All posts by Loretta George

Obituary

Obituary For Douglas Merril Collins

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Douglas Merrill Collins, age 71, a resident of Fort Scott, died January 4, 2018, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, KS. He was born on September 22, 1946, in Fort Scott, the son of Merrill L. Collins and Loretta M. Duggan Collins. He graduated from Fort Scott High School and later received his master’s degree from Pittsburg State University. He was a history teacher for many years in Bonner Springs, KS., and later served as dean at Brown Mackie College. Doug loved animals and really enjoyed spending time with his family.

 

Survivors include his sister, Debbie Clarkson, of Fort Scott; a nephew, Tommy McNeil, and wife Danica, of Fort Scott; a niece, Bryna Boldra and husband Jeremy of Eldorado, KS.; six great-nieces and nephews, Lindsey McNeil, Cody McNeil, Kaylee McNeil, Danielle McNeil, Landon Boldra and Keenan Boldra. He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

Father Robert Wachter will conduct funeral Mass at 11 A.M. Tuesday, January 9, 2017, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:30. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorial are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary

Obituary for Jimmie Dale Duran

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Jimmie Dale “J. D.” Duren, age 55, a resident of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott. He was born March 24, 1962, to Charles Duren and Betty Lou Johnson. He enjoyed playing pool, fishing, and singing karaoke. He loved to cook and smoke meat for his family. J.D. never met a stranger and was known for his Hawaiian shirts. He was a collector of all things, and would tell people “you never know when you might need that”.
 
J.D. is survived by his spouse Shirley Samson-Monroe, of the home; a step-son, Doug Harper, and wife Chelsea, of Arma; a brother, Bill Ray Duran, of Fort Scott, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Damon Duren; and a sister Carol Sue Duran.
 
There was cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County

Spradling Selected As New Bourbon County Attorney

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Jacqueline Spradling is the new Bourbon County Attorney. Photo submitted by Deb Martin.

The next county attorney was chosen Thursday evening by the Bourbon County Republican Party at their convention, which was held at the Fort Scott Livestock Market.

Jacqueline Spradling, Spring Hill, was selected to be the next Bourbon County Attorney.

Thirty-four Republican Committeemen and Committeewomen votes were counted, with 23 votes going to Jacqueline Spradling.

“She threw her hat in the ring at noon today,” Gayle Sackett, Republican Party Chairman, said.

Spradling is replacing Justin Meeks, who remains as Bourbon County Counselor, but served in both capacities prior to January 2.

Spradling graduated in 1991 with a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University; 1998 with a Masters of Criminal Justice from Washburn University; 1989 with a BA degree in Psychology and Political Science from Washburn University; and in 1987  with an AA from Washburn University, according to information provided by Sackett.

Her experience is as follows:

  • 2017 to present – ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY. Allen County Attorney’s Office.
  • 2009 to 2017 – CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY. Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office. In charge of all homicide prosecutions, Chief of the Cold Case Homicide Unit.
  • 2007 to 2009 – KANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE. Assistant Attorney General prosecuting cases of domestic violence. Extensive training was provided to law enforcement and prosecutors on the topic of domestic violence, in addition to carrying a caseload.
  • 1991 – 2007 – JOHNSON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. Senior Trial Attorney and Section Chief in charge of the domestic violence unit. Previous responsibilities include Section Chief in charge of the Intern Program, Prosecutor on the Drug and White Collar Units.

Sackett, who was vice-chairman previously,  led the convention, stepping up after the sudden death of Republican Party Chairman Randall Readinger in late December.

Because of Readinger’s death, the convention was postponed a few days past Meeks last day of January 2.

Following Spradling’s  appointment, she will have to run in the November 2018 election, Sackett said.

A letter to certify the election will be sent tomorrow, then the governor will appoint Spradling.

Photos submitted by Vickie Shead.

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Meeks Set To Focus On County Counselor Position

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Justin Meeks resigned as Bourbon County Attorney on November 22, 2017, with an official last day January 2.

He has been doing both that job and the Bourbon County Counselor position since February 2015.

“Nobody can do both job functions,” Meeks said. “Because of the amount of time needed.  I wanted to do an A+ but couldn’t, with the hours involved.”

His focus now is administrative law.

Meeks will be giving the county legal advice about contracts, acquisition, and human resources, he said.

An example  is research on issues that come to the commission. “They (the Bourbon County Commission) have had me do a lot of research on fire districts,” he said.

“My goal is not to get the commissioners sued,” Meeks said with a laugh.

Meeks vacated his county attorney office Tuesday. He will be working out of the second floor of the courthouse.

The required hours for the counselor position is 25 per week. But “I’ve always worked more than the expected hours,” he said.

For this position, he will be paid $64,000 a year.

“That works out to be $48 per billable hours,” he said.

Meeks said nearby Allen County has a part-time county attorney that makes $70,000, a part-time assistant county attorney that makes somewhere in the “upper $50,000s.”  And also a county counselor that makes $58,000.

The Bourbon County Attorney position is  $50,230, he said, with 35 hours required per week.

Meeks said he is “excited” about the counselor position focus.

“There is a lot of good things going on in Bourbon County,” he said. “The airport expansion, (on that project) the city and county will be working together. There are two bridges to replace in the county. There is exciting economic development in the county.”

Additionally, “I hope the county will be a part of reducing the overall tax liability for the county,” he said.

Meeks is a 1992 Fort Scott High School graduate, a 1994 Fort Scott Community College graduate, a 1996 Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO) graduate with a BA in education. He then earned a Master’s in Business Administration in 1998 and then graduated from Washburn University in 2001 with a law degree.  He was in private practice from 2003 to 2014.

“I’ve been back to Fort Scott since November 2005,” Meeks said. “I have a three-year-old son. He is the joy of my life. I plan on living in Fort Scott the rest of my life and raising my son with whom I share joint custody.”

“I hope the next county attorney takes the job as serious as I have the last three years,” he said. “I am looking forward to being able to serve in one job function.”

New County Attorney Chosen Tonight

The next county attorney will be chosen tonight by the Bourbon County Republican Party at their convention at the Fort Scott Livestock Market.

The Republican Party Chairman Randall Readinger passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in late December.

Gayle Sackett, who was vice-chairman, will lead the convention.

Because of Readinger’s death, the convention was postponed a few days past Meeks last day of January 2.

Following the appointment of a new county attorney, that person will “have to run in the next election,” in November, Meeks said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary For Emil Charles Mashek

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Emil Charles Mashek, age 85, a resident of rural Richards, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born December 24, 1932, in Seward, Nebraska, the son of James Lewis Mashek and Mary Hromas Mashek. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, he relocated to the Mashek family farm near Richards, where he farmed and raised cattle for the remainder of his life. He married Carmen Dobry on December 11, 1959, at Girard, Kansas. Emil was a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of
Foreign Wars of Ft. Scott, the Ft. Scott Elks Lodge and the American Legion Post of Dwight, Nebraska. In addition to his life on the farm, he enjoyed going to casinos and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Carmen, of the home; two sons, Steven Mashek, and wife, Jodee, and David Mashek, all of Richards; a grandson, Skylur Emil Mashek also of Richards and two step-grandchildren, Victoria Krohn and husband, Stephon and Jonathon Ireland, all of Moore, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Mashek and a sister, Mary Ann Shane Jauernig.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, January 6 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Vernon County Youth Fair and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News, Fort Scott

Opportunity To Choose For Mercy Patients With Blue Cross

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“In the past, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott has been able to accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but Mercy Hospital Joplin and Springfield were excluded,” said Tina Rockhold media spokesperson for Mercy Hospital said.

Kansas residents with Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s plan which are part of the Blue Card network now have access to Mercy Joplin doctors, hospitals, labs, imaging facilities and other health care services, effective January 1, 2018.

 Mercy Joplin and Springfield are now in-network with a number of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas health insurance plans.

“This is a tremendous benefit to our patients,” Rockhold said. “Because if they are transferred or need specialty care not offered here, they can now receive care in Joplin or if need be in Springfield.”

“In Springfield, for example,  there is a highly specialized pediatric service,” she said. “If needed patients could be treated there.”

Click here for a list of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans accepting Mercy providers.

Patients with the following plans will receive in-network privileges at Mercy Joplin: Blue Choice, Preferred Care, Preferred Care Blue, Pathway/Pathway X and Medicare Advantage.

Because of its efficient, quality care, Mercy recently was named one of the top five large health systems for the second year in a row by IBM Watson Health’s Truven Health Analytics.

In addition to quality care across the board, patients in these Blue Cross Blue Shield plans will have access to a variety of Mercy health care specialties in Joplin that include:

  • Mercy hospitals located in Joplin, Carthage, and Springfield
  • Mercy Kids Pediatric Specialist Outreach Clinics in Joplin, and a Mercy Children’s Hospital in Springfield with dozens of physician subspecialists including pediatric critical care, orthopedic, endocrinology and neurosurgery
  • A neonatal intensive unit with private rooms that give families the space to participate in their child’s care
  • First Hybrid Operating Room in Joplin for open heart and brain surgeries
  • Advanced specialty services for cardiovascular, spine, bariatrics, neurology and many more

The full list of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans accepting Mercy providers follows:

Medical Networks

  • Blue Access – PPO

  • Blue Access Choice – PPO

  • Blue Traditional

  • Medicare Advantage HMO

  • Medicare Advantage PPO

  • Pathway

  • Pathway X

Medical (Individual & Families)

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold Direct Access, a Multi-state Plan
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Silver Direct Access, a Multi-state Plan

  • Blue Access Choice – S

  • Bronze Pathway

  • Bronze Pathway X

  • Catastrophic Pathway

  • Catastrophic Pathway X

  • Gold Pathway

  • Gold Pathway X

  • Lumenos Plans (Blue Access Choice)

  • Lumenos Plans (Blue Access)

  • National PPO (Blue Card Basic)

  • National PPO (Blue Card PPO)

  • Silver Pathway

  • Silver Pathway X

Medicare

  • Anthem MediBlue (HMO)

  • Anthem MediBlue (PPO)

  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)

  • Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO)

  • Anthem MediBlue Preferred (PPO)

  • Blue Medicare Advantage (PPO)

  • Blue Medicare Rx (PDP) with Senior Rx Plus

  • Blue Medicare Rx Plus (PDP)

  • Blue Medicare Rx Premier (PDP)

  • Blue Medicare Rx Value (PDP)

Federal Employee Program

  • Federal Employee Program

International

  • Blue Card Worldwide

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Obituary

Obituary For Connie Pavey Mathers

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Connie Jo Pavey Mathers, age 70, a resident of Centralia, MO., formally of Fort Scott, died Saturday, December 30, 2017 at her home. She was born January 17, 1947, in Fort Scott, KS. the daughter of Percy Pavey and Doris Pavey Pritchett. She married Larry James Mathers on April 18, 1965 in Wichita, KS., he preceded her in death on March 22, 2008. She enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with her grandkids.
 
Connie is survived by a daughter, Shelley Anderson, of Stergeon, MO., a son Chad Mathers, of Jefferson City, MO.; her mother Doris Pavey Pritchett; a brother, Paul Pavey and wife, Josie; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Percy Pavey; step-father, Ernest Pritchett; and brother Dale Pavey.
 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until service time at the chapel. Burial will follow in U. S. National Cemetery. Words of Remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary

Obituary For Gustav Rohnke

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Gustav Steven (Guss) Rohnke, age 58, resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, December 31, 2017 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  He was born September 26, 1959 in Fort Scott, the son of Gustav Adolf Rohnke and Thelma Marie Ruby Rohnke.  Guss was a 1978 graduate of Fort Scott High School.  He worked for Boone and Dauben Restaurant while going to school.  Guss worked waterproofing construction and masonry work most of his adult life.  He excelled as a bricklayer.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching the Kansas City Chiefs football and the Royals baseball.  In his youth he enjoyed dirt bike racing and also bull riding.  Guss was a long standing member of the Bricklayers Union #15 and the Masonry Union.
Survivors include a brother, Steve Riley and wife Sue, Fort Scott; sister, Tina Marie Land and husband Darrell of Leavenworth, Kansas.  Also surviving is a brother-in-law, J. D. Hess of Hume, Missouri, several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Nancy Hess.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct graveside services at 11:00 A.M. Saturday in the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. Saturday until leaving for the cemetery at the chapel.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. 
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

This Week In Fort Scott By the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

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2
Fort Scott Middle School Pizza Hut Night
4
Chamber Coffee, hosted by the Chamber Board of Directors at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St., 8am
4 Coffee with Doug, live music at Common Ground Coffee Co., 7pm

(Dangerous Doug Harper of Nevada, MO)
5-6 Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10am
6 The Bunker Conceal Carry Class, 8am, $75 fee
6 Boiler Room Brewhaus Grand Opening, 11am, 102 S. National Ave., music, food & craft beer
Upcoming Events:
1/8 Informational Breakfast: Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Strength Training Class for Older Adults, Buck Run
1/9 Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 8:30am
1/11 Biggest Loser Competition Begins at Buck Run, $15
1/12 Theology on Tap, Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main St., 7pm
1/15 Lunch & Learn, Martin Luther King Jr. Day speaker, Gordon Parks Museum, FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Building, 12pm

 

Uncategorized

City Commission Agenda for Jan. 2

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The Fort Scott City Commission will meet this evening at 6 p.m. at city hall, 123 S. Main Street.

On the agenda:

CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 19th, 2017.
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1206-A totaling $407,293.46.
C. Resolution 1-2018 designating the official City newspaper.
D. Resolution 2-2018 designating the official City depositories for public
funds
E. Certificate of Appropriateness – Proposed changes to building and
signage at 2 N. Main Street
VI. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF
MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I.
REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY
DELEGATE
a. Swearing in of new Commissioners
b. Election of Mayor
c. Election of Commission President
d. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council
Inc. Representative
e. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate
VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
A. APPEARANCE:
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None
VII. CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Fort Scott Plumbing Board reappointments – 3 year
terms
2. Approval of Fort Scott Electrical Board reappointments – 3 year
terms
VIII. COMMENTS:
A. Director Updates:
B. Commission:
C. City Attorney:
D. Director of Finance:
E. City Manager:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
• Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
• Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be
deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
• Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in
consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or
agency
• Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of
corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
• Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Microbrewery Opens January 6

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Bryan and Barbara Ritter stand in the taproom of the Boiler Room Brewhaus.

This Saturday, January 6, Fort Scott’s first microbrewery will open at 11 a.m.

Named the Boiler Room Brewhaus, the brewery is located in the lower level of the Beaux Arts Center, 102 S. National. Entry is from the alley on the south.

Public parking is at First and National Streets and additionally,  Judson and Second Streets nearby. The Fort Scott Post Office parking lot is off-limits, however it is through the post office parking lot that one must enter the facility.

“It’s  a comfy atmosphere,” Barbara Ritter, who along with her sister-in-law Peggy Ritter are the owners, said. “No TV’s. We want to encourage people to talk to each other.”

In addition there will be board games.

There is a 40 person capacity in the tap-room, she said.

Right now, Barbara’s husband Bryan Ritter is the primary brewer.

He is making ales.

“Beers fall into two categories,” Bryan Ritter said. “Ales and lagers…most people in Bourbon County drink lagers such as Budweiser and Coors. I’m not going to focus on that right now.”

The cooler seasons are ale seasons, Bryan said.

“You want something thicker and richer,” he said. “There is 4-6 percent alcohol content.” He can produce one barrel per brewing session or about 33 gallons.

For opening night, they will have close to 100 gallons, he said.

In addition, Jake Johnson will provide the music that evening.

Only prepared snacks will be offered in the taproom with the beer.

“By Bourbon County law, 30 percent of sales have to be in food,” Barbara said. “We don’t want to be a restaurant. So we are hoping  to get some support by getting it put on the ballot to change the law for microbreweries.”

The hours for the brewery are Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, 12 to 7 p.m.

Bryan Ritter holds a handful of toasted malt barley in the brew room of the Boiler Room Brewhaus. The hops Ritter uses is from the Kansas Hop Company, Ottawa.  The Honey Weiss he produces is from honey produced on the Ritter property, south of Fort Scott, Black Dogs Farm. Visitors can view the brewing system as they come in the brewery.
Barbara Ritter shows the jars that people may take the brew home in.
One of the three flavors currently offered at the Boiler Room Brewhaus.
Original web page

113 S National Ave

Fort Scott, Kansas

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Obituary

Obituary For Virginia Chambers

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Virginia Marie Chambers, 90, of Fort Scott, and formerly of Hiattville, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, December 28, 2017 at the Country Place Memory Care in Fort Scott.

She was born July 31, 1927, in Girard, Kansas, the daughter of Don and Imo Irene (Rogers) Salmon. She married John Joseph “Joe” Chambers May 28, 1950, in Hiattville, Kansas, and he preceded her in death June 24, 1995.

Virginia graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1944 and during her time there was able to take courses from Fort Scott Junior College, graduating with sixteen college credit hours. She continued her education in the summers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State University in 1957. In 1963, she received her Master’s degree in School Administration from PSU.

Virginia taught in rural schools including Hepler Elementary in Crawford County and in the USD 234 and USD 235 schools for thirty-nine years, the last eighteen as a Title I Reading Teacher at West Bourbon Elementary. She retired in 1985. She also worked for the Economy Book Company training teachers to teach the phonics method of reading.

Virginia was a member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church where she served as pianist and organist for over sixty years. She was instrumental in writing and directing the annual Christmas Program, and she also served as Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, as well as helped with Vacation Bible School.

After moving to LaCygne, she transferred membership to the LaCygne United Methodist Church and remained an Associate Member of Hiattville United Methodist. She was a Lifetime Member of the Ideal Chapter #369 Order of Eastern Star which merged with Olive Chapter, the Kansas State Teacher’s Association, and the Bourbon County Retired Teachers Association. She received the Kansas East Conference Denman Award for Evangelism.

Survivors include close friend and heart-adopted daughter Regina Woodworth and husband Tom, of Iola, Kansas; brother Harold Salmon and wife Segrid of Placerville, California; sisters-in-law Juanita Long and Shirley Chambers, both of LaCygne, Kansas; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Joe, Virginia was also preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. January Kiefer will conduct funeral services Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, January 2, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Community College endowed scholarship, Hiattville United Methodist, or LaCygne United Methodist, and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.