Ad: What FSCC Offers

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!

Fort Scott Community College; where opportunity meets possibility.

Obituary of Sammy Elaine Winship

Sammy  Elaine Winship, a cherished member of the Fort Scott community, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on December 22, 2025, in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Born on February 4, 1939, Sammy was a beacon of selflessness and kindness throughout her years. She attended Fort Scott High School, where she laid the foundations of a life dedicated to service and care. Sammy’s warmth and nurturing spirit led her to own and operate her own daycare, where she touched the lives of many families, guiding their young ones with love and dedication. Her commitment to her community extended to her work as a line worker for the Avon Company, where she was known for her work ethic and friendly demeanor.

Sammy’s life was a testament to the joy of giving. She found her greatest happiness in the laughter and achievements of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Laura Rasmussen of Independence, Mo., and her daughter Carolyn Fisher and husband Roy of Kansas City Her granddaughter Sammi Bailey and husband Josh of Festus, Mo., along with Aaron Fisher and Carrie Fisher and Claudio, of Kansas City, will carry forward her legacy of kindness. Sammy’s four great-grandchildren, Canyon, Bella, Lennon, and Wilder Bailey. Her Family will cherish the memories of her steadfast support and endless encouragement.

Although Sammy has joined her late family members, including her parents, William S. Bailey and Deloris Likely Bailey, her brother Joe Bailey, and sister Alice Hallin, her spirit of selflessness and devotion lives on through those she has left behind.

Sammy Winship was a woman whose life was defined by her unwavering love for her family. She will be remembered as a nurturing soul who brought joy to children and comfort to parents, a woman who built a life on the foundation of kindness and care. As we say farewell to Sammy, we reflect on a life well-lived, a journey marked by the countless hearts she touched and the smiles she inspired. Sammy Winship’s legacy is one of love, and it will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Cremation has taken place, a Celebration of will be held at a late date  Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church 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.

Death Notice of Barbara Lou Haggard

DEATH NOTICE

 Barbara Lou Haggard, age 76, resident of Pittsburg, KS passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO.  There was cremation.  Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 29th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Interment will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Barb Haggard Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Brian Karl Housman

Brian Karl Housman, age 67, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.  He was born December 28, 1957, in Westwood, New Jersey, the son of Russell and Dorthy Housman.  Brian used to work landscaping with his friend, Frank Lopez at a business they named L. & H. Homeowner’s Services, in Emerson, New Jersey.  He later met the love of his life, Donna.  They were united in marriage on August 19, 1989, in her mom’s backyard.  He then followed his wife to Ft. Scott, Kansas in 1991.  After settling in Kansas, he worked as a maintenance man and then for Ft. Scott Burial Vault Company.  He was always willing to help his wife with any of her various projects and volunteer work.  Brian and Donna were also members of Community Christian Church where they helped found the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA).  He also made sure to attend his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events whenever he was able.  He loved working in his garage on various projects and could always be found outside maintaining his yard and property to make it look good.

Brian is survived by his brother, Russell Housman of Westwood, New Jersey; two stepdaughters, Jacqueline Arbogast of Nevada, Missouri (SIL Charles Arbogast, Jr of Oklahoma), Stephanie Smith-Hinson and husband, Darrin of Garfield, New Jersey; a stepson, Christopher Smith of Utah; eleven grandchildren and their spouses, twenty-two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; two sisters, Candice and Nancy; a step-son, John Enos; his parents, Russell and Dorthy Housman, a great-granddaughter, four rainbow babies; a niece, Dawnelle Ornstein and a great-nephew, Christian Golden.

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Monday, December 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Large Cemetery south of Ft. Scott.  Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of 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.

A Heavenly Feast by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Someone had the nerve to send out an email about all the healthy food choices we might adopt for Christmas…and continue to use in 2026.  I get the 2026 part, but I’m sorry, “healthy” and “Christmas” don’t mix.  They are opposites.  Oxymorons.  Black and white.  Fun and boring.   Delicious and disgusting.

On what planet is this writer living?  Everyone knows that we indulge at Christmas so that we can set New Year’s goals to exercise and lose weight. What else is New Year’s for?

I don’t know about you, but every December, I prep for a holiday smorgasbord.  Egg nogg.  Fudge.  More fudge.   Decorated cookies.  Peppermint sticks.  Cranberry bread.  Calorie-laden appetizers.

That’s Christmas.  None of this “Keto” pies or sugarless sugar cookies or diet dips with 40%-less-salt potato chips, celery sticks or gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free…well, anything.

On another note.  I think there should be a law against people who take teensy portions, like a tablespoon of this and a teaspoon of that, and then leave half of it on their plates.  For some reason, I always seem to sit by that individual at family get-togethers. She is the slim, trim, tight-bodied individual who tries really hard not to comment on my mound of mashed potatoes, piled high on top of the 15-course rations I have hiding underneath the gravy.  I love her for that.

Still, in her defense, it must be taxing to hang with an undisciplined person.  You know the type.  She watches you go back for seconds when she has stuck to her 100-calorie limit…basically, two lettuce greens and a sliver of carrot from the carrot cake.  And when, after dining, she invites the attendees to go on a hike to burn off that fat and you are still feasting, determined not to waste a crumb from your plate, she says nothing.  That’s a good friend.  Correction: that’s a great friend.

I worked hard last year to lose 17 pounds.  My clothes fit better.  I had more energy, and my knees did not throb when I walked downstairs.  Unfortunately, while celebrating my weight loss, I ate out of excitement for what I had accomplished.  You know what happened. Almost  overnight, those 17 (plus a few of their friends) decided to move in with me.

I am blessed to be married to a man who does not harp on how different I look compared to when we first married.  Oh, occasionally he questions if I made a mistake when I buy an XL top, but he laughs when I tell him that it was mismarked…which is why it was on sale. Sometimes he questions how the actresses of the ‘50’s had such tiny waists (seriously, like 18”), but I remind him that they never had children, and if they did, their kids were not eight-pounders like ours were.

Someone told me that there will be feasting in Heaven.  That gets me excited…until I read Revelation 22:2, describing the food we will be eating: “… On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month…”  Fruit?  Fruit?  Where are French fries and cheeseburgers and cheesecake?

Of course, when Jesus returned to earth after his resurrection, he ate with his disciples.  This makes me smile.  Then again, I’m sure that no matter what we eat, it won’t matter, for we will be in the presence of God.  That is enough to satisfy any cravings we could ever have.

Obituary of Carolyn Sue Wenderott

Carolyn Sue Wenderott, age 89, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Credo Senior Living in Fort Scott.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Tuesday, December 30th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary of Mickey Louis Shoemaker Webb

Mickey Louis Shoemaker Webb, 70, passed away on December 8, 2025.

Mickey was born on June 12, 1955, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to Ralph Shoemaker and Mary Schafer. She was raised with strong family values that guided her throughout her life.

Mickey was blessed with her beloved son, Douglas Wayne Felt, born on March 12, 1982. Douglas preceded her in death on January 11, 2002, a loss she carried in her heart always.

On January 4, 1998, Mickey married David Webb in Paola, Kansas. Together, they later made their home in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Mickey is survived by her loving husband, David Webb; her sister, Brenda Fritts (Ron); her brother, Martin Shoemaker; two stepdaughters, Shanna and Heidi; and five cherished grandchildren, Dakota, Amaralis, Havana, Colton and Ginger. She was preceded in death by her son, Douglas Wayne Felt; her nephew, Kyle; her parents, Ralph Shoemaker and Mary Schafer; and both sets of grandparents.

A memorial service will be held at1:00 P.M. Sunday, December 28th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Please, no flowers. If you would like to make a donation to a charity of your choice, you may do so in her memory.

Mickey will be remembered for her devotion to family, her enduring faith, and the love she shared with all who knew her. She is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, and resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

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Download a PDF of the flyer.

Ad: What FSCC Offers

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!

Fort Scott Community College; where opportunity meets possibility.

From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch

FROM THE BLEACHERS

BY DR. JACK WELCH

The Mind Sets Direction, the Heart Drives Follow-Through

Leadership always begins in the mind. The mind gives us the ability to think, envision, analyze, and set direction. It’s where ideas are born and goals are identified. Leadership is never proven by ideas alone. Leadership is revealed in follow-through, and follow-through comes from the heart.

Every leader has good thoughts. Many have strong opinions. Some even have impressive plans. Yet not every leader finishes. The difference between those who talk about leadership and those who live it is commitment. The heart provides the courage, determination, and discipline required to move from intention to execution.

The late, iconic Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz captured this truth with remarkable clarity. He often said that to get things accomplished, a person must: Have a goal or vision, develop a plan to accomplish it, demonstrate the follow-through to get it done.

Holtz summarized it simply: Do It, Do It Right, Do It Right Now. That sequence is leadership in action. The mind may tell us what needs to be done. The plan explains how to do it. But without heart-level commitment, both the thought and the plan will sit on the shelf collecting dust.

Leadership stalls when vision lacks resolve. A goal without a plan is wishful thinking. A plan without commitment is wasted effort. A thought without the determination to follow through is simply a wasted thought.

The truth is this: People don’t fail because they lack ideas, they fail because they lack follow-through. Follow-through requires discipline when enthusiasm fades, courage when resistance appears, and perseverance when results don’t come quickly. That kind of resolve does not come from the mind alone; it comes from the heart.

Effective leaders work the plan because they believe in it. They stay the course because they are committed to the outcome, not just the conversation. They finish because finishing matters.

From the bleachers, leadership often looks simple. On the field, it demands something deeper. Strong leaders think clearly, plan intentionally, and commit fully. They don’t just do it, they do it right, and they do it right now.

In leadership, direction comes from the mind, but execution is driven by the heart.

Thought for the week, “Leadership turns ideas into impact only when the heart is committed to follow through and finish what the mind begins.” John Hill, winningest head baseball coach in history at Fort Scott Community College.

 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.

Bourbon County Local News