TOPEKA, Kansas – A Hutchinson Correctional Facility resident who died Tuesday, Oct. 27 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the seventh resident death related to COVID-19.

The resident tested positive for the virus on Oct. 13 and was transferred to the hospital on Oct. 16. The resident’s family has asked that his name not be released. He was a 66-year old while male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.

The resident was serving an indeterminate life sentence for aggravated sodomy. He had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since August 1988.

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men. Formerly known as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, the facility has three buildings including the Central (all custody levels), East (low-medium custody) and South (minimum) units.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. For information on the KDOC’s response to COVID-19, visit https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates.

Obituary

Obituary of Richard Marshall

October 27, 2020 Submitted Story 1 Comment

Richard Dean Marshall, age 94, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at the Via Christi Medical Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born November 11, 1925, in West Mineral, Kansas, the son of William Riley Marshall and Theo Anna Sanderson Marshall.

Richard graduated from the West Mineral High School and went on to serve with the United States Army during World War II.

Richard married Marie Hoover on August 27, 1950, at Hannon, Missouri.

Following his service with the Army, Richard began a career in education. He first received his BS Degree from K-State University and then taught school in Girard, Jennings and Blue Mound Kansas. He later received his Masters Degree from Pittsburg State University. Richard went on to serve as principal at Bronaugh, Missouri and later Mound City and Prescott, Kansas.

Following his retirement, Richard worked for a time at the Water Treatment Plant in Ft. Scott. He also enjoyed farming and raising cattle. In earlier years, Richard had served as a club leader for the Northwest Scott 4-H Club. Richard was an active member of the First Southern Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher and lay pastor. He had also helped establish the Ft. Scott chapter of Gideon’s International.

Richard will be lovingly missed by his wife, Marie; two children, Diane (Darrell) Spencer, of Ft. Scott and Marcus Marshall, of Wichita; four grandchildren, Susan (John) West, of Ft. Scott, Derrick (Rebecca) Spencer, of Westchester, California, Darren Spencer, of Ft. Scott and Christine (Charley) Bailes, of Kansas City, Kansas; eight great-grandchildren, Ashleigh (Dale) Brauer, of Girard, Kansas, Marcus (Ashley) Page, of Kansas City, Kansas, Andrew (Sarah) Page, of Kansas City, Missouri, Eric Page, Aaron (Janae) West and Brandon (Darci) West, all of Ft. Scott and Crosby and Rae Marie Bailes of Kansas City, Kansas; and four great-great-grandchildren, Theo, Carter, Ava and Maverick. Also surviving is a sister, Ann Martens, of Olathe, Kansas, a sister-in-law, Retha Gries of North Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Carl, Charles and Ray Marshall and two sisters, Xenia Allen and Virginia Chance.

Rev. Steven Porter and Rev. Marty McCord will conduct a memorial service at 2:30 P.M. Monday, November 2^nd at the First Southern Baptist Church.

Private burial will take place prior to the funeral service on Monday at the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the American Legion.

Memorials are suggested to the Southern Baptist Church or the Gideon’s 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.

Obituary

Obituary of Beth Ann Tinsley

October 27, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Beth Ann Tinsley, age 77, a resident of Bronson, Kansas passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at the Moran Manor Nursing Home in Moran, Kansas.

She was born January 17, 1943, in Moran, the daughter of Francis Bradford Glasgow and Keitha Yelton Glasgow.

She married Paul Everette Tinsley on May 25, 1959, at Lone Elm, Kansas.

In earlier years, Beth worked for Reasoner’s Equipment in Bronson. She later owned and operated B & P Sport Shop in Bronson and also operated her own dog breeding kennel.

She was a member of the Xenia Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Paul, of the home in Bronson and three children, Paula Ann Vincent, of Hiattville, Kansas and Everette Allen Tinsley and James Bradford Tinsley, both of Bronson and four grandchildren, David Paul Vincent, Deanaira Vincent, Dana Vincent and Alex Lee Lukenbill. Also surviving is a brother, Phillip Glasgow, of Lawrence, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 1^st at the Bronson Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

CHC Offers Rapid COVID-19 Testing

October 27, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott..

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott now offers rapid testing for the COVID-19 virus for those with symptoms.

On October 9, 2020, the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center announced there were 33 who tested positive for COVID-19 at the jail, the biggest spike in the county since the pandemic started in March 2020.

As of October 20, there have been 303 people who have tested positive for the virus in Bourbon County, according to the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.

To see the latest COVID-19 updates, click below:

Kansashttps://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas

“I can confirm we have finally received the test kits to now do rapid testing in Fort Scott for COVID-19,” Krista Postai, CHC/SEK CEO, said. “Because of the limited supply, we have allocated these for those individuals with symptoms.”

Because of the limited amount of tests, it is at the discretion of the health care provider and the availability of the test, according to a spokeswoman at CHC.

“We have standing orders to cover the testing,” Postai said.

COVID-19 testing takes about 20 minutes in total.

The test is done with nasal swabs.

The cost is $100 and covered by insurance and/or a government program for those with symptoms, Postai said.

“For those without symptoms, an alternative rapid test is available for $50 cash and is not covered by insurance,” she said. “However, if the test comes up positive we are required to send it off for confirmatory testing which costs another $100 cash and takes another couple of days.”

AD: Lynn Grant For Kansas Representative District 2

October 27, 2020 Advertisement Leave a comment

Lynn D. Grant, the longtime city councilor and widow of 10-term Kansas legislator Bob Grant, is running for her late husband’s seat representing Kansas State House District 2.

Kansas State House of Representatives District 2 includes most of Crawford County, the eastern 1/3 of Allen and Neosho Counties, and a small portion of SW Bourbon County.

“I have been involved in the community that is SEK for over 50 years,” said Grant, who was born in Overland Park, but moved southeast to attend Pittsburg State University and never left. “This is my home. Now I hope to honor Bob’s legacy by representing the constituents of the second district in Topeka.”

Here are the key issues, Grant said:

Transportation Good highways, bridges and railways are essential to not only the safety of Kansans, but to the positive economic development needed in Southeast Kansas. Locally, US 69 must always be a top priority and Highway 7 north of Girard needs critical attention.

Jobs/economy In order to attract businesses that will create full time, good paying jobs, I will support efforts to establish responsible tax policies and to protect education and infrastructure.

Public Education I am passionate about the Legislature supporting public education. That begins with fair funding of early childhood through post-secondary education, be it technical, trade or higher education, so all students have endless possibilities for their future. Good education is the cornerstone for a good society. It is also the best investment we can make for the good of our communities.

Local government control Representatives to local government know our needs, priorities and are elected by the people in their community. I object to the current trend of the state making decisions for local governments and handing down mandates that adversely affect the ability of local governments to do their jobs.

Health Care I believe that all Kansans deserve affordable health care. I will fight the tax policies and callous decisions that have contributed to lack of adequate treatment and facilities for those who undergo any kind of illness. Expansion of Medicaid MUST be on the table in the next Legislative session. We are judged by the way we treat our most vulnerable.

Higher Ed Kansas must support the institutions that allow students to pursue a college education. Post-secondary education enables people to learn and follow a path to a productive life no matter what course of study they choose. These institutions are drivers in economical benefits for their communities through employment and the services required for students.

Judiciary There are three, separate, independent branches of government because those checks and balances are essential to maintaining a system that is of, by and for the people.

Food Insecurity With the decline of our small towns and their grocery stores, Kansas is beginning to experience “food deserts.” This doesn’t mean the food is not available, but that healthy food is increasingly hard to get. The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods . . .”

People are getting fed but not in a way that contributes to overall good health.

We need to examine ways to rectify that to protect people of all ages in our communities.

* I respect all life from the preborn to those making end of life decisions. Health care, care for women before and after giving birth, education, fighting poverty, providing safe homes for foster children, taking care of our seniors, respecting the dignity of all. This is all pro-life.

*I respect the 2^nd Amendment and have never considered taking away guns as an option. I have always supported reasonable, safe gun ownership.

Paid for by Grant for Kansas, Becky Messinger, Treasurer

AD: Nancy Ingle For Kansas Senate Dist. 13

October 27, 2020 Advertisement Leave a comment

(click to watch video on youtube)

“I will always put SE Kansas FIRST!
Our communities deserve the best schools for our children, safe highways, access to quality, affordable healthcare, and economic development.”

Born & raised in Southeast Kansas
Graduate of Pittsburg High School
Graduate of Kansas State Teachers College, now Pittsburg State
Law degree from Washburn University
Former assistant county attorney in the Crawford County Attorney’s office
Former assistant of policy for Governor John Carlin
Dedicated 20 years of career to protecting the rights and medical care of patients of clinical trials

Please contact me if you have questions:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Nancy Ingle for State Senate

Nancy
http://www.NancyIngleforStateSenate.com

Paid for by Ingle for State Senate, Steve Langerot, Treasurer.

Area News, Business

Peerless Expands to Iola

October 27, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Peerless Products Expansion to Create Over 100 Jobs in Iola

~ Peerless Expansion Represents Largest Job Announcement in Allen County Since 1994~

IOLA – Governor Laura Kelly today celebrated the announcement of Peerless Products, Inc., purchasing a 150,000-square-foot facility in Iola to expand its production capability.

Peerless estimates the expansion will create 100 to 120 new full-time jobs in Iola over the next five years, with a capital investment of $10.35 million.

“Peerless is a fantastic, homegrown Kansas company with a long history in Fort Scott. I appreciate its leadership team recognizing all that Iola and the entire Southeast Kansas region has to offer, and for choosing to expand in Allen County,” Governor Kelly said. “With our engaged team at the Kansas Department of Commerce, my administration will continue to identify new and dynamic business opportunities, build relationships, and support further economic projects in Allen County and across our state.”

Governor Kelly joined Scheduling and Purchasing Manager for Peerless Products Josh Granere, Iola Mayor Jonathan Wells, Thrive Allen County President and CEO Lisse Regher, and Secretary of Commerce David Toland for today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Kansas-based Peerless produces high-performance architectural aluminum windows and doors for new construction, replacement and historical construction for high-rise and institutional buildings. The expansion of its operations will allow the company to begin to diversify its product line by moving into commercial windows.

“I’m honored to help celebrate a significant economic development win for our state—one that marks the beginning of a new chapter for Peerless Products and the workforce in Iola and Southeast Kansas,” Secretary Toland said. “Congratulations to Peerless and to our local partners on making this ambitious vision for growth a reality.”

“With our continued growth in Fort Scott, where we currently have 400 employees, we needed to find additional space for the creation and production of our new G800 product line that we believe will be a leader in commercial low-rise windows,” President of Peerless Products Coby Jones said. “We pride ourselves in being best in class, and we intend to continue and build upon that reputation in Iola.”

The State of Kansas, City of Iola and Allen County partnered to secure the Peerless expansion project, which is the largest job announcement in Allen County since 1994.

The below photos are available for media use:

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-1.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-2.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-3.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-4.jpg

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 28

October 27, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 28, 2020

1^st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2^nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3^rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA PHONE. PUBLIC MAY ACCESS MEETING BY CALLING

620-724-9910 USING CODE 677638. LIMITED ACCESS.

9:00 AM – Bill Martin, COVID19 Leave Pay

Entertainment, Kansas

Halloween Tips for Safe Kids

October 27, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Governor Laura Kelly, Safe Kids Kansas Offer Safe Halloween Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly today joined Safe Kids Kansas to encourage Kansas families to seek creative alternatives for regular Halloween activities that will encourage safety and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“It is unfortunate that this year, Halloween will look a little bit different for Kansas kids,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “But by using commonsense safety measures, families can still enjoy holiday fun while limiting the spread of COVID-19. I encourage all Kansans to read and follow Safe Kids Kansas’ commonsense guidelines this weekend.”

The safety guidelines are as follows:

Planning Your Costume:

When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls, whether around the house or on the street.
For greater visibility, decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colored clothing.
Choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible to ensure kids can see because a full-face Halloween masks can obstruct a child’s vision.
Facemasks to protect from COVID should not be decorated with paint or magic markers as they can be toxic.

When Halloween activities take you outside the home – Tips for Kids:

Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights or put retroreflective tape on costumes to help children see and be seen by drivers.
Use sidewalks whenever possible and only cross the street at corners and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing the street and make eye contact or wave at any drivers stopped at the intersection to make sure they see you.
Put electronic devices down. Keep eyes up, not down at your screen, when walking and crossing the street.
Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars and be especially careful around driveways and alleys.
Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit, stay on sidewalks if available, and trick-or-treat in small groups. Make sure they have a phone in case of emergencies, but remind them not to let it be a distraction.

When Halloween activities take you outside the home – Tips for drivers:

Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

When you’re planning Halloween activities at home:

Use glow sticks and battery-powered fake candles to light up jack-o-lanterns instead of real candles. This will help prevent burns from open flames.
Let adults do the carving. Children can do the designing and scooping out pumpkin seeds, but when it comes to sharp knives, leave the carving to the grown-ups.
Keep decorations away from open flames, light bulbs and heaters. Paper decorations and things like cornstalks can catch fire easily. Double check to make sure smoke alarms are working correctly and review your fire escape plan with your family in case there is a fire.
Store household cleaning products out of children’s reach and sight. We all have additional cleaning products and disinfectants in the home right now and young kids are often eye-level with items on counters and under kitchen and bathroom sinks. So, remember to keep cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers where children can’t reach them and save the Poison Help number in your phone in case there is an emergency: 1-800-222-1222.

For KDHE guidance on safely celebrating Halloween during the COVID19 pandemic, visit https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1468/KDHE-Guidance-for-Celebrating-Halloween-PDF—92320

For more tips and resources to keep kids safe from injuries during the pandemic – including our Parents Guide – visit our Coronavirus Resources page at https://www.safekids.org/parents-guide-child-safety.

Additional Halloween ideas, guidelines and recommendations, are available through the Centers For Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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About Safe Kids Kansas

Safe Kids Kansas works to prevent childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children. Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing injuries in children. Coalition members include over 70 statewide organizations, agencies and businesses and a network of local coalitions across the state. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment serves as the Lead Agency for the coalition.

Visit us at www.safekidskansas.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.