The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
They can be reached at (620) 223-2380.
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Monthly Archives: July 2018
FSHS Thespians Benefit from International Thespian Festival
Nineteen Thespians from Fort Scott High School Troupe #7365 attended the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska June 25-July 1.
The students joined 4,500 others from around the world to experience a week of intensive theatre-related workshops and classes and attend top-notch student theatre performances. This year’s festival had over 700 workshops taught by Broadway professionals, university faculty and theatre educators and over 55 performances.
“Going to any sort of Thespian Festival, either state or international, I’ve connected with other people and shared the love of theatre with them. We’ve seen many beautifully done shows and enjoyed being there,” said senior Karina Kantilal.
Seniors Alyx Brooks and Hunter Adamson joined 650 other students in auditioning for college scholarships. Over sixty colleges gave out scholarships at the festival and both seniors were called back by numerous colleges.
In addition, Adamson, the FSHS Thespian President and a KS State Thespian Officer and FSHS Thespian Vice President and KS State Thespian Representative Mesa Jones, a junior, attended special leadership classes throughout the week.
“Getting to go to the leadership workshop helped open my eyes to ways of being a helping hand and all around better leader for my troupe. I met amazing young activists and feel as though I understand the positive influence theater is for young minds more. The trip was outstanding and I loved every second,” Adamson said.
FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin, FSHS English Teacher Mark Bergmann, and Thespian parent Amy Labbe were sponsors for the event.
“It is truly the most amazing experience. The incredible workshops are taught by successful industry professionals and are invaluable to students seeking careers in the biz. The shows are full of the most talented young people who are the future Broadway stars of our country. It was the best week of my year!” Labbe remarked.
Students worked throughout the school year to fundraise the $790 registration fee for the festival. Many were able to attend last year’s festival for free due to a Send a Troupe grant won by FSHS from the Educational Theatre Association and were determined to experience the festival again.
Junior Kaitlyn Hanks said, “I can’t wait to come back. International Thespian Festival is truly like a second home to me, it’s the happiest place on Earth for a bunch of Thespians, from the great people to the amazing teachers and extraordinary shows.”
Dr. Parris Retires
Dr. Roger Parris Retires from Mercy after 37 Years
The public is invited to a retirement reception for Roger Parris, M.D., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Mercy Hospital cafeteria.
Dr. Parris earned this medical degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Parris is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
In May, Dr. Parris was awarded the coveted 5-Star Award by ranking in PRC’s top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys. He is also a fabulous vocalist and has performed in many musicals.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
Obituary of Margaret Akin
Margaret A. Akin, age 76, a former resident of Bourbonnais, Illinois and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018, at the Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas.
She was born June 4, 1942, in Kankakee, Illinois, the daughter of Oswald T. Bourelle and Norma K. Bentrott Bourelle. She married Douglas Akin. Margaret had worked as a mental health tech at various hospitals in Illinois prior to her retirement in 1990.
She enjoyed fishing, woodcrafts, painting, gardening and attending her granddaughter, Kaitlyn’s many theater, and 4-H events.
Survivors include her daughter, Darla Hanks, and husband, Tony, of Redfield, Kansas, a son, Wade Herter, of Pasadena, California and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hanks, of Redfield, Kansas, Octavia Jackson, of Hopkins Park, Illinois and Shizzel Glenn, of Kankakee, Illinois. Also, surviving are her longtime friends the family of the late Bill & Sharon Bacon, Billy, Tresa, Patty and Chris Bacon, Jami Knautz, James Tennant and their families all of West Frankfort, Illinois; and a brother, William T. Bourelle, of Perryville, Missouri, and three nieces.
There was cremation.
A gathering for friends and family will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, July 22nd at the Commons Room of the Scott View Apartments, 315 Scott Ave, Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the Margaret Akin Memorial Fund and may be left in cthe are 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.
Mountain Bike Racing In Gunn Park
Although Kansas does not have mountains, it does have some pretty hills in Gunn Park that were used to test the skills of mountain bikers this past weekend.
The 5th Annual Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race and Kansas Mountain Bike Championship were completed in Gunn Park July 7-8.
Friday and Saturday evenings a night ride through the park was offered by organizers, Gunn Park Trails Volunteers, who work on maintaining the trails year- round.
Saturday morning two competitions took place: the Maramaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race and the Kansas Mountain Bike Championship. Racers won in their age divisions with the youngest race for children eight years old and younger, which took place in the evening.
Dinner was provided participants courtesy of Healthy Bourbon County Action Team through the Pathways To a Healthy Kansas Initiative and the food was provided by Sharkey’s Pub and Grub.
The trials riding demonstration Ryan Braxton and Ed Schilling entertained the attendees. Trials riding skills are bike handling skills developed over obstacles.
The skills demo was followed by a performance from Paul Fowler and Lezlee Herd of En Power and Light music group, with the background of Gunn Parks Second Lake.
Sunday morning following a church service, a ride for youth 15-18 years old was won by Fort Scottian Brian Griffin.
Winners of both the Marmaton Massacre Race and the Kansas Championship Race are shown in the gallery below:
Kid’s Race Winners – 8 and Under, from left: · 3rd Place – Easton Halsey – Fort Scott, KS, · 1st Place – Memphis Halsey – Frontenac, KS;· 2nd Place – Gavin Cramb – Wichita, KS.
Kid’s Race Winners – 9 – 10 Years Old, from left:· 3rd Place – Audrey Walker – Fort Scott, KS· 1st Place – Jacee Mattox – Moran, KS · 2nd Place – Lillian Jackson – Fort Scott, KS
Summer Considerations for Livestock Water
According to the University of Nebraska Extension Professor Bruce Anderson, while it may be uncomfortable [outside] for you and me, it is particularly hard on livestock out on pasture. To help them survive, much less thrive, under these conditions, they need plenty of good, clean water.
Not only do they need plenty of good, clean water – they need it close by. Once upon a time, it was common to make cattle walk a mile or more to water. And they’d do it.
But just think how hard it is on animals in this heat and humidity. Once they get to the water, the last thing they want to do is turn around and go all the way back to where they came from to graze. As a result, they do little grazing more than a half mile away from water.
In fact, research shows that when cattle need to travel more than 1000 feet to water, they spend less time grazing, they burn off pounds walking, and they graze distant areas incompletely.
So, how can you improve your water and grazing distribution?
More ponds, wells, windmills, and dugouts will help, but they can get expensive. Plus, they can only be placed in certain locations and can’t be moved.
So maybe a pipeline would be better. They can be put almost anywhere. And if you want to add more water locations, pipelines can be tapped into anywhere along the line. You might even qualify for cost-share dollars to help pay for the installation. Check with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more information. You also can leave your pipe on top of the ground, saving trenching costs, if you only need water during the growing season. Over time, water improvements pay for themselves with better grass and improved animal performance.
Contact your local Southwind Extension District office in Fort Scott, Erie, Iola, or Yates Center for more details. I am happy to visit with you about your livestock watering systems, and am available via e-mail at [email protected], by telephone at 620-223-3720, or for on-site farm visits.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 9
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
They can be reached at (620) 223-2380.
Click here, then click below to enlarge the image:
Bourbon County Commission Agenda July 10
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
2nd Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: July 10th, 2018
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
9:45-10:00-Ben Cole
10:00-10:15-Patty Love
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-Lora Holdridge-Staff in her office-Executive Session
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 Of John Foulk
John Dewane Foulk, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born October 5, 1934, Arcadia, Kansas, the son of John Foulk and Mae Swafford Foulk.
John graduated from the Bible Baptist Seminary in Arlington, Texas. He married Minnie Walker and the couple lived for many years in Reno, Nevada, where they owned and operated several wedding chapels. Following Minnie’s death, he married Addie Jeffrey on March 25, 2001, in Reno. They later moved to Ft. Scott. John was currently serving as pastor of the Brethren/New Beginnings Church.
John enjoyed visiting with people and loved to share the gospel message.
Survivors include his son, Matthew Foulk, of Ft. Scott and several step-children and step-grandchildren who he considered as his own. Also surviving are two brothers, Larry Foulk of Wichita, Kansas and Bradley Foulk, of Sun City, Arizona and a sister, Dianna Coates, of Mulberry, Kansas. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by a brother Donald O. Foulk.
Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Friday, July 13th at the Brethren/New Beginnings Church located at 1421 S. Margrave in Ft. Scott.
Following services, there will be cremation. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Brethren/New Beginnings 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.
Obituary Of Lloyd Howser
Lloyd L. Howser, age 75, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, July 5, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.
He was born December 4, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Charles N. Howser and Virginia Maxon Howser. Lloyd grew up in California. He later served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he was in charge of NCO Clubs. Following his military service, Lloyd worked for the Corp of Engineers in California for eighteen years where he served as park manager.
While in California, Lloyd served as a 4-H leader.
Following his retirement, he relocated to Ft. Scott where he worked for Mercy Hospital for over fifteen years. While at Mercy, Lloyd worked as a physical therapy tech and later a pharmacy tech. In addition to working at the hospital, Lloyd maintained his own farm and cattle operation.
Lloyd said he was happiest when he was on his tractor. Lloyd had served as President of the Ft. Scott Farm Bureau and was a past member of the First Christian Church of Ft. Scott.
Survivors include his wife, Judy, of the home; two sons, Charles Howser and Michael DelChiaro, both of Ft. Scott and five grandchildren, Nathan Howser and wife, Allison, Chase, Hayes and Brock Howser and Bella DelChiaro. Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Ann Dykstra and Jeannette Lovejoy. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Following cremation, a graveside service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, July 14th at the Lath Branch Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Thomas home, 2523 Locust Rd in Ft. Scott. Memorials are suggested to the of University of Kansas Cancer Research 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.
Airport Receives Two Grants To Update
In June, the Fort Scott City Commission approved a Kansas Department of Transportation grant in the amount of $109,600 for the Automated Weather Observation Station upgrades at the airport with the city match of $12,118.
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt, along with Fort Scott Airport Director Kenny Howard informed the commission that the city received this and another grant from K.D.O.T.
Howard stated that the A.W.O.S. upgrade is badly needed at the Airport as the current system is about 19 years old, according to the meeting minutes.
“The A.W.O.S. is the on-field reporter of weather, visibility, etc.,” Howard said.
The other grant received from K.D.O.T. is for lighting the runway, Howard said.
The PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicators) and REIL (Runway End Identifier Lights) Grant from KDOT is for runway lighting at the airport in the amount of $177,462. The city match for the grant is $19,718.
The commission discussed the airport 2,100-foot runway extension and how this lighting would be affected, according to the minutes.
Kenny stated that the grant can be delayed if the runway extension occurs within the next two years.
“We are waiting for more grant money for the extension,” Howard said.”The design for the runway extension is not completed yet.”
Pruitt stated that she is applying for another grant for the extension July.
Bourbon County In A Drought Watch
Governor Updates Drought Declarations in Kansas Counties
The Governor’s Drought Team examines continued drought conditions as summer temps climb.
Topeka – While there have been some recent rains, drought conditions for many areas of Kansas continue to worsen. Today Governor Jeff Colyer updated the Drought Declaration for Kansas counties with Executive Order 18-16 (attached). The update includes all 105 counties either in an emergency, warning or watch status. This order places nearly half of Kansas counties in an emergency drought status.
“Kansans need to know no matter where you live in the state, the drought is not over,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “I’ve heard many concerns from producers and have seen the conditions first hand. We appreciate our federal partners at the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts— when we asked them to identify additional sources of assistance they responded quickly to help producers address these extreme drought conditions.”
The updated drought declaration has 50 counties in emergency status, 27 in warning status while 28 counties are in watch status. This action was recommended by Tracy Streeter, Director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO) and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
“With reported livestock water shortages, low flows at some of our reservoirs and monthly outlooks favoring persistent drought we know it’s imperative to monitor conditions closely,” said Tracy Streeter. “Some areas of Kansas are behind more than 15 inches in moisture for the year and outlooks favor above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in July.”
Counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes due to the KWO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Wildlife (KDWPT). They also become eligible for water in some Federal reservoirs.
Individuals and communities need to contact KWO for a water supply request prior to any withdrawals from lakes. They will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permit to withdraw the water.
This Executive Order and any authorized upgrade shall remain in effect for those counties so identified until rescinded by Executive Order or superseded by a subsequent Executive Order revising the drought stage status of the affected counties. Effective immediately:
- Declare a Drought Emergency, Warning or Drought Watch for the counties identified below;
- Authorize and direct all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch or warning level-drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects the drought has on Kansans.
For more detailed information about current conditions, see the Kansas Climate Summary and Drought Report on the Kansas Water Office website at www.kwo.ks.gov.
County Drought Stage Declarations:
Drought Emergency: Barber, Barton, Butler, Chase, Clark, Clay, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Geary, Grant, Gray, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morris, Morton, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Wabaunsee
Drought Warning: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Brown, Chautauqua, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Ellis, Franklin, Greeley, Jackson, Jefferson, Lane, Leavenworth, Montgomery, Nemaha, Neosho, Ness, Rush, Russell, Scott, Trego, Wallace, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson
Drought Watch: Bourbon, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Cloud, Crawford, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Linn, Logan, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Washington, Wyandotte
Note to Editor: The Americans with Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. 12101), requires the Kansas Water Office to print the reasonable accommodations messages.
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As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.
The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management, and conservation.