Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Burke Street Parade at Noon on July 4

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Burke Street Parade participants Margaret and Merl Humphrey and granddaughter Meg Normanin a previous parade. Submitted photo.

The 39th Annual Burke Street Parade is Sunday, July 4 at noon.

The parade starts at 10th and Burke Street and Frank Halsey will be leading the traffic control, according to a press release.

Steven Anthony in the Burke Street Parade. Submitted photo.

After the parade, refreshments will be at Michelle and Lewis Dunkeson, 1005 Burke Street.

“Everyone is welcome,” Margaret Humphrey, one of the organizers, said. “Please donate cookies to the Dunkesons, preferably on July 3.”

The Halsey family hosted the cookies in 2018.

“Please, no big vehicles and watch for the children, who are all over the place,” she said.

Burke Street Parade. Susan Foster and grandson. Submitted photo.

“Dress in patriotic attire or just sit anywhere on the street to watch and cheer the parade.”

Patriotic songs will be led by Abby Albright, Jill Gorman and Susan Foster, a tradition at the parade.

If any questions call  Humphrey 223.0388  or 620. 224. 7388 or Theresa Bahr 215. 2889 or  Barbara Albright, 224.7762 “who is the official distributor of information,” Humphrey said..

“Severe storms or lightning cancels the parade…but we have conquered the rain,” Humphrey said.

To learn more about the parade:

Burke Street July 4th Americana: Parade and Food

 

Uncategorized

Kay Wright to Speak at Aglow on July 8

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What are some things God is doing in Washington, D.C.?

Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse welcomes guest speaker, Kay Wright, Thursday, July 8th, 2021.

Kay Wright and other regional Aglow leaders just recently returned from a trip to intercede for our nation in Washington, D.C. She will give highlights of this trip to our Nation’s Capital!

 

Kay Wright resides in Girard, KS, and has been associated with Aglow International for over 35 years. She has served in many capacities locally as well as statewide.

Currently, Kay is serving as the Kansas State Aglow South Area Board President overseeing the Aglow Lighthouses across the state.

 

Kay’s goal in life is to please the Son, the Holy Spirit, and her Father God through worship and in intimate communion. Her purpose is also to intercede for her family, state, and her beloved Nation. She is on the board of her growing church and serves as prayer coordinator. She believes worship, Bible study, and being obedient to the Spirit of God are vital for a successful Christian life.

 

Joan Waters, resident of Pittsburg, KS, who also serves on the Kansas Aglow State Board, will share her insights she received on this D.C. trip as well… a powerful intercessor’s point of view! She will put “the icing on the cake” as she comes to share with us!

 

Come and worship the King! You shall be blessed.

 

Guests are welcome to visit our Lighthouse monthly gathering at 6:30 p.m., Thursday July 8th in the conference room of Fort Scott Inn, 101 State Street.

 

This is an interdenominational ministry opportunity for women, men and youth to worship, pray, fellowship and grow in unity. The goal of Aglow International is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.

 

Our Lighthouse desires the body of Christ to come together to meet the needs of those that cannot speak for themselves in Bourbon County.  For more information contact Amanda Gilmore at (620) 215-0418.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Thomas C. Toepfer

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Thomas Charles Toepfer, age 74, rural Galena, KS, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021.

He was born May 25, 1947 in Fort Scott, KS, to the late Ellsworth Charles Toepfer and Laura Irene Logan Toepfer. He was proceeded in death by his parents and one daughter, Kelly Jo Brewer.

Thomas served honorably in the United States Airforce. Following his military service, he worked for the CO-OP and as a carpenter building many custom homes. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking.

He married Eileen Joan Silvey on August 12, 1981, in Miami, OK. She survives of the home. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Kerri Bohlken and husband, Randy, Kendell Mason and husband, Steve, Shelly Edwards and Robin LeClercq and husband, David; eight grandchildren, Lane Bohlken, Max Bohlken, Jessica Amico, Alex Mason, Ashton Mason, Brandy Patrick, Quinton LeClercq and Nichole LaCour; seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Edna Erie and Mary Grogman; and long time friends, Mike Huffman and Mick McKinley.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS, at 1:30 p.m.

Graveside services are under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home. Galena, Ks.

 

Bourbon County

Local Non-Profit Awarded USDA Rural Development Grant

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July 1, 2021
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc Awarded $78,175 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) has been awarded the highly competitive USDA Rural Business Development Grant.

The award will be used to fund the HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth program to provide technical assistance to small and emerging private businesses, increase awareness of available resources through community engagement, enhance quality of life, encourage economic growth, and foster healthy choices through cross-sectors of Bourbon County.

Bourbon County residents can meet with Dacia Clark, Assistant Director with Pittsburg State Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC) in Downtown Fort Scott. Dacia, a Fort Scott native, provides a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and resources to help individuals get started on the right path.

Whether in person or online, PSU SBDC is helping entrepreneurs with starting a new business or new product, growing sales, running a business, protecting business, and succession planning every day.

In addition, Southeast KANSASWORKS, the Local Workforce Development Board that serves 17 counties in Southeast Kansas, will be available in person twice a week.

Southeast KANSASWORKS contributes to economic growth and business expansion by ensuring the workforce system is job-driven and matching employers with skilled individuals.
Southeast KANSASWORKS administers the regional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program.

State and local WIOA boards promote the use of industry and sector partnerships to address the workforce needs of multiple employers within an industry. They are responsible for activities to meet the workforce needs of local and regional employers.

Employers and job seekers alike benefit from services provided by Southeast KANSASWORKS which include free online job listings, labor market information, pre-employment testing, work opportunities tax credits, pre-screen applicants, recruiting services, federal bonding, interview space, youth programs, and more.

The program has seen measured success since November 2020 because of a coordinated, united, and participatory approach taken by all partners involved.

As a result, the HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth offers a one-stop-shop to community members seeking to build financial stability.

“We are thrilled to be part of this successful collaboration,” Dacia Clark, PSU SBDC, “In my experience, this kind of synergy between the Chamber, local non-profits like the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, and regional organizations is extraordinary.”

Building a healthy community is more than a matter of fostering individual health, it is about public policy, systems, and environments that foster a healthy society. The HBCAT’s work
at the community level is to improve social integration and support systems, promote community engagement, and reduce stress and discrimination. These services are instrumental in addressing
the social determinants of health in wealth creation, enhancing quality of life, employment, and poverty. Providing local businesses expertise and guidance, particularly in these very turbulent
times, has shown to be a critical resource to increase the number of business start-ups and number of available quality jobs.
In order to address poor health outcomes, the HBCAT is looking upstream to the causes of disease.

According to The US Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2030, there is a clear and established relationship between poverty, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes—including increased risk for disease and premature death.

“Chronic disease can lead to low worker productivity, locked in low-income jobs, and an increase on household expenditures to pay for medical bills and prescriptions,” Jody Hoener, HBCAT President and CEO “As a result, food insecurity increases, the cycle of intergenerational poverty is perpetuated, and quality of life is inhibited.”

As a rural community, Bourbon County continues to feel considerable geographic disparities. There is a disproportionate lack of opportunity for upward mobility in employment,
inadequate levels of venture or capital injection and historically programming available locally to focus on employment, mentoring, business planning or other wealth building strategies.
Through the Center for Economic Growth, all generations, regardless of socio-economic status, will have the resources, programs, and technical assistance to develop their skills and
become successful entrepreneurs in Southeast Kansas.

“This program is giving individuals a unique opportunity to build financial stability,” Lindsay Madison, President and CEO Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, “We strive to break the cycle of poverty by investing time and resources in the people who do not have access to needed guidance, education, mentoring or financial means.”

By offering a new pathway to build wealth, the HBCAT is giving young adults alternative options to where they choose to live.
With the USDA Rural Business Development funds, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team aims to empower low-income minority, women, and food-based entrepreneurs. Providing
education, tutorials, assistance, and seminars on business and entrepreneurship concepts gives individuals a sense of competence and self-determination.

The HBCAT is located in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott on the second floor of 17 South Main Fort Scott KS. It is a “one-stop-shop” for business, employment, food, telework and distance learning needs. Current businesses, and those looking to start a business, have a physical location to meet with others. Additionally, services are available for those seeking employment, developing soft skills (i.e.interviewing), or other job seeking assistance.

Businesses are encouraged and welcome to contact Southeast KANSASWORKS to see how they can connect with those looking for employment.

Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #healthybbco

 

Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Community. Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for economic success in any industry and in all cities.
Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-5725
[email protected]
Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006 Website: www.sekworks.org
Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537
Lindsay Madison, President and CEO
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact
the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
b. Exceptions to Including the Full USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Business, Fort Scott

Midwest Battle Buddies: Featured For Donations by Hound Nutrition

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Kelly Perry, owner of The Hound Nutrition in Fort Scott and The Protein Place in Iola is working to provide donations to the Kansas-based Midwest Battle Buddies.

From July 1-7 , 5% of all sales will go directly back to Midwest Battle Buddies

“We get to live in the land of the free because of all that these men and women have given and we just wanted to celebrate that freedom in the spirit of giving back!” Perry said.

 

 

Government, Kansas

John Colt, A Sexual Predator, Walked Away From Larned State Hospital

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 Resident Missing from Larned State Hospital

SPTP resident John Freeman Colt walked away at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday morning

Larned – Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP) resident John Freeman Colt, a 42-year-old white male, walked away this morning from Larned State Hospital (LSH) and is currently considered absent without permission. Colt was seen on video walking out of the Dillon Building at approximately 7 a.m. He had shaved his beard and changed his hair and used a fraudulent identity badge to get through the security checkpoint.

A member of the community picked up a person matching Colt’s description. He was taken to the City of Larned and dropped off at the Kwik Shop.  He was seen leaving the Kwik Shop walking north.

“My leadership team at Larned is working closely with local law enforcement to ensure this resident is apprehended quickly and without incident,” Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Laura Howard said. “I am in constant contact with the superintendent at Larned and am actively monitoring the situation.”

Colt is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 201 pounds, and was last seen wearing a face mask, dress pants, and a dress shirt. He has a tattoo on his upper left arm with the initials BH. The Pawnee County Sheriff was made aware of the situation and activated the local farmer’s alert. The Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Bureau of Investigation have also been notified.

LSH and KDADS officials are fully cooperating with law enforcement’s ongoing investigation. New information will be released as it becomes available.

Obituary

Obituary of Jerry D. Olson

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Jerry Dee Olson, age 82, formerly of Erie, KS, died Monday, June 28, 2021, at his home in York, NE. Jerry was born on January 1, 1939, in Erie, the son of Virgil Olson and Myrtle VanBuskirk.

He moved to York, NE, and started his own business, Olson Roofing, Inc., which he ran for 50+ years until 2021.

Jerry loved listening to country music and was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include his wife Zenaida S. Olson of the home; a brother, Nels Olson; a sister, Neva Redburn; three sons, Erin Dean Olson, Jon-Michael Olson, and Neil Olson; three daughters, Jenny Bohrer, Kaylind Olson, and Mary Ann Olson; six grandsons, Daniel Cage, David Olson, Jared Bohrer, Jeremiah Schneberger, Ryan Dockum, and Trevor Dockum; five granddaughters, Abbra Green, Amber Posey, Breanna Ballard, Kelly Esteves, and Mariah hopper; five great-grandsons, Alias Smitherman, Bennet Ballard, Kyle Olson, Nate Olson, and Owen Green; nine great-granddaughters, Ayle French, Bella Ballard, Brooklyn Olson, Daisy Cage, Emery Green, Kyleah Cage, Madison Esteves, Nico Hopper, and Zibelle Cage; and two great-great grandsons, Elias Wisener, and Sterling Smitherman. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard Olson, and Everett Olson; and a sister, Norma Hall.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 3rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, KS. Burial will follow in the Odense Cemetery, Erie, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of David E. Ross

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David Earl Ross, age 50, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021, as a result of a motor vehicle accident south of Ft. Scott.

He was born September 15, 1970, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Martin Earl Ross and Kathleen Yevon Rangel Ross.  David graduated from Uniontown High School with the Class of 1989.  He married Retha Lynn Wimberley on December 28, 1991.

In his earlier years, he worked at the family business, M & K Services in Mound City where he worked as a mechanic and powder coater.  He continued working in this line of work the remainder of his life.

He enjoyed restoring and detailing cars and trucks and will be remembered for always having a clean vehicle with shinny tires.  He enjoyed traveling on the backroads and taking the occasional trip to the casino.  He liked to fish and always had a joke or a story to tell.

Survivors include his four children, Tim Ross of Uniontown, Kansas, Matthew Ross, Dylan Ross and Elizabeth Ross, all of Ft. Scott and eight grandchildren, Madilynn, Ryker, Claira, Kathleen, Addison, Bradynn, Jaelynn, and Braxton.  Also surviving are two brothers, John Ross and Danny Ross, both of Mapleton, a sister, Suzie Cliffman of Ft. Scott and his grandmothers, Margie Rangel and Thelma Ross, both of Kansas City, Kansas.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Retha, on July 19, 2018.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and his grandfathers, Leonard Rangel and Noland Ross.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 7th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the David Ross Memorial Fund 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 Dorothy I. Struble

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Dorothy Irene Struble, age 87, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  She was born April 12, 1934, in Wallingford, Connecticut, the daughter of Joseph J Hubert and Irene Kosa Hubert.

She married Donald Lee Struble on March 5, 1952, at Rockville, Maryland.  Her husband, Don, was serving with the United States Air Force.  During this time, Dorothy and Don made their home in Florida, Virginia and Alaska.  Following retirement, they moved to Mulvane, Kansas for several years and then to Ft. Scott which was Don’s hometown.

Some of Dorothy’s best memories were made on the beach and at the lake in Connecticut.  She enjoyed being outside and taking care of her yard.  She enjoyed having her grandchildren come and spend the week with her where she took them on shopping trips to Wal-Mart and the Salvation Army Thrift Store.  She collected birdhouses and sunflowers.

Survivors include her daughter, Debbie Rather, of Mulvane, Kansas and her son, Tom Struble, of Panama City Beach, Florida, four grandchildren, Chris (Megan) and their children, Paetyn, Beckett and Graham; Ryan (Jayme) and their children, Westyn and Vivian; Brandon (Angelia) and their children, Caylee and Trenton and Kyle and his children, Ellie and Henrik.  Also surviving are a brother, Conrad Hubert and two sisters, Nancy Hart and Janet Matthews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Don, on May 17, 2005 and two sons, Donnie in 2017 and Ronnie in 2019.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, July 6th at the U. S. National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Wreaths Across America 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.

Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

51 Ventilated COVID Patients Last Week in Crawford County

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Local health professionals encourage people to celebrate safely

Crawford County Covid-19 cases are increasing, as well as throughout the region and they are already affecting local and regional hospitals, according to Dr. Tim Stebbins, Crawford County Health Officer and Director at Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department.  

 

With the July 4 holiday approaching, Stebbins is concerned that traditional celebrations, including family and community gatherings, will increase the risk for transmission of Covid-19 and cause possible serious medical impact, especially on those who are not vaccinated against the disease.  

 

Since the initial wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, Via-Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has gone from single digits of Covid-19 patients weekly back up into the 20s, and last week to 51 including ventilated patients with admissions on track for similar numbers this week. 

 

Stebbins says nationally, 80-90% of new infections are in the unvaccinated/nonimmune group, with more than 90% of hospitalizations in the same group. Over the last few months, 98% or more of the deaths from Covid-19 are in the unvaccinated/nonimmune group. 

 

Health officials have confirmed some of the new infections in Crawford County are the Delta variant of Covid-19.  

 

As of mid-June 2021, the CDC estimates the Delta variant is accounting for 20% of new cases in the United States. The delta variant is challenging because it is highly transmissible and affects the younger age groups. 

In milder cases, infected individuals may mistake the symptoms for a bad cold and not realize they need to isolate. Common symptoms reported have been headaches, sore throat, a runny nose, or fever.

 

Testing for COVID-19 is an essential part of containing the disease, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has rapid testing available seven days a week. The Crawford County Health Department can also provide rapid testing.  

 

For most vaccinated people, the current COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from all current strains of the virus. Previous illness with Covid-19 also seems to provide some immunity from the disease. 

 

“Everyone should consider their own risk when celebrating, including their own current health and vaccination or immune status,” Stebbins says. “If you have any immune compromising disease or illness, such as cancer, you should carefully weigh the risks and consider mitigation.” 

 

Strategies to help prevent Covid-19 infection include handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a mask. It is especially important that all individuals, regardless of immune status, stay home if they think they might be ill. 

 

The single greatest protection against COVID-19 for individuals age 12 and up is vaccination. Crawford County has a robust vaccination capability and vaccinations can be found through nearly all local pharmacies, SEK Urgent Care, PSU Health, Community Health Centers of Southeast Kansas, and the Crawford County Health Department. Three different vaccines are available in the County and vaccination is available to anyone 12 or older.

 

It is possible for all of us to celebrate this holiday safely and to minimize the risk of harm to our family and friends, Stebbins says. “Everyone should consider their own risk when celebrating including their current health and vaccination or immune status. We must all be smart in what we do, consider the risks, mitigate if appropriate, and seriously consider vaccination to prevent further spread and impact of this disease.”

 

Business, Fort Scott

New Tri-Valley Horticulture Specialist: Austin Bolinger

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Austin Bolinger. Submitted photo.

Austin Bolinger, 22, is the new horticulture specialist at Tri-Valley Developmental Services, replacing Barb McCord, who retired May 14.

Bolinger is a  2017 Fort Scott High School graduate.

“I started working in the floral industry five years ago, and while working in that industry I began collecting plants and learning as much as I could about them,” Bolinger said. “I also worked alongside Barbara McCord for six months. During this time she taught me so much valuable information about what it means to be a horticulturist.”

McCord was the person who developed the horticulture therapy program at Tri-Valley and mentored Bolinger prior to her departure.

“I chose to pursue this career because it was something that interested me,  seemed like a good cause,” he said. “I was trying to figure out which direction my life was headed when I saw that Barbara was retiring. I knew that I wanted a career that also gave back to the community, and would be something that I enjoyed. I feel like I found that here at Tri-Valley.”

“The best part of my job is definitely those who I work with,” Bolinger said. “Being able to work with the clients in the horticulture program gives me such joy to share my passion for plants with others who enjoy it as much as I do.”

” With the Bourbon County Fair coming up, the clients will be entering an array of items that they have been working on,” Bolinger said. “We are also experimenting with adding some new houseplants into the greenhouse, which is very exciting. We feel like everyone should have some nature in their home!”

“I was born and raised in Fort Scott,” Bolinger said.  “I live with my partner, Estevan, and our two dogs, Amira and Reese.”

He is a member of the Fort Scott Garden Club.

About Tri-Valley

Tri-Valley Developmental Services helps people with conditions that include autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other physical and mental impairments, according to its’ website http://www.tvds.org/getting-started.

These conditions can result in severe chronic limitations such as:

  • Self-care

  • Learning and adapting

  • Living independently

  • Understanding and using language

  • Mobility

  • Economic self-sufficiency

  • Self-direction in setting and accomplishing goals

Bourbon County Local News