Road Work Starts June 21 on National Avenue

Road work is scheduled to begin on National Avenue starting Monday, June 21st. Pavement milling will be completed from 13th to 17th Street. Pavement milling and overlay will be completed from 17th Street to Highway 69.

The project is expected to be completed within two days. Please be aware that it may be difficult at times to traverse National Avenue from 13th to Highway 69. One lane will remain open at all times, but drivers should expect delays. When possible, please utilize alternate routes.

Please contact City Hall with any questions, 620-223-0550.

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to include the countries Kuwait, Mongolia and Saint Martin. The countries of India and Trinidad and Tobago have been removed. These changes are effective today, June 17.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  • Traveled on or after June 17 to Kuwait, Mongolia or Saint Martin.
  • Traveled on or after June 3 to Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Suriname or Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Traveled on or after May 20 to the countries of Costa Rica or French Guiana.
  • Traveled on or after May 6 to the countries of India, Maldives or Seychelles.
  • Traveled on or after April 22 to the countries of Argentina or Bahrain.
  • Traveled on or after April 8 to the country of Uruguay.
  • Traveled between June 3 and June 17 to Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Traveled between May 6 and June 17 to India.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel.

Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Spradling Resigns as Bourbon County Attorney

Bourbon County Attorney Jacqie Spradling.

Bourbon County Attorney Jacqie Spradling sent the following letter to Mark McCoy, Bourbon County Republican Chairman, on June 16.

“It has been my honor and privilege to have served Bourbon County as the Bourbon County Attorney for the last three years.

“I am retiring and tendering this resignation effective Wednesday, June 30, 2021.”

The process has begun for an interim Bourbon County Attorney, McCoy said.

“In this case, the Bourbon County Republican Party will convene a meeting with officers and committee persons, approximately 40 people,” McCoy said. “We have 14-21 days to convene a caucus, to select a candidate for Bourbon County Attorney to submit to Governor Kelly, to fill the position temporarily. I understand in 2022 that person will run for the position. Spradling had two years remaining, she was elected in  November 2020.”

“The date of the caucus is to be determined,” McCoy said. “Further notification will be coming out. This meeting is not open to the public.” Editor’s note: the caucus is scheduled tentatively for Thursday, July 1 at  6 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7. N. Main, according to McCoy on June 18, it is not open to the public.

“We will put out a notice to all interested parties (in the county attorney position) to submit a resume to me, Mark McCoy, 2138 Jayhawk Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701, applications will need to be submitted by June 28,” he said.

Brandon Cameron and Chad Taylor are the assistant county attorneys in Bourbon County, according to the Bourbon County Clerk’s office.

Spradling was selected as Bourbon County Attorney in 2018.

An attorney panel unanimously recommended the Kansas Supreme Court disbar Spradling for knowingly making false statements to juries during two high-profile trials and for misleading claims about her prosecutorial misconduct to justices of the state’s highest court, according to a story by Tim Carpenter of the Kansas Reflector news service this month.

To view the story:

KS Supreme Court Will Issue Decision on Bourbon County Attorney Jacquie Spradling

 

 

Building For Lease

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Bill Brittain
BUILDING FOR LEASE IN FORT SCOTT
LEASE AS ONE SITE OR
EACH BUILDING SEPARATE
Available July 1st!
PRIME LOCATION – US 69 & NATIONAL AVE.
Contact Bill Brittain for more information
on this property at 620-224-8657
or click here to email Bill.
The site was most recently used as the location
of the Bourbon County Cars dealership
for the past 8 years, and they will be relocating soon to an adjacent property they have purchased.
Great Visibility * Highway Traffic
KDOT reports daily traffic counts at this
location as 8,830 vehicles in 2020.
See additional pictures below.

Obituary of Linda Moore

Linda Moore, 67, of Redfield, passed away early Thursday morning, June 10, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born December 10, 1953, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Franklin “Pete” Parker and Helen Juanita (Cowel) Parker. She married Larry Allen Moore June 30, 1973, and he preceded her in death December 23, 2000.

Linda is survived by her children, Brenda Martin (Kirby), Redfield, Melissa Mitchell (Arthur), Wichita, Kansas, and Larry Joe Gier, Jr., Fort Scott; three brothers, Charles Parker, Redfield, Ronald Parker (Debbie), Redfield, and Frank Parker (Lucy), Fort Scott; seven grandchildren, Jesse Keppen (Natasha), James Keppen (Sharlotte), Shelby Moore (Clinton Hazen), Allen Moore, Kylie Geir (Chandler Betts), Kiera Gier (Donald Adams), Tamia Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Clinton Jr., Karson, Hunter, Annabelle, and Parker; and one great-granddaughter due in September, Aleah. In addition to her husband Larry, Linda was also preceded in death by her parents, and four great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life Visitation Friday, June 18, 2021, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas. Following cremation, internment will be held privately at a later date. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary of Mary Jo DiNardo

Mary Jo DiNardo, age 96, passed away June 14 at her home for the past 12 years at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott.

Mary Jo was born January 9, 1925, to Myrle and Wilma Gunsaullus in Fort Scott, Kansas. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1943. She married James V. DiNardo on January 15, 1946, after meeting at the Tower Ballroom in Pittsburg when he was stationed at Camp Crowder. Together they had five children. She worked at Citizens National Bank for over 20 years.

Mary Jo, fondly known as “Mary Go” to her family, will be remembered for her “champagne taste.” She frequently threatened her children and grandchildren that they wouldn’t be going to the Ritz” if they didn’t behave. She had an affection for her many dogs over the years as they were her constant companions.

Mary Jo was an exceptional cook and came from the generation that took pride in preparing two daily meals with her specialties including spaghetti and meatballs and garlic potato salad. She enjoyed driving her convertibles, happy hours with family and friends, reading, and dinner out. She also loved live music, and when living in Florida was a regular on the live music scene. Mary Jo and Jim enjoyed it when the family would visit their condo in Naples where they lived after retirement for several years. Mary Jo loved going to the casino and in the 70’s and 80’s organized several group trips to Las Vegas. Her last outing was a trip to the casino a few weeks before her death.

Survivors include her children, Susan DiNardo of Fort Scott; John DiNardo, Frisco, TX; Lisa (Mark) Ward, Fort Scott; Tammy (Brad) Hill, Pittsburg, KS; and five grandchildren: James (Dorian) DiNardo of Sweet Home, OR; April (Darwin) Stubbs, Juno Beach, FL; Alex and Austin Ward, Los Angeles; Bella DiNardo, Plano, TX; and two great-grandchildren Cormac & Carson Stubbs. Mary Jo also leaves behind some very special people at Presbyterian Village who became like family to her. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband in 2009, a son Marc James DiNardo in 1987, her parents, and a brother.

Following cremation, private family graveside services will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The guest book will be available at the funeral home until July 6, 2021.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Presbyterian Village and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

 

FS Community Closet Give-Away This Saturday

Carol Oakleaf, left, and Lori Lovelace show the donation can for clothing to the Fort Scott Community Closet which is located in the Fort Scott Washateria.

The Washateria, 501 S. National, is having a clothes give-away this Saturday.

“We are having our June 2021 Community Day on Saturday, June 19, 2021,” Lori Lovelace, owner, said.  “It will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and we will have all of our sorted clothing out for anyone to come by and find something.”

“Fort Scott Community Closet is a clothing charity supported by all of Fort Scott,” she said.  “We serve Fort Scott and surrounding communities providing clothing, bedding, coats etc. to people in need.”

“We have no qualifying criteria,” Lovelace said. ” if you need clothing you can come to the Community Day or call us at 620-644-9834 and we can sort out what you need.”

“We also have men’s suits and business attire as well as women’s business attire.”

Fort Scott Washateria is in the 500 block of South National Avenue. This photo was taken just before its’ opening in August 2019.

 

 

Juneteenth Recognized in Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Proclamation Recognizing Juneteenth

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today proclaimed June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth Day in Kansas.

“Today’s proclamation – and the spirit of Juneteenth – serve as a reminder that, while we have come a long way in our efforts to promote equity and justice, there is work left to do,” Governor Kelly said. “As we celebrate the end of slavery in the United States and learn more about our nation’s history, Juneteenth is also an opportunity to recommit ourselves to making Kansas a better place for all to call home.”

The proclamation states that the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved peoples living in the Confederacy, was enacted and took effect on January 1, 1863. It was not until over two years later, on June 19, 1865, that the news of this freedom finally reached enslaved people living in Galveston, Texas. This prompted the now freed people to celebrate, coining the day Emancipation Day, Jubilee, or Juneteenth.

Governor Kelly was joined today by Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration and Chief Information Technology Officer; Stacey Knoell, Executive Director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission; and Norma Avery, President of the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration Corporation as she signed the proclamation.

Please find the proclamation here.

Bourbon County Local News