All posts by Loretta George

Obituary

Obituary For Debra Sue Lowry

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Debra Sue Lowry, 62 went to be with the Lord on January 7, 2018. She was born May 20, 1955, in El Dorado, Kansas, the daughter of Patricia Ann (Long) Johnson and Harold ‘Smoky’ Long.
Debra married Donald E. Lowry on April 15, 1976; they later divorced.
Debra was a long time resident of Fort Scott, Kansas. She managed several restaurants in her lifetime including the Flamingo Café, the Colonial Restaurant, and the White Grill Restaurant.
In her earlier years Debra enjoyed drawing, cooking, swimming, and family gatherings and playing cards with friends and family as well as playing bingo. In her later years, she enjoyed the simple pleasures of having coffee with friends and spending time with family and living a quiet life.
Debra is survived by her mother and stepfather, Patricia and Kenneth Johnson of Fort Scott; three sisters, Teresa Stewart and husband, John of Moran, Ks., Tamaca Houk and partner, Clay Price of Bronson, Ks., Alisha Raines of Fort Scott, two brothers, Harold Long and wife Susie of Taylor, Mo., and Tommy Tucker of Fort Scott. Four children; Darrick A. Lowry of Nevada, Mo., Donna M. Lowry of Fort Scott, Darren E. Lowry and wife Penny of Nevada, Mo. and Denise Alfaro and husband Walter of San Antonio, Tx. She is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews, 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and many others who love her.
Debra was preceded in death by a brother, ‘Baby’ Long, her father, Harold ‘Smoky’ Long, a sister, Donna Kay Long, her maternal grandparents, Clayton and Leona Day, her paternal grandparents, Winnie and John Long, the love of her life, Donald E. ‘Donnie’ Lowry and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Debra will be missed deeply by all who knew her. Our loss is surely heaven’s gain.
Cremation was handled by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS.
Area News, Fort Scott

FSCC Will Offer Women’s Golf, Track And Field In Fall

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Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College Athletic Director and Dean of Students.

New opportunities for students to attend Fort Scott Community College on an athletic scholarship are here.

Woman’s golf and also men’s and women’s track and field programs will be offered in Fall 2018, according to Tom Havron, athletic director and dean of students, said.

“This is an opportunity for us to add to the student body and give students academic opportunities,” Havron said.

Ryan Pulsifer was hired as the new track and field coach.

“This is near and dear to my heart….I was a track and field coach for Neosho County Community College, Chanute,” Havron said.

“There is a possibility of using local talent on our team,” Havron said.
“Fort Scott High School has tremendous cross country and track teams. The local talent is  high.”

Track has potential to add 50 to 90 students to the student body, and up to 15 for golf, Havron said.

Jeff Tadtman, current head women’s basketball coach, is the new women’s golf coach.

“Tadtman has had some experience coaching golf in a previous position,” Havron said.

FSCC has already signed two high school students for this team and is aiming for eight, he said.

For college, women’s golf is played during  fall and spring semesters, Havron said.

“We were looking to add a woman’s sport,” Havron said. “Because of Title 9, it’s important to have things equal, to give opportunities to females.”

Havron said in addition to staff recruitment, people can apply for the athletic scholarships.

In addition to academics and sports, FSCC allows students opportunities to serve the community.

Havron said the athletic department prides itself on “producing a culture of community service.”

He cited such service as helping the middle school with several fundraisers, Beacon Adopt-A-Child, Angel Tree, reading programs at the elementary schools, line judges at the high school volleyball games, Upward Bound referees and shoe donations to a third-world country.

“We get multiple calls every month, people who need help,” Havron said. “The coaches are great to get this going.”

 

 

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Meets Jan. 9

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Following is the agenda for the Bourbon County Commission, Tuesday, Jan.9, starting at 9 a.m. The commission is located on the second floor of the courthouse at 210 S. National.

9-9:45 a.m.     Jim Harris

9:30                    Disposal of wreaths at the national cemetery

9:45-10:15     Commissioners consider and take action on any and all questions regarding the law enforcement project

10:30-11         Ben Cole-Sheriffs Dept. Wages

11-12                Justin Meeks

Noon-1:30       Commissioners gone to lunch

2-2:30              Ed Guss-City of Redfield/Fire Department

2:30                    Employee handbook

 Justifications for an executive session:

          Personnel matters of individual 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(s) 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

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

 

Bourbon County

Northwest Scott 4-H Gives Gifts to Adopt-A-Child Program

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The Northwest Scott 4-H Club met for its regular monthly meeting on December 11, 2017, at the First Southern Baptist Church fellowship hall.

President Kaitlyn Hanks called the meeting to order with eight members present. The roll-call question was “What is your Christmas wish?” The secretary read the minutes from the last meeting, and the treasurer gave a report. Kaitlyn Hanks gave a project talk about performing arts and told us about her membership in the National Thespian Honor Society.

Abbie Collins did a demonstration about how to make Christmas bows. Members enjoyed both talks, but awarded the traveling trophy to Abbie Collins.

A motion was made and seconded for the meeting to adjourn. Presents were wrapped that had been purchased for eight children through the Adopt-A-Child program at the Beacon. After wrapping Christmas gifts,  special holiday snacks were shared that the members brought.

 Club Leader Rachel Wagner reminded members that the club  will lead the flag salute on Dec. 15 at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Chamber Of Commerce Changes

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Board Members present at the first coffee of 2018: from left front, Deb Needleman, Gina Shelton; back from left: Reta Baker, Alysia Johnston, Jody Hoener, Mark Lewis, Darcy Smith, and Gregg Motley. Members not present: Ken Anderson, Bob Beckham, David Lipe, Bill Michaud, Geoff Southwell, and Robert Uhler.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce will have a new face welcoming the public at its office at 231 E. Wall and a new configuration of the building interior this year, along with some new divisions of the Chamber.

At the weekly Chamber coffee January 4,  Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Chamber, said Vonnie Rickerson will replace Allyson Turvey as the administrative assistant in the Chamber office starting January 8.

Vonnie Rickerson left, will be the new administrative assistant at the Chamber starting January 8. She is pictured with Lindsay Madison, right.

In an interview following the coffee, Madison said the public area of the Chamber building will be enlarged and the administrative assistant will be shifted to the left of the front door, while the tourism section will be moved to the north part of the building.

Turvey will change from a Chamber employee to a city employee.

“She will work 1/3 time for tourism, 1/3 time for economic development and 1/3 times for community development,” Madison said.

The enlargement of the public area is the result of Fort Scott becoming a regional tourism center with the State of Kansas.

“There are two other regional tourism centers in the state,” Madison said. “So there will be a lot more materials and signage, so there will be changes to the building.”

Also new this year, the Chamber board is adding an Ambassador Group “to be more in touch with our members,” Madison said. At the coffee meeting, she asked for volunteers to be an Ambassador.

Madison said the Chamber has selected a new mission statement as a result of the tourism section coming under the city direction.

Supporting businesses, building community and promoting town spirit is the new mission statement at the Chamber.

Announcements from the first Chamber Coffee of the year:

  • The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign this year netted $7,000, Allen Schellack said. Schellack is the director of Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and the local agency for the SA.
  • The Young Professional League will soon be having its annual enchilada fundraiser in support of the Beacon, YPL Member Chris Petty said.
  • Zach Allen, Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, said that the company is bringing fiber optic services to the city’s businesses.
  • Live Local, a local grassroots group, will be a new division of the Chamber and will focus on local businesses, Gregg Motley said.
  • The annual Chamber dinner will be March 15, Motley said.

Pictured above, the attendees of the weekly Chamber coffee mingle before the meeting began.

Each week attendees may pay $1 and tell about an upcoming event, with proceeds going to support the Chamber trolley car.

The average attendance is 40-60 people, according to Madison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area News, Fort Scott

Job Openings From The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

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The following jobs are taken from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.
City of Fort Scott – Human Resources
PO Box 151
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Information Technology System Administrator
Category: Accounting
 TitleInformation Technology System Administrator  Open Date12/4/2017  Number of Openings1  Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  Exempt/Non-ExemptNon-Exempt  ShiftDays  Category
Information Technology  Description SUMMARY Responsible for effective provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure in order to meet Citywide priorities. Formulates and executes plans and budgets that are consistent with and supportive of the City IT goals …read more
Contact:
Send Email
Phone:(620) 223-0550
Ward/Kraft, Inc. – Brad Matkin
2401 Cooper St.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Video Editor
Category: Graphic Arts
“WE HIRE THE PERSON NOT THE POSITION”Job Posting: Video EditorWard/Kraft, Inc, located in Fort Scott (KS), is currently looking for a Video Editor. Ward Kraft is an industry leader while being one of the most innovative print manufacturers in the Print Industry. Ward/Kraft is a family owned company that started over 40 years ago with customer service and good business values as a number one priority. Ward/Kraft offers a competitive salary and a substantial benefits package to their membersWard/Kraft want …read more
Contact:
Send Email
Phone:620-223-5500 x-4351
Timken – Human Resources
4505 Campbell Drive
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Production Scheduler
Category: Manufacturing
Date: Dec 12, 2017, Location: Fort Scott, KS, US, 66701 Company: Timken Production Scheduler: Wrap Molded – Fort Scott, KS Develop and manage the Value Stream production schedules.  Work with the planning group and Value Stream Manager to develop and execute the SIOP plan.  Work with the VSM and production supervisors to manage daily production to meet required metrics for Value Stream budget and SIOP.Execute Production Plan – Scheduling Manufacturing  in accordance with Firm and Forecasted Demand …read more
Contact:
Send Email
Phone:620-223-0080 ext. 2
Shoe Sensation, Inc.
2420 S. Main St., Suite 200
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Back-Up Assistant
Category: Retail/Wholesale
Title:Back-Up Assistant (Part-Time)  Location:KS – Fort Scott – 641  City:Fort Scott  Metro Area:Fort Scott  State:KS  Postal Code:66701  Functional Area:Store Operations  Description: Back-Up Assistant: Position Summary   Assists with the management of day-to-day operations, this position provides support to the Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager.  The Back-Up Assistant reports directly to the Store Manager.   Key Responsibilities:  Contributes to team effort by …read more
Contact:
Send Email
Phone:(620) 223-1622
City of Fort Scott – Human Resources
PO Box 151
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Part-Time Communications Technician
Category: Telecommunications
 TitlePart-time Communications Technician Open Date10/3/2017  Number of Openings1  Full-Time/Part-TimePart-Time  Exempt/Non-ExemptNon-Exempt  ShiftRotating Days and Nights  CategoryCommunications  Description We are seeking applicants to fill this position on an as needed part-time basis to cover when regular full-time staff is on vacation or out on other leave.  As full-time positions in this department come open, we do fill them from our pool of part-time as needed staff.   SUMMARY Under the general …read more
Contact:
Send Email
Phone:(620) 223-0550

Obituary

Obituary For Evelyn Lucille Reynolds

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Evelyn Lucille Reynolds, age 95, a former resident of Uniontown, KS, died Thursday, January 4, 2018, at Windsor Place, Iola, KS.  She was born on June 5, 1922, in Elgin, KS, the daughter of Charles C. and Bertie Macher Mumbower.

She married Willis J. Reynolds on August 17, 1940, in Nevada, MO.  He preceded her in death on October 16, 2009.

Lucille was employed by USD 235 School District as a part-time custodian from 1967 until retiring in 1984.  She loved outside work including gardening with her husband.  She was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Uniontown since 1960.

Survivors include her son, Jimmy L. Reynolds, Uniontown; as well as several nieces and nephews.  Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Gilbert and Bob Mumbower; and two sisters, Minnie McBride and Beulah Sipe.

Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 10 AM Monday, January 8, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the First Missionary Baptist Church of Uniontown and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Submitted

What’s Happening This Week By Fort Scott Chamber Of Commerce

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6 The Bunker Conceal Carry Class, 8 am, $75 fee
6 Boiler Room Brewhaus Grand Opening, 11 am, 102 S. National Ave., music, food & craft beer
8 Informational Breakfast: Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Strength Training Class for Older Adults, Buck Run
9
Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 8:30 am
10 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center 9 -10 am
11 Chamber Coffee, Mercy Health for Life 8 am
11 Biggest Loser Competition Begins at Buck Run, $15
11 Thursdays Card Players at Buck Run Community Center 6-9 pm
12-13 Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10 am
12 Theology on Tap, Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main St., 7 pm
13-14 Youth Basketball Tournament- hosted by FSHS Booster Club.  Start early Saturday morning through 5-6pm Sunday evening

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.