Obituary

Obituary of Linda Moore

Leave a comment

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

Obituary of Mary Jo DiNardo

Leave a comment

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.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

FS Community Closet Give-Away This Saturday

Leave a comment
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.

 

 

Government, Kansas

Juneteenth Recognized in Kansas

Leave a comment

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.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Grants Supports Health Care Providers/Efforts to Vaccinate

Leave a comment

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $900,000 in Grants to Support Health Care Providers, Increase Vaccinations

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that $900,000 in grants will support health care providers in their efforts to vaccinate Kansans across the state.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will provide the Kansas Association of Family Physicians and the Kansas Association of Pediatricians each with a three-year, $450,000 grant, totaling $900,000, for primary care providers in Kansas to hire staff members to support their ongoing efforts to onboard, administer, and advocate for vaccinations.

“With more than 60 percent of Kansans over the age of 18 having received at least one dose of the vaccine, our state is steadily making progress,” Governor Kelly said. “These grants are part of our state’s all-of-the-above approach to pursue every initiative and use every resource to get vaccines into arms, and protect our families, our economy, and our schools.”

The grants will allow primary care providers (PCPs) to hire dedicated staff who will serve as a liaison to the KDHE immunization team, specifically supporting providers in on-boarding, administering, and advocating for vaccinations. The liaison officer’s responsibilities will include:

  • Reaching out to PCPs and host webinars to encourage them to get their patients vaccinated
  • Increasing COVID-19 vaccine provider enrollment among PCPs and pediatricians
  • Providing a “customer service” operation for PCPs facing problems to enroll as COVID-19 vaccine providers and order vaccines
  • Facilitating access to traditional and digital communications capabilities which PCPs can leverage to effectively motivate their patients to get a vaccine
  • Hosting regular webinars for enrolled PCPs and Pediatricians, where those providers can share best practices and request additional support

As part of the announcement, Governor Kelly today talked with health care stakeholders about the challenges they face in their efforts to vaccinate their communities, and how Kansas can be a better partner in those efforts.

“Our state’s primary care providers are critical to providing broad, ongoing access to vaccines, and play essential roles as trusted advisors to vaccine-hesitant communities,” Governor Kelly said. “I appreciate today’s participants for the meaningful discussion about how Kansas can support providers in their continued vaccination efforts.”

The below photos from the roundtable discussion are available for media use:

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Primary2.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Primary3.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Primary4.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Primary5.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Primary1.jpg

Also Pictured: Governor Laura Kelly; Dr. Marci Nielsen, Chief Advisor for COVID-19 Coordination; Tarah Remington-Brown, CEO of Kansas Academy of Family Physicians; Melissa Hudelson, Executive Director of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Kansas Pediatric Foundation; Alice Weingartner, Chief Strategy Officer of the Community Care Network of Kansas; Dr. Jen Bacani-McKenney, Family Physician and President Elect of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians; Dr. Kristie Clark, Board-Certified Pediatrician and President-Elect of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Dr. Allen Greiner, Family Physician and Medical Officer for the Wyandotte County Unified Government Health Department; Dan Leong, Chair of the Immunize Kansas Coalition; and Connie Satzler, Project Support Employee at the Immunize Kansas Coalition.

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Support Program For Kansans Seeking Employment Announced

Leave a comment

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Launch of My Reemployment Plan

~Program offers support, resources to Kansans seeking employment~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the launch of My Reemployment Plan, a program designed to support Kansans with job-search efforts.

“My Reemployment Plan is a great tool to provide Kansans with the resources needed to secure high-quality, in-demand jobs,” Governor Kelly said. “While it’s welcome news that our state’s unemployment rate is back to 3.5%, we want to keep pursuing programs and resources that support getting every Kansan on the right career track. This is how we grow our workforce and build a better, more resilient economy for future generations.”

The program, developed with collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Labor, and KANSASWORKS Workforce System, will connect unemployment recipients with workforce service professionals in their area. The personalized job-search assistance they will receive free of charge will include:

  • Creation of a personalized My Reemployment Plan that focuses on goals and accountability.
  • Skills assessment to match interests and skills with occupations.
  • Resume, interview and networking assistance.
  • Labor market information highlighting current in-demand jobs.

“Our team is working hard to drive the Kansas economy forward,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “This is why the Kelly administration is focused on helping the people of our state find jobs, helping Kansas companies fill vital positions and helping our communities get back to normal. My Reemployment Plan will be a powerful tool in achieving these goals.”

Current unemployment claimants who have received three or more consecutive unemployment payments will automatically be enrolled in My Reemployment Plan.

The process of sending notifications will begin on the evening of Tuesday, June 22. Participants will receive an email from an “@ks.gov” account. Recipients without access to an email account will receive information in the mail.

Claimants will have seven days from the date the email was sent to complete the following tasks:

  1. Upload/build a resume at KANSASWORKS.com (resume must be in active status).
  2. Complete the online job search form (including the O*Net Interest Profiler) attached to the email/included with the mailed information.
  3. Email completed form to the Kansas Department of Commerce at [email protected].

Failure to submit this information before the deadline may result in suspension of unemployment benefits. Suspended claimants must submit this information to have the hold lifted.

Kansans receiving unemployment benefits who are eligible to be enrolled in MyReemployment are encouraged to prepare for the launch of the program:

  1. Log into your KANSASWORKS.com account and ensure that your account information is up to date.
  2. Create/build your online resume.
  3. Contact your local Workforce Center for immediate assistance with your job search.

Questions on the launch of this program should be directed to the team at KANSASWORKS:

To learn more about the MyReemployment Plan program, visit kansascommerce.gov/mrp.

About KANSASWORKS

KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use.  Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Bourbon County Government to Receive Former Mercy Building

Leave a comment
The Bourbon County Commission room in the courthouse, September 2018.

The Bourbon County Commission will be receiving the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. and $600,000 from Mercy as a donation to the county, Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Economic Development Director said in an email.

Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in October 2018.

The Sisters of Mercy had served the community since 1886.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has had a clinic at the building since Mercy closed, but is moving when its’ lease is up at the end of 2022.

They have purchased the former Price Chopper store, 2322 Main Street, for their new facility.

The emergency department at the former hospital building also has a lease that will be up in 2022.

The county commission has been working on a solution to keep the building viable, as opposed to tearing the two-decades-old building down.

“Today is the beginning of a process, “Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth said. “The attorneys will be going through the process of accepting the donation and the $600,000.”

Clifton Beth represents District 3. Photo from Facebook.

“We are in conversation with different entities that could potentially have use for that building,” Beth said.

The Bourbon County Commission is comprised of Beth, Lynne Oharah and Jim Harris.

First District Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah.
Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioner, District 2.

Beth said credit needs to go to Harrington who has been working to find entities that are interested.

“A lot of behind-the-scenes work is going on,” Beth said.

“We are trying to save the building,” Beth said. “My main priority is to have an Emergency Room in Bourbon County.”

“At the end of the day, the end users for that building, if they can use it, great,” Beth said. “If not, we’ll look at other options.”

“My goal is to be sure we have an ER,” Beth said. “Ascension Via Christi has one-and-one-half years left on their (current) lease. In conversations with them, they are planning to stay.”

Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building.

To see more info on Ascension Via Christi:

Via Christi To Operate Fort Scott Emergency Room

Ascension Via Christi/Fort Scott Celebrates Opening of Emergency Department

Church news, Fort Scott

Fundraiser for First Baptist Church Youth June 25-26

Leave a comment

A fundraiser for First Baptist Church Youth will be a rummage sale at the church, 123 Scott Avenue.

First Baptist Church, 123 Scott Avenue.

The sale will be Friday, June 25 from  8 a.m.to 5 p.m., and Saturday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check out the First Baptist Church Facebook page for more information and pictures.

Items available: collectibles, furniture, wall hangings,
books, 45 RPM records,  household goods, and holiday decorations.

Free will donation for items, excluding furniture.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at The Lavender Patch June 17

Leave a comment
Join us for this week’s Chamber Coffee hosted by
THE LAVENDER
PATCH FARM
2376 Locust Rd. Fort Scott
8 am
Kick-Off to promote their
4th Annual Lavender Fest!
Click herefor their Website.
Click here for their Facebook Page.
Chamber Members & Guests are welcome
to make any announcement for $1 to the Chamber about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions, or any other specials!
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
6/24 ~ Varia Quality Resale Clothing Store Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (New Chamber Member)
7/1 ~ The Rainbow Unicorn ~ Grand Opening &Cutting Ceremony
7/8 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule
7/15 ~ TFI Family Services at Common Ground.
7/22 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule
7/29 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule

Bourbon County Local News