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Obituary

Obituary of Jennie L. Wood

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Jennie Louise Wood, 84, of Fort Scott, went to be with her Lord Wednesday evening, January 13, 2021 at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born January 26, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Eldora (Reynolds) Beaver. Eldora married Ralph Beaver when Jennie was 15, and thereafter she considered him her father. She married Kenneth Ross Wood August 15, 1958, in Los Angeles, California.

Jennie was a partner in pastoral ministry to her husband, Kenneth, for 43 years. Using her gifts of music, hospitality, teaching, and encouragement, she served faithfully alongside her husband at churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, with the ability to make each one feel special and loved. She was a piano teacher for many years and loved her students and their families. She was a substitute school teacher and played her violin in community orchestras. She was a member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Jennie is survived by her husband, Ken, of 62 years. She is also survived by her children, Suella Hornby and husband Charles of Springfield, Missouri, Stan Wood and wife Denise of Leavenworth, Kansas, Melody Richardson and husband Lonnie of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke and husband Phil of Raymore, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Briana, Nathan, Reagan, Jaron, Graham, Carter, Ross, Alexandra, Annelise, Davis, and Sawyer, and one great-grandchild Noah, and a baby girl due in May.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Eldora Beaver, and four stepbrothers, Ralph Jr., Melvin, Harold, and Larry.

Services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00 am, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene with burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The service will also be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Lois Williams

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Lois M. Williams, age 90, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went to be with her Lord on January 14, 2021 at her home in Ft. Scott.

Lois Maxine Anderson was born on August 28, 1930 and grew up on a dairy farm near White City, KS.  Her three brothers did all the chores, except her job was to gather the eggs.

 

She met Bob Williams while she was attending Manhattan Christian College, and he was attending K-State.  She became his bride on August 20, 1950, and they were married for 70 years.  They have four children:  Lynnette LaForge (Frank), Caney, KS, Cynthia Dickason (Nolan), rural Crescent, OK, Karen Marshall (Steve), Fairfax, IA, and Brian Williams (Terri), Fort Scott, KS.  They have 18 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren with two more due soon.  She enjoyed spending time with them and baking chocolate chip cookies for everyone.

 

She loved to sing solos in church, play the organ, and direct the children’s choir.  She was a Christian all of her life, and raised her children in the church.  She taught piano lessons to several children, including her own, and violin lessons to two of her daughters.  She spent many hours sewing clothes for her kids.  In later years, she enjoyed reading and playing games in books.

 

There was cremation.  A memorial service with burial in the Clarksburg Cemetery will be held at a later date.  Memorial are suggested to the First Southern Baptist Church Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 345, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

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Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

FSHS Boys Swim Team Competes at Winfield

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The Fort Scott High School Boys Swim Team competed at Southwestern College in Winfield,  on Thursday.

Oliver Witt brought home two second-place medals in both the 200 Free and 100 Fly with a best time in the 100 Fly.

Bobby Kemmerer brought home two  third-place medals in both the 50 Free and 100 Breast.

Sam Mix took 7th in the 50 Free and 9th in the 100 Breast taking 2 seconds off his previous time for a personal best.

The Swimming Tigers will head to Osawatomie on January 20 to continue to work towards state qualifying times.

Submitted by Angie Kemmerer

Government, Housing

Governor’s Council On Tax Reform Report

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Governor’s Council on Tax Reform Releases Second Interim Report

TOPEKA – A second interim report by the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform is issued in the wake of the last legislative session being cut short by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The report for consideration by the Kansas Legislature includes additional research of possible economic implications to the state caused by the pandemic.

Governor Laura Kelly established the bipartisan Governor’s Council on Tax Reform through Executive Order No. 19-11, which has since extended its formation.

The Council was tasked with conducting an in-depth assessment of the state’s tax structure, to explore strategies that increase both effectiveness and fairness, and receive input from stakeholders across the state.

The governor continues to recommend returning to the “three-legged stool” approach that relies on a sensible balance of income, sales, and property tax revenue.

The Council will continue to review aspects of state and local finances and how best to respond to federal tax law changes, the taxation of groceries as part of sales tax revenue, and how to best provide targeted property tax relief. The Council also is charged with determining how much room will be available in future budget projections for tax relief.

“I am pleased with the extensive work the Council has performed for the sound recommendations that will return the state to a balanced approach of sales, income and property taxes,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

View the Council’s report here.

Food, Government, Kansas

SNAP Food Assistance Increases

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Kansas Households Receiving Food Assistance Will Receive Added Benefit

Beneficiaries to see 15 percent increase starting in January

 

Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard announced today that benefits through the food assistance program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will increase temporarily.

The maximum allotments for food assistance will increase 15 percent for each household in January and will continue through June 2021. For the six-month period, the maximum allowable allotment for a family of four has been temporarily increased to $782.

“The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allows states to provide this additional assistance,” Howard said. “These added funds are imperative to ensure Kansas families have access to food in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Those that already receive food assistance don’t have to take any action to receive the increased benefit.

In January, funds will come in three issuances: The regular benefit was issued between Jan. 1 – 10 ; the 15 percent temporary increase will be available to each household as a supplement on Jan. 21; and the emergency food assistance allotment will be issued Jan. 22 – 30.

The February through June temporary maximum benefit will be issued on the regular issuance dates of the 1st through 10th of the month. In July, benefits will return to the regular benefit amount.

 

The temporary increase in maximum allotments are:

 

Household Size January 2021 – June 2021 Maximum Benefits
1 $234
2 $430
3 $616
4 $782
5 $929
6 $1114
7 $1232
8 $1408
Each additional person + $176

 

 

The temporary minimum allotment for household size 1 to 2 is $19.

All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.

Those interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF website at www.dcf.ks.gov or contact their local service center.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion Fort Scott Post 25 Update

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Thursday. January 14. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 6 PM in Memorial Hall.

Thursday. January 14. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7:15 PM in Memorial Hall.

Saturday. January 30. American Legion Riders Chapter 25 meets at 10 AM in Memorial Hall.

 

I have attached the current National American Legion Membership Impact Report and the State Adjutant’s Letter. Both articles have items of interest to the Kansas American Legion family.

Kansas Legion Sunflower Jan – Mar 2021 American Legion December 2020 Impact Report

 

Anyone interested in joining the Fort Scott American Legion Family should contact Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688. Our mission is supporting Veterans and their families.

Submitted by

Carl Jowers

Post 25 Commander

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

Adult Basic Education Offered at FSCC

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Fort Scott Community College offers adult education classes to assist students in GED preparation, basic math and reading skills, employment skills, and college preparation and transition. Individuals who have completed the adult education classes will have the opportunity to earn a GED, Basic Computer Skills certificate, and the Kansas Work Ready certificate.

Adult education classes are open to students ages 16 and older. Students who are under 18 must have a Parental Waiver for Compulsory Attendance to attend class; the form can be obtained from the last school district the student attended.

Attendance is mandatory all days of orientation. Class times are Monday through Thursday from 9 am – 12 pm, 1 – 4 pm, and 4 – 7 pm. The adult education center is located in the Student Success Center in Bailey Hall.

Based on the results of your assessment during orientation, staff members will develop an individualized plan to help you achieve your goals. In order to be eligible to take the GED examination, you must have completed all of the adult education class requirements, passed all required exams, and have a valid government issued photo identification card.

The cost for the class is $30 and includes the ACCUPLACER college entrance exam, Northstar Digital Literacy Certification, WorkKeys Employment Skills Test, TABE assessment, and one GED Ready Practice Test. GED testing fees are not included in the class fee.  The GED test fees are $33 per subject (Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies) which can be taken and paid for separately; due when you register for the test.

Upon successful completion of the examination, the student will be issued a diploma by the Kansas State Department of Education.

I am currently trying to build back my face-to-face classroom but I also offer online classes.  These classes could be for students lacking a diploma OR for anyone needing to review their basic reading and/or math skills.  I have had students take my class to prepare better for college entrance, to qualify for a program such as KansasWorks, or to even just learn how to use a computer and brush up on technology skills.  Students CAN enroll in the ABE class if they lack basic skills, even if they have a HS diploma or GED.

I am accepting students that are ready to learn.  They would just need to contact me to schedule an appointment to fill out paperwork and take the TABE pre-assessment.  I will be accepting new students for 2-3 weeks.  If students are not ready to start right away, our next orientation will be in March.  If you know someone that is interested, please send them my way.

 

Submitted by:

Aubrey Duft

ABE/GED Instructor at FSCC

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Meets at 4 p.m. Jan. 14

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to consider financial transfers and to consider a Bourbon County contract. Also added to the special meeting is an Executive Session to discuss non-elected personnel.

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.