The Kansas Forest Service is once again offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase. These plants are ideal for a variety of conservation uses, including home or livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, wildlife habitat, property line markers, noise barriers, and screening undesirable views.
Seedlings are 1–2 years old and range from 12–18 inches tall, depending on species. Most are bare-root, though some—such as ponderosa pine and southwestern white pine—are available as container-grown seedlings. Deciduous options include bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud, and sycamore. Shrub selections include American plum, chokecherry, lilac, and sandhill plum. (This is not a complete list, and not all species are recommended for every area.)
The Kansas Forest Service also offers themed “bundles.” The Quail Bundle includes a mix of shrubs—American plum, fragrant sumac, golden currant, and chokecherry—chosen to attract quail and improve upland bird habitat in eastern Kansas. It was developed in cooperation with Quail Forever.
The Pollinator Bundle is designed to support a diverse range of pollinating insects, including native bees, honeybees, butterflies, and moths. It contains seven species of shrubs and small trees: American plum, chokecherry, golden currant, false indigo, elderberry, buttonbush, and eastern redbud.
If you’re unsure about what to order, please contact me at the Extension office, and I’ll be happy to help. Orders are accepted January 2 through April 30, with shipments beginning in March. Ordering early is recommended to ensure availability. To place an order, visit kansasforests.org.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent in the Southwind District. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Chief Justice Marla Luckert to step back from role
TOPEKA—Chief Justice Marla Luckert will resign from the office of chief justice on January 2, but she will remain as a justice on the Supreme Court until she retires on a date to be announced.
The Kansas Constitution includes a provision that allows Luckert to step back from her duties as chief justice while she continues to serve as justice. She said it is her intent to finish work on cases she heard before mid-October, when she took medical leave following a stroke.
Luckert said her decision to step back as chief justice and ultimately retire from the Supreme Court was made through careful deliberation, both individually and with her family, and it was not without hesitation.
“When I left Goodland to attend college and law school, I never imagined I would serve on the Supreme Court or as chief justice,” she said. “I achieved far more than I imagined I would as a young woman from rural Kansas, and it has been my great honor to serve Kansans as a judge, justice, and chief justice.”
Luckert was the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court and the second to serve as chief justice. She said the privilege to engage in work she loves made her decision to step back and ultimately retire more difficult. She added that knowing she leaves the court in good hands made her decision easier.
Justice Eric Rosen, who has served recently as acting chief justice, will formally step into the chief justice role on January 2. The role is reserved for the justice who has the most continuous years of service on the court.
“Justice Rosen and I have served side by side for more than 20 years, and I appreciate his leadership serving as acting chief justice these last few months,” Luckert said. “It reassures me to know I will transfer responsibility to his very capable hands.”
Luckert and Rosen both served as district judges in the 3rd Judicial District, a one-county district composed of Shawnee County, before they were appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002 and 2005.
Rosen said he’s grateful for his years working with Luckert and for her guiding influence as chief justice. He noted her efforts to build and strengthen relationships within state government and for ushering the court system through adversity.
“Her tenure as chief justice was fraught with challenge, but she managed it all with unflappable grace,” he said. “Not only did she help us overcome major obstacles, but she also made our court system stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future. I will greatly miss her as a colleague and confidant, but she will always remain both a professional and close personal friend.”
Luckert said she will also resign from her roles on national committees. She currently is chair of the Civil Justice Committee and a member of the Access and Fairness Committees, both of which are joint ventures involving the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators.
She will also resign her position on the Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction, which is part of the Judicial Conference of the United States, and her service is on the invitation of Chief Justice John Roberts.
Luckert is a fourth-generation native of Sherman County. She has been a Shawnee County resident since enrolling at Washburn University for her undergraduate studies. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a law degree from Washburn University School of Law.
After working 12 years in private practice, she was appointed a district judge for the 3rd Judicial District in 1992. She later served as the district’s chief judge, a role she held for three years. She was the first woman in Kansas appointed to a chief judge role.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Have you ever looked at your manger scene, placed prominently for everyone who enters your home, and wondered why your life seems like a mess compared to the peace presented by the creche? Mary, prayerfully kneeling before her newborn baby. Joseph standing nearby, pondering how God would use this infant to accomplish His purposes. Shepherds, dirty and overlooked, who were invited by angels into a scene they could not understand. Magi, men who (we pretend) were there after this God-birth happened. And baby Jesus himself, tucked into the straw of a dirty manger.
Luke 2 tells us that after the birth of Jesus, a host of angels appeared to the straggly shepherds and told them to travel to Bethlehem. At first terrified, the shepherds soon put away their fears and hurried to view this newborn. Estimates are they traveled between two and six miles, all at night. After their encounter with the Messiah, they “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” All who heard the shepherds’ report were “amazed” by this report (not amazed like we are when our daughter makes cheerleader or when the stock market takes an up-turn). The Greed word used here for “amazed” is “thaumazo”; it means stopped in their tracks.
There they were, looking at God in human form, the One who was the answer to all the scriptures they had learned. One minute, caring for helpless, stupid sheep, and the next…looking at perfection. Heaven had come to the hillside in the middle of the night, proving that God’s presence isn’t limited to Holy places or to Holy people. God had not chosen kings or Levitical priests or religious Pharisees to announce His coming in human form. He chose a group of men who had no credentials. No surprises there. After all, He delights in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
What does surprise me is what the shepherds did after this miraculous encounter. Unlike many of us, they did not go on a speaking circuit or write a book or sit at the gate to their city, signing autographs. Scripture says that they returned to their sheep. They went back to herding and protecting animals that follow each other off cliffs. They returned with gladdened, worshipful hearts and tongues filled with praise to do what they knew how to do.
I frequently meet people who want to have the celebratory experience of speaking to huge crowds of people, when instead, God wants them to be used right where they are, no matter how mundane their job status or where they live. All can learn from this story. From humble beginnings to divine callings, shepherds are integral figures in this biblical narrative, serving as symbols of faith, humility, and divine favor. We need to do likewise.
No matter where we work or live, we all have the opportunity to follow the lead of the shepherds: to obey, to follow, to worship and to share. As Christmas approaches, let us all be mindful of our call to do the same.
Join us for a two-day celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring student readings, a documentary film screening, a Lunch and Learn program, and a community food drive.
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
We will kick off the celebration with a birthday observance of Dr. King, featuring a public reading of “Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The reading will be presented by students from Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University.
Tomato soup, dessert, birthday cake, and drinks will be provided.
Monday, January 19, 2026 | Day of Service, Lunch and Learn & Film Screening
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Day of Service: Canned & Non-Perishable Food Drive
Food items will be collected from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m.
PBS Home Video Documentary: In Remembrance of Martin
12:00 p.m.
Lunch and Learn Speaker Presentation:
“The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In”
Presented by Dr. Prisca Barnes
Gumbo soup, drinks, and desserts will be provided by Great Western Dining
We invite the community to join us in honoring Dr. King’s enduring legacy of justice, service, and civic engagement.
All events are free and open to the public.
The full list and details of events can be found below.
Click anywhere on the book cover below to order and purchase your book today!
Fort Scott Stories Books are now available for purchase online, while supplies last! This two volume set is $65 each, plus tax and shipping.
The Gordon Parks Museum, in partnership with photojournalist and documentary filmmaker D. Michael Cheers, 2025 Choice of Weapons Award recipient, proudly presents a special two-volume book – Fort Scott Stories and I Needed Paris, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Gordon Parks’ “Back to Fort Scott.”
This 244-page photo essay book contains wonderful story telling images by various photographers, along with some of Gordon Parks iconic photos he took in 1950.
Documentary Featured Film Premier
Fort Scott Stories
The Gordon Parks Museum, in partnership with photojournalist and documentary filmmaker D. Michael Cheers, recipient of the 2025 Choice of Weapons Award, proudly presents Fort Scott Stories, a feature documentary inspired by Gordon Parks.
This documentary offers a compelling look into the heartbeat, character, and vibrancy of today’s Fort Scott, a community rich in history, resilience, and cultural diversity.
Film Premier, Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
More Information Coming Soon.
View the Film Trailer Below
Save the Date:
23rd Annual Gordon Parks Celebration
October 1-3, 2026
More details about the Celebration
will come at a later date.
We are looking forward to having you all back in 2026!
When the noise resolution was presented on Monday, the commissioners’ lawyer said it should be given to the planning committee. After hearing this recommendation, Beerbower moved to vote on it in the current meeting. He and Tran passed it over Milburn’s objections.
If you read through what they voted for, you’ll notice something interesting in this section:
Now you might see the term “heating toss” and assume it is a misspelling that just went unnoticed. Perhaps the commissioners who voted for it treated the whole adage of “read things carefully before you vote for them” just like the “listen to your lawyer.” Stuff like that might be nice to say, but don’t let it get in the way of creating new regulations for the taxpayers. What good is a commission meeting if the citizens have the same legal rights after the meeting as they had before?
So while you might think they didn’t actually take the time to read it, why assume the worst? I’d like to suggest that we assume the best!
Let’s assume Beerbower and Tran DID indeed read it carefully, thought through exactly the repercussions of what the document says, carefully examined any side effects, and believe it does exactly what they want to see enacted for the betterment of Bourbon County. If we make those assumptions, maybe “heating toss” is the name of a game, a time-honored tradition that has been played in Bourbon County all the way back to the time when dragoons camped at Fort Scott, and bison roamed the plains.
The game is often called “hot potato.” With careful reflection, Tran and Beerbower have determined that they want to prevent people from playing “Heating Toss” (aka “hot potato”) in Bourbon County. You may think it is a harmless game, but they know better and have made a law to fine people who introduce this hated game (well, hated by two of the commissioners anyway) into the county. It is for the betterment of the county as a whole! You may think that you’d rather live in a county where commissioners do not waste their time making laws against various children’s games, but you’d be wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Your government knows better. You may just be too dumb to understand.
That’s the optimistic view that assumes they carefully read what they voted on. Or maybe, just maybe, they just didn’t take the time to read what they were voting for.
Had they read it, you’d think they might have questioned whether it was a good idea to fine people $500 for “any noise” that is greater than 45 dB at 75 feet between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am. That is a level of sound that includes things like older air conditioning units, a dog barking, a donkey braying, or starting a semi.
But surely they wouldn’t vote for something they didn’t fully understand or hadn’t read. Right?
Looking for a college that gives you options? At Fort Scott Community College, students can choose from associate degrees in Arts, Science, Applied Science, and General Studies, along with a variety of certificates that lead straight to rewarding careers. Whether you’re interested in healthcare fields like Certified Medication Aide, Nurse Aide, EMT, Home Health Aide, Manicuring, or Phlebotomy, or want to take on a technical challenge with certificates in Ag Technology (John Deere), Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Environmental Water Tech, Farm & Ranch Management, Harley-Davidson Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, HVAC, Masonry, or Welding we’ve got you covered!
But college isn’t just about the classroom. FSCC offers plenty of ways to get involved through music and performance opportunities (band, choir, theater), student clubs and organizations (like Collegiate Farm Bureau, Phi Theta Kappa, SkillsUSA, STEAM Club, FSCC Media Team, and more), and even competitive judging teams in livestock and meat.
If athletics is more your thing, FSCC is home to intercollegiate sports for both men and women. Compete in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, rodeo, track & field, or cross country, all while building friendships and representing the Greyhounds.
And the best part? We’re still growing. New programs, degrees, certifications, and athletic opportunities are on the horizon! There’s never been a better time to join FSCC!
At this morning’s final Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce hosted by the City of Fort Scott, City Manager Brad Matkin gave the following speech to the attendees.
Included in this update is additonal information that Mr. Matkin sent today, with more specifics:
This year was about stability, progress, and laying a solid foundation for the future of Fort Scott. Through careful planning and disciplined financial management, the City maintained a balanced budget, protected our reserves, and continued to make strategic investments in our community. At a time when many cities are facing financial strain, Fort Scott remained fiscally responsible while continuing to deliver essential services.
One of our most important accomplishments this year was continued investment in infrastructure. We made meaningful progress on street improvements and utility maintenance, focusing on projects that improve safety, reliability, and long-term efficiency. These are not always the most visible projects, but they are critical to protecting our assets and supporting future growth.
Public safety remained a top priority. Our police, 911 Dispatch, and fire departments continued to serve with professionalism and dedication, maintaining strong response times and community engagement. Training, equipment upgrades, and inter-agency coordination helped ensure our first responders remain prepared to serve and protect the community.
Tourism continued to be an important driver of activity in Fort Scott this year. Visitors drawn to our historic assets, community events, and local attractions supported our businesses, restaurants, and lodging establishments. From heritage tourism centered around Fort Scott National Historic Site to festivals, holiday events, athletic events, museums, and regional gatherings; tourism helped generate economic activity while showcasing what makes Fort Scott unique.
These tourism efforts not only benefit our local economy but also reinforce community pride and increases Fort Scott’s regional presence.
Economic development in Fort Scott this year focused on strengthening what we already have while positioning the community for future opportunity. We continued working with local businesses, property owners, and regional partners to support reinvestment, job retention, and responsible growth. Economic development in Fort Scott is about progress with purpose—building on our strengths while preparing for the opportunities ahead.
None of these accomplishments would be possible without our city employees. I want to recognize the dedication of our staff across all departments, many of whom take on multiple roles and responsibilities to ensure services are delivered efficiently and professionally. Their commitment to Fort Scott is evident every day.
As we look ahead, our focus will remain on sound financial stewardship, continued infrastructure investment, public safety, tourism and Business Development. While challenges remain, Fort Scott is well-positioned to move forward with confidence.
I would also like to thank Fort Scott’s business leaders and local employers. Your commitment to investing here, employing our residents, rehabbing buildings that seemed lost, and supporting community events is essential to our city’s success. You are key partners in Fort Scott’s progress, and we appreciate the role you play in keeping our community strong and resilient.
I’ve heard comments that Fort Scott is “dying.” I don’t see a city in decline—I see a city that is evolving, investing, and positioning itself for the future. Communities that are truly dying are not improving infrastructure, supporting local businesses, welcoming visitors, or planning ahead. Fort Scott is doing all of those things.
As we look ahead to 2026, Fort Scott’s goals focus on responsible growth, strong core services, and community well-being. We will continue investing in infrastructure, including streets, utilities, and public facilities, while maintaining a balanced budget and strong financial stewardship. Supporting economic development and local businesses remains a priority, alongside efforts to promote tourism and highlight Fort Scott’s historic and cultural assets. Public safety, workforce development, and community engagement will remain central to our work, ensuring residents continue to enjoy a safe, vibrant, and thriving city. These goals are designed to strengthen our foundation and position Fort Scott for continued progress and opportunity.
It is an honor to be City Manager of the place I call “HOME” and will continue to work hard to make this a much better place for all of us.
“As we enter the Christmas season, may we be reminded that the true strength of Fort Scott lies in the spirit of service, generosity, and community we share.”
Thank you, and I look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead.
There is a powerful difference between making a decision and making a commitment. Most people understand how to decide. Decisions are often easy to speak aloud, easy to applaud, and easy to celebrate in the moment. Commitment, however, is proven only over time. It requires action, discipline, and sometimes sacrifice when enthusiasm fades.
Imagine standing in a church on a wedding day. The groom looks into the eyes of his beautiful bride, his voice trembling, a tear forming as he speaks words of devotion: “Forsaking all others until we are parted by death.” Everyone in the room is moved. The words are strong. The decision is clear. We admire what appears to be a lifelong promise.
Now imagine learning a week later that while the newlyweds were on their honeymoon, the groom was unfaithful. In that instant, the words spoken on the wedding day lose their power. What once sounded noble and heartfelt becomes hollow. The decision he proclaimed was not validated by faithful commitment. Without commitment, words carry no weight.
This distinction matters far beyond personal relationships. It shows up every day in the workplace. Organizations often make decisions in meetings: new initiatives, new expectations, new strategic plans, and bold visions for the future. Departments nod in agreement. Leaders voice support. The decision feels unified and optimistic.
A decision without commitment is little more than wishful thinking. True progress happens only when every department commits to the decision that was made. Commitment means aligning daily actions with the plan, even when it becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means resisting the urge to quietly do things the old way while publicly supporting the new one. It means ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
Being invited into the decision-making process is important. Being heard matters. Once a direction is set though, commitment is what moves an organization forward. Without it, teams drift, trust erodes, and momentum is lost. Just like in that wedding story, the words may have sounded right, but the actions tell the real story.
Decisions announce intention. Commitments prove character. From the bleachers, it’s easy to cheer when decisions are made. Leadership, however, is revealed in what happens after the applause fades. The question is never, “Did we decide?” The real question is, “Did we commit?” A decision defines direction, but commitment determines distance.
Thought for the Week, “What truly matters is not what we say we will do, but what we faithfully follow through on when no one is watching.” Rodney Southern, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach at Copperas Cove High School
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has expanded its graduate medical education offerings with the addition of a community-based pharmacy residency program.
CHC/SEK, with a long-standing commitment to clinical education, also offers a family medicine residency developed in partnership with the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Both residency programs were created to address the healthcare workforce shortage by cultivating a new generation of professionals committed to delivering quality, compassionate care to rural communities.
Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, the 52-week program enables residents to build upon the skills learned in pharmacy school and provides them with hands-on experience caring for underserved and rural populations. Each year, CHC/SEK will welcome two pharmacy residents, and the first class will arrive in June 2026. The residents will join the team at Apothecare, CHC/SEK’s in-house pharmacy.
“Residents will become an integral part of our healthcare team, learning not just by observation but by taking an active role in patient care,” said Amanda Treiber, PharmD, CHC/SEK Director of Pharmacy. “Supported by dedicated preceptors and a culture of continuous learning, residents will receive structured training that empowers them to grow as empathetic, skilled, and community-focused pharmacists.”
Residents will develop expertise in patient-centered care, education, leadership, administration, pharmacy practice, professional development, specialty pharmacy, and the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which helps ensure patients have access to lower-cost medications.
“One of the standout features of this program is the opportunity it offers residents to explore many different aspects of community pharmacy practice,” said Megan Martin, PharmD, CHC/SEK Pharmacy Residency Program Director. “It’s our goal to help residents find fulfillment in their careers while equipping them with the skills and experiences they need to excel as pharmacists.”
The program features a personalized approach to professional development, giving residents the flexibility to explore and expand their expertise in their areas of interest. “We’ll tailor each resident’s experience by aligning their training with their personal career goals. For example, if a resident has an interest in specialty pharmacy, we’ll include additional time and mentorship with our specialty pharmacy team,” said Treiber.
Through this residency program, CHC/SEK strives to nurture a strong commitment to caring for all patients, regardless of their financial circumstances, and ensuring they have the medications they need. “This program provides the foundation for a career defined by leadership, compassion, purpose, and lifelong learning,” said Martin. “This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to grow their clinical skills while making a meaningful impact on countless patients’ lives.”
The CHC/SEK pharmacy residency program has an accreditation pre-candidate status with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
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CHCSEK Announces New Pharmacy Residency Program 12-18-25.docx
