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Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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FS City Commission Meets August 4 at 6 p.m.
The City Commission will reconvene on Thursday, August 4th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. for the postponed meeting from August 2nd, 2022. at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast on the City’s you tube channel.
Obituary of Thomas Powell
Thomas Edwin Powell, age 82, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, August 03, 2022, at his home. He was born June 21, 1940, in Hiattville, KS, the son of Albert and Sara Hixon Powell. He married Beatrice June Combs on July 3, 1959, in Ft. Scott. She preceded him in death on November 22, 2020.
Tom worked for the Ft. Scott Fire Department for 30 years. He operated his own ranch for 50 years. Tom also owned and operated Fort Scott Motors on Wall Street. He was a hard working yet loving man. He loved spending time with his family on Sunday afternoons. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his children, Jerry Powell, Ft. Scott, Sherri Clark and husband Myron, Mt. Pleasant, NC, and Melany Felt, Ft. Scott; 2 sisters, Mary Estenson, Americus, KS, and Anna Smith, Ft. Scott; 9 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Powell, Jr., 2 grandsons, Scott Felt and Joe Johnson, and 4 brothers, George, Joe, Wayne, and Don Powell.
Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Saturday, August 6th, at the First Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Fireman’s Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
549 Fort Scott Residents Had No Power Following Storm Last Evening
As of 7:30 a.m. August 4, there were 549 Fort Scott residents on the north side still without power, according to a customer service representative at Evergy.
This follows a thunderstorm that swept through town on Wednesday evening.
To view the outage map:
At that time there was no estimated time to restore service yet, but a customer service agent at the Evergy phone number, said the outage was caused by a lightning strike, which caused a fire and that two substations are down.
They are in the process of delivering a mobile substation to Fort Scott, which will allow power on, but there is not estimated restore time, she said.
The agent said they are working as fast as they can to restore power.
One area where there was no power is from Pine Street on the north, to 8th Street on the south, from National Avenue diagonally to Short Street.
There was a smaller section just east of the substation just off of Old Fort Bvld. encompassing North Buchanan Street, and North Clark, Wilson and Hill Streets.
At 8 a.m. the City of Fort Scott posted this on its’ Facebook page:
“Power has been restored to most of those that lost electricity because of the substation fire (lightning strike) late yesterday, however, there are still some spotty areas that may still be without electricity. Buck Run Community Center is still available to those needing a place to cool off, rest (cots available), and to use medical equipment (such as oxygen concentrators). We appreciate everyone’s patience and support.”
Nick Johnson: New Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal
Nick Johnson, 35, is the new principal at Fort Scott Preschool Center.
He is not new to the district school system, however.
“I have worked in the USD 234 school district for the last thirteen years,” Johnson said. “I began my career teaching second grade at Eugene Ware Elementary. After the two elementary schools became attendance centers, I moved to Winfield Scott where I continued to teach second grade for nine more years. For the last three years, I have been teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies at Fort Scott Middle School.”
Since graduating from Fort Scott High School in 2005, Johnson earned an associate’s degree from Fort Scott Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University.
His hometown is Fort Scott.
His wife, Amanda, is also an educator who teaches elementary music at Jayhawk Elementary in Mound City. They have two sons- Leighton, 13, and Reid, 7.
When not teaching, he is involved in his children’s sports activities.
“My boys enjoy sports, so when I’m not at school, I am often coaching youth football, basketball, or baseball,” he said.
How did you choose to become a teacher?
“I worked part-time at The Keyhole Youth Center while attending FSCC. I enjoyed getting to know the youth who frequented the center and being a positive influence in their lives. That experience led me to explore the field of education.”
Is there someone who inspired you?
“While attending Fort Scott schools, I was fortunate to have many great teachers who influenced my career choice.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part about being an educator is having the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of our youth.”
What are the challenges?
“The biggest challenge we are facing at the preschool is the lack of physical space to meet the current demand for early childhood education services. We are looking forward to working with the district administration, school board, and community to develop a solution to meet the needs of our community.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 3
Obituary of Delores Lay
Delores Mae Lay, age 88, passed away July 29, 2022, in Susanville, CA, where she lived with her daughter, Valerie Martin. She had formerly lived with her husband, Bob Lay, in Hillsboro, OR, until his death in 2020. The two had been married 59 years.
Born on May 21, 1934, at her childhood home in North Braddock, PA, the tenth child of Charles and Anna (Fiyalko) Gregorovich, Dolores grew up there in a house on Stokes Avenue. She loved to share the memories of her childhood and especially her life growing up as the daughter of immigrants in an ethnic Slovak family. She had a wonderful gift of laughter, and she relished being doted on by her brothers and sisters. She was especially close to her beloved brother, Albert, also known as Abe.
Delores graduated from Scott High School in North Braddock, PA, and in the ‘50s she was employed at Isaly’s in that town. She later worked at the Homestead Steel Mill until she met and married Bob (Robert) Lay in 1960. Lastly, she worked at the Royal Valley School District in Hoyt, KS, as a paraprofessional during the 1980s.
A city girl, Delores met her handsome U.S. Marine, Bob Lay, who happened to be a Kansas farm boy, while vacationing with friends in Miami, FL, in 1959. The two fell in love instantly and were soon married. The couple lived in many places across the United States while Bob was stationed in the Marine Corps. Delores held down the home front, much of the time on her own, during Bob’s military deployments, some of which were overseas. As time passed, they finally settled in Hoyt, KS, until they both retired and found a home in Hillsboro, OR, in 2000.
Delores was a devoted and loving mother and wife who brought with her to this country many of the Slovak traditions, which she loved. She also brought laughter and joy into the lives of her children and to most people who knew her. One of her greatest gifts was her extraordinary memory, and she often would recount some of the stories of her life,” back in the day.” She also kept her “Memories” neatly cataloged in binders and photo albums, most of them carefully describing the date, time, and what was going on in the family’s life back then.
Delores was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters; Albert Gregorovich, Elsie Gregorovich, Wilma Evak, Ann Kocsis, Paul Gregorovich, Helen Gregorovich, Emily Bires, Peg Ford, and Charles Gregorovich, as well as her husband, Bob (Robert) Lay.
She is survived by her five children; Valerie (Ron) Martin, Susanville, CA, Mark Lay, Beaverton, OR, Quentin Lay, Beaverton, OR, Dwight Lay, Beaverton, OR, and Bobbie (Barbara) Lay, Rapid City, SD. Delores is also survived by seven grandchildren and many, many nieces, and nephews.
Delores’s main desire (and achievement) was that her children had lived and had good memories of the days gone by. In this, she definitely was a great success.
We thank you, Mom, for the precious gift of life that you gladly gave to each of your children. We will never forget the good times and sincere love that you poured out on all of us. Your laughter was a joy to us all, and your boundless love for others and your desire to take care of your family has been such a blessing. You will be much missed, but we thank you and will remember you always for your wonderful love.
Graveside interment for both Bob and Delores Lay will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 24th, 2022, at Osaga Cemetery, Fulton, KS. Military honors will be provided for Bob by the United States Marine honor guard. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Constitutional Amendment Question: Yes, in Bourbon County, but No Kansas Totals
Click below to view the unofficial primary election results submitted by Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk.
Most incumbents faired well in this election and the constitutional amendment proposed vote was Yes with 2, 335 votes and No-1,662 in Bourbon County. (See page 26 of the submitted documents)
UNOFFICIAL PRIMARY 2022 RESULTS
The state of Kansas election total results are different on this issue.
Kansans as a whole voted no on this constitutional amendment on abortion.
To view the Associated Press release:
https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team News July 2022
Submitted by Jody Hoener, The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. President and CEO, 620-215-2892,104 North National, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Obituary of Pauline Alsop
Pauline “Polly” Louise (Gordon) Alsop, affectionately known by family members as “Red”, 99, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away Friday morning, July 29, 2022, at Infinity Park Nursing Home in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born February 8, 1923, in Eve, Missouri, the daughter of John Worth and Lillian Lola (Kearns) Gordon. She married Harold Dean Alsop February 8, 1941, in Girard, Kansas, and he preceded her in death June 18, 1997.
She worked for several years at the Bourbon County Tag Office. She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, White Shrine of Jerusalem, and Order of the Eastern Star.
Polly was kind and tender-hearted. She had a love for children and animals. She loved to play bridge with lady friends in both Fort Scott and Clinton. And she was particularly fond of playing Rook with all her family members – always had a Rook game going! She loved watching the Royals and Chiefs on TV.
Polly welcomed anyone to her table – there was always an extra plate. She loved to bake and cook and give to friends and neighbors during the holidays. She was known for her pies; “Polly’s Pies” and always had homemade ice cream. Polly was always cooking for a house full of family members and their friends! She was known far and wide by dozens of high schoolers as ‘Aunt Polly’ and her house was always the gathering place of all the kids. Polly helped with MYF, Cub Scouts, Campfire; a little league baseball coach, homeroom mother…she did it all.
Polly also loved to sew and made clothes and costumes for her children and grandkids and made beautiful formals for her daughter Sue.
Polly is survived by her children, Gordon Dean Alsop, of Overland Park, Kansas; Ronald Dale Alsop, of Clinton, Missouri; and Paula Sue Black, also of Overland Park; five grandchildren, Kimberly DuVall, of Overland Park, Kansas; Michael Alsop, of Highland Ranch, Colorado; Hayley Bleck-Nemec, of Prairie Village, Kansas; Morgan Alsop, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Spencer Alsop, of Ocala, Florida; and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband Harold, Polly was also preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers, and three sisters.
Rev. Chris Eshelman will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Obituary of Thomas Madison
Thomas W. “Tom” Madison, 56, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022, as the result of a brain injury sustained in a motorcycle accident in Kansas City, Kansas on July 23, 2022. Tom was born July 6, 1966, son of William “Bill” Madison and Margie (Peterson) Madison in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Tom lived in Fort Scott during his early childhood before the family moved to Adrian, Missouri, then Columbus, Kansas to further his father’s career as a teacher and a coach.
The family returned to Fort Scott during Tom’s sixth-grade year. He attended Fort Scott schools through graduation from Fort Scott High School in 1984, where he was active in FFA. He earned his associate degree from Fort Scott Community College in 1986 where he was on the Rodeo Team and the Livestock Judging Team. He then attended Kansas State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education in 1990.
After graduating from Kansas State, Tom taught two years of high school agriculture and FFA in Lewiston, Nebraska, then moved to Paxico, Kansas where he managed the Tiffany Springs Ranch, then the Laflin Ranch in Olsburg, Kansas.
He returned home to Fort Scott in 1995. He worked for Mid-Continental Restoration for several years before returning to teaching agriculture and FFA for two years in Pleasanton, Kansas.
In the mid-2000’s Tom began Madison Trucking and had been in the business of contracting to haul cattle since that time. In recent years, he also worked for his cousin Billy Madison at Spring Hill Pork Processors.
Tom (and Lindsay) Madison have two daughters, Kendall, and Lauren, who he spent a great time with during their 4-H years showing swine and other livestock at the Bourbon County Fair as well as traveling to shows in a regional series, the Kansas State Fair, and the American Royal.
He spent many years during and after college competing in rodeos and team ropings where he developed many close friendships that lasted a lifetime.
If any family or friends ever needed a hand, he could build or fix about anything and was always willing to help. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, knew someone everywhere he went, and could be heard anywhere nearby with his big laugh.
Tom is survived by his daughters Kendall and Lauren, and their mother Lindsay. His mother Margie Madison, all of Fort Scott; and his brother-in-law Robert Handke of Leavenworth, Kansas. Also surviving are aunts and uncles of the Madison family Nora Karleskint, Norma Kramer, Warren Madison, Cathy (Pat) Thomas, Frank (Deb) Madison, Claude Madison; aunts and uncles of the Peterson Family Mary Lou Schafer, Frank Peterson, Von (Susan) Peterson, Verna May “Sissy” (Jay) Mall, and Edith Peterson (wife of late Harry “Sonny”) and many cousins and other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his late wife Talitha “Tally” Brown Madison; father, Bill Madison; sister Angela Madison Handke; aunts Carol (Madison) Lefever and Joyce Peterson; uncles Harry “Sonny” Peterson, Pat Peterson, Bill Peterson, Ben Karleskint and Bill Kramer; and cousin Todd Madison.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, August 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a memorial service on Monday, August 8 at 10 a.m., both at Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel in Fort Scott.
Burial will take place in Centerville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Cowboys for Cancer Crisis Fund in honor of late friend Doug Hazelbaker, or to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation 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 to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Update on Jail Staff Shortage
On June 16, 2022, Bourbon County Jail Administrator Bob Reed announced that inmates are being sent to other counties, because of staffing shortages.
On that day he announced that approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere, with a cost to the county of $40 per day per inmate.
Reed said he and Sheriff Bill Martin are still working on the problem.
“As of 08-01-2022 we have 30 inmates (out of 54) being housed out,” Reed said. ” Depending on the county that is $35-45 per inmate per day.”
Currently, there are 24 being housed in Bourbon County with the rest in Allen, Cherokee, and Wilson County’s jails, according to the jail’s daily reports.
The Bourbon County Law Enforcement staff are still transporting inmates for hearings, etc.
“Some hearings are done by zoom and some are done in person,” Reed said. ” The ones that are done in person are obviously transported here from the county they are being housed in and then transported back.”
“I currently have nine employees,” he said. “Three to five more will get us going.” Sixteen would make the jail fully staffed, he said.
“I have not been fully staffed for a long time,” he said.
Since June Sheriff Bill Martin and Reed have worked to raise the base pay from $12.50 an hour to $14.50 an hour, he said.
He said the county offers standard benefits of eye, health, dental, major medical insurance, sick time, and vacation.
To view the prior story: