Obituary

Obituary of Charles Paul Sellers

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Charles Paul Sellers, 65, passed away at the VA home in Warrensburg, Missouri, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. He was born August 4, 1959, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Garland Dell Sellers and Norma Jean (Quick) Sellers. He married Amy Seal July 29, 2016, in Miami, Oklahoma, and she survives of the home.

Charles graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1977. He was an Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts, and he served in the United States Navy, retiring as Chief Petty Officer on December 24, 1998. He attained Master Mason June 11, 1979. Charles was a Facility Manager for St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. He was also a Teaching Pastor at New Freedom Church in Sioux City, as well as pastoring at Gospel Mission. He received two Master’s Degrees, Human Resources and Hospital Administration, from Briar Cliff University, where he was an Adjunct Professor.

In addition to his wife Amy, Charles is also survived by his mother, Norma; his children, Tawnya Elisabeth Riddell (Mike), of Grants Pass, Oregon, David Paul Sellers (Rachael), of Rathdrum, Idaho, Cassandra Lynn Covelli (PJ), of Tampa, Florida, and step children , Mia Perry, of Mission, Kansas, Kyle Perry (Katilyn), of Olathe, Kansas, Ryan Porter (Rhiannon), of Jacksonville, Texas; two brothers, Donald Sellers (Debbie), of Wellsville, Kansas, and James Sellers (Jackie), of Fort Scott, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Matthew, Rylee, and Dawson, and three step grandchildren, Keyleigh, Ava, and Wesley. He was preceded in death by his father, and his second wife, Cindy Syrcle, both respectfully in 2015.

Following cremation, Pastor Christopher Eshelman will officiate graveside services at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2025, at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to services on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, and leave for the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Veteran’s Community Project either online at https://www.veteranscommunityproject.org/kansascity or may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by CarHelp Full-Service Repair Shop

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Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

CarHelp

Full-Service Repair Shop
Thursday, July 10th

8am

at

1114 S. Clark St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by CarHelp Full-Service Repair Shop, 1114 S. Clark St., located in the 5 Corners Mini-Mart complex at 12th and Clark Streets, just off of 69 highway, this Thursday, July 10th at 8am. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.

CarHelp is owned by Leroy Walker and Lori Lovelace and offers a wide range of auto repair services. With over 35 years combined experience, Leroy, along with Mechanical Technician Andrew Burenheide specialize in brakes, struts, tune-ups, A/C servicing, and more. CarHelp is also a BG dealer and a local outlet for U-Haul truck and trailer rentals.

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

Click HERE to visit the CarHelp Facebook Page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Area News

Tri-Valley Foundation Truck Raffle Winner Announced

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Joe Love, Colorado, is the winner of the vehicle. Submitted photo.

25th Raffle Drawing Winner Announced

On Friday, June 20th, the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation drew a winning ticket for their 25th Annual Truck Raffle Drawing.  This year’s winner was Joe Love from Colorado.  Joe is pictured above standing next to his 2025 Ford F150 Platinum Edition Truck.  The Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation thank everyone who entered in this year’s raffle drawing.  One thousand six hundred eighty-three tickets were sold.  All funds raised from the raffle drawing go towards providing quality and affordable housing for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties in SE Kansas.  Raffle License:  RAF000005.

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda Packet for the Uniontown City Council on July 10 at 7 p.m.

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ROLL CALL:  ___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Sally Johnson – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of June 10, 2025 Regular Council Meeting
  2. June Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & June Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

202 4th St- Mowing and Overgrown Weeds

306 Washington St- Mowing and Overgrown Weeds

406 Fulton Street- Mowing and Overgrown Weeds (nuisance vehicle?)

405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed & mowing

Smith Estate-falling down shed & tin roof

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

Junk Vehicle Citation-Citation given on 6/13/25

Keys made for all Council Members

Dakota Harrison/Lilly Wright Final Bill not paid-CBK to collect?

Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA-new audit agreement

KMGA Choose Director & Alternate-

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilwoman Pritchett –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – have received all supplies ordered, and some work is complete, but still an ongoing project for

the City Library and City Office

 

FEMA Flooding–Ag Engineering did stop the Hydrology Study. Conference call with Carlise Jones, new FEMA Project

Manager, he stated will send the mitigation project on to be approved or disapproved without the Engineer Hydrology Study.

 

Sidewalk-Letter sent to Rainbow Organic Farms, but not picked up, another letter sent to owner’s home address.

 

Park electric –Kelly Electric will work on this project soon.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

Motion by _____________, Second by   __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 

 

Attachments:

06102025 Regular Minutes(1)

2025 Financials-June

 

 

Area News, Health Care

Freeman Health System Unveils Renovated Cardiac Cath Lab  

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Dr. Ryan Longnecker with cath lab equipment. Submitted photo.

 

Investing in Heart Care                                       

Joplin, MO. – There was a time, decades ago, when Freeman Health System Cardiologist Dr. Ryan Longnecker heavily relied on rolls of chest X-ray film to help diagnose a patient’s heart problem.

On Monday morning, Freeman’s Director of Cardiovascular Service Line was proud to exhibit Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute’s newly renovated Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Room 1, which will enable the Institute to provide more advanced care for Freeman’s cardiac patients.

The Institute, Dr. Longnecker said, is home to four cath labs; the renovated Room 1 opened just 11 days ago.

“This is an exciting time for us,” he said. “We’ve continued to upgrade and enhance our equipment over the years with cutting-edge technology for the benefit of our patients, and also for the benefit of our staff.”

To that end, the ceiling-mounted, Phillips-manufactured cath lab equipment reduces the radiation dosage a cardiac patient – and the cardiac team working on that patient – receives by nearly 50 percent.

“The reason we’re so excited about this lab is not only is the picture quality amazing, but it actually uses less radiation to take pictures,” Dr. Longnecker said.

X-ray dosage has always been a concern for cardiac physicians and their teams working inside cath labs; it’s the reason why they wear lead-lined suits or aprons to protect themselves from radiation exposure. In the past, a reduction in radiation meant less reliable imaging. Thanks to the new technology, radiation from x-rays is reduced without negatively impacting image quality.

“The pictures this machine generates – they are just amazing,” Dr. Longnecker said.

The system’s technology, he continued, can produce extremely high-quality images for angiograms.

“This is an advancement that we feel is very important for our patients and staff,” Dr. Longnecker continued. “The less radiation that we can be exposed to, the less amount of side effects there will be when working inside the lab.”

Additional benefits the system provides include:

* Creating three-dimensional representations of a patient’s heart and blood vessels.

* Overlaying those 3D images onto a real-time, two-dimensional fluoroscopic view of a patient’s heart helps create a detailed “roadmap” for Dr. Longnecker to follow.

* Due to quality and sharpness of images, less contrast (dye) injections are needed. The dye enhances the visibility of certain tissues or structures in x-rays or CT scans, but the dye can sometimes cause allergic reactions.

* Stent visualization technology so physicians can see old stents inside arteries and help them more easily land new stents

* Can estimate the size of a blockage, helping the physician determine a optimal-sized stent.

The renovated cath lab will only enhance Freeman’s Level 1 STEMI designation, in which Freeman’s door-to-balloon time is less than 55 minutes, lower than the 90-minute recommendation.

“We’re so excited to have this technology and to bring it to the Joplin area,” Dr. Longnecker said, “It’s really second to none.”

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Schools

How Federal Education Funding Freeze Will Effect U235 School District

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All American schools, including local schools, will be impacted by the funding freeze that President Trump has directed the U.S. Department of Education to delay, pending a review.

Vance Eden, superintendent for USD 235. Photo from the school districts website.

USD235 Superintendent Vance Eden remains hopeful that the Trump administration will unfreeze funds, enabling schools to continue operations as authorized by Congress, he said.

Here is his statement
“The Uniontown USD 235 School District receives federal “Title” funds to support students.  Currently, the Trump administration has directed the US Department of Education to delay reimbursement of some of these funds until a review can be completed.  These Title funds aren’t a single lump of money, but instead are received by the district with individual designations for individual purposes.  While we don’t qualify in all categories, the following three specifically apply to Uniontown.
  • Title IIA- These funds can be used to reduce class sizes and were initially used to add a teacher, and that position has continued to be paid with Title II funds.  Our allocation for the coming year is $25,222.  While not all funds the district receives can be used for teacher salaries, this can and has been a meaningful part of our budget and the goal of maintaining a quality salary schedule.  The removal of this funding stream will make it more difficult to continue this practice.
  • Title IVA-  These funds can’t be used on people and but instead are used primarily on safety and security items and also things that “extend the curriculum.” Our next year allocation was set at $17,492. While most are likely unaware if anything in their classroom has been purchased with these funds, the reality is that probably all of them have had some benefit.  I manage these funds and purchase qualifying items throughout the school year as teachers submit requisitions that can qualify.  As an example, field trips, science experiment supplies, digital cameras for the yearbook team, a pottery wheel, the window display at WBE, and a good chunk of the smartboards in the district are all things that have been purchased with these funds over the past few years.  These funds invite creativity and foster a robust and quality learning experience.  Losing these funds directly impacts our ability to maintain this commitment in the future without cutting from other areas or increasing the mill levy (which no one wants).
  • Title IVB-  These funds pay for the WBE after-school program and summer program.  Without this allocation, the district will not be able to afford to continue to offer this to students and parents. 
We also receive Title I funds, which are used to support math and reading support at WBE.  These funds are stated to still be usable for the coming year.  This is good news as it represents our largest area of allocation and would be extremely difficult to adjust for in its absence.
I’d encourage you to visit with our federal legislators during this period of review to help them consider this change in direction and priority, as ultimately, they SHOULD control the disbursement of funds.  Most likely, none of us enjoys making these contacts, but I want you to be informed and involved, as these decisions will affect us all.”
To contact your elected representatives, according to the Bourbon County, KS website:

US Senator


Roger Marshall – (R)
PO Box 1588
Great Bend, KS 67530
(202) 224-4774

Jerry Moran – (R)
PO Box 1372
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620-232-2286

Derek Schmidt
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-6601

 

This graphic is taken from a Newsweek online story dated July 7, 2025.
Fort Scott, Government

Work Continues on the Street Corner at 6th and Main

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FS Public Works Staffer Christian looks on while Kenny Allen works on the Bobcat at 6th and Main Streets.

 

Fort Scott Public Works Department staff were preparing for a concrete pour at the corner of 6th and Main Streets today.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of July, unless other issues are identified.

The project was on the list for work, but water issues at the Neice building, which is being renovated, sped up the timeline.

A staff person said water was pooling in the street corner, which was leaking into the Neice building.

Area News, Business, Kansas

Evergy Is Allowed to Recover Costs, From Customers

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KCC approves settlement agreements allowing Evergy to
recover costs to build two gas plants and a solar facility

TOPEKA – This afternoon, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved two settlement agreements which allow Evergy Kansas Central (EKC) to recover the cost of three new generation facilities intended to meet increasing electric demand and improve reliability. Last fall, the utility announced plans to build two gas plants and a solar facility. Evergy filed an application with the Commission in November, requesting a determination of how costs incurred will be recovered from customers.

The application generated a great deal of interest. In addition to Evergy and Commission Staff, 31 parties sought and were granted the right to intervene and formally participate in the proceedings. As a result of their work, the Commission was presented with two settlement agreements for consideration: a unanimous settlement agreement regarding the solar facility, and a non-unanimous settlement agreement on the gas plants.

Evergy is proposing the new solar facility (Kansas Sky) to be located in Douglas County and owned 100% by Evergy Kansas Central. The estimated cost of construction is $228.1 million. After careful review, the Commission found the unanimous settlement agreement related to Kansas Sky was supported by substantial, competent evidence, will result in just and reasonable rates, and is in the public interest.  In making this finding, the Commission found the arguments regarding resource diversification compelling.  To date, very little utility-scale solar generation has been successfully developed in Kansas, and the profile and attributes of solar energy, if developed, will be complimentary to existing generation in the region, including wind generation.

Evergy’s gas plant proposal calls for two 710 MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants. The Viola plant will be located near Evergy’s Viola Substation in Sumner County and is expected to operate by January 1, 2029. The McNew plant will be built in Reno County and is expected to operate by January 1, 2030. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West will each have 50% ownership in the gas plants. The cost of construction to Evergy Kansas Central is estimated at $788.75 million for the Viola plant and $800.52 million for the McNew plant.

The Commission finds approving the CCGT Settlement is in the public interest.  The Commission believes the CCGT Settlement is an efficient and reliable plan to add generation capacity to Evergy’s fleet.  Furthermore, the Commission believes the CCGT Settlement contains sufficient safeguards and guardrails to protect customers in the event of cost overruns.

The CCGT settlement will not immediately impact rates. Other than the Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) rider recently authorized by the Legislature, which Evergy can begin utilizing 365 days after construction begins on each plant, no other costs will be added to rates until Evergy files a subsequent rate case.

The frequency of rate cases is also addressed by the Commission in today’s order.

“The Commission is troubled by the frequency and magnitude of rate cases and strongly encourages Evergy to focus on pacing investment to better align with load growth and mitigate large rate increases. The Commission understands new investment is needed to support reliability and economic development in Kansas. However, affordability must be a major priority and proactively pursued as Evergy addresses a seemingly endless list of “justifiable” projects and initiatives. To meet future capacity needs, for example, the Commission will expect Evergy to demonstrate its serious consideration of less capital-intensive options like demand response, utilization of surplus interconnection sites and grid-enhancing technologies.”

Today’s order is available here.

The Kansas Sky unanimous settlement agreement is available here.

The CCGT non-unanimous settlement agreement is available here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

 

 

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Bourbon County, Government

Revised Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Meeting Today, July 7

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BOURBON COUNTY,
KANSAS
Bourbon County, Kansas
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
July 07, 2025, 5:30 PM (Revised)
I. Call Meeting to Order
 Roll Call
 Pledge of Allegiance
 Prayer
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes from 06.30.25 & 07.01.25
IV. Consent Agenda
 Approval of 06.24.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $110,518.99
V. Public Hearing 5:35 Plaster Road Closing
VI. Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to
protect their privacy.
VII. Old Business
 Zoning Advisory Board – Milburn
 Fence Viewing Resolution – Beerbower
 Juvenile Detention– Beerbower
 Stronghold Update – Milburn
 Housing agreement with Johnson County – Beerbower
 Ealyn Taylor – Animal Control – Beerbower
 Public Works Safety Audit – Dr. Cohen
 Cameras – Beerbower
VIII. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
IX. New Business
 Resolution for the Cancellation of Outstanding Checks – Susan Walker
 KAC Convention – Beerbower
 Audit Agreement for Fiscal Year Ending 2025
 Policy & Procedures – Beerbower
X. Commission Comments
XI. Adjournment
Future business that has been tabled in past meetings or planned for future meetings:
 Economic Development Direction
 911 Agreement
 Precinct Legal Resolution
 Doherty Health Benefits review – Executive Session August 2025
 NRP Update July 14th
 Courthouse Repairs August 4th
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – FORM OF MOTION
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their
privacy
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be
deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in
consultation with the representatives of the body or agency
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations,
partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real estate
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters
at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures
The subject to be discussed during executive session: ________________________________________
State persons to attend
Open session will resume at _____ A.M./P.M. in the commission chambers.

Obituary

Obituary of Joycelyn Elaine Malone

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Joycelyn Elaine Malone, age 92, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away July 3, 2025, at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. She was born June 22, 1933, to William (Bill) and Nina Norris in Nevada, MO. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1951, then attended the Mercy School of Nursing. She married Keith Farley Malone on November 2, 1952.

Joycelyn babysat for several families while her three children were young, then worked at the Newman-Young Clinic for several years. Later, she worked full time keeping books for their family business –
Malone Plumbing.

Joycelyn was an active member of the Church of Christ for her entire life and attended the Church of Christ on Margrave Street. She was devoted to her Lord and to the brethren of her congregation.

Joycelyn is survived by her husband Keith; her three children, Brent Malone (Connie), Brandon Malone (Kathy), and Gaynor Crane (Stephen); 9 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. She was an active influence in the lives of her family members and contributed much to their character, success, and well-being throughout her entire life.

Joycelyn was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Carl and Billye Malone, sister-in-law Karen Heppler (Malone), step-granddaughter Leesa Meree Haehn (Hite), brother Claude Norris and sister-in-law Phyllis Norris, and brother Bill Norris and sister-in-law Lois Norris.

Joycelyn enjoyed raising flowers and working in her yard. She was an avid supporter of family events opening her home to large groups of relatives from both sides of the family every year. She spent a great deal of her time supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting activities. She was a cheerful, devoted, and practical example of love to us all.

Joycelyn chose cremation and has requested no funeral service but visitation and interment at a future date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Local News