Monthly Archives: January 2019

Obituary

Obituary for Kenneth Dean Oakleaf

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Kenneth Dean Oakleaf

Kenneth Dean Oakleaf, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Country Place Senior Living in Ft. Scott.

He was born September 2, 1937, in Red Oak, Iowa, the son of Reuben Oakleaf and Nadine Fort Oakleaf. After graduating high school, Kenneth joined the United States Air Force. He served with the 551st Airborne stationed at Otis Air Force base on Cape Cod. While in the Air Force, he worked in electronics maintenance which was used to patrol the entire east cost of the United States.

He married Carol Ann Horner on October 19, 1958, in Red Oak. They returned to Massachusetts and stayed there until Kenny was discharged from the Air Force in 1960 with the rank of Airman First Class.

Because of the skills he learned in the military, once he was discharged, he immediately began a career with A. T. & T. In 1967, because of his work, Ken and Carol moved from Iowa to Overland Park, Kansas. When he retired in 1989, he had been serving as a project manager for the installation of underground fiberoptic cable. In addition to working for A. T. & T., Ken also worked out of his home where he repaired televisions and other electronics.

Ken and Carol moved to Ft. Scott in 2015 to be near family. In earlier years, he enjoyed woodworking and fishing. He was a member of the Community Covenant Church of Lenexa, Kansas.


Survivors include his wife, Carol, of the home; and three children, Lori Lovelace and her husband, Leroy Walker, and Daniel L. Oakleaf and his wife, Coree Oakleaf, all of Ft. Scott and K. Douglas Oakleaf and his wife, Nina Harrison-Oakleaf, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren, Aaron, Kendal, Kara, Cadee, Joseph, Harold, Douglas and Tori and four great-grandchildren, Karlee, Luna, Caleb and Neilha. Also surviving are a brother, David Oakleaf, of Red Oak, Iowa and two sisters, Barbara Hamernik, of Topeka, Kansas and Linda Oakleaf, also of Red Oak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Duane, Melvin and Darryl Oakleaf and a sister, Glennis Carlson.


Pastor Trevor Jacobs will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 24th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to KVCY Broadcasting or the Hammond United Methodist Church 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.

Obituary

Obituary of Shirley Louise Forgey

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Shirley Louise Forgey, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away early Friday morning, January 18, 2019, at her home.

She was born October 20, 1931, in Springfield, Missouri the daughter of Virgil Floyd and Ruth Hallie (Buck) White. She married Varrell L. Forgey, December 30, 1950, in Benton, Arkansas, and he survives of the home.

Mrs. Forgey is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Scott.

In addition to her husband, Varrell, she is survived by a daughter, Melinda Sedelmeyer and husband, Rob of Medina, Ohio, a son, Virgil Forgey of Payson, Arizona, a brother, Robert White of Iola, Kansas, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Thomas White.

Rev. Steve Cole will officiate funeral services at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time, Wednesday at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, and they may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Business, Entertainment

Trivia Night at Brewhaus Jan. 26

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Trivia Night Fundraiser, hosted by Smallville Crossfit
Join us at Boiler Room Brewhaus for a night of Trivia Fun!!
Join Smallville Crossfit this Saturday, Jan. 26th at 6 pm at the Boiler Room Brewhaus,
10 S. National Ave. in Fort Scott.
We are raising money for our “Dancing With Our Stars 2019” charity performance. Our charity is Fort Scott High School Clothes Closet and Food Pantry.
If you’re a fan of “FRIENDS” or “THE OFFICE”, then this night is for you. Get your team of
4-6 people together ($50/per team at the door) for a night of trivia fun. Even if you aren’t a trivia buff, you can still have some fun, and donate to our cause! You can bring your own snacks or order in to be delivered to the brewhaus. Family environment, kids welcome. Must be 21 to drink.
Contact Lindsay Watts at 620-719-9602 for more info.
Business, Fort Scott

Stutesman’s Realty presents Five Open Homes for Viewing Jan. 26

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Winter Blast Tour 2019
Stutesman’s Realty presents 5 Open Homesfor Viewing
Stutesman’s Action Realty presents:
Winter Blast Tour, Saturday, January 26th from 12:30pm – 2:30pm:
Please stop by these 5 beautiful homes and enjoy refreshments as you tour these homes and bring an item to donate for the Fort Scott High School Clothes Closet and Pantry.
Open Home Addresses:
  • 1005 S. Burke
  • 11 Golfview
  • 1315 Marblecrest Dr.
  • 502 Fairway
  • 863 195th St.
For more information, contact Stutesman’s Action Realty at (833) 286-8400 or visit their website by clicking here.
Government, Kansas

Newsletter from State Senator Hilderbrand

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

January 18, 2019∙ Week One

HARD FACTS:

The Kansas Constitution, including the Ordinance, Preamble, and Bill of Rights, is available to print in a pocket-sized version from the State Library’s website https://kslib.info/constitution. Just click on the link and follow the instructions. A helpful diagram shows how to fold and where to cut to assemble your pocket-sized constitution. Tip: print double sided and check “flip on the long edge”. A long reach stapler is helpful, but not necessary. There is also a larger sized booklet version. Need help? https://kslib.info/Ask

FLOOR ACTION

Thursday the Senate voted to confirm 17 governor nominated appointments and 2 attorney general nominated appointments.

NEW APPOINTMENTS:

Bowser, Steven – Member, Pool Money Investment Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Fertig, Sarah– Medicaid Inspector General

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Hutton, Mark – Regent, State Board of Regents

Confirmed on a vote of 39-0

Schmidt, Allen – Regent, State Board of Regents

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Samaniego, Richard– Crime Victims Compensation Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Norris, Eric– State Librarian

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Thomas, Donna Dr. – Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Copeland, Michael – Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

REAPPOINTMENTS:

Dillon, David– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Feurborn, William– Regent, State Board of Regents

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Graves, Gregory– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Lair, Casey– Member, Kansas State Banking Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Macke, Carroll– Member, State Civil Service Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Melugin, Raymond– Member, State Civil Service Board,

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Neuman, Jack– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Schorn, Harold – Member, Kansas Human Rights Commission

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Waller Ryan– Member, Employment Security Board of Review

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Wright, Jerel– Administrator, Department of Credit Unions

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Wynn, Deryl– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

GOVERNOR KELLY’S INAUGURATION

On Monday, January 14th, Laura Kelly was sworn in as the 48th Governor of the State of Kansas. Governor Kelly enters the Governor’s office after serving 14 years in the Kansas Senate, representing Topeka.

The following state officials were also sworn into office on Monday:

Lynn Rogers, Lieutenant Governor

Derek Schmidt, Attorney General

Scott Schwab, Secretary of State

Vicki Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner

Jake LaTurner, State Treasurer

NEW SENATORS

The Kansas Senate had four new faces Monday. Kevin Braun (R-Kansas City) replaces Steve Fitzgerald after he resigned from the Senate in September. Vic Miller (D-Topeka) took Laura Kelly’s seat in the Senate. Eric Rucker (R-Topeka) took Vicki Schmidt’s seat in the Senate as she is now Insurance Commissioner. Mary Ware (D-Wichita) was chosen to replace Lynn Rogers in the Senate.

Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) was also sworn in after winning his special election in November.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her first State of the State address. The governor laid out her agenda as she began her first term as governor. Some of her main agenda items include, more money to public education, increased funding to hire more social workers for DCF, and Medicaid expansion.

During her address, Kelly explained she would be proposing a one-year budget with a separate proposal for a two-year education plan.

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

Thursday morning, Governor Kelly presented her one-year budget proposal. The $18.4 billion spending plan would be the largest budget in Kansas history, with total spending rising $1.2 billion, or 7.2%.

Kelly’s proposal includes increased spending for areas such as K-12 education, DCF, and Medicaid expansion. Many lawmakers question the number Kelly presented for the cost of expanding Medicaid as many predict it to be well over the budget proposal’s estimate.

Below are some highlights from the governor’s budget proposal:

Kansas K-12 Education Finance

Governor Kelly recommended a $92 million inflation adjustment to state aid for K-12 public schools. This would be a phase in of $364 million over four years. With this increase, the state’s education funding would increase 5.5 percent during the next budget year, to nearly $4.4 billion.

Department for Children and Families

The budget proposed a 14 percent increase in spending on foster care programs. Governor Kelly’s agenda includes the hiring of 55 additional social workers. This would increase the department’s budget 8.7 percent, to $727 million.

Medicaid Expansion

Kelly’s budget included $14 million to initiate Medicaid expansion in Kansas. She explained that an expansion plan would be submitted to the Legislature by the end of the month.

State Employee Salary Increase

The budget provided $22 million for a 2.5 percent salary increase for state employees, excluding the judicial system and legislative branch. An additional $3 million was earmarked to increase wages for officers of the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas Board of Regents

The budget proposal would complete restoration of a 4 percent, or $30 million, cut in 2017 from the Board of Regents. Most of the money was previously restored to universities, but Kelly offered the final $8.9 million to be recovered. This restoration does not include previous cuts from 2008.

Re-amortization of KPERS

Kelly’s budget was built around the re-amortization of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System which essentially refinances the remaining $8.9 billion debt over 30 years. This is meant to provide $160 million in “short-term savings” but will extend the system’s debt until the year 2049. Larry Campbell, Governor Kelly’s budget director, said the debt would become an additional cost of about $7 billion.

Senate Leadership including, President Wagle, Vice President Longbine, Majority Leader Denning, Assistant Majority Leader Petersen, and Majority Whip Bowers, issued the following statement in response:

“Governor Kelly’s budget is simply taking a different path that inevitably spends us right back into the red. She is willing to fund her irresponsible spending agenda at the expense of our Kansas retirees while placing an additional $7 billion burden on our future generations.”

Transfers of Kansas Department of Transportation

$238 million would continue to be drawn annually from KDOT to finance basic government.

NEXT WEEK

Monday –

  • The Legislature will be closed on Monday, January 21st to observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday –

  • Hearing on: SB 9, authorizing the transfer of $115,000,000 from the state general fund to the Kansas public employees retirement fund during fiscal year 2019 – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 22 at 10:30 am]

Wednesday –

  • Presentation on: Kansas Department of Revenue, David N. Harper, Director – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 23rd at 8:30 am]
  • Briefing on: Mental Health Task Force Report and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 23rd at 10:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Cost of Special Education Funding, LPA – [Senate Education Committee; January 23rd at 1:30 pm]
  • Response to KCC Rate Study, Chuck Caisley, SVP, Marketing and Public Affairs for Evergy – [Senate Utilities Committee; January 23rd at 1:30 pm]

Thursday –

  • Presentation on: Kansas State University programs by Interim Dean/Director Ernie Milton – [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; January 24th at 8:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Kansas Highway Patrol, Colonel Mark Bruce, Superintendent – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 24th at 8:30 am]
  • Informational briefing: Local Impact of Federal Farm Bill, Department of Agriculture – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 24th at 10:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Mental Health Awareness: KS School Counselor Association, KS School Psychologist Association, KS School Social Worker Association – [Senate Education Committee; January 24th at 1:30 pm]

2019 SESSION DATES AND DEADLINES

Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines for the 2019 legislative session. As always, each is subject to modification and leadership will keep you updated on any changes which might occur.

Monday, January 21 Martin Luther King Day – No Session
Monday, February 4 Last day for members to request bill drafts
Monday, February 11 Last day for non-exempt committees to request bill drafts
Wednesday, February 13 Last day for bill introductions by members
Friday, February 15 Last day for non-exempt committee bill introduction
Monday, February 25 Last day for AM/PM committees to meet
Tuesday, February 26 On floor all day
Wednesday, February 27 On floor all day
Thursday, February 28 Turnaround Day, last day for non-exempt bills in house of origin
March 1-5 No session
Friday, March 22 Last day for non-exempt committee consideration
March 25-26 On floor all day
Wednesday, March 27 On floor all day; Last day to consider non-exempt bills not in originating chamber
March 28-31 No Session
Friday, April 5 Drop dead day; first adjournment
Wednesday, May 1 Veto Session begins
Friday, May 17 Day 90

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Dancing With Our Stars Feb. 9

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9th Annual Dancing With Our Stars 2019 – Totally 80’s Edition
Tickets on Sale Now!!
Save the Date for Rotary’s
2019 Dancing With Our Stars ~
TOTALLY 80’S EDITION!
Join us on Saturday, February 9th at 7pm for the
9th Annual Event, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St.
Dancing entries of 2-9 participants each (couples, trios, teams, etc.) select a song of their choice to reflect the 80’s theme, select a charity they wish to dance for, and compete by raising the most dollars for their charity prior to the event and during intermission of the event when attendees vote for their favorite dance entry by voting with their dollars. The winning team will take home a trophy and a cash prize for their charity of choice. Additional awards include most entertaining and best technical performance.
Tickets are $15 for VIP seats and $10 for General Admission. All seats are reserved. Purchase your tickets now at the Chamber of Commerce,
231 E. Wall St.
For more information, contact Janet Braun at
(620) 224-6856 or email: [email protected]
Fort Scott, Health Care

Fort Scott’s Cancer Center to Close Jan. 31

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Cancer Center of Kansas, located in Mercy Hospital Clinic, Jan. 21..

In connection with the closure of Mercy Hospital at the end of 2018, the Cancer Center of Kansas, which was located in the hospital clinic is closing.

The last day of operation for the center in Fort Scott is Jan. 31.

The center is offering the same service in Chanute and Parsons for its patients, said Dr. Yoosaf Abraham, Chief Operating Officer for Cancer Center of Kansas, Wichita.

The reason for the closure?

“We can not provide services to our patients, without ancillary services,” Abraham said.

Services such as  a labratory and surgeons are no longer available at Fort Scott, Abraham said.

Dr. Phu Truong and Dr. Nassim Nbbout, the current doctors in the Fort Scott Cancer Center of Kansas, can be seen at the Chanute and Parsons Cancer Center of Kansas facilities, he said.

The two nurses currently employed at the Cancer Center in Fort Scott are employees of Mercy Hospital, Abraham said.

“This will affect many in our community,” said Karen Endicott-Coyan. ” I currently take weekly chemo treatments at the center…this is extremely disheartening. I take chemo weekly with no end in sight, as there is no cure for my disease.”

 

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Young Adult Fantasy Author to Speak at FSHS and Hedgehog.INK

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ELANA MUGDAN, FIVE-STAR INDIE AUTHOR, TO APPEAR AT

FORT SCOTT’S NEW BOOKSTORE, HEDGEHOG.INK

~ BOOK SIGNING and AUTHOR TALK ~

ELANA A. MUGDAN’s debut novel, DRAGON SPEAKER, was released in North America on October 15, 2018.

At 4:00 PM on Friday, January 25, 2019 Ms. Mugdan will appear at Fort Scott’s new bookstore, Hedgehog.INK, at 16 S. Main Street. She will be hosting an Author Talk with a Q&A session, and signing copies of her book.

Dragon Speaker is the first in a cycle of five novels in Mugdan’s Shadow War Saga. The series is in the popular Young Adult Fantasy genre. After having been published in 2016 by Pen Works Media in England, the book was accepted as an outstanding independent work by DartFrog Books, a leading sponsor of indie authors and booksellers.

Dragon Speaker is one of a select group of novels placed in 50 brick-and-mortar stores across the nation that have partnered with DartFrog Books to showcase and promote exceptional talent. Chanticleer Book Reviews raves: “High fantasy that hits all the marks … fantasy — adventure — coming of age. It’s all here in Elana Mugdan’s Dragon Speaker!” Reader’s Favorite adds: “A fresh premise to the classic dragon theme.”

Everyone knows this story: an unlikely young hero is chosen by divine providence to save the world from a terrible evil. Except Keriya Nameless is crippled, without the power to wield magic in a world where everyone else can. The god who chose her is a mysterious dragon with a knack for exploiting loopholes in the rules of the Allentrian universe. Oh — and that terrible evil the world needs to be saved from? Maybe it’s not quite as evil as everyone says.

Mugdan is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. In 2010 she wrote, directed, and produced her first professional feature-length film, Director’s Cut. It was an official selection at fourteen film festivals in the U.S. and abroad, earning widespread acclaim and winning major awards at four of them, including the Indie Spirit Special Recognition Award at the prestigious Boston International Film Festival in April, 2011. The picture received distribution by Digital Magic Entertainment in 2012 under the title Let’s Make a Movie.

Mugdan is a New York City native who lives a quiet but eccentric life with her pet snake, Medusa. She brings an authentic air to her book signing events and readings by appearing in full Allentrian costume, and encourages attendees to come dressed in their own favorite costumes as well.

Earlier the same day, Mugdan will be speaking to students at Fort Scott High School. She will talk about writing as a career, and discussing today’s publishing industry. She will describe the challenges and rewards of a creative life.

Obituary

Obituary for Lelah Marie Burgess

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Lelah Marie Burgess

Lelah Marie Burgess, age 83, a former resident of Neosho, Missouri and Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Pittsburg Health & Rehab Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She graduated from the Girard High School. While in high school where she was involved with the band and Glee Club. Lelah first married Donald Beck. They were divorced. She later married Melvin Burgess.

In earlier years, she did clerical work in the insurance industry. She later worked as a CNA and as a CMA for area nursing homes. She enjoyed going to estate sales and antique shopping as well as spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Bruce Beck and wife, Chizuru of Hanford, California and her daughter, Dawn Marie Morries and fiancée, Richard Wiltberg, of Carl Junction, Missouri; five grandchildren, Vincent, Jay, Sarah, Krystal and Heather and thirteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Anna Louise Martinson from the State of Nevada.

Her first husband, Donald Beck, passed away in 1995. Her second husband, Melvin Burgess, passed away in 2008. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Earline Foy and a brother, Melvin Endicott.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to either the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude’s Hospital 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.

 

Bourbon County

Learn How to Navigate A Smartphone or Tablet

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Senior Cyber Café

Learn to use your tablet, smartphone

 It’s time to turn the table and stop asking your children or grandchildren for help with your tablet or smartphone. Learn how to navigate your device at a free event at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.

Your children and grandchildren will be coming to you for assistance after this seminar! We’ll cover the basics, like sending emails, downloading attachments, sharing photos and searching Google. We’ll also address some advanced topics, like how to use maps and which apps to download to make your life easier.

“Senior Cyber Café – Navigating Smartphones and Tablets” will begin at 2:30 p.m. January 31 at Ft. Scott Village at 2401 S Horton St. The talk is part of Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask series, a free, ongoing lifelong learning program featuring information from local, regional and national experts on topics of interest to older adults and their families.

Space is limited. RSVP by January 30 to Becky Kellum by calling 620-223-5550 or emailing [email protected].

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has served Bourbon County since 1994 with independent and assisted living. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with 18 locations in Missouri and Kansas. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Opinion

Obituary of Cleta Irene Mayfield

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Cleta Irene Mayfield, age 66, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, January 19, 2019, at her home.

She was born September 2, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Bill and Cleta Norbury Mayfield. Cleta worked as an LPN for Mercy Hospital, Newman Young Clinic, and Dr. McKenna’s office. She loved nursing and caring for people. She later worked as a para-educator for Winfield Scott and Fort Scott Middle School.

Cleta enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, birdwatching and her Diet Coke. Later in life, she did more cooking and baking. If you were a guest in her home, you never left hungry or thirsty. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids who call her “Gigi”.

Survivors include a daughter, Sarah Dell’Antonia Ersland and husband Jake, Lenexa, KS; two grandchildren, Isaac and Faith Ersland; a son Chuck Dell’Antonia and wife Jessica, Pittsburg, KS; a sister, Mary Cullor and husband Jim, Woodland, CA; a brother, Jay Mayfield and wife Mauritta, Richards, MO; a sister-in-law, Shirley Mayfield, Mound City, KS; and her best friend, John Mowrey, Ft. Scott.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, William “Bill” Mayfield and Leroy “Punk” Mayfield; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in Woods Cemetery, Redfield, KS.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Cleta Mayfield Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.