Monthly Archives: February 2018

Bourbon County, Government, Submitted

Agenda For The Bourbon County Commission Meeting Feb. 27

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 27, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: ____________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00- 9:15 Jim Harris -Asphalt tank trailer

9:30- 9:45 Jim Harris- Application for utility construction for the natural gas line on Maple Road

9:45-10:00 Justin Meek – Kansas Property Tax Lid

10:00-10:15 Travis Sawyer -Car dealership zoning

10:30-11:00 County NRP Program

11:00-12:00 Informational presentation for possible Opioid Crisis

12:00- 1:00 – Commissioners go to Lunch

1:15- 1:30 – Smoking Policy

1:30-2:00 Executive Session Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

2:00-2:15 update on Vision meeting

2:15-2:45 Review of fire district KSA 19-3619

2:45 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

Obituary

Obituary Of Raymond Tourtillott

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Raymond Lee Tourtillott, age 77, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, February 26, 2018, at his home. He was born August 5, 1940, in Panama, MO, the son of Denver and Willa Weddle Tourtillott. He graduated from Metz High School.

He married Zeta Adams in 1962. They later divorced.

He married Edna Mae Sharp in 1983. She preceded him in death in April 2017. In his earlier years, he farmed and raised cattle. He then worked for Mercy Hospital and retired in 2002 after 30 years of service. He was a member of Community Christian Church and the 55 Plus church group. He enjoyed gardening, camping, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Raymond is survived by his sons, Mike Tourtillott and wife Sandra, Las Cruces, NM, and Joe Tourtillott and wife Becky, Ft. Scott; two step-sons, Richard Sharp and wife Jennifer, Olathe, KS, and David Sharp and wife Michelle, Ft. Scott; a stepdaughter, Sherry Culp, Ft. Scott; a sister, Pat Dallefeld, Galesburg, IL; a brother, Jewell Tourtillott and wife Phyllis, Rich Hill, MO; a sister-in-law, Madelyn Tourtillott, Nevada. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Elroy, Everett and Ralph Tourtillott; sisters Irene Negley and Peggy Westerhold; and a great grandson, Gavin Sharp.

Rev. Tim Woodring and Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Thursday, March 1, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM Thursday until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice 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.

Obituary

Obituary Of Helen Dold Niemier

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Helen Dold Niemeir, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, made her way home to heaven on Sunday, February 25, 2018.  She was born March 3, 1922, in Sheldon, Missouri, the daughter of Jules Keith Sawyer and Josephine Welker Sawyer.  Helen grew up in Parsons, Kansas and attended schools there graduating from Parsons High School with the Class of 1940.  She then completed a course of study at Labette Community College. 
In April of 1943, she married Howard H. Dold at a church in Dennis, Kansas, prior to his deployment to Europe with the US Army Combat Engineers.  While living in Lawrence, Kansas, after the war where Howard attended pharmacy school, a son was born to this union, Gaylord L. Dold.  Wichita then became home for nearly thirty years.  Howard died in May of 1975. 
In 1980, Helen was introduced by a friend to her friend’s brother, Glen Niemeir, who had also lost his spouse.  Glen and Helen hit it off and were married on June 1, 1980, at which time Helen retired from her position with Santa Fe Trail Transport in Wichita and moved with her groom to his farm on the Kansas/Missouri state line northeast of Ft. Scott.  Helen was a long-time member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star (first in Fulton and then Ft. Scott). 
She loved to travel with her husband, Glen and their family in their Airstream travel trailer with the Wally Bryam Caravan Club throughout the US and Canada, traveling over the years to many of the lower forty-eight states and also Alaska. 
Helen is survived by her step-children; Glenda Lalman (Bill), Carol Ruble (Dan), Doug Niemeir (Diana), all of Ft. Scott and Gilbert Niemeir (Linda), of Camden, Arkansas.  She is also survived by ten step-grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, her husband Howard Dold in 1975, her husband, Glen Niemeir in 2010 and her son, Gaylord in January of 2018. 
Pastor Tom Mullins and Rhonda Headley will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, March 2 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. 
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice or West Liberty United Methodist Church and may be left in the 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.
Business, Fort Scott

Grand Opening For Quality Mechanics & Sound March 1

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Quality Mechanics & Sound, LLC. – Opening at 501 S. National.

Quality Mechanics & Sound, owned by Lisa Thurston, Alan Ornstein, and Erin Thurston will offer a variety of services such as vehicle repair and maintenance, installation of car audio systems, keyless entry, remote start, and auto detailing.

Their business also includes Midwest Interlock, ignition interlock, and home monitoring services.

All Chamber members and their guests are encouraged to attend.

The event will take place on Thursday, March 1 from 12 pm to 2 pm with the ribbon cutting starting at 12:15 pm.

Attendees will be invited to stay following the ceremony for a cookout and drawings and to learn more about the business and the services they to offer.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Riverfront Park Pavilion Nearly Ready For The Public

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Schenkel Construction workers constructed the pavilion at Riverfront Park starting in fall 2017. It is nearly complete.

Riverfront Park Pavilion is almost ready for public use.

“We have to plant grass and landscape,” Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority (FSBCRA), said.

The FSBCRA envisions the pavilion will be used for family gatherings or public concerts or meetings, according to  Witt.

There will be a grand opening this spring for the pavilion.

“We’re gearing towards a ribbon cutting following a Chamber of Commerce Coffee on May 17 at 8:45 a.m.,” Witt said.

“That evening at 6 p.m. there will be hot dogs, watermelon, and desserts,” he said. “Then a free country music concert at 6:30 p.m. Jason Richison, Kinley Rice and Rick Cook and the Seminole Band will be here.”

The $38,000 pavilion was funded by a matching grant where  80 percent was provided by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant, and the FSBCRA paying 20 percent through local fundraising, Witt said.

Schenkel Contracting, Fort Scott,  constructed the building purchased from Lester Building Systems of Minnesota, starting in early fall.

The 30 by 50 by 12-foot wooden frame, with commercial scissor trusses,  a steel roof and gable ends, has electricity and lights.

The pavilion is located east of the parking area just inside Riverfront Park in the Belltown Trail area, north of the Marmaton River.

The next project of the FSBCRA is an overlook structure, Witt said.

Members of Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority discuss updates on construction projects at Riverfront Park at the Carriage House in September. Clockwise from left: Danny Magee, Bob Love, Allen Warren, Jerry Witt and Jeff Sweetser. Not pictured are Betty Boyko, Dean Mann, Arnold Scholfield, Penny Barnes and Dave Martin and Brian Leaders, who are ex-officio members.

“We will be building an overlook at the convergence of  Mill Creek and the Marmaton River,” Witt said. “It will be a five-sided structure with some seating. It’s for educational and recreational purposes.”

Each side of the overlook will be 14 feet and it will be 24 feet across.

There will be a 40 foot American Disabilities Act compliant boardwalk leading to the overlook.

“The Westar Green Team is supplying the lumber and milling, the Riverfront Authority will supply labor,” Witt said.

Construction will begin in late spring or early summer, he said, with the contractor to yet be determined.

The FSBCRA is getting preliminary costs for possible lighting options in the park, Witt said.

In addition, the board is submitting a grant application for playground equipment, he said.

“It will be rustic logs and nature-type things for the kids,” Witt said.

The FSBCRA is regrouping for a historic bridge relocation to the park.

“We are looking at further grants,” Witt said. “We rejected the low bid because it was higher than the engineer thought it should be. The engineer thought it should $750,000, the low bid was $1.2 million, so we are starting over.”

The FSBCRA meets monthly.

For more information, contact Witt at 620-215-4817.

For a previous story on the FSBCRA, click here:

Riverfront Park Pavilion Work Has Begun

Riverfront Park Pavillion Coming Spring 2018

 

Obituary

Obituary of Joe Dean Hull

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Joe Dean Hull, age 73, a resident of Ft. Scott, died Saturday, February 24, 2018, at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on October 5, 1944, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of James Isaac Hull and Ruby Terrill Hull.

He married Myrtle Gaston on June 15, 1965, in Nevada, MO.

In his younger years he worked for Lawson’s Radiator and Judy’s Iron and Metal in Belltown, then a short time with Bruce Marble and Granite. He then began his career with Peerless Products, retiring after 47 years. He also owned and operated Joe’s Storm Door and Window for several years. Joe enjoyed raising cattle, each with their own name, and going to the sale barn.

He liked to hunt, fish, and camp, purchasing a camper recently. He bowled, and roller skated quite well. He loved spending time with his family. He taught each of the grandsons how to roller skate, much to their amazement. He found time to get one-on-one with each grandchild, teaching life lessons along the way.

Joe was a friend who never met a stranger. He was associated with the Lighthouse Tabernacle, Pittsburg, KS.

Survivors include his wife Myrtle of the home; a son Joe Hull, Jr. and wife Lisa, St. Louis, MO; a daughter, Debbie Moyer and husband Doug, Nevada, MO; five brothers, Robert Hull and wife Violet, Charles Hull and wife Leta, Earl Hull, Harold Hull and wife Naomi, and Leland Hull and wife Barbara, all of Ft. Scott; a sister, Beulah Adkins and husband Bob, Independence, MO; seven grandchildren, Joey and Beth, Joshua and wife Heather, Jacob and Kelley, Seth, Aaron and Jennifer, Curtis and Emily, and Berkley; five bonus grandchildren, Jordan and Dillon, Mikelah and Tristan, Charli, Tara and husband Nathan, and Chad and wife Tiffany; seven great grandchildren, Zoey, Carlee, Bentley, Carson, Curtis, Raylan, Violet Joe, and Kai on the way; eight bonus great grandchildren, Deklyn, Kaelin, Kinley, Bayler, Brooklyn, Chase, Brooklynn, and Ketrick; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Hull and Liz Mills; and his parents.

Pastor Daryl Gaddy will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Thursday, March 1, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in the 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.

Obituary

Obituary Of Madge Marie Cox

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Madge Carrie Cox, age 70, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 23, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott. 
She was born February 6, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Bill DeCoudres and Ruby Thompson DeCoudres.  Madge graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1966.  She married Douglas Cox on June 17, 1967, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Ft. Scott. 
She had been employed by Comstock Lumber Company until it closed.  She later began working for Ft. Scott Lumber Company from the time the company started until the time of her death.  She had been active with women’s ministries at the church and enjoyed organizing and decorating for parties and special events. 
Survivors include her husband, Doug, of the home; a son, Travis Cox and wife, Alisha, of Tahoma, Wisconsin; a daughter, Rachel French and husband, Daniel, of Ft. Scott; a daughter-in-law, Beth Cox of Independence, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Rebekah LaBlu and husband, Richard, Micha, Miriam, Ruth, Esther Sarah, Adina, Mariah Cox, Jason Cox and Grace and Sophia French; and two great-grandsons, Brian and Andrew LaBlu.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Brad Cox.
Private funeral services will be held Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the 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.
 
Obituary

Obituary Of Gerald “Nate” Beaman

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Gerald O. “Nate” Beaman, 93, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at A Country Place Senior Living in Fort Scott.

He was born August 7, 1924, in Uniontown, Kansas, the son of Ray and Ruth (Turner) Beaman. He married Mary Kathryn “Kay” Henson on January 11, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas, while attending Fort Scott Junior College, and they recently celebrated their 71st Wedding Anniversary, January of 2018.

Nate was a Hall of Fame Athlete, both at Fort Scott Junior College and Pittsburg State University, and he played semi-pro baseball as a catcher and outfielder after serving in the US Navy, a WWII Veteran. He was a coach, math teacher, and High School Principal for thirty years in Imperial Valley, California. When he retired, he and Kay moved back to the farm where he was born in Uniontown, Kansas.

He is survived by his wife Kay; four children, Jan Beaman, Curt Beaman, both of Uniontown, Kansas, Michael Beaman of Riverside, California, and Ty Beaman, of San Diego, California; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Ina Nicolini, Ethel Olsen, Lula Shull; and two brothers, Harold Beaman, and Curtis Beaman.

Rev. Connie McKee will conduct graveside services, 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2018, at the Uniontown Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon February 25, 2018, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Harry Hynes Hospice 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.

Bourbon County, Business

New Arby’s Coming To Fort Scott

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The old Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant will be remodeled to make way for a new Arby’s Restaurant.

U.S. Beef Corporation, Tulsa, OK has purchased the old Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant at 2101 S. Main to be transformed into an Arby’s Restaurant.

The restaurant is scheduled to be opened in late summer, 2018, according to Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Director.

U.S. Beef Corporation is a franchisee of Arby’s Restaurant.

They are currently searching for a manager for the restaurant.

Check out this link to apply:

http://www.usbeefcorp

Or view the City of Fort Scott Facebook page.

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Small Shopping Center Coming To South Horton Street

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The new apartment complex will be located on Huntington Street, to the east of the Horton Street parcel of land.

The old trailer park property that was on South Horton Street will see some revitalization in the future.

Tuesday the property at 1907 S. Horton, north of Community Christian Church, was rezoned.

“Along Horton, there will be a small shopping center service, a strip mall, for residents and (Fort Scott Community College) students,” Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director for the City of Fort Scott said.

Rhonda Dunn,  Community Development Director with the City of Fort Scott.

Along Huntington St. on the east side of the Horton parcel of land, there will be apartments or duplexes built, she said.

Patrick Wood and Jake Gross, with Two Dogs Barking Real Estate, are the owners of the property and have cleared it for development.

The business also owns Garrison Apartments at 1729 S. Horton and will be building similar apartments or duplexes at the site.

The Garrison Apartments on South Horton Street. The new complexes will be similar, according to Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn.

“They will be a higher end finish for young professionals,” Dunn said of the proposed apartments.

“The key is, it will not be mobile homes there,” Dunn said. “I keep strict regulations on mobile homes to make sure it’s the best quality we can get. The mobile homes in our town are ‘grandfathered in’. No one needs to worry I am going to get their mobile home.”

The house and outbuildings currently on the site will be sold and removed, she said.

The house and outbuildings to be removed. The small shopping center will be located here.
Bourbon County, Submitted

K-State Sheep Management Techniques March 3

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K-State Research and Extension will host events in February and March to help the region’s sheep producers learn more about management techniques.

“The upcoming meetings will range from basic knowledge and skill sets when working with sheep and goats, to health, cost of production, and working with technology,” said Alison Crane, the sheep specialist for K-State Research and Extension. “I believe it is important to not only feel comfortable with the basics of production of small ruminants but also to keep expanding one’s knowledge base to better both the sheep and goat industries.”

On March 3, the Southwind Extension District will host its spring sheep meeting at 3 p.m. in the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott.  Crane will discuss basic principles of raising sheep and goats, as well as introduce herself to this area of the state.

For more information about the event, contact Chris Petty at 620-223-3720 or [email protected]; or Jennifer Terrell at 620-244-3826 or [email protected].

The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research, and education.The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu.