Obituary

Obituary of Billy J. Graham

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Billy J. Graham, age 92, a lifelong resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.  He was born November 8, 1931, in Ft. Scott, the son of Louis Graham and Helen Briggs Graham.  Billy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1950.  He married Shirley Nutter on July 3, 1954.  The couple honeymooned in Chicago and since Billy was an avid baseball fan, part of their trip was spent at a ball game.  Throughout his life Billy was well known in his community.  He worked at Master Printers, Mid-America Business Forms and Mayco Ace Hardware.  He also managed the Fox Theater and the Mo-Kan Drive-In.  Billy enjoyed baseball, basketball, and football.  He faithfully supported the St. Louis Cardinals, KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.  Billy will also be remembered for his bowling skills where he rolled several perfect games.  During the 1960’s and 70’s he worked as a scout for the Ft. Scott Community College Greyhound Basketball Team. Later in life, he enjoyed eating ice cream, listening to baseball on the radio and working puzzles on his computer.  He was also frequently seen, on his scooter, “walking” his dog Suzie.

 

Survivors include his wife, Shirley, a son John Graham (Carol) of Parker, Colorado and a daughter, Grace Sweat (Bill) of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Robert Nolan (Alisa), Kim Nolan, Christopher Graham (Heather) and Timothy Graham (Ruth) and two great-granddaughters, Ashton and Adelynn Nolan as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Billy was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Kenneth, Robert and Harold Graham and a son, David Graham.

 

There was cremation.  A celebration of Billy’s life will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Gerald Mildfelt

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Gerald L. “Jerry” Mildfelt, age 92, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, at his home.  He was born December 13, 1931, in Perry, Oklahoma, the son of Joe Mildfelt and Catherine Endres Mildfelt.

Jerry faithfully served his country with the United States Army from 1952-1954.  He later went on to graduate from Ottawa University with a degree in finance.  Jerry married Sue Karleskint on August 23, 1968, in Ft. Scott.

Throughout his life, he worked at several banks, FDIC and RTC as an investigator.

Following retirement, Jerry enjoyed fishing and gardening.  One year, he raised over two hundred tomato plants.

He was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

 

Survivors include his wife, Sue, of the home; four sons, Tom Mildfelt (Sandy) of Parsons, Kansas, Mike Mildfelt (Debi) of Winfield, Kansas, Dan Mildfelt (Lisa) of Chanute, Kansas, and Todd Mildfelt, (Kelli) of Baldwin, Kansas, and a daughter, LeAnne Wiles (Kevin) of Parsons, Kansas.  Also surviving are ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gene and Tom Mildfelt, and two sisters, Nellie Mitchum and Ruth Steichen.

 

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 8th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church (Kennedy Gym).

The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 A.M. prior to the Mass.

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Mary’s Building Fund 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.

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 7

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R&B 9.27.24

Accounts Payable 10-4-2024

Payroll 10-4-2024

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

October 7, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 9/30/2024 and 10/4/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $289,779.42
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $558,232.10
  1. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
    2. County Clerk
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

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.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

Harris Will Lead Action Team to Move Forward With Freeman Health System

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The empty emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital.
At a special Bourbon County Commission this morning the Commissioners decided that Commission Chairman Jim Harris will form an action team to expedite Freeman Health System’s intentions to open an Emergency Department and 10 bed-hospital at the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
“It’s time to get this accomplished,” Harris said in an interview. “I want to thank Commissioner Clifton Beth for his help on this the last few years.”
Jim Harris, 2nd District Bourbon County Commissioner, and current chair.
Beth had been the commissioner who had been working on the healthcare issues as a leadman,  “but he is stepping out for some personal reasons,” Harris said. “I am retired and with an action team to assist, we will take this to the finish line.”
On this newly formed healthcare action team are Harris, Dr. Randy Nichols, T.J. Denning (K.R.I. Chief Operating Officer),  Fort Scott Mayor Terry Dancer, Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer, and Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks.
“On Monday at 2 p.m. all the team members are going to meet at Freeman (Health Care System) in Joplin (MO),” he said.
“On Tuesday we will meet with the people who have the Fort Scott Emergency Room equipment, either Mercy or Via Christi. It was removed and stored in Pittsburg and Mercy has agreed to give it back. Our job is to bring it back.”
“We will then get technicians to see what is working and what is not,” he said. “Once we know it’s working we will probably have a Memorandum of Understanding  to give to Freeman.”
“Kansas Renewal Institute can then move forward with their planning, final inspection and then we will have a green light to open the ER and small hospital, which is vital to K.R.I. and the people of Bourbon County,” he said.
“I want to thank Commissioner Beth for his work on this and thank Freeman Health System, this is a God-send and a blessing to Bourbon County,” Harris said. “And I want to thank Mercy for their help and assistance with the equipment.”
Area News, Church news, Entertainment, Youth

Fall Family Fun Activities Starting Oct. 5 at Rinehart Christian Church

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The Lion of Judah is depicted in the years Rinehart Christian Church corn maize, taken from the church’s Facebook page.
Rinehart Christian Church Annual Corn Maze is part of a FREE fall festival event for the public.
The surrounding community is invited to come out for an afternoon of fall fun and fellowship on three Saturdays: October 5, October 12 and October 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to the church located at 9443 S. 900 Rd. Richards, MO 64778, about 14 miles from Fort Scott.
Family activities include a petting zoo on October 5, horse rides on October 12, and hatchet throwing on October 19.
Besides the corn maze, activities include hay rides, corn pits, pumpkin painting, fire pits, lawn games, duck races, concessions, photo booths, cow train, grain wagon basketball hoops, and inflatables.

“The reason for the corn maze is to give area people a fun day for the family and to let them know Rinehart is a church that cares about them,” said Pastor Kevin Moyer.

“This is the 5th year for us to have the maze,” he said. ” It grows each year in numbers, and people come and stay for hours. It really is a family event, and people can’t get over the fact that it’s free. Even the lunch is free! It’s our gift to the community. Our people volunteer their time for three Saturdays in October.”

‘If you look at the maze from high above you’ll see the full design, the Lion of Judah,” he said.

The Lion of Judah is mentioned in the scripture Revelation 5:5.

Rinehart Christian Church’s mission is to love God, live like Jesus, and lift others up, he said.

Opinion

A Brilliant Defense 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.)

Over 40 years ago, Jack, a friend of Dave and mine, decided to get his doctorate in divinity and enrolled in a renowned D-1 university.  Part of his interview process was to read and critique a book explaining the book of Mark that was written by one of the Divinity professors.  Jack would be given 30 minutes in which to present his oral criticisms to the renowned scholar.

The book was no easy read.  Each chapter had at least 140 footnotes, and the end explanation was that nothing happened after the two women encountered an angel at the tomb where Jesus had been buried. The interviewer based that on Mark 16:8:  Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

For a little background, most current Bibles include another 11 verses in Mark which add that Jesus then talked with several people before he was raised into Heaven, but footnotes explain that these verses were not in the original manuscripts and were added later. The professor’s book stopped at 16:8.

I interrupted Jack’s story to counter with the obvious: No matter where Mark ended his writing, Matthew, Luke and John all addressed Jesus’ resurrection and appearance to others. We need to look at the entirety of scripture and not just selected sections. Jack assured me he had used that same critique (which was dismissed because each book, according to the professor, should stand on its own).  Jack presented several other arguments to which the professor stated that Jack could have gotten those positions from one of several journals and that none of them were original.  He wanted something unique.

Our friend came up with a brilliant defense.  The women obviously did talk and share their story or else no one would know that “they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”  How could Mark have come up with that if the women hadn’t told someone that’s what happened?  (Like I said, brilliant.)

Refusing to be outdone, the professor responded, “Yes, but how do we know they were real people?”

WHAT??????

That’s right.  The accomplished, theological master-mind in the Divinity department was an atheist.  To him, the Bible was a myth.  Jack about fell out of his chair.

It wasn’t until later that Jack came across a quote from atheist-turned-Christian C.S. Lewis’ that might have stymied the professor: “Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It’s like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I can’t trust my own thinking, of course I can’t trust the arguments leading to Atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an Atheist, or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.”

What would the prof have said against that?  (Probably that C.S. Lewis wasn’t a real person.)

In case you are wondering, Jack was accepted into the School of Divinity but chose to pastor a church instead.  Another brilliant move, if you ask me.

Bourbon County, Government

Special Meeting Today Oct. 4 of the Bourbon County Commission at 10 a.m.

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Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner

Bourbon County Commission Agenda
210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701

A special meeting will be held on
October 4, 2024 10:00 a.m.

I. Call Meeting to Order
II. Flag Salute
III. Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(4)
IV. Adjourn Meeting

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

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Uniontown City Council for October 8 at 7 p.m. at city hall.

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Agenda for the Uniontown City Council for October 8 at 7 p.m. at city hall.

 

10-24 Informational Items(1)

2024 Financials-September(1)

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of September 10, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and September 18, 2024 Special Meeting minutes
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

405 Hill sold 9/26/24

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

TextMyGov

Education opportunity

.gov website

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Streets/FEMA –

 

Sale of Property –

 

NEW BUSINESS

SEED Grant –

 

Motion by _____________, Second by  __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Uniontown City Council on Sept. 18

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The Special Council Meeting on September 18, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 5:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applicants for non-elected personnel position, the open meeting to resume at 5:20PM

 

Meeting resumed at 5:20PM.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Angela Hixon as City Clerk, start date of October 7, 2024

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 5:25PM

Bourbon County Local News