Educational Program to Address Theileria in Cattle
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Area cattle producers are invited to attend an educational program focused on Theileria in cattle: understanding risk, spread, and management on Wednesday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m. The program will be held at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., Fort Scott.
Theileria is an emerging concern for cattle producers in Kansas, and the meeting will provide practical, research-based information to help producers understand the disease and reduce risk in their operations.
Presenters include Dr. Cassandra Olds, K-State veterinary entomologist, and Hunter Nickell, Southwind Extension agent. Topics will include an overview of Theileria in cattle, transmission pathways, entomology considerations, arthropod control strategies, and management decisions that reduce disease risk while minimizing insecticide resistance. There will also be a short discussion on reporting losses to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and some programs they offer for assistance.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
There is no cost to attend, but reservations are encouraged. For questions or to reserve a spot, call 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].
Kansas State University is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
“For better or worse…” The beaming bride and groom mimic the pastor’s words, vowing that no matter what happens, they are in this marriage thing until they drop. But what happens when, to their surprise, the spouse turns out not to be the kind, gentle, admiring soul he/she pretends to be? What happens when that person is a narcissist?
Mayo Clinic defines the disease well: “a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”
Sounds like the “worse” part of the marital contract to me.
Mayo continues. “People with a narcissistic personality disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they’re not given the special favors they believe they deserve.” Most narcissists wear one personality in public, another in private.
They are jealous, master manipulators. The “love-bombing” they demonstrated when dating looks nothing like the actual mental illness they now demonstrate.
The Zoom Bible study I am in is reading Dr. Henry Cloud’s book, Why I Believe. The renowned psychologist writes about a flight he was on in which he sat next to a young woman who asked what he did for a living. When he told her, she shared the saga of her umpteenth breakup with her boyfriend, saying that his anger issues came between them as he repeatedly controlled/manipulated her when she behaved in a way he disapproved.
She explained. “I can calm him down by agreeing with him, but I can’t always just give in. I feel like I am losing myself. So, we break up and then I go back.” Cloud then replied, “There is an old saying: ‘If you rescue an angry man, you will only have to do it again.’” She asked where he heard that quote. “The Bible,” he answered. “Proverbs 19:19. You should read it sometime. There is good stuff in there.”
“I never knew that was in the Bible!” she said.
Cloud replied, “Yeah,” I know, I didn’t either, until I started to really read it.” The author addresses narcissism in his book and shares that he finds the most effective psychology rooted in Scripture. “Boundaries and limits to destructive behavior are taught throughout the Bible, and regaining control for oneself is a chief tenet.”
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this topic, narcissism, and I wonder if we all don’t have a little of this disease in us. We sort of like things to go our way, don’t we? At least I do, like when instead of marriage being a walk in the park, it’s more like a 100-mile marathon in 100-degree weather in the hills of Arkansas. Instead of looking at our disagreement from Dave’s perspective, my vision is blinded by my wants, my desires.
I am grateful that for almost 53 years, we have weathered those marathons and have learned to work to seek good in each other. For Dave, that’s easy. (Riiiight!)
So, what’s a victim to do? Pray. A lot. Especially before they take those vows.
Fort Scott Community College has officially launched its new men’s soccer program and announced the hiring of Luis Pulido as the team’s inaugural head coach, marking a significant step in the college’s continued athletic growth.
Pulido brings a high-expectation, accountability-driven coaching philosophy to Fort Scott, emphasizing structure, discipline and personal responsibility both on and off the field. His approach centers on creating clear systems that allow student-athletes to thrive while holding everyone, including himself, to demanding standards.
“My philosophy is simple: I create an environment with no excuses,” Pulido said. “If I lay a strong foundation and put the right systems in place for success, then it’s up to the players to put in the work from there.”
In the program’s first season, Pulido said his goal is to make Fort Scott a regional and national contender from day one, while establishing championship-level habits that extend beyond the scoreboard.
“Success isn’t only measured by wins and losses,” Pulido said. “It’s about behaving like champions and striving for excellence in everything you do.”
Player development under Pulido will extend beyond tactics and training, with a strong emphasis on academic success, personal growth and self-sufficiency. A former educator, Pulido prioritizes classroom performance and life skills as essential components of student-athlete development.
“Academic success is our highest priority,” Pulido said. “Soccer is a privilege. You earn the opportunity to play on the field by fulfilling your academic responsibilities first.”
Athletic Director Dave Wiemers said the launch of soccer and the hiring of Pulido align with FSCC’s mission to build competitive programs rooted in accountability and student success.
“We are excited to have Luis and his family join our great group of coaches,” Wiemers said. “He has been a sitting head coach, has had success, and will fit in perfectly with our ideas moving forward.”
Community engagement will be a cornerstone of the program, with players encouraged to build strong relationships on campus and throughout the Fort Scott area through service, outreach and involvement.
“The opportunity to build this program from the ground up is incredibly exciting,” Pulido said. “I want to create something the school and community can truly be proud of.”
Additional details regarding competition schedules and recruiting opportunities for FSCC men’s soccer will be announced at a later date.
Fort Scott Community College has announced the hiring of Gemini Pulido as head coach of its women’s soccer program, bringing a student-centered, development-focused approach to one of the college’s growing athletic offerings.
Pulido said her coaching philosophy extends well beyond performance on the field, with an emphasis on confidence, resilience, accountability and long-term success for student-athletes.
“Coaching should support the overall growth of the student-athlete, not just what happens during matches,” Pulido said. “My goal is to help players build confidence and discipline while preparing them for success in the classroom, in soccer and in life.”
In her first season, Pulido said her priorities include establishing a strong team culture, building trust, and creating alignment around how the program trains, competes and represents Fort Scott Community College.
“Success goes far beyond wins and losses,” Pulido said. “It looks like consistent effort, accountability, academic progress and athletes leaving the program prepared for the next level.”
Pulido’s approach to player development is intentional and individualized, focusing on technical and tactical growth alongside leadership development, communication skills and personal responsibility. She said meeting athletes where they are and providing structure and honest feedback are central to her coaching style.
Academics will remain a non-negotiable priority within the program, with clear expectations for class attendance, communication with instructors and academic accountability.
“Success in the classroom directly impacts opportunities on and off the field,” Pulido said.
Athletic Director Dave Wiemers said Pulido’s hiring reflects FSCC’s commitment to developing women’s athletic programs that emphasize both competitive excellence and student success.
“Gemini brings a thoughtful, intentional approach to coaching that aligns perfectly with our mission,” Wiemers said. “She understands the importance of building culture, setting clear standards and developing young women into confident leaders. We’re excited about the direction she will take our women’s soccer program.”
Community engagement will also play a key role in the program’s growth, with Pulido planning to build strong relationships across campus and throughout the Fort Scott community through involvement and service.
“The opportunity to build something meaningful is what excites me most,” Pulido said. “Shaping culture, mentoring young women and helping them grow as student-athletes and individuals is incredibly rewarding.”
Additional information regarding the women’s soccer program, including competition schedules and recruiting opportunities, will be announced at a later date.
Gamechangers & Champions Event to Feature Startup Pitch Competition, Networking
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce, in partnership with NXTUS, Inc. and KU Innovation Park, announced today it will host Gamechangers & Champions 2026: Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels in March. The high-energy event will bring together startups and angel investors, along with corporate and innovation leaders from across the Midwest.
“In Kansas, startups and entrepreneurs fuel innovation and spur next-generation businesses that create the jobs and wealth of the future,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Events like Gamechangers & Champions are a great opportunity for them to connect with one another — and with investors — to discover resources that can help advance their ideas and companies.”
Gamechangers & Champions 2026 will take place Tuesday, March 10, at the University of Kansas Conference Center connected to the David Booth Memorial Football Stadium in Lawrence. The event is a one-day experience designed to catalyze new angel investments, support early-stage companies, and accelerate Kansas’ innovation momentum. It will feature educational sessions, networking opportunities, speaker presentations and the popular competitive pitch event.
The bracket-style pitch competition is open to Kansas-based, high-growth startups in the pre-seed or seed stage. Winning startups will be chosen at the event with the grand prize being $25,000, sponsored by the University of Kansas Business School. Those interested in participating can find applications here.
Key competition dates include:
February 15: Applications due by midnight
February 25: Round of 32 winners announced
March 4: Sweet 16 winners announced
March 10: Elite Eight live pitch and selection of Final Four takes place
Registration is open for Kansas entrepreneurs, angel investors, potential investors, innovation leaders, corporate partners and community members. Following the event, NXTUS, Accelerate Venture Partners and the OREAD Angel Group will coordinate follow-on investment opportunities.
“Last year, our first Gamechangers & Champions event was an incredible success — and brought many innovative Kansans together to collaborate and discover available startup resources,” Commerce Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said. “Regardless of the phase your startup may be in, I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to speak to investors and innovation leaders and hear other ideas from like-minded innovators.”
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.
Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. What better way to celebrate than to fly the Stars and Stripes in 2026? The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. makes it easy.
The Friends provide homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to display “Old Glory” on five different flag holidays during 2026 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole. No need to even remember the holiday!
For $40 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :
Memorial Day, May 25th
Flag Day, June 14th
Independence Day, July 4th
Labor Day, September 17th
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Applications for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone, text, or email. Call 417-684-2484 or email [email protected]. Renewal notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2025 subscribers. Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2026.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site including the Naturalization Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, and Veterans Challenge coins among other special programs.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by displaying the nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
ARTEFFECT Competition
Steps to Participate Step 1: Choose Your Unsung Hero
The 2026 ARTEFFECT Competition for middle and high school students is open through April 21, 2026! The first step for young artists in creating an ARTEFFECT submission is to select an LMC Unsung Hero—an individual who resonates as a role model.
The ARTEFFECT website now features an Unsung Heroes Pictographs Interactive that encourages students to explore STEAM Unsung Heroes through images and photographs. Use this interactive to learn about the positive, profound, and lasting impact their contributions made across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics!
Remembering the Holocaust Session Wednesday, February 18, 2026
4:00-5:15 PM Pacific Time
All educators are invited to join the next ARTEFFECT online session. Led by 2020 Nebraska Teacher of the Year and 2021 LMC Fellow Megan Helberg, this session explores best practices for guiding students in the creation of visual artworks representing stories of Unsung Heroes from the Holocaust and other genocides. All registrants will receive the lesson plan and recording. Attendees to the live session can receive a Certificate of Participation. Free to join—registration required. Learn more about the session and instructor.
Meet our 2024-2025 Ambassador Jennifer Bolesta, a Visual Art Teacher at Visitation Academy in St. Louis, Missouri.
Each ARTEFFECT Ambassador culminates their visual arts online fellowship with a capstone project that brings the inspiring stories of the LMC Unsung Heroes into their classrooms and communities. Here is an excerpt from Jenn’s multifaceted Capstone Project report:
“Each student created an original visual design inspired by their hero and chosen virtue. As a 7th grade class, we collaborated to select three designs, which were then transformed into large scale mosaics—a permanent tribute to these unsung heroes, which will be installed in our middle school’s new wing next summer. This public artwork serves as both a visual celebration of history and a reminder of the power of virtue in action.”
Congratulations to Jenn and her students at Visitation Academy for their incredible ARTEFFECT projects!
