Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is moving from1519 South National Avenue to 22 North Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, on June 18.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, 22 N. Main Street.
“In February 2014, my wife Cindy and I purchased 22 North Main in downtown Fort Scott,” owner John Bartelsmeyer said. “Cindy had a dream of renovating the upstairs into a loft apartment that we could enjoy as we move towards our retirement years.”
“Now that we are moved into our apartment, we have enjoyed watching the new growth and life these past few years have brought to Fort Scott’s historic downtown area,” he said. “We are so excited to help continue this revitalization as we move our storefront back to Main street. We hope that the Fort Scott community is as excited as we are and will continue to be supportive of all our downtown business!”
“We are planning for our first day open at the new store to be June 18, 2021,” he said.
A sign on the door of the newly renovated space at 22 N. Main, the site of the new Bartelsmeyer Jewelry store.
“We are planning to sell the store at 1519 S. National after we have moved to the new 22 North Main location,” he said. “We hope that the new business owners will enjoy this building as much as we have!”
A History of the Jewelry Store
“Our jewelry store has been in business operating under the name Bartelsmeyer Jewelry since 1963,” John Bartelsmeyer said. “However, our store was first opened under the name ‘F Whiles Jewelry & Watches’ in 1904. The store was later purchased by Ova Newberry who grew up with my father, M. H ‘Bart’ Bartelsmeyer. “
“They learned the watchmaking trade together as young men,” Bartelsmeyer said. “Mr. Newberry asked my father to come and help him get caught up in 1939. My dad was on his way to go to work in Denver. He came to Fort Scott to help Ova, but they never got caught up. My father stayed and worked with Ova until he died in 1963.”
“Ova’s wife sold my dad the business and it became Bartelsmeyer Jewelry,” he said.
John Bartelsmeyer is the owner and bench jeweler of Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. Submitted photo.Cindy Bartelsmeyer, and her husband John, are the owners of the business. Submitted photo.Krysta Hulbert is the store manager. Submitted photo.Jenna Bond is a sales associate. Submitted photo.Emily Farrington is a sales associate. Submitted photo.Anna Laubenstein is a sales associate. Submitted photo.
Employees currently are John Bartelsmeyer-owner and bench jeweler, Cindy Bartelsmeyer-owner, Krysta Hulbert-store manager,
Jenna Bond-sales associate, Emily Farrington-sales associate, Anna Laubenstein-sales associate, and Julie Kibble-sales associate.
A three-attorney disciplinary panel recommended the Kansas Supreme Court disbar former Shawnee County prosecutor Jacqie Spradling for misconduct in two high-profile Kansas criminal cases overturned on appeal. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — A three-attorney panel unanimously recommended the Kansas Supreme Court disbar a Kansas attorney 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.
Jacqie Spradling, who more recently worked as an attorney in Bourbon and Allen counties, landed before the disciplinary panel after the Supreme Court overturned the 2012 double-homicide conviction of Dana Chandler in Shawnee County and the Kansas Court of Appeals overturned a 2017 guilty verdict against Jacob Ewing in a sex-crime case in Jackson County. Spradling was lead prosecutor in both cases.
Chandler is awaiting retrial for first-degree murder, while Ewing accepted a plea deal in May to avoid another trial.
“Based on the deliberative pattern of serious misconduct and the serious injury that followed, the hearing panel unanimously recommends that the respondent be disbarred,” the report submitted to the Supreme Court said. “From all the evidence presented, it appears that the respondent concluded that Chandler and Ewing were guilty of the crimes charged and she adopted a ‘win-at-all-costs’ approach.”
The report obtained Friday by the Kansas Reflector was submitted by panelists John Larson, Darcy Williamson and William Jeter for consideration by the Supreme Court. The panel said the issue wasn’t that Spradling engaged in an isolated incident or made an inconsequential mistake in the heat of trial. The panel said the Iola resident “knowingly and intentionally” engaged in a “deliberative pattern of serious misconduct.”
In addition, the panel determined Spradling’s handling of the two criminal cases “undermines the confidence in the judicial system and caused serious injury to the administration of justice.”
Members of the Supreme Court, which hold final authority in disciplinary cases involving attorneys, will issue a decision based on the panel’s 78-page report.
The state disciplinary administrator’s office in Kansas that investigated complaints about Spradling’s behavior as a prosecutor proposed that her license to practice law be indefinitely suspended. Spradling, however, told the disciplinary panel that she shouldn’t be disciplined at all.
Spradling had been dismissive of allegations of wrongdoing until she testified at the disciplinary panel hearing in December. During that under-oath appearance, she conceded to having “failed in these cases” to uphold the ethical duties of a prosecutor. She begged the hearing panel to accept her assertion that her work as an officer of the court was defined by a “protectiveness, a loyalty and a belief in justice.”
“When these cases were overturned, it was very difficult because I had let the system down. I had let the victims down and I had denied the defendants a fair trial,” Spradling said.
As of Friday, Spradling was employed as the Bourbon County attorney in Fort Scott. Allen County attorney Jerry Hathaway said Spradling resigned from her position Friday as assistant county attorney for Allen County.
“With regard to the recommendation of the disciplinary panel, I was disappointed,” Hathaway said.
The Supreme Court laid the foundation for advancement of a disciplinary case against Spradling in 2018 when the justices overturned Chandler’s convictions in the Topeka slayings of Mike Sisco, Chandler’s ex-husband, and his fiancee, Karen Harkness. The Supreme Court said Spradling’s conduct in the Chandler case illustrated how a compulsion for courthouse victories could subvert a prosecutor’s duty to guarantee a person’s fair-trial rights.
Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles summed up Spradling’s tactics in the Chandler trial: “Taken as a whole, this prosecution unfortunately illustrates how a desire to win can eclipse the state’s responsibility to safeguard the fundamental constitutional right to a fair trial owed to any defendant facing criminal prosecution in a Kansas courtroom.”
During the Chandler trial in Shawnee County District Court, Spradling falsely told the jury a protection from abuse order was issued against Chandler prior to the 2002 slaying of Sisco and Harkness. There is evidence Sisco requested a mutual temporary restraining order four years before his death while going through the divorce from Chandler.
When Chandler appealed her case, Spradling told Supreme Court justices in a written brief that she believed the more rigorous protection from abuse order had been put in place by a district court. That’s what she had told the Chandler jury and repeated to state disciplinary investigators despite an inability to produce evidence a judge had ever issued that type of restraining order against Chandler.
Spradling testified to the three-person disciplinary panel that she never possessed documentary proof of the protection from abuse order. She said filing of the disciplinary case led her to conduct a fresh attempt to locate such a document. That search was unsuccessful, she said.
“I was wrong. Dead wrong,” Spradling told the panel. “So, for a person who wants to be right, strives to be right, being wrong is embarrassing, humbling.”
The disciplinary panel responded to her confession in its report: “In addition to the false statement made to the jury and to the Supreme Court, during the respondent’s sworn statement made during the disciplinary investigation, she also made false statements. During the disciplinary hearing, the respondent admitted that her sworn statement included misstatements. The hearing panel concludes that the respondent took an oath to tell the truth when she gave the sworn statement and she failed to do so.”
Spradling’s reputation as an experienced prosecutor of complex crimes in Johnson and Shawnee counties led officials in Jackson County to hire her as a special prosecutor in the Ewing case. It was a case made difficult because the alleged crimes occurred in a small community and turned on the jury’s conclusions of the credibility of female witnesses.
Spradling convinced a jury in Jackson County that Ewing was guilty of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and battery. The Holton man was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
In 2019, the Court of Appeals concluded Spradling made a half-dozen errors during the Ewing trial and had offered unsubstantiated claims to the Ewing jury during closing arguments. The case was remanded to Jackson County District Court. Rather than go through a retrial, Ewing agreed in May to a plea deal that would trigger a 10-year sentence for sexual assault.
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The beauty of Kansas agriculture has been celebrated throughout the state’s ag industry, and we encourage photographers to capture that beauty and share it with others through the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s annual photo contest. KDA began accepting photos on June 7, and will continue accepting entries through August 16.
This year’s KDA Photo Contest categories were selected to promote different aspects of Kansas agriculture. Kansas Weather, Celebrating Local Foods, Water in Kansas and Rural Kansas categories will showcase the many places and ways we experience agriculture across the state of Kansas — from the beauty of the Flint Hills and the western plains to the family-run local ranches and colorful farmers’ markets, and the many ways that weather and water have an impact on Kansas agriculture. And for the first time ever, we have added a Video category to showcase drone footage, harvest videos, or other short clips of under 30 seconds. As always, there will be a separate Youth category, for young photographers under age 19. Prizes will be awarded to the top two winners in each of the six categories.
KDA serves to advocate for agriculture, the state’s largest industry and economic driver. Photos which best capture the categories will be used throughout the year as we tell the story of Kansas agriculture. After submission, KDA is granted permission to use any photograph for publications, social media, websites, displays, etc. without payment or other consideration from the photographer.
Photo entries should be sent in .jpg format to [email protected]. Videos should be sent in .mp4 or .mov format. Entries must include a title and brief description, where and when the photo/video was taken, the photographer’s full name and age, entry category hometown and email address.
Guidelines for the KDA Photo Contest, including deadlines, categories and prizes, can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/photocontest. Voting to select finalists will begin on KDA’s social media sites in late August. For more information, contact Heather Lansdowne, KDA director of communications, at [email protected] or 785-564-6706.
Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
The Wallet Wisdom financial webinar series concluded last week with All About Credit. A question came up about if young adults going to college should have a credit card during their school years or wait until they have graduated and have a job.
Paying with a credit or debit card has become the norm and taking the place of cash in everyday transactions. Establishing credit, specifically good credit, can help young adults reach their financial goals. Goals may include a loan for a car or mortgage, credit cards, renting an apartment, a job, or even insurance. Good credit takes time and patience, waiting until after college to establish credit can delay dreams, goals, or establishing a household.
A person’s financial knowledge and capability is a better indicator of when they are ready to handle credit products such as loans or credit cards. As a parent or caregiver, ‘thinking out loud’ or a conversation with teens and young adults about credit (or money) can help them build self-control, planning, and problem-solving skills with money.
For teenagers and young adults, topics about credit might include:
Understanding credit card is the same as borrowing money.
Plans and use of a credit card.
Establishing use standards such as paying the balance each month or not using it as an emergency source.
How it can be useful for making purchasing online or convenience.
Your own strategy or rules of thumb for using a credit card or what you have learned about managing your credit.
Financial responsibilities such as paying on time, paying balance in full, and debt-to-credit ratio utilization.
Shop for a credit card together, comparing interest rates and annual fees.
Explore credit card repayment calculators to see how long it could take to repay a $1,000 credit card debt by making minimum monthly payments.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a great resource on money conversation starters, approaches, and activities for youth of all ages. It is also a great resource if you are an adult looking for information or tools on many financial topics at consumerfinance.gov. The Wallet Wisdom, Focus on Your Finances K-State Webinar Series recordings is available on the River Valley Extension District YouTube Channel.
For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.3720
There will be an Open Class at the Bourbon County Fair this year. Lots of things will be happening.
In addition to the exhibits, there will be several contests. The King Arthur Baking Company will be sponsoring a baking contest again this year. The King Arthur Flour has arrived and is ready for distribution. Everyone who will be entering the baking contest will receive a 5-pound bag of King Arthur All-Purpose Flour.
To enter the baking contest come to the Myers Building on Saturday, June 12 between 10 am and noon. You will receive your recipe for the contest and a bag of King Arthur Flour.
If this time does not work for you, please call Jackie Warren at 620-224-8161 and other arrangements will be made to pick up your recipe and flour.
Normally any Open Class exhibit would be accepted if completed after the 2020 Bourbon County Fair. Since the Open Class portion of the 2020 fair was cancelled due to the pandemic, you may submit any project that you have completed since the 2019 Fair. However, remember that you may only enter one project per class.
Do not forget the scarecrow contest and the small hay bale decorating contest. Please submit your registration so that a hay bale will be provided for you. Also, a bucket of sand will be provided to hold your scarecrow.
If you have any questions, call Terri Williams at 620-215-3202 or Jackie Warren at 620-224-8161
In my later teen years at home, my parents would usually “call it a night” before I did. Like clockwork, they would straighten up the living room before heading off to bed. It was their nightly routine to put everything in its place. One time Mom explained their tradition: “Back in the day, we always cleaned the living room before going to bed in case the doctor had to come in the night.” That made good sense to me because it was a good habit and good habits should continue even if the reason for them is out of style. That’s why I can join a few others in saying, “I’m from the old school.“ Another rule I learned was to always wear clean underwear in case you’re in a car wreck.
Generally speaking, nobody sees your underwear because it’s hiding beneath your outer clothing. You’re the only person who knows whether your undies are clean, worn-out, uncomfortable, or stink. Spiritually speaking, what’s on the outside is just a façade, but what’s on the inside (hiding) is the real thing. “As I think in my heart [which is underneath and hidden] so am I“ (Proverbs 23:7). Believers need to be careful of the temptation to harbor negative undercurrents in their mind and heart. Bad attitudes are sure to show up in your conversations, facial expressions, and actions. Although you try, you can’t hide what’s on the inside because it comes out involuntarily. King David wrote: “He [God] knows the secrets of every heart” (Psalm 44:21 NLT).
Everyday we have the choice to wear dirty or clean underwear. The Apostle Paul tells us that believers have the choice to put on Jesus or leave Him in the closet. “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don‘t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires“ (Romans 13:14 NLT). If you’re so busy with going here and there, and doing this and that, you may not even be able to find Jesus to put Him on. If your closet of life is cluttered with stuff, Jesus will just continue to hang around waiting to be worn.
I enjoy going through drawers, cabinets, and closets to throw out stuff that serves no purpose. Christians have to do the same thing spiritually. “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT). You have to take off something old in order to put on something new. It would be dumb for someone to put clean underwear on over the top of dirty ones. (If brains were gasoline, she couldn’t ride a moped around a fruit loop!)
A baby is coddled and bottled and that’s sweet. But if a Christian is expecting God to do everything for him/her, that stinks. God has His part and we have our part. Paul says believers are to “put on our new nature.” By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to dress ourselves with the presence of Jesus every day — one size fits all.
The Key: Beware! If your underwear stinks, then you’re the one to change it.
Gregg Motley. President of the Bourbon County Economic Development Council. Submitted photo.
Agriculture is #1
Changes in how we produce food has to be the number one reason rural America and Bourbon County are shrinking; however, agriculture continues to be a major economic influence in rural America and the number one industry in BB. Consider the following 2017 statistics about BB agriculture from the State of Kansas:
Total acres in BB: 406,701 Acres farmed: 335,935, or 82.6%
Total farm employment: 821, or about one in ten workers
Agricultural product sales: $79 million
Cattle population: 71,079, or about 5 cows per BB resident
It does not take an economist to discern that Bourbon County income spent in-county helps us all, but we must have outside money coming into the pool to grow. Right now, for every $1 earned by a BB resident, only 70 cents is spent in BB, including money spent by outsiders. Much resident money goes to KC, Joplin, Internet sites, and even Iola, Pittsburg, and Nevada. Allen County, which has a population that is more than 2,000 people less than BB, collects far more sales tax than we do annually. They draw a significant amount of shoppers from Woodson, Anderson, and, yes, BB. The drive time for Allen County residents to shop in Wichita, Joplin or KC is prohibitive, so they are more inclined to shop at home.
This basic economic principle accentuates the critical nature of agriculture here, because the vast majority of the $79 million farm product sold in 2017 was to people and corporations who domicile outside of BB. That represents new dollars in our economic engine. Much of that money is spent in stores and restaurants in our towns. Ranchers drive significant miles to sell cattle in our livestock auction, then eat and shop in BB while they are here. Agriculture remains, and will continue to be, a strong driver of the BB economy.
What is my point? Thank God for every farmer/rancher you encounter. React with patience when you see a livestock trailer or farm implement around town. Greet these hardworking Americans with the respect that they are due. Create promotions in your business to attract them and show your appreciation. Attend the Bourbon County Fair and buy a premium on the animal of a 4-H participant at the auction. Attend Pioneer Harvest Fiesta and learn about the history of agriculture in this region.
The BEDCO Board of Trustees, along with our new Executive Director, Rob Harrington, will be exploring ways to invest in our agriculture and agri-business communities by attracting investment and grant money to our county. We will be investing our time, talent and treasure in every sector of our county, including our number 1 industry, agriculture.
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
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.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Bipartisan SPARK Executive Committee to Continue Economic Recovery Efforts
TOPEKA – As part of her efforts to build a better, more resilient economy in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the bipartisan members of the executive committee of the second Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce.
The Taskforce, originally established in May 2020 to oversee the distribution of funds from the federal CARES Act, is charged with leading Kansas forward in continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Through the SPARK process, we have transparently and equitably allocated more than $1 billion in CARES Act funds to support businesses, keep Kansans healthy, improve access to broadband, and boost our economy,” Governor Kelly said. “I’m pleased to reignite the Taskforce this year to maintain that transparent process and show Kansans that we’re using these relief funds to make strategic investments where they are needed most.”
Similar to the CARES funding distribution process, the Kansas Office of Recovery will again be responsible for the statewide distribution of federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to Kansas through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of March 2021.
A new and expanded seven-member executive committee will oversee the funding distribution process, assisted by an advisory committee with additional members. The advisory committee recommends investments to the executive committee, and the executive committee then makes recommendations to the State Finance Council, which makes the final determination.
Appointments to the advisory committee will be announced in the following weeks.
The members of the SPARK Executive Committee are as follows:
Lt. Governor David Toland – Chair
Secretary of Administration DeAngela Burns-Wallace – Governor’s Public Sector Appointee
Jon Rolph, Governor’s Private Sector Appointee
Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman
Senate President Ty Masterson
Greg Orman – Speaker Ryckman’s Appointee
Bill Pickert – President Masterson’s Appointee
“Through its combination of public and private partners, I know that the SPARK Taskforce will look past immediate COVID-19 recovery to build a better, more inclusive and resilient economy for future generations,” Governor Kelly said. “I want to thank these leaders for their willingness to serve.”
Eugene L. Farmer (91) was born in the family farmhouse near Devon, Kansas, on January 5, 1930. He passed peacefully May 19, 2021, at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. He was the second child of Alfred and Rowena (McCrum) Farmer.
He, his older sister, Colleen, and younger brother, Don, all attended a one room country school for the first eight years. Later he graduated from Ft. Scott High School. In high school Gene excelled in both football and track. In January of 1949 he married Betty Jane Martin. On their first anniversary in January of 1950 he proudly brought home his wife and first child, Cindy. Cindy was followed by Rod in 1951, Kathy in 1952 and Marty in 1957.
Always a hard worker, he gained plumbing and heating experience from working for his father-in-law, C.C Martin of Martin Plumbing and Heating. Gene then began working in construction. Some of the buildings of which he helped build were the National Guard Armory, Mercy Hospital, and the KG&E company. He worked morning and night often milking both his father’s and his own cows, as well as sometimes farming in the moonlight.
In 1956, Gene began a new occupation as fireman, brakeman, and conductor for the Frisco railroad working between Kansas City and Fort Scott. At that point he was able to purchase his own farm just north of Bethel School and Church. He and his family moved to Overland Park in May of 1968.
In 1983 Gene married Ruth Milam Williams, a teacher and coach in the Olathe School District. After 35 years of service, Gene retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in January 1992. Upon retirement, with his strong work ethic, Gene followed his first love and purchased a farm, built their dream home, and began farming outside of Ft. Scott.
Gene and Ruth joined the First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Scott where they were quite active. Gene served as a deacon and Ruth served on many committees. Gene moved his Shriners’ membership to Mirza Temple of Bourbon County. He particularly enjoyed activities that benefited the crippled children. Having season tickets for many years they attended KU basketball and football home games and enjoyed many vacations with the Flying Jayhawks Alumni Association. Always a farmer, he loved to plant large gardens each spring and both enjoyed giving away much of the harvest to church, family, and friends. He loved training bird dogs (mostly setters) and took pride in being one of the most passionate quail hunters in Bourbon County. In addition to a love for the outdoors, which included farming, hunting, and fishing, he also pitched fast pitch softball for the Devon Hay Bailers.
A tractor purchased by Gene’s dad, Alfred, was a 1955 Minneapolis Moline ZB. Gene had it restored and enjoyed driving it in Ft. Scott parades. He won several awards including driving the featured tractor that appeared on the collector button for the 2008 Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. Gene’s grandson (Josh) later purchased the tractor which may be seen in future Turner Day parades. Both Gene and Ruth felt honored in receiving the 2009 Bankers Conservation Award for Bourbon County.
Gene is survived by three children Cynthia Huyett, Rod (Kris) Farmer, Marty (Sandy) Farmer, a brother, Don (Paula) Farmer, two sisters-in-law, Janice (Lee) Sprinkle and Margaret (Rob) Ferriman, thirteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Kathleen Bailey Oatman (daughter), Jane Martin Farmer (wife of 28 years), Ruth Milam Farmer (second wife of 37 years) and Colleen Kelley (sister).
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, June 10, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Scott at 308 S. Crawford under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 1-2 pm with the service beginning at 2 pm. Interment will follow at the Centerville Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made either to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or First Presbyterian Church 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.
