Republican Candidate Forum: July 30
The Bourbon County Republicans will hold a local republican candidate forum on July 30th, 6pm at the Empress Center, 7 N. Main.
This will be for Republican candidates only and registered Republicans.
Each candidate will be allowed an opening statement and a closing statement with a question and answer period in between.
Candidates that are unopposed or unable to attend are encouraged to bring a statement to be read or they may email their statement to [email protected].
Questions may be submitted for consideration to [email protected].
The Obituary of Joyce Martin
Joyce Irene Martin, age 81, a former resident of Bronson, KS, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Credo Assisted Living, Fort Scott, KS. She was born November 18, 1942, in Moran, KS, the daughter of Haskell Howell and Mildred Horner Howell.
She married Charles Joseph Martin on February 14, 1960, at Community Baptist Church in Iola, KS. He preceded her in death on October 22, 2003. She and her husband and 5 children, Charles, Jr., Samuel, James, Rachel, and Nathanael served one term as missionaries in the Samoan Islands of the South Pacific. Joyce was a member of the Iola Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, Charles, Jr. and wife Michelle, Vista, CA, Samuel and wife Barbara, Festus, MO, James and wife Lori, Summerdale, AL, Nathanael and wife Dedra, Newton, KS; a daughter, Rachel O’Dell and husband Mark, Independence, MO; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer, Benjamin, Lynelle, Michael, Steffenie, Logan, Liam, and Caitlyn Martin, and Tyler, Sarah, and Justin O’Dell; 21 great-grandchildren; and 3 siblings Ella Britt, Iola, KS, Hazel Bahner, Topeka, KS and Wayne Howell, Topeka, KS.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Mitchell, a brother, Allen Howell, and her parents.
Samuel Martin will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Friday, July 19th, at the Fairview Chapel in Mildred, KS.
Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until 10:30 at the Fairview Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to World Missions Bearing Precious Seed and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
FSCC New Vice President of Finance and Operations: Missy Scott
Missy Scott, 56, is the new Fort Scott Community College Vice President of Finance and Operations, as of May 24.
Her office is in the Dick Hedges Administrative Building.
She earned a Master of Business from Pittsburg State University, with a Concentration in Accounting, and also from P.S.U. a Bachelor’s of Business Administration, Major in Accounting, and from Fort Scott Community College, an Associate of Science degree.
Scott has five years in hospital accounting, three years in corporate accounting, and 16 years in banking.
The duties of the position are to provide financial leadership for the college as part of the executive team, ensure the short and long-term fiscal health of the college, monitor FSCC’s revenue and expenditures, develop both internal and public budgets, oversee the business office, as well as other ancillary departments, she said.
Members of the Executive team include:
Sara Sutton, Interim President
Missy Scott, Vice President of Finance and Operations
Sonia Gugnani, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Juley McDaniel, Director of Human Resources
Vanessa Poyner, Dean of Students
Liza Erwin, Athletic Director
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 11
AD: Rick James For KS State Representative District 4
Rick James is a Republican candidate for the 4th district House of Representative, a position currently held by Trevor Jacobs. Trevor announced that he is not seeking another term.
Rick is passionate about protecting the conservative values of fellow Kansans. He understands that freedom is not merely a privilege but a birthright. He was raised in La Cygne, Kansas where he attended La Cygne elementary school and graduated from Prairie View High School in 1981. He entered the Marine Corps a few short days later serving a 30-year career. This career included serving in Desert Storm, Haiti, Iraqi Freedom, serving on embassy duty and as a Marine Drill instructor. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major and was awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He also obtained a bachelor’s and a master’s Degree from the American Military University.
There was never a doubt, that he would return to Eastern Kansas. He moved his family to a small farm near highway 69 in 2008 and completed his Marine Corps career at Richard Gebauer Base in Belton. He retired a decorated Marine in 2011.
Since retiring from the Marine Corps he opened two local businesses, Semper Fi Auction Services and Bravo Realty. The Marine Corps instilled a dedication to serving his community. In 2014 he ran for the district 1 Linn County Commissioner. He served 2 full terms from 2014-2022. He did not seek reelection for a third term because, he believes there should be term limits in government at all levels.
He has a personal interest in Kansas, he was a military leader and a small Business owner. He has conservative views!! He believes in the right to bear arms, he is pro-life, he believes in a smaller government and reduced taxes.
Politicians represent the people they serve, and he takes that very seriously! He would appreciate your vote on August 6. Click here to follow him on Facebook. Semper Fi and God Bless!
Paid for by Rick James for KS State Representative.
KDOT to replace guardrail along U.S. 69
The week of July 22, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin replacing guardrail on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. The 27-mile project area starts at the south U.S. 69/U.S. 54 junction and continues north to Pleasanton.
The speed limit will be reduced to 60 miles an hour in the work zone, with alternating lane closures for northbound traffic. The ramp from westbound U.S. 54 to northbound U.S. 69 in Fort Scott will be closed to traffic between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, July 22-23. Use alternate routes during the closure.
KDOT awarded construction contracts totaling $1 million to Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka. Weather permitting, the work should be finished by the end of 2024. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.gov, for more highway condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549 or Public Information Officer Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
Obituary of Larry Stewart
Larry William Stewart, age 63, a resident of rural Garland, Kansas, passed away Saturday June 29, 2024, at his home. He was born September 18, 1960, in Long Beach, California, the son of Luther William “Stu” Stewart and Lela Williams Stewart. Since his father was in the military, Larry lived in a variety of places throughout the United States while he was growing up. He graduated from high school in Hernando, Mississippi. Larry married Deborah Ervin in 1993. While living in Ft. Scott, Larry worked at Hammond Seed and Elevator, Shepard Team Auto Plaza and as a clerk at area service stations. He also enjoyed traveling to various malls and trade shows selling sports memorabilia. He also enjoyed photography.
Larry is survived by his wife, Debbie, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and his children, Shelby Watkins and Virina Stewart, both of Ft. Scott, Dustin Stewart of Garland, Kansas and Savannah Stewart of Carl Junction, Missouri; twelve grandchildren and a great-granddaughter with another great-granddaughter on the way, and a brother, Mike Stewart of Hernando, Mississippi. Also surviving are Larry’s loyal dogs, Harley and Smiley who were by his side when he passed away.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter.
There was cremation. Private services will take place at a later date. Arrangements were under the direction 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.
Bo Co Repubicans Meet July 18
The Bourbon County Republicans meeting is Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 6 pm, at the Bourbon Co. Fairgrounds Merchants Bldg, Ft Scott, KS.
They have a booth in the Merchants Bldg. but will move outside for the meeting.
Please contact Chairman Mark McCoy, text 620-719-7841 or email [email protected] for agenda items.
Patio Concert at the Liberty Theater on July 20
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Fort Scott Sidewalk Sale Saturday July 13
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Downtown Meet and Greet: Much Is Happening In Fort Scott
Kathy and Tracy Dancer, owners of Cohn’s Cafe, 110 S. Main, hosted the quarterly Fort Scott Downtown Meet and Greet on July 9.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors quarterly events to learn/tell of happenings in the downtown historic district.
Lindsay Madison, the Chamber’s executive director, told of the following upcoming events:
- July 13 sidewalk sales-11 stores participating with a Business Bingo, Riggs Chiropractic offering free screenings, and the Bourbon County Democrats with a booth.
- August 2-4 is the annual sales tax holiday weekend in Fort Scott.
- September 12 is the Fall Fest from 5-8 p.m.
- October 26 is the annual Halloween Parade at 11 a.m.
- November 7-9 the Holiday Open House with the main kickoff on Thursday from 5-8 p.m.
- December 5 is the Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. with the theme “A Storybook Christmas.”
- December 6-7 stores are open late for Christmas on the Bricks.
- New seasonal downtown light pole banners are being ordered featuring local veterans. The banners will be posted on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veterans Day at a cost of $300 and the family gets the banner at the end. 30 banners have sold, so far.
- There are a few ad spaces available on the Downtown Directory Sign on North Main Street, $100 per year.
- The Chamber Golf Classic is this Friday, July 12. Raffle items and gift cards are welcome for this fundraiser for the Chamber.
- There will be an Election Candidate Forum on Thursday, July 25 at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium with a meet and greet at 5:30 p.m. and the forum at 6 p.m.
- Several business grants are available: e-community with 6% for 10 yrs., $5,000 to $50,000; Grow KS: maximum $100,000+, 4% for 5 yrs., 6% for 10 years; USDA REAP grant for energy efficiency and solar projects (the last round of grants deadline is Sept. 30); and HEAL Grants for downtown businesses.
Superintendent of Fort Scot National Historic Site Jill Jarworski said the fire suppression project is 50 % complete, the Blair House will soon have new siding, the infantry barracks will be renovated, three HVAC units will be replaced, there will soon be more accessibility at the Fort, Candlelight Tours are in the planning stages, the Naturalization Ceremony will be Sept. 20 this year, there is an app “Sunflower Summer” for 3-4th grade students is free and features Kansas attractions.
Downtown Trolley Tours has a new driver, Steve Allmond, with Friday tours on the hour starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m.; Saturday hours start at 10 a.m. on the hours. There is a wheelchair lift available and at least 6 persons minimum.
Merita Meech announced her inaugural Jim Meech Agri-Medical Foundation event at Sharkey’s Third Floor on July 27, from 6-8 p.m. She has a web link for the event to help farmers/ranchers in the first 30 days following a crisis.
There will be a craft event at the River Room Event Center at Oak and National Avenue on July 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Scott City representative Mary Wyatt said a new name for the golf course will be announced on August 15, a grant has been applied for Memorial Hall, KDOT recently awarded the city money for East National Avenue and the Third Street Park project is nearing completion.
Regional Economic Development Inc. Director Rob Harrington told of the Freeman Hospital opening in April 2025 at the former Mercy site. The health system is going through the Federal licensing process. At the August 2 Chamber Coffee, Kansas Renewal Institute and REDI will give tours of the newly renovated emergency department facility. REDI is having its annual gala on August 3 at the Liberty Theater with a live and online auction to provide scholarships for local high school students. He said in 2025, there will be many construction workers (solar energy) in the county that will need housing, and possibly be shopping and attending events in the county. He encourages welcome packets for them and “they will bring in a huge amount of sales tax.”
Open Mortgage, at Wall and National, has merged and will be getting a new name.
A new business, House of Cottonwood Candles,, there is opening in the former Common Ground building at 116 S. Main.
Jerry Witt, Riverfront Authority Chair, said that Riverfront Park will soon have some new features.
Two Fort Scott Community College Basketball Coaches attending said they are recruiting for the new season.
Konantz Cheney has a new website and can be followed on Facebook.
Madison said she and staff continually get compliments about the downtown area and thanked the downtown businesses.
In June 2025, there will be the all-school Fort Scott High School Reunion events.
The Bourbon County Fair starts next week and Meech encouraged all to walk through the fair and appreciate the effort the FFA and 4H youth have done throughout the year.
