Click here for the Fort Scott Police Department daily reports. The FSPD is located at 1604 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be reached at 620-223-1700.
Taco Salad Fundraiser For Alzheimer’s Association
Medicalodges Fort Scott, 915 S. Horton, has organized a Taco Salad Dinner Fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association for Thursday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The taco salad dinner also includes a dessert and the price is $5.
Drive-thru service is at the south end of the building. Pull up and order and it will be delivered to your car.
You may order in advance by calling 620-223-0210.
Delivery is available for orders of ten dinners or more.
Those People by Patty LaRoche
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
Two weeks ago, I wrote about my experience while working alongside Misty, the kitchen director, in a homeless shelter. Referring to the ones she served, Misty reminded me that any one of “us” could end up like “them.”
She is right, of course. Every one of us, if broken enough, is vulnerable. That message was reinforced a few days ago when I ran across sociologist Brene Brown’s TED talk which addresses this heartbreaking issue. “Most of us are one paycheck, one divorce, one drug-addicted kid, one mental health diagnosis, one serious illness, one sexual assault, one drinking binge, one night of unprotected sex, or one affair away from being “those people”—the ones we don’t trust, the ones we pity, the ones we don’t let our children play with, the ones bad things happen to, the ones we don’t want living next door.”
Possibly some of you readers have no idea what Brown is talking about. I do. And so do many of my friends who are praying for a loved one who is making destructive choices: to drink too much; to “shop-‘til-they-drop”; to have sex with multiple partners (I am witnessing to one such person now); to refuse Christian counseling; to click on porn; to ignore the needs of their spouse and children; to turn their backs on God.
The list is endless.
Last week I wrote about “Agnes,” a homeless woman I encountered who spends much of her day on a bench near the ballpark where my husband works. For over a month I have tried to help her. Her only possession seems to be a ragged Kleenex which she uses to dab the sweat from her brow. She doesn’t want water. Or food. Or clothes, even though the pants she wears (every single day) have an 18” hole in the back of them. She doesn’t want a ride to the new, $20 million women’s shelter located two miles from where she hangs out. So, when all my offers failed, I called a police hotline and was told an officer would pick Agnes up and take her to the shelter.
The next day, when Agnes’ bench was empty, I celebrated, only to be disheartened within 24 hours when she was back at her usual spot. When I stopped to check on her, she told me that her credit cards “are in a red window” and she “can’t get them out.” On one visit, she shared that she and her “group are fine.” I questioned what “group” she meant, and she said, “They are here.” I left, frustrated and sad.
Because of Agnes and the dozens of homeless who live in my neighborhood, I volunteered to work at the nearby homeless shelter (Aug. 18 article). There were two interviews before I officially was vetted, and at my first meeting I described Agnes to the director and asked if she knew her. She did. Her answer should not have surprised me. “Some people are so mentally ill, they don’t want to be helped. The volunteers can’t make someone take a shower or change clothes or come to a class on how to find a job.”
“All she has to do is ask,” I was told.
Which, when you think of it, is all I had to do—to ask if I could help.
Price Chopper Fundraiser For Paizlee Crumby Aug. 31-Sept. 1
Sen. Moran at Ellis Center Aug. 31 at 7:30 a.m.
Openings on Library Board
Two openings (Must be a City resident) for the Fort Scott Library Board.
The function of the Fort Scott Library Board is to review requests in reference to the library. This Board meets monthly at 5:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration to the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by September 14th, 2018.
Obituary of Edwin Leonard
Edwin Gilbert Leonard, age 78, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Mesa, Arizona, passed away Monday, August 27, 2018, in Mesa.
He was born August 14, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the son of Wilbur H. Leonard and Hattie L. Francis Leonard. He married Leanna Corine Wise on July 31, 1960, in Ft. Scott. Ed and Leanna moved from Ft. Scott to Arizona in 1969. Ed had worked in Arizona as a carpenter.
Survivors include his wife, Leanna, of the home in Mesa and a son, Wayne Leonard of Chandler, Arizona. Also surviving are five sisters, Francis Brown, of Kansas City, Kansas, Berniece Calame, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Linda Defebaugh, of Nevada, Missouri, Wanda Leonard of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Dorothy Wild, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and a brother, Larry Leonard, of Owasso, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Albert Warren Leonard and Hubert Leonard and three sisters, Mary Margaret Leonard, Nadine Wurtz and Juanita Monroe.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to the SEK Humane Society and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary Of Jack Kendrick, Sr.
Jack Edward Kendrick, Sr. age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2018, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.
He was born February 20, 1936, at Ft. Scott, the son of Russell Allen Kendrick, Sr. and Wilma Jean Blair Kendrick.
Jack served with the United States Navy during both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He retired after twenty years of service. Following his retirement from the Navy, Jack worked for both the Ft. Scott and Humboldt, Kansas police departments. He later worked as a truck driver for many years and eventually taught truck driving at Ft. Scott Community College. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include a daughter, Nicki Kendrick (Joel), of Nevada, Missouri and sons, Paul Kendrick (Cheryl) of Colorado, Roy Dale Davenport, Jr. (Kathy) of Ft. Scott, Randall Charles Cox Rodriguez (Tammy) of Joplin, Missouri, and Curtis Davenport (Diane) also of Joplin and several grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are many beloved cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Marlene Kendrick, a son, Jack Kendrick Jr., his parents and a brother Russell A. Kendrick, Jr.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. on Saturday, September 1 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Following visitation, there will be cremation and a graveside service will be held at 12:30 P.M. Friday, September 7 at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott.
Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Toursim Center Interior Remodeled
An increased focus on tourism for the City of Fort Scott has brought about the renovation of the interior of the Tourism/Chamber of Commerce Center.
The center is located at 231 E. Wall Street.
“Now when someone hits the door, there is someone there to greet them,” Allyson Turvey, convention and group sales said. “It really needed to open up.”
The Chamber section of the building also needed more visibility, so a hole was placed in a wall so the administrative assistant can view the lobby. Lindsay Madison is the executive director of the Chamber, Hannah Reel is a part-time administrative assistant. The Chamber is currently searching for another staff person.
Some fresh paint and a reconfiguring of the display areas were part of the process, as well.
Decorator finishing touches will be provided by area merchants who will allow their furnishings and accessories to be seen and used in the center, according to Turvey.
“Fort Scott tourism is managed by the City of Fort Scott, which administers tourism operations by maximizing the utilization of transient guest tax revenues to advertise and promote Fort Scott lodging, activities, attractions and events, operate a Tourism Center providing concierge services and visitor information, and facilitate any other related programs to attract individuals and groups for overnight stay in the community,” according to the tourism website.
To learn more: http://www.visitfortscott.com
The Tourism phone number is 620-670-2750.
The Chamber phone number is 620-223-3566.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Aug. 30
Click below for the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports. The BCSO can be reached at (620) 223-2380.
Bumps and Bruises Clinic Offered on Saturday Mornings
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 1 at 7 a.m., Mercy Fort Scott Sports Medicine will offer free evaluations of student athlete injuries at the Bumps and Bruises Clinic. The location of the clinic is in the Health For Life area, in the lower level of the hospital.
Protect Your Dog from Harmful Algae
TOPEKA – Officials with the Kansas Departments of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) and Health and Environment (KDHE) want dog owners to be aware how dangerous harmful algae blooms (HABs) can be to their dogs.
A HAB is an abnormally high population of blue-green algae in a body of water. Whether you hunt with your dog near water or just take it out for a walk, there are things you can do to protect your four-legged partner.
HABs can occur in lakes, ponds, wetlands, creeks or drainage areas, generally coinciding with warm water temperatures and often flourishing in nutrient-laden waters.
Dogs can become seriously ill or die if they swim in, drink or retrieve a bird from water affected by a HAB.
They can even be sickened if they lick their fur after exposure or eat dried algae along the shore or floating in the water.
A HAB may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red.
There may also be a very strong musty odor or the smell of sewage or petroleum.
This season, if the water appears or smells suspicious or if there are decaying algae on the shore, do not let your furry friend drink, swim or retrieve birds in the water.
Blue-green algae are really a type of bacteria called “cyanobacteria,” which occurs naturally in all waters around the globe.
Under the right conditions, the algae can rapidly increase (bloom) and produce toxins. Although HABs typically begin in May, they can occur through October or later.
Algae can wash up on shorelines and in marshy areas and even after they are dead and dry, toxins that were produced can persist for long periods.
Dogs will still be at risk if they drink the HAB-affected water, walk on, roll in, eat decaying algae along the shore or retrieve a bird with algae on its feathers.
Just a small amount of blue-green algae can sicken or kill a dog.
The signs of illness in dogs usually occur within 30 minutes of exposure and include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, convulsions, difficulty breathing and general weakness.
If you suspect your dog has ingested algae or has any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
People may also become ill after contact with algae-produced toxins. Symptoms vary, depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache.
If you or your dog come into contact with algae, immediately rinse the contact area with clean, fresh water. If you or your dog show signs of illness, call your physician or veterinarian.
KDWPT and KDHE offer the following tips to help prevent HAB poisoning in dogs:
· Carry potable water for yourself and your dog when hunting or going for walks along the shore.
· Train dogs to come to you for a drink of water.
· Rinse off your dog with potable water as quickly as possible if your dog swims in a HAB or walks through dried algae.
· Do not let dogs eat dried algae along the shoreline. A bluish color along the shore indicates dying, toxic blue-green algae.
· Do not let your dog lick their paws if they have walked through dried algae and remember that waterfowl in HAB-affected water may have toxic cells on their feathers.
KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency is alerted to a potential HAB.
When a HAB occurs, KDHE, in cooperation with KDWPT and other lake managers where appropriate, responds by informing the public of these conditions.
KDHE does not sample private bodies of water such as farm ponds or livestock watering tanks but has recommendations on what to look for, how to field test and who to contact for additional assistance on KDHE’s HAB website.
For the most up-to-date list of waters currently affected by HABs, or to report a suspected HAB not currently listed, visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness. Hunters and the public can also get current HAB-related lake conditions by calling 1-855-HAB-LAKE (1-855-422-5253).