Obituary

Obituary of Vicke Thornhill

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Vicki Sue Thornhill, age 66, a resident of rural Mapleton, Kansas, died unexpectedly Friday, October 22, 2021, at her home.

She was born February 19, 1955, in Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Kenneth Adams and Violet McQuay Adams.

Vicki had worked at the high school and also served as a bus drive for the Ballard, Missouri, school district.  At the time of her death, she was serving in the same capacity for the Jayhawk Linn School District.

She liked horses and dogs and also enjoyed going to auctions.

Vicki loved her family and was always ready to go on an outing with them or to attend any of her grandchildren’s activities.  While in Missouri, Vicki was a member of the Heart of Life Church in Adrian.

Survivors include her three children, Kenny Allen (Destiny) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Rocky Wheeler (J.R.), of Butler, Missouri and Richie Allen (Aimee) of Mapleton, Kansas; a daughter-in-law, Ann Allen of Waukee, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren, Kolby Allen (Megan), Kori Belcher (Darren), Damon Allen (Torie), Austin Collins, Jordyn Allen, Savana Allen, Kailee Allen, Morgan Wheeler, Jailynn Wheeler, Garrett Allen, Jackson Allen, Kendall Earnest, Spencer Allen, Zoie Wheeler, Nellie Earnest and Kenadee Allen; and three great-grandsons, Atlas, Oliver and Gage with one more great-grandchild on the way.  Also surviving is a step-son Jason Lewis and his family of the Florida Keys; a brother, Gary McQuay (Nyoka Simrell) and a sister, Sandra Dunfield (Lloyd) all of Nevada, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sons, Robert Garwood who died in infancy and Tony Allen.

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Friday, October 29th at the Community Christian Church.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Uncategorized

Hedgehog INK Begins Writing Wednesdays

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Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.

Writing Wednesdays start at Hedgehog.INK! on November 3, 10 and 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to kick-off
National Novel Writing Month.

“There is no fee for the sessions and they are intended to provide encouragement and support in our writing endeavors,” Jan Hedges, owner, said. “Whether it be writing a novel, a poem, working on a memoir, cookbook, genealogy or keeping a journal, you are invited to attend. No matter your age or writing skill level, you are invited to attend. Please help us share the word with others. We will meet in the Great Room at Hedgehog.INK!”

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Lots of Options For Kids On Halloween

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Many activities are planned for Fort Scott’s entertainment this Halloween.

Starting Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Common Ground Coffee House Fort Scott High School Debate and Forensic Students will be reading spooky stories.

Friday, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Presbyterian Village Assisted Living staff will be hosting trick or treaters outside the facility.

Also Friday, from  4 to 7 p.m., Briggs Auto Lot will be hosting trick or treaters.

Saturday at Buck Run Community Center from 9 to 10 a.m., kids can make creepy, crawly crafts for $1 and then come back from 1 to 3 p.m. to carve a pumpkin for $3.

At the Butcher Block, one can purchase smoked turkey legs or hot dogs for dinner and enjoy caramel apples at 6 p.m.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 30 at 11 a.m. in downtown Fort Scott.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., there will be special activities including pictures with a spooktacular backdrop at the City Scales building on North Main Street,  and face painting by Fort Scott High School Thespians.

The parade of children will trick-or-treat merchants along Main Street, starting at La Hacienda Restaurant, south to 2nd Street, crossing the street then heading north back to Skubitz Plaza, according to a Chamber press release.

Here are the business names that will be set up in front of The Liberty Theatre/Crooners: Front Door Real Estate, Fort Scott Gun and Pawn, Dr. Burke’s Office, and Paws and Claws.

Any businesses or organizations in the community, not located along Main Street, are welcome to set up a table on the sidewalk also providing treats, coupons, or other handouts for kids, according to the release.

Children are encouraged to bring a sack or bag to collect treats along the parade route.

Following the parade, a free hot dog lunch will be served to kids in costumes, according to the release.

The Chamber wishes to thank the sponsors which include, Briggs, Niece, Empress Center, KTCCU, Sharky’s, Valu-Merchandisers, Fort Scott Inn, Fort Scott Family Dental, Crain Insurance Agency, 3D Alternator, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, and Walgreens.

For more information contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566.

On Sunday, October 3, Sonic Drive-In Restuarant will have 50 cent corndogs for sale all day.

On Sunday evening, both Community Christan Church and the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene will be hosting trunk and treats for the community.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Rebecca Franklin

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Rebecca Mae Franklin, age 64, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, died Sunday, October 24, 2021, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born June 5, 1957 in Grandview, Missouri the daughter of William and Anne Holt. She graduated from Grandview High School. Rebecca married Howard Franklin in March of 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was self-employed, and worked many small jobs to help take care of her family. Rebecca enjoyed knitting and spending time with her family, mainly the grandkids.

Rebecca is survived by her husband, Howard of the home; a son William Franklin, and fiancé Carrie, of Fort Scott; grandchildren, Christiphor Franklin, Cory Franklin, Corbin Franklin, and Liam Franklin; step-grandchildren, Bryson Hall and Blakelynn Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant daughter, Christi Michelle Franklin.

There was cremation. A celebration of like will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Rebecca Franklin Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Business

New Business: Rocking K Construction

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Brandon Krebs, owner of Rocking K Construction. Submitted photos.

Brandon Krebs, started a new business, Rocking K Construction, in August 2021.

Krebs offers the community brush mowing, pasture reclaiming, hauling and excavation, demolition, snow removal, leveling for both residential and commercial, and firewood for the winter. He offers free quotes for proposed work.

“I enjoy being able to help people out and offer honest, fair prices to the community,” he said. “As a lifelong resident of Fort Scott, I feel I can help the community out and look forward to building loyal customers and lifelong relationships.”

He has a background in farm and construction.

“I started out on a family farm running tractors, grain trucks, combines, and other equipment from the age of 9 to 14 years old,” he said. “Then went on to work for local businesses doing the same work until 25. I then worked construction for three years, running big equipment such as dozers, track hoes, haul trucks, scrapers, etc. “
He drove a tow truck, and picked up repossessed cars for four years, and then worked at Twister Trailers for five years.
Rocking K Construction is owned by Brandon Krebs. Submitted photos.
In his spare time, Krebs enjoys outdoor activities.
“I like spending time with my kids, family, and friends going fishing, camping, boating, and riding motorcycles, he said. “I enjoy participating in benefit rides such as the Care to Share Ride and being a part of charity events raising money for those in need.”
Krebs can reach by phone at 620-215-3570
Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Randy Nichols

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In my position as a city commissioner, I have remained silent regarding issues involving the one-cent city sales tax.  Not speaking out is no longer an option.

We as commissioners all recognize the importance of infrastructure but the infrastructure is not our only responsibility to our citizens.

The people of Fort Scott have for two years been subjected to a “fake news,” misinformation campaign.  A city commissioner and people who guide him allege the one-cent city sales tax is illegal or not being used lawfully.  They are wrong!

This tax is being used just as it was intended.  To say otherwise is an insult to the intelligence of the voters who approved the tax in 1986.  To say otherwise fails to recognize that commissioners have in good faith been using this tax for the benefit of our community for thirty-five years.  To say otherwise disregards the fact that the state has never questioned the validity of this tax.

The one-cent city sales tax is the major funding source for our police and fire departments.  If these people divert or stop this tax they will effectively be DEFUNDING the police and fire departments.  To avoid defunding police and fire money would either have to be taken from assets like Buck Run, LaRoche field, Gunn Park, codes department and economic development or our property taxes would need to be raised more than 30 mils.

To defund public safety, to not support the assets that attract people to Fort Scott or to raise our property taxes by 30 mils would be a death blow to sustaining and growing our community.

Don’t believe the Fake News.

Don’t DEFUND the police and fire departments.

Don’t risk having your property taxes increased by more than 30 mils.

Be wise in your choice of candidates this election.  Your vote will make a difference.

 

Randy Nichols MD

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

What Will Your Retirement Be?

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Barbara Stockebrand. K-State Extension Agent. Submitted photo.

What Will Your Retirement Be?

We humans spend a lot of time and effort planning ahead for different stages of our lives. A good amount of that effort involves planning for the finances that will be involved, such as purchasing a car or home, starting a family, education for ourselves or our children, or retirement. All of these require a commitment to some kind of planning process to make the puzzle pieces fit together.

I’ve written about retirement before. Maybe that is because every day brings me a little closer to my own. When we are younger, we feel we have more options or time to reach some of those larger goals as previously mentioned. We might take on additional work or put off a larger purchase giving ourselves more time to collect the funds needed. We might even decide to change course in our decision-making process…because we have the time. Retirement often seems a far-off distant concept in our younger years, which is why we sometimes put off thinking about or preparing for retirement.

More serious thoughts about retirement loom as we get closer to that stage in life – “Do I have the finances set aside to sustain me?” “Will my health hold out for the long haul?” “Will I need to make major changes to my lifestyle? If so, when?” These can be nagging questions, because, like previous stages, there are uncertainties. However, in reaching this stage in life, there are limits in our ability to compensate for shortfalls, such as the time and ability to change course or acquire more funding.

It goes without saying that preparing for retirement should begin before the event is official. There may be much to do that may include a transition to a different lifestyle. Income and expenses will likely change as a result. Following are three general aspects that may help in the retirement consideration process.

Organize Your Finances. Take a closer look at your monthly or annual budget. Project the changes you expect to take place when you retire. For example, will you continue to work part-time, start receiving a pension, or count on Social Security for support? With our longer life expectancies, retirement can last decades. Your tax bracket may change, so look ahead by doing some tax planning in relation to how your future income will be taxed based on tax laws related to pensions and Social Security.

Plan Your New Lifestyle. Start thinking about where you want to live. Have your children moved, or have you? You may want to move closer to them. Is a recreational or leisurely type of retirement important to you? Where might that best happen for you? Do you want to consider senior housing with plenty of conveniences and support, as well as the freedom to come and go? Consider the monthly income you will need for any of these options. You may want to add more to your IRA or investment accounts to support your retirement wishes.

Start taking steps now. Besides stashing away more money to prepare for the golden years, there are other preparations that can be made. If you are close to retirement, you might consider downsizing your furnishings and personal effects, so you don’t need as much space in the future if you move. If a move is in your plan, start looking at the neighborhoods where you want to live after retirement to help you acclimate to a different lifestyle and community.

Many plan to retire right where they are. If a consideration now is to make your home a safer and comfortable living space, some modifications may need to be made. Most modifications are simple, but a remodel may be done as part of that preparation. Just for fun, or a little inspiration, take a look at the Universal Design Living Laboratory at www.udll.com. This is more house than most of us need. However, many of the concepts included, such as the hardwood flooring, creating clear and wider paths, adding natural light, and no steps, are some good features to study. Think through your options now for an easier transition before it becomes necessary. There is also a vast resources list on that site with helpful information.

We’ve heard it before, “It’s never too soon to start planning for retirement.” What would you like your retirement to look like?

For more information on simple home modifications or home assessment tools, contact the Southwind Extension District Office in Yates Center at 620-625-8620.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Friday Night Free Concert: St. Martin’s Academy

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Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

Students of Saint Martin’s Academy will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The school currently has an enrollment of 55 boys, ages 13 to 18. The music department is under the direction of Dave Agee and Daniel Kerr.

“This lively group of young men will warm your heart with their endearing performances of folk, country, and gospel songs,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “In addition to their musical talent, these students have proven to be an asset to the community with their willingness to help out in various areas. We are pleased to welcome Saint Martin’s Academy back to perform in our downtown pavilion. This concert will conclude the 2021 season, so bring a friend and join us for an enjoyable evening of music.”

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Stephan Moses will serve as sound technician this 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 Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Bourbon County Local News