Flint Hills Technical College is seeking a full-time instructor for the Automotive Technology program, located in LaHarpe, KS, beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.
The successful candidate will have knowledge of the principles of operation for fundamental concepts of at least half of the following subjects:
Automotive Engines
Automotive Brakes
Electrical
Engine Performance
Automotive HVAC
Steering and Suspension
Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles
Manual Power Trains
Qualifications:
Associate’s Degree in related field required (or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe); Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum of two years’ work experience in the automotive field or two years of teaching experience in automotive education.
ASE Certifications in instructional areas (or ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe).
Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
A Kansas teaching certificate is not a requirement for this position.
Salary and Benefits:
Full-time, 9-month position
A competitive salary range of $40,000-$54,000, commensurate with experience and education level
KPERS retirement plan
Employer-paid health insurance for the employee
Annual salary is distributed over 12 months
Flexible teaching schedule.
Application Process:
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial college transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources at [email protected].
The FHTC Board of Trustees reserves the right to withdraw positions prior to being filled.
This was National Police Week and much of the work in Washington, D.C., focused on meeting with law enforcement and voting on legislation to help law enforcement professionals do their jobs. But overall, it was a chance for all of us to take a moment to honor the brave officers who work every day to keep our communities safe. We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and thank all officers and their families across Kansas and the nation for their service and dedication.
National Police Week is a special time to honor all who wear the badge, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I had the opportunity to pay my respects to Officer Scott Heimann, Officer Hunter Simoncic, Deputy Brandon Gaede, and Deputy Elijah Ming, all of whom were killed in the line of duty protecting Kansans last year. Thank you to all in law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.
In a legislative win, the House passed my bipartisan Criminal History Access Act to strengthen background checks for law enforcement officers. This commonsense bill gives state Peace Officer Standards and Training agencies access to the criminal history information they need to properly screen and certify officers – helping maintain professionalism and public confidence in law enforcement. I was proud to work with Congresswoman Deborah Ross from North Carolina on this legislation, and I look forward to the Senate voting on this bill soon.
I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that protects businesses and communities from retail crime. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which passed the House this week, expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply-chain crime. Retail crime affects everyone, and addressing it requires strong partnerships with law enforcement.
I had the privilege of giving members of Kansas Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) an evening tour of the Capitol. Kansas C.O.P.S. does incredible work supporting the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty by providing emotional support, resources, and a strong community during difficult times. I’m grateful for all they do to honor the fallen and care for those left behind.
The House passed the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which will allow — not mandate — the year-round sale of E15 gasoline. This will open additional markets for Kansas farmers, keep money in Kansas by adding value to corn, and give retailers the certainty they need to expand the offering of E15, which can cost significantly less per gallon than E10. I was proud to work with Kansas farm organizations and my colleagues as a cosponsor of this bill and hope the Senate will soon take it up and send it to President Trump’s desk.
We also passed funding for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs for next year, investing $157 billion in military infrastructure and mandatory programs. This legislation fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits, sustains support for research and mental health programs, and provides $2 billion for improvements to VA medical facilities and four national cemeteries. Our veterans and service members deserve nothing less.
The work session began on time without Commissioner Samuel Tran or Mika Milburn-Kee present.
Tran came in while Commissioner David Beerbower was reading the introduction of the resolution aloud.
“The purpose of this resolution is to restore employees’ years of service for vacation and sick leave to their appropriate pre-2026 levels, correcting errors identified during a personnel audit. The resolution further provides updated vacation and sick leave policies that strengthen workforce support, simplify administration and ensure equitable treatment of all full time eligible county employees,” read Beerbower.
Commissioner Gregg Motley pointed out that despite the commission approving pre-2026 numbers for all employee vacation and sick leave, the current payroll clerk is using numbers from Jan. 14, 2026 and needs to be instructed to go back to Dec. 31, 2025.
One change that Beerbower made from the previous versions of the resolution was to remove the vacation time bank. He said that prior to 2026, there was no vacation carryover and that carryover is not a widely practiced policy among other employers. He said that those with carryover vacation at this time will be grandfathered in, but carryover will not happen going forward.
Beerbower said that the Kansas Wage Act calls vacation time earnings and the resolution has the county paying employees for their unused vacation time at the end of the year. County Clerk Susan Walker said that this may cause inflated budget numbers for the 2027.
Beerbower said he tried to keep the policy similar to the historic policies of vacation and sick leave accrual.
He said that the Kansas Wage Act says that if the county frontload vacation, vacation not used by Dec. 31 must be paid as wages. He also mentioned that if county employees were to abuse the system, the solution would be to remove the option of vacation for county employees altogether, since it’s not required by the law.
Sick Leave
Beerbower cut sick leave from 12 days to 10 days in the initial draft of the resolution based on national averages for sick leave.
Motley said he was in favor of less change and advocated for going back to 12 days, as many employees came onto the job with that expectation.
Beerbower asked Tran his opinion.
“It’s your show,” replied Tran.
“It’s not a show. That’s disrespectful,” said Motley.
Beerbower said he would change it back to 12 days of sick leave. Many county officials and department heads in the room thanked him.
The sick leave section had a grandfather clause for all employees hired before Jan. 1, 2026 to keep whatever leave they have already accumulated.
County Attorney James Crux said that the vacation and sick leave scale is very low for his office compared to other counties in the region. He said it’s very difficult to fill positions in his office.
Allen asked what smaller counties in the region offer their county attorneys for leave. Crawford county offers 96 hours of sick leave per year to their attorneys, said Crux.
Motley asked it if could be split for more highly educated hires, such as attorneys.
The EMS director spoke up and shared the leave offered to EMS workers in Miami County.
Beerbower gave a couple of examples of increased vacation leave times to see if it would be possible to get the county into a more competitive position with other employers in the area.
After a 90 day introductory period, new county employees will begin accruing 8 hours of vacation per month with rollover benefits from year to year. Once an employee has been with the county for 2 years, at the beginning of the following fiscal year, accrued leave disappears and vacation days based on the number of years the employee has worked for the count will be front loaded on Jan. 1.
One employee asked how long the resolution would be in effect before it’s voted out, if it was approved. Tran asked why he thought it would be voted out.
The employee cited the turmoil at the commissioners’ table and throughout the courthouse and county as reasons it may be overturned.
“I have no intention of reversing anything,” he said. It would be a bad move for him to make.
Shead Farm Homestead Festival This Saturday! – Explore and gather ideas from Shead Farm, a sustainable lifestyle farm where nutritious veggie powder is grown.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
The road from anger to bitterness is not a difficult one. The journey appears smooth and easily traveled, yet what awaits us around the bend is a cavernous pit. A U-turn is necessary before we ever get to that end, yet some people never make that choice.
Bitterness is deadly. It causes us to weep when others rejoice and rejoice when others weep. It will rob us of our ability to recognize and reveal God, as it renders us powerless to love others. The roots of bitterness squeeze life from our hearts, as this sin shows up as anger, pride, sarcasm and hostility. Others recognize it in us, but few of us recognize it in ourselves.
At the root of bitterness are three lies about God:
1. He does not understand my problem, so I feel isolated. 2. He has left me to deal with this alone, so I feel forsaken. 3. He cannot do anything to help me, so I feel hopeless.
These are lies from the enemy. God will never leave nor forsake us (Acts 17:28). He knows the plan He has for us (Ps. 139:13-14), and He can do anything (Luke 1:37).
This year, as a high school teacher, I have watched several students act out bitterness. They share their stories, and I get it. A father rapes his young daughter and then commits suicide when he is found out. A stepdad molests his son, my student, and the son has to miss class to relive the incident in court. Children are forced to move in with aunts or grandparents who let them know they are an obligation, not a blessing. Yesterday, a male student showed me a video of a former student who chose to fight another teen “because that way I don’t cut myself.”
Those are the ones I can write about. Others have shared secrets so dark, they want no one to know their stories.
I have to wonder if I wouldn’t be equally as tormented. These teenagers “act out” their bitterness by failing their classes or becoming defensive with the least bit of constructive criticism. Their mood swings are painful to watch. I overhear them tell their friends about the teachers who hate them (basically, anyone who holds them accountable). The girls sleep around. “Will anyone make me feel valued?” Not even lessons learned in their church youth group penetrate their wounded souls.
Bitter people often do not choose to move past this destructive behavior. If this describes you, you need to know that it’s never what you can do; it’s what God can do through you. If you find yourself on the road to bitterness, there are a few things He wants you to do:
1. Admit it and confess it (1 John 1:9).
2. Ask God to show you how bitterness damages you (Prov. 16:2).
3. Stop rehearsing your bitterness with others (Mt. 15:11).
4. Stay in harmony with godly people (Prov. 11:14).
5. Read the Bible (Mt. 13:18-23).
6. Look ahead, not behind (Phil. 3:13-14).
7. Study winners who chose contentment over bitterness (Gen. 50:20).
8. Remember, winning over bitterness takes time (Romans 8:25-30).
God offers the path that destroys the root of bitterness; if you choose not to accept it, it will destroy you.
Apprenticeship Office Awarded Funding to Expand Youth Opportunities
TOPEKA – The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced it has been selected as one of 10 states to receive the prestigious Talent Ready funding through CareerWise and the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center. This highly competitive national recognition puts Kansas at the forefront of building the next generation of workforce through innovative youth apprenticeship opportunities for young Kansans starting as early as 16 years of age.
“Kansas is growing its youth apprenticeship pipeline to connect our young Kansans to high-demand careers while still working towards their degrees,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This national recognition reflects the strength of our vision and our commitment to opening doors for students across Kansas and into a wide range of industries.”
The $200,000 award provides Kansas with resources and national partnerships needed to expand youth registered apprenticeship opportunities, particularly with high school students — by aligning programs with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. These initiatives enable students to learn, gain industry specific credentials and experience, and prepare them to step into high-demand careers.
This initiative gives Kansas the ability to:
Expand youth apprenticeship opportunities across key industries
Build alignment between apprenticeship programs and CTE coursework
Increase employer engagement in building sustainable talent pipelines
Create scalable systems that connect education to workforce
Kansas has demonstrated national leadership in apprenticeship innovation, including its goal of reaching 10,001 active apprenticeships by 2031. The new funding opportunity will further reinforce the commitment to building a future-ready workforce and ensuring students have access to high-quality, work-based learning experiences and long-term career success.
As part of the national cohort, Kansas will collaborate with leading workforce and education organizations, gaining access to best-in-class technical assistance, strategic guidance and proven frameworks to scale apprenticeship systems across the state.
“This milestone is more than funding — it’s about building a system that works for students, employers and the Kansas economy,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “We’re committed to building real pathways and partnerships that create career opportunities for future generations.”
Employers are a crucial part in building the workforce of the future. To learn more about how to get involved or start a youth apprenticeship program, visit here.
Kansas recently celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, using its platform to discuss the success and future opportunities of building youth registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas. To view photos from the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards, visit here.
For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit here.
About the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
State Library of Kansas announces 21st class of Kansas-authored
or Kansas-related Notable Books
The State Library of Kansas is happy to announce the2026 Kansas Notable Books selections. This year’s Notable Books include stories for readers of a variety of interests including wild west action, true crime, fantasy rom-com, poetry, and culture among people of the past, present and future.
“As always, the variety of Kansas Notable Books does not disappoint,” said Valarie Lamoreaux, deputy state of Kansas librarian and Kansas Center for the Book affiliate director. “In 2026, we find historical Kansans with more to tell us, authors who encourage readers to see Kansas’ beauty in its waterways and birding hotspots, and writers who draw readers into unique moments in history. Stories of fortitude, belonging, family, small towns, and romance beyond reality are well represented, as well as authors and illustrators who nurture joy in reading, and writers whose poetic humor and insights confirm Kansas —itself — as a notable state.”
Each year, the Kansas Notable Books committee recommends 25 books written by Kansans or about Kansas to the State Librarian. The State Librarian selects 15 of these books as Notable Books, a celebration of the sunflower state’s rich culture and storytelling. This year’s Notable Book selection committee included representatives of public, university and school libraries, scholars and writers from across Kansas.
Kansas Notable Books is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book, a program at the State Library of Kansas which is the state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book. The mission of the Kansas Center for the Book is to highlight the state’s literary heritage and foster an interest in books, reading, and libraries.
2026 Kansas Notable Books
The Aviator and the Showman, by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
Black Moses, by Caleb Gayle
Brain Train: An Off-the-Rails Journey from A to Zzz, by Charlie Mylie, author and illustrator
The Guide to Kansas Birds and Birding Hotspots, by Pete Janzen and Bob Gress
I Make Jokes When I’m Devastated, by Luisa Muradyan Kansas Matters: Twenty-First Century Writers on the Sunflower State, edited by Thomas Fox Averill and Leslie VonHolten
Lady or the Tiger, by Heather M. Herrman
The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower, by Michel Paradis
Lightning Bug Jamboree, by Stephanie Brinkley, illustrated by Victoria Mikki
The Magic of Light, by Jordan Abitz
Mask of the Deer Woman, by Laurie L. Dove
Riverine Dreams: Away to the Glorious and Forgotten Grassland Rivers of America, by George Frazier
A Town with Half the Lights On, by Page Getz
The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam, by Megan Bannen
Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder, by Rachel McCarthy James
Visit library.ks.gov/KSNotableBooks for more information. If you have questions about Kansas Notable Books, contact the State Library of Kansas at 785-296-3154 or email [email protected].
The State Library of Kansas supports the informational needs of government entities and the public and serves as a repository for government publications. The State Library plays a crucial role in strengthening public libraries through grant programs and the coordination of statewide resource-sharing initiatives. The State Library of Kansas includes talking books, which provides specialized materials and support services to qualifying Kansans. Learn more atlibrary.ks.gov.
Tri-Valley Purchases Diabetic Training Tool Thanks To Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund
Thanks to a grant from the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund Circle of Friends, Tri-Valley Developmental Services was able to purchase diabetic training kits, which will provide Tri-Valley staff with first-hand experience to enhance their competency in diabetes care.
“Tri-Valley is grateful to the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund Circle of Friends and the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas for enabling us to purchase these training kits. We are now able to provide our staff with hands-on training for proper diabetes care for the individuals we serve. By providing a more practical training, staff can become comfortable with administering insulin.” said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “This hands-on practical training would not have been positive without the support given to us by both the Community Foundation and the Rita J. Bicknell Circle of Friends Committee. Thank you.”
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. Call CFSEK at 620-231-8897 with questions about the Community foundation.
Please be advised that there is a possibility that three (3) or more members of the Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College may be present at the following campus events:
Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. — Nursing Pinning Ceremony – Ellis Fine Arts Building
Friday, May 15, 2026 — All graduation and award ceremonies taking place on the campus of Fort Scott Community College
No official board action will be taken during these events.
Tiger Drama Camp Presents “The Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes or Less)”
The Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp presents “The Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes or Less)” by Eddie McPherson at 7 p.m. on May 29 and 30 at the FSHS Auditorium.
The camp is directed and designed by the FSHS Thespians and open to children going into 1st through 9th grades.
Pioneer Drama says, “History has never been so fun… or so fast! Flying through the major points of America’s quest for independence, this fast-and-loose comedy plays like a highlight reel of history in hilarious fashion! Sorry, Hamilton’s busy in a different play, but your audience will both laugh and learn as they watch patriots such as George Washington, Paul Revere, Samuel and John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Franklin battle the vain King George III and his British soldiers. From the Boston Tea Party to the Battle of Bunker Hill (Did you know it was really Breed Hill?!) to the crossing of the Delaware and onward to the British surrender at Yorktown…”
The cast includes 25 students from the surrounding area while over a dozen high school students serve as directors and technical crew. FSHS recent graduates Levi Fairchild and Chris Newman serve as Directors and Thespians is directed by FSHS Theatre teacher Angie Bin.
Tickets are $5 and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Tickets are reserved seating and doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
FSHS Tiger Drama Camp was recently featured in the Show Me the Ozarks Magazine. The in-depth story can be found on the magazine’s website.
“The Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes or Less)” is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama
