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Enter the Good Ol’Days Parade
Obituary of Marguerite Edwards
Marguerite Anna Edwards, age 91, a former resident of Bronson, Kansas and more recently of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
She was born February 25, 1932, in Harriman, Tennessee, the daughter of Amos George Stuehser and Katherine May Hope Stuehser. Marguerite married Homer Lee Edwards on December 30, 1960, in Folkston, Georgia.
They lived the first several years of their marriage in Nashville, Tennessee until they relocated to California in 1969. While in California, Marguerite was employed as a secretary for the English Department of California State University at Los Angeles.
Following the death of her husband Homer on September 6, 2000, Marguerite moved to Connecticut to live with her son. They eventually moved to Bronson, Kansas before settling in Kansas City.
Survivors include her son, Huey Edwards and wife, Martha of Kansas City, Missouri and five grandchildren, Christopher, Ambor, Wendy, Billie Joe and Mike.
In addition to her husband, Marguerite was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Dave Edwards and a brother Alvis Stuehser.
Private burial will take place in the Bronson Cemetery at Bronson, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the Epilepsy Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Bo 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com
Amended Agenda for the Bo Co Commission Meeting in Fulton at 5:30 p.m.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Fulton Community Center
408 W. Osage
Fulton, KS 66738
May 15, 2023, 5:30 PM
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute and Prayer
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 5/8/2023
- Department Updates
- Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
- Susan Bancroft, CFO-Budget Timeline and Audit Agreement
- SEK Multi-County Health Department Board Vacancy
- County Clerk-Fence View Request
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Public Comments
- Commission Comments
- Meeting Adjourn
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 12, 2023
Governor’s Active Veto Pen The Kansas Governor, a former New Yorker, demonstrated by her actions she is not ‘middle of the road’. Her veto of CCR 8 prioritized county and municipality lobbyists veto request above helping seniors and disabled veterans struggling to pay property taxes and other provisions. These lobby groups were against one provision in CCR 8 that would level the playing field against governments operating a business that directly competes with a private business. Disappointingly, these taxpayer funded lobbyists put their angst against leveling the playing field over bi-partisan legislation that would have helped many Kansans.
CCR 8 had several provisions as do most tax and budget legislation. The Governor said NO to CCR 8 that would have: expanded property tax relief for seniors in need and disabled veterans; reduced penalties on personal property tax late-filings; modified proposed property tax increase mailed out notices; provided reimbursement to local governments for these notices; provided two prior years’ values on your annual property valuation notices; allowed certified residential property appraisal when appealing property taxes on homes; allowed paying under protest regardless of a valuation appeal; codified adverse influences in valuation of agriculture land; clarified agriculture agritourism property classification; provided a property tax exemption for businesses directly competing against a government business; decreased penalties for late withholding taxes; provided a carryforward for net-operating losses for specific years; allowed a subtraction modification for the federal work opportunity tax credit (WOTC); increased adoption tax credits; removed the sunset of tax credits for disabled employment; clarified an option for State And Local Tax (SALT) – it saved Kansans over $130 million on federal taxes without costing the state a dime; established a tax credit for donations to pregnancy centers; and exempted sales tax on manufacturer coupons. All of these items were lost this year as a result of the Governor’s veto. There will not be an attempt to override as the last day of session was a couple of weeks ago.
Kansans could have benefited from CCR 8 and CCR 169. Remember CCR 169 that was vetoed earlier? It included property tax relief for homeowners, state sales tax on groceries removed in 2024 instead of 2025, and income tax cuts including exempting Social Security and increasing standard deductions. It is apparent the Governor’s actions and claims she is ‘in the middle of the road’ are contradictory as she vetoes tax cuts and continues to grow government at a record pace.
Vetoes and veto overrides were a record high this year. The legislature didn’t attempt to override all of the vetoes, but of the ones they did, 12 were overridden. The successful veto overrides include: HB 2313 Born-Alive Infant Protection, HB 2264 Women’s Right to Know about Abortion Drug Reversal, HB 2350 Making Human Smuggling a Crime, HB 2138 Requiring Separate Accommodations by Biological Sex on Overnight School Trips, HB 2094 Work or Training Requirement for Able Bodied Adults to Receive Food Benefits, SB 228 Modernizing County Jail Statutes (reimbursement for mental health detainees), and SB 180 Women’s Bill of Rights. Bills that failed to secure 2/3 majority for an override: HB 2344 Loosening Overly Burdensome Daycare Regulations, HB 2236 Parents Bill of Rights, SB 169 Tax Reductions, SB 206 Ballots Due by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, and SB 26 Child Mutilation Prevention Act. There will not be an override attempt on the bills she vetoed last week, including CCR 8, because the 2023 session has ended. I have already began efforts to pass this legislation next year as I keep fighting the good fight.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Obituary of Eva Irene Lowry
Heaven welcomed its newest Angel…..
Eva Irene Lowry, on Friday May 12th, 2023 at 8:25 am.
Many knew her as “Toby”, lovingly nicknamed by her big brother.
She was joyfully welcomed into the world by her parents Roy Charles Jewell and Bessie Mae Bybee Jewell on July 27th, 1934.
Toby was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother William Jewell, her sister Jaunita Jewell Lloyd and her husband Richard E Lowry.
She attended grade school through high school in Ft Scott, where she met her best and lifelong friend Helen Rosalee Coyan Rager, who married Darrell Rager, her husband Richard’s, best friend. What fun it was to raise their kids across the street from one another.
At the tender age of 11, Toby saw a young man downtown, and said, “Mom, I love his looks, I’m going to marry him!” Five years later on March 30th, 1951 she married him! The love of her life, Richard E Lowry.
After a brief time of living in Wichita and Kansas City, Ks. They settled in Ft Scott. Richard went to work for Beltone. A year later, in 1959 He and Toby started their own hearing aid bBusiness called Lowry Hearing Aid Service. Toby and Richard became hearing aid specialists, helping people to hear better in southeast Kansas. They both were well loved by their clients.
To sound more businesslike Toby began using “Irene” after promising her beloved husband to take good care of his people upon his untimely passing on July 8th, 1983. Irene took over the business by herself, and had a faithful, devoted attitude and work ethic in her business and personal life.
She loved to give whatever she did 100% whether it was serving on the local school board, the Kansas Hearing Aid Society Board, the school PTA, her church board at the 1st Church of The Nazarene where she was a member. Over the years she served as Sunday School Teacher, church secretary, church treasurer, choir member, and VBS Director for nearly 20 years.
Irene loved to feed people! She received great joy by cooking for anyone hungry! For years she along with her husband Richard would make all the chili for the annual Eugene Ware Elementary Chili Feed Fundraiser. The husband/wife duo were the creators of the tastiest Chili in Ft. Scott, Ks.
Irene was also voted as Ft Scott’s Business Woman of The Year. She faithfully drove to her Pittsburg Ks office four days a week come rain, sleet, snow or shine, until her retirement at 82, in 2017. Leaving her people in the capable hands of her son, Brian Lowry.
Their marriage was blessed with four children, who she is survived by,
Debra J Ediger of Topeka Ks.
Cathy A More of Olathe Ks.
Brian K Lowry of Ft Scott Ks.
And Brent D Lowry of Yukon Ok.
She was also the proud Nannie of 8 grandchildren who loved her to the moon and back!
Michelle Ediger Glaze
Brooke Ediger Larson
Caleb Bachman
Careah Bachman Pruter
Ryan Lowry
Amanda Lowry Sellers
Brayden Lowry
And Bryce Lowry.
Plus 10 great-grandchildren who thought she hung the moon!
Peyton and Rhyan Glaze
Blakely and Taygen Larson
Dawson and Landry Bachman
Noble, Willing, and Haven Pruter and Adeline Sellers.
All are angels, of course!
All of her accomplishments aside, Irene became a totally devoted follower of Jesus Christ in 1962. If she was here, she would give each of you what she gave to each of us…..JESUS! She was the worlds greatest daughter, sister, aunt, mother and wife.
When asked, if she would do anything over differently she said that she would have married Daddy at 11, because Daddy died so young. Although she had to wait five years to marry him, Daddy waited 40 years for her to join him in Heaven!
We are so happy shes no longer in pain, and we have no doubt that she is dancing on streets of gold with Jesus and Daddy.
At the end, without opening her eyes, Mama lifted up her head and smiled the most precious smile ever seen and said, “It’s So Beautiful! My Homecoming is So Beautiful! Yes, Jesus! Yes, I Love You!”
WELL DONE! Eva Irene Lowry, My Good and Faithful Servant!
Truly Joy does come in the morning, It came on May 12, 2023 at 8:25 am and escorted our precious Mother from pain to peace into the eternal rest of our Loving Father, God.
We will love you forever Mama and can’t wait to see You again! We will follow you all the way home to Heaven!
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 18th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene Youth Department 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.
Be Prepared for Tornadoes: Sign Up for Code Red
Tornado possibilities are a part of Kansas weather.
The towns in Bourbon County that have tornado shelters provided for their citizens are Bronson, Garland, Mapleton and Uniontown, according to Brian Allen, the Bourbon County Emergency Management contact.
Allen is in training to takeover from Will Wallis, the former contact. He said he is not aware of any public storm shelters in Fort Scott.
“My recommendation would be what Will always told the public, and that is to have a personal plan in advance, and to seek out neighbors who may have a shelter,” Allen said. “Also everyone should sign up for Code Red on the county’s website for alerts.”
“Right now, my main function in the emergency management role is getting the necessary courses taken to be licensed which will take quite awhile,” Allen said.
In addition to emergency management, Allen still works for the county in 911, floodplain management, as well as information technology.
“I am being trained and directed by Shane Walker who has been the deputy emergency manager for many years, going back well before Will,” he said. “The EM position is no longer a full time position.”
Sign up here for the Code Red Emergency Warning System for Bourbon County
https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF57D14BF76B
About Bourbon County Emergency Management, from the county’s website.
Emergency Management
Bourbon County Emergency Management
210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-3800 x124
620-223-3234 fax
620-224-8165
[email protected]
Mission Statement:
To provide a 24-hour operation to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect the environment. The highest priority is to protect Bourbon County residents from all hazards by providing and coordinating resources, expertise, leadership and advocacy through a comprehensive, risk-based emergency preparedness program of mitigation, management, response and recovery.
Below are links to other informative websites regarding emergency preparedness.
Outside Links
Bourbon County D3 Rural Fire Facebook page www.facebook.com/BC3FD
PUBLIC NOTICE
ACCESSIBILITY OF SARA TITLE III HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE INFORMATION
Section 324 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, also known as SARA Title III (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, PL99-499) requires public notice at least once annually informing the public of the means to access information about extremely hazardous substances that are manufactured, stored, and used within their community. Follow-up emergency notices may subsequently be issued.
Accordingly, information concerning LEPC meetings, SARA Title III hazardous materials planning which is included in our Bourbon Emergency Operations Response Plan, materials safety data sheets (MSDS), hazardous chemical inventory forms, listing extremely hazardous substances manufactured, stored, or used within Bourbon County can be obtained during normal business hours by contacting Bourbon County Emergency Management at 620-223-3800.
Bo Co Dems Meet May 21
Please join Bourbon County Democrats s on Sunday May 21st at 2:00 p.m. for their month meeting.
The meeting will be held in Gunn Park, Shelter House #1.
Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort, if you wish.
Our guest speaker, Roger Sims, publisher of the online publication, Linn County Journal, will begin speaking to the group directly at 2 p.m. so that he can attend another meeting.
Sims will speak on his development of the Linn County Journal and on local media’s effect on politics.
Submitted by Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
The Tucker Family “Gospel Songs of Graceland” Concert at Common Ground Coffee Co.
Raised on gospel music with a southern flair, the Tucker Family will present their “Gospel Songs of Graceland” concert on Friday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
The band is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (vocals and keys), daughter Mariam Tucker Self (vocals and saxophone), son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals), lead guitarist Stephan Kastli, and Jessica Bergen on the electric bass. Everyone in the five-member band has many years of experience playing or singing in church worship and other numerous venues.
The concert will feature a wide variety of beloved gospel favorites such as Bosom of Abraham, I Believe, Crying in the Chapel, Milky White Way, Somebody Bigger than You and I, Walk a Mile in My Shoes, plus more.
“These individuals have been making music for about as long as they’ve been breathing. So when all that experience and talent comes together as a band, it’s really something special,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We’re pleased to begin the 2023 concert series with the Tucker Family. I encourage friends and family to come together as a community and help us kickoff the free concerts sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.”
Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound. Weather permitting, the Common Ground outdoor patio will be available in addition to the Loading Dock stage area.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 15
USD Board Members Gathering on May 17
Notice of Gathering Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at
12:00 p.m.
At the Staff Luncheon and Staff Awards at Fort Scott High School,
there may be a majority of USD 234 Board Members present at the Fort Scott High School, 1005 S Main. Even though a majority may be present, there will be no school district business conducted.
Opioid Prevention Education
DCCA is dedicated to supporting efforts to educate young people about the importance of medication safety and using skills to refuse invitations to misuse opioids.
DCCCA is offering $500 mini grant opportunities for youth serving community organizations willing to provide opioid prevention messages and activities for groups of elementary, middle and/or high school youth. This would be a great summertime activity opportunity!!
Opioid prevention curriculum is available and easily tailored to your community needs. For more information about the mini grant opportunity and contact Crystal Dalmasso [email protected]
Beautiful Love by Carolyn Hayward Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker
I very well remember September 27, 1970, when the first grandbaby in my immediate family made his appearance.
My nephew Brad was born in Olathe, Kansas and the hospital rules were stricter then than now. I was 12 years old and sitting in the OB waiting room with my parents. We had all read the posted sign: “No one under age 14 allowed in Waiting Room.“ We simply ignored the rule and hoped no one would notice, because I was so excited about this birth! I absolutely did not want to be excluded on such a special occasion! I also very well remember the nurse that came out, took one look at me, and promptly threw me out.
Nevertheless, the arrival of that baby rocked our world and we were never the same. My mother passed away in 2015 and I read her diaries. One of her entries was about her grandson Brad, which read: “I kept Bradley today. He is like my very own; no difference.” Tears fall even now when I think of the beauty and truth of those words. Our family witnessed her beautiful love for all five of her grandchildren.
The Old Testament account of Boaz and Ruth’s marriage and Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi is very touching. “So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife…and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, …May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:13-15 NLT). (Seven was considered a number of completeness, so to have seven sons was the epitome of all family blessings in Israel.) The beautiful love of a grandmother is a priceless treasure. “Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own” (Ruth 4:16 NLT). In this verse, we see the special love between a grandmother and a grandson.
In the New Testament, we find the beautiful love between a mother and a son. When Jesus was suffering on the cross, he had his adoring mother on his mind. “Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And He said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27 NLT). Evidently John was standing by Mary, giving her consolation and comfort. In this passage we see the special love between a mother and a son.
Mary was nearly 50 years old and a widow. Jesus deeply loved and honored His mother and, while in terrible pain and suffering, Jesus tenderly thought of her. He knew it was the responsibility of children to care for their elderly parents and provide a proper burial for them. Although Mary had other children, Jesus was her firstborn and He needed to know that His precious mother would be taken care of when He left this world. Since John was the only disciple devoted and brave enough to be at the crucifixion, I believe Jesus knew He could trust John to be lovingly committed to the care of His mother Mary.
It’s been said that as death draws nearer, the dying individual narrows their thoughts down to those who are nearest and dearest. Jesus proved this to be true. Let’s not wait until death is approaching to demonstrate beautiful love to our mother and grandmothers. Remember, no matter how old we are, we never outgrow our need for a mother.
The Key: A lovely bouquet of roses to all mothers and grandmothers — you are a VIP!