Buddy Copelin, age 90, of Peculiar, MO, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center in Mansfield, TX.

He was born October 12, 1932 in Talihina, Oklahoma, the son of Elias and Etta Copelin.  He graduated from Rogers High School in Arkansas with the class of 1952.

Shortly after graduating, Buddy entered the US Army and served in Salzburg, Austria.  He married his bride, JoAnn, in May 1953 and had 69 wonderful years together.

He owned and operated Goodyear Tire stores for the majority of his life and after retirement, he worked another 20 years for O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.  Buddy enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Peculiar for almost 50 years.

Buddy will be lovingly missed by his wife, JoAnn, his daughter, Debbie Taylor, and husband Steve, his grandsons, Nathan Taylor, Nick Copelin, and wife Jennie, and Zack Copelin, three great-grandchildren, Presley, Foster and Judah Copelin and many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, four brothers; Paten, EJ, JT, Billie, 3 sisters; Nadine, Alene and Maxine and his son, Randy.

Pastor Tim Reeding, will conduct funeral services, at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 28, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Peculiar, Missouri.

Burial will follow on Monday, at 11:00 A.M. October 31, 2022, at the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Peculiar, Missouri, 216 E. Broadway, Peculiar, Missouri, 64078.

Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Disease Research and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com

10-24-2022A

10-24-2022R

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Underage and No Headlights

I like to drive and I get that honest from my Dad (whose life was as colorful as a big box of crayons.) More than once, Dad told me about his childhood experience of driving in California in the 1930s. Just a kid, he would sneak (push) his parents’ car out of the garage and go for joy rides by himself. He was so little, he had to sit on a pillow to drive. The cops were getting used to seeing him drive around; once in awhile they’d pull him over and talk to him, but they’d just let him go (times were different back then). One time he stayed out longer than he planned and it was dark when he got back home.  So a little distance from the house, he killed the engine and turned off the lights so he could coast the car into the garage. Well, he couldn’t see and he ran into the side of the garage door with a big bang! The only option was to start it up, turn on the lights, back up, and then properly park it in the garage. Feeling terrible, he walked into the house and handed the keys over to his father. Neither one said a word. And that was the end of the joy rides.

The fact Dad couldn’t see in the dark is what abruptly concluded his driving excursions. It‘s not that he was a bad driver, he just needed to use his headlights. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV). I’ve memorized this  scripture and it comes out of my mouth almost daily. Actually, I was stumped as to why believers would need a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. I began to think of driving instead of walking. The lamp could be compared to headlights on a vehicle and the light could be compared to street lights. Living in a world of chaos and darkness, we need all the help we can get. The headlights are great, but when streetlights are added, it’s even better.

God has equipped believers with everything we need to live victoriously in a dark world surrounded by silliness and sin. God’s Word lights our path and we have access to this Light, but we have to make the effort to use this power. If your only Bible has an on/off switch, then that’s just sad. And if your Bible sits on the coffee table with dust on it, that’s sad too. It’s like starving to death with a pantry full of food because we’re too busy to eat it.

“God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the Light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the Light; he was simply a witness to tell about the Light. The One who is the true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. …But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:6-10,12 NLT).

When Jesus began his ministry, He fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:16 NLT). When I sleep in the dark, my physical body is restored and rejuvenated. But I don’t want to live in the dark. I want Jesus to light my world, to guide me and teach me. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and 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).

The Key: As a child of God, you have the right to turn on all the light switches.

Nominations Now Being Accepted for Kansas Health Champion Awards Exceptional efforts to promote health and fitness in Kansas to be recognized\

TOPEKA – The Governor’s Council on Fitness is now accepting nominations for its annual Kansas Health Champion Awards. Awards are given to one outstanding individual and two outstanding organization, that make an exceptional effort to model, encourage and promote health and fitness in Kansas. Award recipients will be recognized at the Community Health Promotion Summit on January 26, 2023. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 30.

“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is proud to play a part in this important initiative that works to improve the health and wellness of Kansans,” said KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek, “Many people and organizations throughout the state are making healthy living a priority, and it’s important that we recognize their efforts and the impacts it has on individuals, families and communities.”

Nominees would be expected to have demonstrated:

• Work that goes beyond what is expected to model, encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle.
• Work that overcomes health inequities that lead to sedentary lifestyles and/or undernourishment.
• Far-reaching impact
• Sustainable influence or activity

“In addition to promoting effective models for increasing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free living for replication by organizations and communities around the state, the awards also allow us the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of one individual and one organization this year,” said Jody Hoener, Awards Committee Chair, Governor’s Council on Fitness. Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or State policy maker, or an employer, among others.

For more information and to submit a nomination, go to getactivekansas.org, and click on the nomination form link. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Jody Hoener at [email protected]

The Governor’s Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use

June 7, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Robert Harrington, Matt Crystal, Emily Diebolt, Kevin Davidson, Bill Martin, Jason Silvers, Bob Reed, and Susan Bancroft were present for most or all of the meeting.
Clifton made a motion to approve the previous meeting minutes. Lynne seconded.
All approved.
Dustin Hall stated there were no permits. Trucks are out fixing washouts from all the rain. Staging asphalt equipment in Hiattville to get started there as soon as possible.
Jim asked if we did any work on a culvert south of Hubert’s around the curve going
east. There is a washout down there. Dustin said he would check on it and let Jim know. Lynne asked for an update on the new crusher. Dustin said that it is fast. It’s
hard to keep up with it.

Lynne had a report for Hackberry Road off of Hwy 3. Dustin
said that they put gravel on it this week. Jim asked if they were considering a second belly dump to move gravel while asphalting. Dustin said they have discussed it but there is no need for one at the moment as the rock isn’t there. We are going to try to
keep the belly dump we have moving all summer if possible. Jim said that if you guys decide to buy a second one I would be in agreement with that.

Jim asked how many bush hogs they have. Dustin said they have four, but one has a hole in the fuel tank and have been waiting for parts. The other three are mowing now.

Bill Martin regarding K9 Retirement Contract. Bill asked for chairman’s signature to release all liabilities along with the BB County Sheriff’s Department and for Kevin
Davidson, who is the current K9 handler, to take possession of his dog, Jeno. Lynne asked how old the dog is. Bill stated nine years old. He was two when he started with the county. Jim stated that we appreciate Kevin for taking him and giving him a good home. Jim made a motion to approve the contract presented by Sheriff Martin
allowing Mr. Davidson to take Jeno and give him a good home. Clifton seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the contract
allowing Kevin Davidson to keep Jeno. Kevin thanked the commission for allowing him to keep Jeno.

Clifton made a motion for an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy including three commissioners, Susan Bancroft and Shane Walker for seven minutes returning at
9:17am. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 9:17am with no action. Lynne seconded. All approved.

Jim made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy including 3 commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Rhonda Dunn, Shane Walker and Rob Harrington for 10 minutes returning at 9:30am. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 9:30am with action. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to allow Susan Bancroft to work with the city on a shared service to deal with the land bank. Lynne seconded. All approved.

Lynne made a motion to amend the agenda to move the executive session & Justin Meeks time to the end of the meeting. Clifton seconded. All approved.
Susan Bancroft presented an EMS contract moving Dave Bruner from EMS Manager and putting Teri Hulsey in that position. Lynne made a motion to approve the EMS contract moving Dave Bruner from EMS Manager to Teri Hulsey and allow the chairman
to sign. Clifton seconded. All approved.

Susan discussed correcting some employee
contracts at the last meeting clarifying the language in the sick and vacation leave for the Public Works Director and Chief Information Officer. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the amended employment contracts. Lynne seconded.
All approved.

Susan discussed employee insurance and the possibility of getting a
broker to help consolidate ancillary benefits to provide the best benefits for our employees. She discussed creating a committee to select a broker that would best fitour needs. Jim asked how the broker will be paid. Susan stated that they are paid by
commission through the insurance company. Lynne made a motion to allow the
creation of a committee to look into a broker for benefits. Clifton seconded. All
approved. Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to do away with the executive
session that Susan Bancroft had requested. It is no longer needed. Lynne seconded.
All approved.

Shane Walker – CIO: We are moving forward with the antennas up north. We had an engineer study done and know where we need to put them now. The towers will take 90 days or more. There will be two for now. We will probably add another one down
south where there is a dead spot. Jim asked if this would allow more people to get internet service. Shane said yes.

Public Comment: Rob Harrington introduced the newest members to the REDI organization. Emily Diebolt is our new grants manager. She will be here to help with grant writing. Also, Taten Majors, an intern for the next 8 weeks. He is a graduate from Wichita State. Clint Walker said it is about time someone help the county get
grants.

The commission took a 10 minute break.
Lynne made a motion to amend the agenda to move his executive session to next week. Clifton seconded. All approved.
Commission Comment: Lynne stated that he and Susan Bancroft have been talking about the budget process. Lynne made a motion that budgets will need to be turned in to Susan by end of day this Friday, June 10th. Clifton seconded. All approved.