Monthly Archives: April 2017

Obituary

Obituary: Valeta Myrtle Kerr

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Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Valeta Myrtle Kerr, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Friday, April 7, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

She was born October 5, 1927, in Garden City, Mo., the daughter of Samuel and Myrtle King.  She first married Benjamin Hicks.  He preceded her in death, and she then married Forrest Kerr.  He also preceded her in death.  Valeta had worked as a receptionist for Social and Rehabilitation Services in Arkansas.  She enjoyed gardening and sewing.  She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include a sons, Larry Hicks and wife, Jessie, of Fort Scott, Brent Kerr and wife, Leona, of Van Buren, Ark., Tom Kerr and wife, Deborah, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Jim Kerr and wife, Emily, of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Leota Bradford of Shawnee Mission, Kans.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant son, David Hicks; two sisters and a brother.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 14, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at the chapel.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kans.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Fort Scott

School Board Approves Contract for New Eugene Ware Principal

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During the executive session of their April meeting Monday evening, the Unified School District 234 Board of Education approved a contract with Stephanie Witt, naming her the principal for Eugene Ware for the 2017-18 school year.

Formerly a middle school instructional coach, Witt will take over the principal responsibilities in July, while current principal Dave Elliott’s contract expires in June.

“We’re excited to partner with her to help in every way possible to make that a great situation for our staff and students,” Superintendent Bob Beckham said of Witt’s upcoming year with the school district.

In February, the school board voted not to extend Elliott’s contract with the district. A number of parents and other members of the district spoke on his behalf during the March meeting.

Beckham expressed his fondness for Elliott and his years with the district, but had no comment on his upcoming departure after the current school year.

Witt’s brother-in-law and school board member, Jordan Witt, abstained from voting on the employment decision Monday evening.

Beckham also announced that the bond project continues to move forward at a good pace and is scheduled to be complete by July 4.

Fort Scott

Kiwanis Host Easter Egg Hunt

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The Fort Scott Kiwanis hosted their annual Easter egg hunt at Gunn Park Saturday, drawing a large number of children of a variety of ages who were able to leave with Easter eggs, candy and other prizes.

The event was sponsored by a number of local businesses including Marsha’s Deli, Fort Cinema, Walmart, Iron Star, McDonald’s, Landmark Bank and a number of others. The Easter bunny also made an appearance.

Further Easter event will be held this weekend, including the Eggstravaganza event to be held at Buck Run Community Center Saturday, April 15, providing a variety of games and activities. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register early with a $1 fee to make sure there will be sufficient supplies. Walgreens will also provide an opportunity for children to have their photos taken with the Easter bunny, with participants receiving a free 4×5 print.

Fort Scott, Submitted

Growing Berries in the Home Garden Program Set for April 13

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Submitted by Krista Harding

The most expensive items in the produce section are berries. The cost of berries can be overcome by growing them yourself. Learn how at the second program of the “Grow It – Prepare It” series – Growing Berries, on Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

This program will give homeowners tips on growing strawberries and blackberries. Planting techniques, fertility, pruning and harvesting will all be covered. For more information on this program and to register, please contact the Southwind Extension District at 620-223- 3720.

Business, Fort Scott

Home and Garden Show Draws Crowds

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The annual Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show hosted by KOMB-FM drew in large numbers of people to visit booths set up by more than 60 vendors at the Arnold Arena at Fort Scott Community College.

Visitors were able to gather information of local businesses and organizations, such as The Butcher Block, the City of Fort Scott, Redbud Nurseries and Skitch’s Hauling and Excavation, among a large number of others. Drawings for prizes were also held throughout the day.

Simultaneously, FSCC held a children’s fair on campus, with students as well as others such as the Fort Scott police and fire departments participating in games and other events for the children.

Fort Scott, Submitted

Mercy Hospital: Weight Watchers and Infant Loss Service

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Submitted by Tina Rockhold

Weight Watchers Open House at Mercy Hospital

If you have wanted to lose weight, or maintain your current weight, consider joining Weight Watchers.

On Wednesday, April 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s Concetta Room, Weight Watchers will host a public open house.

No pre-registration or fee is required for this come-and-go event. Participants can sample Weight Watchers food, view products, learn more about the program, hear success stories and register to win door prizes. If someone likes what they see at the open house, they might consider joining the group.

Weight Watchers holds weekly meetings on Wednesdays at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott. Weight-ins are from 11:30 a.m. – noon, followed by a meeting from noon – 12:30 p.m. A Weight Watchers monthly pass is required to attend the ongoing meeting.

“Weight Watchers offers a holistic approach to weight loss,” said Jana Dalrymple, Weight Watchers leader. “Participants benefit from the support group-like setting and proven techniques that motivate and encourage healthy weight loss and long-term success.”

For more details about Weight Watchers at Mercy, call Mary Wynn, Mercy Infection Prevention and Employee Health nurse at 223-2200 ext 2198.

Infant Loss Remembrance Service

If you or your family has been impacted by pregnancy loss or the loss of an infant shortly after birth, Mercy wants to offer you a time for reflection and comfort.

You are invited to come find support and healing at an Infant Loss Remembrance Service on Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Cemetery located west of Fort Scott on Locust Road.  Anyone in the community or surrounding area who has suffered this type of loss is welcome to attend.

Our time together will include a short service and time of prayer, plus a balloon release with opportunity for participants to write messages to those children being remembered.

In case of rain, the service will be moved to Mercy Hospital’s McAuley Conference Center.

For more information, contact Mercy Chaplain Tyler Whipkey at 620-223-8481.

Bourbon County

County Commission Looks over Highway 69 Plans

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During a work session held Wednesday morning, the Bourbon County Commission met with Kansas Department of Transportation employee Darrin Petrowsky to look over plans for the Highway 69 widening project and ask questions.

The commissioners looked at plans for the six-mile project in Bourbon County, specifically asking questions about new and existing access roads. Commissioners said they had received questions from residents asking if they would still be able to access or cross the highway at existing points, and Petrowsky said they would.

Commissioners also asked how those roads would be paved, with gravel or asphalt, since they will be given to the county for maintenance upon completion.

“Our major concern is what we’re going to have to maintain,” commission chairman Lynne Oharah said, pointing out the county may not have the funds to keep up with another asphalt road.

Petrowski said there is one section of access road that will be asphalt, due to its need for curbing and gutters to help with drainage. Petrowski said he would pass along the commissioners’ request for it to be gravel, but added he did not believe the plan could be changed.

“Anything’s better than what we have right now,” Oharah said of the overall project, saying he currently does not feel comfortable driving that highway at night.

Work has begun on the project, but Petrowsky said it has slowed because of the recent rains. The project is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 16, 2018, with cleaning, striping and other tasks fully completed by the following March. During that time, travelers should be alert to workers and shifting lanes, though two lanes will always be available.

“It’ll be a great highway for Bourbon County,” public works Director Jim Harris said.

Petrowsky said the continuation of the four lanes into Crawford County has been delayed indefinitely until the funding is available, despite the plans already being drawn.

Opinion, Submitted

Patty LaRoche: Blessings in Disguise

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Wichita State. Kansas State University. Kansas University. All favorites of mine in the NCAA college basketball tournament. All with impressive records. All loaded with talent. And all failed to make the final four. They could have/should have and would have except for one thing—they didn’t. Until next year, I now would put away my lucky t-shirts bragging of my college loyalties.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the only game in town. The USA team prevailed in the World Baseball Classic, crushing Puerto Rico in the final game 8-0.

Go, America!!! Much better news from the baseball front.

Or maybe not. The next day, a friend explained that Puerto Rico is in economic shambles. Murders are rampant as are rapes and thievery, but all that stopped during the two weeks of the baseball tournament. The citizens unified…so much so that the country ran out of blonde hair dye as the locals copied the hair color of every player who, when introduced on the field, removed his cap and rubbed his yellow-tinted locks. For two weeks, Puerto Ricans relived every game, huddled in groups on corners to discuss each play their beloved team had made.

Not so much the United States. To most of us, it was another game, another evening of something to watch on television, filling our (YAWN) bored time.

Now I felt bad for Puerto Rico. They needed the win much more than we did. I had rooted against them, and now I thought differently.

I am good at that.

In the book “Alone With God: Rediscovering the Power and Passion of Prayer,” I had underlined what author John Macarthur wrote about the godly Old Testament Jews: “…their prayers encompassed the good of the community and were not isolated to the individual. For example, the rabbis asked God not to listen to the prayer of a traveler. That’s because he might pray for an easy journey with good weather and accommodating skies when the people in that vicinity actually needed rain for their crops.”

Laura Story made that warning personal when she wrote the song “Blessings” (one of my favorites) after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and her prayers seemed to go unanswered. She begins by listing all the things we pray for—blessings, peace, comfort for family, healing, etc. Then we hear this chorus:

“…what if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?”

Oh, to count the number of times I have prayed selfishly without considering the bigger picture! And when I don’t get what I want? I forget that God’s answers many times expose my sins and fears and show up, uninvited, as loss, sorrow, conflict and disappointment.

Isaiah 55:8—“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

You can say that again. And again. And again.

The message was a slam-dunk. God must be a Tar Heels’ fan.

Bourbon County

Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show Prepares for Visitors

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Starting Friday evening, visitors to and residents of Bourbon County are encouraged to visit the Fort Scott Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show hosted by KOMB-FM radio in the Arnold Arena at Fort Scott Community College.

“It’s a fun event,” Tim McKenney said during Thursday morning’s Chamber Coffee hosted at FSCC. “It’s a neat way for all these vendors to meet folks.”

The event has been held since the 1980s, with the broadcasting company running it for the past six years. McKenney said they are grateful to both FSCC and the City of Fort Scott for their support of the event that draws in hundreds of visitors.

This year, 63 vendors will be present, including local businesses such as Ruddick’s Furniture and Briggs Auto Group as well as other products such as Scentsy.

The show begins Friday, welcoming visitors 5-8 p.m., and will be open again Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A number of giveaways will be awarded at different booths throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, FSCC will simultaneously host a community children’s fair from 9 a.m. to noon, and will include a number of games and other activities such as a teddy bear clinic, a bounce house, carnival and minute-to-win-it games and hair styling by cosmetology students.

Bourbon County, Submitted

From the Capitol: Adam Lusker

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This Week on the House Floor

It was a busy week on the House floor, as we passed multiple bills. Some of these are listed below. You can find more about this week in the House here: http://kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/chamber/house/journals/2017/3/.

HB 2273: an act concerning consumer protection; relating to the Kansas no-call act; restricting use of automatic dialing-announcing devices.

SB 36: an act concerning the state corporation commission; relating to motor carriers, definitions, registration.

HB 2047: an act concerning the office of inspector general.

HB 2306: an act concerning the Kansas sexually violent predator act; relating to examinations; transitional release; conditional release.

SB 112: an act concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to evidence; videotaping of certain felony, custodial interrogations; domestic battery; creating the crime of aggravated domestic battery; controlled substances; unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia; burglary; expungement; arrest records.

H Sub for SB 40: an act concerning human trafficking and related crimes; creating the crimes of unlawful use of communication facility, promoting travel for child exploitation, internet trading in child pornography and aggravated internet trading in child pornography; relating to training for commercial driver’s license applicants; sexual exploitation of a child; buying sexual relations; commercial sexual exploitation of a child; offender registration; expungement of juvenile adjudications; victim compensation.

Sub SB 74: an act concerning persons needing assistance with cognition; relating to motor vehicle, placards, identification cards; state-issued identification cards and driver’s licenses.

H Sub SB 101: an act concerning crime victims; relating to protection orders; protection from abuse act; protection from stalking act; sexual assault evidence collection examinations and parental notification; the crime victim’s compensation board and claims for compensation.

SB 124: an act concerning the care of children; relating to the Kansas family law code; child custody, residency and parenting time; evidence of domestic abuse; relating to the revised Kansas code for the care of children; rules of evidence; admissibility of certain test results.

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

Medicaid Expansion Bill

Two weeks ago, the Kansas House passed a Medicaid expansion bill that would help cover more than 150,000 Kansans without insurance and aid our numerous hospitals and clinics whose budgets have been slashed multiple times over the last few years.

This week, the bill hit the Senate floor with the Medicaid expansion amendment, and passed. The bill was sent to Governor Brownback, who vetoed the expansion bill on Thursday morning.

The veto brought the Medicaid expansion bill back to the House floor later Thursday morning, where a debate ensued over whether to override the veto. In the end, the bill was tabled until likely next week. This means the debate will continue and the vote will occur when it’s reintroduced on the floor.

The bill was pulled from the table Monday morning. The override fell short by three votes with an 81-44 tally. It appears working poor Kansans will go another year without health care coverage, leaving the burden on those of us with insurance or the medical facilities that treat them. Our federal income taxes will continue to be spent in other states while Kansas will see more hospitals close.

We will have another newsletter out at the end of the week to wrap up 1st adjournment. The legislature will be out of session from April 7, thru May 1.

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

Gazaway to be Fort Scott Tourism Manager

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During the Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday evening, the city introduced the new tourism manager, Larry Gazaway.

Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said Gazaway, known as “The Voice of Fort Scott” through his local broadcasting career, described himself as a passionate person about arts and sports with extensive knowledge about the city and the county.

“We would be really hard-pressed to find anyone to match his skill set as well as his determination and knowledge for the county and city,” Pruitt said, adding he brings marketing experience as well. “We look forward to him being the voice of tourism and the face of Fort Scott, to lead us in a very important endeavor for the city.”

“I’m excited,” Gazaway said. “I just made one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make—leaving a job that I love, one that I had a great passion for—but I look forward to taking the passion that I have for this town, this community, and getting to market that to a very much larger area and hopefully bring some excitement to that.”

City Manager Dave Martin said Gazaway has a good relationship with the Fort Scott Area of Commerce and said he is a welcome addition to the city staff.

“Thank you very much for the opportunity and I promise I won’t disappoint you,” Gazaway said.

In recent months, the city leaders made the decision to move the tourism department away from the chamber of commerce and put it under the city’s direction. Gazaway is expected to begin working in the newly created position April 17, and is expected to move to an office at the chamber building after completing training at city hall.

Obituary

Obituary: Lewis Edson Farra, Jr.

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Submitted by Cheney-Witt Funeral Home

Lewis Edson Farra, Jr., age 75, resident of Ft. Scott, Kans., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott.

 

He was born on December 11, 1941, in Phoenixville, Pa., the son of Lewis Edson Farra, Sr. and Ferne Elizabeth Swisher Farra. He served our country in the United States Air Force. He married Pauline Shelton on December 19, 1964, in Bronson, Kans. Lewis worked as a diesel mechanic for a heavy equipment company. This later included traveling to do his work. He then worked as a tool salesman and later worked for Dayco in Fort Scott. In his younger days, he liked to hunt and fish. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and raising fruit trees. He supported his children and all their athletic activities as they went through school. He was a great role model for his kids. Known as “Pappy” to his grandchildren, he read them stories with an occasional embellishment. When in Villanova, Pa., he attended the Old Gulf Mills Congregational Church. He was a member of the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors include his wife Pauline of the home; children L. Jeffrey Farra, Castle Rock, Colo., Cassie Jo Farra Vano and husband Michael, Hot Springs, Ark., and David R. Farra and wife Bernadette, DeSoto, Kans.; a brother, Norman K. Farra and wife Linda, Oxford, Pa.; a sister, Imogene M. Stremme and husband Bob, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; a brother-in- law, John R. Shelton and wife Martha, Drexel, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Danielle, Jessica, Tyler, Emma, Anna, Nick and Zachary; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Charles L. Shelton; a sister-in-law, Linda L. Shelton; and a nephew, Brian Shelton.

Pastor Virgil Peck will conduct services at 10 a.m. Friday, April 7, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to either Fort Scott or Uniontown FFA or Care to Share, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.