Monthly Archives: July 2021

Obituary

Obituary of Charles Bolling

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Charles Edward Bolling, age 75, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Medicalodge in Frontenac, Kansas.   He was born July 23, 1945, in Ft. Scott, the son of Byron Francis Bolling and Lucille Julia Judy Bolling.

He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1963 and went on to attend Pittsburg State University.

He worked for the Ft. Scott Tribune as a press operator for over sixty years.  Following his time at the Tribune, he worked for a few years at Valu Merchandisers.

Charles enjoyed spending time outdoors and tending to his garden.  He enjoyed baseball and basketball.  Charles valued his relationship with God and spent many hours reading Bible.

Survivors include his twin sister, Charlene Sipe and her husband, Roger, of Ft. Scott, a nephew, Ryan Bolling and three nieces, Melanie Alvares, Kristy Beshore and Leigh Ann Martin.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Gary, LeRoy and Lawrence Bolling and a sister, Doris Linville.

 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 12th at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Monday prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M.

Memorials are suggested to the First 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 Patricia Johnson

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Patricia Ann Johnson

Patricia Ann Johnson, age 85, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at her home. She was born June 29, 1936, in Eldorado, KS, the daughter of Clayton and Leona Clark Day. Patricia worked as a CMA for Mercy Hospital on Burke St. as well as Medicalodge and Ft. Scott Manor. She married Kenneth Johnson in March of 1982 in Miami, OK. In her younger years, she enjoyed fishing, crocheting, playing aggravation with Kenny, and visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband Kenny of the home; 3 daughters, Teresa Stewart (John) Moran, KS, Tamaca Houk (Clay Price) Moran, KS, and Alisha Raines, Ft. Scott; a son, Tommy Tucker, Ft. Scott; 12 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Debra Lowry, and Donna Kay Long; 2 sisters, Betty Hill, and Donna Leech; and her parents.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, July 9th, in the Deerfield Cemetery, Deerfield, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Bourbon County, Schools

Jim Lambert Returns As Principal of Uniontown Junior/Senior High

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Jim Lambert. Submitted photo.
Jim Lambert, 75, is the new U.S.D. 235 Prinicipal for the junior high and senior high. He starts August 1.
He replaces Mike Reith, who resigned.
Lambert has been in public education for 54 years, 12 years as a teacher, 36 as an administrator, and six as a substitute teacher.
He worked 16 years in Bourbon County as an administrator, six in USD 234 from 1979-85 and  10 in USD 235 from1985-95; as the high school principal/superintendent.
Lambert earned a  bachelor of science in history from McPherson College and  MEd in Education Administration from Wichita State University.
His hometown is Inman, KS.

He is married to Phyllis and has four children and eight grandchildren.

Outside of his career, he likes to read on a variety of topics, travel trailer camp, yard work, church activities, and is a “military history nut,” he said.

He became an educator because of a lifelong need to learn “stuff” and a love of history, he said.

Several people inspired him in his career.
“Two college professors focused me on what an understanding of history does for society; two colleagues in my early years in teaching
taught me how to work effectively with teenagers,” he said. “Fred Campbell, Dale Hammons, and Dick Hedges, in their leadership roles in USD 234, taught me how to balance all the demands on an administrator and strive for fairness in all decisions.”
The best part of being an educator?
“That’s easy!” he said. “Working with students and teachers on a daily basis. There is an energy in grades 7-12 that causes me to enjoy every day regardless of what has happened. Students want to know their administrators care for them as people and I try to bring that to every interaction.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“Helping students understand how focusing on school activities and work will make them successful as adults,” he said. “Young people don’t always understand that learning to show respect, working hard, following rules for the good of everyone, and being a contributing part of a team will take them a long way as students and adults.”
Government, Kansas

Kansas Reemployment Plan

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Kansas Department of Labor Urges Claimants to Participate in the My Reemployment Plan Program

~Claimants who do not participate in the program may have their benefits suspended under the new state law~

TOPEKA – On May 13, 2021, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2196, which includes an enhanced My Reemployment Plan (MRP) program designed to help unemployed Kansans reenter the workforce.

Claimants who do not participate in the program may have their benefits suspended under the new state law. The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) encourages individuals who received notice of their participation in the program to complete the requirements immediately in order to prevent a disruption in their benefits.

The program, developed in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC), KDOL and KANSASWORKS Workforce System, connects unemployment recipients with workforce service professionals in their area.

The program began June 1, 2021 and requires claimants who have received three (3) continuous weeks of unemployment to complete the following actions:

  • Upload/build a resume at KANSAScom or provide work history
  • Complete the online job search (including the O*Net Interest Profiler) attached to the email/included with the mailed information.
  • Complete the Job Search Plan and email completed form to the Kansas Department of Commerce at [email protected]

KDC has notified a group of claimants included in MRP and will continue to notify additional claimants as they become eligible. Failure to complete all items within seven (7) days of receiving KDC’s instructions may result in denial of unemployment insurance benefits. Claimants who do not comply may have their benefits continued or reinstated upon showing compliance to KDC or good cause to KDOL.

To assist claimants who are receiving benefits the following services will be provided from KANSASWORKS, free of charge, personalized job search assistance, including:

  • Creation of a personalized My Reemployment Plan that focuses on goals and accountability.
  • Skills assessment to match interests and skills with occupations.
  • Resume, interview and networking assistance.
  • Labor market information highlighting current in-demand jobs.

Any questions regarding this program should be directed to the KANSASWORKS.com Live Chat.  For additional support, contact your local Workforce Center at 877-509-6757.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee being hosted by Lucci’s Cafe

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Lucci’s Cafe of Fort Scott on Thursday, July 8th at 8:00 a.m. at 101 State St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register for a prize drawing.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

The County Fair

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

July is in full swing and that for most of the country means it’s time for the county fair. For many, this is the best time of year.

The county fair is more than just a carnival or night time events. It is an exhibition of talents from all ages with exhibits ranging in a variety of sizes and categories. Most exhibits have taken an entire 4-H year to complete and some a lot less, but all of the exhibits have a special story and add value to the county fair.

As any 4-H’er can tell you, there is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears involved with preparing for the county fair. The animals you see were raised by youth not just because of the county fair, but to help the youth learn invaluable life lessons to become responsible, caring individuals. The same goes for any of the indoor exhibits from cooking to sewing to photography to woodworking and so on! The opportunities are endless.

I would like to encourage you to take a minute and attend a county fair near you. Explore all of the great accomplishments within the indoor exhibits and the barns full of animals. Visit with a 4-H’er about their project and see the excitement they display.

In the coming weeks, there will be three fairs held within the Southwind Extension District. The first is Bourbon County Fair – July 10th-17th, Woodson County Fair – July 17th-21st, Neosho County Fair – July 22nd-26th, and Allen County Fair – August 22nd-25th. We hope to see you at the county fair!

If you would like more information on how to be involved either to enter exhibits or be a helper, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact information can be found on our website at www.southwind.ksu.edu. For more information about being in 4-H, contact Jennifer Terrell, 4-H Youth Development Agent at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Parental Leave Policy Expands

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Governor Laura Kelly Expands Parental Leave Policy for State Employees

~~Encourages other employers to develop similar models to strengthen Kansas’ workforce~~

TOPEKA – As part of her ongoing commitment to supporting State of Kansas employees, Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order 21-24, which expands parental leave benefits to primary caregivers, secondary caregivers, and foster parents.

“Supporting working parents in our workforce is not only the right thing to do – it’s good for our economy,” Governor Kelly said. “We’re committed to recruiting and keeping talented Kansans in our state and creating a supportive environment for our families.”

Under the new policy, primary and secondary caregivers, along with foster parents, receive the additional leave. The new policy is as follows:

  • Primary caregivers receive eight weeks of leave (an increase of two weeks from the original policy);
  • Secondary caregivers receive four weeks of leave (an increase of one week from the original policy);
  • Foster parents are now eligible for parental leave, with primary caregivers receiving eight weeks of leave and secondary caregivers receiving four weeks of leave;
  • Parental leave can now be used thirty days in advance of the birth date, adoption, or fostering of a child or children per calendar year;
  • New State employees become eligible after 180 days of employment. Current employees will not be subjected to this requirement.

“Paid family leave is a win-win for both families and employers,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO, United WE. “Policies like this that expand these benefits to women and their families bolster economies, improve health and education outcomes and strengthens business through a stronger employee workforce. We applaud Governor Kelly’s action today and urge other states without paid family leave policies to consider the research-backed benefits of strong economic policies that support employees and their families.”

Effective immediately, the Kansas Department of Administration’s Office of Personnel Services will implement the new policy and provide information to State of Kansas agencies and employees.

View the EO here.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College, Jobs

Human Resource Roundtable July 7

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HR Roundtable
Hosted by the Chamber
TOMORROW!
Wednesday, July 7th
8:15 to 9:30am
Fort Scott Community College
Ag Hall (just north of Arnold Arena)
2108 S. Horton St.
Click here to RSVP if you
haven’t already.
Light refreshments will be served.
The Chamber is hosting an HR Roundtable for those in a human resources role at our local businesses on Wed., July 7th from 8:15 to 9:30am in Ag Hall on the campus of FSCC.
We hope you can join us or send another appropriate contact from your business.
We will have a loose agenda, but would like to hear feedback on workforce needs, challenges, or good stories. And, hear back anything you may need from the Chamber or ideas on recruiting qualified workforce to the community. We also want to allow time for those in HR to just connect with each other.
We will have light refreshments ~ please click here to RSVP if you can attend on Wed., July 7th from 8:15 to 9:30am at FSCC Ag Hall, just north of Arnold Arena.
Hosted by the Chamber’s Workforce Development Division:
Alysia Johnston, FSCC
Cathy Bishop, Niece Products
Payton Coyan, SEK-CAP
Fort Scott, Government

City Water Flushing Starts July 8

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The  City of Fort Scott Water Utility is initiating our flushing/ free Chlorine burnout program for the year.

The flushing will start on Thursday, July 8th and last approximately two weeks throughout the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Rural water districts.

 

This is in order to maintain water quality.

If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE.

During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in the distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine.

A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water.

Except during a burnout in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system.

However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These natural occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

Surface water systems across the State do annual or biannual free chlorine burnouts. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant.

Customers may notice city personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the city during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water.

During the flushing and burnout you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes two weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water of which we are accustomed.

The city is extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available. Quality water helps promote quality life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate in water supply and water quality.
If questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.