Monthly Archives: February 2021

Obituary

Obituary of Carl “Butch” Avey

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Carl R. “Butch” Avey, age 75, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott. He was born August 21, 1945, in Pleasanton, Kansas, the son of Benjamin Harry Avey and Eva Nina Coberson Avey. In earlier years, he had worked for the Kansas Highway Department. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and walking around his neighborhood.

Survivors include his daughter, Carla Avey, of Ft. Scott and his sister, Goldie Strader, of Raymore, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Mae Boyd, Eva Kelly, Thelma Eves and Gladys Turner and a brother, Bennie Avey.

There was cremation. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Eureka Cemetery east of Pleasanton. Arrangements are under the direction 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.

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Great Backyard Bird Count at Fort Scott NHS 

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Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site and Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge will host a free guided bird walk Saturday, February 13, at the Fort from 10 am to noon for the Great Backyard Bird Count.

 

Join a Ranger on an easy, one-mile, two-hour birdwatching walk starting from the National Park Visitor Center. Rangers and participants will record all bird sightings and upload the data to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This walk is for birders of all skill levels and you don’t have to stay for the entire program to make a difference. Birders are encouraged to bring binoculars and warm, layered, clothing. A free Pocket Guide to Common Kansas Backyard Birds is available courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Since 1998, “The Backyard Bird Count has been an opportunity for citizen scientists around the world to contribute to the understanding of wild birds, their environment, and numbers,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to join us each month for additional bird walks and programs.” Watch for scheduled bird walks in the park throughout the year on Facebook or at the Fort Scott NHS Website www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count, contact Fort Scott National Historic Site by calling 620-223-0310. If you can’t make it to the program, but wish to participate in the bird count, find out more at the Great Backyard Bird Count’s ‘How to Participate’ page.

 

Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, more than 268,674 estimated participants identified 6,942 species of birds. You can make the difference this year. The results of these bird counts are available at www.birdcount.org.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo: A. Schauer

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

February 5, 2021

 

Vaccine Rollout Concerns

Senate Resolution (SR) 1707 calls on the Governor to change her phased rollout plan of the COVID-19 vaccines. It sends a strong message that convicted criminals should not be placed before other Kansans who need the vaccine.  It is misguided that the Governor has placed criminals such as the Carr brothers (convicted of horrific murders) at a higher priority than our parents and grandparents.  As with most legislation or resolutions, there are a couple of items that could have been left out – most notably the 10 frameable copies to the carrier of the Resolution.  The resolution passed on a bipartisan vote of 28 to 8. I voted Yes.a  A member of the minority party attempted to bring the presidential election into the debate but those efforts were thwarted because it was not germane to the resolution.

 

Energy Choice

Senate Bill (SB) 24 would create the Kansas Energy Choice Act restricting governments from blocking the use of natural gas for utilities.  In California a city government attempted to stop the use of natural gas for utilities.  Because of this, some thought it was important to make clear that will not happen in Kansas.  The bill passed 28 to 10.  I voted Yes.

 

Economic Recovery

SB 15 is another attempt to pass legislation the Governor vetoed last year.  The bill would allow the State Treasurer to administer a loan program to small businesses via local banks using unencumbered state funds.  The program would be capped at $60 million.  The bill would also reduce restrictions on credit unions allowing them to increase their membership.  Lastly, the bill would provide a tax deduction for agriculture land and real estate purchases similar to what credit unions have.  It’s an attempt to level the playing field.  The tax advantage that credit unions enjoy is a federal tax break and because we cannot change federal law, this bill was introduced.  The bill provides a state tax deduction to Kansas banks  and savings and loans that is similar to the tax break enjoyed by some credit unions on agriculture land purchases.  SB 15 passed 39 to 0.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Offices Closed Feb. 15

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The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th, 2021 in observance of the President’s Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021.

The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, February 13th, 2021 for the President’s Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Obituary

Obituary of Martha V. Faulhaber

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Martha Virginia Faulhaber, age 90, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 5, 2021, at her home at the Presbyterian Village.  She was born January 11, 1931, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of John L. Babbitt and Edna E. Swank Babbitt.  Martha married William Faulhaber on April 25, 1947, at Fulton, Kansas.  Bill and Martha maintained their own farm in the Mapleton area for many years prior to retiring to Ft. Scott.  They enjoyed traveling and had been members of the Old Forters Camping Club.

 

Survivors include a son, David Faulhaber, of Mapleton, Kansas; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is a son-in-law, David Wilkins, of Bronson, Kansas.  Martha’s husband, Bill, preceded her in death on April 16, 2016.  She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Janice Lutz and Joyce Wilkins and two sisters, Marjorie Babbitt and Elizabeth Ramsey.

 

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, February 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the St. Michael’s Cemetery west of Fulton.  Memorials are suggested to 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.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Visitor Guides Ad Sales Offered

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Advertising Sales
Begin for the Fort Scott Area
2021 Community & Visitor Guide,
Chamber Membership Directory
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Click here to view the most recent guide for your reference.
Click here for a printable
copy of the letter shown below.
Click here for the advertising rate card.
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This guide is being published in
partnership of the Chamber and
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Distribution will include:
Every Chamber member.
Relocation & informational inquiries.
Mailing to visitor requests.
Mailing to Group & Convention planners.
Festival & trade show booths.
Realtors.
Employers for employee recruitment.
Area hotels.
Select retail & business locations in the area.
Linked digitally on fortscott.com, and you
may link to your website & email signature as well!
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The digital edition will be linked to the homepage of our website
year-round & emailed out 4x a year to members!
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Fort Scott

Alene Jolly Retires After 40 Years at Tri-Valley

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Tri-Valley Developmental Services is located at 4305 Campbell Drive in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.

Alene Jolly is retiring from Tri-Valley Developmental Services after 40 years. Her last day is Friday, Feb. 12.

 

Alene Jolly. Submitted photo.

Through those years Jolly has done transportation of clients, worked at the service center, was a case manager, worked at residential services, and most currently, the program director in Fort Scott.

 

She has tried to provide individuals that receive services involvement in the community, “to add value to their lives and provide services, too.”

 

Tri-Valley empowers people with disabilities to realize their potential as full citizens in the community, by supporting them in working and living in the place they call home, according to the company’s website.

 

Currently, Tri-Valley in Fort Scott has close to 40 employees and 30 individuals they provide services to.

 

For Jolly, the best part of the job was seeing the individuals that she worked with having joy when they accomplished a task.

 

“It puts warm fuzzies in your heart,” she said.

 

Tri-Valley opened in 1975 and Jolly has been with the company since 1980.  Through the years she has seen people’s attitudes change towards developmentally disabled in the community, she said.

 

“There is more acceptance, especially of the individuals having jobs in the community,” Jolly said.

 

Mary Davis, a former co-worker of 25 years, said of Jolly, “She is a very capable, intelligent, dedicated person. She can do about anything that needs doing.”

 

Jolly thinks it is time to start a new chapter in her life.

 

“I’m going to do a little this, a little that,” she said. “Travel, crafts, gardening…things I have put on the back burner.”

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Special Meeting Feb. 11

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to consider approval of waterline material bids and consideration of Change Order #1 for the Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Video Inspection Services.

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness and KDHE Announce Four New Council Members

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Editors note: Local resident, Jody Hoener, serves on this council.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness and Kansas Department of Health and Environment are pleased to announce the appointment of four new board members, Callie Dyer, Travis Rickford, Becky Tuttle and Judy Works for a three-year term starting in 2021.

“We welcome our newest members to the Council and are excited to have them join this dedicated team of leaders who are committed to improving health in Kansas,” said Miranda Steele, Council Chair. “The Council’s mission is to encourage increased physical activity, nutrition and tobacco use prevention, and we carry out this work through advisement and awareness activities in partnership with governments, businesses, schools and others to promote healthy lifestyles.”

Callie Dyer

Callie Dyer is the Executive Director of the Finney County Community Health Coalition, Inc. Dyer was recently elected to the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition Board of Director’s. She serves as an Advisory Council member for the Social Emotional Learning Council and the Wellness Committee for USD 457. Dyer is active in WorkWell Kansas and works with local employers to get involved and practice WorkWell Kansas wellness plans.

Travis Rickford

Travis Rickford is the Executive Director of LiveWell Northwest Kansas where he creates, manages and leads initiatives to address issues related to health and early childhood development for 15 counties in Northwest Kansas. During the past 14 years, Rickford has worked with urban, rural and frontier counties, communities and neighborhoods to identify and implement initiatives that improve the quality of life. He was an active participant in the healthy communities movement in Kansas and has worked extensively with community stakeholders to build an infrastructure that supported opportunities to be physically active, have access to fresh produce and live in tobacco-free environments.

Becky Tuttle

Becky Tuttle serves as the District II City of Wichita Council Member. She has more than 25 years of professional experience engaging community partners through grassroots local coalition efforts focusing on tobacco, physical activity, healthy eating, oral health, fetal infant mortality and worksite wellness. Most Tuttle’s experience has focused on policy and environmental changes to improve the health of communities. Tuttle has a passion for promoting physical activity and good nutrition for every generation to come.

Judy Works

Judy Works is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at KS HealthWorks, PA in Iola. Throughout her professional career she has always promoted healthy lifestyles with individual patients. Five years ago, she started the Monarch HealthWorks program that strives to implement change to promote a healthy workplace environment and improve workplace wellness. Works received the Governor’s Council on Fitness 2019 Organizational Kansas Health Champion Award for exceptional efforts to model, promote and encourage health and fitness in the workplace.

The 2021 Council members are: Chair, Miranda Steele, MPA, MHSA; Vice Chair, Christi Smith, MBA, of Family Preservation for Kansas City; Amy Penrod of Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; Brandon Skidmore of Sunflower Foundation; Candice McField of Candice McField Fitness; Erik Sartorius, of League of Kansas Municipalities; Jeff A. Usher, of Kansas Health Foundation; Jennifer Bruning, of Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs; Jody Hoener of Bourbon County; Joyce Ellis, PhD, of Fort Hays State University; Kat Wurzer of GetFIT, Inc; Katie Schoenhoff, of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund; Secretary Lee Norman, MD, of Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Mark Thompson, PhD, of Kansas Department of Education; Mary Tritsch, of AARP Kansas; Matt Messina, of Kansas Department of Transportation; Wyatt Thompson, PLA, ASLA, CPSI, of Manhattan Parks and Recreation.

About the Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness

The purpose of the Governor’s Council on Fitness is to advise the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices, prevention of tobacco use and to promote the improvement of the health of Kansans through the following:

  • Encourage the exchange of information about physical activity, healthy diets and tobacco use prevention and cessation.
  • Create private and public sector support for physical activity, good nutrition and tobacco use prevention.
  • Manage a statewide awards program to recognize communities and organizations demonstrating significant support for physical activity, good nutrition and tobacco use prevention.

To learn more about Kansas Governor’s Council on fitness visit www.kansasfitness.org/ and like Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness on Facebook www.facebook.com/GetActiveKansas/.

Bourbon County, Schools, Sports

UHS BASKETBALL GAME 13 RESULTS vs. Oswego 2/5/21

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Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

Both Uniontown Eagles Varsity teams won their games against the Oswego Indians on Friday night.

The Lady Eagles won their game 62-31. Danielle Howard once more led the team in points, garnering 27 during the game. She also had 4 assists and 8 steals. Karleigh Schoenberger followed with 22 points and 4 steals. Gwenyth Fry had 6 rebounds, and Sammie Hampton had 3 steals.

“It was a nice win on the road tonight,” said Coach Miller. “We plan on carrying this momentum into next week, where we will play three league games. We will enjoy the win for the evening and get back to work on Monday for a road trip to Marmaton Valley.”

The boys’ Varsity team also defeated Oswego with a score of 62-34. Jake Harvey led with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Clay Sutterby followed with 11 points, 9 boards, and 5 assists. Cade Goodridge scored 10 points, and Dawson Dreisbach had 7 rebounds.

“I thought our team played very well against Oswego Friday night,” Coach Hays said. “We were able to get good looks against their zone, and defensively, we were very active. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from deep and the free throw line, but we did score 42 points in the paint. We out-rebounded them 36-20. When you win the battle in the paint, more often than not you will come out on top. I’m proud of the boys and how we are progressing.”

-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter