Monthly Archives: April 2017

Obituary

Obituary: Freada Louise Fleming

Leave a comment

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Freada Louise Fleming, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, Kans., died Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Mercy Hospital ER.

She was born December 16, 1932, in Vernon County, Mo., the daughter of Cleve and Mary Bridges Brundridge.  She married Richard Fleming on May 25, 1950, in Nevada, Mo.  He preceded her in death on December 21, 2010.  She worked at home, raising the children, until 1975.  She then began working as an inspector for Key Work Clothes in Fort Scott, retiring after 25 years.  In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, she belonged to the Busy Bee Club and EHU.  She enjoyed gardening, canning, embroidery, cross word puzzles, country music and raising cows.  She lived for her kids and grandkids, never missing an event while she was able physically.  She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.

Survivors include two sons, Doug Fleming and wife Kay, and Rodney Fleming and wife Kelly, all of Fort Scott; two daughters, Brenda Tourtillott and husband Kenneth, and Debbie Shaw and husband Kenny, all of Fort Scott; one brother, Joe Brundridge, Kansas City, Mo.; two sisters, Doris Quackenbush, Nevada, Mo.,  and Ruby Villans, Indianapolis, Ind.; a brother-in-law Ralph Fleming; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one step-grandchild; eight step-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Wesley Brundridge, Harry Leonard Brundridge and infant brother Cecil Brundridge; an infant great-granddaughter, Reece Tyler Koppa; a sister, Peggy Smith; a half-brother, Roy Brundridge; and two half-sisters, Hazel Cargill and Sylvia Brundridge.

President Kenneth Tourtillott will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Virgil City Cemetery, Vernon County, Mo.  The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday evening at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in 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.

 

Obituary

Obituary: George Hall Fair

Leave a comment

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

George Hall Fair, age 93, a former resident of Pittsburg, Kans., and more recently of Tucson, Ariz., passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Tucson.

He was born November 3, 1923, in Throckmarton, Texas, the son of Nathan E. Fair and Elizabeth Zona Hall Fair. George married Carol May Wenzel on June 1, 1946, in Sherman, Texas.  He served with the United States Army during World War II.  He had been employed as a principal for Iowa public schools for many years.

Survivors include a son, Nathan Fair, of McCallsburg, Iowa, and a daughter, Rosaline Fair, of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Sheila Dalton, Alex Fair and Allison Fair and two great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is a sister, Brooksie Salman, of Midland, Texas.  He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, Georgia Dalton.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, April 17, at the U. S. National Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kans.

 

Fort Scott

Action Team and Fort Scott to Host Discussion

Leave a comment

The area Good Neighbor Action Team and the City of Fort Scott will host a meeting Thursday, April 20, to discuss and listen to ideas about the needs of northwest Fort Scott.

Focusing on the area to the north of 6th Street and west of National Avenue to the Marmaton River, citizens are invited to attend the 5 p.m. hot dog dinner and the 6 p.m. meeting at the First Presbyterian Church, where they can express their concerns and desires for that part of the city.

Craig Campbell said the team had success at similar, past events and will continue to work with the city, the codes department and those living in that area to create a plan of action.

“The purpose of the event is to listen to the residents and property owners in the designated area,” Fort Scott Codes Manager Rhonda Dunn said. “We want to know their concerns and their desires as we formulate a plan to partner with them to enhance the overall quality of life in the area.”

Fort Scott

Fort Scott High School Thespians Win National Theatre Grant

Leave a comment

During the recent Unified School District 234 Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Fort Scott High School theatre students gave a presentation of recent accomplishments and community services, informing the board they recently received a grant as well.

Thespian President Hunter Parker said the students in the theatre troupe learn skills such as organization, leadership, public speaking and others, as well as giving him experience and helping him build references that led to him being awarded a college scholarship.

“I couldn’t see myself as the person I am today without theatre,” thespian troupe treasurer Hunter Adamson agreed, saying the opportunities provided have greatly helped and inspired her. “This is not just a dream, but this is my passion.”

The two theatre troupe students encouraged the school board to continue to support the troupe.

Board members praised the students for the number of awards they have received as well as the activities they have hosted or participated in throughout the community.

“We’re really impressed by the awards and community service,” board president Jordan Witt said. “It’s great to see and be reminded how talented our students are.”

See the press release below for information about the grant the students recently received.

Submitted by Angie Bin

Fort Scott High School Thespian troupe #7365 was selected by the national Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) review committee as a 2017 Send a Troupe to Festival Grant winner.

The grant provides funding for registration and travel expenses for all FSHS official Thespian members and two chaperones to the 2017 International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, June 19-24. Regular registration is $740 per student which includes rooming in university residence halls; three meals a day; and admittance to all the shows, workshops and late night activities.

FSHS qualified for the grant by completing an in-depth application and providing an administrative recommendation letter from Bob Beckham, USD 234 Superintendent. Fort Scott also qualified because the troupe has never attended International Festival before.

FSHS Thespian president Hunter Parker said, “It was the first time we applied and, out of over thirty schools in the country who applied, we were one of the two to receive it.  It’s a huge opportunity for our troupe and it’s great that I get to go my senior year.”

“The story of your troupe’s diversity, need, and involvement was inspirational, and I look forward to sharing the indescribable experiences of the 2017 International Thespian Festival with you,” said Samantha Simendinger, EdTA Assistant Manager of Support Services. “The Educational Theatre Association is very lucky to have caring theatre educators … influencing and inspiring young minds throughout the country and the world.”

According to EdTA, every summer, thousands of middle school and high school Thespians bring their love of all things theatre to the International Thespian Festival, a celebration of student achievement in the performing arts. Organized by the Educational Theatre Association and hosted at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Festival is a one-of-a-kind, weeklong immersion experience in singing, dancing, acting, designing, directing, creating, writing and memory-making. Festival features workshops presented by theatre professionals, individual and group performances, programs for technical theatre students and opportunities to audition for college admission and scholarships.

 

Opinion

Patty LaRoche: The Darkest Hour

1 Comment

Submitted by Patty LaRoche

He is on track to revolutionize their country and become its king, but then he is executed, this man who gave sight to the blind, calmed the storm, taught them to pray and showed them unconditional love. A movement so full of life has come to nothing. Their dreams? Crushed.

Their hopes? Now hopeless.

Still, in their darkest hour, a few hang in there.

Their fearless devotion does not end at his death. When the majority of his disciples duck and run, a handful stay with Jesus through the crucifixion and after. Although the Gospel accounts differ, we can piece together some highlights.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus team up to remove Jesus’ body from the cross and anoint him with 75 pounds of myrrh and aloe. They wrap his body in a clean linen cloth and carry it to the nearby tomb. “The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.” Their plan is to return after the Sabbath to complete what Joseph and Nicodemus began. Luke 23:55-56

Jesus’ faithful are determined to bestow on him an extravagant love.

Take Mary Magdalene, for example, the one whom Jesus saved from demon-possession. In her darkest hour, she refuses to desert her teacher. “While it is still dark,” she and a few other women head to the garden tomb where Jesus’ lifeless body lies on a rock slab. It matters not that a stone the size of a Volkswagen covers the opening or that the tomb is heavily guarded by Roman soldiers. Extravagant love moves forward, no matter how dark the circumstances. Finding the stone rolled away, Mary tears off in a sprint, and upon finding Peter and John, says, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him.”

The disciples lace up their sandals, pull up their tunics and rush to the tomb to see for themselves. Finding it to be true, they disperse, probably to alert the other disciples.

Meanwhile, Mary stays outside the tomb, weeping. Overcome with hopelessness, she looks inside and sees two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been. They ask why she is crying. “They have taken my Lord away,” she replies, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She then turns to see a man standing nearby. Supposing him to be the gardener, she says, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.”

In her darkest hour, Jesus calls her by name. Recognizing her Lord, she cries out in Hebrew, “Rabboni!”—which means “Master.” It’s not a “Whew!” moment; nor is it a “Well, surprise, surprise!” reply. Mary’s heavy heart has been restored! Jesus tells her to inform the disciples of what has happened. That will wait. She falls at his feet. It is the Lord. He is not dead. He is risen! The extravagant dark has turned to extravagant light.

Hope. Is. Restored.

It’s the same hope offered to us in our darkest hour. Jesus wants to meet us as he did Mary– in moments of our discouragement and grief, so that, like Mary, we will know our Redeemer lives. Know. Not guess, not question, not presume. Unlike Muhammad. Unlike Buddha. Unlike every other religious leader who died and stayed in the ground. With Jesus, there are no grave remains to visit. His grave is empty.

He is the Hope in which you and I can be sure.

As my friend Joyce once said, “If Jesus can die extravagantly for me, surely I can live extravagantly for him.”

Bourbon County

Jail Project Takes Advantage of Dry Days

Leave a comment

After slowing down because of recent rains, the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center project continues to move forward, remaining on track to finish this fall.

“It’s moving right along,” Bourbon County Commission Chairperson Lynne Oharah said during their meeting Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, the commissioners visited the site for a tour and meeting concerning the progress of the project. The pods, stairwells and interior door frames have been installed in the building, which is now almost fully enclosed with a roof and exterior walls. Upcoming tasks include continuing the brick work and beginning work on the kitchen.

Fort Scott, Submitted

FSCC Announces Women’s Luncheon, Honor Society Inducts Students

Leave a comment

Submitted by Heather Browne

FSCC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inducts New Students

The Fort Scott Community College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Alpha Theta Omega Chapter) inducted 33 new students during a candle lighting ceremony on Friday, April 7, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

Students inducted this semester include: Mariah Aebersold, Heather Bahr, Adam Biby, Thomas Boatwright, Taylor Brecheisen, Mataya Cook, Rilie Creollo, Leslie Damian, Jordyn Danzer, Dustin Erikson, Madison Gray, Justin Grigsby, Sirr Green, Tyler Henninger, Heather Huesman, Genna Hull, Sarah Kelley, Keyshla Laureano Perez, Cristin Lowry, Allie Martin, Lindsey McNeil, Nathan Miller, Rachel Newquist, Nguyen Hannah Pham, Erica Pinneo, Emmah Reeves, Alexandria Rooks, Carla Salas, Mason Skiles, Lauren Sluder, Kyle Smith, Kirstie Williams and Barrett Young.

“We are pleased to welcome our new Phi Theta Kappa members this spring,” said Susie Arvidson, FSCC Director of Library Services and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor.  “Over the past year, the members and officers have worked diligently to grow the organization and in turn were very successful. We look forward to the coming year as we strive for excellence and growth as individuals and as a group.”

Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society, recognizes the academic achievements of two-year college students. Students who have completed 12 credit hours and earned a 3.5 GPA or higher are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa. For more information, please call Susie Arvidson at 620-223-2700, ext. 3441.

Photo caption—Pictured from left to right: Nguyen Hannah Pham, Keyshla Laureano Perez, Heather Bahr, Genna Hull, Cristin Lowry, Lauren Sluder, Sarah Kelley, Jordyn Danzer, Rachel Newquist and Dustin Erikson.

FSCC Women’s Appreciation Luncheon slated for Apr. 26

Fort Scott Community College will host the annual Women’s Appreciation Luncheon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The luncheon menu includes chicken salad croissant sandwiches, soup, salad, gourmet cookies and refreshments. In addition to lunch, the popular event will offer free gifts, door prizes, musical entertainment and product displays from local businesses. The event will showcase a variety of businesses including AdvoCare, All About That Xyng, Bids & Dibs, Black Dogs Farm, Custom Jewelry, FSCC Cosmetology (manicures), Gold Canyon, Hartman Spine and Joint, LipSense, Locust Hill Lamanchas, LuLaRoe, Mercy Hospital, Premier Designs Jewelry, Prüvit, Rodan + Fields, Taylor’s Lamps and Such, Thirty-One Gifts, Young Living Essential Oils, Younique and more.

Tickets are $6 per person. Attendees who purchase five tickets by April 25 will receive one ticket free. For more information or to reserve a seat, please call 620-223-2700.

 

Bourbon County, Submitted

From the Capitol: Adam Lusker

Leave a comment

Submitted by Senator Adam Lusker

This is the final week before the Kansas legislature adjourns for a three-week long break, during which the governor signs off on or vetoes the bills passed this session. We will return for veto session May 1.

Kansas House Fights for KPERS

On Thursday [April 7], the House and Senate passed Senate Sub for Sub HB 2052, a rescission bill that essentially fixed the budget for the current fiscal year. The current budget was in a deficit of $290 million. Fiscal year 2017 ends June 30.

The House stood its ground on this bill to ensure that the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) was fully funded through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017. The budget passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in 2016 had not made full payments to the retirement system.

As a result of the House position standing firm for working Kansans, an additional $86 million was appropriated to KPERS and payments will be made through the fourth quarter of FY 2017.

This Week on the House Floor

Before the break, several bills were passed through on the House floor. Here are a few. You can read about all of the bills to hit the floor this week here: http://kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/chamber/house/journals/2017/4/

HB 2319: An act concerning abortion; relating to the woman’s-right-to-know act, relating to certain physician information to be disclosed.

HB 2391: An act concerning driving; relating to driving under the influence and other driving offenses; authorized restrictions of driving privileges, ignition interlock device; expungement of convictions and diversions.

SB 55: An act concerning public construction contracts; relating to performance and payment bonds; Kansas fairness in public construction.

SB 149: An act concerning the attorney general; relating to briefs in a criminal matter or post-conviction case in the supreme court or court of appeals; legal representation charges; legal services; creating the attorney general’s state agency representation fund.

HB 2360: An act concerning the administration of the state employee health benefits plan; creating the division of state employee health benefits plan in the department of administration.

H Sub for SB 70: An act concerning amusement rides; relating to the Kansas amusement ride act.

SB 184: An act establishing the Kansas intelligence fusion center act.

Sub HB 2230: An act concerning property taxation; relating to exemptions, property owned by a redevelopment authority and located in a redevelopment district within a former federal enclave.

HB 2279: An act concerning courts; relating to disposition of failure to comply with a traffic citation reinstatement fees; judicial branch nonjudicial salary adjustment fund.

I look forward to continuing to work for you and Kansas when we come back May 1. Until then, please take care. It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I both value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 50-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7698 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.

Fort Scott

Library Reopens after Improvement Project

1 Comment

After months of work that began in September, the Fort Scott Public Library reopened its doors April 3, and held a grand opening event Thursday when they had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize the accomplishments.

“The library is a great asset to our historic downtown and the services and programs are essential to our community,” Mayor JoLynne Mitchell said, adding she believes the youth programs are especially important.

Director Lisa Walther said the library began saving money in 1992 when they started the capitol improvement fund. Though tax dollars funded the project, it was funding gathered over two decades so they did not have to ask the city for more money or a large sum at once.

“We are just thrilled that people seem to be quite happy with how it looks,” Director Lisa Walther said of the completed project. “We couldn’t be happier.”

The improvements include new floors, walls, lights, restroom and ADA compliance as well as new office areas and conference room.

Walther expressed appreciation to city staff as well as library staff and board members, who remained patient throughout the process and helped make decisions as well as other volunteers who moved books and cleaned.

City Manager Dave Martin said it was refreshing working with those involved in the library project and said he is glad to see it complete as he appreciates having hard copies of books.

Library hours and programs, including the children’s reading time on Tuesdays, now continues as normal.

Obituary

Obituary: Robert Gordon Steele

Leave a comment

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Robert Gordon Steele, age 88, a resident of Fort Scott, Kans., passed away Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott.

He was born November 25, 1928, in Uniontown, Kans., the son of Ira Alva Steele and Bessie Marie Brainerd Steele.  He graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1945 and later graduated from the Fort Scott Junior College.  He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He married Anna Faye Woodring on March 27, 1974, at Fort Scott.  Bob worked as a systems administrator for the Western Insurance Company which later became American States/Safeco.  He retired in 1988, following forty-two years of service.  In earlier years, he was a member of the Uniontown United Methodist Church and later attended the Mt. Orum Baptist Church.  He volunteered for the Old Fort Genealogical Society and the Beacon and also helped with the community Thanksgiving dinner.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Laura Steele, of Fort Scott and several cousins.  His wife, Faye, preceded him in death on February 7, 2017.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Russell Steele.

Following cremation, Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct a graveside service at 10 a.m. Monday, April 17, at the U. S. National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary

Obituary: Reece Tyler Koppa

Leave a comment

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Reece Tyler Koppa, infant of daughter of Derek Koppa and Randi Shaw Koppa, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017, at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Brylynn Koppa; maternal grandparents, Kenny and Debbie Shaw, paternal grandparets, Jim and Cheryl Koppa; maternal great-grandmother, Freda Fleming and paternal great-grandmother, Janice Ramsey, all of Fort Scott.  She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandfather, Richard Fleming and paternal great-grandparents, Richard Ramsey and Murrel and Goldie Koppa.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary

Obituary: Linda June Harris Vann

Leave a comment

Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Linda June Harris Vann, age 69, a resident of Fort Scott, Kans., went into glory to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2017.

She was born March 24, 1948, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Ray Hugh Harris and Cleta Mae Graham Harris.  Linda graduated from the Fort Scott High School in 1967.  Immediately out of high school, Linda began a career with Mercy Hospital. She started as an aide and later worked as a ward clerk.  She retired in March of 2010 after 43 years of service. She married Harry Glenn Vann on August 29, 1974, at Miami, Okla.  Linda enjoyed sports, reading, bowling, fishing and traveling. She was also an avid Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan.  She formerly attended the Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ and was currently a member of the Diamond Community Church.

Survivors include her three sons, Monty Vann, of Atlanta, Ga., and Gregory and Jonathan Vann, both of Fort Scott; four grandchildren, Elijah Wright, Ezekiel, Daniel and Violet Vann, all of Fort Scott.  Also surviving are three brothers, Leon Harris of New Mexico, Eugene Harris of Los Angeles, Calif., and Roger Harris of New York, N.Y.; and four sisters including her twin, Glenda Harris of Fort Scott, Deborah Nelson of Fort Scott, Rotena Gray of Denver, Colo., and Hattie Wright of Olathe, Kans.  Her husband, Glenn, preceded her in death on May 8, 2010.  She was also preceded in death by three brothers, William Graham, Buford Harris, and Donald Drake, and a sister, Phyllis Mason.

Elder Roger Harris, assisted by Rev. Jimmy Tucker, will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Linda Vann Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.