Monthly Archives: February 2023

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Rides: New Business For Matt Harvey

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Matt Harvey started his new business Fort Scott Rides LLC in September 2022 at 1202 E. Wall.

Matt Harvey. Submitted photo.

“I have been in the car business for 12 years and set a goal to own my own dealership, and (now) that part of my goal is done,” he said.

“We are just a sales location, no service,” Harvey said.

In addition to cars, his future business plan is to expand to motorcycles, all terrain vehicles and golf carts, he said.

Tyler Harvey works for his dad, Matt, as the social media/website manager. Submitted photo.

Harvey is a member of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and also supports and donates to many organizations, he said.

He can be reached at (620) 215-4219 or [email protected]

The business website is www.fortscottrides.com and for the latest information, view their Facebook page: fort scott rides.

Hours of operation are  8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Fort Scott Rides LLC is located at 1202 E. Wall. Submitted photo.

Born and raised in Bourbon County, he is the son of Gary and Jackie Harvey.

He has three children, Kaitlyn-a beautician at Spoiled Brat, Tyler-who is doing social media/website duties for his dad’s business and also works at Bourbon County Corrections, and Jett-a senior at Uniontown High School.

Matt Harvey’s children: Jett, Kaitlyn and Tyler. Submitted photo.
Entertainment

Kansas Talking Books Week March 6-10

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Kansas Talking Books Week highlights Braille, specialized library services

TOPEKA –Each spring, the Kansas Talking Books Service dedicates a week to highlighting the program’s progress and innovation in its mission of ensuring that all may read. The service, a division of the State Library of Kansas, operates with the support of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, providing services and support to qualified Kansans with a print disability.

For 2023, Kansas Talking Books Week will be held March 6th through 10th. Activities for the week include a webinar, highlighting the many Braille resources and services offered to eligible patrons including downloadable books, book clubs, reading challenges, and more.

“Our readers’ advisors assist patrons in personalizing their library services by maintaining and adjusting their author, series, and subject reading preferences and exclusions so patrons get the books and magazines they want or need,” said Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian and Lead Reader’s Advisor said. “Patrons can request the reading materials they want and make the decisions on what and how they receive them so that it is a custom, personalized experience in library services.”

Far more than a repository for accessible materials, the Talking Books program is housed on the campus of Emporia State University. Kansas Talking Books has an on-site recording studio that allows volunteers and staff to record books and magazines of local interest and make them available in accessible formats for our readers.

More than 1,000 books, many about Kansas and by Kansas authors, have been produced by Kansas Talking Books and more than 500 are available for talking book patrons across the country via the BARD download service.

“Since 2005, through the support of an anonymous donor, we have been able to make the stories of Kansans available and accessible to print-disabled Kansas residents in the Gerald Kopp Studio. Many of these books aren’t considered for production on the national level, so it’s really important that we record as many as possible for our readers,” Director Michael Lang said.

Kansas Talking Books free library services are available to all Kansas residents with a qualifying print disability: blindness, low vision, physical impairment, or reading disability. Patrons can access over 120,000 books and subscribe to over 80 magazines.

Patrons, caregivers, and community members can find more information and the application for services online at kslib.info/talking. Those in the Emporia area can call 620-341-6280. Other regions in Kansas can call toll-free at 800-362-0699.

Talking Book Week programming and events, including registration, will be posted online at kslib.info/talking and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/kansas.talking.books.service.

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

Chamber Coffee hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council at FSCC On March 2

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 2nd at 8 a.m. hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council. The event will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

The 31st Annual Bourbon County Arts Council exhibit will be open to the public Thursday, March 2nd through Saturday March 11th, weekdays 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the two included Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  An artist reception will also be held March 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where participating artists will have the opportunity to listen to the juror critique and visit with him about their pieces. The public is welcome to the artist reception where light refreshments will be served.  Categories included in the exhibit will be Ceramics, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Jewelry, Pastel, Watercolor, Fiber Art, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Drawing & Graphic (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Photography, Glasswork, Printmaking, and a Themed Category of “Doorways & Windows”.

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2023 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Area News, Health Care

Cardiac Rehab nurse reflects on years in department

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Jessica on the left, Michelle Hardister in the middle and Kerry on the right. Submitted photo and cutline.

 

Inside Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg is the Cardiac Rehab department where you’ll find Michelle Hardister, a nurse who helped open the department 31 years ago, hard at work with her patients.

A typical day in Cardiac Rehab consists of patient wellness programs, blood pressure being taken and telemetry monitoring, coupled with a lot of chatter and laughter, says Hardister.

“Exercise and socialization play a huge role in patient recovery,” says Hardister. “Patients are not only here to get their physical bodies stronger but to also improve how they feel about their health.”

Patients attending Cardiac Rehab may be recovering from a heart bypass, transplant, valve surgery,   balloon or stenting procedure, heart attack, or living with heart failure.

Hardister reflected on one patient in particular who she will never forget: “She first came in using a wheelchair and as time progressed she went from a walker to not using any assistive devices at all,” she says. “She went from being very nervous to becoming a wonderful advocate for Cardiac Rehab and would encourage our new patients by telling them to ‘Look at me now!’”

Hardister says her favorite part of the job is her daily interactions with patients and coming up with exercise plans that fit their individual needs.

As a reminder during Heart Month, Hardister suggests being proactive about your health by getting yearly screenings, practicing moderation instead of deprivation, and finding an exercise you enjoy and making it a part of your routine at least 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes. Regular activity, she adds, not only helps physically but emotionally and mentally as well.

To learn more about cardiac services at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/viachristiheart.

 

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Bourbon County, Youth

Letter to the Editor: Crista Horn

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Bourbon County CASA
PO Box 146
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620–215–2769
February 22, 2023


 CASA worth volunteering for
I follow where my heart leads me and my heart lead me to CASA 25 years ago.

I began this journey as aCASA volunteer in 1998. I heard a friend talk about this organization she was volunteering for that
involved working through the court system with abused and neglected children. I had never heard of CASA, but when I heard the words “children”, “abused”, “advocate” and “court” I knew this organization was meant for me.

And all these years later, I continue to become more and more excited about the impact of CASA volunteers in our community. I would say becoming a CASA is one of the best choices
I’ve made. I’ve been the Program Director of Bourbon County CASA for 19 years now and have been blessed to work with some of the most amazing volunteers to be found.


As a CASA volunteer I would spend anywhere from two to 10 hours a month on a wide variety of self– directed tasks, including visiting my assigned foster child, attending court hearings, interviewing families and service providers, connecting parties to each other, and writing reports to the Court. I am the advocate – the voice – for the child; this means getting to know the child, but also getting to know their family’s case deeply so that I can speak with confidence about what I believe best for the child’s long– term health and happiness.

Because my position as a volunteer is appointed by the court, I am a direct conduit to the judge on the case and my informed opinion carries significant weight when decisions are made. Because I am a volunteer and do not have a large case load (yes, I am the Program Director but outside of my job I still serve as a CASA volunteer), I can become the expert on the needs and situation of each family.

And because I have access to nearly unlimited training and support, I can help connect dots and solve issues that could cripple the case (and the child’s wellbeing) otherwise. My very favorite
part of this work is when my actions directly dissolve barriers to the progress of the case, helping the child and easing the stress and difficulty of everyone involved. I love seeing anxiety leave faces and
peace come in its place.


Consider becoming a CASA if you love children. Or, even, if you’re not particularly drawn to children, you love furthering justice and peace. Or if you simply want to challenge yourself and broaden your
understanding of your community. You don’t have to be retired (many CASAs have full–time jobs) or have any background in legal matters. All you have to have is willingness to step in, to learn, and to act.


Spring training begins in April. Call Bourbon County CASA at 620–215–2769 or email bbcocas[email protected]
to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer.


Christa Horn
Bourbon County CASA

Obituary

Obituary of Orval Doty

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Orval R. Doty, age 88, resident of Fort Scott, KS died February 16, 2023, at Arma Health and Rehab, Arma, KS, from complications following a stroke. We are grateful he is no longer suffering.

Orval was born September 14, 1934, in Fort Scott to William Bradford Doty and Erma Marie Marshall Doty. They preceded him in death as did brothers, Roy Doty, Bob Doty, Delbert Doty, Larry Moore and one sister Jean Doty Cook. He was also preceded in death by two infant sons, Norman Doty, and Gerald W. Doty.

 

Orval is a Marine Veteran of the Indochina War and the Korean War. During his service he earned several service medals for his bravery in battle. He never liked people knowing what medals he had, so we won’t share.  Orval was a member of VFW Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165, Fort Scott, KS. As a member he headed the Honor Guard for many years. He was very dedicated to giving respect to the US Flag and any Service Member.

 

Orval, upon being honorably discharged from the Marines, attended Pittsburg College Electronic School, and went on to work for Montgomery Wards as a TV Service Repair Man in Bartlesville, OK and Great Bend, KS.

Upon returning to Fort Scott with his family in 1965, he worked for Comstock Service Station while attending FSCC. After graduating from FSCC, Orval worked for Dover Elevator Company as a helper for many years and later as construction superintendent until he retired.

Upon retirement, Shirley and Orval moved back to Ft Scott, KS.

 

He is survived by one sister, Betty Doty Nichols, Joplin, MO, his wfe, “His Main Squeeze,” Shirley M Andrews Doty and five children. Jacque K Doty, “Jackson, Queen, Short Nose,” Fort Scott, KS, Orval R. Doty Jr, “Old Man,” (Teresa) Blue Mound, KS, David, “Shorty,” DeSoto, KS, Susan Doty Plummer, “Baby D,” (Dave) Desoto, KS, and John B Doty, “Baby Boy,” Fort Scott, KS.

Orval was a wonderful Poppy to eight grandchildren, Brooke M. Crossley, “Brat”, Panama City Beach, Fl, Brad A. Crossley, “Tuff”, (Emma) Olathe, KS, Brittany S. Normand Kibel, “Macaroon”, Colby, KS, Amy M. Doty Reynolds, “Squeeky,” (Wally) DeSoto, KS, William R. Doty, “Morty,” (Andrea) Shawnee, KS, Krissy L. Plummer Lohmeyer, “Wrinkles,” (Eric) Barrington, IL, Amanda K. Plummer, “Tator,” DeSoto, KS and Dylan R  Doty, “Baby Boy Jr.,” Fort Scott, KS,  thirteen great grandchildren, Amy, Cameron, Kimber, Tristan, Kaylee, Maddie, Lucas, Julia, Adeline, Emma, Chase, Peyton, and Brady and one great-great grandchild, Luna.

 

 

 

Graveside services for Orval will be held at 1:30 PM Wednesday, March 1, at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to VFW Olson-Frary-Burkhard Post 1165 and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News, Business

Comments Opportunity on Electric Transmission Line

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KCC schedules two public hearings on transmission line siting application

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has scheduled two public hearings to give Kansas residents an opportunity to learn more about and make comments on an electric transmission line siting application filed by NextEra Energy.

NextEra Energy is requesting permission to site a 94-mile, 345 kV electric transmission line connecting the Wolf Creek Substation in Coffey County to the Blackberry Substation in Jasper County, Missouri, less than one mile over the state line.  If the proposed route is approved, the line will pass through five Kansas counties: Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford.

The first public hearing will be held on March 1 at Iola High School, 300 E. Jackson Street, Iola, KS. KCC and NextEra staff will be on hand to answer landowner questions beginning at 3 p.m. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. This hearing does not have a virtual option for remote participation such as asking a question or making a comment, but will be broadcast live for viewing on the Kansas Corporation Commission’s YouTube Channel.

The second public hearing will be held on March 2 at the Girard Public Library, 128 W. Prairie Avenue, Girard, KS. Attendees may participate in person or virtually via Zoom. Anyone opting to participate virtually using ZOOM must register at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters by 5 p.m. on March 1.  KCC and NextEra staff will be onsite to answer questions beginning at 3 p.m. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. KCC Commissioners will participate in the Girard public hearing virtually. The hearing will be broadcast live on the agency’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend.

In addition to the public input opportunities provided with the two hearings, written public comments on the application will be accepted through 5 p.m. CST, March 9, 2023. Comments may be submitted online, in a letter, or by phone.  Details can be found at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters.

The Commission, by law, will issue an order on the siting application on or before May 24, 2023.  The order could approve or disapprove the proposed route, alter the route, or provide conditions for the granting of the line siting application that the Commission determines is just and reasonable and best protects the rights of all interested parties and those of the general public. If the route is approved, NextEra will have the authority to move forward with the project.

Background:
 The Wolf Creek to Blackberry transmission line construction project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as a necessary economic project to increase the transmission capability and relieve congestion from western Kansas east to load centers within the SPP region. The SPP is a regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices on behalf of its members. The SPP serves 17 states, including Kansas. The project was competitively bid by the Southwest Power Pool and NextEra Energy won the right to construct the line.

Congestion results in an overabundance of energy at particular locations, which limits the ability of lower priced energy to flow freely through the system. When that happens, customers could end up paying higher energy costs. Reducing congestion on the system is the largest driver of cost reductions associated with building new transmission.

On August 29, 2022, the KCC granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest, LLC, enabling the company to do business as a transmission only public utility in the State.  In issuing the order, The Commission found the project provides benefits for Kansans:

“Based on the testimony received, the Commission finds that the Transmission Project will have a beneficial effect on customers by lowering overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion and improving the reliability of the transmission system.”

The Commission considered arguments that the primary purpose of the line was to send nuclear power to Missouri, or to export wind outside of the SPP footprint, and it found those arguments were not supported.   The evidence in the record indicated that the purpose of the line is to alleviate congestion and improve reliability in Kansas, and within SPP.  The purpose of the line is not to deliver Kansas nuclear power to Missouri.  All of Wolf Creek’s nuclear power will continue to be delivered to SPP, with the rights to Wolf Creek power continuing to be owned by Evergy, Inc. (a utility serving both Kansas and Missouri customers) and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (a wholesale generation and transmission cooperative serving distribution cooperatives throughout Kansas).

Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service and Finance, addressed misconceptions about the financing in his testimony, saying the cost of the line will be allocated equitably across the entire 17 state SPP region based on transmission customer load share. Kansas will pay 16.5% of the cost. Grady testified that Kansas customers could see an increase of $0.04 to $0.05 per month to cover the cost of the line beginning in 2025, but when the benefits of the project are considered, they should see a reduction of $4 to $7 for every dollar spent on the line over its 40 year operating life.

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Fort Scott, Housing

FS Manor Property to be Developed Into Apartments, If Grant is Approved

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Fort Scott Manor is located at 736 S. Heylman.

The Fort Scott City Commission approved a resolution to support an application by a Desoto, KS  property developer to turn the former Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home into apartments.

Following that approval, Shane Lamb, Rural ReDevelopment Group LLC, sent a Housing Investors Tax Credit application in for the property located on Fort Scott’s west side at 736 S. Heylman.

Lamb and Susan Galemore, who is with Southeast Kansas Economic Development Coalition, appeared together before the commission on Feb. 7. Galemore helped Lamb prepare the application.

Lamb has applied for tax credits from the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation to develop the property into 19 rental units.

“Fifteen will be one-bedroom units, four will be two-bedroom units,” Lamb said. “It is on less than two acres and the building is approximately 20,000 square feet.”

Lamb purchased the Fort Scott Manor property in January of 2022, he said. “It was closed down by the state several years ago, then went through bankruptcy proceedings. I believe it has been closed for three years.”

The Fort Scott property will not be low-income apartment rentals, Galemore said. “They will be standard market, not income based.”

“We focus on rural towns and rural housing,” he said.   “Typically, we purchase nursing homes, schools, hospitals…single-use vacant properties we convert to housing.”

“We have 13 projects completed across different states, the closest to Fort Scott is one in Yates Center,” Lamb said. “We have 18 projects in the works.”

The grants are very competitive, Lamb said. “If I don’t get it the first time, we can apply again. I think it is every three months.”

The grants awarded are based on the communities need, he said. “Which community needs housing more than others.”

“I am on their timeline,” he said. “Once I get the green light, I can start and have 18 months to finish.”

Lamb said he always tries to use qualified local contractors and buy materials locally.

“I always try to keep the money local,” he said. “It doesn’t work 100 percent of the time. Sometimes you can’t find local partners to meet those deadlines…because they are so busy.”

Lamb said he should know by the end of March 2023 if he was awarded the grant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government, Kansas, Schools

Learning Recovery Grants For Public School Students

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Governor Kelly Announces Qualifying Families
Can Now Apply for $1000 per Student
for Learning Recovery

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) is open to applications from qualifying parents and guardians of Kansas students. KEEP provides a $1,000 award per student to pay for various educational goods and services that promote learning recovery and facilitate academic enrichment opportunities.

“This program will provide Kansas students with new opportunities and resources to help them thrive in the classroom,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I encourage all families that qualify to apply for KEEP.”

KEEP funds may be used on various enrichment and educational activities, including:​

  • Day and overnight camps with academic-related curriculum such as music, arts, science, technology, agriculture, mathematics, and engineering
  • Curriculum and educational materials, including certain technological devices
  • Language classes
  • Musical instruments and lessons
  • Tutoring

The funds are not eligible for private school tuition.

Eligibility for KEEP funds is determined by financial need, and funds will be distributed to actively enrolled K-12 Kansas students between the ages of 5-18. Students whose household income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible.

Subject to funding availability, future waves of funding may be provided with expanded household income eligibility parameters.

Families can learn if they qualify, apply for the program, read the full handbook of rules and instructions, and browse the marketplace of qualified service providers at www.keep.ks.gov. Program participants will have access to a web and mobile app for using their awarded funds.

Earlier this year, businesses that offer educational opportunities and services were invited to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist students and families. Parents and guardians can now search for those opportunities across Kansas on the KEEP Marketplace. Parents and guardians may also submit requests for additional businesses to be added to the Marketplace if they know of a business that would qualify.

KEEP is being offered through a contract between Merit International, Inc. and the Kansas Office of Recovery to provide educational activities and learning opportunities to students across Kansas to promote educational learning recovery in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is funded with American Rescue Plan Act dollars approved through the SPARK process.

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Obituary

Obituary of Voneta Lewis

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Voneta V. Lewis, age 96, resident of Fort Scott, KS died peacefully at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott on February 20, 2023. She was born January 26, 1927, in Coyle, Oklahoma to Nathaniel Arthur and Frances Vontelle (Morgan) Lamb. On October 3, 1948, she married John D. Lewis of Blue Mound, Kansas.

Together they owned and ran the Town and Country Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Fort Scott for many years.  Voneta was a member of Community Christian Church in Fort Scott.

 

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters Glenda Ball and LaVerne McGee, an infant brother, nieces Linda & Becky Lamb and Marsha McGee Daves, and nephews Robert Ball and Ronald McGee.

Voneta is survived by her brother, LeRoy Lamb and his wife, Nadine of Mound City KS, her sister, Marjorie Campbell of Raytown MO, and several nieces and nephews, also several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers Voneta’s family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.