Obituary of Linda HowlingCrane

Linda Darlene HowlingCrane, age 65, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022, at her home following her battle with cancer.  She was born May 16, 1957, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Willis Sanders and Patsy Eden Sanders.

Linda attended Ft. Scott Schools.  Shortly into her senior year, the family moved to Versailles, Missouri and she graduated from there with the Class of 1975.  Linda will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.  For the last several years, she has served as the primary care giver for her son and also took care of her grandchildren.

She loved taking trips to Branson with her family.  She was fortunate enough to make one last trip to Silver Dollar City and enjoy the pumpkins and fall colors; she returned home on Friday morning and passed away Saturday evening. Linda loved to do crafts of all kinds.  She also had a green thumb and could grow houseplants to gigantic proportions.

 

Survivors include two daughters, Jamye Coffman (Tom) of Ft. Scott and Patricia Brake of Mound City, Kansas; a son, Drew HowlingCrane of the home in Fulton and an adopted son, Doug Ekberg (Angela) of Independence, Missouri; ten grandchildren and a great-grandson. Also surviving are her mother, Patsy Sanders, of Ft. Scott; a brother Greg Sanders also of Ft. Scott and a sister, Pamela Owenby (Russell) of Deerfield, Missouri.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Willis and her brother, Shannon.

 

Bert Severy and Robert Clark will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

(Linda will do her best to be on time.)

Following funeral services, there will be cremation.

Private burial will take place at a later date in the Lath Branch Cemetery east of Ft. Scott.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

The November 2022 Election Voting Starts This Week

The general election will be November 8, but those who wish to, may vote earlier.

Early voting will begin Wednesday, October 26th and will be open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and will end on Monday, November 7th at noon.

People may vote at the  Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave. in the commission room.

To view the sample ballot:

Sample 22GKSBOU

“We provide early voting to allow everyone the opportunity to vote, which is why we started offering Saturday voting,” said Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk. “We had a good turnout in the primary for early voting and a lot of positive comments regarding Saturday voting. We will continue to offer Saturday voting as an option if people continue to utilize it.”

Ashley Shelton. Submitted photo.

In addition to selecting candidates, there will be two questions on this ballot, one about  the election of sheriffs and one about Kansas legislative oversight.

 

Taken from the ballot:

County Sheriff Question

 

This amendment would preserve the
right of citizens of each county

that elected a county sheriff 
to continue
electing the county sheriff. The

amendment would also provide

that a county sheriff only may be

involuntarily removed from office

pursuant to either a recall election

or a writ of quo warranto initiated

by the attorney general.

A writ of quo warranto is a common law remedy which is used to challenge a person’s right to hold a public or corporate office, according to https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/quo_warranto

A  yes vote for this proposition would
preserve the right of citizens of

each county
, to
continue electing the county sheriff

via popular vote. The amendment

would also direct that a county

sheriff only may be involuntarily

removed from office pursuant to

either a recall election or a writ

of quo warranto initiated by the

attorney general.


A  no vote against this proposition
would not make any changes to

the constitution and would retain

current law concerning the election

of a sheriff and the procedures for

involuntary removal of a sheriff from

office.

The amendment states:

County and township
officers.
(a) Except as provided
in subsection (b), each county

shall elect a sheriff for a term of

four years by a majority of the

qualified electors of the county

voting thereon at the time of voting

designated for such office pursuant

to law in effect on January 11, 2022,

and every four years thereafter.

(b) The provisions of subsection

(a) shall not apply to a county

that abolished the office of sheriff

prior to January 11, 2022. Such

county may restore the office of

sheriff as provided by law and such

restoration shall be irrevocable.

A county that restores the office

of sheriff shall elect a sheriff by a

majority of the qualified electors

of the county voting thereon for a

term of four years. Such sheriff shall

have such qualifications and duties

as provided by law. The time of

voting for the office of sheriff may

be provided for by the legislature

pursuant to section 18 of article 2 of

this constitution.

(c) The filling of vacancies and the

qualifications and duties of the

office of sheriff shall be as provided

by law.

(d)
The legislature shall provide for
such
other county and township
officers as may be necessary.

§ 5. Removal of officers.
(a) Except
as provided in subsection (b),
all
county and township officers may

be removed from office, in such

manner and for such cause, as shall

be prescribed by law.

(b) A county sheriff only may be

involuntarily removed from office by

recall election pursuant to section 3

of article 4 of this constitution or a

writ of quo warranto initiated by the

attorney general.

From Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks,

“A yes vote would require counties to maintain a sheriff as an elected official,”

The Question of Legislative Oversight

The purpose of this amendment is
to provide the legislature with

oversight of state executive branch

agencies and officials by providing

the legislature authority to establish

procedures to revoke or suspend

rules and regulations.


A yes  vote
for this proposition would
allow the legislature to establish

procedures to revoke or suspend

rules and regulations that are

adopted by state executive branch

agencies and officials that have the

force and effect of law.


A no vote
against this proposition
would allow state executive branch

agencies and officials to continue

adopting rules and regulations

that have the force and effect

of law without any opportunity

for the legislature to directly

revoke or suspend such rules and regulations.

Legislative oversight of administrative rules and
regulations.


Whenever the legislature by law has

authorized any officer or agency

within the executive branch of

government to adopt rules and

regulations that have the force and

effect of law, the legislature may

provide by law for the revocation

or suspension of any such rule and

regulation, or any portion thereof,

upon a vote of a majority of the

members then elected or appointed

and qualified in each house.

From Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks,

“This will basically allow the legislature to overturn regulations created by agencies, environmental agency for example,” Meeks said. “It would take away some of the governor’s administrative powers.”

Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.

Joshua Renfro Escapes From Lansing

Minimum-custody resident Joshua W. Renfro walked away from Lansing Correctional Facility

TOPEKA, Kansas. –  Minimum-custody resident Joshua W. Renfro was placed on escape status at approximately 9:00 p.m. after it was reported that he walked away from Lansing Correctional Facility on Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Renfro, a 39-year-old white male, was reported missing when the resident could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Renfro is serving a 30-month sentence for a 2020 Violation of an extended protection order conviction in Allen County. Renfro has four prior convictions dating back to 2001.

Renfro is 6 feet 1 inches tall, 175 pounds with Hazel eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his torso, neck, hands, arms and legs.

Anyone with information on Stroede can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 913-727-3235 ext. 58224, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The walk-away is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867. Serving only males, the facility maintains maximum and medium units totaling 1,920 beds and a 512-bed minimum security unit.

Close Enough To Hear by Carolyn Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

Close Enough to Hear

 

The other day I heard a woman say that she and her husband had agreed that they wouldn’t try to talk to each other if one of them was in another room. It’s just a fact that if you’ve been married 40+ years, you can’t hear as well as you did when you first said, “I do.” My normal speaking voice is “loud and clear,” but when I would spend the day with my Dad in his later years, I had to talk really loud so he could hear me. By the time I hugged and kissed him goodbye and drove home, I was worn out from basically yelling all day.

 

God will not use His “outside voice” when He speaks to His children. He chooses not to yell because He knows we can hear Him if we choose to. His normal voice is a “gentle whisper” (ref. 1 Kings 19:12). In fact, since God’s voice is kind and nonabrasive, it’s possible we could miss what He’s saying to us. But if we set our hearts to listen, we will hear Him. “God has given me the capacity to hear and obey…” (Psalm 40:6 AMP).

 

My family and friends know that I welcome their visits and phone calls. Healthy interactive conversation consists of, “Talk, Stop, Listen“ over and over until the conclusion. It’s hard to visit with someone who isn’t a good listener. It’s also hard to visit with someone who doesn’t talk. It takes two to tango in order to have a satisfactory conversation. I would suspect God is disappointed when His children don’t have a ready ear toward His voice. We’re eager to tell Him what we need, but we often don’t wait to hear what He has to say. If we’re guilty of not being a good listener, we should repent for our selfish and ungrateful  attitude.

 

I had a brief conversation with a fellow believer that said, “God doesn’t speak to me.”  I wonder if this individual is simply in another room when God speaks. In our energetic culture, believers may have trouble being quiet (which invites our Best Friend to talk to us). “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). We can miss God by living a hurried lifestyle, doing our own thing, and not making room for His voice. From the beginning night of Jesus’ earthly life, there wasn’t room for Him back then either. It’s definitely our responsibility to create a welcoming atmosphere so we can hear God‘s voice.

 

I’m certainly not wise enough to orchestrate my own life. I’d be yelling “Gee” when I should be yelling “Haw.” (These are unique voice commands to tell a workhorse to turn right or left when pulling a plow.) Christ followers want to live productive lives and bear good fruit for the Kingdom of God, but we desperately need God’s help to accomplish this goal. Jesus tells the crowd to listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:23 NLT). I want to be good dirt and grow a big crop for Jesus — but first I have to listen and understand so I can produce.

 

The Key: Stay in the same room with God so you can hear and obey His voice.

Am. Legion National Vice Commander in Fort Scott Oct. 25

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 will host National Vice Commander Glen Wahus of Watford City, North Dakota, on his four-day tour of Kansas with a Reception on Tuesday, 25 October, 2022 at 9:30 AM. During his tour National Vice Commander Wahus will visit eleven American Legion Posts while in the State. 

Glenn Wahus is a member of American Legion Carl E Rogen Post 29 in Watford City, North Dakota, and is a U.S. Navy veteran (1983-87).  Wahus served as Department of North Dakota Commander (2018-2019), and has served on several Post, Department and National committees, including the National Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission (2015-2022).   Most recently he has served as the North Dakota Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation chairman.  He was instrumental in bringing back the “courage carries on” suicide awareness and prevention program to veterans and youth in North Dakota.  Wahus was picked by Governor Doug Burgum to serve on North Dakota’s Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs. 

Wahus and his wife Tina have two sons. He is retired from the oil industry.

Community vs. Entertainment by Gregg Motley

 

This last installment of my analysis as to why rural America is shrinking has to do with the growing cultural trend towards a preference for entertainment experiences and the electronic filter of relationships through social media.  The evaluation is more experiential than it is statistical, but certainly current lifestyle trends lend themselves more toward urban living than the traditional rural experience.

 

Case in point, my fondest memories from my youth are of sitting on the front porch of my grandparent’s home overlooking the bandstand in the center of the town square in a farm community of 1,300 people.  We shucked corn, snapped beans, hulled peas, and cleaned fish while we listened to the St. Louis Cardinal on the radio.  My most magical summer was the “Phold of 1964,” the year the Phillies collapsed in the last two weeks of the baseball season and were overtaken by my red-hot Cardinals.  It was an experience that gelled families and communities all over the Midwest.

 

My seven city-raised children would blanch at the prospect of spending a summer of listening to the radio and in idle conversations on the topics of religion, politics, world and local news, and sports.  My eleven grandchildren would ask about the strength of the WiFi signal on the porch, and tolerate the scene until allowed access to their gaming console again.  Do I sound like I have lived during 70 decades?

 

Most of us can identify with this great generational divide on one side or the other.  Whether social media, gaming, exotic vacations, movies, bingeing TV shows, etc. are more healthy and constructive than front-porch-sittin’ remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the change in culture has seriously impacted the perceived value of small communities.  The “brain-drain” of our best and brightest to major universities and big jobs in big cities continues, with no end in sight.

 

What can, or should, rural communities do about this megatrend which is contributing significantly to our population loss?  We certainly cannot compete with the entertainment and shopping venues of major metropolitan areas, and we would be foolish to try to a large degree.  We would have a difficult time recruiting Fortune 500 companies to our county in order to offer the next generation world-class job options.  We should do all we can to make high-speed Internet access broadly available across the county.

 

I believe we need to be who we are: a place that offers time for community and contemplation; a place that has the advantages of nature and the social and recreational aspects that come with it; a place that has history and played an important role in one of the most critical periods of American history; a place with time to love and to be loved.  Sounds like heaven to me.

 

We need to be the best Bourbon County we can be.  We need to lean into each other, support each other, and cultivate county-wide trust together.  Someday, our culture will again want what we have, which I think represents the best of human nature.  In the meantime, we wait, we work, we pray, we relate, and we build…together.

 

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Weekly Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

October 21st Weekly Newsletter

Fall Fun in The Fort!

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

TROLLEY TOURS,

ON THE HOUR FROM THE CHAMBER!

Friday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under

50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott!

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

10/21 ~ Chili Feed hosted by Knights of Columbus, Kennedy Gym, 5-7pm, fundraising for rebuilding of Mary Queen of Angels Church. Click here for info.

9/30-10/31 ~ 5th Annual Scarefest Haunted House, Clark Street Lights Opens for the Halloween Season, 753 Clark St., Fridays & Saturdays 7-10pm, click here for their FB page.

10/21 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park, music by Backside of the Moon, Heritage Park Pavilion @ 1st & Main St., 7-8pm

10/20-10/21 ~ FSCC Dracula, 7:30pm, click here for more info.

10/22 ~ Fort Scott Farmers’ Market, 8am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front fo the Fort

10/22 ~ Paint and Pizza Art Party, 11am, click here for more info.

10/22 ~ Send-off for FSHS Volleyball SEK Champs to Sub-state, 11:30am in front of the High School, 1005 S. Main St.

10/22 ~ 3rd Annual BJ Cattle Battle, 6pm, click here for more info.

10/23 ~ Monthly Bourbon County Democrats Meeting, 2pm, FSCC Heritage Room

10/25 ~ Election Candidate Forum, hosted by the Chamber, Ellis Fine Arts Center, doors open 5:30pm, forum begins 6pm.

10/26 ~ Chamber After-Hours ~ Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Presentations, 5:15-6:30pm

10/27 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Sunshine Boutique, 8am

10/29 ~ Halloween Trick-or-Treat Parade on Main Street hosted by the Chamber, activities begin 10am, parade 11am.

SAVE THE DATE:

11/10 ~ Holiday Open House Shopping Event, Downtown & Around, 5-8pm, click here.

12/1 ~ Christmas Parade, click here for entry form or to register online.

_____________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Scarefest Haunted House by Clark Street Lights

Knights of Columbus Chili Feed

3rd Annual BJ Cattle Ranch Battle ~ Bullriding

with DJ music to follow

Election Candidate Forum, Tuesday, October 25th

Downtown Halloween Parade

Holiday Open House coming November 10th

FORT CINEMA SHOW SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND

We aren’t just a theater, we are a community!

Take home a bucket of popcorn anytime we are open! We love taking street business!

$2 Tuesdays are back!

LINEUP THIS WEEKEND:

Black Adam, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Rated PG-13, Super-Hero

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods-and imprisoned just as quickly-Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

https://www.imdb.com/video/vi2136195609/?ref_=tt_vi_i_1

Ticket to Paradise, starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, Rated PG-13, Romantic Comedy

A divorced couple teams up and travels to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago.

https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3670786585/?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Halloween Ends, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Rated R, Horror

The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode comes to a spine-chilling climax in the final installment of this trilogy.

https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1061732889/?ref_=tt_vi_i_1

Interested in a theater rental? Send us a message on Facebook for more information!

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 25

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: October 25, 2022

1st DistrictNelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd DistrictJim Harris Corrected: _______________________

3rd DistrictClifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County ClerkAshley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.

Call to Order

Flag Salute

Approval of Minutes from previous meeting

Jerry Witt FS BBCO Riverfront Authority Appointment of Committee Member

Ashley Shelton Gas Price Lock In

Jim Harris Executive Session KSA 754319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

Transient Guest Tax

Susan Bancroft KSA 754319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

Justin Meeks County Counselor Comment

Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer Comment

o Financial Report

Shane Walker Chief Information Officer Comment

Eric Bailey Road & Bridge Report

Public Comment

Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

KSA 754319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

KSA 754319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorneyclient relationship

KSA 754319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employeremployee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

KSA 754319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

KSA 754319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

KSA 754319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bank Reconciliation Ending September 30, 2022.22.10.21

Quarterly Report 22.10.21

U234 Preschool Screenings are Nov. 4

Unified School District 234
424 South Main Fort Scott, |

www.usd234.org


620-223-0800 F a\ 620-223-2760


DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
October 21,2022



What: USD 234 Preschool Screenings


Abstract:USD 234 will provide preschool screenings for children up to the age of5 years on November 4,2022. Children may have vision, hearing, speech/communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened.
The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identi$ children with
possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services.


Appointinents may be scheduled by calling Tammy Catron, Fort Scott Preschool Center, 223-8965, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The deadline for scheduling an appointment is October 28, 2022.

Work on K-3 HWY Begins Oct. 24 from Bronson to Blue Mound

The week of Oct. 24 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to start a resurfacing project on K-3 between K-31 and U.S. 54 (see map).

 

Project activity includes a mill and inlay with rock edge wedge. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone during daylight hours. Expect delays of 15 minutes or less. Weather permitting, the road work will be finished in one month.

 

KDOT awarded Pearson Construction, LLC, of Wichita the project contract of $2 million. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Area Engineer Troy Howard at (620) 901-6557 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details.

 

Thirty-five Properties Sold At The County Tax Sale, 36 Go To Land Bank

Patty Love. Submitted photo.

The second property tax sale this year added over $86,000 to Bourbon County treasurer’s funds, with the unsold properties deeded over to the Fort Scott Land Bank.

The Bourbon County treasurer collects and distributes all real and personal property taxes. The tax districts that receive this are the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County government, and the county’s two school districts- USD 234 and USD 235.

“There were 35 properties that sold at the October 13, 2022 tax sale for a total of $86,514.09,” said Patty Love, Bourbon County Treasurer.   “The 36 properties that did not receive a bid are all properties inside Fort Scott that have City special assessments on them.  These properties are being deeded over to the Fort Scott  Land Bank. The money collected from the tax sale will be distributed to the various tax districts just like the regular tax collections.”

“Once the property has been sold and Register of Deeds issues the new deed they become like any other property of the tax roll and the new owners will be responsible for the 2022 taxes,” Love said.

To see info on the prior 2022 tax sale:

Bourbon County Tax Sale Nets $129K

 

The function of the Fort Scott Land Bank Board is as an independent agency with the City  of Fort Scott that acquires, holds, manages, transforms, and conveys surplus city properties and other abandoned, tax foreclosed, or otherwise underutilized or distressed properties in order to convey these properties for productive use, according to a prior city press release.

Currently serving on the Land Bank Advisory Board are Craig Campbell (Chairperson), Gregg Motley, Bailey Lyons,  Tim VanHoecke, Robert Coon, Patrick Wood and Jim Harris.

To learn more about Fort Scott Land Bank:

Land Bank by Gregg Motley