Obituary

Callers use the threat of disconnection to get immediate payment.
TOPEKA, Kan., May 18, 2018 – Westar Energy is alerting customers that imposters claiming to work for the company are threatening to disconnect service and asking for prepaid cards as payment.

Several customers have contacted Westar Energy’s Customer Relations Center after receiving suspicious phone calls.

Some imposters are very convincing. They may use websites that allow them to manipulate caller ID, making the call appear to come from Westar. They speak with authority.

When the targeted customer calls the phone numbers provided, the person who answers sounds like they work for Westar.

In some cases, callers may even provide information like amount due
that makes them sound credible.

“Scammers create a sense of urgency to get customers to act quickly rather than allowing them time to check their account,” Gina Penzig, media relations manager, Westar Energy, said.

“We will never require a pre-paid card for payment. Also, we notify customers multiple times in advance if service may be interrupted for non-payment.”

Before acting on one of these calls, check your records to see if a recent payment has been made. If you are still unsure, call our Customer Relations Center, 1-800-383-1183, and
check your account status.

More about identifying scams: https://www.westarenergy.com/scams

If a customer receives a suspicious visit from an individual, he or she should also report it to their local law enforcement agency.

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.
Media Contact:
Gina Penzig

Area News, Submitted

Westar Rate Change Request Hearing May 22

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The KCC to host a public hearing on Westar’s rate change application

Topeka – The Kanas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 22 to receive input from Westar Energy customers on the company’s rate change request.

The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Washburn Institute of Technology, Main Conference Center, Building A, located at 5724 SW Huntoon in Topeka.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed rate change, ask questions and make comments to KCC Commissioners.

Members of the public can attend in person or watch a live broadcast of the hearing on the Commission’s website: www.kcc.ks.gov.

For those unable to watch live, a recording of the hearing will be available on the Commission’s website beginning May 30.

The application, filed by Westar in February, requests a $1.56 million dollar rate decrease effective September 2018 and a $54.2 million dollar rate increase in February 2019 for the company’s retail rate customers.

Combined, the adjustments would increase prices by $52.6 million.

If approved, residential customers with average monthly consumption of 900-kilowatt hours of electricity will see a monthly increase of $5.91 per month.

The request also includes updated tariffs for customers who installed their own source of electric power after October 28, 2015. A complete copy of Westar Energy’s Application and supporting testimony is available on the Commission’s website.

The Commission will accept public comments through 5 p.m. CDT, July 18, 2018. There are three convenient ways to submit a comment:

Go to the KCC website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to

enter a comment.

2) Send a written letter to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and

Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604‑4027. Be sure to reference

Docket No. 18‑WSEE‑328-RTS.

3) Call the Commission’s Public Affairs office at 1‑800‑662‑0027 or 785-271‑3140.

The Commission’s decision on the request is due on or before September 27, 2018.

Opinion

Obituary for Barbara Rose Ivey

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Barbara Rose Ivey, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

She was born February 12, 1935, in Frederick, Oklahoma, the daughter of James Davis and Josephine Harmon Davis.

Barbara married Loyd Alton Ivey on July 31, 1952, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Barbara had worked in customer service for Ennis Business Forms for thirty years. She enjoyed spending time with her family especially at Christmas. She enjoyed writing poetry, tending her flowers and working on art projects. She was an active resident of Ft. Scott Manor where she liked to play Bingo and participate in various activities. She also served as President of the Resident’s Advisory Board. She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Button, of Ft. Scott and a son, John Ivey, and wife, Teresa, of Wichita, Kansas; twelve grandchildren, Stacey Culpepper, Jessica Ivey, Kelley Tucker, Kimberly Graham, Kristy Sickles, Kaylee Button, Scotty Button, Brandon Ivey, Justin Ivey, Crystal Ivey, Dylan Ivey and Quintin Ivey and twenty-six great-grandchildren.

Her husband, Loyd Ivey, Sr., preceded her in death on April 28, 2009. She was also preceded in death by three sons, Loyd Ivey, Jr., Randy Ivey and Roger Ivey, who died in infancy; two great-grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 23rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:30 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart 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.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Governor Colyer Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Victims of Santa Fe Shooting

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12 and today’s proclamation signed by President Donald J. Trump, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from until sun-down on May 22, 2018, to honor the memory of those lost in the horrific shooting that took place in Santa Fe, TX.

“Our hearts are with the people of Texas today,” said Governor Colyer. “We pray for the families of the victims and keep them in our thoughts.”

To subscribe to receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visithttp://governor.ks.gov/subscribe-to-flag-honors.

Fort Scott, Government, Submitted

Design Review of 23 S. Main May 24 At City Hall

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The Design Review Board will meet on Thursday, May 24^th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign at 23 S. Main and any other matters that may come before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.

Fort Scott, Submitted

Mercy Health for Life offers 4-Week Fitness Program for Ages 6-10

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Kids Fit-n-Fun Program Begins June 7

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (May 18, 2018) – Your kids have no reason to complain about being bored this summer. At Mercy Health for Life, children ages six through10-years olds can remain physically active by participating in the Fit-n-Fun program.

The four-week program is designed to provide children with an opportunity to participate in physical fitness with a variety of fun activities in a safe environment.

Dates for the 2018 Fit-n-Fun program are Tuesday and Thursday, June 7 through July 3. Class sessions are 45 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. Cost is $20 per child for Health for Life members and $25 for nonmembers. Sessions will be instructed by Brianna Culbertson, certified youth fitness specialist, and personal trainer.

“The goal of the fit-n-fun program is to teach our youth the importance of daily physical activity, eating right and that exercise can be fun,” said Kirk Sharp, Mercy fitness center manager.

“We hope to see the kids take something that they have learned from the program and incorporate it into their lives, spring-boarding a lifetime of healthy habits,” Sharp added.

On the final day, kids will participate in special activities and compete for prizes.

To register, call Mercy Health for Life at 620-223-7073.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.

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.

Area News, Bourbon County, Submitted

Grief Support For Loss of Infant

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Infant Loss Remembrance Service Held May 26

Fort Scott, Kan. (May 18, 2018) – If you or your family has been impacted by pregnancy loss or the loss of an infant shortly after birth, Mercy wants to offer you a time for reflection and comfort.

You’re invited to come find support and healing at an Infant Loss Remembrance Service on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Cemetery located west of Fort Scott on Locust Road. Anyone in the community or surrounding area who has suffered this type of loss is welcome to attend.

Our time together will include a short service and time of prayer, plus a bubble release with opportunity for participants to write messages to those children being remembered.

In case of rain, the service will be moved to Mercy Hospital’s McAuley Conference Center.

For more information, contact Mercy Chaplain Luke Anker at 417-556-4419.

Fort Scott, Government, Submitted

City of Fort Scott Seeks Members on Two Boards

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Please see the following City of Fort Scott Board openings:

One opening (City resident) on the Fort Scott Housing Authority

The function of the Housing Authority is to provide leadership, oversight and participate in board meetings. The Housing Authority Board is the legal and financially responsible governing body of the public housing authority and the first line of accountability for their performance. This board meets on a monthly basis.

_ One opening (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.

If you have a desire to serve on either one of these boards 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 May 31^st, 2018.

Schools, Submitted

FSCC Masonry Students Build Sensory Garden In Pittsburg

May 20, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The Fort Scott Community College Masonry program was asked by the Everybody Plays Committee, a task force of the City of Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department, to build a sensory garden structure at Schlanger Park in Pittsburg, Ks.

The students spent part of the semester doing just that. They measured the groundwork out, laid the blocks, helped pour the concrete and filled in the dirt for the garden.

Once everything is set and ready to go, In The Garden will plant flowers and plants that attract butterflies and add sensory elements for the community to enjoy the beauty. The sensory garden is fully accessible for all to partake in the experience.

“The committee was so pleased to be able to offer local students this opportunity for a real-life experience,” says Barbara Herbert.

If you would like a brick paver to be placed in the garden please contact Pittsburg Parks and Recreation at 620-231-8310.

Obituary

Obituary For Shirley Westcoat

May 19, 2018 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Shirley Mae Wescoat, 85, of Fort Scott passed away Friday morning, May 11, 2018, at Cavalry Crossing in Fort Scott, Kansas.

She was born December 28, 1932, in Parkersburg, West Virginia the daughter of Clair John and Sarah Inez (Vance) Butcher.

She married Herbert Jacob “Jake” Wescoat February 17, 1951, in Sacramento, California. He preceded her in death on September 2, 2000.

Survivors include her children, Gary Wescoat and wife Susan, of Fort Scott, Dorothea Sipe, of Topeka, Kansas, Carol Lathem and husband Lawrence, of Durant, Oklahoma, and Sandra Gates of Fort Scott; a brother, Clifton Butcher, of Parkersburg, West Virginia; eight grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to her husband Jake, Shirley was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Lois Claar, and a brother, Gene Butcher.

Following cremation, memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with interment following at the US National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share or Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall and 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.