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Obituary

Obituary of Bernice Carriger

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Bernice Faye Carriger, age 89, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Credo Senior Living, Fort Scott.  Bernice was born, along with her fraternal twin sister, Innes Mae, on October 22, 1934, in Augusta, KS to Ernest Vay and Osa Matle (Johnson) Gardner.  She was raised and educated in Augusta, graduating from high school in 1952.  Right out of high school, she married Jimmie Dale Ropp. They were blessed with three children, Craig Allen, Douglas Randall, and Laura Lynn, before the marriage ended.

 

Bernice was an extremely hard worker and known by many as a perfectionist. As a single parent, she worked tirelessly and many long hours while living in Wichita to support and provide for her children.

If Bernice taught her children anything it was to love the Lord and have a strong work ethic. She always led by example!  Bernice loved people and they loved her.  She was a great cook and was extremely generous with her family and anyone in need.

 

On November 13, 1965, Bernice married Richard E. Carriger. They were married for 51 years before Richard passed away in 2016. Richard and his new family were transferred with KG & E to Fort Scott, KS in 1966.  Darren Scott Carriger was born in 1967.  Shortly after, Bernice went to work as a dental assistant for Dr. James Taylor.  She worked there for 28 years before going to work for General Anesthesia Services as the office manager.  She finished her career there, working for Bob Carillo, Will Guilfoyle, and Randy Braswell, happily working until the age of 80.

Bernice considered shopping as her mission in life. Special thanks to her shopping buddies, Carolyn Wenderott, Rita Schroeder, Patty Hutchison, and daughter-in-law, Missy Carriger.

She moved to Credo Senior Living in January of 2018. The staff there provided excellent care to Bernice until her passing. The family wishes to especially thank Betty Allen, Joni Hall, PersianCallahan, Irene Burton and Terri Cox for their loving attention and care over the past six years.

Bernice is survived by four children, Craig and Doug (Patty) Ropp of Fort Scott, Laura (Bill) Dalton of Parsons, KS, and Darren (Missy) Carriger of Osawatomie, KS. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rick Carriger, and three sisters, Helen Spivey, Dorie Shryock and Innes Wike, and daughter-in-law Elaine Ropp.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 26th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Graveside committal services will take place at 1:30 PM at the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 Friday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Elvis Tribute Artist Coming to Fort Scott February 17

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Featuring

Jeff Bergen is one of the most exciting and talked about

Elvis Tribute Artists.  More detail at https://www.facebook.com/elvisentertainmentkc/ and https://jeffbergen.com/Reviews.html

 

530 – Happy Hour with Cash Bar with background music

Charcuterie Cup appetizers

Elvis-Themed Silent Auction

630 – Dinner with background music

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Breast & Herb Crusted Lemon Pepper Pork Tenderloin

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans Almondine

Rolls with butter (thank you Connie Conroy!)

730 – Dessert with background music

Elvis-favorites

-Peanut Butter & Banana Dessert Cups

-Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cups

-Donut Wall (Elvis LOVED Donuts)

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

January 19, 2024

 

Tax relief was debated and passed both chambers.  A bipartisan vote sent Conference Committee Report (CCR) 2284 on its way to the Governor’s desk.  Before the House voted on the CCR, she announced she will veto it.  If she does veto CCR 2284, she’ll stop major tax cuts on:

  • Income tax relief for ALL
  • Eliminates state income taxes for over 340,000 low income tax filers
  • Eliminates state income tax on Social Security helping over 92,000 people
  • Standard deduction increases each year that inflation increases
  • Personal income tax exemption increase to $2,300 per person and increases to offset inflation
  • Veterans with 100% disability personal exemption increase to $4600 with inflation increases
  • Eliminates income tax on all income up to $6,150 ($12,300 married filing jointly) and levels the brackets to 5.25 for taxable income
  • Property tax relief for homeowners that increases each year to offset inflation
  • Eliminates the state sales tax on groceries in 2024, instead of 2025

 

CCR 2284 will provide much needed tax relief and is sustainable.  These are ideas that have been diligently and thoroughly vetted.  In fact, most of the policy was passed last year and vetoed by the Governor.  The veto override failed by one vote in the Senate.  Some believe that it will happen again.  There is over $3 billion sitting in the state coffers. The government has taken too much money from the people.  CCR 2284 will cut taxes and help Kansans.

 

The Governor has proposed tax legislation, but it doesn’t have the tax cut for the 340,000 low income taxpayers; it doesn’t cut income taxes for all Kansans; it doesn’t provide more relief to our 100% disabled veterans;  it doesn’t fight against inflation and cost living increases.  Remember, in 2021 the Governor vetoed tax cuts, calling them reckless and said they would break the state.  We overrode the veto.  The tax cuts didn’t break the state and neither will CCR 2284.

 

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

Caryn

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas Renewable Energy Projects Announced

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas Director Christy Davis today announced that Rural Development is investing $2.8 million in renewable energy projects to lower energy bills, boost energy production and create jobs.

“Rural Development is helping farmers, ranchers and small businesses be a part of the clean energy economy and directly benefit from it,” Director Davis said. “These investments expand renewable energy infrastructure and save Kansans money on their energy costs that can be invested back into their businesses and communities.”

The details of the Kansas projects are:

  • A $79,960 grant will help purchase and install two 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbines for Viets Brothers Inc. of Girard. The project is expected to generate 71,699 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, 100 percent of the company’s electrical usage and enough to power 6.7 homes.
  • A $43,800 grant will help purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine for Blevins Farms Inc. of Highland. The project is expected to generate 37,337 kWh per year, 100 percent of the company’s electrical usage and enough electricity to power 3.5 homes.
  • A $22,300 grant will help purchase and install a 16.28 kW solar photovoltaic system for Casey Andersen of Gove County. This project will realize $2,335 per year in savings and will replace 21,358 kWh, enough energy to power two homes.
  • A $39,800 grant will help purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine for Gene Moritz of Greely County. This project will realize $3,424 per year in savings and will replace 35,124 kWh, enough electricity to power three homes.
  • A $1,000,000 grant will help install an anaerobic digester to produce biomethane gas for Rio Vista Farms LLC of Hamilton County. This project will generate an estimated 80,286 Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) per year.
  • A $1,000,000 grant will help install an anaerobic digester to produce biomethane gas for Frontier Dairy LLC in Hamilton County. This project will generate an estimated 84,629 MMBtu per year.
  • A $98,720 grant will help purchase and install a 149 kW solar array for Mackey & Sons Inc. of Newton. The project is estimated to replace 187,991 kWh per year, enough energy to power 17 homes. Mackey & Sons Inc. currently has 22 employees.
  • A $100,728 grant will help purchase and install a 180 kW solar array for Bold LLC in Hutchinson. This project is estimated to replace 158,385 kWh per year, enough energy to power 14 homes. Bold LLC currently has 85 employees.
  • A $25,182 grant will help purchase and install a 13.5 kW solar array for Mid Kansas Marine and RV Inc. of Hutchinson. This project is estimated to replace 19,068 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home. Mid Kansas Marine & RV currently has eight employees.
  • A $216,000 grant will help purchase and install a 180 kW solar array for Ade-Wifco Steel Products Inc. of Hutchinson. This project is estimated to replace 277,933kWh per year, enough energy to power 26 homes. Ade-Wifco Steel Products currently has ten employees.
  • A $162,845 grant will help purchase and install a 175 kW solar array for Board of Trade Management LLC of Salina. This project is estimated to replace 237,078 kWh per year, enough energy to power 22 homes. Board of Trade Management currently has four employees.
  • A $26,875 grant will help purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine for Flat Land Farms in Wichita County. This project will realize $2,024 per year in savings and will replace 19,216 kWh, enough electricity to power 1.5 homes.

Please see the attached press release for full details. If you would like an interview with Kansas Director Christy Davis, call 785 207-1171.

 

Allen Pickert

Public Affairs Specialist

State office, Rural Development

United States Department of Agriculture

Uncategorized

Bo Co Courthouse Closed, Commission Meeting Rescheduled for January 23

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Due to the icy road conditions the courthouse will be closed today, so tonight’s meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Attached is the agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Meeting for Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

 

Submitted by

Jennifer Hawkins

Bourbon County Clerk

210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Phone: 620-223-3800 Ext. 191

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on January 23

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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

 

January 23, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 1/8/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $290,106.71
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $539,504.23
    4. Approval of November Financials
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
    2. CFO
    3. County Clerk
  3. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Selection of Chairman 2024
    2. Audit Contract
  • REDI/Legacy Health Announcement
  • Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  1. Commission Comments
  2. 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.

 

Opinion

BYOB by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

Everybody thinks of BYOB as “Bring Your Own Bottle,” but I’m not. Nor am I referring to it as “Bring Your Own Baboon” or “Bring Your Own Bassoon.” Nope, I’m thinking of “Bring Your Own Bible.“ When I was a young girl, an older gentleman in the church once said to me, “I can look in the pages of someone’s Bible and tell you what they believe because of the scriptures they’ve underlined.” I’ve pondered his statement many times as I continue to underline in my Bible 55 years later. Howard was also the same Christian man who once told me, “I love ya, but it puts an awful strain on me.”

 

The value in reading and studying the Bible is not to argue theology, but to learn how to live out God‘s design for our everyday lives. We are to renew our mind every day by reading, meditating, and practicing God’s Word. It’s a choice. After we decide to follow Jesus, the decision-making process has only just begun. “I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude] and I put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24 AMP.) “I put on” is a choice.

 

I stand in my closet and choose the clothes I’m going to put on. I stand in front of the bathroom mirror and make up my mind as to whether I’ll put on makeup. We make minor preparations for the day and often neglect the major ones that matter the most. In the morning, we sometimes forget to make up our mind to be Godlike. And then wonder with regret that evening why we blew our stack, spewed out unkind words, and didn’t act a thing like Jesus. It’s really not a good idea to try to put our life together without referencing the official Instruction Manual.

 

Sneakers or sandals, button-up or T-shirt, we’re constantly making choices. No one is holding a gun to our head to get us to put on the nature of Christ every day. It’s our call. Apostle Peter invites us to holy living when he writes, “So think clearly and exercise self-control….So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do…” (1 Peter 1:13-15 NLT.) In order to stay alert and obey God, we must know what He says. Everything we need to know is provided in the pages of His Word. It’s our user’s guide for “How to be Holy” in all of our conduct and manner of living. Nothing is left out in the tall order to “Be holy in everything you do.”

 

Consecrated followers of Christ are instructed to be holy, which is living a dedicated life to God and being devoted to His service. It’s the ongoing practice of individuals being set apart to God and aiming for moral and spiritual excellence. God never tells us to be something that’s impossible. Apparently, it’s possible to be holy. So knowing and practicing His Word guards against ignorance and helps us in our walk with Christ on the highway of holiness.

 

The Key: BYOB to church and underline in it. Then when you’re gone, the next generation can read it and be reminded of what you believed.

Bourbon County, Business

Bourbon County Community Outlook Conference Is January 31

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Bourbon County Regional

Economic Development…..

Bourbon County Community Outlook Conference!

Join Bourbon Area Business Professionals for an Economic Outlook Event!

Business and community leaders will talk about relevant economic issues that will impact local businesses and communities, including economic conditions, economic drivers for the state and regional economies, and general expectations over the coming months. Topics will include labor demand, costs, wages, manufacturing, and real estate. A local presenter will provide an in-depth analysis of the local economy.

Speakers:

State Outlook: Jeremy Hill, Director, Wichita State University CEDBR

Manufacturing Update:Craig Compton, Research Economist, Wichita State University CEDBR

Local Indicators: Jonathan Norris, Research Economist, Wichita State University, CEDBR

Local Update: Robert Harrington, Bourbon County REDI

Registration: $65.00/per person

Included in the price of the conference is a subscription to the CEDBR forecast booklets ($100 value), which are in-depth publications and reference guides on industry, regional, and state-wide economic conditions in Kansas:

Kansas Economic Trends (mailed in October), Kansas Economic Review (available at event), and Kansas Industry Drivers (mailed in May).

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

8am-10am

401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Contact 316.978.3225 for more information!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Celebrating Unsung Hero James Reese Europe

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James Reese Europe. Submitted photo.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Announces

a Grant from Humanities Kansas to Celebrate 

Unsung Hero James Reese Europe and Black History Month

 

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung  Heroes received a $300 grant from Humanities Kansas to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of the founders of Ragtime and Jazz and a true Unsung Hero – James Reese Europe.

The grant will support a special presentation by Internationally renowned musician and historian Lem Sheppard.

Lem Sheppard. Submitted photo.

Sheppard will present “African American Musicians in Kansas 1860-1920. Particular attention will be paid to music and musicians in historic Fort Scott!

Also included are a soup lunch, music by the Fort Scott High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Robinson, and a cakewalk just like 100 years ago!

The event will take place at the Ellis Center at FSCC on Thursday, February 15th, at 11:00 am.

 

The event is free, and all are welcome!

 

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

 

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. The Center also works to educate the local community on its past, present, and future.

 

About the Gordon Parks Museum: The Mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, an internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.