Obituary

Obituary of Ryan Robison

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Ryan Jackson Robison, age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at his home.
He was born January 26, 1984, in Ft. Scott, the son of Charles “Chuck” Hurd and Pamela Robison.  Ryan graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 2002.
He began working for Twister Trailer in 2009 as a welder/fabricator and is currently employed as shop manager.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting and spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by Alicia, of the home and two daughters, Kinleigh and Hadleigh.  Also surviving are his mother, Pam Hurd, of Ft. Scott; a brother, Charlie Robison and wife, C. J. and
 a sister Jayden Robison, all of Ft. Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ryan was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin and his father Chuck Hurd.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 12th at the Barnesville Cemetery east of Fulton, Kansas.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday.
  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
  Memorials are suggested to Care to Share or the Robison Twins Scholarship 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.
Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, COVID-19, Health Care

Via Christi Receives SPARK Funds For COVID-19 Staff and Drugs

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Via Christi’s Emergency Department in Fort Scott.

Recently over 100  Bourbon County businesses, organizations, school districts, churches and other categories of entities received  SPARk Grants to help with COVID-19 expenses.

The see the whole list of recipients, click below:

https://fortscott.biz/news/spark-projects-in-bourbon-county

 

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce plan is to lead Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to its’ website,https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

SPARK is responsible for the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.

The total amount of grants disbursed in Bourbon County were
$2,835,212.86, according to information provided by Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener.

 

Ascension Via Christi Pittsburg Inc. received $203,150 for its’ emergency department in Bourbon County in October 2020.

 The vast majority of the funding we received allowed us to provide additional staffing for the Covid-19  patient surge and the increased utilization of targeted pharmaceuticals for Covid treatment,” said Michelle Kennedy, Ascension Via Christi Senior Specialist for
Marketing and  Communications.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, Ks. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Attorney Faces Discipline Hearing

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Kansas prosecutor faces hearing for alleged misconduct

Story by the Associated Press, taken from its website.

https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-courts-fc7e12e48e937d6465c34a21422805f3

December 7, 2020

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Shawnee County prosecutor faces a disciplinary hearing this week over allegations that she lied in court and crossed other ethical boundaries to obtain convictions.

A three-member panel of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys is presiding over the weeklong hearing that started Monday to determine if Jacqie Spradling’s conduct merits formal discipline, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

Spradling is now the Bourbon County attorney and an assistant county attorney in Allen County. Neither she nor her lawyer immediately replied to messages seeking comment.

Spradling is accused of showing a lack of competence, candor and fairness in two cases she prosecuted.

The first was a 2012 case against Dana Chandler, who was convicted of murder in the 2002 deaths of her ex-husband, Mike Sisco, and his fiancée, Karen Harkness.

Spradling is accused of misleading a jury to believe Chandler had violated a protection order, despite there being no evidence that such an order existed. No physical evidence connected Chandler, who lived in Denver at the time of the killings, to the crime scene.

Chandler appealed her convictions and the Kansas Supreme Court overturned them in 2018 and sent the case back to Shawnee County District Court, where she is scheduled to stand trial for the killings again next year.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court said Chandler’s 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.”

In the second case, Spradling served as a special prosecutor in the case of Jacob Ewing, a Holton man who was convicted of sexually assaulting two women. The Kansas Court of Appeals overturned those convictions, finding that Spradling made a half-dozen errors and misled the jury by making assertions during her closing argument that were unsupported by the evidence.

Spradling claimed without evidence that Ewing had abused someone with autism — a claim that the appeals court said “improperly inflamed the passions and prejudices of the jury by painting Ewing as a bad person who preyed on especially vulnerable women.”

Ewing’s case was remanded to the district court, where he is set to stand trial again on the charges.

If the panel of three lawyers determines that Spradling engaged in prosecutorial misconduct and error, it could simply admonish her. If it finds that the conduct was more serious, it could recommend to the state Supreme Court hat she be disciplined. The high court would then decide on a punishment ranging from public censure to disbarment.

Obituary

Obituary of Gary Wayne Roberts

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Gary Wayne Roberts

Gary Wayne Roberts, age 60, passed away on December 8, 2020, at his home in Fort Scott, Kansas. Gary was born May 29, 1960, in Osceola, MO, the son of Dorn and Mary (Edwards) Roberts.

Gary lived his life to the fullest doing what he loved. He was a mechanic for many years. He was also a local truck driver for the Pittsburg, KS, area.

He spent a lot of his time living either in Kansas or Arizona due to having family in both places. He just recently settled in Fort Scott to be closer to his siblings.

Gary was a prankster and loved to play pranks on anyone he could get to fall for them.

His laughter was one of a kind that anyone who knew him will never forget.

He also had a love for muscle cars and step side trucks.
Although he never had any biological children, he was like a dad to many.

His love for kids was insurmountable. Gary also had his own nicknames for all those kids and for most of his friends. If you had a nickname you knew you were loved by him.

Gary was proceeded in death by both parents, a brother, Timothy Roberts, a nephew, Harvey and a great niece, Sandra Ann. He is survived by two young ladies that he considered his daughters, Stacey Day and her daughters Taylor and Madison from Pittsburg, KS, and Tiffany Gottschall and her daughter Addison from Arizona. He is also survived by two brothers, Loren (Susan) Roberts, Garland, KS, Ronnie Roberts, Fort Scott, KS, three Sisters, Sherry (Dan Neff), Centerville, KS, Joyce (Dan) Henderson, Louisburg, KS, and Melinda Shepherd, Arma, KS.

There was cremation. Private family burial will take place later. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Kansas

Direct to Customer Meat Marketing Webinars

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KDA Offers Direct-to-Consumer Meat Marketing and Consumer Webinars

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Now more than ever, consumers are looking to build relationships and buy their food direct from the source. The Kansas Department of Agriculture will host a series of informational webinars in early January 2021 to provide information about direct-to-consumer meat sales. “Adding direct-to-consumer sales can be an option to diversify farm income,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “We are pleased to provide innovative programing and educational opportunities to help Kansas’ farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses grow and expand market options and continue to serve as economic engines in their communities.”

 

During the week of January 4, KDA will be offering a webinar series designed to provide more insight in the direct-to-consumer business model. This five-part webinar series will be held daily, January 4–8, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and will feature meat marketing and regulatory experts. This series is designed for those who wish to sell direct-to-consumer. In addition, KDA will host a second one-part webinar which will be focused on information for consumers and will address their questions about direct purchases of meat products. It will be held on Wednesday, January 6, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

 

Throughout the first webinar series, Kansas Meat Marketing Basics: Putting you a Cut Above, participants will learn the basics of starting a farm to fork business, including discussions about naming your business, product selection, pricing, social media marketing, regulatory considerations and more. The series will feature presentations by Rachel Cutrer, Ranch House Designs, Inc. and B.R. Cutrer, Inc.; Danette Amstein and Myasia Burns, Midan Marketing; and Dr. Liz Boyle with Kansas State University’s value-added meats program.

 

At the second webinar, Clearing the Confusion: Meat Marketing Consumer Basics, participants will learn about basic meat science and meat processing and will receive recipes and resources for consumers to utilize cuts of beef. Guest speakers will include Collette Kaster, American Meat Science Association; Chad Bontrager, Yoder Meats, Bowser Meat Processing and Heartland Meat Market; and a representative from the Kansas Beef Council.

 

Registration is now open for both the webinar series and the consumer webinar, and there is no cost to participate. You can participate in one or more of the webinars, as the speakers and content will be different for each session. Find detailed agendas and register at: www.agriculture.ks.gov/BusinessDevelopment.

 

It is the mission of KDA to support all facets of agriculture, including lending support to those who wish to market and sell their products off the farm. For more information, contact KDA compliance education coordinator Dana Ladner at [email protected] 785-564-6660.

 

Government, Kansas

Food Banks and Transportation Needs For Senior Citizens Sought

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Kelly Stammer, Regional Resource Coordinator/East Region, Economic & Employment Services, Kansas Department for Children and Families is seeking what is available locally for senior citizens.

“I need to find out what is available to senior citizens as far as food banks and what accommodations are there for those with no transportation,” she said in an email to the Bourbon County Coalition.

 

 

Kelly Stammer can be reached at

620-421-4500 Ext 251 or

620-215-9729 Cell or

www.goals.ks.gov

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Government, Jobs

Ribbon Cutting For Bourbon Co. Workforce and Entrepreneur Center Dec. 10

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Join us for a
Chamber Coffee & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Thursday, December 10th, 8am
As we celebrate the opening of
B-WERC!
Bourbon County Workforce & Entrepreneur Resource Center
Attention Chamber Members!
Join us this Thursday, December 10th
to celebrate the opening of B-WERC with a
Chamber Coffee & Ribbon Cutting!
17 S. Main St.
upstairs of the Kress Building
Due to the COVID pandemic, temperature readings
will be taken upon entry to the Chamber Coffee
and attendees will be required to wear masks throughout the event. If anyone feels uncomfortable with these requirements, the host asks that
you reconsider attending.
Click here for the Bourbon County Eco. Devo. Facebook page.
Click here for the Kansas Small Business Development Center Facebook page.
Click here for the Southeast KANSASWORKS Facebook page.
B-WERC is a multi-partner collaboration of Bourbon County, Kansas Small Business Development Center, Southeast KANSASWORKS, Fort Scott Community College, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and BAJA Investments. The center focuses on growing and sustaining businesses, connecting jobs and serving people. Current and aspiring entrepreneurs, employers, and job seekers can make an appointment for services including marketing support, financial review and projections, obtaining capital, establishing an online presence, legalizing childcare providers, unemployment and job seeking assistance.
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Caroling and Chocolate Friday in Downtown Fort Scott

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THE CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO A CAROLING & COCOA LATE NIGHT SHOPPING EVENT DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT THIS FRIDAY, 5-8 PM
~ ~ ~
The event will feature several groups of carolers
strolling sidewalks of Downtown from store to store with cocoa served by free will donation on the corner of Wall St. & National Ave.
~ ~ ~
This event offers locals & visitors another opportunity to shop small & support local
while enjoying some holiday cheer!
Find the hidden mistletoe to win Chamber Bucks!
SEE MORE DETAILS BELOW!
Click on these Links to share them to your page! Thank you!
Obituary

Obituary of Marilynn Konantz Miller

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Marilynn Konantz Miller 100, of Hastings, Nebraska passed away December 7, 2020. She was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on April 3, 1920, the daughter of Hazel Marie (Bicknell) and Bruder Konantz. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1941, was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Pi Lambda Theta (an education honorary), and the Dean‘s Acapella Choir.

After college graduation, Marilynn taught music in Coffeyville, Kansas and married Douglas Franklin Miller on October 7, 1944, in Fort Scott. The couple had three children. In 1955 Douglas’s long-time employer, Sears, moved the family to Hastings, NE, where the family lived for many years. Marilynn was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a charter member of Chapter HT of PEO, and a life member of Olive Chapter of Eastern Star in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Music was an important part of Marilynn’s life. She played violin in the Hastings Symphony Orchestra in the 1960’s and taught music at St. Cecilia’s Elementary School in the 1960’s and 70’s. She also taught piano at Hastings College in the preparatory department and was a staunch supporter of The Hastings College Music Department. Marilynn loved to play the piano, socialize with friends, play bridge, read, travel to Colorado to visit her grandchildren, and travel the world on cruise ships.

Marilynn is survived by her three children: Mary Lynne Koepke and husband Jerry of Littleton, CO; Annie Marie Young of Colorado Springs, CO; and Martin Miller and wife Lynda of Doniphan, NE. She has four grandchildren: David Koepke and wife Laura of Golden, CO; Katie Koepke of Golden, CO; Michael Young and wife Diana of Atlanta, GA; and Elizabeth Young of Aurora, CO. Marilynn has two step grandsons: Skyler Rader and Logan Rader. She has 3 great-grandchildren: Ava Koepke, Wyatt Koepke, and Aria Sophia Young. She has 5 nieces: Susan Foster, Becky Sandhaus, Mary Lauber, Hilda Poort, and Sue Grover. She has 3 nephews: Bruder Stapleton, Jack Stapleton, and Jimmy Miller. Marilynn is preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Franklin, and her sister, Hazel Marie Stapleton.

Marilynn always enjoyed family and supported her loved ones in all they undertook. She valued her connections with the Hastings Community and cherished her many friends and associates. Marilynn has been a resident of Edgewood Vista for ten years, and her family wishes to extend gratitude to their fine staff for all their care, kindness, and support. Rev. Steve Cole will officiate the graveside service, December 14, 2020 at the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, KS under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in Hastings, NE next spring or summer.

Bourbon County, Government

New Third District County Commissioner: Clifton Beth

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Clifton Beth from Facebook.
Clifton Beth, 47, is the new  Third District Bourbon County Commissioner, replacing Nick Ruhl, who resigned on August 26.
Beth received his associate’s degree in nursing from Fort Scott Community College and is a lifelong resident of Bourbon County.
He farmed for 25 years,  and has been a Registered Nurse for nine years, and additionally is a past small business owner.
“I currently have three businesses in development, but with COVID-19, we have slowed progress on those,” Beth said.
The following are responses to questions posed to Beth.
Why did you desire to become a county commissioner?
“In an environment where health care is changing on a daily basis, I would like to see a stable Emergency Room and a resemblance of health care in Bourbon County. I would like to see a community where my children could call home if they so choose.”
What are the duties of your job? 
“To oversee the management of the county, representing county interests at the state and federal level, participating in long-range planning, and managing the county budget and finances.”
Anything new on the horizon?
“I look forward to working with the new incoming commission this coming January.”

Bourbon County Local News