Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Schedule of Parent Teacher Conferences Oct. 17-18

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Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 55701-2697
www.usd234.org
620-223-800 Fax 620-223-2760


DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent


October 14,2022


Parent/Teacher conferences for the USD 234 School District will be held on Monday, October 17, and Tuesday, October 18. Conferences will be held at the following times:


Fort Scott Preschool Center – 4:00 to 7:50 p.m.
Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware – 4:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School – 4:30 to 8 p.m.


There will be no school for USD 234 students on Friday, October 21.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Buffalo Being Auctioned on Nov. 2

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Public Invited to Bison Auction at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 2

Kansas City, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will conduct a public auction to sell surplus bison from Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and the Sandsage Bison Range on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. The auction will begin at 11 a.m. and take place at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge – 6 miles north of Canton in McPherson County. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Those interested in bidding should arrive early to receive a bidder number.

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is managed specifically to preserve the area’s prairie heritage. As such, herds of bison and elk are maintained, both species that are native to Kansas grasslands. However, because the Refuge can support only a certain number of animals, surplus bison are occasionally sold at a public auction.

On Nov. 2, 2022, a combined total of 80 bison will be auctioned, including:

  • 15 – Cows
  • 2 – 2-yr-old Heifers
  • 7 – Yearling Heifers
  • 13 – Heifer Calves
  • 12 – 2-yr-old Bulls
  • 15 – Yearling Bulls
  • 16 – Bull Calves

Bison older than a year will be brucellosis and tuberculosis tested and accompanied by a health certificate. Heifer calves older than 6 months will be vaccinated for brucellosis and certificates issued.

Buyers must pick up bison on the day of the sale or make arrangements with the refuge manager prior to the sale. Animals become the buyer’s responsibility upon settlement on sale day.

Load-out assistance is available until dusk on the day of the sale. Stock racks and trailers should be covered or lined, as bison transport best in dark conditions.

Cash and personal checks (if accompanied by a notarized authorization letter from the issuing bank) will be accepted.

KDWP reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

For questions regarding the auction, contact Maxwell Wildlife Refuge manager Cliff Peterson at (620) 628-4592 or the KDWP Region 3 Office in Wichita at (316) 683-8069.

For more on Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, including tour information, click HERE.

For more on the Sandsage Bison Range, click HERE.

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Government, Kansas

KS Virtual Job Fair Oct. 19

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Governor Laura Kelly Encourages Kansans to Participate in Upcoming Virtual Job Fair
for State Employment

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today encouraged Kansans currently searching for employment or looking to make a career change to participate in the next KANSASWORKS Virtual Job Fair, which takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19. The virtual fair will focus on all state agency job openings.

“KANSASWORKS is hard at work every day connecting Kansans with employers looking to hire, and I’m pleased they are focusing on opportunities with state agencies,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This job fair provides Kansans the opportunity to work in meaningful and good-paying jobs with great benefits, allowing them to provide a prosperous future for their families.”

The state’s 98 government agencies have approximately 900 full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities available across the state. Kansas has conducted 17 virtual job fairs since the beginning of 2020, showcasing jobs from hundreds of employers across the state. More than 1,500 people have participated in the state’s job fair events this year.

“Recruiting top talent to state agencies is a high priority for the Kelly Administration,” said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “We need dynamic and visionary individuals to join our team and help provide critical services to Kansans across the state.”

The online job fairs allow those looking for work to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating agencies. To participate in the virtual job fair, regardless of previous participation, registration is required. Register here.

Jobseekers also can find a training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in. Participants are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers might request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates will be able to participate via any digital device, including a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

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Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

The Haunting of Belltown Comes to Fort Scott

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Travis and Jennifer Sawyer and some of their friends came up with a Halloween event that will take place starting this evening at Riverfront Park on Fort Scott’s North National Avenue.

The two-evening event is called the Haunting of Belltown.

“Travis and I and our friends thought up this idea for the community,” Jennifer said. “We did a small hayride last year with our kids and they enjoyed it so we did a haunted hayride last year for the community and was a big hit. Unfortunately insurance for our dealership to host it was going to cost too much so we decided to do it in town.”

Left-right: John Willis, Jerica Roberts, Jennifer Sawyer, Travis Sawyer, Mary Binford, and Josh Binford (not pictured) are the creators of the Haunting of Belltown. Submitted photo.

A haunted walking trail, hayride and Halloween movies await those who come  to the Haunting of Belltown.

“The hayride I would say is for all ages and the haunted trail I would say 6th grade and up, but will be best based on parents preference,” Jennifer said.

The event is Oct. 14 and 15 from 7 to 11 p.m. , on the southside of the Marmaton River on North National Avenue.

“It will be the road where Stephen Toal did all the murals under the Hwy. 69 bypass,” Jennifer said. “There will be a hayride, haunted walking trail, Halloween movies will be playing, and we will be selling hot dogs, hot cocoa and other beverages.”

To enter is free but they  will be accepting donations.

More information can be found for Friday night:

Saturday night:

Sawyer Automotive is located at 1631 235th St. Fort Scott and can be reached at 620-215 5020.
The event is sponsored by:

-Sawyer Automotive sales & affiliates
-M & RC rentals
-Carhelp
-Washateria
-Durossettes tire shop
-Key Industries
-ONEstop
-Great Expectations
-Miller’s Feed
-Courtland Hotel
-Brigg’s Auto
-Pearson Towing
-Skitch’s Hauling and Excavation
-Marsha’s Deli
-Triple T construction
-Bourbon County Cars
-American Legion
-American Legion riders
-Uncle Hemp’s CBD health & wellness
-Labconco
Government, Kansas

KS Lifetime Hunting, Fishing License’s Available for Kids

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Applications Available for New Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting, Fishing License

Kansas City, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is proud to announce the application period for the state’s all-new lifetime hunting and fishing license for kids will begin October 14, 2022. Any resident youth who is 7 years old or younger at the time of application will be eligible to have a Kansas lifetime hunting and fishing license purchased on their behalf at a reduced rate: $302.50 for those 5 and younger, and $502.50 for those 6 or 7 years old. Paper applications can be downloaded HERE; Electronic applications will be available beginning January 2023.

“Our children and grandchildren are absolutely the future of natural resource conservation in our state, so we’re proud to offer a special avenue for them to enjoy Kansas’ outdoors throughout their life,” said KDWP Secretary Brad Loveless.

Individuals wishing to purchase a Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for a youth in their life can ensure seamless processing of their application by adhering to these four tips:

  1. An application must be completed for each child, including proof of Kansas Residency. Incomplete applications will be returned.
  2. This calendar year only, KDWP will honor all eligible applications that are completed, submitted and postmarked by December 31, 2022, even if the child has recently “aged out.” After December 31, 2022, only resident youth who are 7 years old or younger at the time of application and postmarked date will be eligible.
  3. Applications will be processed by Licensing staff in the order they are received. And applicants will be notified once their application is approved.
  4. Due to the already reduced rate (compared to that of Kansas’ existing lifetime licenses), payment plans will not be available for the Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License; Payment is due in full upon application.

It’s important to note that anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must be certified by an approved course in hunter education before they can legally hunt in Kansas, except that anyone 15 years old or younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 years old or older; The purchase of a Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License does not eliminate this requirement.

For more information on the Kansas Kids Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License, including a downloadable PDF of frequently-asked questions, click HERE.

For more information on Kansas Hunter Education, including a list of all available courses, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunter-Education-Info.

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Ascension Via Christi, Fort Scott, Health Care

Ascension Via Christi to close Fort Scott clinic, Girard Medical Center steps in

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Dr. Katrina Burke. Submitted photo.


Ascension Via Christi will be closing its Family Medicine clinic in Fort Scott as of Nov. 11.

On the heels of that closing, Girard Medical Center is planning to reopen its practice in Ascension Via Christi clinic’s current location at 109 S. Main St, which will be staffed by Katrina Burke, MD, the clinic’s current physician provider.


“Our goal when we established the clinic was to ensure Fort Scott residents’ access to primary care services,” says Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “This transition of the clinic to a new owner does that, which is in keeping with our overall goal of using our resources to ensure rural Kansans’ continued access to close-to-home care.”


To receive care at the Fort Scott clinic after Nov. 11, patients will need to call 620-232-0453 to request a transfer of their medical records.


“Our Fort Scott Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, established almost four years ago when the Fort Scott hospital closed, will continue to provide 24/7 Emergency Care,” says Talbott.


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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Fort Scott, Schools

U234: Community Survey Starts Today

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USD 234 has set a goal of better communication.  Please help us succeed by filling out this quick survey to provide feedback:
Surveys may be found on our website under Superintendent’s Message.
A paper survey may be picked at the Board Office, located at 424 S Main or patrons may call 620-223-0800 to complete the survey over the phone.
It’s a great day to be a Tiger!
Submitted by Gina Shelton, USD 234 Board Clerk
Opinion

All God Wants? by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

1 Corinthians 10:26: The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.

When Dave and I moved back to Fort Scott in the early 80’s, we attended various churches in order to decide where we best fit.  It was a season for tithing sermons, I guess, a subject we were not too keen on obeying.  I mean, we gave to charities and tossed some dollars into all of the collection plates, but if these churches were going to browbeat us into feeling guilty, they weren’t for us.

Embarrassing, I agree.

As relatively new Christians, we had missed out on a basic tenet of Faith, namely, God owns everything we think we own.  Everything.  He has blessed us with the ability to accumulate what we have, so we cannot take credit for any of our possessions.

When you read the Old Testament, it becomes evident that God wants the first 10% of what we make.  The “first” 10%.  Then Jesus arrived on the scene, and the New Testament tells us to “live generously.”  No longer is a specific amount noted, so most scholars claim that 10% should be a minimum we give.

Pastor Todd Mullens, from the church Dave and I attended three years ago in Jupiter, Florida, made a powerful demonstration of how that minimum plays out.  On the stage, he had a large basket of fruit.  He pulled out 10 bunches of carrots, carefully counting them as he laid them on a table.  He removed one bunch and placed it in a smaller basket.  That was God’s portion.  He did likewise with apples and cucumbers.

Then he told a story about his son’s sixth birthday party.  For a present, his grandpa had given Jefferson 10 one-dollar bills.  Todd asked his son who gave him the money and was told “Papa did.”  Todd agreed but reminded young Jefferson that God had given Papa the ability to make the money.  Todd took the bills and placed them side-by-side on the kitchen table, counting them out slowly.

“Jefferson, every time we get some money, we need to give God 1/10 of what we have received.  You need to give God one dollar out of these ten.  You get to keep the rest.”

Jefferson picked out one bill, looked at his father and asked, “Gee, Dad, this is all God wants?” A perspective we all should share.

According to the “Generous Church” organization, the average Christian gives 2.5% of his/her earnings to God.  Should they give 10%, between $165 billion and $300 billion (depending on the source), more could be amassed.  Look at how that plays out:

  • $25 billion and five years would relieve global hunger, starvation, provide clean water and deaths from preventable diseases.
  • $12 billion would eliminate illiteracy in 5 years.
  • $15 billion would solve the world’s water and sanitation issues.
  • $10.8 billion would free 27 million people living in slavery.

 

Add it up.  That still would allow at least $100 billion to be used elsewhere.  Scripture says that “God loves a cheerful giver.”  Something tells me that those who give 2.5% of their earnings to God probably don’t fit that definition.

 

Fort Scott Police Department

Tony Lee Wagner Arrested For Assault, Kidnapping and Rape

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Submitted by the Fort Scott Police Department, this  KOAM News Now link.
Investigators from the Fort Scott Police Department recently assisted Missouri Highway Patrol in solving a 30 year old cold case from 1992.
This investigation led to the arrest of Tony Lee Wagner (61) of Fort Scott. Wagner was subsequently booked into the Bourbon County Jail.

Wagner was charged on Oct. 11, 2022 for an assault, kidnapping and forcible rape that happened in the Branson, Missouri area  August 15, 1992, in Henning State Park in Taney County, Missouri.

The Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against 61-year-old Tony Lee Wagner, of Fort Scott, on October 11, 2022 with two counts of assault first-degree, kidnapping first-degree and forcible rape.

 

  • According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, “On August 14, 1992, two women traveled from Texas to vacation in the Branson, Missouri, area. On the afternoon of August 15, 1992, both women visited the Henning State Park on Missouri Highway 76 in Taney County to walk on the trails.”

    While they were walking, they encountered an unknown man. Authorities say he started to assault both women.

    The MSHP states, “One of the women was able to escape and summoned help from a passing motorist. Law enforcement officers quickly began a search of the park.”

    Authorities found the second victim in the park in an area away from the original scene. Emergency personnel took both women to area hospitals.

    The Missouri State Highway Patrol states that it and the Taney County Sheriff’s Department immediately launched a joint investigation. They didn’t identify any suspects during the initial investigation and the case went cold.“Continued investigation efforts and advances in forensic science technology led to Wagner being identified as a suspect,” states the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

    Troop D Division of Drug and Crime Control Unit, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory Division, Fort Scott (Kansas) Police Department, and Parabon Nanolabs worked together to solve the case.

    The Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Wagner on October 11, 2022.

    Fort Scott (Kansas) Police Department officers arrested Wagner. They are holding him without bond in the Bourbon County, Kansas, jail pending extradition to Missouri.

Obituary

Obituary of Lois Henderson

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Lois Anita Henderson, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born April 12, 1939, in Ft. Scott the daughter of Andrew James Rose and Veneta Marie Anderson Rose.  Lois graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  She married Marvin Henderson on October 4, 1958, at Ft. Scott.

Lois began working for Key Industries in 1957.  She continued working at Key for over forty years.  Lois enjoyed her family, playing bingo and computer games with friends, watching soap operas specifically The Bold and The Beautiful and Days of Our Lives and also watching the Chiefs games with her son, Lyle.

She especially enjoyed making what she called cozy quilts to give to family members and friends and truly hoped that they would know the joy she had in planning and making them for each specific person.  Lois wanted her close friends to know how much she treasured their long friendships, talks, and laughter.  She was grateful for her dear friend, Jackie Webster, and their daily communications.

Lois also wanted her care-givers, Kim, Marlene, Clara and Mary (who named Lois “My Ms. Lou Lou and said God brought them together”) to know their help and talks got her through many long days.  To everyone that had ever met her and shared memories, the family’s favorite remarks about her will always be “sweet lady” and she was until the very end.

 

Survivors include her two children, Valorie Leblanc (Pierre) and Lyle Henderson all of Ft. Scott; five grandchildren, Lyle Henderson (Ashley), Ali Dixon (Kyle); Austin Jefferis (Emily), Jean-Francois Leblanc and Pierre-Luc Leblanc and three great-grandchildren, Kyler and Brooklyn, Nicolas, and  Baby Jefferis on the way.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, her son, Kenneth Eugene Henderson; two brothers, Andrew Rose Jr and Gerald Rose and two sisters Jocelyn Rose and Kathryn Tanner.

 

There was cremation.

A private graveside service will be held at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the register book at Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the SEK Mental Health Center or Care to Share 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.

Bourbon County Local News