The City of Fort Scott Administrative offices will be closed on Friday, January 1st, 2021 in observance of the New Year’s Day Holiday. The regular offices will reopen on Monday, January 4th, 2021.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Thursday, December 31st, 2020, and Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 for the New Year’s holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Keys to the Kingdom – Carolyn Tucker
The Light of the World is Jesus
I appreciate and enjoy the annual Christmas light-and-music show on Margrave. The beautiful lights remind me of the star that shone above the stable where the Light of the World was born. Mary and Joseph saw, with their own eyes, the message from the angels come alive. The Messiah had come at last, but what a strange way for a King to be born! It makes sense that the first visitors at the manger were shepherds. For they were instructed by an angel to leave their flocks of sheep and go to Bethlehem to see the newborn Lamb of God. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 NKJV).
Our heavenly Father loved the world so deeply that He sent His one and only Son as a baby to die for the sins of the whole world. The good news of great joy was for all people. The everlasting Light of Jesus is still shining in the dark streets of 2020. Jesus came as the Living Word to redeem and set everyone free from the harsh grip of sin. Jesus said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46 NKJV). The blessed Redeemer wants the world to believe in Him and receive eternal life in Him.
God dearly loves people and He didn’t want anyone living in the dark with no hope. He designed a divine and perfect plan of redemption. “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine” (Isaiah 9:2 NLT). The Light that would shine would be God’s anointed King. God’s answer to an arrogant and lost world was a little baby. This Wonderful Mediator lit up the world with peace and goodwill to all men. And as the mighty Lion of Judah, He turned the world upside-down and set it on fire.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT). From my childhood, I remember singing the hymn, “The Light of the World is Jesus.” Philip P. Bliss penned these sobering lyrics: “The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin. The Light of the world is Jesus. Once I was blind, but now I can see. The Light of the world is Jesus.”
As we celebrate the Prince of Peace, the Christian carols we sing are biblical doctrine in poetic verse set to music. Our Christmas hymns present the truths of the virgin birth, Christ’s deity, salvation, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in believers.
The Lamb of God was the only perfect sacrifice for our sins. John the Baptist confirmed who Jesus was: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29 NLT). In the last book of the Bible, The bright Morning Star is still shining His powerful Light. “The city [heaven] had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:23 NKJV).
The Key: Jesus is the Light of the world, and He always will be.
Submitted by Pastor Kevin Moyers, Rinehart Christian Church
Mask wearing in 2020 has been quite a topic of discussion. President-elect Joe Biden says “Wear a mask.” Dr. Anthony Fauci says, “Wear a mask.” Did you know that the Bible addresses the subject of mask-wearing?
You might be interested in knowing that Jesus condemned the Pharisees for wearing a mask.
Now before anyone gets all “up in the air” about what I just said, maybe you should keep on reading this article. Please don’t go away and tell folks the preacher at Rinehart is saying something that I’m really not saying at all.
Fifteen times in the book of Matthew Jesus addresses the subject of “mask-wearing.” He addressed it once in Mark’s gospel, and four times in Luke’s gospel. Add all that up and you have 20 scripture references that address mask-wearing, and everyone of them is cautioning us against wearing a mask.
Did you know the word “hypocrite” in the NT means “stage-actor?” Let me quote to you from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Greek Words as it defines the word “hypocrite”: “Pretender; it was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines “hypocrite” this way: “an actor; stage-player; pretender; a dissembler.”
Jesus took this word from the Greek and Roman theater and used it in such a way that people understood perfectly what He was getting at. A hypocrite was someone pretending to be what they were not. They were “stage-acting” in a spiritual sense. In the case of the Pharisees, they were portraying themselves as spiritual-minded men, when really they were not spiritual at all. They were just putting on a show. They sounded spiritual on the outside, and maybe they “dressed like they were spiritual,” but in reality, they were not spiritual at all. They were wearing a mask.
Jesus had strong words of condemnation for those who were hypocritical “mask-wearers.” Check out some of these scriptures: Matthew 6:;2,5,16; 7:5; 22:18; 23:15,23,25,27,29; 24:51; Mark 7:6; Luke 12:56; 13:15. It appears that those who act like they’re a Christian, but really they are not, are in for a terrible awakening.
Jesus wants us to be sincere in our faith, and real. He wants us to be true. Don’t be that person who is a “Sunday Christian,” but has nothing to do with Him through the week. Don’t be that person who sings praises on Sunday morning and curses your neighbor on Tuesday evening. “My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (James 3:10).
May we all take off the masks and be what He wants us to be.
Now the other masks that you see people wearing in 2020 to protect them from the coronavirus, feel free to wear them if you want.
(Thank you, Jim, for the following email.)
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art, including paintings from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire their collection. When the Vietnam-conflict broke out, the son went to war. He courageously died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day and was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart. He died instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art.” The young man held out this package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father’s eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before showing them any of the other collected works.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited to purchase one of the paintings. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence…
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200.”
Another voice cried angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!”
But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?” Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
“We have $10, who will bid $20?”
“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the son’s picture. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”
A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!”
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”
“What about the paintings?”
“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will… Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.”
God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?”
Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. John 3:16
Kyla Probasco RN, CHC/SEK Fort Scott administers a dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Kristen McCoy RN. The clinic began vaccinating its staff against the virus on Wednesday, after receiving its first allocation of Moderna vaccine.
On Wednesday, Dec. 23, CHC/SEK Fort Scott received its first allocation of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinated 20 of its staff against the virus. Next week, per the state vaccination plan, CHC/SEK will begin vaccinating additional healthcare workers in our communities. At the same time, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies have begun vaccinating residents in nursing homes and senior living facilities.
The Moderna supply is being distributed to local health departments and federally qualified health centers across the state who will vaccinate healthcare workers. The initial vaccine distribution is geared towards healthcare providers and long-term care residents, in line with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. Distribution among these groups is expected to continue through January.
Kansas received its first shipment of Pfizer vaccines for hospital workers on December 14-15. This week, Pfizer doses were given to participating long-term care facility residents and staff through CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, who are tasked with delivering COVID-19 vaccine to these populations. The coordination of vaccination activities will occur directly between CVS/Walgreens and those facilities participating in the program.
KDHE is disseminating weekly updates on vaccine developments on their website.
CHC/SEK has planned for, trained, and is looking forward to the day we can begin offering vaccines to the public in the coming year. As soon as we know when public vaccine is on the way, we will keep you informed through your CHC/SEK Patient Portal, the clinic’s social media platforms, and your local news outlets.
Varrell Leroy Forgey, Jr. 91, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020, at the Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. He was born October 11, 1929, in Sheldon, Missouri, the son of Varrell Leroy and Rose Ruth (Brown) Forgey. He married Shirley Louise White on December 30, 1950, in Benton, Arkansas, she preceded him in death on January 18, 2019.
He is survived by a daughter, Melinda Kay Sedelmeyer, and husband, Rob of Medina, Ohio, and a son, Virgil Bradley Forgey of Payson, Arizona, a sister, Ruth Arlene Eubank of Peoria, Arizona, 3 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Shirley.
The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.
Rev. Steve Cole will conduct private graveside services at the Fort Scott National Cemetery Thursday, December 31, 2020.
The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.
Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Wilma Marie Rippee, age 93, resident of Prescott, KS, formerly of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at her home.
She was born March 8, 1927, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Harvey Wilkins and Marie Rose Wilkins. She graduated from FSHS with the class of 1945.
She married William Wesley Rippee on December 17, 1944, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on March 14, 1958. Wilma worked for Western Insurance Company for 25 years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
Survivors include a daughter, Rhonda Croan and husband Dean; Prescott, KS; a sister, Claribel Rose McLaughlin, Tulsa, OK; 4 grandchildren, Dena Thompson and husband Marty, Bill Dauben, Tamara Jefferson and husband Mark, and Amy Andrews and husband Dusty; and 7 great grandchildren, Brayden, Avery, and Brooklyn Dauben, Haley and Paige Jefferson, and Eli and Madison Andrews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Parker, and her parents.
Due to COVID-19, the family has decided to cancel services.”
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Joyce Elaine Wilkins, age 72, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020, at the Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
She was born October 3, 1948, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of William Faulhaber and Martha Babbit Faulhaber.
She married David Wilkins in January of 1970, at Topeka. She was a member of the Bronson Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Bronson Ruritan Club and had served as treasurer. She enjoyed doing cross-stitch.
Survivors include her husband, David, of the home; and two children, Brenda Proehl (Shawn), of Rogers, Arkansas and Mark Wilkins (Michelle), of Lansing, Kansas; six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her mother, Martha Faulhaber, of Ft. Scott and a brother, David Faulhaber, of Mapleton, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her father and a sister, Janice Lutz.
There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the U. S. National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital 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.
Barbara Jean Marsh, age 86, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at her home.
She was born January 23, 1934, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Lloyd K. Baysinger and Irene D. Shepard Baysinger.
Barbara graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. She married Donald W. Marsh on February 24, 1961, in Miami, Oklahoma.
Barbara had worked for forty-five years for Key Work Clothes. She began as a seamstress and later served as an inspector. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle and was currently attending St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Barbara enjoyed reading and taking the occasional drive-through Gunn Park with her husband, Donnie. She was also an avid fan of racing and of the Kansas City Chiefs.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and made every effort to attend her grandchildren’s activities. When health permitted, she enjoyed volunteering for Care to Share.
Survivors include her husband, Donnie, of the home; and her five children, Mike Simmons (Marsha), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jerry Simmons (Lavetta), Ft. Scott, Donnie Marsh (Sandy), Deerfield, Missouri, Ronnie Marsh (Mary), Ft. Scott and Tammy Miller (Doug), also of Ft. Scott. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Joyce Farmer, a brother, LeRoy Baysinger and a niece, Linda Alvater.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 28th at the Evergreen Cemetery.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Monday prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to 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.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: December 23, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
*SPECIAL MEETING
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
3:00 – 3:20 – Executive session – confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
3:20 – 3:30 – Executive session – personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy
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KCC completes investigation of Wichita area earthquakes
TOPEKA –The Kansas Corporation Commission has completed an investigation into whether the recent string of earthquakes occurring in the Wichita area are related to oil and gas industry activity. The KCC regulates oil and gas production and exploration in the state.
“Based on our investigation, KCC staff does not believe the seismicity in Wichita, Kansas is tied to any oil and gas activities in the area,” said Ryan A. Hoffman, Director of the KCC Conservation Division.
The KCC’s investigation examined many factors including:
This investigation procedure is outlined in the Seismic Action Plan developed in 2014 in collaboration with the Kansas Geological Survey and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. An investigation is triggered whenever an earthquake of M 3.5 or higher occurs in the state or when an earthquake scores a 17 or higher Seismic Action Score which takes into account variables such as risk, clustering and timing.
The KCC will continue to monitor the situation and consult with the Kansas Geological Survey and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as necessary.
