The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
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Obituary Of Ella Judy
Ella Judy, age 87, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, went to her heavenly home Thursday, March 8, 2018.
She was born March 14, 1930, in Oklahoma, the daughter of Rev. W. L. Gates and Donna Hurley Gates. She married Elmer Judy, Jr. on April 15, 1949, at Ft. Scott.
In earlier years, Ella worked at Ahren’s Produce and for Key Industries. She later served as bookkeeper for the family business, Judy’s Iron & Metal. Above all, Ella was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed sewing and used her talents to make clothing for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed crafts of all kinds especially ceramics and stained glass.
Ella was blessed with the gift of hospitality. Her home was always open to entertain youth groups, pastors, and her many friends. She faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).
Survivors include her husband, Elmer, of the home; a son, Mike Judy and wife, Carma, of Orange, Texas and two daughters, Gwen Chance and husband, Terry and Jan Beltram and husband, Larry, all of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Brent Chance and wife, Angela, of Harrisonville, Missouri, Brandon Beltram and wife, Amber, of Wichita, Kansas, Lynden Judy and wife, Katie, of Omaha, Arkansas and Kristi Beltram and fiancé, Justin Harbit, of Ft. Scott; and nine great-grandchildren, Alec, Nate, Kole and Alena Chance, Mikah and Emma Beltram and Tally, Claire and Jhett Judy. Also surviving are two brothers, Bill Gates, of Pittsburg, Kansas and Don Gates of Kodiak, Alaska and a sister, Frances Wise, of Wichita. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Leslie Judy, a grandson, Dustin Chance, a brother, James Gates and two sisters, Ida Durkee and Ethelene Richardson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, March 12th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights 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.
Escape Room Event Comes To FSCC
Fort Scott Community College President’s Ambassadors have come up with a fun way to fundraise, and add an entertainment venue to the community.
“Last fall, Matt Glades, Jennalee Martin and I went to an escape room in Joplin,” Kassie Fugate-Cate said. All three are staff/faculty at the college.
“An escape room is an interactive game/puzzle where groups of people are locked in a room and have to solve puzzles and find clues to escape, all within 60 minutes,” according to Newsweek Magazine.
Following the Joplin excursion, Glades proposed an idea to the Ambassadors of designing and implementing an escape room for fundraising, Fugate- Cate said. They agreed.
“He got them a room, they did the rest,” Fugate-Cate said.
“We began planning in August,” Haley O’Neal, an FSCC Ambassador said. “We just now got to the point to financially support it.”
The cost isn’t much, but a camera had to be installed in the room.
“We had to install a camera, which was $500,” O’Neal said. “Legally we had to be able to watch so there is no property damage (to the school).
“We did research on designing a room, (and) one of our Ambassadors had been through a lot of escape rooms,” O’Neal said.
The theme the group chose for their room is “Secret Agency.”
The lights are turned off the duration of the time in the escape room.
“Initially, someone must find the flashlight,” O’Neal said.
Waivers must be signed and fees paid 24 hours prior to the assigned time.
Prices are $5 for students and faculty/staff, $10 for community members. A team is comprised of up to five people.
The escape event is available Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 6 to 8 p..m or by appointment.
Contact the admissions office at 620.223.2700 ext. 3520 or email [email protected] for more information.
Participants must be at the escape room 15 minutes prior to their assigned time. If a time has been scheduled, no refund will be provided.
Several groups have spent time in the “Secret Agency” room for trial runs, Fugate-Cate said.
“The best time they have now is 30 minutes,” Fugate- Cate said.
The storyline will be changed periodically, Fugate- Cate said, to keep it interesting.
“I love that we are trying something new,” O’Neal said. “The Ambassadors are creating a fundraiser to do a fun day together later.”
O’Neal said the group has a plan to Main Event Entertainment in Kansas City on April 14.
Put On Full Armor by Patty LaRoche
Larry offered me his bug spray. Not necessary. Bugs don’t bug me.
Early on Tuesday our crew of eight began prep work to paint the Catholic Orphanage in Mazatlan, Mexico. It was then that Larry recommended his bug spray and I declined.
Peter, our organizer, requested that only a few of us test for potential problems before the larger group of 30 showed up on Thursday. He had asked me to be his assistant because (1) I have paint-spattered work clothes, and (2) I’m “always happy.” (This would NOT be confirmed by my hubby.)
The turquoise stucco buildings would become a neutral taupe with white framing and terra-cotta pillars. Two coats of everything, but only after power-spraying, scraping and sealing, a monstrous undertaking for the archaic structures. Other volunteers would paint the inside while another crew replaced a few dozen broken windows and screens.
Let the problems begin.
Hoses had to be dragged through shattered windows in order to reach a working water spigot. The only electric outlet that supported a 3-prong plug-in shorted out and turned off the freezer when we tried to use it. It was an hour before we even connected the power sprayer.
I left at noon and no sooner was I in the driver’s seat than my legs began to itch. And swell. Whatever bug herd had attacked me, they did it covertly. Nodules the size of Agate marbles formed under my skin, and no matter what cream/medicine/ fingernail polish/cucumber slices I applied over the next several hours, my limbs remained painful and itchy. All night I was awake, begging for a pitchfork to claw at my sores. Even when they started bleeding, I didn’t stop.
Talk about problems! By the time I made it to Walmart the next morning and showed the pharmacist my bumpy legs, I was in a snit. He didn’t understand my translation for bug bites, so I looked up the word for “pus” which, sorry to gross you out, was oozing from my wounds. I said aloud what I was reading on my phone: “el gato.” The pharmacist squinted his eyes and questioned in perfect English what I had said. “You have a cat on your legs?”
Good grief! My translation mistook “pus” (short u) for “puss” as in “pussy cat.” Once that was solved and medicine recommended, I began lathering on the cream. Yes, right there, between the cash register and my car. Aaaahhhh, sweet relief!
I know what you are thinking. All of that could have been prevented had I used Larry’s bug spray. Had I been a little proactive instead of almost bragging about being bug-proof? For days after, nasty scabs became a pestering reminder of how I ignored a necessary precaution.
Of course, that’s not the only problem area in which I have considered myself immune. Take my heart, for example, a prime target for a spiritual bug to attack. Ephesians 2:2 addresses how Satan seeks vulnerable “hosts” to infect with bitterness, envy, jealousy, and self-righteousness. I am exposed every time I refuse to be proactive. By not praying first. By not asking the Holy Spirit to cover my areas of temptation. By reading but not heeding God’s holy Word. And then when I get into trouble–say or do something hurtful, for instance–I cause even more problems, which has the potential to leave a scar on my heart. Fortunately, like the bug spray, there is an answer. It is found in Ephesians 6:10-12.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
From that time at the orphanage, bug spray became my “armor.” And like prayer, the most preventative problem-solver available, I never leave home without it.
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar March 9-11
FRI & SAT – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Livestock Sales – Fort Scott Livestock Market – 2131 Maple Rd. You don’t have to be a buyer to watch the sale and visit the café.
FRI, SAT & SUN – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Art Project: New Faces New Neighbors Fort Scott National Historic Site – History & Art come together. Kids have created textile works of art that
encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.
FRIDAY, March 9th
8:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display- Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St
11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Trolley Tours on the hour, leave from the Tourism Center, 231 E. Wall, $6a/$4c, last tour@3pm
12:00 pm—7:00 pm – Bourbon County Fine Art Exhibit—Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on
the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.
2:00 pm – LAST DAY of All Hit KOMB 103.9 Radio Auction – Listen to All Hit 103.9FM for more details.
You WILL want to stay by your radio & your phone!
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Lenten Fish Fry– Every Friday through March 23 at Kennedy Gym 705 S. Holbrook
5:00 pm – Spaghetti Feed hosted by Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware Elementary PTO – Dinner includes salad, bread, drink and dessert at Buckrun Community Center – 735 S. Scott Ave.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – FSCC “Escape the Fort” Escape Room – Contact Matt Glades at [email protected] or call 620.223.2700 ext. 3520 to set up a time. “May the odds be ever in your favor”-Hunger Games
7:00 pm – Theology on Tap-“How are spirituality and religion connected for you, if at all?” 710 S. Crawford
7:30 pm – FSCC 37th Annual Spring College Rodeo- Around Arena – FSCC Campus
9:00 pm—1:00 am – Dirty Bourbon Band, Sharky’s Pub & Grub, 16 N. National Ave., $5 cover charge
SATURDAY, March 10th
8:00 am – 12:00 pm – FSHS Tiger Golf Team Car Wash – Typhoon Bay Car Wash, 15th & National Ave.
9:00 am – 12:00pm – Creative Memories Crop – 22 Golf View Dr.
9:00 am – Work Session, Dirt Sculpting, Trail Love, Whatever! – Gunn Park Trails, 1010 Park Ave.
11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Trolley Tours on the hour, leave from the Tourism Center, 231 E. Wall, $6a/$4c, last tour@3pm
10:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display – Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St.
10:00 am – Water/Ways Storytime – FS Public Library, 201 S National Ave
8:30 pm – Baloney Ponyz – One of the country’s best, most authentic, “hair/hard rock” bands at Liberty
Theatre 113 S. Main St.
1:00 pm & 7:30 pm – FSCC 37th Annual Spring College Rodeo – Around Arena – FSCC Campus
9:00 pm—1:00 am – Dirty Bourbon Band, Sharky’s Pub & Grub, 16 N. National Ave., $5 cover charge
SUNDAY, March 11th
1:00 pm – FSCC 37th Annual Spring College Rodeo- Around Arena – FSCC Campus
6:00 pm – Lenten Worship Services – Trinity Lutheran Church, 2824 S Horton St.
Schedule of Special Events in Fort Scott, Kansas
March 9 –11, 2018
Tell your friends you’re here! Check in on Facebook! @ Visit Fort Scott KS
@ Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce 800-245-FORT (3678) * www.fortscott.com
Area Artists Exhibit At Ellis Art Center
The Bourbon County Arts Council’s 26th Annual Fine Arts Exhibit and Sale has grown over the years, according to the judge who picked the winners.
Schultz judged about four years ago she said.
“There is a lot more artwork this time, 125 pieces,” Schultz said. “Last time it was 80ish pieces.”
This year is a bigger variety as well, she said.
Schultz said she looks for composition, color techniques, and technical skills when she judges art.
This year she felt like the jewelry pieces “were really beautifully done, they were amazing,” she said.
The exhibit continues from noon to 7 p.m. through March 9 at the Ellis Fine Art Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Featured below are the first and second place winners of the exhibit.
Pictured below are some glimpses of artwork submitted to the exhibition by area artists.
The following are corporate prize sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goldston, Landmark Bank, City State Bank, McDonald’s Restaurant, Union State Bank, H & R Block, H & H Realty, Fort Scott Broadcasting, Bernita Hill, Ward Kraft. The best of show prize is awarded in honor of E. C. Gordon.
Juror Tera Schultz is the fine arts instructor at Allen County Community College, Iola.
Governor Signs Executive Order Creating Education Council
Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signs Executive Order 18-10 Creating the Governor’s Education Council
TOPEKA, KS – Governor Jeff Colyer issued an Executive Order creating the Governor’s Education Council with the purpose of improving outcomes for Kansas kids. This group will provide a platform for connecting educators from Pre-K through higher education with leaders in the business community and state policymakers. Their mission will be to promote policies and strategies to effectively prepare students to successfully enter and thrive in the rapidly-changing 21st-century workforce.
“The future of Kansas depends largely on how we educate the next generation and prepare them to contribute their ideas and skills back in to our state,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, “It is our duty to help our students achieve their full potential and ensure they have the relevant knowledge, skills, and training that will prepare them for the jobs of the future.”
“An integrated educational system, from early childhood through postsecondary success, is essential in providing a world-class education for all Kansas children,” said Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson. “That means collaboration between all education providers — Pre-K through postsecondary — business and industry leaders and other agencies is key. I support Gov. Colyer’s efforts to establish this council, and I look forward to working with him on these important issues.”
This Council’s mission will be the following:
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- Explore methods for integrating college and workforce preparedness into K-12 learning programs that align with and complement the work of the Kansans Can initiative of the KSDE.
- Consider the application of public-private partnerships in developing industry-specific learning goals.
- Inventory and assess existing workforce development initiatives within the state.
- Discuss a system for measuring effectiveness and accountability of educational opportunities beyond the common and known metrics.
- Inform and advise the Governor on educational initiatives and policies to improve the overall success of education and workforce development in Kansas.
“The jobs created in the new economy require education and skills beyond high school,” said Blake Flanders, president, and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. “I’m excited to work with Commissioner Watson as Co-Chairs of the P-20 Council, which will focus on the entire educational continuum.”
The Council will be co-chaired by the President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education of the Kansas State Department of Education. The Council will include representatives from three Cabinet agencies, 12 education-related organizations, and members chosen by the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate. The Governor will also appoint 3-5 members from the business community to serve on the Council.
The full text of the Executive Order can be found at https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-18-10-governors-education-council/
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Abused/Neglected Children Need Advocates
Help an abused or neglected child, be a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children. Training begins soon.
Contact: 620-223-2407.
FSHS Leading Efforts for National Theatre Education Awareness Campaign
Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) is a grassroots effort to educate everyone about the benefits of having theatre in the schools, and to draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students. The campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the International Thespian Society (ITS).
Fort Scott High School is promoting TIOS through our upcoming FSHS Talent Show on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium, the publication of theatre education research on our social media outlets (Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram), inviting new students to join our theatre endeavors, and participation in the Theatre Education Advocacy Day at the KS State Capital.
Fort Scott High School is the home of ITS Troupe 7365, the nationwide high school drama honorary society planning TIOS activities. TIOS is a chance for students, parents, communities, school boards, and elected officials to become familiar with the benefits of school theatre participation, which include the development of the 21st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
In fact, according to The College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of art classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less. But, according to the U. S. Department of Education, only 28 percent of public high schools in high poverty areas offer theatre instruction.
And according to a 2016 poll:
- 9 in 10 American adults agree that the arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education.
- 90 percent believe students should receive an education in the arts in elementary school, middle school, and high school.
The poll, “Americans Speak Out about the Arts: An In-Depth Look at Perceptions and Attitudes about the Arts in America,” was conducted by Americans for the Arts.
To see ITS Troupe 736, and the FSHS drama program in action, come to the upcoming performances of the FSHS Talent Show on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium ($5 at the door) and the Thespian Improv Comedy Night, April 27 at 7 p.m. at Common Ground.
For more information about TIOS visit schooltheatre.org/programs/tios and follow
#TIOS18 and #TheatreinOurSchools on social media
Submitted by Angela Bin.
Obituary Of Anna Lou Inman
Anna Lou Inman, age 88, a resident of rural Walnut, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 5, 2018, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
She was born May 21, 1929, in Lamar, Missouri, the daughter of George Cobb and Mary Cochran Cobb. She married William Howard “Bill” Inman on September 25, 1946, at Girard, Kansas. Following their marriage, Bill and Ann operated their own farm for the remainder of their lives.
She enjoyed taking care of her family and taking care of the daily duties on the family farm. In earlier years, she enjoyed playing the piano and encouraged her grandchildren to take piano lessons.
Survivors include her three children, Shirley Ann Utley and husband, Steve, of LaHarpe, Kansas, William Inman, Jr. and wife, Bernadette, of Walnut, Kansas and Patti Lou Powers, and husband, Steve, of Chanute, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Stephanie, Wes, Brad, Melissa, Jason, Katie, Matthew, Amber, Clayton and Stephanie and eleven great-grandchildren, Elora, Connor, Lauren, Carter, Peter, Henry, Charlie, Claire, Brooklynn, Gavin and Anna. Also surviving are two sisters, Ruth Buck, of Girard, Kansas and Elizabeth Lyons, of California.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, March 9th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Walnut Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Meals On Wheels, A Collaboration
Meals on Wheels in Bourbon County delivers a lunch to 45 households Monday through Thursday.
The service is for people 60 years and older.
“There are no income guidelines,” Jackie Sellers, site manager of Bourbon County Senior Citizens, said. “There is a suggested donation of $1 per meal.”
There are two driving routes that take approximately 45 minutes to deliver the meals.
Each Wednesday a frozen meal is delivered with the hot meal, which can be consumed on Friday.
At 9:30 a.m. each Meals on Wheels day, volunteers gather to divide and pack up the meals that are supplied through the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburg. The meals are then delivered in a local vehicle.
Snowy or icy weather can prevent the van full of food from Pittsburg to arrive, Sellers said.
“People have to watch on TV for cancellations,” Sellers said. “It’s referred to as Senior Meals.”
Deb Needleman, treasurer of the Bourbon County Senior Citizens said the United Way of Bourbon County grant money received goes to the Meals on Wheels part of the Bourbon County Senior Citizens budget.
“The expense of meal preparation is $30,000,” Needleman said. The United Way funds 30 percent of our budget for Meals on Wheels.”
The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging provides oversight for Meals on Wheels, Sellers said.
The SEKAAA Executive Director is Cindy Lane, who can be reached at 620-431-2980.
Legislators Answer Questions
Legislators gave answers to questions posed to them at Mercy Hospital’s Catherine Cafe Saturday morning during a legislative coffee sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
Senator Richard Hilderbrand, Representative Trevor Jacobs, Representative Adam Lusker and Senator Caryn Tyson sat as a panel and received questions from the moderator,Chamber Member Mark McCoy and also questions from the audience.
Richard Hilderbrand is the Kansas District 13 Senator from Galena. He can be reached at 785-296-7370 or [email protected].
The following are excerpts from Hilderbrand’s answers to questions posed to the legislators on current issues.
On education, Senator Hilderbrand clarified in a later interview ” My position on restoring Higher Ed. funding is we need to prioritize all of our commitments that have been cut, and not to add any other new items to fund. We need to work on restoring cuts before adding anything new.”
Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “Absolutely not.”
School safety: “It’s a heart issue, no law will fix hate.”
Community college funding: “I haven’t heard anything at the state level.”
Poultry operations: “There were no existing statutes, so this puts some in place for rights….and kept local control.”
KanCare: “When they budgeted it was only for the initial cost….not maintaining…now they have to come back and raise fees.”
Convention of states: “I would not support that.”
Transportation: “For 2019, the finishing of Fort Scott to Pittsburg Highway 69 seems to be the mood.”
Parting remarks: “It’s important to have this interaction with constituents. If there are any issues, contact us.”
Trevor Jacobs is the District 4 Representative from Fort Scott. He can be reached at 785-296-7616 or [email protected].
The following are excerpts from Jacobs answers to questions posed to the legislators.
Education funding: “No more expansion of higher education.”
Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “I would not.”
School safety: “One of the 10 Commandments is ‘Thou shalt not kill’. We need to address the root of the problem. We need a revolution of family and education.”
Property tax: “I’m not into raising taxes.”
Marijuana decriminalization: “I’m not in favor..we have enough problems.”
Convention of states: No
Transportation: (Rep. Jacobs in a later interview stated)”I am on the House Transportation Committee. I was never told any date, it doesn’t look like Hwy. 69 is budgeted.”
Parting remarks: “I was able to introduce a Choose Life (car) license plate. Lord willing, they will pass, to show life is valuable.”
District 2 Representative Adam Lusker (D) resides in Frontenac and can be reached at 785-296-7698 or [email protected].
The following are excerpts from Luskers’s answers to questions posed to the legislators.
Lusker was late to the coffee event, therefore did not answer some of the questions, explaining he misunderstood the begin time.
KanCare: “KanCare is problematic.”
DCF: “Deals with tough situations.”
Marijuana decriminalization: “There is no legislation on either side for recreational marijuana. CDB oil passed for epilepsy but never came to fruition. We are a long way from legalizing in Kansas.”
Convention of states: “I would be opposed to a convention of states.”
Transportation: “Highway 69 in late 2019 will be completed. There is a $50-55 million budget. It will be on the front burner of the next transportation incentives for Bourbon County.
Parting remarks:”It’s a pleasure to serve you. I don’t align with these individuals (legislative colleagues) on a lot of issues, but they are very good people. We work together for the best of Kansas.”
Senator Caryn Tyson (R) represents Kansas District 4. She resides in Parker and can be reached at 785-296-6838 or [email protected].
Tyson said she is also running for U.S. Congress to replace Lynn Jenkins, who is retiring.
The following are excerpts from Tyson’s answers following questions posed to the legislators.
Education: “Over 60 percent of the state budget goes to k-12 and higher education…We have obligations for education but have other obligations. Schools can we do it better, can we do it smarter? We need to ask, is it a need or want.”
Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “I would not vote to support that bill.”
School safety: “The hall talk is teachers to take training.”
Community college funding: “We have demonstrated our priority…60 percent of our budget is in education.”
Poultry operations: “The whole community should have input on their coming in.”
KanCare: “The legislature did not decide on that, the administration did. KanCare was pushed into the State of Kansas without legislation. We have to make sure our contracts are understood.”
DCF: “There are a lot of problems. (However) We have a new secretary.”
Marijuana decriminalization: “The issue is dosage control. There is no way to control. Kansas has lessened the laws for marijuana.
Convention of states: “It (the U.S. Constitution) is not a perfect document. Women wouldn’t be able to vote without constitutional amendments.”
Transportation: “Highway 69 will be completed.”
Parting remarks: “We are a citizen legislature. When we make decisions we need to know who we are impacting.”