Obituary

Obituary Of Karl Umphenour

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Karl E. Umphenour, 84, of Fort Scott, passed away at his home on Wednesday morning, November 13, 2024. He was born on July 22, 1940, in Vernon County, Missouri, the son of Roy Ellsworth Umphenour and Lottie Belle (Kleitz) Umphenour. He married Sharon Kathleen Erie on April 25, 1959, in Fulton, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 8, 2013.

 

Karl had a passion for sports. He loved watching any sport whether it be on TV or in person. Karl consistently attended his kids and grandkids’ sporting events. He loved cheering them on.

 

Karl is survived by his children, Shawn Umphenour, of Fort Scott, Karla Mullis and Brock, of Butler, Missouri, Brian Umphenour and Karen, of Moundville, Missouri, Krista Hope and Danny, of Nevada, Missouri, Eric Umphenour and Jennifer, of Pleasanton, Kansas, and Kyla Marchant and Reggie, of Lovell, Arkansas; a brother, David Umphenour, of Carson City, Nevada; a sister, Kay Vaughn, of Camdenton, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Sharon, Karl was also preceded in death by his parents.

 

Pastor Steve Russ will officiate funeral services for Karl at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following at the St. Michael’s Cemetery, in Fulton, Kansas.

The family will receive friends Monday evening November 18, 2024, 6-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tri-Valley Developmental Services and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701.  Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission On Nov. 19

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

November 19, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2.     Roll Call

Tim VanHoecke,   Matthew Wells,   Dyllon Olson,   Kathryn  Salsbury,  Tracy Dancer

III.       Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1372-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of October 30, 2024 – November 12, 2024 – $375,039.73
  5. Approval of Minutes for November 5, 2024, Regular City Commission Meeting and November 12, 2024, Special City Commission Meeting.
  6. Request to Pay – Invoice 17652 – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 24-414 Horton St. & 6th Improvements – $42,906.90
  7. Request to Pay – Invoice 17662 – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Pay Request No. 7 – EEI 23-015A – 6 KA-6898-01 US-54 CCLIP Phase I – $9,645.19
  8. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3776 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FORT SCOTT STORMWATER USER CHARGE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3757 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.24.121.
  9. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3777 – AN ORDINANCE SETTING NEW WATER RATES AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3758 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.04.030.
  10. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3778 – AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE BASIC MONTHLLY CHARGE FOR SANITARY SEWER RATES IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13.24.100 AND 13.24.110 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3759.
  11. October Financials

 

VII.    Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

 

 

 

VIII.     Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting             

              you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

  1. Heck & Wicker and Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc. – Available to             answer questions regarding Horton St. & 6th St. Improvement Project.

 

 

  1. Unfinished Business
  2. Status of Building at 118 E. Wall – L. Kruger

 

 

  1. New Business

Public Hearing:

  1. Resolution No. 31-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 1105 S. SCOTT – Tabled from October 15, 2024 – L. Kruger

 

Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Olsson’s Proposal for Design and Bidding Services for the FSK Lighting & RSA Grading Project – M. Wyatt
  2. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 24 S. National – Paint color approval – Recommended by Design Review Board on November 12, 2024.
  3. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 17 S. Main – Move Sign – Recommended by Design Review Board on November 12, 2024.
  4. Consideration of 2025 Holiday Schedule for the City of Fort Scott – Matkin
  5. Discussion to Replace/Refurbish 1997 E-One Pumper Truck – D. Bruner

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. City Manager Comments
  3. Engineering Comments
  4.  Commissioners’ Comments
  5. City Attorney Comments

 

 

XII.      Adjourn

 

 

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Debora Roberts

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Our Beloved, Debora Kay Roberts, born on May 18, 1960, in Lamar, Missouri as Debora Kay Walbuesser, formerly known as, Debbie (Madison), of Fort Scott, Kansas. Presently married to Paul Roberts since April 2008. Debbie quietly passed away after a long, hard battle with cancer on November 6, 2024.

She graduated from El Dorado Springs R-11 High School May 24, 1978.

Debbie spent her career as a claims processor for several different insurance companies, as they passed through Fort Scott.

Debbie loved life, full of energy, beautiful smile and twinkle in her pretty blue eyes, you could see the sincerity that she had when she interacted with others. A-bit of a little spitfire, in that small package, to be sure.

She dearly loved the outdoors, nature, gardening flowers (roses and hydrangea) and her Shih-Tzu puppy ‘Jasper’ and fishing.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Paul Roberts, her son Justin Madison, her daughter Amber Madison and her grandchildren Conner, Caden ,Cadence of Justin and Trinity of Amber, all of Fort Scott.

Memorial service will held at the home, 915 S Judson, Ft. Scott, Friday, November 22, 2024 at 2:30 PM Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott November 15

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! November 15th Weekly Newsletter

2nd Annual Christmas On The Bricks Event Merch is live for purchase!

Click HERE to order!

Fort Scott Brick Ornaments – Limited Quantity Available

As part of the Christmas on the Bricks Festival the first weekend of December in Downtown Fort Scott!

Made by The Artificers in Fort Scott out of Bourbon County Clay!

$20 per ornament.

Click here to order now!

Pick up at The Artificers, 8 N. National Ave.

during the Christmas on the Bricks Celebration.

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Guided Tours on Sat & Sun: 10am & 1pm

Visit your National Park!

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

11/15-16 ~ Garage Sale – Striler’s

Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Saturday 9am – 3pm

1612 S. Crawford St.

11/16 ~ The Wayward Bettys at the

Green Lantern Speakeasy – 110 S. Main St.

Doors Open at 7pm Music Starts at 7:30pm

$25 | Cash Bar | Dessert included with ticket

11/16 ~ FREE MOVIE paid for by First Presbyterian Church members

Saturday 1pm | Sunday 2pm

Fort Scott Cinema 224 W. 18th St.

11/17 ~ First Presbyterian celebrates 165 of ministry in Fort Scott, KS

10:30am

*A celebration worship and fellowship to commemorate

11/1-18 ~ Fort Scott Presbyterian Village & Local Businesses Christmas Tree Decorating Contest

*Groups or individuals can enter

Trees are provided at FSPV, 2401 S. Horton St.

*Trees must be decorated by November 18

For more info contact Taylor Bailey at

620-223-5550 or [email protected]

11/12-12/7 ~ Bartelsmeyer Jewelry Estate Sale

25% off all Estate Jewelry Nov. 12th-23rd

50% off all Estate Jewelry Nov. 26th-Dec.7th

22 N. Main St. | 620-223-2070

11/12-16th ~ FSHS presents Disney Frozen Jr.

Nov. 12 & 14, 7pm and Nov. 16, 2 & 7pm

FSHS Auditorium

Adults: $8 Children: $6

Order tickets on line here or at the door

Doors open 30 min prior to showtime

11/15 ~ Sip & Paint at Blissful Aesthetics Wellness by Jeanette Hawkins

6-7pm $30/person

Payment via Venmo: @jeanettecarlsonhawkins

Limited seats (6 spots left)

10/25-11/19 ~ Grief Share Support Group

Tuesday Evenings from 6-8pm

Everyone welcome!

You will need to purchase a workbook when you sign up @ griefshare.org/findagroup. $20 plus shipping

Community Christian Church 1919 S Horton – southeast corner of the building – enter the door that faces east.

SAVE THE DATE

11/19 ~ Kiwanis Pioneers Chili Feed Fundraiser

11am-1:30pm and 4-6pm

301 S. National Ave.

Drive-thru only under the Canopy First United Methodist Church

$8 suggested donation for chili and cinnamon roll

11/19 ~ FSCC Men’s Basketball v. Shorter College

7:30pm | Arnold Arena

11/20 ~ FSCC November Community Forum

Refreshments at 5:30pm with the forum at 6pm

in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center –

2108 S. Horton St.

11/20 ~ Wednesday Writers at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore (every wednesday)

1:30-3pm | 16 S. Main St.

11/21 ~ K-State Research & Extension Money Management Webinar Series (6 sessions)

Thursdays from Noon – 1pm

FREE – must pre-register

Click here to register

11/21 ~ FSCC Men’s Basketball v. Oklahoma Weslyan U JV

7:30 pm | Arnold Arena

11/23-11/30 ~ Key Annual Warehouse Sale

ONE WEEK ONLY

Sat. 11/23 8am-7pm

Mon. 11-25- Wed 11/27 9am – 7pm

Fri. 11/29 9am-6pm

Sat. 11/30 9am-4pm

2400 S. Main, Suite 200 (next to T-Mobile)

Follow KEY here on Facebook

Click here for the Facebook Event Page

11/23-24 ~ Fort Scott Recreation Turkey Month!

Nov 23rd – Turkey Trot

9am | $20 before the deadline of Nov 16th

Nov 24th -Turkey Shoot –

Grab your partner & win a turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner!

$10 per team – Register anytime

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Church news, Fort Scott, History

First Presbyterian Church Celebrates 165th Anniversary Nov. 17

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The current First Presbyterian Church building is at  308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.

The First Presbyterian Church is celebrating 165 years in the Fort Scott community.

“A special worship service will be held Sunday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with a celebration fellowship in the parlor afterward,” said Pastor Sarah Gengler.

Pastor Sarah Gengler. Submitted photo.

“Through the years, First Presbyterian has been blessed with 11 installed pastors, as well as two installed associate pastors,” Gengler said.

The current congregation members were deeply committed to continuing worship and ministry outreach while searching for a new pastor recently, according to information provided by Gengler. Twenty-three different members volunteered at least once, to preach a sermon during their Sunday morning worship. On February 1, 2024, the congregation gratefully welcomed their newest pastor, Rev. Sarah Gengler. Rev. Gengler has been in ministry for 10 years and moved here from Minnesota.

Currently, there are 134 members and worship service is 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Pastor Gengler provided some of the outreaches of the church:

  • “First Presbyterian Church volunteers to cook and serve a meal for the Feeding Families Program at the Methodist church on the 4th Wednesday of every month.

  • There are two different adult Faith Formation classes beginning at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. As well as “Waffles and Jesus” in the Zimmerman Hall dining room at 9:15 a.m., where a hot breakfast is prepared by church volunteers, and then class is held for children grades Kindergarten through 9th.

  • “The church co-hosts Vacation Bible School each summer with First United Methodist Church

  • “We hold a friendly competition between us and First United Methodist Church each year to see who can raise the most pounds of food for the Beacon Food Pantry.

  • “The Presbyterian Women’s organization directs a long-ago gift known as the Hack Memorial Fund, which helps those with the greatest need in Fort Scott. Included in the scope of this ministry are assistance with utilities, rent, and some medical and dental needs, all requests are received and recommended through the Beacon, Bourbon County’s food pantry.”

 

“The church remains active in the community,” she said. “Members are hosting two special showings of The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever at Fort Scott Cinema. Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tell them First Presbyterian sent you!”

“The church will be holding a community-wide service of remembrance called Blue Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 8,” she said. “People are invited to join us at 2 p.m. for a time devoted to remembering those we love, and whose loss is felt more deeply this time of year.”

 

History of the church, provided by Pastor Gengler:

In the summer of 1859, a church-planting Presbyterian missionary, the Reverend Alexander Taylor Rankin of Buffalo, New York, was sent to Kansas by the Presbyterian General Assembly, according to information provided by Gengler. He officially organized the First Presbyterian Church on November 17th, 1859, with three members. In the first few years after its inception members met in each other’s homes for worship. Reverend George C. Irvin became the first installed pastor in 1865. The foundation for the first church was laid in 1864, where the present-day Cheney-Witt Carriage House now stands at the southeast corner of Third and Main. The church building was completed in 1865.

The first building of the First Presbyterian Church was at Third and Main Street. Submitted photo.

In 1888 the second church was constructed on the current property at 308 S. Crawford St., to accommodate the growing congregation.

By early 1920’s the congregation again recognized that it needed more space. The 1888 building was razed and the third church was built, laying its corner stone in 1924. The 100-year-old building was added to the National Register
of Historic Places in 2008.

The second building of the First Presbyterian Church was located at the current site, 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.

The First Presbyterian Church has participated in many different ministries over the years, including youth groups, sewing groups, Presbyterian Women, the Methodists’ Feeding Families program, the Beacon Food Pantry, Sunday Serve events where congregation members completed service projects in the community, and Vacation Bible School, according to information provided by Gengler.

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Betty Tucker

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Betty Jean Tucker, age 92, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, met Jesus face to face on November 13, 2024, after battling Parkinson’s Disease the last several years. She was born August 18, 1932, in Splitlog, Missouri, the first child of Arzy “Lee” and Elsie Chandler Bergen. She was joined by brothers Richard Lee, Gerald, and Dennis. She grew up in the Splitlog community with her loving family, then moved to Gravette, Arkansas, to attend high school at Gravette Holiness Bible School. It was there that she met James “David” Tucker, and they were married on June 27, 1951, in Neosho, Missouri. Together, they raised their 6 children while pastoring churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, and Missouri.

Betty’s family always came first. She was a loving mother, and worked hard to care for her children while  David was away as a traveling evangelist. Despite being a busy pastor’s wife, and having several small children, she began taking college courses at Fort Scott Community College. She went on to graduate from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Education. One of Betty’s favorite titles was “Teacher.” Her teaching career spanned 39 years and several schools, primarily Fort Scott Christian Heights and El Dorado Christian School. She was a gifted educator and influenced countless students through the years.

Betty had a green thumb, and loved to work outside with her flowers and vegetable garden. She maintained this hobby into her late-80’s. She loved to can and preserve the bounty of her labor.

Betty was always busy. She worked hard in everything she did. She shared the love of Jesus with everyone she met, both in her words and in her actions. She and David had a special love, and were often found holding hands. She has missed him desperately since his passing in 2021, and we find comfort in knowing that they are together again, worshiping at the feet of Jesus, Whom they loved so well.

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her family, including sons Roger (Genie) Tucker of Independence, Missouri, Mark (Brenda) Tucker,  Joe (Belinda) Tucker, daughter-in-law Carolyn Tucker, all of Fort Scott, and daughter Kerri (Kirk) Bland of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; her grandchildren: Jonathan, Jessica, Johanna, Jennifer, Whitney, Bethany, Mariam, Aaron, Landon, Jayce, Dakota, TJ, Kasi, Alyson, Joely, Monica, and Miles, and numerous great-grandchildren, that she loved so much. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Charlene) Bergen of Splitlog, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Awaiting her arrival in Heaven were her husband David, son, Jimmy, and daughter, Carma; her parents, Lee and Elsie, and brothers Richard Lee and Gerald, along with a host of family and friends. Betty lived her life prepared for eternity. She finished her race well.

Rev. Dennis Bergen and Rev. Kyle Rogers will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following services, a graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM at the Banner Nazarene Church in Splitlog, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott Christian Heights School or El Dorado Christian School, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Street or PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Opinion

When God Nudges by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

When God nudges, obey.  The blessing will bring a smile to your face and peace to your heart, and who doesn’t need that?

In a Walmart store here in Las Vegas, two days after Veterans’ Day, I stood in line behind an elderly man who wore a Navy Seals’ shirt and a Purple Heart hat.  “Thank you for your service,” I said.  He answered, “You’re welcome.”  He placed five frozen T.V. dinners and four packets of hangers on the conveyor belt.

Typical for my line-choosing for a cashier, the woman ahead of him had some issues with her purchases.  This time, I didn’t mind.  It gave me a perfect opportunity to ask him about his military experience.  He was a member of the original Frogmen, a precursor to the Navy Seals.  He, like Dave and my Mazatlán friend, Howard, had been part of the underwater demolition team, planting recording devices in the ocean around Russia.

I told the gentleman about how Howard had an explosive device go off near his head on one of his similar operations, causing his eardrum to burst. This man said that the Russians had detonated those devices when he was on a mission.  His hearing didn’t suffer, but he had spent a lifetime with severe migraines.

This veteran later served in Vietnam, returned to America where he taught self defense to teachers and got his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  He had to retire when “there was an accident on  a bus.”  He did not seem to want to tell me what that incident was.

That’s when I felt God’s nudging.  “Pay his bill.”  Stepping ahead of the elderly man, I told the cashier what I was going to do.  My new friend shared that he had plenty of money; he had no family and lived alone.  I said that it was my blessing and that it was one small way I could thank him for his service.  He continued to tell me that I didn’t need to pay for his things.

Good grief, I thought, I’m going to have to tackle this guy so that I can be obedient to God.  The cashier spoke up.  “I think this is an angel experience.  Paying it forward.”  I had to laugh and assured her that I had no idea if angels were involved but that I was sure this was something God wanted me to do.  The veteran asked if he could shake my hand.  I told him that this small gift was my privilege and definitely my blessing.  We shook hands, he thanked me, took his bags and shuffled out of the store, clearly disbelieving what had just happened.

When I paid my bill and the cashier spun the carousel around and handed me my plastic bags, she gave me two extra bags filled with hangers I had not bought.  Apparently, the veteran had been so shocked by what had happened, he left the store without two of his bags.

Lovely.  My attempt to bless this poor old guy now turned into him having to make another trip to Walmart to retrieve his purchases.  I hurried out of the store and looked for him in the parking lot, to no avail.

I sure hope he was blessed with his frozen dinners.  The cashier sure seemed to be blessed.  And I know I certainly was…even though I was missing the smile on my face and peace in my heart.

Bourbon County Local News