The Fort Scott City Commission will meet January 10th, 2023, for a Work Session beginning at 4:30 PM at City Hall, 123 S. Main St. The regular City Commission Meeting will begin at 6:00 PM following the Work Session at City Hall, 123 S. Main St.
Both meetings are open to the public and will also be live on the City’s YouTube Channel.
Travis Shelton, Chief of Police of the Fort Scott Police Department, will retire next month, after 26 years of service.
“My retirement system provides you can retire at age 50, after 25 years service,” Shelton said. “I turn 50 in February.”
“I love Fort Scott and love working for the City of Fort Scott,” he said. “It’s been an awesome career.”
But he is looking forward to retirement.
“I’ve never had more than a week off in my career,” he said. “The plan is to go fishing, get some things done around the house. Eventually the plan is to go to work somewhere else.”
Although he doesn’t have any jobs in mind, “I’d like to put some time in another job long term,” he said.
Shelton has held positions of officer, K9 Handler, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police.
He earned an associate of science degree from Fort Scott Community College, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Missouri Southern State University.
Shelton has served in the community on the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, as a member of the Kiwanis Club,a former board member at the Key Hole (Youth Center),a former adjunct instructor at Fort Scott Community College, anda former little league football coach.
His wife, Gina Shelton, is the USD 234 Business Manager / Board Clerk. He has a son, Nick, 22, and a daughter Maci,17 years old.
“My wife and I are planning on staying in Fort Scott,” Shelton said. “Gina likes her job and we have no intentions to move.”
Shelton’s last day will be February 28, 2023.
Linda P. Murphy, 71, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday morning, December 29, 2022, at home. She was born January 21, 1951, in Torrington, Wyoming, the daughter of Wilbur W. “Red” Metcalf and Raymoleen P. (Lay) Metcalf. She was the oldest of three girls and fourth of their twelve children. She attended school in Torrington, Wyoming, Scottsbluff and Bridgeport, Nebraska, and Twin Lakes and Longmont, Colorado.
Linda’s parents moved to Fort Scott in 1967, and she married Paul Tyler in 1973, who passed away in 1980. She married Mike Murphy in 1981 and they moved to California. Linda came back to Kansas in the early 2000’s and decided to make her home here.
Linda is survived by her children, Toni Metcalf, of Redfield, Kansas, Danell Harper, of Bronson, Kansas, Daniel Tyler, Ramie Tyler, both of San Diego, California; five brothers, Raymond, Tom, Bill, and Alvin Metcalf, all of Fort Scott, Delmar Metcalf, of Frontenac, Kansas, and Zan Metcalf; brother-in-law Ralph Eschbaumer; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a very special nephew, Drake Eschbaumer.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, two sisters, Tammy Metcalf and Lavina “Sis” Eschbaumer, and three brothers, Allen Wayne, Martin, and John Metcalf.
Following cremation, a Celebration of Life will be held 2:00-6:00 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, in the meeting room at Sleep Inn and Suites, 302 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Mary Elizabeth “Zibbie” Grove, 97, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 28, 2022, at Kingswood Manor, Kansas City, Missouri. She was born September 28, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Benjamin Hezekiah Coe, Sr., and
Katherine Lucille (Bittner) Coe.
She married Charles Allen Grove, Jr. on February 14, 1950, in
Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death on June 27, 2000.
Zibbie is survived by her children, Nancy Tweedy and husband Dan of Kansas City, Missouri, Lindsay Grove, of Savannah, Georgia, and Charles Brian Grove, of Arlington, Virginia; seven
grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Charles, she was
also preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Robert E. Coe, and Benjamin H. Coe, Jr.
Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with burial following at the Fort Scott National
Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Visitation will be at the Funeral Home beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, January 17, 2023, and the Rosary will
be recited at 7:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Building Fund, or Kansas City
Hospice, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street,
P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online
guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Marlene Gettler, 91, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday evening January 2, 2023. She was born on October 23, 1931, in Greensburg, Kansas, the daughter of Earl R. Murphy and Florence E. (Pinnick) Murphy. She married Dean Gettler on June 14, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas, and he survives of the home.
Marlene received her BA in Education from UMKC and taught elementary school for nine years in Kansas City, Kansas public schools before coming to Fort Scott in 1962. She was a business owner in Fort Scott for many years, first the Kansas Gift Shop where she was well-known for her delicious fudge. She later owned and operated the Courtland Bed and Breakfast. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and 50-year member Chapter CA PEO.
Marlene is survived by her husband, Dr. Dean T. Gettler; children, Julie Silfverberg & Juha, of Overland Park, Kansas, Bryan Gettler, of Kalkaska, Michigan, and Thomas Gettler and Michele, of Topeka, Kansas; a sister, Marise Sisson, of Dana Point, California; six grandchildren, Jessica Torres-Sosa, Janne Silfverberg, Dakotah Gettler, Cpt. Benjamin Gettler, Brooke Webb, and Blake Gettler; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Kathleen Stewart and Gloria Peña; and a brother, Dr. Jerry Murphy.
Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The visitation will be Friday evening 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
“I’ve discovered that if people are not on my heart, they’re on my nerves.” Pastor Rick Warren
Struggling to find a New Year’s resolution? Maybe we could start with Jesus’ suggestion: “Love your enemies and bless those who persecute you.” Of course, it’s not a suggestion. Seriously hard to do…but no one did it better than Jesus. His capacity for love is infinite. How else could he forgive his crucifiers while hanging in agony on the cross? Still, we make it so hard. Why can’t we love like he does? Saint Augustine said, “Good for good, evil for evil, that is natural. Evil for good, that is devilish. Good for evil, that is divine.” Dave would say I need a little work in the “divine” department. I told him I’m going to get my Conceal-and-Carry license. He is concerned. Not that I won’t pass the test but that I might kill someone. I’ve given that a lot of thought. I don’t think I would kill thugs who ransack an Apple store or help themselves to racks of clothing or purses. But I might wound them. If they were threatening a loved one, however? Dave might have reason to be concerned. Does that make me unloving? I read about a young couple who went to see their pastor to try and get him to approve their divorce because, as they put it, “There’s no feeling left.” The pastor told the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The husband said, “I can’t do that.” The pastor asked him to love her as he would love himself. Again, the said that ‘I can’t do that’. So the pastor said, “The Bible says to love your enemies. Try starting there.” (Is it possible to love someone you shoot?) Just how do we love the unlovable? The first step is remembering God’s love for us when were/are unlovable. Beauty and the Beast illustrates this well, and it certainly represents how we are loved by God. After all, there’s a little beast in all of us. Scripture says that none of us are sinless, yet God loves us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) His love is not based on my goodness; nor is it based on my prayer life or my Bible reading or how many cookies I made for the church potluck. I didn’t have to work out my imperfections or do any good deeds for Him to love me. He loves me, beast that I am. The second step to loving the unlovable is to recognize that the people we aren’t loving are no different than us. We have no right to set ourselves in the lofty position of choosing not to follow God’s mandate to love them. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 tells us how we are to act: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” God loves like that and calls us to do likewise.
The ability to love the unlovable, to hate the sin but to love the sinner, represents God’s divine nature. In 2023, I’m going to work on loving the unlovely. I guess I’ll figure out that shooting thing later.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will begin its next public meeting at noon on Jan. 12, 2023 at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E 29th St. N, Wichita. The meeting will begin with an introduction of Commissioners and guests, a review of agenda items, approval of past minutes, and public comment on items not listed on the agenda. No items will be voted on during the Commission’s Jan. 12 meeting.
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Secretary Brad Loveless will provide an agency and state fiscal status update, followed by a brief legislative update from KDWP’s chief legal counsel, and a General Discussion period covering:
Commissioners will then hear several Workshop Session items, which may be voted on at a future date, including:
Following the Workshop Session, time will again be set aside for public comment on items not listed on the agenda.
The public is welcome and encouraged to participate in person or virtually via Zoom. Virtual participants may access login instructions HERE or watch live video/audio stream of the meeting HERE.
Click HERE to download the Jan. 12, 2023, meeting agenda and briefing book.
An interpreter for the hearing impaired can be requested by calling the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Commission secretary at (620) 672-0702.
The next Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting will take place March 9, 2023 at noon at the Ramada Convention Center, Topeka.
Theodore R. “Ted” Stanton, age 97, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Monday, January 2, 2023, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. Ted was born on July 11, 1925, in Fort Scott, the son of Theodore and Velda (Hall) Stanton. He served in the U. S. Navy for 4 years as a gunner’s mate 2nd class during WWII. Ted married Shirley Ray Heiser on May 2, 1944, in Fort Scott. Together they raised 2 children, Stephen, and Shirlene. She preceded him in death on September 11, 2007. Ted worked for the Kansas Gas & Electric Company initially as part of the line crew and later as an office clerk, retiring after 37 years. Ted was volunteered at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and served on the canon crew. He also enjoyed classic cars and kept them in pristine condition. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W.
Survivors include his 2 children, Stephen R. Stanton, and Shirlene Jackson, both of Fort Scott; 3 grandchildren, Jared Stanton, Lindsey Gulager, and Chris Keating; and 8 great grandchildren. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.
The was cremation per Ted’s request. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, January 13th, at U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Friends of the Fort and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Ted’s family encourages friends to sign his guestbook at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may also be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2023
The Museum of Creativity, 102 S. National, is a non-profit institute that appreciates all sponsors, volunteers and donations. Lorina noted that the Museum of Creativity was opened to provide a safe space for families. The Museum is open on Fridays from 9am until 10 pm and Saturdays from 10 am until 6 pm. Admission is $2.00 per child and $1.00 per adult. They have craft nights, Lego clubs, game nights and can host parties. For more information visit their Facebook page.
Adjournment: Next General Me
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Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.
“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”
Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.
Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”
Eventually the Freeman’s purchased the building at 8 North National Avenue, on October 2, 2020, and have been working on the renovation since.
