John Edwin Mason, professor of African history and the history of photography at the University of Virginia, will speak on at 1 p.m. June 26 at the Gordon Parks Museum, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Category Archives: Area News
Mercy’s Golf Classic Results
A whopping 32 teams participated in the third annual Mercy Health Foundation Golf Classic held at Woodland Hills Golf Course on June 9. The event is quickly becoming one of the largest tournaments in southeast Kansas and the most successful fundraisers for the foundation. Organizers predict net funds to surpass the $14,000 mark.
“We are extremely grateful to the participants, our huge and growing list of sponsors, golf course employees and our Mercy volunteers who came together to support this amazing fundraiser for the Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott,” said Tina Rockhold, foundation executive director and community relations manager.
Proceeds from 2018 Mercy Golf Classic will be paired with the July 27th Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk, and Blane Howard Concert proceeds to help the Mercy Health Foundation to purchase a new transport ambulance for Mercy EMS.
The fourth Mercy Golf Classic is already scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2019.
Event results:
1st Flight Winners
1st Place ($300) with a score of 50 – Jon Allen team
2nd Place ($200) with a score of 51 – Shawn Marshall team
3rd Place ($100) with a score of 52 – Barry Queen team
2nd Flight Winners
1st Place ($300) with a score of 57 (won in scorecard playoff 2 on 2) – Steve Anthony team
2nd Place ($200) with a score of 57 – Mitch Quick team
3rd Place ($100) with a score of 58 – Clay Campbell team
3rd Flight Winners
1st Place ($300) with a score of 60 (won scorecard playoff 3 on 4) – Mike Harper team
2nd Place ($200) with a score of 60 – Beth Nuss team
3rd Place ($100) with a score of 62 – Jed Perez team
4th Flight Winners
1st Place ($300) with a score of 62 (won scorecard playoff 3 on 14) – Allen Bukowski team
2nd Place ($200) with a score of 62 – Dean Crager team
3rd Place ($100) with a score of 65 – Cliff Yarick team
Special Events
Chipping Contest – (golf bag, umbrella, $30 LaHacienda and grilling utensils) – Matt Sanders
Men’s Longest Drive (1 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls) – Blake Hudson
Women’s Longest Drive (1 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls) – Jordan Mason
Closest to Pin (1 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls) – Jim Ermel 37.5 inches
Closest to the Line (1 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls) – Jordan Mason at 16 ft.
Closest to the Line (1 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls) – Drew Clark at 4 inches
Sponsors for the event include: Queen’s Price Chopper, All Hit 103.9, 5 Corners Mini Mart, McDonalds of Fort Scott and Nevada, Briggs Auto of Fort Scott, Care 4 All, Landmark National Bank, Walgreens, Go2Partners, WCA, City of Fort Scott, Extrusions, Inc., Fort Scott Family Dental, City State Bank, Union State Bank, Cancer Center of Kansas, Names & Numbers, Cheney Witt Chapel, Inc., Citizens Bank, R & R Equipment, Mid-Continental Restoration Company, Inc., HydroWorx, Central States Fitness, EVCO, Campbell Print Solutions, Inc., Bourbon County Assisted Living, LLC, Pumpin Pete’s, Lowell Milken Center, SMM Holdings LLC, Peerless Products, Timken, Stutesman’s Action Realty, Watts Fitness LLC, Ward-Kraft, Common Grounds, Atkins Insurance Agency, Fort Scott Community College, Hammons Realty Company, Marsha’s Great Plains Deli, Medicalodges, Inc., Goody’s Department Store, {Re:Freshed Aesthetics} by Delane, LaHacienda of Fort Scott, and Labconco Corp,
The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott in a not-for-profit corporation which secures public support for projects that enhance health care in the Fort Scott area. Over the years, contributions have helped purchase medical equipment, support programs and established an endowment to meet Mercy’s future health care needs.
SEK Republican Chairs to Host Governor’s Forum
Several Southeast Kansas (SEK) Counties have been working together to organize and host a Republican Governor’s Forum. The intent of the Forum is to educate voters and promote the SEK region. Four Republican county chairs, Don Alexander of Neosho County, Marsha Wallace of Crawford County, Mike Howerter of Labette County and Virgil Peck of Montgomery County have invested many hours in preparation for what they expect to be a big event for SEK.
The event will take place in Parsons, at the Parsons Municipal Auditorium, located at 112 S. 17th – one block west of the main north-south corridor (Hwy 59 or 16th street) in Parsons on the evening of June 16th. The doors will open at 5:00 and the Forum will formally start at 6:00.
Virgil Peck, the “unofficial chairman” of the group, said the idea came to him in the middle of the night several months ago. Soon after, he approached the other county chairs about the idea and says, “They all liked the idea and were immediately willing to join together to make it happen”.
The group first met at the Republican State Convention in Wichita last February to start the process. Peck reports that they have worked hard at planning and making the necessary arrangements to ensure that the Forum is a first-class event for SEK. He says he is very grateful to the many area businesses and individuals who have made financial contributions to cover the expenses, especially the Platinum sponsors: Monarch Cement of Humboldt, Taylor Crane and Rigging of Coffeyville and Ash Grove of Chanute. “Their contributions make it possible for the event to be free to the public,” said Peck. He went on to say that some Forums and Debates around the State have charged an admission of as much as $20 per person to attend their event. “We didn’t want to exclude any Republican voter, so we are making this happen at no cost to those who wish to attend.”
All five leading Republican candidates for Governor have confirmed their attendance and participation. They are Governor Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, State Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, Dr. Jim Barnett and Patrick Kucera. In addition to the candidates seeking the office of Governor, several Republican candidates running for 2nd District Congress and other statewide offices will be at the event to visit with voters.
Alexander said, “This forum gives the people of SEK an unprecedented opportunity to personally meet future leaders in Topeka and Washington.” He encourages voters to: “Come talk with the candidates, shake their hands, and ask serious questions.” Alexander adds, “The forum also gives these future leaders a look at what we have to offer in SEK – so a good turnout is important.”
Howerter informs area residents that if they just can’t make it to Parsons on the 16th, they can listen to the forum live on KGGF radio (690 AM) or view it live on the internet – as it will be live-streamed worldwide. “I have run several of this type of meeting in the past. I commend my fellow chairs, especially Virgil (Peck) and Don (Alexander), they have really been doing a great job.”
There will be free literature and yard signs from the many different candidates attending the Forum. It is recommended that attendees arrive early to get the best seats. Additionally, at 5:40 there will be a pre-forum event to introduce and hear from the candidates for Second District Congress.
Joining with the other Chairs to encourage attendance at the Forum, Wallace says, “Although it is beneficial to read about the candidates and listen to what they have to say on the radio or internet, there is no better way to get a feel for who a person truly is than to look them in the eye, shake their hand and visit with them in person.”
Conard To Be Honored by Polish Government June 10-11
Norm Conard, the director of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, will receive an award in a special ceremony in honor of the 10th anniversary of Irena Sendler’s death.
The recognition is for Conard’s work with Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, which brought Irena Sendler’s name onto the global stage, according to a press release.
The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Poland along with Taube Philanthropies will present a special award to Conard at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, on June 11.
The award is presented in the name of Irena Sendler to Polish citizens who ‘preserve Jewish heritage and help renew Jewish culture in Poland.’
Conard is the first non-Polish citizen to receive the award.
“This is about emphasizing the history of the Jewish people in Poland,” Conard said in an interview with fortscott.biz. “Before the war there were 3,000,000 Jews after the war there were 30,000.”
Conard said he would be attending a dinner Sunday evening with two former presidents of Poland, in addition to the award ceremony.
Following is excerpts from Conards intended speech:
“There are many people who have impacted history, in extraordinary ways. Irena Sendler stands out because of her incredible courage and undying love for children. ‘People caring about others’ was her mantra, understanding the need to ‘repair the world,’ was her motto.
“I salute the Taube Philanthropies and the Ministry of Culture for the Country of Poland, for their wonderful desire to ‘preserve Jewish heritage and to help renew Jewish culture in Poland.’
“Many years ago there was a thriving Jewish life in this country. May that again be the case, as awards like this bring out heritage and history. The two entities involved with this ceremony both believe in the future of the Jewish people in Poland.
“Almost 20 years ago, a project began in Kansas, which would change many lives. It would also lead to a close personal relationship for my students and myself, with Irena Sendler. It was our privilege to travel to Poland and be with Irena on five occasions.
“These times with her would be filled with laughter, with tears, and with a transparency from Irena that would transform everyone in the room. She also would share many, many rich thoughts and wishes. Until her death in 2008, she constantly spoke out for those people who were downtrodden and would say again and again, that we must respect all people, regardless of race, religion or creed.
“As stated many times by Irena, her one regret in life was not being able to rescue more children. She also would want me to say, that these rescues were done by her network of over 25 people, always being humble and giving credit to them. She would always give the names of those in this brave, powerful, and passionate network, who assisted her in the rescue, hiding, and care of these children and adults from the Warsaw Ghetto and the streets of Warsaw.
“… I also stand here representing three high school students in Kansas and many other students and adults who have shared her story with the world.
“For Megan, Liz and Sabrina, I say, ‘Job well done,’ but there is much more in the process of repairing the world. To Bieta, Renata and other child survivors, I say, ‘Your love of sharing Irena’s story has made a tremendous impact on Poland and the world.’ To those presenting this award, I say, ‘Your honoring of courage and valor is so appropriate in our day and time. Her story is needed as much today, as ever before.’
“In the performance of Life in a Jar, there is a line that says, “Irena Sendler was a light, a spiritual light in the darkness. She repaired the world, one child at a time, and made a difference.”
Tata Ride June 16
The Care to Share/Sharing Bucket Cancer Support Group Fourth Annual Tata Ride is June 16. Contact Stacey at 417-214-7338 or Lavetta Simmons at 620-224-8070 for more information.
Fort Scott Talent Extravaganza May 31 Results
The final results of the competition are: First Place, Kenna Miles who won $300; Second Place, Christina Ramirez, who won$200;
Third Place, Jakob Slinkard and Jorden Willard, who won $100.
Benefits of Buying at the Local Farmer’s Market
By Sherise Beckham, MS, LD, RD, Mercy dietitian
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (May 22, 2018) – Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner. With all the flowers blooming and gardens growing, who doesn’t love this time of year? As a dietitian, I am always encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables; however, we rarely talk about the origin of them. For example, who grows your produce? Where does your produce come from? What is the timeline from when it was picked, transported, displayed in the store and now in your hand? Answers to all these questions vary, and in some cases, we might rather not know the answer.
However, we live in an amazing community. Our community is surrounded by many farmers and growers right here in Bourbon County. Many sell their fruits and vegetables every week between May and October at the local Farmer’s Market. By purchasing there, you can find comfort in knowing who grew it, how they grew it and when it was picked and purchased by you. Local produce can also benefit your health and your taste buds.
Local produce is loaded with more flavor. Usually, produce sold in stores is harvested prior to peak freshness and shipped to your location. The ripening process happens during transportation and storage, rather than on the vine. Local farmers allow their produce to ripen on the vine and then picked when ripe. Once picked, they are sold quickly to you and me, which allows us to enjoy the best tasting tomato ever!
Local produce is also higher in nutrients. By choosing local produce, you are giving your body more of those nutrients that fruits and vegetables are packed with. Again, this goes back to the shorter time from harvest to your plate, and that the produce was picked when ripe, not prior to. When your local farmer picks the produce when ripe, the produce has been given the opportunity to grow and develop to its full potential.
Choosing to purchase local produce also supports our local economy and helps keep our dollars local. Purchasing local supports your local farmers and they use those dollars to reinvest in our community. Choosing local also allows you to ask the farmer about their common practices in growing and harvesting their crops. The more you know, the more you can buy with confidence!
Fresh produce in Kansas is limited to a seasonal basis because of the area’s growing season, but we have all summer to enjoy the produce harvested close to home. Next time you are planning your meals or grocery shopping, consider purchasing from our local farmers: you won’t be disappointed!
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
Westar and Kansas City Power and Light Merge
KCC approves Westar/Kansas City Power and Light merger
Topeka – May 24, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved a settlement agreement giving Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy (the parent company of Kansas City Power and Light) approval to merge as equals. Under the agreement, the two companies will become wholly owned subsidiaries of a new parent company and serve more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri.
As the regulator of public utilities in the state, the Commission is charged with determining if the merger is in the public interest. That determination is made largely on the satisfaction of eight merger standards previously established by the Commission.
In its review of the merger standards, the Commission found the merger, as modified by the Settlement Agreement plus one additional condition, is in the public interest. The additional condition requires the companies to develop, and submit for Commission approval, an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) reporting process within three months of the close of the transaction. The implementation of the IRP will ensure the merger maximizes the use of Kansas energy resources.
The merger standards include:
- a) The effect of the transaction on consumers
- b) The effect of the transaction on the environment
- c) Whether the proposed transaction will be beneficial on an overall basis to state and local economies and to communities in the area served by the resulting public utility operations in the state.
- d) Whether the proposed transaction will preserve the Commission’s jurisdiction and capacity to effectively regulate and audit public utility operations in the state.
- e) The effect of the transaction on affected public utility shareholders.
- f) Whether the transaction maximizes the use of Kansas energy resources.
- g) Whether the transaction will reduce the possibility of economic waste.
- h) What impact, if any, the transaction has on the public safety.
Today’s order can be viewed at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=4ab19c7e-9957-40f1-8fb6-dd49aad0966f
The merger application was filed with the Commission on August 25, 2017. Statutorily the Commission is required to render a decision within 300 days. The parties have the right to file a petition for reconsideration within 15 days of the effective date of the order.
St. Martin’s Academy Open House
St. Martin’s Academy, a newly developed boys Catholic boarding school, hosted an open house Saturday on the campus at 1950 Indian Road, rural Fort Scott.
The campus is currently under construction.
“Our goal was to introduce the academy, its campus, and some of its staff both to local residents interested in the new project, potential supporters of our academic and cultural vision, and the families of prospective students,” Patrick Whelan, the academy’s headmaster said.
The torrential downpour on Saturday did not deter interested people.
“Despite the terrible weather in the morning, at its busiest, we had about 80 people present with some coming from as far away as Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas,” Whelan said. ” Many of the folks who attended were from local areas including Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Kansas City, and many of those in attendance were families interested in sending a son to St. Martin’s Academy. “
The open house program began with Catholic Mass celebrated by the school’s chaplain, Fr. Bob McElwee, followed by a welcome and introduction from Daniel Kerr, the academy’s president, and Whalen.
Visitors participated in a round-robin of presentations from the faculty and staff of St. Martin’s Academy, including presentations on academics, residential life, farming, faith, and campus development.
“After lunch those interested participated in a hike through the campus that included feeding the animals, walking the woodland obstacle course, and visiting our ‘base camp’ in the woods,” Whelan said.
Following a break, visitors and local interested residents met in the lobby of the Courtland Hotel, downtown Fort Scott, for the third, public St. Martin’s Academy Faculty Lecture, he said.
“In a warm setting, with food and drink provided by the academy, Ron ‘Magister’ Klassen delivered a talk entitled The Joy of Learning Latin,” Whelan said.
For more information, click here to view a prior story:
Welding Expansion at FSCC
FSCC is responding to students interested in welding.
Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), Southeast Kansas Career and Technical Education Center of Crawford County (CTEC) and area businesses have banded together to prepare for the fall semester increase of students interested in welding, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities at FSCC.
FSCC’s Welding, Construction Trades, Masonry, and HVAC programs are located in Pittsburg.
Enrollment from Crawford County high school students is approximately 43 students, which made the expansion necessary.
CTEC will be adding five new welding booths to the 11 that already exists to accommodate the increase in enrollment.
FSCC masonry students are in the midst of building the cinder block booths, while Nutter Electric, Garland, is providing the necessary electrical upgrades, and the college is supplying the welding equipment.
Potential industry donors have been identified who may be willing to donate equipment for the new booth spaces as well.
Kris Mengarelli, the Director of FSCC CTEC says: “It is exciting to see our enrollment increase, giving our students the opportunity to learn a trade in high need jobs. This spring, we have been approached with more job openings than ever before from industry partners and have had more students take the certification test. CTEC is an incredible partnership between high schools, FSCC, industry partners and generous donors and we are excited to continue to work together to benefit students in Crawford County.”
Westar Energy Warns Customers of Electric Company Imposters.
Callers use the threat of disconnection to get immediate payment.
TOPEKA, Kan., May 18, 2018 – Westar Energy is alerting customers that imposters claiming to work for the company are threatening to disconnect service and asking for prepaid cards as payment.
Several customers have contacted Westar Energy’s Customer Relations Center after receiving suspicious phone calls.
Some imposters are very convincing. They may use websites that allow them to manipulate caller ID, making the call appear to come from Westar. They speak with authority.
When the targeted customer calls the phone numbers provided, the person who answers sounds like they work for Westar.
In some cases, callers may even provide information like amount due
that makes them sound credible.
“Scammers create a sense of urgency to get customers to act quickly rather than allowing them time to check their account,” Gina Penzig, media relations manager, Westar Energy, said.
“We will never require a pre-paid card for payment. Also, we notify customers multiple times in advance if service may be interrupted for non-payment.”
Before acting on one of these calls, check your records to see if a recent payment has been made. If you are still unsure, call our Customer Relations Center, 1-800-383-1183, and
check your account status.
More about identifying scams: https://www.westarenergy.com/scams
If a customer receives a suspicious visit from an individual, he or she should also report it to their local law enforcement agency.
As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity
needed to power their businesses and homes. We have 7,800 MW of electric generation capacity that includes renewables and
traditional power sources with half the electricity supplied to our more than 700,000 customers from emissions-free sources:
nuclear, wind and solar, with a third coming from renewables. We are a leader in electric transmission in Kansas coordinating a
network of lines and substations that supports one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. Our employees live,
volunteer and work in the communities we serve.
For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com. Westar Energy
is on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/westarenergy and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WestarEnergy.
Media Contact:
Gina Penzig
Westar Rate Change Request Hearing May 22
The KCC to host a public hearing on Westar’s rate change application
Topeka – The Kanas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 22 to receive input from Westar Energy customers on the company’s rate change request.
The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Washburn Institute of Technology, Main Conference Center, Building A, located at 5724 SW Huntoon in Topeka.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed rate change, ask questions and make comments to KCC Commissioners.
Members of the public can attend in person or watch a live broadcast of the hearing on the Commission’s website: www.kcc.ks.gov.
For those unable to watch live, a recording of the hearing will be available on the Commission’s website beginning May 30.
The application, filed by Westar in February, requests a $1.56 million dollar rate decrease effective September 2018 and a $54.2 million dollar rate increase in February 2019 for the company’s retail rate customers.
Combined, the adjustments would increase prices by $52.6 million.
If approved, residential customers with average monthly consumption of 900-kilowatt hours of electricity will see a monthly increase of $5.91 per month.
The request also includes updated tariffs for customers who installed their own source of electric power after October 28, 2015. A complete copy of Westar Energy’s Application and supporting testimony is available on the Commission’s website.
The Commission will accept public comments through 5 p.m. CDT, July 18, 2018. There are three convenient ways to submit a comment:
- Go to the KCC website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to
enter a comment.
2) Send a written letter to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and
Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604‑4027. Be sure to reference
Docket No. 18‑WSEE‑328-RTS.
3) Call the Commission’s Public Affairs office at 1‑800‑662‑0027 or 785-271‑3140.
The Commission’s decision on the request is due on or before September 27, 2018.