A Commercial Kitchen/Event Space/Retail Space Coming to Downtown Fort Scott

The Kitchen facade was being stripped of old paint in preparation for new on March 8.

A community kitchen is on the horizon for downtown Fort Scott.

Angela Simon. From her Facebook page.

Rachel French, Angela Simon, and Bailey Lyons are collaborating to open The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative, a not-for-profit business.

Bailey Lyons from Lyons Realty Group Facebook page.
Rachel French. Submitted photo.

The building will have a commercial kitchen, a small event space and a retail area, with specialty kitchen supplies.

The event space will also be available for private rentals.

In addition, cooking classes for children and adults will be offered.

The Kitchen Collection + Collaborative business recently received a $5,000 Women, Minority or Start Up Business grant from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.

The Kitchen’s mission statement:

“The Kitchen is to be an innovative collaborative that enhances the local food system, increases access to regionally made and sourced goods, and supports area culinary businesses and entrepreneurs by reducing or removing risk and barriers to success. 

Our concept is centered on merging the integral pieces required for a thriving food economy – producers, creators, marketers, and consumers. 

We will also foster connections and serve as a community gathering place, a training hub, a meeting spot, an educational center, and a social venue. 

In doing all of this, we expect The Kitchen will have a significant, multi-faceted impact on our community.

Afterall, everything happens in The Kitchen.”

Bailey and Nate Lyons own the building, located at 10 and 12 S. Main.

 

 

Obituary of Michael Pool

Michael Louis Pool, age 70, a resident of Lake Fort Scott, passed Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at his home.  He was born July 27, 1952, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of William Louis “Louie” Pool and Norma Elaine Johnson Pool

Mike grew up in the Bronson area and graduated from the Uniontown High School.  He married Patricia A. Floyd on November 11, 1970, at Nevada, Missouri.

Mike was a brick and stone mason as well as a tuck pointer.  He used his skills on construction sites throughout Kansas and Missouri.

Weekends were spent racing at the Mo-Kan track or fishing on the lake.

 

Survivors include his two sons, Brian Pool and Brent Pool (Tawny) both of Ft. Scott; six grandchildren, Laura, Ashleigh, Logan, Nash, Kellen and Evan and a brother, Steve Pool of Penokee, Kansas.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Patty, on May 21, 2019.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Elaine Pool.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary of William “Buddy” Pruitt

 

William Stanley “Buddy” Pruitt, 82, resident of Garland, Texas, passed away March 1, 2023.

He was born July 26, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Thomas William Pruitt and Lazetta Fae (Ridenour) Pruitt.

 

Buddy is survived by his sons, Troy William Pruitt, and Richard Thomas Pruitt, both of Garland, Texas; a sister Fay Farley, of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and seven grandchildren.

 

Ronnie Pruitt will conduct graveside services 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 13, 2023, at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Fulton, Kansas.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Obituary of Suella Hornby

Suella Jean Hornby, 63, a resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri.

She was born September 8, 1959, in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Kenneth Ross Wood and Jennie Louise (Reynolds) Wood.

She married Charles Matthew Hornby July 16, 1988, and he survives of the home.

 

Suella worked in sales and marketing, and she was a member of the Brainerd Church of the Nazarene, where she was the church pianist.

 

In addition to her husband, Charles, Suella is also survived by a brother, Stanley Wood (Denise), of Easton, Kansas, and two sisters, Melody Richardson (Lonnie) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke (Philip), of Raymore, Missouri.

 

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Hammond Methodist Church, with burial following at the Maple Grove Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. prior to the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Grove Cemetery, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Obituary of John Jackson

John Lyle Jackson, 93, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on March 6, 2023. John was born April 13, 1929, at Isabel, Kansas. He was one of eight children born to John Ervin Jackson and Jessie Eva (Hollister) Jackson. He married Norma Jean (Smith) Jackson Nov. 25, 1951, in Bronson, Kan.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers and five sisters, Calvin Jackson, Fern Jackson, Dean Jackson, Ruth McEndree, Stella Ludlum, Lila Ludlum and Shirley Ludlum.

 

John and Jean were married for 68 years at the time of her passing in September 2020.

John is survived by son Dan and wife Jeannie of Bartlesville, Okla., son Rick and wife Denise of Bartlesville, Okla., daughter Diana Myers and husband Vincent of Overland Park, Kan.; Grandchildren Janett (Chris) Ferrell, April Jackson, Zeb (Mandi) Jackson, Danielle (Mark) Bernal, Rachel Myers, Evan Myers, Skyler Myers; great-grandchildren, Collin, Foster, Carley, Justin, Nayeli, Brady, Everly, Larkin, Boone, Keith and Kassius; great-great-grandson Jaxxen; and grand-dog Bubba John.

 

John graduated from Isabel High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948. He was stationed in Germany before returning to Kansas in 1950. He was then recalled in 1951, for the Korean War, training many soldiers for deployment at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, completing service in 1953.

John and Jean made their home in Iola, Kan., purchasing 17 acres on Park Street, where they raised their three children and ran an office for MFA Insurance. They attended every football, basketball, baseball game and horse show that their children were involved in. John was the head of the Spur Club with Bud Sifers and they rang the Mustang bell at every home game.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his best friend Gene Sallee.

In 1975, they relocated to Fort Scott and opened Jackson Real Estate. After 15 years, they closed the real estate office and opened Outpost Antiques in downtown Fort Scott, for another 10+ years. John enjoyed finding a good deal…he had an eye for antiquities and collectibles of all types.

He eventually retired from H & H Real Estate in Fort Scott, at 80 years young.

 

John was a voracious reader and kept the staff in the public library busy every week, often reading one or two books a day. In his last years, he still enjoyed reading, garage sales, puzzles, and visiting with anyone that called or stopped by – even though he would never wear his hearing aids.

He was known to break out in song at any time with his favorites being ol’ Dan Tucker or Ramblin’ Bob.

John was a devoted fan of KU Basketball, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Following cremation, Chaplain Lloyd Houk will conduct graveside services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Flowers are welcome as well as cards and letters to the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Public Library and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Looking for Your Roots?

The Old Fort Genealogy Society office is located in the basement of Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, at Third and National Avenue. From its Facebook page.

Want to learn more about ancestors that have lived or died in our community?

For those who would like to learn more about their roots in Bourbon County, there is a place to start: the Old Fort Genealogy Society, located in the basement of Memorial Hall, Third and National Avenue.

Recently, the staff has started a Facebook page.

“We started at the end of February, the Old Fort Genealogy and History at Fort Scott, Kansas Facebook page,” Ann Rawlins, librarian at the society said.

A recent post shows the Herrman Lumber Company at 10 State Street, Fort Scott, in the 1930s. From the Facebook page.

“We wanted to post stories and and pictures and answer questions,” she said. “We wanted a site for genealogy questions. and have an internet presence.”

People are invited to post pictures, stories, or ask questions on the Facebook page.

The Old Fort Genealogical Society researches people’s ancestors who have lived in Bourbon County.

They can be reached at 620.223.3300 or the website is ksgenweb/society/ft.scott.

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The following is a recent humorous post on the Facebook page.

A recent post from the Facebook page.

 

Obituary for Louise Shattuck

Louise Marie Shattuck, age 89, Prescott, Kansas passed away Monday March 6, 2023. She was born in a farmhouse west of Prescott on November 28, 1933 the daughter of Ed and Avis(Smith) McIntyre. She traveled by herself to Tacoma, Washington, at the age of seventeen, to be united in marriage to Lyle Shattuck on June 12, 1951. She was involved in 4-H, P.T.A., Jayhawk Linn Booster Club, and Teen Town. She was a member of the Prescott United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, as well as, PHILO Study Club. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister LaVerne. Louise is survived by her husband Lyle, three daughters, Debra Wood(Dave), Diane Springer(Randy), and Danna Schneider(Scott), eleven grandchildren, and eighteen great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 10:30 am Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Prescott United Methodist Church. Burial in the Prescott Cemetery. Individual respects and guest registry may be made Thursday March 9, from 11 am to 5 pm at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Prescott Food Pantry or American Heart Association c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075.

Psychiatric Bed Capacity Increases More than 30% Under Kelly Administration

TOPEKA – Today, on Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day, Governor Laura Kelly announced that psychiatric bed capacity has increased by 32% since the start of her administration. The Kelly Administration has added 233 needed beds at child inpatient facilities, psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF), and adult inpatient psychiatric facilities.

Child Inpatient Acute Beds
Adult Psychiatric Beds
PRTF Beds
Total
2019
170
243
308
721
2023
212
318
424
954
Total added
42
75
116
233

“A lack of psychiatric beds has been one of the largest barriers preventing mental health resources and care from reaching Kansans who need them. A 30% increase in capacity reflects a major step forward,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, we must continue our progress in addressing the mental health crisis here in Kansas by reducing the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders and by dedicating additional, much-needed resources to these challenges.”

Under the Kelly Administration, more resources have been put toward mental health, including for the launch of the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline, the creation of KansasAgStress.org to provide mental health resources for Kansas farmers and ranchers, and expanded mental health programming in schools.

The Administration has also applied federal funding to help 13 community mental health centers expand access and availability of mental health services and qualify as certified community behavioral health clinics, a new model of care being implemented across the state.

“Addressing mental health and substance use issues play a huge role in breaking down the barriers that might be keeping people from seeking help,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “We have made great strides in Kansas toward funding mental health and recovery services and building compassionate and cost-effective programs and policies that can improve the lives of adults and children living with mental illness.”

“Governor Kelly has been a leader for behavioral health, from supporting Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to ending the state hospital’s moratorium on voluntary admissions to supporting the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline,” Kansas Mental Health Coalition President Mary Jones said. “As we face the current workforce shortage and mental health crisis, her ability to work with the Kansas Legislature is crucial.”

The Governor spoke at the Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day rally hosted by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Mental Health Coalition in front of the statehouse.

Application Deadline Approaching for Energy and Water Assistance Programs

 

TOPEKA – Qualifying Kansans are encouraged to submit applications to receive assistance paying for water and energy bills this month. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and Emergency Water Assistance Program (EWAP), both managed by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), will stop accepting applications at 5 p.m. on March 31.

LIEAP is an annual program that provides financial assistance to families struggling to pay their heating bills during the cold winter months. Information about the program, including how to apply and Frequently Asked Questions, are available at www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

EWAP was created in 2021 in response to the COVID pandemic. It was established to help families restore or prevent the disconnection of drinking water and wastewater services. This temporary program will close permanently on March 31. Learn more and apply for the program by visiting www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

The income qualifications for both programs are:

Persons Living at the Address

Maximum Gross Monthly Income

1

$1,699

2

$2,289

3

$2,879

4​

$3,469

​5

$4,059

6​

$4,649

7​

$5,239

8​

$5,829

*Add $590 for each additional person

EWAP is funded by the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Funding for LIEAP is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

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Bourbon County Local News