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Art, Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Portrait of Gordon Parks

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Fort Scott, Kan. Dec.7, 2023 – A portrait of Gordon Parks painted by Elliott Coke O’Neal of Lawrenceville, Ga., was donated recently to the Gordon Parks Museum.

O’Neal rendered the image in 2009 during an art class at Georgia State College in Atlanta, where he
was a sophomore. He had given the portrait to his great-grandmother, Laverne Person, in Fort Scott the year it was finished.

O’Neal’s grandparents, Arthur Greene and Janice Person-Greene, originally from Fort Scott, who now reside in Olathe, visited the museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College to formally donate the painting on O’Neal’s behalf.

For information on the Gordon Parks Museum, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director, 620) 223-2700,
ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Janice Person-Greene (left) donating the painting on behalf of their grandson, Elliott Coke O’ Neal.
Photo take by Arthur Greene.
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Opinion

Letter to The Editor: Matthew Wells

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Words carry weight:

The scriptures would teach us that the power of life and death is in the tongue. So I would ask you, when you speak is it bringing Life?

No one is challenging anyone’s right guaranteed under the First Amendment to say whatever they want. I am asking if you care about this town, I am asking you to care about our future. I am asking you to think about your words and what benefit they bring when you speak to them.  I’m not asking not to post on social media I am asking you to weigh the words, and ask will this bring Life?

I would ask you if it’s important to you to know something come and ask, and the answer shall be given.  But if you’re not willing to come in and ask for the information which is freely available then where does the fault lie?

Ask and you shall receive knock, and the door shall be open unto you.

I call upon the people of this community, I call upon all the people of Fort Scott to decide we are going to be a people that come together and put the City Of Fort Scott upon our shoulders that we decide here and now from this moment forward that everything that we do and everything that we say has an impact on all of those around us.

I envision a community that talks to you, not about you. I envision a community that looks for points of agreement and progress, even if it’s only an ounce. For even a small ounce of progress is better than pounds of regress and rage.

I want to be the type of commission that adds value to the community not poisons the value of other contributions. I envision a commission intent on focusing on the idea, not who gets credit for coming up with it.

I want to be the kind of community leaders who goes first with trust and truth.

Where we miss the mark, or drop the ball, let’s acknowledge it.

Let us never be afraid to admit when we are wrong take ownership of that and adjust with authentic intentions.

Let us be more than a community, let us be the team, together, building trust.

I understand that in times of uncertainty, fear seeps in. That fear most often leads to suspicion which can cause an inherent mistrust of all the information that is provided. We want to be the kind of commission that communicates with you clearly and provides the information that shows you the positive aspects and how we are doing everything we can to make sure there is a way forward in positivity.

We are overcoming years of mistrust, most of it justified, and that is not something that will take place quickly, or without the honest intentions and a desire to be a city that inspires you to see the great progress we have made.

This is not to say that there should not be critical discussions about ideas that would help move us forward as a whole. But At the same time attacking a person, as opposed to bringing the conversation to focus on a better idea is unproductive.

I understand that many of you are scared, and this fear leads to an attitude of mistrust and sustained suspicion, but I can promise you that if you come and ask for the information, we want you to know the truth and all of the good things that are going on around you.

This Sunday we spoke for a bit on hope at church, and here’s the rub.

I feel I’ve been called by God to live a life that follows after King Jesus, now within this, that means that I’ve chosen to follow after certain ideals. One of those is speaking life, another is trusting God, but the one we talked about this Sunday is hope.

When faced with that decision of whether I will speak life or death over a situation, I will always choose to speak life, to speak truth, and I ask you to consider whether the words that you are speaking,  when you speak them with your mouth or type them on social media, what are those words filled with? What encouragement or idea is being presented?

Is it life or is it death? And if it is an issue that you feel strongly enough about bringing to someone else’s attention, why would you not come to the table and bring your solution and say here is how we resolve that problem. Because if you’re not willing to help solve the problem, then you must consider whether or not you are part of that problem.

So in this, I am going to choose to try to live a life that is a testament to that which the Lord has shown me to live:   to speak the truth,  to have joy, to allow words filled with life to flow from my mouth, to live with expectation, to foster hope, and to trust that my God will find a way.

We are community, we are Fort Scott, we will not be undone by divisive rhetoric, this is when we come together, this is where we unite, this is where we stand up and be better.

Because together we are better.
Let us be better

There Is another word for hope, it’s a name that was given to Jesus Emmanuel. “ God with us.”

For if the gift of God is with us then how could we not be filled with hope?

God bless you all. God bless Fort Scott.

Jerimiah 33:9 Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for Them.

#togetherwearebetter

Mayor City of Fort Scott
Matthew Wells
[email protected]
Cell 417-684-1714
Office/fax 620-223-3090

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition General Membership Meeting Minutes  

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

December 6, 2023

 

 

  1. Welcome:  Billie Jo welcomed twenty members representing thirteen agencies.  She informed the members that the board had approved an expenditure for bicycles for the “Adopt-a-Child” program at Beacon.

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Sandra Haggard, RSVP: The next Bourbon County Red Cross blood drive will be December 21 and 22 at Buck Run Community Center.  Sandy needs a few more volunteers.  Billie Jo will forward Sandy’s schedule to the membership; contact Sandy if you are available to help.
  • David Gillen, Beacon: In November Beacon had 325 families, including 11 new families, utilize services; they served a total of 749 people.  All 79 families for the Adopt-A-Child program have been adopted!
  • Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research: Always looking for partners to supply space for her nutrition programs.
  • Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis, CASA: These programs need volunteers!
  • Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: Tammy reviewed classes she is able to provide in Bourbon County; contact her if you have clients who would benefit from participating.
  • Christine Abbott, SEK Works: There has been a change of appointment hours in the Fort Scott office:  Monday through Thursdays, 10 a.m. until 3p.m.  Walk-ins should come before or after those hours.  The Youth Summit was held in November with a few more than 150 young adults participating.  Chelsea Walker is the new Career Advisor; she will begin coming to the Fort Scott office soon.
  • Tess Watson: Tess’s program, based in Columbus, has recently expanded to include Bourbon County.  The program provides beds for children who are sleeping on the floor or on a couch.  To date, Tess has been able to provide 1500 beds for children.
  • Janelle Tate, Early Childhood Block Grant and Dee Dee LeFever, Greenbush Community Liaison, are in the process of planning a training event for the Early Childhood Coalition to be held in April alongside the Child Care Aware program. They will provide specific details at a later date.
  • Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health: They provide skilled nursing to clients in their homes; sixty of their present clients (30%) are in our Bourbon County area.
  • Travis Wilcoxsen, Angel Care Home Health: The focus right now is upper respiratory; they will serve patients with Covid.  Goal is to them better, off service, and back where they want to be.
  • Heather, Walker-Shepherd, CHC and USD 234:  Heather goes into the homes to work with the families in USD 234.  She is also a certified tobacco treatment specialist.
  • Michelle Stevenson, Fort Scott Early Childhood Pre-School Center: She is a resource for the parent; she has begun screening for next year.
  • Nick Johnson, USD 234 Pre-School: Screenings are held every month; contact the Pre-School with referrals.

 

  1. Program:  CHC: Tobacco Cessation presented by Brenda, Stokes Lisa Wells, and Jennelle Knight

 

Tobacco usage for Bourbon County residents over eighteen years of age is much higher than the state average.  CHC offers individual and group programs to help participants free themselves from tobacco use and has recently been able to pilot these cessation classes in Bourbon County.  Jennelle is now able to train tobacco treatment specialists; all participants in her first class were Bourbon County residents.  CHC will soon be implementing a program, including the dangers of vaping, to work with students in the schools.  Their grant also allows CHC to work with employers to help them provide tobacco free work spaces. Currently, the programs have no fees if the participant’s insurance does not pay.  Often participants need to repeat the class in order to become completely tobacco free.  CHC patients are able to get low-cost or free medications to help the process so cost should not be a negative factor for the participants.

 

  1. Open Forum:
  • Billie Jo reminded members of the inclement weather policy; she will send a message before 9:00 a.m. if a General Meeting needs to be cancelled due to weather.

 

  1. Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be January 3, 2024.
  • The program will be presented by Tess Watson on her bed project.

 

Government, Kansas

Flags Half-Staff For Sandra Day O’Connor

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Governor Kelly Orders Flags to be Flown at
Half-Staff in Honor of Former Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor


TOPEKA – In accordance with Executive Order 20-30 and following the proclamation of President Joe Biden, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in honor of Sandra Day O’Connor, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Sandra Day O’Connor blazed a trail not just on the Supreme Court but for women at every level of government,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Dedicated, impartial, and pragmatic, she sought consensus on the toughest issues facing the court, shaping the country as we know it today. My sincere condolences go out to her family.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

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Stay Conn
Obituary

Obituary of Dirk Myers

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Dirk Randel Myers, 66, resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away late Sunday evening, November 26, 2023. He was born November 8, 1957, in Lawton, Oklahoma, the son of Richard “Dick” Evan Myers and Virginia Joyce (Yoke) Myers.

 

He grew up in Fort Scott and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1976. After graduation, he attended The Kansas City Art Institute where he graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 1980.  Upon graduation he worked as a free-lance artist; some of his work included the brochure for the First Annual Homes for the Holiday Tour, the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta advertisement in the Fort Scott Tribune, and many items for the United Methodist Church of which he was a member. He moved to Pittsburg, Kansas and continued as a free-lance artist while working for the Senior Center. He was retired but continued to display and sell his artwork. Dirk loved the Lord, and his family with all his heart.

 

Dirk is survived by his mother, Virginia Myers, of Fort Scott; two sisters, Lesa D. Butler and husband Steve, of Lucas, Texas, Bridget A. Reber and husband Hobie of Lake Winnebago, Missouri; and five nieces and nephews, Kayla Blevins, Jennifer Butler, Samuel, Maxwell, Ava Reber and one great-nephew Asher Blevins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dick Myers and grandparents Francis and Dorothy Myers and George and Essie Yoke.

Following cremation, the family will hold a private graveside service in July of 2024.

Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Tree of Heroes Tradition to Honor Heroes in Our Lives

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes…..

The Perfect Gift!

Join us in spreading holiday cheer and honoring our heroes!

Purchase a special ornament and be part of our new “Tree of Heroes” tradition. Your contribution supports those who make a positive difference every day.

One Custom Ornament – $5

(placed on the Tree of Heroes at the LMC)

Set of Two Ornaments – $15

One Custom Ornament

(placed on the Tree of Heroes at the LMC)

One Gift Ornament

(gift wrapped to give to your Hero)

The perfect gift for

*Parents

*Grandparents

*Teachers

*Role Models

Ornaments available for purchase at the

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

1 South Main St. Fort Scott, KS 66701

Let’s fill the tree with gratitude and love!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Obituary

Obituary of Shirley Doty

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Shirley Mae Andrews Doty, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, in Fort Scott, KS. She was 84 years old.

Shirley grew up in Arma, KS. She married Orval in August 1960. The fall of 1966, Shirley started college at Fort Scott Community College. After graduation, Shirley attended Pittsburg State University. She graduated with a major in Education in 1971. Shirley taught Kindergarten in Lansing, KS for one year. She then taught Kindergarten at Sunflower Elementary, DeSoto, and then moved to teaching Second grade at DeSoto Elementary. She retired after teaching 33 years. Shirley then joined Orval and lived in Fort Scott the remainder of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orval, her parents, Harold Andrews and Mary Endicott Jones, a sister, Betty Andrews Holland, and an infant son, Terry Wayne Colvin.

She is survived by her children; Jacque Doty, Ft Scott, Orval Doty (Teresa), Blue Mound, David Doty, DeSoto, Susan Plummer, (Dave) DeSoto, John Doty Ft Scott; her grandchildren, Brooke Crossley, Brad Crossley (Emma), Brittany Kibel, Amy Reynolds (Wally), William Doty (Andrea), Kristina Lohmyer (Eric), Amanda Plummer, Dylan Doty; her great grandchildren, Amy, Cameron, Kimber, Tristan, Kaylee, Madaline, Julia, Lucas, Adeline, Emma, Chase, Peyton, Brady; and her great great granddaughter, Luna. She also leaves behind her sister, Josie Harris Stilwell Ok and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family who will miss her very much.

There was cremation.  Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 16th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Interment will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Health Care

Sen. Moran Introduces Legislation to Expand Rural Emergency Hospital Designation  

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Adjustment Act that would allow previously closed rural hospitals to potentially re-open and apply for the Rural Emergency Hospital designation if they can demonstrate they met all eligibility requirements between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 27, 2020.

The REH designation was created as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to enable certain hospitals to convert to the new Medicare provider designation, which helps rural hospitals to continue operating with limited services rather than closing. Currently, hospitals are only eligible for the designation if they met the requirements when the legislation was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020.

 “Access to outpatient and emergency services often determines if a rural community can survive,” said Sen. Moran. “More than 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2015, and this legislation will allow these hospitals an opportunity to re-open and serve their communities.”

The Rural Emergency Hospital Adjustment Act would extend the eligibility date back to Jan. 1, 2015, for hospitals that were either critical access hospitals or rural hospitals with no more than 50 beds.

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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center Participating in the 35th Annual Toybox Campaign

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The Lowell Milken Center has joined the 35th Annual Toybox campaign which runs through December 12. It is one of the 4-States’ largest toy drives to benefit underprivileged children in Southeast Kansas, Southwest Missouri, and Northeast Oklahoma. KOAM News Now, Salvation Army and many other community service organizations and businesses have organized this worthwhile endeavor.

 

In Fort Scott, new, unwrapped toys for children birth through 16 years of age may be dropped off during regular business hours at the Lowell Milken Center at 1 South Main. (The Lowell Milken Center is open from 10 am–5 pm, M-F, and 10 am–4 pm on Saturdays.) The toys will be distributed through Compassionate Ministries/Salvation Army here in Bourbon County.

 

Toybox Tuesday Telethons will be conducted during the Noon, 5:00, 6:00, and 9:00 pm newscasts on KOAM and FOX14 and its KOAM+ streaming platforms.  Dates for the telethons are November 28, December 5, and December 12. Viewers have the opportunity to make a tax-deductible financial contribution to support Toybox during the telethons. All monies raised are used to purchase new toys and gifts.

 

Additional information can be found at http://koamnewsnow.com/Toybox.

Obituary

Memorial Service for Wilma Graham is December 9

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Wilma Kay Graham, age 77, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 12, 2023, at her home in Redfield.  There was cremation.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, December 9th, at the Redfield United Methodist Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Redfield Ruritan 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.