Obituary

Obituary of Glenn McReynolds

Leave a comment
Glenn A. McReynolds, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.
He was born February 19, 1935, in Ft. Scott, the son of Oren J. McReynolds and Fannie Marie Bowers McReynolds.
He married Beverly Combs on April 8, 1962, at Miami, Oklahoma.  She Glenn served with the United States from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.
In earlier years, he had been employed by Lotterer’s Furniture Company.  He later served for several years with the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department.  Following his career with law enforcement, Glenn worked in maintenance at the Medicalodge nursing home.  He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association.
 
Survivors include a daughter and son from a previous marriage, Linda Kniejski and husband, Dr. Michael Kniejski, of Savannah, Georgia and Dan McReynolds, of Twenty-Nine Palms, California and two grandsons, David and Stephen Kniejski.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Oren (Joyce) McReynolds, Gearold (Glenda) McReynolds, Carolyn Sue (Elbert) Ford, Ida (Tom) Ford, Fannie (Tommy) Roark, Dorothy (Jr.) Blessing, Mary (John) Seal, Helen Watson, Howard Sharp, Harold Sharp, David Eisenbrandt, Donna Eisenbrandt, and very dear friend Joyce Bradley.
His wife, Beverly, preceded him in death on June 24, 2009.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Don and Lee McReynolds; two sisters, Marie Davis and Ruby Sharp and a niece, Shirley Howell. 
 
Rev. Dr. Dale Cummins will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Police Department 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.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Annual Flushing/Burnout Starts July 16 in Bourbon County

Leave a comment

City of Fort Scott 2018 Flushing/Burnout

Who: City of Fort Scott Water Utility

What: Is initiating our annual flushing/ free Cl2 burnout process.

When: Starting on Monday, July 16 and lasting approximately four weeks.

Where: Fort Scott – this will affect the majority of Bourbon County.

Why: In order to maintain water quality. If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause water quality to degrade, and could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE. During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in our distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine. Chloramines are created by combining free chlorine with free ammonia. A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water. Except during a burn out in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system. However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These naturally occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

This is why surface water systems across the State do an annual or biannual free chlorine burnout. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Customers may notice City personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the City during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, blow-offs, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water. During the flushing and burnout, you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however, most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes four to five weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water to which we are accustomed. We are extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available to us. Quality water helps promote quality of life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate as we are in water supply and water quality.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Business, Kansas

Wind Farm Offers Sustainability For Business

Leave a comment

New Westar Energy Program, Wind Farm Aims to Attract Large Customers

Kansas Wind Energy Can Attract Businesses Looking to Fulfill Sustainability Commitments.

TOPEKA, Kan. – July 11, 2018 – Tuesday the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a new program that gives businesses in Westar Energy’s service area access to competitively priced renewable energy. With the approval of the program, Westar announced it reached a 20-year agreement with an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC to purchase energy from a new 300 megawatt wind farm to be developed in Nemaha County, Kan.

“The KCC unlocked a powerful economic development tool. Many large companies want affordable green energy when they choose sites for expansion or new facilities,” said Terry Bassham, president and CEO of Evergy, which operates as Westar Energy and KCP&L. “We are harnessing Kansas wind to attract and grow Kansas businesses. Wind energy boosts our local economies starting with the new wind farm jobs and the lease payments to landowners hosting the wind farm all the way to the communities that grow as businesses choose Kansas.”

The new program aims to attract business development to Kansas by offering businesses a path toward their sustainability goals with Kansas’ abundant, affordable renewable energy. Participating businesses will be able to claim a portion of the energy generated by the wind farm as their own, retain all of the renewable attributes and lock in a portion of their electricity prices for up to 20 years. The program is structured to add projects in the future to keep up with the growing appetite for renewable sources of our customers.

The Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center, which will be developed northeast of Manhattan, is expected to bring about 250 construction jobs and 15 to 20 permanent green energy jobs to Nemaha County. During the first 30 years of the project, landowners will receive more than $50 million in land-rights payments. The wind farm will be owned and operated by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, Inc.

With its focus on renewables, Evergy meets nearly half of the energy needs for the homes and businesses it serves with energy from zero-emission sources. Nearly one-third comes from renewable energy, making Evergy one of the largest wind energy providers in the nation. Evergy continues to modernize its generation portfolio, increasing the percentage of clean energy available to customers and introducing new programs to help customers reach their sustainability and clean energy goals.

About KCP&L and Westar Energy: Serving approximately 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

evergyinc.com
and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

Business, Fort Scott

It’s REALLY Cool: Tropical Joe’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice Comes to Fort Scott

Leave a comment

On July 6, Joe Pauly opened his  Tropical Joe’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice business in the parking lot of Family Video on South National Avenue.

“I started the company for two reasons,” Pauly told FortScott.Biz. “I loved shaved ice, it’s so good and such a fun business where you get to put smiles on faces. And reason two is I have six children, the oldest being 11. My hope is that someday this will be their summer job to teach them about work, business, communication and how to serve people.”

Pauly lives in Pittsburg and wanted to open his first store there.

“However, there is already an established shaved ice business there and my supplier said ‘Why not Fort Scott?’,” Pauly said.  “He had a shaved ice business there for years, Tad’s Shaved Ice, and said it was a great town that supported the business.”

Pauly listened to the advice and went to where the demand was.

“It’s been great,” he said. “The people of Fort Scott love their shaved ice and I am glad to be able to bring it back to them.”

Joe’s Tropical Ice employee, Mariam Mix, waits on a customer Monday afternoon.

Many people have thanked him for putting the business in Fort Scott.

“Some said they had been driving to Nevada and Pittsburg for shaved ice,” Pauly said.

Customers purchase some shaved ice Monday afternoon.

Pauly plans to remain open through September, he estimated.

The business is open seven days a week from 2 to 10  p.m. and is located at the corner of 18th Street and National Avenue in the Family Video parking lot.

The many flavors of Tropical Joe’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice.
More flavors and the pricing of the product.
Obituary

Obituary for Alberta Irene Johnson-Roth

1 Comment

Alberta Irene Johnson-Roth, age 79, a resident of Fort Scott, died Monday, July 9, 2018, at her home.

She was born October 6, 1938, in Maysville, Missouri, the daughter of Chester A. Phelps and Ople B. Bromley Phelps.

Alberta enjoyed listening to music and drinking Hamms Beer especially Elvis Presley.

She liked to fish, dance, and just sit and visit with family and friends.

Survivors include her children, two daughters, Venita Ann Cooper, of Fort Scott, KS., and Deborah Jean Aguilar, of Grand Island, NE., a son, Clinton Bruce Webber, of Vancouver, WA.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mitchell A. Trosper, two sisters, Lois Mary Murphy and Ruth Joann Baker; as well as her parents.

Speaker C. J. Feagins will conduct a celebration of life service at 5:30 PM Thursday, July 12, 2018, at the Community of Christ Church.

Memorials are suggested to Alberta Johnson-Roth Memorial Fund and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, Government, Kansas

Tax Credits For Investors In Kansas Innovative Emerging Businesses

Leave a comment

$5 million still available for innovative emerging businesses through Kansas Angels program

 

TOPEKA – Five million dollars in tax credits are still available to investors in innovative emerging businesses in Kansas through the Kansas Angel Tax Credit (KAITC) program. The program offers Kansas income tax credits to qualified individuals who provide seed-capital financing for emerging Kansas businesses engaged in the development, implementation, and commercialization of innovative technologies, products, and services.

The KAITC Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and designed to bring together accredited angel investors with qualified Kansas companies seeking seed and early-stage investment. The Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit act was established to facilitate the availability of equity investment in businesses in the early stages of commercial development and to assist in the creation and expansion of Kansas businesses, which are job- and wealth-creating enterprises.

 

How does it work?

 

The KAITC program grants tax credits against the Kansas income tax liability of investors investing in these startup ventures. With the primary goal of encouraging individuals to provide seed-capital financing for emerging, Kansas businesses engaged in the development, implementation, and commercialization of innovative technologies, products, and services.

Applications for certification will be accepted only for Kansas businesses in the seed and early-stage rounds of financing.

Companies must meet the following criteria to be certified as a Qualified Kansas Business:

  1. The business has a reasonable chance of success and potential to create measurable employment within Kansas.
  2. In the most recent tax year of the business, annual gross revenue was less than $5,000,000.
  3. Businesses that are not Bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than five years; bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than 10 years.
  4. The business has an innovative and proprietary technology, product, or service.
  5. The existing owners of the business have made a substantial financial and time commitment to the business.
  6. The securities to be issued and purchased are qualified securities.
  7. The company agrees to adequate reporting of business information to the Kansas Department of Commerce.
  8. The ability of investors in the business to receive tax credits for cash investments in qualified securities of the business is beneficial because funding otherwise available for the business is not available on commercially reasonable terms.
  9. Each applicant must sign a Qualified Company Agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

 

Who are Angel Investors?

Angel investors are either individuals or groups looking to make an investment in new or existing businesses. The incentive for such investments is that they may yield a higher return than other methods of investing.

Most angel investors are entrepreneurs who have had their own business succeed in part due to such investments.

Only accredited angel investors can qualify for the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit by investing in Kansas Department of Commerce certified Kansas businesses.

  • The tax credit is 50% of the investor’s cash investment into a qualified Kansas Business
  • The tax credit may be used in its entirety in the taxable year in which the cash investment was made
  • The Tax Credits are transferable
  • If the amount of the credit exceeds the investors’ liability in any one taxable year the remaining portion of the credit may be carried forward until the total amount of credit is used
  • Investors can receive tax credits up to $50,000 in tax credits per company they invest in, not to exceed $250,000 in one year
  • If investing through a permitted entity, all the equity owners of the permitted entity must be accredited investors.

Certification of companies must meet mandates established by Kansas statute to allow accredited Angel Investors to receive the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit.

Applications for companies seeking investment are accepted through August 31, 2018. For complete information on the Kansas Angels Initiative, visit http://kansasangels.com.

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Thespians Benefit from International Thespian Festival

Leave a comment
Top left to right: Dominic Cannon, Grant Coffman, Mackenzie Peoples, Kathelra Murray, Audra McFarland, Mark Bergmann. Middle: Levi Bin, Alyx Brooks, Mary Gladbach, Mesa Jones, Kaitlyn Hanks, Ivy Bailey, Angie Bin. Front: Carlee Studyvin, Addy Labbe, Katie Button, Lexi Bailey, Hunter Adamson, Karina Kantilal.

 

Nineteen Thespians from Fort Scott High School Troupe #7365 attended the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska June 25-July 1.

 

The students joined 4,500 others from around the world to experience a week of intensive theatre-related workshops and classes and attend top-notch student theatre performances. This year’s festival had over 700 workshops taught by Broadway professionals, university faculty and theatre educators and over 55 performances.

 

“Going to any sort of Thespian Festival, either state or international, I’ve connected with other people and shared the love of theatre with them. We’ve seen many beautifully done shows and enjoyed being there,” said senior Karina Kantilal.

 

Seniors Alyx Brooks and Hunter Adamson joined 650 other students in auditioning for college scholarships. Over sixty colleges gave out scholarships at the festival and both seniors were called back by numerous colleges.

Thespians dressed to attend an evening formal dance. L to R: Addy Labbe, Karina Kantilal, Hunter Adamson

 

In addition, Adamson, the FSHS Thespian President and a KS State Thespian Officer and FSHS Thespian Vice President and KS State Thespian Representative Mesa Jones, a junior, attended special leadership classes throughout the week.

 

“Getting to go to the leadership workshop helped open my eyes to ways of being a helping hand and all around better leader for my troupe. I met amazing young activists and feel as though I understand the positive influence theater is for young minds more. The trip was outstanding and I loved every second,”  Adamson said.

 

FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin, FSHS English Teacher Mark Bergmann, and Thespian parent Amy Labbe were sponsors for the event.

 

“It is truly the most amazing experience. The incredible workshops are taught by successful industry professionals and are invaluable to students seeking careers in the biz. The shows are full of the most talented young people who are the future Broadway stars of our country. It was the best week of my year!” Labbe remarked.

 

Students worked throughout the school year to fundraise the $790 registration fee for the festival. Many were able to attend last year’s festival for free due to a Send a Troupe grant won by FSHS from the Educational Theatre Association and were determined to experience the festival again.

 

Junior Kaitlyn Hanks said, “I can’t wait to come back. International Thespian Festival is truly like a second home to me, it’s the happiest place on Earth for a bunch of Thespians, from the great people to the amazing teachers and extraordinary shows.”

 

Fort Scott

Dr. Parris Retires

1 Comment

Dr. Roger Parris Retires from Mercy after 37 Years

 The public is invited to a retirement reception for Roger Parris, M.D., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Mercy Hospital cafeteria.

Dr. Parris earned this medical degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Parris is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

In May, Dr. Parris was awarded the coveted 5-Star Award by ranking in PRC’s top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys. He is also a fabulous vocalist and has performed in many musicals.

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.

Obituary

Obituary of Margaret Akin

Leave a comment

Margaret A. Akin, age 76, a former resident of Bourbonnais, Illinois and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018, at the Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born June 4, 1942, in Kankakee, Illinois, the daughter of Oswald T. Bourelle and Norma K. Bentrott Bourelle. She married Douglas Akin. Margaret had worked as a mental health tech at various hospitals in Illinois prior to her retirement in 1990.

She enjoyed fishing, woodcrafts, painting, gardening and attending her granddaughter, Kaitlyn’s many theater, and 4-H events.


Survivors include her daughter, Darla Hanks, and husband, Tony, of Redfield, Kansas, a son, Wade Herter, of Pasadena, California and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hanks, of Redfield, Kansas, Octavia Jackson, of Hopkins Park, Illinois and Shizzel Glenn, of Kankakee, Illinois. Also, surviving are her longtime friends the family of the late Bill & Sharon Bacon, Billy, Tresa, Patty and Chris Bacon, Jami Knautz, James Tennant and their families all of West Frankfort, Illinois; and a brother, William T. Bourelle, of Perryville, Missouri, and three nieces.


There was cremation.

A gathering for friends and family will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, July 22nd at the Commons Room of the Scott View Apartments, 315 Scott Ave, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Margaret Akin Memorial Fund and may be left in cthe are 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.

Bourbon County Local News