Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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American Legion Post 25 Colorguard. Submitted photos.

 

The new Legion year has begun. The Legion calendar runs from July 1 – June 30 each year.  Please consider renewing your Legion membership at this time. By doing so, you keep your mailbox from being cluttered with requests to renew from Legion National and you save the Legion printing and mailing costs that can be used for programs to support our Veterans and their families.

 

You can mail in the renewal notification you received in the mail. However, the quickest way to renew your membership is to go online to www.legion.org. Just follow the prompts to renew.  We’ll be notified of your renewal and will mail you your new Legion card.

 

Online renewals are safe, easy and are quicker than writing a check, finding a stamp and mailing your renewal in.

 

You can also pay your 2020 dues at our August 5 meeting as well.

 

There is a Department membership contest for Posts that reach 75% by mid-September. We are very close to achieving that goal. We’ve been the Number 1 Kansas Post for two consecutive years.  Let’s continue to set the bar high for other Posts.

 

The Legion Act has passed both houses of Congress. As soon as President Trump signs this bill into law, any honorably discharged Veteran who has served since December 7, 1941 can join the American Legion. There are many Bourbon County Veterans who can now join the American Legion and Post 25, in particular.  Invite them to our next meeting or contact me for membership applications.

American Legion Post 25 Colorguard in the opening game at LaRoche Stadium, Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

 

The Post 25 baseball team finished 4th in the zone playoffs in Humboldt. This was the 1st Fort Scott American Legion team in several years. Our players did an outstanding job competing against nearby powerhouses such as Pittsburg and Iola. Kudos to Legionnaire and Vice Commander Earl Adams who pulled together a Legion baseball team and guided it to zone playoffs. Also, we also thank our many corporate and individual donors who helped the team fund its season.

Earl Adams, American Legion Post 25 baseball organizer. Submitted photo.

 

Next year, Post 25 will get an early start on the Legion’s baseball season and through community and Post 25 support, we hope to recruit and field a Fort Scott Legion baseball team by March, 2020.  The American Legion baseball program is based on integrity and develops young men of character for our community and our nation. Our young men never gave up in a game. They played their hearts out until the last inning, even when it was obvious that the “W” was out of reach in a game.

 

A Past Post Commander of Columbus Post 3 commented how crisp and professional looking the Post 25 Color Guard is. He was very impressed with them and commented how long it’s been since he has observed an American Legion Color Guard presenting colors at an athletic event.

 

I have attached a copy of the July Department eNewsletter and the quarterly Sunflower. As a cost cutting measure, these publications are now only sent to registered  to       http://myLegion.org members.

 

 

 

To stay informed about National and Kansas Legion activities and events, go to myLegion.org and set up your own personal myLegion.org account. It’s easy to do and your information is never sold to any third party.

For more information, click below:

Sunflower july sept 2019

Kansas Legion E-Newsletter . July 2019. Carl Revised Final

 

Sick and Distressed Members

 

Legionnaires Marvin Taylor and Raymond Kalm are home recovering after being admitted to area hospitals for health issues. Let’s keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. If you are aware of a Legionnaire or a Legion family member in sickness or distress, please let me know so I can inform our Post Chaplain.

 

 

 Upcoming Events

 

August 5. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

August 5. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

August 8. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. All eligible female family members of veterans are invited to attend.

 

August 8. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.

 

August17. Homecoming event at Shawnee American Legion Post 327 for Department Commander, Department Auxiliary President and Department SAL Commander. See below flyer for more details.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

 

 

 

NEW VA Shuttle August Schedule

 

VA Shuttle Service between Fort Scott and Topeka/Kansas City VA facilities is now available Mondays – Thursdays.

 

The VA shuttle departs Fort Scott and depending upon the destination, riders can be picked up in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa. A rider must be at one the designated pickup locations.

 

The shuttle will go to either Topeka or Kansas City, but not both cities on the same day. The city destination is based upon the 1st Rider who calls to schedule a seat for either Topeka or Kansas City.

 

Shuttle seating is limited. Riders must schedule a seat by calling 785-925-0261 and leaving a message with their appointment day and time and a call back telephone number.

 

Veterans needing a caregiver to ride with them must let the scheduler know. Shuttle seating is limited so only authorized caregivers can accompany the Veteran.

 

Appointments can also be scheduled by email through [email protected].

 

Appointments must be between 9 am and 1 pm.

 

Contact shuttle coordinator Carl Jowers at 785-925-0261 or [email protected] with any questions you might have regarding the shuttle usage or for more information.

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]

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Craw-Kan Taking Orders for Fiber Optic Internet

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CRAW-KAN,
Your Community Technology Partner asks:
Hey, Fort Scott –
are you in the zone?
Hey Fort Scott –
are you in the zone?
CRAW-KAN is now taking business and residential orders for fiber optic internet, high definition TV and phone service in the GREEN shaded area on the map above.
Call 620-724-8235 to sign up,
or check out www.ruralfiber.org
for packages and pricing;
then click “I WANT FIBER” and enter your info to have us
contact you!
If you aren’t in the GREEN *yet* please be patient…
We are coming to the east side of town next year!!
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

SSN Card Now Easier to Replace

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Joy Miller, K-State Research and Extension Southwind District Family and Consumer Science, 620-223-3720 or [email protected]

 

Replacing Your Social Security Card Just Got Easier in Kansas

Your Social Security card should be kept in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Even with best intentions, it may get misplaced. Keep in mind you may not need a replacement, sometimes simply knowing your Social Security number is enough.

If you do need a replacement, the state of Kansas has made it easier. Kansas residents now have the ability to request a Social Security card replacement online, allowing you to skip the in-person appointment process. Replacing your card is quick, secure, and free.

To replace your card online, first you will need to log in or create your My Social Security account. Your personal information is protected by using identity verification and other security features. To set up an account go to https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

To replace your card online, you must also meet certain criteria. This includes being a U.S. Citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address, cannot be requesting a name change or any other change to your card, and must have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the states participating in this program.

My Social Security is an online service provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows you to review your earnings history, check current or future benefits, and access other Social Security services. You can also use your My Social Security account to:

  • Check applications.
  • Set up direct deposit for your benefit payment.
  • Change your address or phone number.
  • Request a benefit verification letter.
  • Request a replacement of tax forms SSA-1099 or SSA 1042S.
  • Check the status of a pending claim or appeal of disability.
Opinion

Crankiness by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (Prov. 16:24)

Last week, I wrote about heeding warning signs, especially those given to us by God dealing with choosing the right mate. It took no time at all for Dave to make me crazy. All I asked was for him to look up the definition of a clove of garlic—and yes, I should have known the answer. Bulb or clove, which is which? My brain simply refused to go there. (Sometimes it does that. But that’s a story for another time…provided I can remember it.)

Anyway, I was chopping garlic; Dave was sitting at the kitchen table, playing a word game on his phone. My recipe called for two cloves, but the “bulb-clove” thing confused me, so I asked for help. My sweet hubby needed to finish his game because he was being timed, and I guess he was going to win a kajillion dollars if he won, so I waited patiently. Then he started.

“Patty, did you know that garlic is related to the onion?”

“Lovely. What is a clove?”

“Did you know it comes from the genus Allium?”

“I don’t care where it comes from, Dave. What is a clove?”

“Here’s something interesting. It helps medically. Did you know that?”

“Did you know that I’m about to bang my head on the cutting board?”

“Patty, you’re really cranky, but I’m serious. It’s recommended for gout, snakebites, scalp ringworm, earaches, stomach aches, hemorrhoids…”

“That’s terrific, but unless you are getting a PhD in garlic, all I need to know is the definition of a clove.”

“Wow! It helps treat heart disease, enlarged prostate, chronic fatigue, stress, and…”
 “Dave, if it’s recommended for stress, I’m going to suck down this whole thing just to get me through this conversation.”

It was then I left Dave, excitedly rattling off all kinds of garlic gobbledegook, and walked into the living room where my computer is located, googled “clove of garlic” and found my answer. As I stopped chopping and tossed my two cloves in with the other ingredients, sweet hubby was still sharing his research.

“Do you want to know how to get rid of garlic breath?”

“Do you want to know how to get rid of a wife, because you’re getting close.”

“Gosh, Patty, I thought you’d find this interesting.”

“About as interesting as swallowing a bowling ball.”

“Cranky, cranky, cranky.”

As I write this, I think of wonderful Christian couples who never would have a conversation like this. Their words are bathed in prayer, and they purpose to edify each other. From the minute sweet hubby said, “Did you know that garlic is related to the onion?” they would have stopped chopping and shown interest. They would have asked for a handout and memorized the spreadsheet. They would have put the other person’s feelings first. I know that’s what God wants me to do. I know that time is short and I won’t have Dave forever (unless, I guess, we eat a whole lot of garlic).

Proverbs 16:24 gives us advice to guide our talk: Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. I need to memorize that scripture. Kind words benefit soul and body.

Then again, I could just chomp on a clove of garlic. If Dave’s lucky, maybe it remedies crankiness.

Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Young Entrepreneur: Hannah Vann

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Hannah Vann, owner of Quick & Clean Auto Detail. Photos Submitted by Erin Vann.

This is part of a series that features area entrepreneurs under 30 years of age.

If you know of someone deserving this publicity, email  [email protected] with your name, why you are nominating the entrepreneur, their name and email/phone number.

 

Hannah Vann of Fort Scott, 16, was nominated to be featured as a young entrepreneur by her aunt, Trisha Newton.
In May 2018 Vann started her business, Quick & Clean Auto Detail, working from her home.

“Last year when trying to work while being involved in sports and school she was finding it hard to find a job that worked well with her schedule,” Newton said. “So she decided to start detailing cars during her spare time.”

Hannah said the original reason for learning to detail cars was an argument with her mom.

“I started my business after my mother and I got into an argument over me being sassy,” Vann said. “As a punishment she made me clean our Suburban.”

“She and my aunt always said it would be nice to have a good clean, rather than a $100 detail, of their cars,” Vann said. “I realized I had an amazing opportunity to start a successful business, that also worked around all of my sports and school activities.”

Hannah is the daughter of Tarrell and Erin Vann.

“The unique part about her detailing is that she is not charging a ton like a normal detail costs, instead making it an affordable, quick clean,” Newton said.  “Your basic vacuum/wipe down etc. for those busy people on the go and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg!”

The service includes an interior vacuum,  and cleaning of windows, floor mats, dash, console, doors, door and seat trim.

“I charge $35 for cars and trucks and SUV’s start at $45,”  Vann said.

“She has kept very busy all summer and continues to work hard for her customers,” Newton said.

“I have approximately 40 costumers,” Vann said.

Van can be reached at 620-224-8555.

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Cherry Jammers Perform at Friday Night Free Concert

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The Friday Night Free Concert at Heritage Park this week will feature the Cherry Jammers music ensemble from the Cherry Grove Baptist Church.

It is held at 7 p.m. at the corner of Main and First Street in downtown Fort Scott.

“This group is one of our favorites who have performed for us for many years,” Ralph Carlson, event organizer for the Chamber of Commerce, said. “The group sings hymns and gospel classics. The group combines vocal and various musical instruments.”

Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.

In the event of bad weather the event will move to The Common Grounds Coffee Shop on Main Street.

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Chamber Coffee at Bobbi Kemna’s Pot Pantry August 1

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:

The Pot Pantry, Bobbi Kemna
promoting the upcoming
to be held Sat., September 14th
Location:

1366 215th St.
(go north on old 69 hwy./215th St. from
Pete’s north c-store (formerly Cowen’s) approx. 1/4 mile,
location is on your left –
2-story home with historic rock building
in rear which is The Pot Pantry)
Thursday, August 1, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Notes for the Coffee:
* Rain is predicted, bring an umbrella or rain jacket
* Get your breakfast in the main house, enter through orange porch
* Then, come to adjacent rock Pot Pantry for the networking/Coffee
* Take a selfie photo with some awesome paintings!
* Save the date for Art in the Yard ~ flyer below!
Click here for Bobbi’s Pot Pantry website,
enter your email to subscribe to her blog!
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
August 8 – State Farm-Kale Nelson/Meeks Law Firm

(RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY TO FOLLOW)
August 15 – Craw-Kan, location TBA
August 22 – Ascension Via Christi Fort Scott
August 29 – Fort Scott Washateria
coffee_blank.jpg
Government, Health Care, Kansas

Domestic Well Water Test Available

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Update to Groundwater Study Announced

Study area identified and drinking water testing opportunities available

 

More than 15 years ago data was collected by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) on the declining quality of groundwater in the Arkansas River region due to naturally occurring sources. The Kansas Water Office along with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Agriculture will be working with KGS and Groundwater Management District No. 3 in a two-year study to collect current, updated data in the areas adjacent to the river and surface irrigation canals in Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Gray, and Ford counties in response to a legislative resolution passed this past 2019 session, Senate Resolution No. 1729.

 

In an effort to help update data, a study area has been identified and the state of Kansas is providing the opportunity for domestic well owners in those areas who use their well(s) for drinking water purposes to have their water tested for free. Test results will be provided back to the well owner and used in the broader study to determine overall regional groundwater quality.  Please note, water from public water supply systems is routinely tested and meets all safe drinking water standards, and therefore is not included in this study.

 

The state is working with the five listed county health departments and conservation districts have water sampling kits available to private well owners. This will be a phased approach starting with Hamilton County, followed by Kearny, Finney, Gray and Ford. Those who use their well(s) for drinking water purposes are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to help update the water quality data in this study area. Participation in this study is voluntary.

Sample kits will be available beginning in Hamilton County on August 19 with the other counties to follow.

For more information please visit www.kdheks.gov/mineralization/ or call: (785) 296-3185.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Jean Isaac

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Jean Isaac, 81, formerly of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, July 30, 2019, in Mission, Kansas. She was born February 18, 1938, in Uniontown, Kansas, the daughter of Earl and Iva (Holt) Wittsell.

Jean was a school teacher for twenty-five years, retiring in 2000 from the Uniontown School District, USD235. Her life centered around her children and grandchildren, and teaching.

Jean is survived by her children, Kim Irby and husband Steve of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Kelly Goss and husband Randall of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Barry Isaac & wife Frankie of Pittsburg, Kansas, Tammy Townsend and husband Mike of Fort Scott, Kansas, and Cody Isaac and partner Randy McPherson of Mission, Kansas; twelve grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Randy Isaac.

Following cremation, the family will receive friends for a visitation Saturday afternoon, August 3, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to USD235 and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Fort Scott Police Department

Text 911 When You Can’t Call

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The 911 text console located in the Fort Scott Police Department Dispatch Center. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott Police Department launched a service to help people who might not be able to talk in an emergency situation.

“Text to 911 Service is a service that is now available for individuals to be able to text 911 calls if they do not have the ability to call,” Traci Reed, Fort Scott Police Department Dispatch Center Manager, said. ” For example if an individual is somewhere and they may not want someone to hear them making the call because of immediate danger, they have the ability to text the information instead of calling, or a caller may not be able to get through on a phone call due to service, but may be able to get through as a text.”

The service, Text to 911, was launched on  April 12, 2018.

“We integrated the NG911 system on this date as well and the Text to 911 was one of the services that were included in the system,” Reed said.

“The Text to 911 benefits the citizens of Bourbon County ensuring the safety of our community, which is our number one priority,” she said. “Citizens know that they not only have the option to call 911 in a time of need but they have the ability to text as well. Text 911 then you send a message just like you do when sending any other text. Our emergency dispatcher types back and forth to the sender requesting information the same as when an individual calls in.

The system is located in the Fort Scott Police Department Dispatcher Center, 1604 S. National Avenue.

The Fort Scott Police Department electric sign stands outsite the department, located at 1604 S. National Avenue.
Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Released Report July 31

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AgencyName Data
Inmate Released List 07/30/2019 07/31/2019

COOLEY, BRYON RAPHAEL 2019000531        05/31/2019 7/30/19 9:06 AM B M21 TIME SERVED
SELF

DECK, ERIC ALTON 2019000698       07/28/2019 7/30/19 10:12 AM W M44 NOTHING FILED
SELF

JOHNSON, PATRICK LEE 2019000704      07/30/2019 7/30/19 2:51 PM W M55 SURETY BOND
ABLE BONDING

MERRIMAN, CALEB ANTHONY
2019000579      06/13/2019 7/30/19 5:30 PM W M25 SURETY BOND
ABLE

Bourbon County Local News