Obituary

Obituary of Tonya Coulter Belle

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Tonya Sue Belle

Tonya Sue Belle, age 46, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, June 20, 2020, at her home.

She was born June 4, 1974, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Edward and Linda Ogle Coulter.

She married Jessee Belle on May 25, 2013, in Ft. Scott.

She worked as a CNA at Guest Home Estates.

Tonya enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Jessee of the home; 3 daughters, Ashlei Goddard and husband Jordan, Nikola Goodwin and fiancé Aaron Brown, and Windy Goodwin and fiancé Antonio Juarez, all of Ft. Scott; 3 step children, Domanick Belle, Kaidence Belle, Aurora, MO, and Bailey Belle, Purdy, MO; 2 sisters, Mariann Mackley and husband Norman “Marie”, Ft. Scott, and Tami Eaton, Neodesha, KS; 3 brothers, Eddie Coulter and wife Kelly, Chanute, KS, Lance Coulter and wife Erin, Uniontown, KS, and Anthony Ogle, Ft. Scott; her father, Edward Coulter, Ft. Scott; 5 grandchildren, Aaydan, Braydan, Caydan, and Jaydan Goddard, and Connor Brown and one grandson on the way; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces , great nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Lee Coulter; stepdaughter Francise Belle; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct graveside services at 10:00 Thursday June 25th, in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Tonya Belle Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas Fiscal Budget 2021

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Governor Laura Kelly’s SPARK Taskforce Approves Resolution, Budget for Fiscal Year 2021

 

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee approved proposed operating expenditures for the Recovery Office and SPARK Taskforce for the 2021 fiscal year.

 

“Kansas communities and businesses are hurting from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Governor Kelly said. “We must get these resources to Kansas counties as quickly as possible. To do that, we need an office infrastructure that’s prepared to administer these funds efficiently and effectively.”

 

The FY21 budget, as approved, accounts for roughly 0.25% of the state’s overall allocation of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The proposal will now advance to State Finance Council for consideration and final approval on Thursday, June 25.

 

“Today’s Executive Committee decision will ensure the Recovery Office has adequate resources to develop the necessary framework and structure for administering the state’s portion of the CARES Act’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF),” Executive Director Cheryl Harrison Lee said.

 

The Executive Committee also approved a resolution stipulating compliance with all federal guidance that must be adopted by counties receiving funding in Round 1 prior to drawing down CRF funds.

 

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Addresses Claims For Unemployment Insurance

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Governor Laura Kelly Takes Immediate Action to Address KDOL’s Unemployment Insurance Caseload

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced multiple actions she will be taking to address the issues impacting the Kansas Department of Labor’s (KDOL) ability to handle the volume of claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI).

 

Governor Laura Kelly accepted KDOL Secretary Delía García’s resignation and the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Ryan Wright will serve as acting Secretary of Labor until a permanent candidate is nominated for appointment. Governor Kelly will also bring in specialists to look for ways to improve response times for Kansans applying for UI, implement new processes to manage the caseload, and mitigate future backlogs and errors that have occurred while attempting to deliver payments.

 

“As Governor, I’m responsible for KDOL’s handling of unemployment claims. I am taking immediate action to ensure Kansans who are out of work, through no fault of their own, are getting the assistance they need,” Governor Kelly said. “I want to thank Secretary García for her service to Kansas. While states around the country have struggled to manage unemployment claims during the worst public health crisis in a century, Secretary García inherited an agency that had its funding, its technology, and its staff gutted by the previous administration.”

 

On June 10th, duplicate payments were made to more than 4500 claimants of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and some Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) claimants for a total of about $7 million. Without consulting Governor Kelly, on June 18th, KDOL began attempting to reverse the duplicate payments in a process known as a “clawback.” The clawback caused some PUA and FPUC recipients’ bank accounts to be overdrawn.

 

KDOL is working with its partner banks to identify and reimburse any PUA or FPUC recipient whose account was overdrawn because of the clawback. KDOL will also create a special hotline and an email for Kansans who have been impacted.

 

“These last few months have been unusually stressful on everyone. State government employees in Kansas and around the country have been asked to deal with an unusually high volume of activity. We have a responsibility to the people we represent to get it right. And when we don’t, we’ll make the changes needed to fix the problem,” Governor Kelly said. “I will use every resource at my disposal to ensure that we improve our response time to Kansans and build an infrastructure at KDOL that will be prepared in the event of further economic impacts from COVID-19.”

Government, Kansas

Use of right of way limited to highway purposes

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The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to remind the public that according to state law, all rights of way on state highways are to be used exclusively for highway purposes. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system.

 

The violation that occurs frequently is the placement of various signs that are removed and taken to local KDOT offices. However, it is also unlawful for any persons to display on highway right of way outside the city limits any goods, wares or merchandise for sale.

 

One exception to this is the sale of farm or garden products, but these sales must be made exclusively at the entrance to the farm or garden where they were produced as long as the sales are conducted a safe distance from the traveled way.

 

Any other location of these sales violates state law and will be removed by KDOT and/or law enforcement.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Has New COVID 19 Cases

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

June 22, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 2
Total Positives Since Testing 2
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 2
Current Recovered Cases 1
Total Positives Since Testing 3
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 2
Presumptive Cases 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Current Recovered Cases 10-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing 11
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Bourbon County

Need A Fan?

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Allen Schellack unboxes a fan at the ministry storage room.

People who have a need for a fan in this hot, humid weather can call Allen Schellack at Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Center, 620-223-2212.

Schellack has a large stack of 20-inch box fans to give away through a grant from Evergy Inc., a local utility, to the Salvation Army. Schellack is the Bourbon County Service Extension Coordinator for the Salvation Army.

Elderly and disabled people without access to air conditioning or other means of staying cool during hot and humid weather can receive fans by appointment by calling Schellack.

“We need proof of a Bourbon County address,” Schellack said. “And some form of identification.”

To help the most people, each household is eligible for one fan.

Applications will be accepted until all fans are distributed.

This is the Salvation Army’s fourth year to give out fans in Bourbon County,  Shellack said.

Schellack is also the Compassionate Care Pastor for the Fort Scott Nazarene Church, Director of Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and Outreach Center,  Bourbon County Coordinator for CarePortal and treasurer of the Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance, in addition to his services with the Salvation Army.

His office is located at 26 N. Main, on the second floor of the Senior Citizens Center.

Obituary

Obituary of Gerald Davis

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Gerald Joseph Davis, age 82, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, June 19, 2020, at his home.

He was born November 21, 1937, in Farmington, MN, the son of Lawrence Edward and Rose Louise Tutewohl Davis.

He served in the U. S. Airforce and Airforce Reserve.

He married Mary Kathleen Matney on June 17, 1961, in Albuquerque, NM.

His main hobby was his family, it was the most important thing to him. He taught his kids horseback riding, water skiing, fishing, construction, and cooking. His adage was work hard and play harder.

After sending all the kids to college, his greatest accomplishment, he obtained his GED in 1994. Education was a top priority for him.

He was a very generous man, compassionate, giving, and a loving father. He was always willing to help and put others needs before his own. He helped many in the community and supported those in need.

Gerald never let his family down, made sure all were at church every Sunday and expected them to have high moral values. His optimistic and constantly positive attitude will be greatly missed. He leaves behind a great legacy.

He was a member of V.F.W. Post #1165, Knights of Columbus, Local Watershed District #2, and Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. He was a big supporter of Tri-Valley and a recipient of the Presidents Volunteer Service Award.

Survivors include his wife Mary of the home: two sons, Mark James Davis and wife Connie, Gravette, AR, and William Edward Davis, Wichita, KS; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Swezey and husband Ronald, Franklin, KS, and Teresa Kathleen Davenport and husband Jerry, Farlington, KS; two brothers, Lawrence Louis Davis and wife Barb, and LaVerne Michael Davis and wife Alice; eight grandchildren, Jenni Edge and husband Brandon, Mulberry, KS, Amanda Davis, Gravette, AR, Jacob Davis and wife LeAnn, Rogers, AR, Jeremy Swezey and fiancé Alex, Overland Park, KS, Mary Swezey and fiancé Brian, Arma, KS, Brianne Sheridan and husband Joe, Pittsburg, KS, Dehn Davenport, Ft. Scott, KS, and Davis Davenport, Farlington, KS; five great-granddaughters, Sarah Burns, Annalyn Davenport, Olivia Davis, Maci Jo Edge, and Rose Swezey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by a son, Michael Joseph Davis; two brothers, Richard and Ronnie Davis; a sister, Bernadine Peterson; a sister-in-law Janice Davis; and his parents.

The mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 24th, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Private family burial will take place later in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 PM Tuesday, June 23rd at the church, with visitation following from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.

Memorials are suggested to either the Michael J. Davis Memorial at Tri-Valley or Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County

Free Fans for Elderly, Disabled, Those With No Fan or Airconditioning

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Elderly and disabled people without access to air conditioning or other means of staying cool during hot and humid weather can receive fans by appointment at the local Salvation Army Extension Unit at Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Center/Bourbon County Senior Center, 26 N Main.

The fans are intended for elderly, disabled, and those who do not have a fan or air conditioning in their home and cannot afford to purchase one. To help the most people, each household is eligible for one fan. Applicants will need to provide ID and proof of address. Applications will be accepted until all fans are distributed.

Westar’s local gift of fans is part of a large contribution distributed throughout the communities it serves.

For further information, contact Allen Schellack at Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, 620-223-2212.

Fans help relieve sweltering summer heat, but some days finding an air-conditioned space is the safest option. Stay aware of these heat safety tips and signs of heat illness.

HEAT SAFETY

  • Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
  • Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
  • Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
  • Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
  • Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  • Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Ensure they have water and a shady place to rest.
  • Eat small meals and eat more often.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

HEAT CAN BE DANGEROUS

Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Avoid problems by drinking plenty of fluids and limiting drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.

If a person is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

HEAT STROKE IS LIFE-THREATENING

Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately if some shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

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About Westar Energy

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. Westar Energy media line 888-613-0003.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army of Kansas and Western Missouri is and evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, supporting those in need in His name without discrimination. The organization provides assistance through a board array of social services ranging from food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information about the Kansas and Western Missouri Division of The Salvation Army, visit www.salarmymokan.org.

Opinion

The Photograph by Pastor James Collins

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“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.” Psalm 68:5

While cleaning up the other day, I discovered a box of photos. Among the photos, I found one of me at seventeen taken at my high school prom. Certainly, I was the definition of “cool,” wearing my gray tuxedo and tennis shoes; sporting a mullet that would have made Billy Ray Cyrus jealous. It is not unusual to find an old photograph, but this one stood out. It was old, faded, and crumpled. I looked on the back where “Love James,” was written. This photo had once belonged to Luke.

My father left the night I was conceived. When I was born, “Unknown” was typed on my birth certificate where my father’s name should have been. My grandfather stepped in and helped to raise me. But after my grandmother died, some government bureaucrat decided that my grandfather was incapable of raising me on his own. So, I went into the foster care system.

Someone once said, “You don’t miss something you never had.” That’s a lie. An unloved child will spend his or her life trying to fill that ache inside with the wrong things. The rise in poverty, crime, dropouts, teen pregnancy, addictions, and suicide can be traced in a large part to fatherless kids. I desperately missed having a father until Luke came into my life.

Luke was one of my high school teachers. Luke and his wife, Joan, had no children of their own. They took me in, and Luke became like a father to me.

I went to college, enlisted in the army, and eventually married and started a family. Because of the busyness of life, I didn’t call or visit Luke very often. When I finally got around to making time for him, he was already dying from cancer. During one of our last visits, I noticed his wallet was open on a table beside his hospital bed. My crumpled photograph was visible above his driver’s license. Luke had carried it for over twenty-five years.

As I looked at the photograph, I felt love for the man, who, without my knowledge, spent years loving me. I imagine him showing the picture to his friends and saying, “This is my son. He’s in the army.” Or “This is my son. He just finished his doctorate.” Or “This is my son. I am so proud of the man that he has become.” Luke loved me even when I was too busy to love him.

Webster’s dictionary states that a “father” is “a man who has begotten a child.” In other words, he is the sperm donor – Mr. “Unknown” on my birth certificate. Webster’s also defines “to father” as “to accept responsibility for.” Thank God, for men like Luke, who accept responsibility for children, and love the fatherless.

The point is: Any man can father a child, but it takes a real man to be a dad. If you had a dad who loved you, take the time to let him know how much you love him. It would mean more than a necktie this Father’s Day.

If you never had a dad, remember that God is a Father to the fatherless. Luke’s crumpled photo reminded me of another Father’s love. A Father, who is always there. A Father, who is watching your life as it unfolds on this planet. A Father, who loves you.

Give your life to Him and celebrate “Father’s Day” every day, forevermore.

James Collins is a pastor, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or at the website thepointis.net.

Bourbon County Local News