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Death Notice of Ronald Palmer
Ronald Charles Palmer, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 25th at the First Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until service time at the Church.
Memorials are suggested to either the First Baptist Church or the Ronald and Shirley Palmer FSCC Scholarship Fund 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.
What Kind of Friend are You? by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
My author friend, Maggie Wallem Rowe, had the privilege of sharing a working lunch with the Rev. Dr. Barry Black, who has served as Chaplain of the United States Senate since 2003. Dr. Black, who grew up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Baltimore, held master’s degrees in divinity, counseling, and management as well as a doctorate in ministry and a doctor of philosophy degree in psychology. “One smart dude,” my friend says.
Dr. Black was asked to say grace before the group began eating, and Maggie said that she expected a lengthy prayer. Instead, this is what Dr. Black said: “Dear Father, there are friends who have no food, and those with food who have no friends. Today, Father, we are most fortunate to have both food and friends. For this we most humbly thank you. In Christ’s name, Amen.” During this Thanksgiving season, I am reminded of how much I take my friends for granted. Oh, yes, I always am thankful for the elaborate buffet spread before me as my daughter-in-law Jenn opens her home to dozens of relatives and friends, but when was the last time I thanked God for old (and new) friends who forgive my failings and seem grateful for the times (fewer than ever due to my new job) that we can hang together or even talk on the phone? Those who never make me feel guilty but manage to pick up where we left off every time we reconnect?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 weighs the importance of those kinds of friends: Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Let’s be honest. Losing friends is easy. Making friends takes effort. Or God does it for us. In the Bible, we read about the Christian-persecutor, Saul, who was determined to stop the movement of Jesus followers. In a split second, a blinding bolt of light caused him to fall off his horse, lose his eyesight and meet Jesus. How desperate he must have been…until, that is, God introduced him to two of the best friends he would ever have.
First, God commanded Ananias to go to Saul to support him through his anguish and to teach him about Jesus Christ. And then there was Barnabas, Paul’s friend in Jerusalem through which he met the disciples. Like all good friends, they were present. Especially in hard times. Good friends drive hundreds of miles or jump on a plane to be with us when we are struggling. They make the effort…with no guilt or excuses.
Good friends know how to speak the right words at the right time. Or they just remain silent and let their presence speak for them. Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)
Ananias did not berate Saul on what a terrible person he had been. Instead, he shared the truth with Saul in a very gentle way and baptized him. The first person whom Saul saw after he heard the truth of the Holy Spirit was a God-sent friend. For several days, Ananias encouraged Saul. Good friends look for the best in each other.
Acts 9:26 says that the disciples were terrified of meeting Saul. Enter Barnabas who joined the band of twelve and Saul together to form a partnership that birthed the Christian church. Barnabas stayed with Saul for a lifetime. They started churches together, they grew missionaries together, and they even stayed together in the midst of disagreement.
During this Thanksgiving season, thank God for the true friends with which He has blessed you. More importantly, be that friend to someone else.
County Commission Meeting on Monday 11/24/25 Canceled
The Bourbon County Commission Meeting scheduled for Monday 11/24/25 has been canceled due to lack of quorum, per the County Clerk’s office.
Obituary of Edward L. LaRue
Edward L. LaRue, age 79, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born December 19, 1945. Ed grew in the Xenia area where he was raised by his grandparents, Tom & Myra Johnson. Ed graduated from Bronson High School. He was later drafted into the United States Army where he served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Following his military service, Ed began a career in gas service. He worked as a pipeline installer and customer service representative for many years. Ed was united in marriage to Mary L. Esch on May 4, 1968, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Ed and Mary settled on their farm south of Bronson where he remained for the remainder of his days. He enjoyed life in the country where he fished and hunted deer. He also liked driving around the countryside and playing the occasional game of pitch. Many memories were made while traveling on their many family vacations.
Ed is survived by his children, Jeff LaRue, Jennifer LaRue (Rusty) and Jason LaRue (Heather) as well as two additional daughters he and Mary raised, Tess Johnson and Tina Gossett (David), five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on February 25, 2015.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 22nd at the Bronson Cemetery. Following services, the family will receive friends at the Bronson Community Center. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Shriner’s Hospital 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 left on the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas Labor Statistics Are Delayed
Bureau of Labor Statistics Operations Have Resumed, October Labor Report Delayed
TOPEKA – Due to the lapse in federal funding, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025. As a result, the release of the October 2025 Kansas Labor Report, including jobs numbers and unemployment data, which was originally scheduled for November 21, was postponed until further notice.
With the conclusion of the federal government shutdown on November 12, 2025, BLS operations have resumed. While work is underway, updated release dates for the delayed Kansas Labor Market reports for September and October are not yet available. The Kansas Department of Labor will share the new release dates as soon as they are confirmed.
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Fort Scott Planning Commission Meets December 11
Planning Commission Public Hearing
December 11th @4pm at City Hall
Topics : Connex Boxes and Frame Grant Street adoption at 1920 S Huntington Blvd
CHC/SEK Offers Walk-In Flu Vaccinations
As flu season begins, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) encourages everyone aged six months and older to receive their yearly flu vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“It’s important to get your flu vaccine annually, because each year’s version includes the viruses expected to be most common,” said Dr. Linda Bean, CHC/SEK Chief Medical Officer. “If you get your vaccination now, you’ll be able to build up immunity before flu season peaks in the winter.”
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas offers flu vaccinations on a walk-in basis at all clinics in Kansas and Oklahoma. No appointment is necessary, and financial assistance is available.
In addition to receiving the annual vaccine, everyday habits such as washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, and avoiding close contact with people who are ill can help reduce your risk of getting the flu.
For more information or to find your local clinic, visit chcsek.org/our-
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports November 21
Gordon Parks Birthday CelebrationIs December 3
Fort Scott, Kan. Nov. 20, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will
celebrate the anniversary of Gordon Parks’ birthday on Wednesday, December 3rd for a speaking
presentation and performance by Lem Sheppard, internationally known musician and historian titled
“Gordon Parks: His Music and The Music Around Him”. The event is free of charge and the public is
invited to attend. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to receive a 25% birthday discount on all
apparel items.
Parks, born in Fort Scott on November 30, 1912, would have been 113 this year. He died in March 7,
2006 at the age of 93.
For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620- 223-2700, ext. 5850 or by email
at [email protected]
Celebrating Gordon Parks
113th Birthday
Lunch & Learn
FREE EVENT
Bring your lunch
Birthday Cake and Drinks, will be provided!!
Join us as Lem Sheppard, internationally known musician and historian
will be presenting a program of some of Gordon’s music along with Jazz,
blues, and Spirituals. Gordon Parks was born and grew up during the
period that was referred to as the Harlem Renaissance and he will perform
music that Gordon would have experienced as a child in Fort Scott,
as well as in; St. Paul, Chicago and New York City.
For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at
620 -223-2700 ext 5850 or email: gordonparkscenter@fortscott.
No Bourbon County Commission Meeting On November 24
The Commission Meeting on Monday 11/24/25 has been canceled due to lack of quorum.
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk
Annual Key Warehouse Sale November 22nd-29th
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