.
“The reporting for this project began just weeks before the hospital closed in December 2018 and ended with a final trip in December 2019,” Tribble said. “Throughout, I was reminded of the resilience and strength of people in southeastern Kansas.”
Each episode spends time with people in town, Tribble said in an email interview. “In one, I take the listener to a (Fort Scott) Chamber Coffee, in another, we travel to the cancer treatment center. I truly believe every person in this podcast is worth meeting and spending time with.”
Tribble asked “uncomfortable questions of (Fort Scott) town leaders and the Catholic nuns who once ran Mercy to find out why the hospital, like so many others in rural America, fell upon hard times and ultimately shut down,” according to the release.
Tribble in the first segment on Sept. 29, interviews Pat and Ralph Wheeler, Dave Martin, Roxine Poznich, Krista Postai, and Reta Baker.
Mercy’s Importance To Fort Scott
The loss to the community was not just health care but Mercy Hospital was one of its largest employers and had some of its best-paying jobs according to a Kaiser Family Foundation press release, New Podcast “No Mercy” Features Fort Scott.
“Mercy Hospital served as a mainstay of the town for 132 years and was a constant presence until faltering finances forced its doors to close in December 2018,” according to the press release. “The town felt abandoned.”
To subscribe to the podcast, click below: http://whereithurts.show
The new podcast is a collaboration between Kaiser Health News and St. Louis Public Radio.
When KHN Editor-in-Chief Elisabeth Rosenthal read Tribble’s stories of Fort Scott, she knew it should be a podcast, according to the press release .
St. Louis Public Radio General Manager Tim Eby said in the press release “The powerful stories from ‘Where It Hurts’ will help listeners, no matter where they are, understand the health care challenges facing our nation. These are stories that bring context and humanity and need to be heard by audiences.”
Series Begins On September 29 With Weekly Episodes
The series employing a narrative storytelling approach, debuts Sept. 29, with episodes to be released weekly through Nov. 10.
They will be available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and NPR One.
About the author, Sarah Jane Tribble
Tribble was born and grew up in Parsons, Kansas. Her parents still live on the 10-acre farm she was raised on.
“My love of journalism began when I joined the high school newspaper staff,” she said. ” I went away to college, took a job at the Wichita Eagle, and then followed a journalism career path that took me from coast-to-coast.”
She first heard of Fort Scott Mercy Hospital closing from her mom in one of their frequent conversations, Tribble said.
Doing the background for the story, Tribble was alarmed by the health statistics.
“As someone who grew up in the region, I was initially surprised and alarmed to learn of some of the poor health statistics in the area,” Tribble said in the email interview. “The data shows there are higher rates of diabetes and obesity as well as higher rates of smoking and childhood poverty than other areas of the state. It all adds up to people dying younger.”
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
September 29, 2020
Please call your local health department if you would like a further breakdown of cases.
Allen County
Current Active Cases | 27 |
Total Hospitalizations | 5-0 in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 55 |
Total Cases Since Testing | 82 |
Deaths | 1 |
Anderson County
Current Active Cases | 9 |
Total Hospitalizations | 2-0 in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 76 |
Total Cases Since Testing | 85 |
Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
Current Active Cases | 26 |
Total Hospitalizations | 10-0 remaining in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 168 |
Total Cases Since Testing | 194 |
Deaths | 3 |
Woodson County
Current Active Cases | 3 |
Total Hospitalizations | 2-1 remaining in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 17 |
Total Cases Since Testing | 20 |
Deaths | 0 |
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: September 29, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District- Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 9:15 Jim Harris
9:15 – 9:30 Clifton Beth, Executive Session, Non-elected Personnel
9:30 – 9:40 Jody Hoener, Spark
9:40 – 9:45 Jody Hoener, Extended BCBS, Pathways Grant MOU
9:45 – 9:50 Anne Dare, Wind Turbine Update
10:00 – 10:05 Lora Holdridge, Back Parking Lot
Governor Kelly to Deliver COVID-19 Update, Announce New Unified Testing Strategy
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today, Monday, September 28, to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy.
As COVID-19 mass gathering restrictions allow gatherings of 45 people or fewer, all media outlets are invited to attend provided all follow proper social distancing protocol and wear masks.
To attend the briefing, please RSVP at [email protected].
Each briefing will be broadcast live on Governor Kelly’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/GovLauraKelly.
Who: Governor Laura Kelly
What: COVID-19 Press Briefing
Where: Kansas Statehouse
Secretary of State Ceremonial Office, 212A-N
Topeka, KS
When: 4 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2020
A new grocery store in downtown Fort Scott is on the horizon.
This project is a result of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program.
The SPARK Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to the website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
The Kansas SPARK Committee approved the final pieces of the Bourbon County Spark Plan on Sept. 25.
This Kress Building repurposing addresses access to food, which was one of the issues identified for the SPARK program.
” BAJA Investments, LLC submitted an application which will result in the rehabilitation of the Kress Building located at 17 S Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, into a grocery store,” Bill Michaud, the developer of the project and owner of BAJA Investments, LLC, said.
Featured at the future store will be locally produced co-op food and salad bar/deli, he said.
Additionally, a new resource center to support the needs of the community through COVID-19 pandemic recovery will be located in the rehabilitated Kress Building.
“Prior to the grocery store opening, a collaboration of local community resource agencies will open the BWERC (pronounced B-WORK) which is an acronym for the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneurship Resouce Center,” said Michaud. “This is an exciting collaboration between Kansas Works, (a division of Network Kansas that supports Workforce Development), the SBDC at Pitt State (Small Business Development Center), Fort Scott Community College, and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce including the E-Community program — all that together with being coordinated and supported by Bourbon County Economic Development.”
Any inquiries regarding the B-WERC facility services may be directed to Bourbon County Economic Development Director, Jody Hoener at 620.215.5725 or by email at [email protected]
Food Co-op, Deli Meat/Cheese and Salad Bar
“The idea of a downtown grocery store certainly wasn’t an original idea,” Michaud said. “I think there has been discussion of this since the Dollar General moved out of downtown many years ago. I think it’s one of those things that people didn’t realize how convenient it was to have until it was gone.”
“The many issues that have arisen out of the COVID pandemic pushed this need to the forefront and access to healthy food was a stated point of emphasis under the SPARK program,” he said.
“One feature we are planning is the food co-op for locally grown produce and other food products,” he said. “We are going to provide a local outlet for as many ‘produced in Bourbon County’ products as possible.”
“We hope to become a resource to connect local producers with the market of consumers and restaurants who are looking for fresh, locally grown products,” Michaud said.
“Secondly we are offering to partner with CHC/SEK so that they may expand the food delivery service that they offer to the homebound, elderly and other underserved populations in Crawford County, into Fort Scott,” he said. “The new store will provide storage for donated food items for delivery and supplement the needs of the clientele by making additional food items available.”
The pandemic has caused some nationwide unemployment, which leads to increased food insecurities, some driven by lack of transportation, Michaud noted.
“So adding to the food supply downtown and in northwest Fort Scott will help address that need for residents of that part of town,” he said. “In recent years, the increased downtown housing development has further increased the need for a downtown grocery store.”
“That increase in residential housing, the lack of food supply to residents west of 69 highway and the great opportunity for partnerships to support local produce and other small businesses make this an investment in our community and in our downtown … a project I thought was worth pursuing,” Michaud said.
“We did not receive enough registrations to have the Tri-Yak-A-Thon,” said Penny Pollack-Barnes. “The race has been cancelled.”
The multi-sport annual event had a registration cut off for Sept. 26 for the Oct. 10 event at Gunn Park.
“In these uncertain times, we decided to hold the event if we have enough interest in the event,” Barnes said. If they had 40 registered participants by September 26 it would have continued. They did not.
Elmer Junior Judy, age 90, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, peacefully went to be with Jesus Friday, April 3, 2020, at his home.
A memorial for Elmer Judy will be October 10 at 2 p.m. at the Parkway Church of God, 1111 State Street in Fort Scott.
He was born March 9, 1930, at the family’s rock house southwest of Ft. Scott, the son of Elmer Lewis Judy and Eliza Elizabeth Sanders Judy. Elmer graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He married Lee Ella Gates on April 15, 1949, at Ft. Scott. In earlier years, Elmer worked at a variety of jobs, but for the majority of his life, he owned and operated Judy’s Iron and Metal in Ft. Scott. Elmer remained active with his business until three weeks prior to his death. He was a lover of God, his family, his church, Christian education, missions and good hard work. Even though he had great influence, he remained humble. Elmer had an enthusiasm and optimism for everything he did. He faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). He served for many years on the Parkway Church Board, the Ft. Scott Christian Heights School Board and the Iron Quill Board of Directors he was also a board member for Haiti Missions.
Survivors include his son, Mike Judy and wife, Carma, of Omaha, Arkansas and his two daughters, Gwen Chance and husband, Terry and Jan Beltram and husband, Larry, all of Ft. Scott and four grandchildren, Brent Chance and wife, Angela, of Harrisonville, Missouri, Brandon Beltram and wife, Amber, of Wichita, Kansas, Lynden Judy and wife, Katie, of Omaha, Arkansas and Kristi Harbit and husband, Justin, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and ten great-grandchildren, Alec, Nate, Kole and Alena Chance, Mikah and Emma Beltram and Tally, Claire, Jhett and Jessa Judy. Also surviving is his brother, Richard Judy, of Emmett, Idaho. Elmer’s wife, Lee Ella, preceded him in death on March 8, 2018. He was also preceded in death by a son, Les Judy, a grandson, Dustin Chance, a brother, Clarence Judy and a sister, Marie Peterson.
Private burial took place in the Evergreen Cemetery at Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Your home may be your new office or a classroom this year. No matter how much time you spend at home, it is recommended to test for Radon and know what level your home is at.
Radon is known to be the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.
Radon occurs naturally in the soil. Kansas soils generate significant amounts of radon leading to the potential for homes to have elevated concentrations of this naturally-occurring class A carcinogen. Radon seeps into homes and other buildings through joints or cracks in the foundation.
One in four homes in Kansas will test at or above the EPA’s radon action level. Test kits are available at each Southwind Extension Office for $7, this includes lab analysis and return postage. Instructions are included, following them is important so the results will reveal the potential for elevated concentrations in the lowest lived-in level of the home.
If your results are low, consider repeating the test every two or three years or whenever there is a significant change in the home’s foundation, heating system or air tightness from weatherization efforts.
If radon is present above the recommended ceiling (4.0 pCiL/Pico Curies per liter), a confirmatory test should be conducted. If you want to know the radon concentration in other areas of your home, conduct the desired number of tests at the same time. When high results are confirmed, consult a radon professional for mitigation system installation.
More information about radon, including testing and mitigation, is available at Kansas Radon Program at kansasradonprogram.org and by phone, toll-free: 1-800-693-5343. The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Radon Program Services is housed in the Engineering Extension Department at K-State.
Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.