Monthly Archives: February 2025

Government, Kansas

KS Launches New Support to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

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Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Launches New Programs to Support Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) recognizes the significant emotional, physical, and financial toll that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia can take on families. To provide much-needed support, KDADS is launching two new initiatives: the Kansas Respite for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program (K-RAD) and the Kansas Dementia Roadmap: A Guide for People Impacted by Dementia.

In Kansas, more than 55,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and more than 89,000 individuals are providing unpaid care. Families serve as the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities across the nation. According to the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers report developed by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, gaps in the availability of and access to respite care can add to the stress and burden faced by unpaid caregivers. Respite care often comes with high costs and limited availability, leaving caregivers responsible for most expenses.

Kansas has allocated funding for a state-funded respite program to address these challenges. The K-RAD program offers relief to unpaid caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia by providing temporary care services that replace the direct care given by the caregiver for short or intermittent periods.

“We are excited about the K-RAD program and the ability it provides our agency to help our caregivers with respite care for their loved ones,” Leslea Rockers, Executive Director for East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging, said.

Caregivers can apply for K-RAD funds to cover respite care costs. More information is available on the KDADS website, and applications can be obtained through local Area Agencies on Aging or by contacting the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-855-200-2372.

Additionally, KDADS has introduced the Kansas Dementia Roadmap: A Guide for People Impacted by Dementia. This resource acknowledges that caring for someone with memory loss or dementia is a long and unpredictable journey. The Roadmap provides essential guidance, support, and information for families, helping them navigate the challenges of dementia care.

“This roadmap will help families navigate their dementia journey so that they won’t become lost in the diagnosis,” Jamie Gideon, Kansas Director of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, said.

Printed copies of the Kansas Dementia Roadmap are available at local Area Agency on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association offices. A downloadable version is also available at https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/aging/alzheimer-s-disease-and-dementia/kansas-dementia-roadmap.

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

FS Chamber Coffee Cancelled for Thursday, Feb. 20

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Due to inclement weather Chamber Coffee

hosted by

Trophy

Properties & Auction

has been

CANCELLED

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Coffee hosted by Trophy Properties and Auction has been canceled due to inclement weather and rescheduled for April 17th at 8am.

The next Chamber Coffee will be on Thursday, February 27th at 8am, hosted by Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket. The event will include a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate their new location at 9 E. Wall St.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US

Obituary

Obituary of Penelope Sue Reasoner

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Penelope Sue Reasoner, age 73, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Monday, February 17, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. She was born on December 23, 1951, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Eugene and Grace Berniece Pottorff Coombs. She attended early school years in St. Paul, KS. Sue graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1970. She married Randy Reasoner on August 17, 1979, in Miami, OK. Sue worked multiple jobs throughout her career including Mercy Hospital, Tri-Valley, Walmart, and Dollar General. She enjoyed different crafts including quilting and diamond art. Sue liked to visit Branson, MO regularly. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

 

Survivors include her husband Randy of the home; a son, Tim Ames (Chris), Bronson, KS; 2 daughters, Dolly Russell (Chad), Fort Scott, and Molly Giltner (Noah) Abilene, TX; 3 brothers, Paul Hawkins (Connie) Carterville, MO, Hugh “Leo” Hawkins (Brenda) Kearney, MO, and Mike Hawkins (Wanda) Kansas City, MO; 14 grandchildren, Tater Ames, Dawson Russell, Jodee Russell, Cameron Haviland, Hunter Russell, Mackynzee Russell, Rayleea Russell, Zandon Russell, Joseph Wunderly, Amber Johnson, Kincaid Hurst, Issac Hurst, Meda Hurst, and Trinity Giltner; 8 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Melisa Wunderly; a sister, Carol Hull; 3 brothers, Jerry “Butch”, Gary, and Larry Coombs; and her parents.

 

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:30 AM Tuesday, February 25th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to help with animal care at either Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic or Animal Care Center and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Local High School Play: Speaking Up For Oppressed People

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FSHS Play Performance Opening Night Rescheduled
The Feb. 20 performance of Fort Scott High School’s play “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank” is rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 23.
The rescheduling is due to the weather forecast for the week. Tickets previously sold for the Feb. 20 performance will be transferred or refunded, please contact Angie Bin, [email protected] or 620-719-9622. Other performances should run as scheduled at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22 in the FSHS Auditorium.
Left to right: Clark Uttinger, Sypher Cannon, Gianna Gorman, Tray Maloun.Submitted photo.

The production, by James Still, is a multi-media performance with live sound bytes and videos from the actual Holocaust survivors portrayed in the play as well as real video footage from the time period.

Left to right: Cooper George, Mykael Lewis, Gianna Gorman, Sypher Cannon. Submitted photos.

In addition to the performance, the lobby will feature many items of interest to the audience. A collection of Holocaust memorabilia from local historian Ronda Hassig will be on display in the Art Gallery.

Left to right: Gianna Gorman, Sypher Cannon

Students in the Advanced Drama class are displaying research on groups of oppressed peoples and plays that have been written to speak up for those groups, much like how “And Then They Came for Me” speaks for victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

Left to right: Kaiden Clary, Levi Fairchild. Submitted photos, all taken during dress rehearsal.

Students in Jon Barnes’ Government and Current Events classes, after reading and listening to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” wrote “A Letter From a Fort Scott Classroom” about a time in their lives that they felt discriminated against.

Many of these letters will be available to read.

The Technical Theatre class also built white models of set designs for the play that are on display.

Cast and crew members of the play were educated about the real lives of their characters through research and a presentation by Hassig. Hassig has personally visited sixty concentration camps and she shared her knowledge and photos with the students to help them better understand their characters and the world of the play.

Senior Kaiden Clary plays one of the Holocaust survivors, “Performing Young Ed gave me a chance to look into how a Jewish person was treated during WWll, how this person had to hide from SS guards to even be with his grandparents, how he had to try to escape time and time again. After learning about and discussing him, it is hard to believe that people actually had to go through many of these things, especially not seeing his parents for almost four years.”

Tickets for “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the Life of Anne Frank” are $5 for students and $7 for adults and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Doors open thirty minutes prior to showtime.

The play is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with Mesa Jones serving as Assistant Director. It is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

Left to right: Sypher Cannon, Cooper George, Gianna Gorman, Mykael Lewis, Mary Racer, Kaiden Clary, Clark Uttinger, Junie Fisher.

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Obituary

Obituary of Charles Robert (Chuck) Smith

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Charles Robert (Chuck) Smith of Kansas City, Missouri passed away at Research Hospital on Tuesday 2/18/25 after a brief illness. Charles was born on 8/8/1965 to Gerald (Firpo) and Patricia Smith.  Chuck grew up in Fort Scott, Kansas and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1983.  During his high school days, he played football and basketball. After graduation Chuck attended Pittsburg State University and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Chuck graduated PSU in 1988 with a degree in business.

Chuck moved to Newport Beach, CA after college and was employed at ITT Commercial Finance.  During his time with ITT, he also attended The University of Southern California and earned his MBA degree, this accomplishment was his pride and joy!  Chuck sported many shirts with the USC logo!

After many years in California, Chuck moved back to Fort Scott to take care of his mother Pat.  Chuck was a very dedicated caregiver to his mother for many years until her passing.  After his mother’s passing, he moved to KCMO where he resided until his passing.

While taking care of his mother, Chuck spearheaded the drive to get dialysis in Fort Scott.  Pat and Chuck made many trips to Pittsburg in order for her to receive the treatment she needed.

Chuck was an avid KC Chiefs and Royals fan, as well as KU and PSU. You could find him sporting his Chiefs jerseys every Sunday. Chuck loved Chicken Annie’s restaurant and always made a point to go anytime he was in the area. He spent many hours researching our family in his spare time and became the family historian. Chuck set up a family tree on Ancestry.com with many pictures from years back.

No matter if it was a family reunion or class reunion, Chuck always attended and made many memories with everyone.

Charles Robert Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald (Firpo) and Patricia Smith, many aunts and uncles as well as cousins.

There was cremation.  There will be a celebration of life at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to the Charles Smith Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

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Ad: Radiant Massage with Natalie!

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Radiant Massage with Natalie is now open! This new addition to downtown Fort Scott is located inside Structure by Margo at 19 S National Ave, Fort Scott, KS (the bison mural building). Radiant Massage offers a serene escape for those seeking relief from pain, muscle tension, or stress. Every session pampers clients with complimentary hot towels, custom aromatherapy, an extra-large, deeply padded massage table, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, hypoallergenic oils, and refreshing spa water such as cucumber lemon.

Natalie Cable, the skillful massage therapist behind Radiant Massage, has a deep-rooted passion for helping clients find relief through the healing power of touch. Inspired by her family’s experiences with chronic pain and disabilities, she developed an interest in pain management and holistic wellness. She integrates massage therapy’s many benefits—including pain relief, stress reduction, improved circulation, enhanced flexibility, and better sleep—into customized care plans. Her commitment to wellness is woven into her personal history as well as her deep ties to Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

Her family’s connection to the area spans generations. Her grandparents, Charles and Willa Cable, dedicated their lives to serving the community—Willa as a nurse caring for the elderly and Charles at the Kansas Department for Children and Families in Fort Scott. Her parents, Bob and Lori Cable, who attended school in Uniontown and Fort Scott, returned to Bourbon County in 2017 and are actively involved in local organizations. Her mother, Lori, chairs the Institute for Evaluation and Research’s Institutional Review Board for ethics in research, while her father, Bob, manages their farm, Soul and Soil Acres, providing fresh eggs and produce.

Having lived in Fort Scott while attending college, Natalie built her own connection to the town and is thrilled to be back, continuing her family’s tradition of positively contributing to the community. Through Radiant Massage with Natalie, she brings her passion for wellness and love for Fort Scott together, offering compassionate, high-quality care.

Sessions are tailored to individual wellness goals, offering treatments including Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, chronic pain therapy, aromatherapy massage, hot stone massage, temperature contrast therapy, and serenity massage. With a commitment to personalized care and accessibility, there are no upcharges—every massage is priced the same, ensuring clients receive exactly what their body needs. Each session includes a complimentary 5-minute consultation to ensure the treatment is customized. Pricing is $35 for 30 minutes and $60 for 60 minutes, with a Newcomer’s Special offering $10 off the first session. In February, the Valentine’s Day Special adds extra pampering, as every massage includes a complimentary self-care kit, and gift cards are discounted—$5 off 30-minute sessions and $10 off 60-minute sessions.

Sessions are available Tuesday (11 AM – 6 PM), Wednesday (2 PM – 6 PM), Friday (11 AM – 6 PM), and Saturday (11 AM – 3 PM). Walk-ins are welcome, but booking in advance is recommended. For appointments or gift card purchases, visit www.radiantwithnatalie.com or text/call 469-264-6074. Experience the difference at Radiant Massage with Natalie—where relaxation meets rejuvenation!

Fort Scott, Government

City of FS Commis Meeting Cancelled for Tonight Rescheduled Feb. 24 With Work Session

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Tonight (2/18/2025), the City Commission meeting is cancelled and rescheduled to MONDAY, (2/24/2025) along with the scheduled work session on storage containers.

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH – 5:00 TO 6:00 – WORK SESSION (Storage Containers) immediately followed by the REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING beginning at 6:00PM.

 

 

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson February 14, 2025

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Caryn Tyson

 

The week was slow on the Senate floor in Topeka, but President Trump kept things moving in D.C.  Next week things will pick up because it is turnaround.  It is the half-way point in session. House bills that were never in an exempt committee will die if they do not pass the House by turnaround.  In the Senate, bills that aren’t exempt don’t die, but no more action can be taken on them until next year.  For a bill to be exempt it must have been in the Tax, Federal & State Affairs, or Ways and Means committee in the Senate.  The House exempt committees are Tax, Federal & State Affairs, or Appropriations.   During the week of turnaround, both chambers will be working diligently to pass bills that are non-exempt.

 

More Election protection is the intent of Senate Bill (SB) 5.  It would block wasteful spending by the United States government used to influence elections, such as targeted voter registration.  This money has been sometimes referred to as “Bidenbucks”.  A couple of years ago, I offered an amendment that blocked third party money that was trying to influence elections procedures, it was referred to as Zuckerbucks.  You might remember Mark Zucherburg made donations to election offices trying to influence election procedures.  Kansas law now blocks these types of donations from individuals or companies, SB 5 would block federal money trying to influence election results.  Federal money provided for election security would still be allowed.  It passed on a bipartisan vote 33 to 6.  I voted Yes.

 

Move Over for stopped vehicles displaying hazard warning signal and proceed with caution or you can be fined if SB 5 becomes law.  SB 8 passed the Senate unanimously and is on its way to the House.

 

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

Caryn

Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

33rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibit: Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on March 6

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Bourbon County Arts Council

33rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibit!

The Bourbon County Arts Council is hosting their

33rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibit!

Ellis Family Fine Arts Center

Fort Scott Community College

2108 Horton St.

March 6th

Chamber Coffee | 8am

March 6th

Artist Reception | 6pm-8pm

Public Welcome. Light Refreshments Served.

Exhibit OpenMon-Fri: March 6th, 7th, & 10-14th 12pm-7pm

Saturdays: March 8th & 15th 9am to 1pm

The competition is open to artists of age 16 and older. Categories include Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Art, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.

A themed category has been included; the theme this year is “Bridge The Gap”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above media categories, as it relates to the theme.

Entry fees are $7.50 per piece for Bourbon County Arts Council members and $10.00 per piece for non-members. Artists may enter up to four pieces, but only three in any one category. Entry deadline and payment are due by February 28th, 2025.

Entry forms may be requested by calling Deb Anderson at 620.224.8650, Deb Halsey at 620.224.0684 or emailing [email protected].
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US