Inez Irene Sutcliffe, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at her home. She was born November 6, 1929, in Oskaloosa, Missouri, the second of six children of Willie A. Carpenter and Carrie E. Guss Carpenter. Irene graduated from the Liberal High School with the Class of 1947. In earlier years, she was employed as a telephone operator in Arcadia, Kansas and later worked for Key Work Clothes in both the factory and later in the office. While with Key she received several outstanding and meritorious awards. Irene married Frank A. Sutcliffe on November 2, 1964, in Miami, Oklahoma. She later worked as bookkeeper for his truck driving business. Irene was a past member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. She loved family gatherings, her dogs and cats and flowers, especially roses.
Survivors include a brother, Bill Carpenter and wife Karen, of Liberal, Missouri and two sisters, Leota McClendon of Liberal, Missouri and Wanda “Jay” Dunn of Ft. Scott; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Carpenter, Lamar, Missouri. Also surviving are eight nephews, Loren Readinger, Darren, Brian, Kevin, Justin, Nathan and Dustin Carpenter and Mike Dunn and four nieces, Linda Tenholder, Susan Jones, Debra Martin and Rhonda Dunn as well as numerous extended family members including Clara and Hannah Dunn who helped provide for her care. Her husband, Frank, preceded her in death on October 23, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, David Carpenter, a sister, Evelyn Jones and three nephews, Gary Dunn, Randall Readinger and Conner Tenholder.
Pastor Jeff Dillow will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. and may be left in 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.
Governor Laura Kelly prioritizes revitalization of early childhood education efforts in Kansas
Governor appoints new Executive Director, Chair of Kansas Children’s Cabinet
Governor Laura Kelly today once again highlighted her commitment to expanding early childhood programing in Kansas and reinvigorating the efforts of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet. Kelly appointed former Rep. Melissa Rooker as the new executive director and Kim Moore as new chair of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.
“I worked closely with Rep. Rooker for many years and know her to be a steadfast advocate for Kansas children and families with a depth of knowledge on the issues impacting our children,” said Kelly. “She shares my commitment to expanding and improving early childhood opportunities across the state. I look forward to her leadership as we stimulate innovation and partnership surrounding early childhood programs.”
Rooker served in the Kansas House of Representatives for six years where she took a leadership role in education and early childhood issues. She was heavily involved in restoring critical funding for K-12 public schools. Rooker also fought for increased funding for early childhood education after years of neglect to Kansas’ prized early childhood programs.
“I’m honored to lead this work and help implement the governor’s vision for improving the health and well-being of our children and families,” said Rooker. “Early childhood programs are critical to the development and success of Kansas children. I’m eager to build on our progress by bringing new ideas and energy to the discussion.”
Kim Moore served as the president of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Hutchinson for over thirty years. In that role, Moore developed multiple-year grant making initiatives in diverse health fields including adverse childhood experiences, children’s emotional and social health, oral health, and child care generally. His efforts leveraged both public and private funds to enhance programs directed towards the health of young children and their families.
“I’m pleased to have Kim Moore engaged as chair of the Children’s Cabinet,” said Kelly. “He has broad experience in the area of advocacy and philanthropy to benefit the communities of Kansas. His commitment to improving the lives of our youngest Kansans and his partnership with other philanthropies make him the right choice to chair the Kansas Children’s Cabinet.”
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that high quality early intervention and support can have on children and families across the state of Kansas,” said Moore. “I look forward to working with the governor, Rep. Rooker, and the other members of the Children’s Cabinet to make sure all children in Kansas are safe, healthy and have the opportunity to succeed.”
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund is directed by state statute to fund and evaluate key children’s programs across the state. For more information, visit kschildrenscabinet.org.
Bryan Ritter, brewmaster for the Boiler Room Brewhaus, speaks to the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet attendees on Tuesday morning. Bryan and Barbara Ritter, owners of the business, hosted the event.
The Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet meets several times a year to allow people interested in downtown Fort Scott to share ideas/events.
Bryan Ritter, who along with wife, Barbara, own the Boiler Room Brewhaus, hosted the Meet and Greet on Tuesday on Feb. 5.
The business sold 2,000 gallons of beer last year, he said.
“We do specialty beers, named after our animals on the farm,” Ritter told the group. “We ended the year in the black!”
Besides making and selling beer, they host events.
“We do birthday parties, music events, hosted charitable events,” he said. “Any civic organization that raises funds, we’d be happy to help.”
Their contact information: 913-636-4892 or 620-644-5032 or [email protected].
Others who spoke at the meet and greet:
Dick Horton, Southeast Kansas Community Action Program Director of Community Engagement, invited the attendees to give input to its regional assessment. To complete the community assessment: http://www.sek-cap.com/index.php/about.us/community-assessment
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said Project 17 has a user-friendly Wix platform available to businesses who have under $1 million in revenue.
Madison also said the Chamber is finalizing its Business Locator Map Pinpoints and Ads, with a focus on shop, dine, play and stay businesses.
She said there is ad space on the Skubitz Plaza Downtown Directory Sign, for $100 a year.
Madison said the KOMB 103.9 Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show is April 5-6.
Ally Turvey, from the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau is continuing to sponsor the downtown family movie nights. This year the entertainment evenings will move to Skubitz Plaza and one of the four films featured is about Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
The City State Bank Ribbon Cutting begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.
Hedgehog.INK will have a book signing featuring author Gerri Hilger. (Editors note: the book signing will be rescheduled from Feb.7, due to weather.)There will also be a story time Saturday featuring author Joyce Love, reading her rendition of “The Three Little Pigs.” In addition, local artist Jean Solomonson will lead the children in card making.
Madison informed the attendees of the Google live stream”Give Your Website a Refresh” on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m to noon at the Lowell Milken Center. Attendees will learn about search engine optimization and best practices for creating a search-friendly site.
Also, there will be a Bill Drury Seminar, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon, with a focus on “Effective Leadership For First Line Managers and Supervisors,” Madison said.
There are grants available for downtown businesses to refresh a facade, see Rachel Pruitt with the City of Fort Scott for more information.
Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, said there are student position openings at the fort this summer.
Martha Scott, Friends of the Fort, said subscriptions are continuing for installing flags at residences/businesses in celebration of national holidays. The group charges $35 a year and will install and take down the flags.
Business owner, Jared Leek, said Valentines Day has been sold out at Crooner’s Lounge, but days before and after are available for reservations. He said on Feb. 16 Elton Dan, an Elton John impersonator will perform at the Liberty Theater. Leek also said that the Bourbon County Arts Council has six events coming this year downtown, the first one is March 9.
Pat Lyons, Lyons Twin Mansions, said they and the Courtland Hotel are part of a “Most Romantic Weekend In Kansas” promotion on Valentine weekend.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin gave updates on healthcare, the Craw-Kan Cooperative broadband project, Mark McCoy’s group to unify the city/county governments, and parking issues downtown.
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said Fort Scott Lofts, formerly Western Senior Living, now only require 20 percent of residents to be 55 years old and older.
Pruitt also said the Warrior Convoy parade through town, in connection with Adam LaRoche’s Wounded Warrior Hunt, will be May 1 this year.
Fort Scott Codes Director Rhonda Dunn said a possible U.S. Cellular cell phone tower downtown is in the design phase and stated it is a process that the public will be allowed input on.
Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter is having an online Facebook auction that includes several large appliances: computer, refrigerator, freezer. The auction closes today, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.
The Commissioners held a special meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 to discuss the weather conditions.
Following discussion the following motion was made:
Commissioner Lynne Oharah made a motion not to close the Bourbon County Courthouse. If an employee doesn’t work, vacation time or take unpaid time off can be taken.
Commissioner Nick Ruhl seconded and the motion passed.
GRAND RE-OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING is still ON for tonight.
Please join us at 5pm,
the remarks & ribbon cutting will begin at 5:30pm.
THANK YOU & BE SAFE!
City State Bank’s Downtown location:
202 Scott Avenue, starting at 5 p.m.
After several months of construction, the downtown branch of the City State Bank is complete!
The remodel included an outside face-lift with new stone and stucco, a drive-thru canopy, a new island ATM, sidewalks and lighting.
The interior has been completely remodeled with a new layout; new flooring, furniture, lighting, decor and a teller desk have also been added.
The building, located at 202 Scott Avenue in Fort Scott, was originally built in 1957, and this remodel shows City State Bank’s commitment to their customers, downtown, and the local community. The bank has another full-service location at 1012 Highway 69, Fort Scott, KS
Seniors, Family Members, Employees, Volunteers of the Presbyterian Village and the General Public,
On Tuesday, February 20th at 3:30 pm President and CEO of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Krista Postai, will be at the Presbyterian Village, located at 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS to present information about what CHC can do for the Presbyterian Village seniors, staff, family members, volunteers and the Fort Scott community, as a whole.
Below was taken from their website:
What sets Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas apart is its mission to provide quality, affordable care regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. We provide a vital service to our patients, as well as the communities in which we have established clinic sites. Our focus is removing barriers to access and our “can do” philosophy has brought care to children and adults who otherwise would have gone without. Our commitment to the “whole person” also is unique and we strive to be a “health care home” through our provision of medical, dental and mental health services.
