Unsung Hero James Reese Europe and Black History Month
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a $300 grant from Humanities Kansas to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of the founders of Ragtime and Jazz and a true Unsung Hero – James Reese Europe. The grant will support a special presentation by Internationally renowned musician and historian Lem Sheppard. Sheppard will present “African American Musicians in Kansas 1860-1920. Particular attention will be paid to music and musicians in historic Fort Scott! Also included are a soup lunch, music by the Fort Scott High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Robinson, and a cakewalk just like 100 years ago! The event will take place at the Ellis Center at FSCC on Thursday, February 15th, at 11:00 am.
The event is free, and all are welcome!
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. The Center also works to educate the local community on its past, present, and future.
About the Gordon Parks Museum: The Mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, an internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.
Sharon Kay Mauck, age 77, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born December 26, 1946, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Kenneth Lee Peterson, Sr. and Marie Elizabeth Judy Peterson.
Sharon graduated from Ft. Scott Christian Heights with the Class of 1964. She went on to graduate from Ft. Scott Junior College. She married Raymond Weston Mauck on June 14, 1968, at Ft. Scott.
Sharon gave her life to Christ at an early age and did her best to serve Him throughout her lifetime. Following their marriage, Ray and Sharon went to the mission field and served fourteen years in Jamaica. After returning to Ft. Scott, she worked as the secretary at Ft. Scott Christian Heights and later did clerical work at Mercy Hospital and then Great West/Cigna. After retirement, Sharon worked part-time for Midwest Hearing Aids.
Sharon was an active member of the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). She and Ray served as children’s pastors for over thirty years where they had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with numerous young people. She was also an avid supporter of Ft. Scott Chrisitan Heights.
In her spare time, Sharon enjoyed doing embroidery, reading and tending to her flowers. Sharon loved her family and faithfully looked after her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her husband, Ray, of the home; her daughter, Amber Reeves of Ft. Scott; two granddaughters, Allie and Erika and three great-grandchildren, Micah, Roman and Olivia. Also surviving are her father, Kenneth Peterson, Sr. of Ft. Scott; two brothers, Kenneth “Sonny” Peterson, Jr. (Betty) of Ft. Scott and Rodney Peterson (Heather) of Belleville, Ontario, Canada, three sisters, Pat Harris (Jim) of Pittsburg, Kansas, Marilyn Cornell (Bob) of Ft. Scott and Melinda Teed (Rick) of Kallispell, Montana; and in-laws, Marjorie Rice of Claremore, Oklahoma and Larry Mauck (Joann) of Eldorado Springs, Missouri as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Marie Peterson.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 9th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Peterson Memorial Fund at Ft. Scott Christian Heights 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.
Since the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department shut down operations in December 2023, there has been behind-the-scenes work with another healthcare entity to provide the needed services.
On January 23, at the Bourbon County Commission meeting, Commissioner Clifton Beth moved to allow Chairman Jim Harris to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bourbon County government and Amberwell Health Incorporated, according to the commission minutes.
Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth. Submitted photo.
Beth read the first paragraph of the MOU which states: The county is committed to ensuring the provision of quality emergency health services which includes an operating emergency room for a one year period to its residents; and Amberwell Health possesses expertise and resources to enhance and optimize the emergency health services within Bourbon County, according to the minutes.
The MOU states there could be a funding agreement that is mutually agreed upon by both parties, and additionally that Amberwell Health has to get the needed licenses, according to the minutes.
Beth stated “This is by no means ensuring an emergency room in any way shape or form, this is an MOU with Amberwell so they can continue to move in the process of trying to get us an emergency room.”
Commissioner Nelson Blythe seconded the motion and all approved it, according to the minutes.
Amberwell Health is a rural healthcare system in northeast Kansas with two complete care locations in Atchison and Hiawatha and five additional clinic locations. Amberwell Health is an innovative healthcare system with a mission to sustain and strengthen rural healthcare organizations, according to its website https://amberwellhealth.org/
Beth made a motion at the January 23 commission meeting to start working on a ballot for a half-cent sales tax to be put on the ballot in order to operate an emergency room and any additional health services. It would no longer be in effect if an REH is obtained, according to the minutes. Beth said this would give the county approximately $1.5 million that could go towards healthcare. Beth said the commission will let the public decide whether they want it. Blythe seconded the motion and all approved.
Rural emergency hospital (REH) is a new Medicare provider designation established by Congress through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, according to https://www.ncsl.org/health/rural-emergency-hospitals . REHs are meant to reinforce access to outpatient medical services and reduce health disparities in areas that may not be able to sustain a full-service hospital. Starting in January 2023, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and small rural hospitals with no more than 50 beds were allowed to apply for REH designation and receive Medicare payment for providing emergency services.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
I love the K.C. Chiefs! I have the jerseys to prove it, and Hubby, bless his heart, remembers my fondness for their memorabilia every Christmas and birthday. This makes me happy. This past game, however, in the AFC championship game, I found myself unhappy–a nervous wreck, to be honest–when the score got close. “What’s wrong with Reid?” “Pacheco keeps running into a brick wall; why don’t they throw a pass to the sideline for a change?” My questions prompted Hubby to remind me that Coach Reid just “might” know a little more than I do.
Hmph… So, late in the game, when the Raven’s rookie receiver Zay Flowers ran 54 yards before being tackled by L’Jarius Sneed, one of our players, he stood and straddled Sneed while twirling the football on the ground. (Not good for someone who had been a first-round draft pick and who led the Ravens in catches and receiving yards all season.) I was ultra-impressed with how our Chief did nothing. He let the referee do his job. Flowers was called for taunting, a 15-yard penalty. Soon after, with the Ravens down 17-7, Flowers fumbled on the one-yard line when Sneed knocked the ball out of his hands. And the rest is history. My phone lit up from girlfriends across the country, celebrating and thrilled that Flowers “got what he deserved.”
Why is it we love payback? You act cocky; you learn humility. You punch first; you’re punched harder. Justice is served. Amen and Amen.
Matt. 5:38-48 (MSG) disagrees with that attitude when Jesus opposes the “eye for an eye” philosophy: “…Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
You know, how Sneed acted. Not how Flowers or I acted.
Granted, most of us won’t have our injustices played out on national television. Still, we are hurt by comments people make or how we are overlooked for a promotion or how a teacher is treating our child unfairly or how our spouse just shaved his head, knowing how much his wife disapproves. (Pick which of these you think applies to me.) And there’s no one to call “Taunting” and penalize our offender. So, we sulk silently, carrying our offense like a tattered backpack. We don’t allow God to do His work, to teach both us and our offenders the lessons needed to be learned.
Maybe it’s time we learn a Sneed style of doing nothing when we are wronged.
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $500,000 will be available under the Emergency Response Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (Emergency HEAL) program to bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into productive commercial use.
Emergency HEAL was created to provide a resource to address sudden and urgent needs of communities when disaster strikes.
“We have seen too many communities lose beautiful historic buildings after extreme wind events, floods or fires when there weren’t adequate resources available to prevent their demolition,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This program will help provide rapid funding to save these structures so they can once again contribute to the retail and service economies of rural Kansas communities.”
Buildings that are at risk of imminent loss, that are causing damage to surrounding downtown buildings, and/or have significant damage due to a disaster event are eligible projects for Emergency HEAL. The grant will be open annually, with a maximum of $100,000 award per community. Communities are allowed to use the funding to help save more than one building if needed. Matching funds (1:1) are required.
Submitted projects must show that recent damage has caused an urgent need for immediate repair or the building could be lost. In addition, the community has one year to repair the building and identify a tenant.
Once stabilized, Emergency HEAL grants help bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
Businesses (existing or new)
Housing
Arts and culture
Childcare
Entrepreneurship or innovation
The application period will open February 9 and close June 1, or until funding is exhausted. A new round will open July 1, 2024, and close June 1, 2025.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 8. Registration is required. Interested organizations and building owners can register here.
For additional information about Emergency HEAL, the online application or the webinar, click here.
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 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Connie Sue Raymond, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at her home. She was born November 10, 1960, in Paola, Kansas, the daughter of Jess Warren Edwards and Shirley Jean Thatcher Edwards. She married David Hayes on June 10, 2008, in Ft. Scott.
Connie was disabled due to a car accident she had as a youth. This same accident took the lives of her mother and older brother. She was a woman of faith and was proud of her Cherokee heritage. Connie enjoyed crocheting and spending time on her computer. She was currently doing an online Bible study.
Survivors include her husband, David Hayes of the home. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
There was cremation and no services are planned at this time. Memorials are suggested to the Connie Raymond Memorial Fund 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.
Adelynn Nolan; Stewart Davenport; Caitlynn Tate; John Ravenscraft; Kellen Pool; Sypher Cannon
CLICK
HERE:
TROUPE
#
7365
SHINES
AT
FESTIVAL!
CHAMBER
COFFEE
AT
FSHS
ON
FEBRUARY
8TH!
(facilitated by Lead Student Support Coordinator Lewis Dunkeson with SparkWheel)
A Message from Sparkwheel’s Lewis Dunkeson
Hey Friends,
We hope this message finds you well as we gear up for the new semester! With fresh challenges and exciting support initiatives on the horizon, we continue to work together in identifying students who might benefit from an extra boost in the right direction.
As we navigate the sometimes unpredictable winter weather, let’s remain optimistic that the worst of it is behind us, and we can look forward to a month filled with focused and productive schoolwork.
In the spirit of student engagement, we’re thrilled to announce that Future Now Finance (FNF) for all the Freshman class is scheduled for February 28th. If you’re interested in having any of your non-Freshman classes participate, please reach out to us for further details.
Additionally, we’re excited to share that mentoring opportunities are underway through collaboration with the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The focus is on College and Career, providing valuable insights and guidance to our students as they explore their future paths.
Let’s make this semester one filled with achievement, growth, and memorable experiences for our students!
Be the Spark!!
Lewis Dunkeson
SparkWheel
Lead Student Support Coordinator
Fort Scott High School
402-212-9826
CLICK
HERE:
COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIP
INFORMATION!
The above link connects applicants to needed college scholarship information and is updated daily. Please note when applications are due as many deadlines are quickly approaching!
CLICK
HERE:
FSHS
PARENT-STUDENT
HANDBOOK!
From the 2023-24 FSHS Parent-Student Handbook…
Parents/guardians are asked to call the office whenever a student is absent (speak only with an adult). If parents make no contact with the office, the absence is considered unexcused (after 48 hours). Students with unexcused absences will not be allowed into class without an admission slip from the office. In addition, students with unexcused absences are subject to disciplinary action, as well as notification to the county attorney. Students who miss school may be asked to present documentation, i.e., doctor’s note, etc.
The Winter Homecoming Basketball game is Friday, February 16th, with the Tigers hosting the Pittsburg Purple Dragons. Games begin at 4:30 p.m. Winter Formal/Homecoming Dance is Saturday night, February 17th. It from 7 p.m. until 10 pm. at FSHS, admission is $5 per student and there will be professional photographer offering photo packages.
CLICK
HERE:
SENIOR
WRESTLERS
VISIT
WINFIELD
SCOTT!
Click photo below to play news video.
Fort Scott wins Cannonball Clash 42-36 over Frontenac
The Tigers win a hard-fought dual at Frontenac.
launch koamnewsnow.com
STRIKE
UP
THE
BAND!
A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE BY THE FSHS JAZZ BAND
under the direction of Justin Robinson
During the Tiger basketball games on Friday, February 23rd, Tiger Seniors in Basketball,
Band, Cheer, Dance, Powerlifting and their parents will be honored.
We look forward to seeing you at Fort Scott High School for
Senior Night!
FSHS
FFA
CHAPTER
HOSTS
ANNUAL
BLOOD
DRIVE!
Information about Caps and Gowns…
Here are the links (in blue) to order caps and gowns:
Cap and gown unit with custom 2024 stole and tassel.
There are 6 choices of tassel ranging from $8 to $15.
COME
ONE,
COME
ALL!
FSHS
TO
ADMINISTER
THE
ACT
ON
FEBRUARY
27TH
All Juniors will have the opportunity to take the ACT for FREE the morning of Tuesday, February 27th. The test will be held in the FSHS Aux Gym and should last until lunchtime.
Students that complete the test will be excused the rest of the day.
The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins spoke to the commissioners on January 23 about the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary election on March 19.
Hawkins stated the last day to register to vote will be February 19th. Early voting will begin at the courthouse on March 11 and run until noon on March 18. On March 19 residents will be able to vote at their normal polling place.
Unaffiliated voters will not be able to vote in this election, Hawkins said. “They would have to register to be a Democrat or Republican, but they can affiliate up until election day. They can re-register as an independent after the election.”
Commissioner Clifton Beth asked who will be paying for this election and Hawkins said the State will be reimbursing the County for what they consider hard-costs such as ballots, building rent, and personnel costs.
Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. Submitted photo.
The following is from the Kansas Secretary of State’s website about the election:
What is a Presidential Preference Primary?
A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the two state parties (Republican and Democrat) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election. It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters selected the party candidate.
What is the History of Presidential Preference Primary in Kansas?
In Kansas, it is a function of the state political parties to allocate delegates to presidential candidates at each party’s national convention to select each party’s presidential nominee. Such delegates are chosen via caucus or convention by the political parties. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992.
When is the Election?
The Republican and Democratic parties can have a state-run primary election on March 19, 2024. However, either party may opt out of participating in the primary by notifying the Secretary of State on or before December 1, 2023.
Who is on the Ballot?
Presidential candidates must file their candidacy with the Secretary of State 60 days before the election (12:00 p.m. January 19, 2024). Candidates must either pay a $10,000 filing fee or present a petition with 5,000 signatures of registered Kansas voters of the applicable political party.
What Voters Can Participate?
Each political party must notify the Secretary of State in writing on or before January 16, 2024, as to who may vote in the party’s primary election.
Where is my Polling Location?
Like other elections, the county election office will determine where the voting locations are held. Advance voting by mail and advance voting in person are also an option. You will vote at your regular polling place unless you receive a notification by mail from your county election office. You may also verify your polling location on the VoterView website.
Eight Candidates File for the Kansas Presidential Preference Primary
Friday, January 19, 2024
TOPEKA – Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced that eight candidates, four Democrats and four Republicans, met today’s filing deadline for the state’s Presidential Preference Primary. The preference primary will be held on March 19. Candidates were required to pay a $10,000 filing fee and submit notarized paperwork with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.
The Democrat filed candidates are:
Dean Phillips
Jason Michael Palmer
Joseph R Biden Jr.
Marianne Williamson
The Republican filed candidates are:
Donald J. Trump
Nikki R. Haley
Ron DeSantis
Ryan L. Binkley
“I am pleased to have four candidates from each major political party file with our office,” Schwab said. “I encourage Kansans to get out and vote in this historic election.”
As a reminder, the deadline to register or update voter registration is February 20 to participate in the preference primary.
In accordance with K.S.A. 25-4503(d), the Secretary of State’s office conducted the random selection of the ballot order for both political parties on January 22, at the Memorial Hall Auditorium in Topeka.
In addition to the ballot order selected by the Office, each ballot will have four candidate names, as well as a “none of the names shown” option. To learn more about this one-time Presidential Preference Primary visit VoteKansas.gov.
UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
Uniontown, Kansas 66779
Regular Meeting 8 JANUARY 2024
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the BOE Meeting Room in Uniontown, Kansas.
Board members present: Mike Mason,Tyler Martin, Brian Stewart, Troy Couchman, Seth Martin, Rhonda Hoener and Matt Kelly
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Sherri Hartman, Robert Onelio, Tammy Townsend, Scott Sutton, and Tim Endicott
President Mason called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mason then led the group in the flag salute and welcomed the new members.
Superintendent Eden read the District Mission Statement.
T Martin, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to approve the agenda with change of STRIKE Information Item B: Sparkwheel update.
Motion passed 7-0.
T Martin, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2023 Regular meeting and the December 18, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes.
Motion passed 7-0.
Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
A. Pay bills in the amount of $337,912.65.
B. Approve Treasurer’s Report for December 2023.
No patron addressed the Board.
Principal Onelio gave an oral report to the board.
Superintendent Eden gave written and oral reports to the Board on the Walking Trail, KASB Policy review, Strategic plan update, Graduation on May 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m, and a Capital Project Grant update.
Hoener, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to approve the KASB Policy updates.
Motion passed 7-0.
T Martin, seconded by S Martin, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open
meeting will resume at 9:15 p.m.
Motion passed 7-0.
Into Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.
Eden was invited into session.
Out of Executive Session at 9:15 p.m.
T Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to accept the resignation of Luke Davis as UJHS Math Teacher effective 12/31/2023.
Motion passed 7-0.
T Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve Schotze Griffiths as a cook.
Motion passed 7-0.
T Martin, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to approve Heather Tarwater as a vehicle driver.
Motion passed 7-0.
T Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to accept the resignation of Bugs George effective March 15, 2024.
Motion passed 7-0.
T Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve Jacy Walker as Elementary teacher. Motion passed 7-0.
Martin, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Date minutes approved ______________________
______________________________
President, Board of Education
__________________________________
Attested: Clerk, Board of Education
The next Regular board meeting is Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
