Fort Scott 5/6 grade Football Champions Play Tonight

The Fort Scott 5/6th grade Tiger football team is undefeated and will host  on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at Frary Field the championship game against Prairie View.

“These boys have worked so hard, said Leslie Godden “They’d love to have the stands packed and have other community schools/ events and older athletics there to support them!”
“Also the youth cheer team will be there cheering them on,” she said.
The two Facebook group pages for the kids are:
@ Fort Scott Tiger Youth Football Program
@ Fort Scott Tiger Youth Cheer Program

Lansing Inmate Renfro Captured

Minimum-custody Inmate Joshua W. Renfro Who Walked Away from Lansing Correctional Facility Apprehended

~LCF Walkaway Apprehended Without Incident~

TOPEKA –

Minimum-custody resident Joshua W. Renfro has been apprehended.

Renfro was taken into custody Monday night, October 24, 2022, by law enforcement officials in Leavenworth County. He was arrested on the KDOC escape warrant without incident.

Renfro had been placed on escape status after he walked away from the minimum-security unit at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) on October 24, 2022.

No other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

 The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867. Serving only males, the facility maintains maximum and medium units totaling 1,920 beds and a 512-bed minimum security unit. 

Bo Co Commission Revised Agenda for Oct. 25

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: October 25, 2022

1st DistrictNelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd DistrictJim Harris Corrected: _______________________

3rd DistrictClifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County ClerkAshley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.

Call to Order

Flag Salute

Approval of Minutes from previous meeting

Approval of Accounts Payable/Payroll

Jerry Witt FS BBCO Riverfront Authority Appointment of Committee Member

Burn Ban Discussion

Ashley Shelton Gas Price Lock In

North Parking/Sidewalk Project

Jim Harris Executive Session KSA 754319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer Comment

o Financial Report

o KSA 754319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to
protect their privacy

Shane Walker Chief Information Officer Comment

Justin Meeks County Counselor Comment

o KSA 754319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which
would be deemed privileged in the attorneyclient relationship

o KSA 754319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to
protect their privacy

o KSA 754319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of
such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Eric Bailey Road & Bridge Report

Public Comment

Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

KSA 754319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

KSA 754319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorneyclient relationship

KSA 754319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employeremployee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

KSA 754319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

KSA 754319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

KSA 754319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

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A paper survey may be picked at the Board Office, located at 424 S Main or patrons may call 620-223-0800 to complete the survey over the phone.

Friday Night Free Concert: Duling, Brown

This week’s Friday Night Concert will feature four performers:  Dan Duling on vocals and acoustic guitar, his son John adds vocal harmony and bass guitar, and Shanna Stone as lead vocalist. The trio performs a variety of country and classic rock. Addi Brown, local performer and Fort Scott Idol winner, will complement the show with some vocal solos.

 

“These fine musicians and singers will conclude the 2022 outdoor season,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “The Dulings are talented local favorites and Shanna has toured with Meryl Haggard, Lefty Frizzell and other Nashville artists. Addi performs a wide variety of genres that’s sure to please the crowd. We’re expecting a great show, so come and enjoy the grand finale.”

 

The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and is free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

 

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to The Loading Dock at  Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Obituary of Daryl Roufs

Daryl M. Roufs, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 24, 2022, at his home.  He was born August 13, 1959, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harold J. Roufs and Catherine G. “Kay” Hill Roufs.

Daryl graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  He worked as a heavy equipment operator and maintenance-man throughout the United States.  In addition, he helped on the family farm near Fulton, Kansas.  One could say Daryl was a collector.  He enjoyed showing off his many “treasures” to his friends and grandkids.  In earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

 

Survivors include his children, Lonnie Roufs (Sara) of Uniontown, Kansas, Tabitha Hardesty (Kent), Kayla Bronson (Jeff), and Erica Bolton (Jason) all of Ft. Scott, five grandchildren, Kenzi, Morgyn, Cruz, Mason and Matthew and his beloved dog, Stan.  Also surviving is a brother, Gary Roufs (Cathy).

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Johnny Roufs.

 

There was cremation.  A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Heath Cannon Memorial Hunt and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Linda HowlingCrane

Linda Darlene HowlingCrane, age 65, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022, at her home following her battle with cancer.  She was born May 16, 1957, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Willis Sanders and Patsy Eden Sanders.

Linda attended Ft. Scott Schools.  Shortly into her senior year, the family moved to Versailles, Missouri and she graduated from there with the Class of 1975.  Linda will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.  For the last several years, she has served as the primary care giver for her son and also took care of her grandchildren.

She loved taking trips to Branson with her family.  She was fortunate enough to make one last trip to Silver Dollar City and enjoy the pumpkins and fall colors; she returned home on Friday morning and passed away Saturday evening. Linda loved to do crafts of all kinds.  She also had a green thumb and could grow houseplants to gigantic proportions.

 

Survivors include two daughters, Jamye Coffman (Tom) of Ft. Scott and Patricia Brake of Mound City, Kansas; a son, Drew HowlingCrane of the home in Fulton and an adopted son, Doug Ekberg (Angela) of Independence, Missouri; ten grandchildren and a great-grandson. Also surviving are her mother, Patsy Sanders, of Ft. Scott; a brother Greg Sanders also of Ft. Scott and a sister, Pamela Owenby (Russell) of Deerfield, Missouri.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Willis and her brother, Shannon.

 

Bert Severy and Robert Clark will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

(Linda will do her best to be on time.)

Following funeral services, there will be cremation.

Private burial will take place at a later date in the Lath Branch Cemetery east of Ft. Scott.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

The November 2022 Election Voting Starts This Week

The general election will be November 8, but those who wish to, may vote earlier.

Early voting will begin Wednesday, October 26th and will be open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and will end on Monday, November 7th at noon.

People may vote at the  Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave. in the commission room.

To view the sample ballot:

Sample 22GKSBOU

“We provide early voting to allow everyone the opportunity to vote, which is why we started offering Saturday voting,” said Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk. “We had a good turnout in the primary for early voting and a lot of positive comments regarding Saturday voting. We will continue to offer Saturday voting as an option if people continue to utilize it.”

Ashley Shelton. Submitted photo.

In addition to selecting candidates, there will be two questions on this ballot, one about  the election of sheriffs and one about Kansas legislative oversight.

 

Taken from the ballot:

County Sheriff Question

 

This amendment would preserve the
right of citizens of each county

that elected a county sheriff 
to continue
electing the county sheriff. The

amendment would also provide

that a county sheriff only may be

involuntarily removed from office

pursuant to either a recall election

or a writ of quo warranto initiated

by the attorney general.

A writ of quo warranto is a common law remedy which is used to challenge a person’s right to hold a public or corporate office, according to https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/quo_warranto

A  yes vote for this proposition would
preserve the right of citizens of

each county
, to
continue electing the county sheriff

via popular vote. The amendment

would also direct that a county

sheriff only may be involuntarily

removed from office pursuant to

either a recall election or a writ

of quo warranto initiated by the

attorney general.


A  no vote against this proposition
would not make any changes to

the constitution and would retain

current law concerning the election

of a sheriff and the procedures for

involuntary removal of a sheriff from

office.

The amendment states:

County and township
officers.
(a) Except as provided
in subsection (b), each county

shall elect a sheriff for a term of

four years by a majority of the

qualified electors of the county

voting thereon at the time of voting

designated for such office pursuant

to law in effect on January 11, 2022,

and every four years thereafter.

(b) The provisions of subsection

(a) shall not apply to a county

that abolished the office of sheriff

prior to January 11, 2022. Such

county may restore the office of

sheriff as provided by law and such

restoration shall be irrevocable.

A county that restores the office

of sheriff shall elect a sheriff by a

majority of the qualified electors

of the county voting thereon for a

term of four years. Such sheriff shall

have such qualifications and duties

as provided by law. The time of

voting for the office of sheriff may

be provided for by the legislature

pursuant to section 18 of article 2 of

this constitution.

(c) The filling of vacancies and the

qualifications and duties of the

office of sheriff shall be as provided

by law.

(d)
The legislature shall provide for
such
other county and township
officers as may be necessary.

§ 5. Removal of officers.
(a) Except
as provided in subsection (b),
all
county and township officers may

be removed from office, in such

manner and for such cause, as shall

be prescribed by law.

(b) A county sheriff only may be

involuntarily removed from office by

recall election pursuant to section 3

of article 4 of this constitution or a

writ of quo warranto initiated by the

attorney general.

From Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks,

“A yes vote would require counties to maintain a sheriff as an elected official,”

The Question of Legislative Oversight

The purpose of this amendment is
to provide the legislature with

oversight of state executive branch

agencies and officials by providing

the legislature authority to establish

procedures to revoke or suspend

rules and regulations.


A yes  vote
for this proposition would
allow the legislature to establish

procedures to revoke or suspend

rules and regulations that are

adopted by state executive branch

agencies and officials that have the

force and effect of law.


A no vote
against this proposition
would allow state executive branch

agencies and officials to continue

adopting rules and regulations

that have the force and effect

of law without any opportunity

for the legislature to directly

revoke or suspend such rules and regulations.

Legislative oversight of administrative rules and
regulations.


Whenever the legislature by law has

authorized any officer or agency

within the executive branch of

government to adopt rules and

regulations that have the force and

effect of law, the legislature may

provide by law for the revocation

or suspension of any such rule and

regulation, or any portion thereof,

upon a vote of a majority of the

members then elected or appointed

and qualified in each house.

From Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks,

“This will basically allow the legislature to overturn regulations created by agencies, environmental agency for example,” Meeks said. “It would take away some of the governor’s administrative powers.”

Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.

Joshua Renfro Escapes From Lansing

Minimum-custody resident Joshua W. Renfro walked away from Lansing Correctional Facility

TOPEKA, Kansas. –  Minimum-custody resident Joshua W. Renfro was placed on escape status at approximately 9:00 p.m. after it was reported that he walked away from Lansing Correctional Facility on Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Renfro, a 39-year-old white male, was reported missing when the resident could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Renfro is serving a 30-month sentence for a 2020 Violation of an extended protection order conviction in Allen County. Renfro has four prior convictions dating back to 2001.

Renfro is 6 feet 1 inches tall, 175 pounds with Hazel eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his torso, neck, hands, arms and legs.

Anyone with information on Stroede can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 913-727-3235 ext. 58224, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The walk-away is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867. Serving only males, the facility maintains maximum and medium units totaling 1,920 beds and a 512-bed minimum security unit.

Bourbon County Local News