Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Preschool Screenings are Nov. 4

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Unified School District 234
424 South Main Fort Scott, |

www.usd234.org


620-223-0800 F a\ 620-223-2760


DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
October 21,2022



What: USD 234 Preschool Screenings


Abstract:USD 234 will provide preschool screenings for children up to the age of5 years on November 4,2022. Children may have vision, hearing, speech/communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened.
The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identi$ children with
possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services.


Appointinents may be scheduled by calling Tammy Catron, Fort Scott Preschool Center, 223-8965, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The deadline for scheduling an appointment is October 28, 2022.

Government, Kansas

Work on K-3 HWY Begins Oct. 24 from Bronson to Blue Mound

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The week of Oct. 24 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to start a resurfacing project on K-3 between K-31 and U.S. 54 (see map).

 

Project activity includes a mill and inlay with rock edge wedge. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone during daylight hours. Expect delays of 15 minutes or less. Weather permitting, the road work will be finished in one month.

 

KDOT awarded Pearson Construction, LLC, of Wichita the project contract of $2 million. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Area Engineer Troy Howard at (620) 901-6557 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Housing

Thirty-five Properties Sold At The County Tax Sale, 36 Go To Land Bank

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Patty Love. Submitted photo.

The second property tax sale this year added over $86,000 to Bourbon County treasurer’s funds, with the unsold properties deeded over to the Fort Scott Land Bank.

The Bourbon County treasurer collects and distributes all real and personal property taxes. The tax districts that receive this are the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County government, and the county’s two school districts- USD 234 and USD 235.

“There were 35 properties that sold at the October 13, 2022 tax sale for a total of $86,514.09,” said Patty Love, Bourbon County Treasurer.   “The 36 properties that did not receive a bid are all properties inside Fort Scott that have City special assessments on them.  These properties are being deeded over to the Fort Scott  Land Bank. The money collected from the tax sale will be distributed to the various tax districts just like the regular tax collections.”

“Once the property has been sold and Register of Deeds issues the new deed they become like any other property of the tax roll and the new owners will be responsible for the 2022 taxes,” Love said.

To see info on the prior 2022 tax sale:

Bourbon County Tax Sale Nets $129K

 

The function of the Fort Scott Land Bank Board is as an independent agency with the City  of Fort Scott that acquires, holds, manages, transforms, and conveys surplus city properties and other abandoned, tax foreclosed, or otherwise underutilized or distressed properties in order to convey these properties for productive use, according to a prior city press release.

Currently serving on the Land Bank Advisory Board are Craig Campbell (Chairperson), Gregg Motley, Bailey Lyons,  Tim VanHoecke, Robert Coon, Patrick Wood and Jim Harris.

To learn more about Fort Scott Land Bank:

Land Bank by Gregg Motley

 

 

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Nella May “Billie” Johnson

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Nella May “Billie” Johnson, age 95, resident of Ft. Scott, KS died Thursday, October 20, 2022.  She was born July 14, 1927, in Brickeys, MO, the daughter of William and Castilla Dixon.

After the death of her parents at the age of 3, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Rebecca, and Boyd Jackson in the Stotesberry, MO area.  After graduating from Fort Scott High School, she attended 2 years at Fort Scott Community College while working at Land’s Inn.  She was part of the college band playing flute and piccolo.

She married Paul M. Johnson on December 25, 1951, at the home of her sister-in-law Alberta and Amos Cook, prior to Paul leaving to serve in the Army.

They later divorced.  Billie honored her vows and never dated or remarried.

She worked for Campbell’s laundry for several years.  Billie was a waitress for many restaurants in Fort Scott through the years.

They were blessed with two children, Paula, and Melvin Johnson.  Billie volunteered for SECAP and was known as a very giving person.  She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

 

Survivors include her children, Melvin Johnson, Pawnee Station, KS, and Paula Page and husband Dave, Ft. Scott; 2 grandsons, Andrew, and Paul Johnson; 5 great grandchildren, Blake, Austin, Georgia, Victoria, and Carter; and one great-great grandchild.

 

Pastor Michael Wriston will conduct graveside services at 11:00 Tuesday, October 25th, in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

 

Opinion

Taking My Own Sweet Time by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

A spider and a centipede are having tea.  The centipede gets up and offers to go buy snacks.  He goes out the door and hours pass.  The spider is so hungry, wondering what happened, and opens the door, only to find the centipede sitting on the doormat, still putting on his shoes.

Sometimes I am that centipede.  It takes me F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to tie my hundred shoes, to get going…in a spiritual sense, I mean.  In real world activities, I am the Energizer Bunny.

Francis Chan’s “New York Times” best seller, Crazy Love, makes me wonder if I am taking my own sweet time in becoming what God desires for me, even after 45 years of being a Christian.  Chan writes much about “lukewarm Christians” (in other words, not Christians at all).  They love God for what He can do for them (like eternity in Heaven) and not for who He is.

The test is simple, using the question John Piper wrote in God In the Gospel: “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”

Spend some time before answering.

The author is concerned about the unfaithfulness of Christians.  Referring to the question “Can I go to heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus?”, Chan’s response comes as no surprise.  “I don’t see anywhere in Scripture how the answer to that question could be yes.”

We know that Jesus’ sacrifice to die on the cross for our sins benefits us eternally, but have we ever considered the emotional pain well before the crucifixion, like how it had to sadden God to say farewell to His son and send him to earth to live with sinners who would reject him, abandon him, deny him and kill him?  (If you are a parent, put yourself in God’s shoes.)

Leading up to that Heavenly good-bye, I wonder if the angels were huddled in panic.  Were there lingering hugs and tears? Surely Jesus knew what was ahead, that he would be grieved, tempted, exhausted, frustrated and would agonize over his impending death. Still, he volunteered to come, to offer to die in our place.

How much love he has for you and me, that he made that choice!

Jesus wasn’t finished. He returned to Heaven but did not leave us without help: the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His followers and therefore us, “… it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go the Helper will not come …” (John 16:7). Get that?  Better than Jesus remaining with the disciples is that we can be gifted with his Spirit. And what a gift he is!   In John 14, we learn much about what we Christians have living inside of us, thank you, Jesus, waiting to be used.  A helper.  A comforter.  A teacher. A guide.  A prophet. A convicter. An intercessor.

Christians, we have been given everything we need to faithfully follow Jesus.  It is time we lace up our spiritual shoes and get moving.  Luke 10:2 reminds us of Jesus’ words, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few…”

Often, I have made time to talk about politics, about families, even about the weather, but I don’t make time to put on the Jesus shoe to tell others what matters most.

I have to wonder, Would Chan use that as a definition of “lukewarm”?

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas Water Office Releases 2022 Kansas Water Plan

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The plan addresses water issues facing stakeholders throughout the state

 

The Kansas Water Office (KWO) released the finalized 2022 Kansas Water Plan (KWP) this week. This is the first comprehensive water plan for the state of Kansas to be released since 2009 and provides a roadmap for navigating the vast array of water issues throughout the state.

The water plan provides an outline for management, conservation and development of the state’s water resources. To do so, it names five guiding principles – conserve and extend the High Plains Aquifer; secure, protect and restore our Kansas reservoirs; improve the state’s water quality; reduce our vulnerability to extreme events; and increase awareness of Kansas water resources.

The KWP is created by the Kansas Water Office with input from partner agencies and Regional Advisory Committees (RACs). The draft is offered for public comment before being reviewed, finalized and approved by the Kansas Water Authority.

The finalization of the plan leads into the implementation phase, where the Kansas Water Office will work with other state agencies and Regional Advisory Committees across the state to address the principles outlined in the KWP. Implementation is supported by the State Water Plan Fund, a statutory mechanism created to pay for the projects and programs identified in the KWP. This year, two statutory transfers into the fund were fully provided for the first time since 2008.

“The drought conditions throughout the state drive home the importance of having a comprehensive plan,” said KWO Director Connie Owen. “Water is the most valuable resources we have, and we must manage it strategically to ensure a safe and secure supply now and for the future.”

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Trunk or Treat at First Methodist Church on Oct. 31

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First United Methodist Community Halloween

Monday, October 31st   5:30 – 6:30pm

Parking Lot behind the church: 301 S National 

Setup begins at 5:00pm, lot will be blocked off at 5:20 for safety

Open to all. Parents and grandparents are invited to bring the kids.

Come in costume and celebrate All Hallows Eve with your friends and neighbors.

There is no charge for this event.

While you’re there, sign up for our “Parents Day Out” to be held November 12th 9am – 2pm

Submitted by Rev. Christopher Eshelman, Pastor – Fort Scott First UMC

Obituary

Obituary of Joy O’Neal

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Joy Ann Whitesell O’Neal, age 82, resident of Nevada, MO previously Ft. Scott, KS died Tuesday October 18, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin MO.

She was born July 17, 1940, in Filley, MO, the only daughter of Kenneth Whitesell Sr. and Bonnadell “Bonnie” Blevins Whitesell.

Joy graduated from Eldorado Springs High School in 1958. She then attended the University of Missouri and Fort Scott Community College. She married George O’Neal on October 31, 1959, in Nevada, MO. They had one son, Larry.

 

Joy took great pride in her job. She worked at Key Industries in Ft. Scott, KS for many years. While there she held various positions including Vice President of Customer Service, Shipping and Accounts Receivable. A co-worker remembered her as “a lovely person to work with.” She also took pride in her community, serving in many organizations. She was involved with the Downtown Program, board member of The Beacon, City Council, Mayor and Rotary where she served as president as well as one of the first female members of that organization. Joy supported the Keyhole Youth Center serving on the board. As a cancer survivor she advocated for the Care to Share organization and helped with Relay for Life events. She also enjoyed Ft. Scott’s rich history, volunteering for candlelight tours of the fort and tours of the city’s Victorian homes.

Joy attended Community of Christ Church.

Always an encourager, she exuded positive energy. She took great pride in her son, Larry, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As busy as she was Joy continued to travel/care for her mother who resided in the family home that Joy was born in, giving many of her weekends to travel back and forth.

She was an encourager, always looking for the positive in life…drawing people to her. The past few years she resided at Joe Clark Residential Care Home where she was in charge of activities playing Yahtzee and bingo encouraging others around her to participate. She could tell you all about the dreams and aspirations of the staff that worked there.

Joy Ann was aptly named; she was quite frankly a joy.

 

Survivors include a son, Larry O’Neal and wife Teresa, Ohio; a brother, Gary Whitesell and wife Robin, Stockton, MO, a granddaughter, April Kennard; four great grandchildren, Nate Elliot, Joshua Lyon, Katie and Jack Kennard, sisters-in-laws Vera Whitesell, Filley, MO and Wendy Whitesell, Newport Beach, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, brothers Jack, Kenneth, Jr. and Barney Whitesell and granddaughter Erin Lyon.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 22nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Eldorado Springs City Cemetery, Eldorado Springs, MO.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Government

Water Levels Lowered Next Week at Lake Fort Scott During Drought

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Lake Fort Scott is located southwest of Fort Scott on Indian Road.

Drought conditions continue in parts of the nation, including Bourbon County, with no helpful rainfall here since June.

In response to the drought condition, the City of Fort Scott Water Production anticipates releasing water from Lake Fort Scott beginning next week, according to a press release from the City of Fort Scott.  This will help to supplement the water already being released from both Cedar Creek and Rock Creek lakes to the Marmaton River.

“The water from Lake Fort Scott goes to Rock Creek, then to the Marmaton River, then to the water treatment plant,” Brad Matkin, assistant city manager said. “The river needs to maintain 10 foot of depth. We have taken water out of Cedar Creek. We are trying to spread it so we don’t put the three reservoirs at levels to damage something.”

The Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant treats an average of 2.6 million gallons of drinking water a day, for not only  city residents,  but also most of Bourbon County, according  to https://www.fscity.org/199/Water-Treatment-Plant.

Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

There is precipitation forecast on Oct. 24 and 25, but just a chance showers, according to the National Weather Service.

It is impossible to know when precipitation will relieve current drought conditions, or how much water will be required from the three available reservoirs, “but several days of rain are needed,” Matkin said.

“There is not an exact date when we are going to start lowering the water in Lake Fort Scott, possibly Oct. 25, we just wanted to give notice,” Matkin said.

Lake Fort Scott  residents are encouraged to secure docks as needed in anticipation of possible lowering of lake levels.

“The water release will lower lake levels,” Matkin said. “If lake residents have a floating dock, they need to tie them up.”

It’s important that the City of Fort Scott  keeps the Marmaton River at adequate levels so treatment systems can  continue to deliver drinking water, according to the press release.

The city is fortunate to have theses water sources and infrastructure available, according to the press release.

The city staff ask for patience and understanding of this process, according to the press release.

“At this time, the water lowering of Lake Fort Scott will not affect city residents,” Matkin said.

Fort Scott supplies water for the majority of Bourbon County, as well as parts of Crawford, Allen, and Vernon Counties, according to the press release.

Government, Schools

U235 Special Board Meeting on Oct. 24

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Uniontown Unified School District No. 235

 SPECIAL MEETING Monday, October 24, 2022, 7:30 p.m. in the UHS Board of Education Room Uniontown, Kansas

UNIONTOWN USD 235 601 Fifth Uniontown, Kansas 66779

TELEPHONE: 620-756-4302 FAX: 620-756-4492

Associate Superintendent Vance Eden

Board of Education Clerk Sherri Hartman Deputy Clerk Charlene Bolinger

Attendance Centers West Bourbon Elementary Uniontown Junior and Senior High School

October 20, 2022

TO: USO 235 Board of Education Members FROM: Sherri Hartman, Clerk of the Board

This letter is to serve as your official notice·of the SPECIAL board meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022, in the Board of Education room.

Board of Education Jason Sutterby, President * Mike Mason, Vice-President * Sally Johnson * Troy Goodridge* Josh Hartman * Brian Stewart * Tyler Martin

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235 UNIONTOWN, KANSAS BOARD OF EDUCATION AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
    1. Flag Salute
    2. Approve the Agenda C Mission Statement.
  2. Facility Survey Presentation by Shelly Kiblinger

Next regular board meeting date is Monday, November 14, 2022 at 7:30.

Government, Kansas

KDOT Asks For Comments on Transportation Improvement Plan

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2023-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp.

Along with the project listing is Administrative Modification #1 for updates to the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Programs narrative section and for the creation of Appendix D for the inclusion of RAISE grant awards that are not administered by KDOT with no involvement, oversight or stewardship of funds provided by KDOT.

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Nov 2. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-3254.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).

Bourbon County Local News