Monthly Archives: February 2024

Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the Bourbon County Commission Meeting on February 5

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February 5, 2024                                                                   Monday, 5:30 p.m.

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Jason Silvers, Anne Dare, Michael Hoyt, Teri Hulsey, Jon Lowery,  and Charles Gentry were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.

 

Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 2-5-24, approval of accounts payable totaling $8,671.45, and approval of December financials. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

There were no public comments.

 

Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the culvert approval report for January and the January fuel report. Eric said they are obtaining a DWR permit to replace four culverts near 130th Street and Kansas Road. The culvert gave way last month and is currently down to a one lane road. Eric said they are working with an engineer to determine culvert size and quantity for the location near 225th Street and Tomahawk Road that was discussed at last week’s meeting. Once the engineers have determined the information Eric will then have to obtain a DWR permit for the location. Eric said the Blackberry Transmission line project will begin clearing brush later this month. The majority of the clearing will be on private property, however; there will be some done in the county right-of-way. They worked on getting gravel on the roads last week and will be back out tomorrow after the rain. Eric said they will be having an MSHA refresher course at the Public Works building on Thursday. Nelson said Vance Eden with USD 235 contacted him and had 50 loads of gravel donated for their walking trail project and asked if the county would be able to haul it. Nelson said the school couldn’t pay us but could let us fuel up at their tanks. Justin Meeks said the county would need to obtain a waiver of liability and Eric is going to work on that.

 

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, asked if the Commissioners were planning on having a meeting on February 19 since the courthouse would be closed for Presidents Day. The Commissioners decided there would not be a meeting held on the 19th.

 

Justin Meeks discussed the healthcare sales tax information that would be placed on a ballot to allow the public to vote on. Justin said Susan has been helping with this and the matter can be on the ballot in April. The wording was discussed with Justin reading examples from Allen County and Vernon County. After discussion of the different wording choices Jim said he would like to move forward and have it cover the worst-case scenario. Clifton said 1.5 million is a long way from starting a hospital but would help to entice an entity. Clifton stated that due to the mile restriction there are only two entities right now who could operate an emergency room in Bourbon County and that is Nevada Regional Medical Center and Via Christi. Jim said they’ve talked for months about subsidizing healthcare and he said somebody has to do it but he isn’t in support of raising real estate taxes. There was lengthy discussion on the wording options for the ballot and Justin asked to work with Charles Gentry on a few ballot options and bring back to the Commissioners. Anne Dare asked if we might be getting the cart before the horse by putting this to a vote and collecting the money and we might never be able to get a license. Clifton said that could potentially be the case but you have to have the carrot to offer as an enticement. Michael Hoyt asked if you could pass a sales tax that has a trigger such as we won’t collect sales tax until we have an emergency room. Clifton said we could use the money for other things in healthcare such as purchasing another ambulance and hiring additional EMT’s. Justin stated we had an ER when many businesses came in and due to their insurance, they need an ER close by.

 

Justin Meeks passed out a letter of support for Bourbon County REDI for the Commissioners to review. Nelson said his opinion is he doesn’t have a problem with either people or organizations and he wasn’t here when it was worked on so he doesn’t know who to support. Clifton said there was some confusion and the state was contacting the wrong organization. Jim said he respects Nelson’s vote but his vote is for Bourbon County REDI to represent Bourbon County at the state. Jim made a motion to accent the letter as written to support Bourbon County REDI and send to different organizations including Department of Commerce, KWORKS, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Patterson Foundation, Pittsburg State Work Force Development and to allow Justin to add additional organizations if needed. Clifton seconded the motion and Nelson abstained. The motion passed 2-1.

 

Justin asked for a 10-minute executive session for attorney client privilege dealing with contracts and possible litigation.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship. The session will include all three Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and Rob Harrington and will return at 6:55. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:56 with action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Justin to have a conversation with another party and write a letter if needed for breach of contract that could cost the county millions. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Jim said he would like to see a quick turn around on this.

 

Jim thanked REDI and Legacy Health for hosting the announcement earlier and welcomed KRI for coming to Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Clifton said some people are scared of mental health and said they will not be dropping people with severe mental issues on the streets and encouraged people to get the facts before they speak. Nelson said since he has been here, he has been impressed with Eric and Dustin and they always have issues that are brought to their attention fixed quickly. Nelson also held a prayer during his Commission comment time.

 

Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:02. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                   ___________________, Commissioner

 

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

2-12-2024                         Approved Date

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools, Youth

Uniontown Teacher Arrested for Allegation of Inappropriate Conduct Towards a Student

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On Friday, February 23, the USD 235 School District Administration was made aware of an allegation of inappropriate conduct by a Uniontown Junior High staff member towards one of the school’s students outside of the school environment.

“We take these allegations very seriously as student safety and care are always our first priority,” said Superintendent Vance Eden. “We began an investigation immediately and have worked with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office to gain clarity. The teacher in question, Mrs. Breanne Taylor, was arrested on Sunday, February 25 and has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.”

“Please rest assured that when students return to school from the weekend, we will continue to support them and prioritize their safety,” Eden said. “We recognize that this situation will create a complex set of emotions for students and staff. We have organized additional mental health support to ensure care is accessible for those who may need it.”

“Personnel and student information is protected by law,” Eden said. “That said, we want you to feel informed and we will pass along the information that can be shared as the situation evolves.”

“Nothing matters more to our district than creating a safe and caring learning experience for every student, every day,” he said. “If you ever suspect inappropriate behavior, we ask that you bring it to our attention.”

 

Opinion

Don’t Be Shy or Scared by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

When I know loved ones are coming to my home, I will often leave the front door ajar. This lets them know I’m expecting them and they can just walk right in. It’s important to me that they feel welcome, loved, valuable, and comfortable. I want our time together to be a warm-and-fuzzy memory the next day. If anyone needs something, it pleases me when they’re comfortable enough to either ask for it or simply get it themselves. My loved ones know they have open access to the snack cabinet and refrigerator. I encourage everyone to have an unreserved approach in my home.

 

Scriptures prove that God feels the same way about His children. Although God is to be revered, I deeply appreciate that He lovingly welcomes us into His throne room. He wants us to be unrestricted in our worship and prayers. “Because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear)” (Ephesians 3:12 AMP). God is ready, willing, and able to act on our behalf if we will only ask Him in confidence and faith.

 

I was reminded of the stressful fear Queen Esther surely experienced as she approached her husband/king on his throne. Prior to her entrance, she sent this message to her Cousin Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter” (Esther 4:11 NLT). Even though Esther was the Jewish Queen of the Persian Empire, she did not have free access to her own husband. This strict law was actually frightening for king’s wives because there was absolutely no exception to this law. The wife could not enter the inner court whenever she pleased without first being invited by the king.

 

Esther sent another message to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die” (Esther 4:16 NLT). At the risk of dying, Esther approached the king’s throne shrouded in fear from head to toe. For this was the same King Xerxes who furiously deposed his first wife Queen Vashti when she refused the royal summons to appear before the king, rulers, and nobles at a royal feast. (In a few days, we see that united prayer and fasting brought favor, not death, for Queen Esther because the king held out his scepter.)

 

God made a perfect way for us to come to Him through Jesus. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him“ (Hebrews 10:19,22 NLT). We are welcome to come right into the very presence of a Holy God without fear. “I have courage in God’s presence, because I am sure that He hears me if I ask Him for anything that is according to His will” (1 John 5:14 GNT).

 

God loves us and He doesn’t want us to be scared to approach Him in Jesus’ name. “I fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that I may receive mercy [for my failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when I need it]” (Hebrews 4:16 AMP).

The Key: Fearlessly, we can walk right in, sit right down, and take a load off.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop Saturday, March 2, 2024

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Deborah Factor

 

Bridges Out of Poverty workshop is a unique and powerful tool designed specifically for social, health, and legal services professionals. Based in part on Dr. Ruby K. Payne’s myth shattering A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Bridges reaches out to the millions of service providers and businesses whose daily work connects them with the lives of people in poverty.

 

As a workshop attendee, you will learn specific strategies and brainstorm potential solutions which you and your organization can implement right now to: Design programs to better serve people you work with; Build skill sets for management to help guide employees; Upgrade training for front-line staff like receptionists, case workers, and managers; Improve treatment outcomes in health care and behavioral health care; Increase the likelihood of moving from welfare to work.

 

If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges-and strengths-will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success.

 

Continuing Education credits available with a certificate issued at the end of the workshop.

 

The Workshop will be lead by Deborah Factor, CEO of Youth Core Ministries (YCM).  Core Community Bourbon County is a chapter affiliate of YCM.

 

Deborah Factor serves as CEO/Executive Director of Youth Core Ministries, Inc.  YCM, formerly Youth for Christ-South Central Kansas, was founded in 1995 as a ministry to reach kids outside of the church.  After becoming Executive Director in 1998, Deborah watched as many of her students moved into adulthood repeating the cycle of poverty.  To address this need, YCM launched a community and school-based mentoring program, Core Mentoring, in 2012 and in 2015 an initiative to resolve poverty called Core Community.  Deborah and her team are having a profound impact on rural Communities. They are passionate about ending poverty and seeing kids and families truly thrive. Deborah, her husband, Tony, and their son, Caleb, live in Greensburg.

 

Participants will review a mental model of poverty, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of housing, the hidden rules of class and resources. Cost is $35 (payable at event) including training materials and book. If cost is prohibitive, there are a limited number of scholarships available.

 

 

DATE: Saturday, March 2, 2024

TIME: 8:30 AM TO 12:30 PM

LOCATION: Fort Scott Nazarene Church

1728 Horton, Fort Scott, KS

To Register email: Cherri Walrod – [email protected]

Hosted by Core Community Bourbon County

K-State Extension, Youth

Kansas Made Workshops for Youth

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

 

A series of workshops will be held for youth over the week of spring break by the Southwind Extension District at no-charge! These workshops will be for all youth who are 7-18 years of age.

 

Families can expect youth to participate in hands-on learning about many products that come from the great State of Kansas. Each product will be explored through a variety of formats like photography, entomology, food & nutrition, health & wellness and visual arts to name a few. Not to mention some great guest speakers.

 

Workshops will be held from 1pm to 5pm at a variety of locations. Dates and locations are:

  • March 11 – Yates Center – Community Building
  • March 12 – Fort Scott – Buck Run Community Center Gym
  • March 14 – Erie – Neosho Valley Event Center
  • March 15 – Iola – Southwind Extension Office

 

Registration is required and can be completed online at: https://forms.gle/mR87DUAJeRtTXNqz9 or by calling your local Southwind District Extension Office. Visit our website at southwind.ksu.edu for a list of phone numbers.

 

For more information about the workshops or how to become involved in the Southwind District 4-H Program, please reach out to Jennifer Terrell at [email protected] or 620-223-3720.

 

 

Opinion

Lost Your Temper? Good! by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.” Benjamin Franklin

When my friend’s daughter, Erin, was three years old, she threw a temper tantrum in a California mall.  While the embarrassed mother begged her to stop, a well-dressed woman walked up to my friend and whispered, “Play along.”  She approached the toddler and said, “Little girl, you come home with me.  Tell your Mommy good-bye.  Let’s go.”  You can guess what happened next.  Erin stopped crying, jumped up and ran into her mother’s arms.

Since the beginning of time, tempers have flared.  From Genesis to Revelation, there are stories of those who could not contain their anger. Let me rephrase that.  They “could” have; they “chose” not to. This behavior plays out in every arena, from wars to sporting events to political debates to the workplace to freeways to abusive homes to churches.  At the root of it?  Selfishness.  My way or my way.  Choose anything else, and you will pay.

On Instagram last week, I posted something I read on line: “Losing your temper is no way of getting rid of it.”  My daughter-in-law, Jenn, and her husband, Adam, recently celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary.  She told me that Adam never had raised his voice at her. Dave and I tried to recall a time when Adam had lost his temper.  We couldn’t. (Like mother, like son.)   I wish!                                                                                                                                     Ephesians 4:31 brings us Paul’s writing about how to deal with anger:  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  No exceptions.  No matter how much your therapist advises you to “get it all out.”  No matter the injustice done to you.  No matter how much better you feel afterwards.  We are to “put away” those temptations, not in a drawer where we can pull them out whenever something provokes us or reminds us of how we were treated, but locked up and buried.

When our son Andy was nine years old and was catching in a Little League game in Texas, the batter hit a home run.  As he crossed the plate, Andy stuck out his foot and tripped the runner. He face-planted in the dirt.  Had Andy’s coach not gotten to my son first, I was prepared to jump the fence and do the disciplinary deed.  Coach took him by the back of his neck and marched him over to the opposing team’s dugout and made him apologize.

Where did that behavior come from?  Neither Dave nor I had instilled in our kids the “win at all cost” attitude. In F.B. Meyer’s sermon “Tempers, and What to Do with Them,” he addresses five kinds of tempers: “The hot temper, which flashes out with the least provocation. The sullen temper, which is a great deal worse to deal with, because it takes so long to come round. The jealous temper, which, in trying to keep all for itself, loses all. The suspicious temper, which is always imputing the worst motives. The malicious temper, which loves to instill the drop of poison, or make the almost imperceptible stab with its stiletto.”  Do any of those describe you?

The good news is that we Christians can muffle our anger. If we immediately recognize it as sin and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us control it, we have at our disposal help from the Prince of Peace who offers us victory over our sin.

All we have to do is ask.

 

Area News, Health Care

NRMC to Offer Free Colon Health Screening

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Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) will offer free colon health screening kits beginning on Monday, March 4th in observance of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The free kits will be available in the main lobby of NRMC from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the month while supplies last.

Colorectal cancer is one of the 5 most common cancers in men and women in the United States. It is just as common among women as men. Colorectal cancer is also one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. Although there are no symptoms in the beginning, colorectal cancer is highly preventable through screening. This type of cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colorectal cancer before it starts.

To help lower your chances of getting colorectal cancer:

  • Get to and stay at a healthy weight
  • Be physically active
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Eat a diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less red or processed meat.

 

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colon cancer every year beginning at age 50 for people with no risk factors other than age.  Testing is painless, can be done in the privacy of your own home, and can save your life.  For more information or to begin with a consultation, call Nevada Regional Medical Center’s Professional Practice Clinic at (417) 448-2121.

 

 

About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for February 26

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

February 26, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes 2/12/2024 and 2/20/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $293,310.56
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $327,719.27
  1. Public Comments
  2. Trevor Jacobs
  3. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  • Matt Quick, County Appraiser- Property Evaluations
  • Healthcare Sales Tax Ballot Language
  1. Susan Walker, CFO
    1. EMS Outstanding Receivables
    2. Funding for Totaled Vehicle
  2. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Appointment of Non-Lawyer Member to 6th District Judicial Nominating Commission
    2. 2023 Inventory Approval
    3. KCAMP Building Replacement Coverage
    4. Bridges out of Poverty Workshop
    5. Presidential Preference Primary Election
    6. Hay Bids
  3. Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

Obituary

Obituary of Betty White

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Betty Ruth White, age 100, resident of Fort Scott, KS, formerly of Uniontown, KS, died Friday, February 23, 2024, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott.  Some of her final words were “I want to see Jesus.”  She was born January 7, 1924, the daughter of Charles and Rena McKinnis Smith.  Betty graduated from Uniontown High School.  She married Leonard White on January 29, 1942, in Redfield, KS.  Other than living in Atlanta and Boston when Leonard was in the service, she was a lifetime Uniontown resident.  She played piano in her early years at the Uniontown Methodist Church.  Betty joined the Grace Baptist Tabernacle when she was baptized in 1979.  She was a loving wife, mother, and friend.

 

Survivors include her son Gary Joe White (Judy), Uniontown, KS; 3 grandchildren, Gary White, Kansas City, Dr. Jodi Julien (Steve), St. Lucie, FL, and Alaina Navarette (John), Coral Springs, FL; 3 step grandchildren, James Stark (Johnnie), Jennifer Ballou (Simon), and Julie Buchta (Bryan); 10 great grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 4 step great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard; a brother, Glenn Smith; and her parents.

 

The family wishes to give a special thank you to Guest Home Estates and Mt. Carmel Hospice for their care and compassion.

 

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday, February 29th, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.  Memorials are suggested to Guest Home Estates Activity Fund 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 online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Kenneth Wood

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Kenneth Ross Wood, 92, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 17, 2024, at Medicalodge in Leavenworth, KS. He joins his beloved wife, Jennie, who preceded him in death in 2021. They were married over 62 years.

 

Kenneth was born February 7, 1932, on an 80-acre farm near Ft. Scott, KS, the third child of Clarence and Lena (Query) Wood.

Kenneth’s family attended the Methodist Church in Hammond, and Kenneth graduated as the Fulton high school salutatorian in 1949. His primary interest in high school was sports – softball, basketball, and track (javelin), but he also sang in the chorus, played the clarinet in band, had leading roles in class plays, and was vice president of the student council.

Kenneth attended Ft. Scott Junior College, Drury College, and Pittsburg State, graduating from Pittsburg State in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in math education. He taught school for two years in Coffeyville, KS, and two years in Leon, KS, while completing his master’s degree in math from Pittsburgh State (1957).

That same year, Ken moved to Santa Monica, CA, to become a computer programmer trainee for Systems Development Corporation.

He attended First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles, CA, and met Jennie Reynolds in Sunday School class. Ken and Jennie married in 1958. Ken accepted the Lord’s call to ministry in 1959 and graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1964. Together, Ken and Jennie faithfully served the Lord at Nazarene churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. Ken was loved by his congregations, serving faithfully with wisdom, humility, and integrity.

 

In 1996, Ken and Jennie retired to the Wood family farm in Ft. Scott, KS, and Ken began pulpit supply followed by a pastorate at Humboldt Church of the Nazarene. From 2001 to 2005, he pastored at Fulton United Methodist Church. Ken and Jennie were members of Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene, ministering in a variety of ways in their church and community.

Ken’s hobbies included tending a large garden and fishing. He deeply loved his family. Many memories were made with grandchildren sharing practical skills, life wisdom, a listening ear, table games, laughter, and an after-dinner devotional. His family is forever marked by his godly character, his faithful prayers, and his loving investment in their lives.

 

Kenneth is survived by three children – Stan Wood (Denise) of Easton, Kansas, Melody Richardson (Lonnie) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke (Phil) of Raymore, Missouri; a son-in-law, Charles Hornby, of Nevada, MO; eleven grandchildren – Briana Wood, Nathan (Natalie) Parke, Reagan Wood, Jaron (Brooke) Parke, Graham Wood, Carter (Meredith) Richardson, Ross Parke, Alexandra (Brice) Kudej, Annelise Parke, Davis Richardson, and Sawyer Richardson; four great-grandchildren – Noah, Hope, and Zoe Parke (Nathan and Natalie), Adalyn Parke (Jaron and Brooke, with a great-grandson due in May); a brother, C. Byrne Wood; a sister and brother-in-law, Loreta and Larry Jent; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Wood.

 

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie; parents, Clarence and Lena Wood; daughter, Suella Hornby; brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Wanda Wood; brother, Walter Wood; and sister-in-law, Rosalie Wood.

 

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 1st, 2024, 2:00 pm, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, with visitation and viewing from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, and burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Viewing is also available on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS, 66701, during normal business hours.

 

The service will be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

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AD: Key Apparel Is Hiring for Director of Operations and Operations Coordinator

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KEY Apparel is a clothing company located in Fort Scott, Kansas, focused on manufacturing and selling high quality work, industrial and outdoor related apparel. Key is searching for a Director of Operations and an Operations Coordinator. See details of each position below.

Director of Operations

Key is searching for a Director of Operations to manage and execute the procurement strategy of the company by analyzing the product and inventory needs of the company to meet sales and budgetary goals, to monitor and maintain the production process, including the identification, development and oversight of factory partners and the timely receipt of inventory that meet or exceed Key’s quality standards at competitive prices.

Primary Responsibilities Include

Strategic Planning

  • Coordinate with Finance and Sales Departments to assess the business strategy of the Company to enhance the Company’s competitive position and promote sales, profitability and growth in a sustainable manner that will meet future objectives;
    • Identify new areas of production opportunity for short and long-term change to improve profitability;
    • Take ownership of the company’s operational and supply chain strategy;

Contractor Management

  • Overall responsibility for the Contractor Management function and contractor relationships;
    • Responsible for the designation of factories for appropriate product placement;
    • Responsible for the costing process for each product;
    • Maintain and routinely update Key Vendor Manual to ensure best practices.

Forecasting / Planning

  • Responsible for ensuring the appropriate amount of inventory is always on hand to meet budgetary requirements.

Quality Assurance

  • Responsible for ensuring that incoming inventory receipts meet or exceed Key’s quality standards utilizing a mix of internal staff and external quality assurance vendors.

Training

  • Develop and communicate training programs to help subordinates meet their job expectations and to grow professionally within the company through training and ongoing feedback;
  • Conduct annual (or more frequently if necessary) performance evaluations of subordinates.

Embellishment

  • Oversee the embellishment (print and embroidery) operations and staff

Key offers competitive compensation including a highly competitive benefits package. Interested candidates please send resume with references via e-mail [email protected] or by mail to Key Industries, Inc., Attn: Human Resources, 400 Marble Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701. For more information about Key, please visit our web-site at www.keyapparel.com.

Operations Coordinator

Key is searching for an Operations Coordinator to organize and communicate operational information between various KEY departments, including Operations, Accounting, Sales, Customer Service, and the Distribution Center and to be a central point of contact with internal and external Quality Assurance teams and our factories regarding all necessary information to create and receive high quality apparel. This role is responsible for all aspects of the purchase order process from creation to receipt, including closing-out, extending, and communicating changes to all relevant parties.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Input, evaluate, and execute purchase orders with suppliers (forecast planning is not required – the purchase plan will be provided);
  • Establish and maintain supplier relationships by serving as a primary point of contact between KEY and its manufacturing partners;
  • Manage record keeping for all contractor correspondence and documentation;
  • Manage Work-in-Process (WIP) report weekly to ensure the timely delivery of products, timely communicate discrepancies or issues within the WIP report, propose resolutions to WIP report discrepancies;
  • Coordinate with the Quality Assurance Team – internal, independent 3rd parties, and factory personnel – to ensure that each Purchase Order has received an audit by both the factory (prior to shipment) and by either an independent 3rd party or an internal KEY Apparel audit;
  • Provide Purchase Order-related issue resolution, both internally and externally;
  • Monitor and complete Purchase Order close-out, extension, or renewal, as appropriate;
  • Coordinate freight / shipments between suppliers and freight forwarders;
  • Communicate Purchase Order related information to all stakeholders;
  • Create / set up new items within KEY’s ERP system;
  • Maintain all tech packs and insure all information is current (requires coordination with external vendors); and
  • Manage the Pre-production Check Run (PCR) process for new item creation.

This job profile is not meant to be all inclusive of the responsibilities of this position and this position may require the performance of other duties as necessary.

Key offers competitive compensation including a highly competitive benefits package.

Interested candidates please send resume with references via e-mail [email protected] or by mail to Key Industries, Inc., Attn: Human Resources, 400 Marble Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701. For more information about Key, please visit our web-site at www.keyapparel.com.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Splashpad Bash: May 18 at the New Downtown Pavilion

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The Hello Summer Luau is May 18 at the new pavilion on North National Avenue. Submitted graphic.

The City of Fort is sponsoring a community event at the new Fort Scott Pavilion on North National Avenue, next to the new splash pad, on Saturday, May 18.

“The purpose of the event is to promote drug and alcohol (prevention) awareness while kicking off the summer for the grand opening of the Pavilion and the Splash Pad- which will be open the day of the event,” said Mary Wyatt, Planning, Housing, and Community Development Director  for the City of Fort Scott.

“The City of Fort Scott is sponsoring the event and is using the Drug and Alcohol Tax Fund which goes to spread awareness to the youth (and adults) to pay for the expenses, plus there are local businesses handing out free stuff and selling their items at the event,” said City Manager Brad Matkin.

“We are in the beginning stages of the project, and currently putting together a committee for the event,” Wyatt said. “After the committee’s first meeting, we will have more details and specifics confirmed that we can share, and will start reaching out to vendors (mostly, if not all, local) to determine their availability. It is the City of Fort Scott’s goal to help provide a safe and fun family-friendly event to start off the summer together as a community.”
There will be live music, vendors, and free activities for the kids Matkin said.

“The vendors will be starting at 3 pm with the bands starting at 6:30 pm,” said Matkin.

 

The northern end of the Gathering Place is seen from National Avenue and Stanton Street. The splash pad is behind the pavilion to the left in this photo.

“The plan is to have the splash pad open,” for this bash, Bailey Lyons, one of the committee members of the splash pad said.

The Gathering Place is the venue of the new pavilion and splash pad on North National Avenue at Old Fort Boulevard. Here are the rules for the splash pad.

“The Hello Summer bash will feature Beach Boys tunes under the pavilion from the live tribute band, Surfin’ USA,” Matkin said.

“Surfin’ USA features seven musicians from the Kansas City area. Their collective dedication to quality musicianship and soaring harmonies will be on full display as they are committed to accurately recreating the music of The Beach Boys,” according to https://www.surfinusashow.com/

Before Sufin’ USA, Vinyl Revival will be playing at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion.

“Comprised of six professional musicians near the Kansas City area, members of Vinyl Revival have opened for artists such as: Little River Band, Doobie Brothers, Eddie Money, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, Badfinger, The Guess Who, Joe Bonamassa, Blood Sweat & Tears, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Edgar Winter, Pure Prairie League, The Romantics, and Peter Frampton,” according to   https://vinylrevivalkc.com/

 

To view prior articles on the two new additions to downtown Fort Scott:

A new Downton Pavilion Is In the Works For Fort Scott

Construction of the Downtown Splash Pad Is Moving Forward

 

Looking northeast from National Avenue and Old Fort Boulevard.  The splash pad is in back of the pavilion.