There will be a Work Session prior to the Tuesday, May 2, 2023, City Commission meeting. The Work Session will begin at 5:00PM with Gilmore and Bell to speak to the Commission about STAR Bonds and TIFs. The regular City Commission meeting will follow at 6:00PM. Both meetings will be held in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main St. and will be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube channel.
Annie Lucile “Lucy” Bacon, age 95, a resident of rural Moran, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Residential Living Center in Garnett, Kansas. She was born October 29, 1927, on the family farm in rural Allen County, Kansas, the daughter of William Deer and Nora Cady Deer. Lucy graduated from the Bronson High School with the Class of 1945. Shortly after graduating, she married Kenneth C. “Joe” Bacon on June 6, 1945, at the Allen County Courthouse in Iola, Kansas. Joe and Lucy raised their family and worked side by side on their farm north of Moran for many years. Lucy enjoyed fishing and working in the garden. In earlier years, the family enjoyed camping trips to Colorado. Later, Lucy and Joe spent thirteen winters in Texas where they enjoyed getting to know other campers from all over the United States. Another hobby enjoyed by Lucy and Joe was bowling. They enjoyed time at the bowling alley with family and friends and also traveling to bowling tournaments. Lucy was also an accomplished cake decorator and often made birthday and wedding cakes for area friends. She was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals as well as the KU Jayhawks. She also made every effort to attend the sporting events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lucy enjoyed playing the keyboard and she and Joe often entertained nursing home residents at both Moran and Iola. She was a longtime member of the Bronson United Methodist Church and a past member of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include her children, Beverly Fuhrman (Harley) of Bronson, Kansas, Charles “Chuck” Bacon (Cristine) of Moran, Kansas, Doug Bacon (Paula) of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Cindy Mefford (Jason) of Mapleton, Kansas and Jean Davolt (Philip) of Wichita; ten grandchildren, Chris Hanna (Aric), Ken Fuhrman (Sue), Bryan Bacon (Brenda), Jessica Bacon, Travis Bacon (Angie), Tyler Bacon (Haley), Brandon Newman, Jason Newman (Trish), Jeremy Davolt (Victoria), and Stephanie Davolt; thirteen great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Margaret Fuston. Lucy was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth “Joe” Bacon on October 30, 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Percy and Everett Deer and four sisters, Ruth Bowman, Lorene Ard, Doris Crone and Beula Proyck.
Tracy Smith will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, May 1st at the Bronson Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel in Ft. Scott. Memorials are suggested to the Bronson United Methodist Church 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.
The Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Fundraising Public Auction will be held this year at the Bourbon County 4-H building, located on 2109 S. Horton street, about 3 blocks north of the Presbyterian Village.
The auction will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29th.
Submitted photos of auction items.
“Bring a truck and a friend we have lots of great items too numerous to list and picture,” PV Executive Director Ginger Nance,said . “Lots of surprises on auction day, as we have been gathering items for about 2 years and much is still in storage!”
Submitted photos of auction items.
“All proceeds are kept local in Fort Scott to benefit the Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan program, designed to assist seniors who outlive their resources through no fault of their own, as well as other Life Enriching Programs that directly benefits our local seniors,” Nance said.
Submitted photos of auction items.
” We have been doing the auction annually for many years,” she said. “COVID got us off course for a couple of years, but we hope to build this back to return this to an annual event and this year promises to offer great items for people to bid on.”
Submitted photos for auction items.
“There is truly something here for everyone!” she said.
“We have everything from great, clean, household items, furniture (antique, vintage and new—some like new or never used), we have décor (some specialty artwork from local, K.C. and other artists), we have really nice washing machines, costume and other jewelry (some gold), handicap equipment (some new), we even have collectible coins this year that were donated from an estate!”
Submitted photos of auction items.
Feel free to contact Ginger Nance at (620) 224-6173 or Joe Redden (620) 644-8417 with questions or to make an appt. to preview.
Submitted photos of auction items.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is a faith-based, not-for-profit senior living community dedicated to serving residents with a culture inspired by our Christian values and heritage, according to its website: https://www.fortscottpresbyterianvillage.org/
The meal was catered by Great Western Dining and Twigs and Berries.
The number of women attending the Fort Scott Community College Women’s Appreciation Luncheon was doubled from last year.
“Pre-pandemic, we had a women’s luncheon every year with between 150 and 200 women in attendance,” said Allie Birket, one of the organizers. “We didn’t have a luncheon in 2020 or 2021, but began again in 2022. Last year’s luncheon numbers were low ,around 70 women attended, but we saw a better turnout this year. We had 114 women attend!
“We plan on having one every year,” she said. ” And we hope attendance continues to rise.”
“This was the first women’s luncheon I’ve planned, so it was a completely new experience,” she said. “The very best part was seeing so many smiling faces! We’re getting a lot of great feedback from the food to the vendors to the décor. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and that makes it all worth it! A HUGE shoutout to: FSCC’s Community Relations Committee, who helped plan the event and who volunteered at the event; Great Western Dining who catered the wraps and drinks; Twigs & Berries who catered the sides and desserts; and all of our vendors who helped complete the event. The whole luncheon came together wonderfully, and it wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of these amazing people.”
“The best part of the luncheon was being able to interact with the community, be that luncheon attendees or vendors,” said Susie Arvidson, one of the organizers. ” It’s wonderful to see women of our community visiting, enjoying a wonderful lunch, and shopping local businesses.”
There were 16 vendors who displayed their services and products at the luncheon:
FSCC Nursing
FSCC Cosmetology
Mary Kay
Jbloom Jewelry
Riggs Chiropractic Fort Scott
Red Aspen
BBCO Health Dept
CHC
Rite On
The Baby Stitch
Erika George Photography
The River Room
Flying P Ranch
Kimberly Demko
SEK Mental Health Center
Desert Blooms Boutique
Business women lined the entrance lobby of the Ellis Art Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Women could shop on their way to the serving table.Women visiting during the luncheon.Woman enjoying the meal and conversation at the FSCC Women’s Appreciation Luncheon on April 26.
Clara Belle Page, age 91, resident of Hiattville, KS died Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Horton House, Fort Scott, KS. She was born October 19, 1931, in Lamar, MO, the daughter of Carl and Hannah Sheets Chaplin.
Clara worked in housekeeping and laundry for three area nursing homes during her career.
She enjoyed babysitting, embroidery, gardening, bass fishing, and crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She loved spending time with her family, especially during holidays preparing the meals. Her specialties included homemade noodles and pies.
Survivors include 3 sons, Jerry Lee Page (Leanna), Fort Scott, Carl Joe Page (Vicky), Hiattville, and Gary Ray Page, Hiattville; a sister, Velma Dyche, Pawnee, KS, a daughter in law, Erlinda Page, Fort Scott; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chris William Page, 4 brothers, Virgil, Carl, Paul and Everett Chaplin, 2 sisters, Florence Barnum, and Mary Killion, and a son, John Page.
Pastor Brian Rhoades will conduct funeral services at 2:00 Wednesday, May 3rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Hepler Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 until service time Wednesday at the funeral home
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Starting Monday May 1st, the City of Fort Scott Water Distribution department will be working on a water leak on 6th street between Eddy and Holbrook. Due to the severity of the leak this area will be close to traffic for a few days. Please bypass this area of 6th street by using 5th street or a alternate route. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to anyone. We will continue to make updates on this street closure. Thank you for your patience. #togetherwecan
The Fort Scott Hurricanes team, 2022. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott Hurricanes is a competitive summer swim team for youth who range in age from 5-18 years.
The group started around 1980, said Tara Holt, who is the Parent Board President of the swim team.
This year the team is part of the Tri-State Swim Conference.
The local club petitioned Tri-State at the fall conference meeting in 2022 to become a permanent member.
“Full, official membership gives our team the right to vote at conference meetings and to be on the rotation to pick invitational swim meet dates,” she said. “The conference approved our permanent membership… at the first of the month. Being a part of the Tri-State Swim Conference has given our swimmers more consistent competition.”
The head coach of the Hurricanes, in her fourth season, is Samantha Short.
Hurricane’s Assistant Coach Claire Holt, Eli Holt and Coach Samantha Short at the 2022 Tri-State A Championships. Submitted photo.
“We are fortunate to have her back coaching for us this season! The kids and parents love her!” Holt said “Our new assistant coach will be Claire Holt. Claire is joining us as a coach after having been a swimmer for the Hurricanes for 13 seasons. She graduated last year.”
One way to support the youth swim team is to order Papa Don’s Pizza on Wednesday, May 17 from 10:30 A.M. to 8 P.M.
“Papa Don’s will be giving the Hurricanes 10% of the proceeds that day!” Holt said. “The Hurricanes thank Papa Don’s for their generosity!”
“The Hurricanes will have a meeting for the parents of new swimmers on Wednesday, May 3 at 5:30 P.M. in the small gym at Buck Run Community Center,” Holt said.
After having carpal tunnel surgery, Tawny Sandifer, who serves as vice president of Operations and Nursing at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, needed Occupational Therapy services to get back to normal life.
Sandifer says she confidently chose Ascension Via Christi Therapy Center for her ongoing care not because of her role, but based on all the positive feedback from friends and community members.
Occupational Therapy, which works to develop, recover or maintain function of everyday skills, treats a variety of upper extremity injuries, disabilities or impairments such as: amputations, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, surgery recovery and much more.
For 12 weeks, Sandifer worked with therapist Chrissy Naccarato, OT, to strengthen and improve function in her hand.
“Chrissy always greeted me with a smile,” says Sandifer. “She took time to explain the ‘why’ behind what I was doing with my treatment plan and ensured that I understood how it was helping me to reach my goals.”
Although Occupational Therapy can sometimes be challenging, Sandifer expressed what a positive experience it’s been: “I look forward to my therapy appointment and seeing Chrissy. I know it will be challenging but I also know that Chrissy’s approach makes it fun.”
Now, Sandifer says that she has met her goals and has seen significant improvement in the strength and functioning of her hand, crediting much of that to her therapist.
“I would refer Occupational Therapy at Ascension Via Christi Therapy Center to all of my friends and family,” says Sandifer. “Chrissy is so knowledgeable, compassionate, engaging, professional and caring!”
To learn more about Ascension Via Christi Therapy services, go to ascension.org/PhysicalTherapyKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
The Governor’s Veto Pen is in overdrive again this year. Besides the fairness in women’s sports bill (which was successfully overridden) and the born-alive bill, she vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 180, defining a biological sex for the protection of women. It takes a supermajority of legislatures (2/3) to override a veto. She also vetoed House Bill (HB) 2344, allowing daycares to accept more children. The rules and regulations implemented by bureaucrats have become too restrictive. In fact, so restrictive that Kansan Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) testified about reducing the regulations and then didn’t follow through. HB 2344 was an attempt to address the overreaching restrictions.
It is almost unbelievable the Governor has prioritized corporations over families and individual taxpayers by vetoing a CCR 169. It would cut sales, property, and income tax by:
accelerating “food” sales tax cut to zero on Jan 1, 2024 – instead of Jan 1, 2025
increasing the property tax exemption for homeowners to $60k from $40k on the K-12 20 mil
exempting most Social Security from state income tax, eventually exempting all
increasing income tax standard deductions each year based on inflation
creating a single income tax bracket of 5.15% while exempting income below $6,150 for individuals, $12,300 married so that it is a tax cut for all personal income tax filers
accelerating the corporate income tax cut by one year to 1% cut 2024, instead of ½ percent in 2024 and 2025 (which the Governor signed into law last year)
and cutting the privilege tax for banks ½ % in 2024 and ½ in 2025
Keep in mind that this is the same Governor who signed into law tax cuts and/or exemptions for major corporations and vetoed tax cuts in 2021 CCR 50. It is estimated just the APEX tax exemptions she pushed will be over $1.5 billion for two companies, one being a foreign owned company. Her claims for vetoing the tax cuts in CCR 169 are much the same as in 2021, that it would break the state. After CCR 50 became law, the state has continued to collect record revenue (taxes collected). She was wrong then and now. Let’s hope we can override the veto this year putting the brakes on massive government growth and providing tax relief for all, especially families and individuals in need.
Environmental Social Governance (ESG) has been creeping into Kansas and there were a couple of pieces of legislation attempting to restrict ESG ratings in taxpayer investments such as Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). During debate on Senate Bill (SB) 291, I ran an amendment that would stop taxpayer money being invested in foreign adversaries of the U.S. The amendment passed and the bill passed the Senate 29 to 11. During conference committee a stripped-down version of 291 was put in CCR 2100, taking out the language blocking investments in China and other foreign adversaries. The Senate sent a strong message to the House killing the conference committee report, but later reconsidered so we didn’t lose the entire ESG bill. It became law without the Governor’s signature.
It is important to get KPERS and other taxpayer money out of these countries. KPERS currently has approximately 2% invested in China, over $543 million. Some say it will cost too much to divest. I contend it is to costly to stay. This was proven when KPERS Russia investments went from over $30 million to basically $0 last year. KPERS board members and others have refused to take action so the legislature must. Hopefully, it will not be too late as we are a part-time legislature and the 2023 session is coming to an end.
HB 2036 would exempt veterans from property taxes, but the bill was not accepted during conference committee negotiations. I did not block the bill, as a State Representative who is a veteran is reporting (see https://www.teamtyson.org/HB2036.htm for more details). I have fought diligently for tax cuts for our veterans, military, and all Kansans. I have been a leader on the property-tax freeze for seniors and disabled veterans. Tax conference committee members were instrumental in leading the effort to pass the program last year and the possible expansion of the program this year in CCR 8. Hopefully, CCR 8 will become law this year.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
William David “Bill” Wood, age 76, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Monday, April 24, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services and burial will take place in Colton, SD. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
