All posts by Submitted Story

Obituary

Obituary of Robert Lightwine

Leave a comment

Robert Earl Lightwine, age 72, passed away Monday, February 11, 2019, in Mesa, Arizona.  He was born February 28, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son Harold Lee Lightwine and Maida Belle Parker Lightwine.

Bob graduated from the Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1965.  He joined the Navy in August of 1965 and served for six years.  One defining year of service was spent in the “Brown Water Navy” Riv-Ron 112-11 division from February 1967 to February 1968 where he patrolled the waters of the Mekong Delta.  Bob was very proud of his military service and was a member of the Mobile Riverine Association.

He married Esther Connolly Graves on February 7, 1970.  They had just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on Thursday prior to his passing. Bob retired from Sears after thirty years in the appliance repair business.  During his retirement years Bob enjoyed fishing and traveling across the United States in his RV reminiscing with family and friends.  Bob and Esther enjoyed spending the winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.  Bob was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, a life member of the VFW and the Joplin Elks Lodge #501.

Survivors include his wife, Esther; sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Sid Colwell, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Carol and Alan Lytle, of Spring Hill, Kansas and Harold Connolly, also of Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Pam Hightower (Wayne), of Ft. Scott, Kelli Matlock (Robert), of Deerfield, Missouri, Les Lightwine (Mary), of Clever, Missouri, Howard Lee Lightwine (Anne), Zionsville, Indiana, Anthony Lightwine (Jamie), of Nevada, Missouri, Michael Lightwine, of Deerfield, Jana Walker (Shane), of Ft. Scott, Katrina Colwell, of Jackson, Missouri, Alissa Thompson (James), of Jackson, Missouri and Matt Lyman, of Leonardville, Kansas.  Also surviving are numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and many special friends across the United States.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Lynn Graves Poteet, a sister, Eula Irene Hays; two brothers, Harold Leon Lightwine and Howard Lee Lightwine and two cousins that his parents raised as his brothers, Charles “CJ” Hamilton and William “Bill” Hamilton.

Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 19th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

  The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Visitation will follow 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.

Memorials are suggested to Wreaths Across America or Care to Share and may be left in 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

Prairie Troubadour: Feb. 22-23

Leave a comment

The Prairie Troubadour Symposium is nigh upon us!

Rejuvenate your weary soul with a much-needed weekend of mirth and friendship.

Program at a glance:

  • Dates are Feb. 22nd (evening) & 23rd (full day), 2019
  • This year’s theme is Reason for Faith: Reflections on Particles and the Paraclete.  Discussions will range from evolution and the New Atheists to the role of science in education and the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki.
  • Dale Ahlquist, David Whalen, Stacy Trasancos, William Fahey and Kevin O’Brien fill-out yet another all-star cast of presenters.
  • A slightly less frenetic schedule this year allowing for more time to catch up with friends and browse 8th Day Books’ magnificent bookstore.
  • A great opportunity to get to know the students, faculty, families and growing community of Saint Martin’s Academy and tour campus!
Click here for full details and to register.

“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I’ve always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!”

– Hilaire Belloc

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Feb.14

Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

Date: February 14th, 2019

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

10:00-Commissioners to attend jail meeting

Justifications for 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

Fort Scott National Historic Site, Jobs

Ranger Positions At FSNHS

Leave a comment

Seasonal Park Ranger Position Available at Fort Scott National Historic Site

 

Fort Scott KS – Fort Scott National Historic Site is recruiting for a GS-05 Park Ranger temporary position Wednesday, February 13th, through Thursday, February 21st, for the summer of 2019. Application information can be found at www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/524354100. Additional park positions will be announced later this spring.

The Park Ranger serves as a front-line representative conducting independent research and developing original, thematic interpretive programs, and presenting interpretive, educational, and living history demonstrations/programs about the area’s cultural and natural resources to audiences ranging in size from 1-200, using a variety of props and techniques. The incumbent operates the park visitor center and ensures visitor safety. They are also responsible for opening and closing the site and basic resource protection tasks including exotic plant control and routine cleaning of museum objects and exhibit spaces. Other duties include making and maintaining interpretive products (such as signs and labels) and caring and accounting for interpretive props (such as living history clothing and equipment). They will work closely with park staff on critical special initiatives including website development, social media, and special events.

The GS-05 Park Ranger generally work a full-time 40-hour week, and is entitled to paid holidays. Holiday, evening, and weekend work is required. A driver’s license is recommended.

This position is expected to start in April and end in September.

For more information about the park in general, contact Fort Scott NHS at (620) 223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Government, Kansas

KDOT Plans in FY2020

Leave a comment

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz to announce the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) plans to invest $160 million in revenue that is included in the Governor’s FY 2020 budget for transportation.

 

With the $160 million in FY 2020, KDOT will:

  • Increase the highway preservation investment from $350 – $400 million
  • Move forward with four delayed T-WORKS projects (including the U.S. 169 modernization project in Anderson County; for details click the link below)
  • Reinstate the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program
  • Implement a new cost-share program for state/local partnerships
  • Enhance its safety program • Increase City Connecting Link maintenance payments
  • Increase funding for modal programs (e.g., transit, aviation, rail and bike/pedestrian)

 

For further information please go to this link:

 

http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/Headquarters/PDF_Files/pressrelease2019/TaskForceNewsRelease.pdf

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Visage Skin Care Feb. 14

Leave a comment
WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
 

Hosted by:

Visage Skin Care
 

Location:

117 E. National Ave.
Thursday, February 14, 2019

 

Click here for Visage Skin Care’s web page.

 

Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
February 21 – Fort Scott Lofts
February 28 – Hole in the Wall Liquor Store/Adventures in Mission
March 7 – Bourbon County Arts Council (Annual Exhibit)
March 14 – Tri-Valley Development Services
Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

Leave a comment

February 14. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post members including SAL members are invited to join our growing Color Guard.

 

February 16. District 2 oratorical contest at Post 153 in Olathe starts at 10 am. All Post 25 members are invited to attend and support our Post 25 oratorical competition winner.

 

February 19. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

February 23. A tentative meeting for the formation of a Post 25 American Legion Riders (ALR) Chapter will be held at Memorial Hall. A time has not been set as the Area Director still works and the meeting time will be set once he knows his schedule.

 

To join the ALR, you must be a current member of the Legion, Auxiliary or Sal at any Post and own a motorcycle. Past ALR members without motorcycles can be grandfathered in, provided they gave up riding due to heath issues. Contact Post Commander Jowers at [email protected] if interested.

 

February26. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

March 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

March 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

Post 25 Legionnaire Russell Vann has transferred to Post Everlasting. Russell was an Air Force Vet and a 20-year member of the American Legion.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

 

I am proud to announce that once again Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 leads the Department of Kansas in membership this week. Our 2019 goal was 51 members. Our current membership is at 135% and 69 members. We are 18 members over our goal. By way of comparison, Sterling Post 128 in District 7, is in 2nd place for membership at 115%. Thanks to all members who have made Fort Scott Post 25 a highly visible and active Legion Post in the Department of Kansas.

 

Post 25 received the “Special Certificate of Distinguished Service” at the Legion’s recent Midwinter Forum. The Special Certificate is awarded for “exceeding the Post’s previous year’s final membership by Veterans Day.” Post Commander Jowers’ received the “Post Commander Achievement Award” for “meeting the Post’s previous year’s final membership by Veterans Day.” Commander Jowers noted that without the Post’s membership stepping up and renewing their memberships or recruiting new members, neither award would have possible.

 

Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will no longer hold office hours on Tuesdays at Memorial Hall. She will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wish to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

 

The District Oratorical competition at American Legion Post 153 in Olathe on February 16th at 10 am. Madison Toth, Post 25 Oratorical winner, will represent Post in the District competition. All Post members are encouraged to attend and support our candidate.

 

Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle is now in operation. Currently, the shuttle is only operating on Tuesdays. As more drivers are cleared by the VA, additional days will be added to the schedule.

 

Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm and call by 5 pm Monday to schedule their ride.

 

Nominations for Post 25 Officers for the 2019 – 2020 Legion year will begin at our March meeting. Any Post 25 Legionnaire who is current on their dues can be nominated for any office. Please give thought to stepping up and being nominated for an office or encourage other members to step up and help guide Post 25’s growth for another year.

 

The American Legion Department of Kansas new member recruitment incentive is now in operation. Recruit a new member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing to win $500 each, plus your Post will also receive $500.  If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll will make arrangements to deliver them to you. A copy of the membership drive rules is attached.

 

The February State Adjutant’s Newsletter is attached.

 

Shuttle driver’s meeting at Memorial Hall on Monday, February 11 at 6 pm. The meeting is to review program guidelines and set the shuttle’s operating schedule. The meeting is also open to area residents who would like to learn more about the shuttle program. You do not have to be a Veteran to become a shuttle driver.

 

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.

 

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]