Local author Cathy Werling will have an author reading and book signing of her book “Why Did Grandpa Cry” at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, December 9 at the Lowell Milken Center, Wall and Main Streets.
For more information contact the center at 620-223-1312
Submitted by Krista Harding, KState Extension Southwind District
The selection and purchase of a Christmas tree has become an annual tradition for many families who chose a real tree over an artificial substitute. For many, bringing home a tree is often the kick-off of the holiday season. Today, live trees can be found just about anywhere you look such as retail lots, shopping centers and the ever popular choose-and-cut farms. Of course, real trees do require some extra care to keep them looking good through the holiday season.
When choosing a tree, freshness is the most important factor. Purchasing trees that have already been cut for a period of time are probably the most difficult trees to keep fresh and fragrant due to the length of time from cutting until the tree is placed in the home. A fresh tree should have a healthy, green appearance without a lot of dead or browning needles. As you stroke the tree, needles should not come off into your hand. Another good test to do before buying a tree is to raise the trunk a few inches off of the ground and then drop the tree on the cut end. When this is done, only a few, inner dried needles should fall, and certainly not any green outer needles.
Once the tree is brought home, its continued freshness will depend on the type of care that is provided. A 1-inch re-cut across the bottom of the tree should be made. This will remove any clogged wood that may not absorb water. Put the tree into a stand or container of warm water and place it in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid placing it in an area where there is a heat source such as a fireplace, wood-burning stove, heat ducts and even television sets. This will help to preserve the freshness, reduce water loss and lessen the fire danger.
Depending on the size and species of tree, the use of a gallon of water in the first day would not be uncommon. Therefore, the tree should be checked frequently and re-watered as necessary. If the tree does become dried out, it probably will not absorb water. It may be necessary to take the tree down and re-cut the bottom to allow the absorption of water. This is inconvenient, but it is the only way to prevent early needle loss if a tree has become dried out. In the past, some have thought that adding aspirins, copper pennies, soda pop, sugar and bleach to the water may prolong the life of a tree. This has not been proven.
Should you choose a living Christmas tree, they definitely require special care. Once the tree is brought home, it should be conditioned before being placed in a heated room. Leave the tree in an unheated garage or building for a couple of days. After conditioning, the tree can be brought in and placed in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Watering a live tree should be done prior to placing it in the home, by moistening the root ball.
Living trees should not be kept inside for more than 10 days. Exposure to warm temperatures may cause the dormant tree to break buds and start to grow. Before removing the tree and planting it outside, it should be allowed to acclimate itself the same way before it was brought inside. The planting hole should be dug before the ground freezes. Once planted, water well and place some mulch around it to prevent the soil water from freezing.
With proper selection and care, you can enjoy a fresh tree throughout the holiday season. And with a real tree, you don’t have to worry about storing it for a year before using it again! They just take a little more work while on display.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244- 3826.
The City of Fort Scott recently annexed the LaRoche Baseball Complex into the city limits at a recent meeting.
The complex is located in the industrial park south of the city on U.S. 69 Hwy.
“The city maintains the complex,” Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott Community Development Director, said. “They do the mowing, the maintenance, the painting, the lights, etc. It makes sense, that since the city owns the park, it should be within the city limits.”
A board oversees the park, which includes members from the city, Fort Scott’s school district, and the LaRoche family.
The following information is the public record available at the Bourbon County Courthouse, third floor, district court office.
Joseph W. Banker, age 36, is a defendant whose case is pending in Bourbon County for the charges of sexual solicitation, sexual exploitation, and sexual battery.
In May 2017 the Bourbon County District Court filed a case against Banker in Oklahoma, for the charges and he was arrested.
A hearing was held on November 17, 2017, in which Banker pleaded No Contest to two of the charges. The preliminary hearing was waived.
Banker pleaded No Contest, thereby waiving his right to a trial. No Contest is an admission by Banker that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to prove his guilt and will not contest such evidence.
His plea of No Contest is the result of a plea agreement between the Bourbon County Attorney Justin Meeks and Bank’s attorney, Christopher Meek.
He is pleading No Contest in connection with Count II and Count III charges against him in the amended complaint/information.
Count II reads that between August 1, 2009, and September 21, 2009, Banker sexually exploited a child under 18 years of age. The charge is a severity level five, person felony with a minimum sentence of 31 months imprisonment, a maximum of 136 months and a fine up to $300,000.
Count III reads that between November 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, Banker sexually exploited another child under 18 years of age. The charge is a severity level five, person felony with a minimum sentence of 31 months imprisonment, a maximum of 136 months and a fine up to $300,000.
There will be a plea hearing on December 8, 2017, at 1:15 p.m. in series before the Honorable Judge Amy Harth.
Banker is a former youth pastor at Community Christian Church.
Psalm 9:1– I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. On this Thanksgiving weekend, I thought it would be fun to list some of the things for which I am thankful. In no particular order, here they are:
My husband, Dave. He loves me when I’m pretty unlovable.
Veterans, police officers and fire fighters—the true heroes in our nation
A home with 12 steps from my bed to the coffee pot
Wearing white after Labor Day
Time spent in my Bible
Transparent friends who share their hearts and aren’t afraid to admit they mess up
Butterflies, turtles and blue herons
Salt
Phone calls, not texts, from my kids (Feel free to forward this to my children.)
Lumber yard employees who know what I want when I don’t
Watching my grandkids play sports (or doing anything, for that matter)
Indoor plants that survive my gangrene thumb
Mascara
My Monday morning Bible study group
Mail delivery and trash collection
Pickleball and the friends I’ve made because of it
When a recipe turns out like the photo-shopped picture (I’m imagining here.)
Yoga
Extended warranties
Mosquito zappers
Smiles from people I don’t know (Thank you, Walmart greeters!)
Stilwell lake neighbors
Highway bumps that wake you up when you are leaving the road (Trust me, I know.)
Lays’ Kettle Potato Chips—seriously the best!
Indoor toilets
Elastic waists
Shared recipes (Thank you, Jara Martin and Julie Readinger.)
Warm socks
Laughter—the kind that takes your breath away and makes you snort
Dancing to oldies’ music
Inspirational movies (Hidden Figures is a must.)
An oven timer that has saved me countless burned concoctions
Horses—any kind, any size, any age
Mazatlan, Mexico, and the friends we have made
My Kindle
Pizza delivery
Game nights
You, my readers
And most importantly, Jesus Christ.
Submitted by Fort Scott National Historic Site
Do you want to dance the night away? Would you enjoy some gossip and a bit of matchmaking? Maybe you are hoping for a big promotion at work or would like to move some place more adventurous? These are the types of activities and conversations you can either eavesdrop on, or participate in, during this year’s Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
This year marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of Fort Scott in 1842. To commemorate, all of the scenes in this year’s Candlelight Tour will be set in the 1840s. Each of the scenes will feature some aspect of 1840s life and will include elements of humor or entertainment. Also, in many of the scenes this year, the audience will have the opportunity to interact with the tour.
Tickets are on sale now. Buy them soon as they are selling fast! You can purchase tickets by calling 620-223- 0310 or by coming to the visitor center at Fort Scott NHS. They are $8.00 per person and are non-refundable. Children 5 and under are free. Advance purchase is required.
During the Candlelight Tour, over 700 candle lanterns illuminate the site and over 100 reenactors bring the fort to life. This year’s tours will be offered December 1 and 2, 2017. Tours on December 1, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and start every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 2, the tours will run from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., every 15 minutes.
From November 1 to March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. For more information about the Candlelight Tour or other events at the site, call 620-223- 0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Nina Lou Erie, age 81, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., went to be with her Lord, Sunday, November 26, 2017, at the Fort Scott Mercy Hospital surrounded by her family.
She was born September 7, 1936, in Dadeville, Mo., the daughter of Arthur Buck and Eunice Mote Buck. Following graduation from Dadeville High School, Nina moved to Fort Scott where she was employed by Key Industries. She married Pete Erie on September 9, 1956, in Dadeville. In 1974, Nina began working at the Board Office for USD #234 where she served as accounts payable secretary. She retired after 24 years of service. Next to her love for her Lord was the love for her family. She was a longtime member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
She will be lovingly missed by her husband, Pete, of the home; her son, John Erie and wife, Terry, and her daughter, Sondra Ruhl and husband, Nick, all of Fort Scott; seven grandchildren, Brian Bolin, Ron Bolin and wife, Brooke, Dawn Bryant and husband Micheal, Wendy Budd and husband, David, John Erie, Jr., and wife, Stephannie, Anita Vaugh and husband, Daniel and Bethany Thompson and husband, Ray; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Codee Budd, Caden Bolin, Andy Bryant, Coree Budd, Aleana Erie, Dylann Bolin, Mia Bryant, Koby Erie, Alex Thompson, Raegan Bolin, Payton Bowling, Willow and Kanyon Vaughn. Also surviving are a brother, Billy Buck and wife, Bonaga, of Dadeville, Mo., and a sister-in-law, Nadine Buck, of Walnut Grove, Mo., and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, George Buck, a sister, Peggy Sue Langford and a niece, Linda Langford.
Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene 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.
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Frank Fredrick Dikeman, age 90, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, November 20, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.
He was born February 8, 1927, in rural Bourbon County, Kansas, the son of William Dikeman and Bessie Long Dikeman. Frank served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. While with the army he received many medals and citations including the Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Following his military service, Frank returned to Fort Scott and drove a truck for Frank Sutcliffe Trucking Company until his retirement in 1983. He then began raising cattle. Frank married Helen Carson. They later divorced. Frank enjoyed gardening. He greatly loved his country and was a member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars where he often served with the Color Guard. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Combat Infantrymen. He was a member of the Community Christian Church.
Survivors include a sister, Jessie Streeter and husband, Jim; two nieces, Shirley Hartman and husband, Dale, and Susan Kern and husband, Steve, and a nephew, David Streeter and wife, Debbie. Also surviving are several great, great-great, and great-great-great-nieces and nephews.
Rev. Kevin Moyers conducted funeral services at 2 p.m. Monday, November 27, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial followed in the Evergreen Cemetery where military honors were provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will received friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon 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.
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Frederick A. “Fred” Geneva, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died unexpectedly Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan.
He was born April 29, 1933, in Fort Scott, the son of William and Eloise Dever Geneva. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1951. He then attended Fort Scott Junior College until he was drafted into the Army. He married Mildred Ellen Ashford on January 10, 1953, in Eureka Springs, Ark. After two years in the service, he returned to finish his degree at Pittsburg State Teacher’s College. Fred worked for Bruce Marble Works for several years. He then began his career with the Western Insurance Company, eventually working as a field manager. He worked in the insurance field many years, retiring from Safeco Insurance. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, lifting weights and hunting arrowheads. He relished his time spent working on his farm property following retirement. He loved watching all the kid’s sporting events and activities. He spent many years going to coffee with his friends on Mondays. He attended Christian Gospel Chapel in Fort Scott.
Survivors include his wife Ellen of the home; three children, Julie Brown and husband Danny, Brett Geneva and wife Nancy, and Cherie Witt and husband Matt, all of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Danny Brown, Jared Brown, Amanda Johnson, Luke Geneva, Hannah Geneva, and Jayden Witt; eleven great-grandchildren, Jacob Geneva, Lily Geneva, Chase Brown, Skyelar Brown, Treyton Brown, Kanin Brown, Bailie Brown, Gunnar Brown, Allie Brown, Leighton Johnson, and Reid Johnson; and a half-sister, Mary Francis Miller and husband James, Cypress, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, November 20, at Christian Gospel Chapel, 2305 E. Maple Rd, Fort Scott. Burial followed in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military Honors were conducted by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family received friends from 10:30 a.m. Monday until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Land south and east of El Charro Restaurant will be annexed into the city with Peerless Products and Labconco Corporation planning to develop the properties, according to a city official.
The City of Fort Scott will rezone the Emory Arnold Trust land, located on U.S. Highway 69 for redevelopment on Dec.5, Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott Community Development Director said.
“Part of it is the Emory Arnold Trust, south of El Charro Restaurant, down to Jayhawk Road to Liberty Bell Road,” she said. “Peerless and Labconco are buying the properties for future development.”
The land will be annexed into the city.
Labconco Corporation is located at 2500 Liberty Bell Road, while Peerless Products, Inc. is located at 2403 S. Main Street, parallel to U.S. 69 Hwy.
Emory Arnold was a prominent Fort Scottian who died in 2015 at age 98. He served in positions at Fort Scott Community College as the registrar, assistant dean, athletic director and vice president until his retirement in 1981, according to his obituary. The arena at FSCC bears his name.
The Bourbon County Commission meets on the 2nd floor of the county courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue, Tuesdays starting at 9 a.m.
The November 28 agenda is:
9-9:45 a.m.-Jim Harris
9:45-10:15-Commissioners consider and take action on any and all questions or issues which may arise regarding the law enforcement project.
11 a.m.-Justin Meeks
noon-1:30 p.m.-Commissioners gone to lunch
2:30-Employee Handbook
3 p.m.-Discuss 2018 wages, longevity pay, and holiday schedule
1st District-Lynne Oharah, 2nd District-Jeff Fischer,3rd District-Nick Ruhl. County Clerk-Kendell Mason
Justifications for Executive Session:
· Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
· Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
· Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
· Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
· Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
· Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy Shareholders Approve Merger at Special Shareholder Meetings
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) and Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), the parent company of Kansas City Power & Light (“KCP&L”), announced on Nov. 21 at their respective shareholder meetings that shareholders overwhelmingly approved the proposals necessary for the merger between the two companies. More than 90 percent of the shares voted at each company approved the transaction.
“We are excited about today’s approval from shareholders of both Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy. This vote indicates that both companies’ shareholders believe in our combined ability to create a stronger regional energy provider, positioned to better serve all of our customers,” said Terry Bassham, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy and KCP&L. “This new combined company will ensure we keep ownership of our utility assets in our region to grow local economies.”
“Customers and shareholders will benefit by combining Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy into a strong Midwest utility,” said Mark Ruelle, president and chief executive officer of Westar Energy. “Our geography and history of partnership position us to bring efficiencies and savings by joining our operations. We continue to make progress toward completing the transaction in the first half of 2018.”
Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy announced a revised transaction in July 2017 after the Kansas Corporation Commission denied the companies’ original request to combine in April. This revised agreement involves no transaction debt, no exchange of cash, and is a stock-for-stock merger of equals, creating a company with a combined equity value of approximately $15 billion.
The merger is expected to help maintain reliable, low-cost energy for the company’s 1 million Kansas customers and nearly 600,000 customers in Missouri. Additionally, with one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in the nation, the new combined company will be a clean energy leader, supplying nearly half of its retail sales from emissions-free electricity.
For more information visit the “Westar Energy Merger” page at greatplainsenergy.com or westarenergy.com/westar-at-a-glance.
About Great Plains Energy
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP) is the holding company of Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, two of the leading regulated providers of electricity in the Midwest. Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company use KCP&L as a brand name. More information about the companies is available on the Internet at www.greatplainsenergy.com or www.kcpl.com.
About Westar Energy
As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. Half the electricity supplied to the company’s 700,000 customers comes from emissions-free sources – nuclear, wind and solar – with a third coming from renewables. Westar is a leader in electric transmission in Kansas, coordinating a network of lines and substations that support one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. For more information about Westar Energy, visit www.WestarEnergy.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this communication that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the anticipated merger transaction of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy) and Westar Energy, Inc. (Westar Energy), including those that relate to the expected financial and operational benefits of the merger to the companies and their shareholders (including cost savings, operational efficiencies and the impact of the anticipated merger on earnings per share), the expected timing of closing, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, cost estimates of capital projects, dividend growth, share repurchases, balance sheet and credit ratings, rebates to customers, employee issues and other matters affecting future operations. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy are providing a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking information. These important factors include: future economic conditions in regional, national and international markets and their effects on sales, prices and costs; prices and availability of electricity in regional and national wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry, Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy; changes in business strategy, operations or development plans; the outcome of contract negotiations for goods and services; effects of current or proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding rates that the companies can charge for electricity; adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax, accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air and water quality; financial market conditions and performance including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on derivatives and hedges, nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs; impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts, including, but not limited to, cyber terrorism; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions including, but not limited to, weather-related damage and their effects on sales, prices and costs; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; the inherent uncertainties in estimating the effects of weather, economic conditions and other factors on customer consumption and financial results; ability to achieve generation goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; Great Plains Energy’s and Westar Energy’s ability to successfully manage and integrate their respective transmission joint ventures; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear facility including, but not limited to, environmental, health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks, including, but not limited to, increased costs of retirement, health care and other benefits; the ability of Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy to obtain the regulatory and shareholder approvals necessary to complete the anticipated merger or the imposition of adverse conditions or costs in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals; the risk that a condition to the closing of the anticipated merger may not be satisfied or that the anticipated merger may fail to close; the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the anticipated merger; the costs incurred to consummate the anticipated merger; the possibility that the expected value creation from the anticipated merger will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; difficulties related to the integration of the two companies; the credit ratings of the combined company following the anticipated merger; disruption from the anticipated merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers; the diversion of management time and attention on the anticipated merger; and other risks and uncertainties.
This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other materials that Great Plains Energy, Westar Energy and Monarch Energy Holding, Inc. (Monarch Energy) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the anticipated merger. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K filed by Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy with the SEC. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. Monarch Energy, Great Plains Energy, and Westar Energy undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
