Monthly Archives: January 2022

Obituary

The Obituary of James Gerteis

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James “Jim” Edmund Gerties, age 77, of Fort Scott Kansas, passed away on January 13th, 2022.

Jim was born in Wichita Kansas on July 23, 1944, to Jeremiah and Florence Gerteis. He graduated from Wichita East High School (1962) and continued his education at Friends University in Wichita. He joined the Air Force, on October 11, 1966, serving in Germany as a radar technician, and was honorably discharged July 18, 1972.

Jim married Terry Renee Beasley on July 13, 1974. They were married for 47 loving years.

Jim owned and operated Advanced Electronics, fixing and installing household electronic appliances.

In 1989, Jim continued his career at Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott as a Bio-Med Technician for more than 25 years. He was responsible for keeping all medical technology operating.

Jim enjoyed singing in the men’s barbershop quartet and helping those in need with his skills/talents.

Most importantly, Jim was an active member of the Church of Christ. His life’s mission was to fulfill Paul’s command in Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” He shared his love with all and taught the gospel to those who would listen, opening his home to many.

Jim is survived by his wife Terry Renee Gerteis; daughters Maresa Ledford (David) of Columbia, Tennessee, and Rachel Dial (Tim) of Topeka; grandson Joseph Ledford and granddaughters Cana and Camille Ledford, and Cameryn and Carsyn Dial; brothers Robert (Ann) Gerteis and Charles Gerteis; nephews Steve and Mark Gerteis. Jim was a brother, father, uncle, and grandfather to many, not by blood, but by the rare love he had in his heart for others.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Friday, January 28 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow at The Fort Scott National Cemetery at 1:30.

Open visitation will be held before the service at 10:30.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Care to Share and 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.

Government

Senator Marshall to Hold Bourbon County Town Hall

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U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., will hold a public town hall at 5:30pm CT on Monday, January 24th, at Fort Scott Community College. The public is invited to attend the town hall to learn about federal legislative issues and ask questions of the Senator. The event is open to the press.

“I look forward to the opportunity to speak with Kansans and learn more about the issues and concerns impacting their lives,” said Senator Marshall. “I value the opportunity to hear directly from folks in Bourbon County so that I can take their stories and concerns with me when I return to Washington D.C.”

Event Details:

Time: 5:30pm CT

Date: Monday, January 24th

Location: Fort Scott Community College, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S Horton St., Fort Scott, KS

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Tax Sale Nets $129K

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There were 64 properties auctioned by Bourbon County Counselor and Assistant County AttorneyJustin Meeks on Jan. 13 at the courthouse, County Treasurer Patty Love said.

Patty Love. Submitted photo.

“50 properties sold for a total of $129,408.40,” she said. “The 14 properties that didn’t sell were properties inside the city of Fort Scott that had a minimum bid which was a total of the Special Assessment levied against the property by the city for mowing and demolition. Those properties that didn’t sell have now been transferred to the Land Bank.”

There was a total of 78 bidders present at the tax sale, she said.

 

Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.

There were originally 78 properties scheduled to be sold on the tax sale, but some were taken from the list by Meeks, she said.

“Justin pulled seven of them for legal reasons and seven were redeemed by the owners paying all taxes and the court filing fee,” Love said.

Rhonda Dunn. Submitted photo.

 

“The money received will be applied to taxes owed on individual properties and will be distributed to the taxing entities,” Rhonda Dunn,  Bourbon County Treasurer’s Clerk. said.

The tax entities are the City of Fort Scott, the  Bourbon County government, and the county’s two school districts- USD 234 and USD 235.

“They are distributed based on mill levy of each entity and the year the previous owner owed it for,” Dunn said.

 

The next tax sale is scheduled for May 19, according to Dunn.

It’s been five years since the last tax auction, Dunn said.

Fort Scott, Government

Meet the New City Manager Jan. 20

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There will be a Meet and Greet event with Kelley Zellner, the new City Manager, and the five city commissioners held on Thursday, January 20th, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the lobby area of The Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, located at 2108 S. Horton Street.

Even though a majority of commissioners may be present, no city business will be conducted.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by Spyder, Inc. Jan. 20

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, January 20th at 8 a.m. hosted by new Chamber member Spyder, Inc., located at 102 W. 2nd Street.

Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Spyder, Inc combines their experience of solutions, compliance, and technology together to launch an eCommerce portal and document storage solution purpose-built for insurance agents and financial service providers that makes their job of selling, growing, and managing their business easier.

Spyder is a female-founded business whose leaders offer deep fintech experience, both designing software and growing companies. They are passionate about their products and what they can do for the insurance and financial service industries. Their belief is to improve the lives of their clients, their employees, and their community by serving them in the highest level of regard. Transparency, honesty, and kindness are values that they hold dear.

Join the Chamber in welcoming this new company to Fort Scott. Visit their website spyderloop.com for more information. Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2022 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

January 14, 2022

 

2022 Session Begins

You thought last year was a mess – well – here we go again.   With the increased COVID-19 cases, variants, and major inflation, 2022 is going to be another challenge.  I am confident that we can meet these challenges with perseverance and by remembering the words of our Founding Fathers, that our government is of “We the People” and that every decision we make as legislators must be in support of our Constitution.

 

Wildfires

December 16, 2021, several communities in Kansas were devastated by wildfires.  The high winds, storms, and fires resulted in loss of life, homes, and livelihoods.  There has been an outpouring of help, but more is needed.  The Senate Tax Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 318 out of committee. This Bill would allow a sales tax exemption on fencing material purchased as a result of losses from the wildfires.  The legislature has passed similar legislation in the past.  The difference in SB 318, is that it would not sunset so with any future fires the exemption would be available.

 

I offered an amendment to SB 318 that provides an option for County Commissioners to abate property taxes on agriculture or commercial property destroyed in a Governor declared disaster.  It passed unanimously.  Currently, County Commissioners have an option to abate property taxes on homes but they cannot abate property taxes on other property in a disaster.  It was reported that a Senator was concerned about the optional abatement because it might decrease K-12 funding from the 20 mil property tax.  Can you imagine losing almost all of your property and still having to pay property tax on it as if it wasn’t destroyed?

 

Personal Note

In less than a two-week period we lost several friends and family.  Two of them died from COVID-19, but the rest died from other causes.  We also have friends and family who are in the hospital and fighting to recover.  It has been a difficult time, but with God’s grace we find strength.

 

Some media and now social media allow people to make false claims about me not taking COVID-19 seriously.  This is fake news.  I have and will continue to take precautions and hope that you do also.  I will also continue to fight for your life, your liberty and your pursuit of happiness so that you may decide for yourself, not your government mandating and stripping you of your freedoms.

 

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

Caryn

www.KSLegislature.org

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Critical Blood Shortage Impacting Kansas Hospitals 

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Trauma Program (KTP) continue to highlight the importance of blood donation amid increasingly critical blood shortages experienced across the state and nation. Blood shortages can pose risks to hospitals in performing necessary patient care. As January is National Blood Donor month, KDHE and KTP encourage those able to schedule an appointment to donate blood. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has declared this the worst blood shortage in over a decade, with less than a one-day supply of critical blood types. The Community Blood Center for our region is at a 1-2 day supply.

“We encourage Kansans who can donate blood to schedule an appointment today,” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary, said. “Blood donation helps ensure our hospitals can continue their operations and has the ability to save lives.”

Updated policies and practices allow for safe donation during the pandemic. Donation centers provide specific guidance on the blood donation process and safety measures taken within their centers. The National Institutes of Health have found blood donations to be safe under current COVID-19 screening guidelines.

Locations for blood donation can be found at organization websites such as savealifenow.org, AmericasBlood.org, or redcrossblood.org.