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Message from KDOT: You drink. You drive. YOU LOSE.
Kansas is committed to keeping our roads safe this Labor Day holiday travel period
TOPEKA – The Labor Day holiday is a time of celebration and marks the achievements of the labor movement and the unofficial end of summer. It’s traditionally celebrated with barbecues, outdoor recreation and road trips. But all too often, this travel brings tragedy for those involved in traffic crashes.
Law enforcement agencies across the state will be combining resources beginning Friday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 7, to detect and remove impaired drivers.
Impaired driving is not just alcohol; it is anything that impairs your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Impaired driving not only puts your life and the lives of others in danger, but the monetary costs of driving under the influence can have a devastating financial impact.
Those driving impaired can expect the average DUI costs to exceed $10,000 with legal fees, court fines and higher insurance rates, along with jail time, DUI classes, ignition interlock fees and license suspensions.
“Holidays are particularly challenging times on the road. As Labor Day approaches, I would like to remind everyone to look out for others as you travel,” said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility. We all have a role to play in making our roads as safe as possible.”
“Impaired driving crashes can lead to increased emergency room visits,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “We need to ensure everyone does their part to let our health care workers and first responders focus on those directly impacted by COVID. If you are impaired, text a sober friend, call a cab, use a ride share service, but don’t get behind the wheel.”
The safety campaign is funded by a federal grant administered by KDOT. The enforcement campaign runs concurrently with a media schedule reminding motorists to never drink and drive. KDOT wants all Kansans to make it home safely this holiday weekend. For more information about traveling safely this Labor Day holiday, please visit KTSRO.org.
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Canceled Due to COVID-19
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Board has canceled its 2020 show due to the virus, according to President Allen Warren.
The event was to be held on October 2, 3, and 4.
Plans are being made for a Swap Meet on May 9, 2021 and the show is planned for October 1, 2, & 3, 2021.
For questions, please call Allen Warren at 620-224-7761.
Let Me Be A Blessing by Patty LaRoche
Last week, I wrote about the satisfaction that comes from edifying others with the words we speak/letters we write/texts we send. On the morning I finalized that column, I had asked God to let me be a blessing to someone.
Little did I expect Him to use a medical professional, phoning me to update my personal information. Following questions about my insurance, she forewarned me that she would ask three questions that I did not have to answer, should I found them uncomfortable; nevertheless, she was obligated to ask. All dealt with my sexuality: what sex I am; if I was born that sex; if I prefer to be referred to as that sex.
I answered each question and then told her that I did not envy her having to ask those questions. She said,” You have no idea” which—for some reason—I found funny. She began giggling and said that I was the first person to make her laugh after answering those sensitive questions. I was a “breath of fresh air” because most people lecture her about how God made man and woman, shaming her for bringing up such “nonsense.” She spoke about their angered outbursts and “if everyone knew how difficult it is” to ask those questions—questions she was mandated to ask–perhaps they would be kinder.
I asked, “So Christians are the hardest on you?” Affirmative.
“Well, I’m a Christian, and I have some advice,” I responded. “The next time they bark at you, ask them what one identifying characteristic marks a Christian. Remind them, if they don’t know, that the answer is ‘love,’ and question if they are demonstrating love in the way they are talking to you. That oughta do it.” We both got tickled, and then she reminded me that, should she follow my advice, she would be looking for a new job. I told her that I wouldn’t last 30 seconds in her position. And we laughed some more.
At the end of our conversation, she stated that I had made her day. I shared that I had asked God in my morning prayer time to let me be a blessing to someone, and I was glad that she was the beneficiary. She shared that she was too.
Christians, we need to pick our battles. This young gal, frustrated that she was given such a task, knew that it was less messy for someone on the phone to take the abuse than a receptionist or nurse. By giving this information ahead of time, she explained, once in the doctor’s office, the patient would be referred to with the correct pronoun, so as to avoid public embarrassment. Sadly, the attempt to respect someone’s dignity caused this caller’s dignity to be demeaned.
I doubt that my caller felt closer to Jesus after the outbursts of her Bible-thumping patients. When something clearly isn’t someone’s fault, why should he/she be the recipient of a “Christian” tongue-lashing? She has no choice in how she responds; her job is to treat her attackers kindly.
I think you and I both know which one exudes the more Christlike character.
U234 Board Met to Purchase Temperature Scanners.
NEWS RELEASE
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met virtually on Thursday, August 20, for a special noon board meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the purchase of temperature scanners.
The board adjourned.
Community Foundation Selects New Board Members
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation announces the selection of four new board members who will serve three year terms beginning in 2020 through 2023. They include Connie Banwart, community volunteer with a focus on historic preservation, Kirk Sharp, executive director, Gordon Parks Museum, Deb McCoy, registered nurse, and Lindsay Madison, executive director, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
“FSACF welcomes these outstanding individuals who have each made a commitment to serving the needs of our community through the Foundation,” said Carla Farmer, chair.
The new board members join the local volunteer board comprised of 16 individuals from diverse professional backgrounds and interests. FSACF meets quarterly and focuses on being a resource to other not-for-profit organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. One of the primary ways in which the Foundation assists other organizations is through its annual granting process.
The grant cycle is currently underway and applications may be submitted through August 31. Gregg Motley, grant chair, announced that $42,000 is available for projects that benefit our community and youth. Applications can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
In other action at the annual meeting in July, officers were elected. Serving as chair will be Carla Farmer, Barbara Albright, vice chair, Frank Halsey, secretary, and Craig Campbell, treasurer.
Committee chairs for 2020-2021 are Gary Palmer, asset development, Gregg Motley, granting, Travis Shelton, nominating, Frank Halsey, marketing, and Charles Gentry, bylaws.
FSACF was established in 2007. Currently, the Foundation has assets in excess of $9 million which includes restricted funds established and directed by donors. Of the total fund balance, over $1 million is unrestricted endowed funds controlled by FSACF. The unrestricted funds generate interest which in turn is utilized for annual grants.
For more information about FSACF, go to fsacf.com or follow FSACF on Facebook. For specific information about making a gift, call 620-224-6500.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Aug. 20
FS Design Review Board Meets Aug. 25
The Design Review Board will meet on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign at 19 S. National, a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage in the downtown area for the walking trail, and a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage at 124 E. Wall and any others matters to be brought before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
FS Planning Commission Meets Aug. 24
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a Conditional Use Permit for a telecommunications tower to be located north of the Water Treatment Plant located at 910 Burke Street.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Obituary of Orville Shinn
Orval Edward “Dan” Shinn, age 72, a resident of rural Bronson, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at his home.
He was born March 12, 1948, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Danny L. Shinn and Wilma M. Eastwood Shinn. At a young age, the family moved to Stinnett, Texas, where Orval graduated from the Stinnett High School with the Class of 1966.
Orval later served a tour of duty with the United States Army in Vietnam. He later reenlisted as served as an air traffic controller for the Army.
Following his retirement from military service, he went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Archeology from Troy University in Alabama and went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Archeology from the University of Alabama. He was employed by the engineering firm of Burns & McDonnell where he worked in the Archeology Department. This job had him working on construction sites throughout the United States.
Orval first married Jane Forgoress and they had a son, Gabriel. They were divorced.
Orval later married Carla Morris on October 22, 2011, at Overland Park, Kansas.
Orval loved football and because of the time spent in Alabama was an avid fan of the Crimson Tide. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting.
Throughout his life, both Orval and his dad, Danny, maintained a love for the Shinn family farm near Turkey Creek. They often spent summers working on the farm. Following his retirement, Orval and Carla built their retirement home on the farm.
He was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, Kansas.
Survivors include his wife, Carla, of the home; his son, Gabe and wife, Tracy of Mebane, North Carolina; Carla’s sons, Bryan Ballard and wife, Lynn, of Lathrop, Missouri and Sean Ballard and wife, Jackie, of Kenilworth, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Grayson and Parker Shinn and Kyle, Matthew, Blake, Evan and Addie Ballard and a great-grandson, Gunner. Also surviving are two sisters, Dana Eudey, of Tulia, Texas and Lorrain Cook of Yuma, Arizona.
Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 22nd at the First Missionary Baptist Church. Burial with military honors will take place in the Turkey Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Community Foundation: Resource For Local Organizations
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is a funding resource for local organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in Bourbon County, according to Carla Farmer, FSACF Chairperson.
Applications are being received until August 31.
“In 2019, FSACF received 33 grant applications totaling over $106,000,” said Greg Motley, Grant Committee Chairperson. “The grant committee awarded over $33,000 for projects in our community, such as musical instruments and interesting field trips for elementary school children, food and clothing to serve the disadvantaged in our area, writing, music and art projects to support the arts in our community, amenities for parks and schools, critical medical equipment for our emergency room and equipment for high school girls’ athletics, to name a few.”
“The grant application period for 2020 ends August 31,” Motley said. “This year, we have over $42,000 in available grant money to be awarded during the October 29th Fort Scott Area Chamber Coffee at Landmark National Bank, 200 S. Main at 8:00 AM.”
For an application and copy of FSACF’s Grant Evaluation Guidelines, please email Gregg Motley, Grant Committee Chairman, at [email protected] .
History of FSACF, provided by Carla Farmer.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2007. The Foundation, led by a local, volunteer board, was created to meet the needs of greater Bourbon County. Its mission is to partner with and be a resource to organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in Bourbon County. The Foundation strives to create connections between donors and a variety of worthwhile causes.
With assets over $9 million, the FSACF provides a tax-exempt vehicle for donations to be given to charitable groups and government agencies of the donor’s choice. Donations, large and small, are gratefully accepted from individuals living within Bourbon County or around the world. The Foundation offers a variety of giving options from gifts of cash, securities, stock, to planned gifts.
FSACF operates as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.
“The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation exists to support the good work being accomplished by our not-for-profit organizations in Bourbon County and to address the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. Board members recognize that the needs in our community and county continue to increase. The annual grants awarded by the Foundation is one tool for placing funds directly back into the hands of not-for-profits to meet these needs,” said Farmer.
“These are challenging times in our community and the country. The Foundation offers opportunities for creating many types of funds that can continue to benefit our citizens for generations to come. If you have questions about giving to the Foundation, please contact me or any board member,” added Farmer.
You may visit www.fsacf.com for more information or call 620-224-6500.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Aug. 19
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