The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 24
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From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch

Hearing the Right Voice
In educational leadership, we talk a lot about noise. The crowd gets loud. Opinions come fast. Everyone has a take on what you should do, how you should lead, and what shortcuts you should take to win.
We’ve all heard it: Swap your integrity for a new sale. Barter your convictions for an easy deal. Exchange your devotion for a quick thrill.
Those voices don’t come screaming, they come subtle. They whisper. They woo. They taunt. They flatter. They are the voices of the crowd.
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend mock interviews at Uniontown High School. What Superintendent Vance Eden has built there is something special. Students, sophomores through seniors, sat down with real professionals and practiced how to interview, how to present themselves, and how to answer and ask questions.
Think about that. Schools do a great job teaching math, science, and English, but how many truly prepare students to get a job? What impressed me most wasn’t just the program; it was the leadership behind it. When I complimented Mr. Eden, he didn’t take credit. Instead, he shared that the idea came after a former student didn’t get a job because of a poor interview. He saw a need and took action. That’s leadership, seeing through expectations and doing what is right.
I was reminded of a leader who faced a tough decision. A shortcut was offered, one that would improve numbers and likely go unnoticed. The pressure was clear: “Just get it done.” It wasn’t right, though. He said no. It cost more. It delayed progress. It wasn’t popular, but over time, trust grew. His team knew where he stood. The culture strengthened because people understood, we don’t win at the cost of who we are.
In John 6, after feeding the five thousand, Jesus heard the crowd rise up. Thousands of voices swelling into a roar, “King Jesus!” It sounded like success. It looked like momentum. Jesus saw through it though. He knew their motives weren’t about truth, they were about control.
Consequently, He walked away. Jesus would rather be alone with the true God than surrounded by a crowd with the wrong motives. That’s leadership. Leadership isn’t defined by what people want; it’s defined by what is right. Doing the right thing, regardless of how it looks to the masses, is always the right thing to do.
Thought for the Week, “When the noise gets loud, make sure you’re still listening for the truth.” Jack Welch
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.
KS Unemployment Insurance System Is Modernized
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Special Event at Hedgehog Bookstore This Saturday
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CHC/SEK Names Infectious Disease Program Director
PITTSBURG, Kan.—The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is pleased to announce the promotion of Taylor Panczer to Infectious Disease Program Director.
Panczer holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education from Montclair State University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
“Taylor’s compassion for others shines through in everything she does, and she brings a wealth of experience in health education, outreach, and advocacy,” said Lori Rexwinkle, RN, MSN, CHC/SEK Chief Operations Officer. “Her experience, combined with our providers’ expertise, is a great recipe for continued success in our Infectious Disease Program. I look forward to seeing the program grow so we can care for even more patients in our community.”
Panczer joined CHC/SEK in February 2021 as the Diabetes Program Manager and later served as the STI/HIV Outreach Coordinator. Most recently, she has served as the Wellness and Student Advocacy Services Coordinator through CHC/SEK’s partnership with Pittsburg State University (PSU). She will continue in this role alongside her new responsibilities, strengthening collaboration between both organizations, and expanding access to coordinated care for patients and students.
“CHC/SEK brings established, patient-centered workflows, and our campus clinic has built-in opportunities for infectious disease prevention education,” said Panczer. “Now, we have the opportunity to bring these strengths together into a unified program. I look forward to partnering with our highly skilled infectious disease team, local clinics, and health departments to improve the quality of life of our patients.”
As program director, Panczer will work closely with Julie Stewart, MD, Terra Livingston, APRN-C, and the infectious disease team to further develop patient programs. Stewart and Livingston are both Certified HIV Specialists™ through the American Academy of HIV Medicine.
In addition to providing HIV care, CHC/SEK offers comprehensive care for hepatitis, syphilis, and tuberculosis. “These diagnoses are often stigmatized, so compassionate care matters,” said Panczer. “We focus on the whole person, not just their diagnosis, ensuring patients feel respected and supported throughout their care.”
The team also provides service coordination, case management, educational outreach, and sexually transmitted infection testing. “Finances, transportation, and access to food and housing can all serve as barriers to receiving care. We coordinate these services to give patients the best chance of successful treatment,” Panczer said. “For example, if a patient lacks stable housing, it can be much harder for them to stay consistent with medications that require refrigeration.”
Panczer’s promotion supports CHC/SEK’s efforts to provide quality, affordable care to everyone. “Taylor is a great addition to our team, and her background and training are sure to open pathways for those who need them most,” said Julie Stewart, MD, CHC/SEK Physician. “We are excited to increase access for patients facing various medical issues from living with HIV to chronic pain to complex, chronic, multi-system conditions.”
For more information, visit chcsek.org.
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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.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information subject to protection under the Federal Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164). If you or your organization is a “Covered Entity” under the above mentioned regulations, you are obligated to treat such information in a manner consistent with the regulations. If it appears that this email was sent to you in error, (1) you are prohibited from utilizing or disseminating this email or any attachments; (2) please immediately delete it from your computer and any servers or other locations where it might be stored and (3) email [email protected] or call 620.231.9873 advising that you have done so. We appreciate your cooperation.
Ad: Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus
Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus
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.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 23
Ad: Shead Farm Festival – Saturday, May 16, 2026
Shead Farm Homestead Festival – Explore and gather ideas from Shead Farm, a sustainable lifestyle farm where nutritious veggie powder is grown.
Saturday, May 16th, from 10 am to 5 pm at 2468 Cavalry RD, Garland, KS. Follow the event on Facebook.
Free Services for Families

Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Public Library On April 23
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State of FSCC Luncheon – May 21st
You’re invited to attend the State of FSCC on May 21 at 12:00 p.m. in the Ellis Fine Arts Building.
This is a great opportunity for our community to hear important updates on the college’s progress, priorities, and future direction. We encourage all faculty and staff to attend and be part of the conversation as we continue moving FSCC forward.
Lunch will be provided, and we hope you’ll take this time to connect, stay informed, and show your support for our students and institution.
Please RSVP using the link below.
https://forms.gle/z5ccXuBsdFdGzHxT6
We look forward to seeing you there!










