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Monthly Archives: August 2024
FSCC Meets Today at 4 p.m.
Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will be holding a special meeting Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 4:00 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall. The meeting will be to address items that need attention prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 26, 2024, including personnel additions.
Immediately following the originally scheduled special meeting referenced , the Board will conduct another special meeting. They will adjourn to executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.
U.S. EPA Suspends a Pesticide
KDA Advises Public Regarding EPA’s Emergency Suspension of DCPA
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture is sharing notice that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the emergency suspension of all registrations of pesticide products containing the active ingredient dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA). EPA previously approved registrations for pesticide products containing DCPA to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural sites, including non-residential turf sites, nursery stock and produce.
This emergency suspension is a result of EPA’s determination that DCPA is an imminent health hazard, in particular for babies whose mothers were exposed to DCPA during pregnancy. EPA’s determination that led to the emergency suspension comes as a result of the registration review process in which registered pesticides are periodically evaluated to ensure they cause no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. The emergency suspension is effective immediately, and prohibits the continued sale, distribution and use of any pesticide products containing DCPA.
Dacthal Flowable Herbicide, (EPA Registration Number 5481-487) is the only pesticide product containing DCPA which had been approved for use in Kansas. Although most usage of this product was likely in commercial operations, it is possible that individual consumers may have purchased it as a general use product. If you are in possession of Dacthal Flowable Herbicide, you are advised to cease use of that product and contact the manufacturer for details on the return procedure. Retail or wholesale businesses must remove the products from their sales inventory and contact the manufacturer for details on the return procedure. Do not dispose of the product by any means until you are provided with instructions by the manufacturer.
KDA’s pesticide and fertilizer program oversees the use of pesticides in the state, including registration of pesticide products and enforcement of federal orders that apply to products that are registered for use in Kansas. Additional information about the emergency suspension of DCPA, including the text of the emergency order, can be found on the EPA website at www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-
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New USD 234 Teachers: Page, Coen, Williams
This is part of a series of new teachers in USD 234 School District, Fort Scott. There are 24 new teachers and two new administrators in the district.
School starts for students on August 16.
There are five campuses in the district:
- Fort Scott Preschool Center (serving pre-kindergarten students ages 3+)
- Winfield Scott Elementary School (serving kindergarten through through second-grade students)
- Eugene Ware Elementary School (serving third through fifth-grade students)
- Fort Scott Middle School (serving sixth through eighth-grade students)
- Fort Scott High School (serving ninth through twelfth-grade students)
According to its website, the district has nearly two thousand students enrolled within the district and over 350+ staff members.
Marcus Page, 31, is a new biology teacher at Fort Scott High School.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Pittsburg State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from P.S.U.
He has been a middle school science teacher in Kansas City, KS for two years, a school science teacher in Olathe for one year, and the Director of Admissions at Fort Scott Community College since Spring of 2022.
“While at FSCC, I had the privilege of being a part of LEAD Bourbon County, allowing me the opportunity to meet many people within our community.”
His family attends Fort Scott Nazarene Church.
His wife is the communication instructor at FSCC and they have two children, Carter, age 6, who attends Fort Scott Christian Heights, and Ellie, age 1, who attends Happy Kids Daycare.
“By far the best part of teaching is getting to know the students and building a relationship with them to encourage them throughout their education.
“A challenge in education is having a healthy work/life balance. Now that I have two children at home it will be important to utilize my time at work to its fullest.”
Jessica Coen, 35, is the district- Early Childhood Special Education teacher at Fort Scott Preschool Center.
She earned a Masters In Art of Teaching, K-6th grade and undergrad in Unified Early Childhood from Kansas State University, has a bachelor’s in accounting through the University of Phoenix, and completed Applied Behavior Analysis training in 2023.
This is her second year teaching ECSE.
She has one year of experience in ECSE teaching at Paola Cottonwood Elementary and 6 1/2 years of experience working with Headstart and Early Headstart in Linn County.
“I have a busy house with five children Serenity,17, Kyle, 15, Bella,12, Jensen, 9, and Marek, 6 years old. ” My husband, Michael, and I just celebrated our 18th anniversary. We also have 6 dogs and 6 cats.”
The best thing about being an educator for her is “being a part of a team (family, teachers, paras, etc.) to be part of their growth and success of reaching goals and development. It’s an awesome perk to get some great smiles, hugs, and ‘I love you’ from the students. I love the laughs and the dancing while we learn and grow.
A challenge as an educator, I think is… to make sure all needs are met. But we can always do our best each day.”
Courtney Williams, 24, is a new 5th Grade Math/Science Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
She earned a Bachelor of Science, in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University.
This is her second year of teaching, last year she taught first-grade rat R.V. Haderlein in Girard.
“I would love to find some ways to involve myself in the community since I have returned to Fort Scott!,” she said.
“I love meeting my students for the first time. To watch them come into the room and explore the space and introduce myself to them. I want to make a fun, exciting first impression so they know they will always be welcome into my classroom and I will be available when they need help.”
A challenge for her will be learning how to handle older students. “But I have confidence in myself and my new team to help me continue to grow my knowledge in the pursuit of education.”
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Opens Annual Grant Process
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is now accepting applications for the 2024 General Funds Grant program. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2024.
For 2024, up to $87,348 will be available to fund charitable projects in Bourbon County, including $28,579 for healthcare-related requests and $58,769 for others.
The mission of FSACF is to serve the region by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and improving the quality of life. The Foundation is committed to making a making a meaningful contribution in the areas of civic improvements, arts and humanities, health, education, human and social services, and the conservation and preservation of cultural and environmental resources.
Grant funds are available to local 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government agencies, and religious institutions. The Foundation considers proposals based on how they improve the quality of life for residents, and is particularly interested in projects that are sustainable in the future. Collaborative projects are strongly encouraged.
In 2023, the Foundation awarded $42,117 to 19 non-profit recipients through its General Funds Grant cycle. Projects in Fort Scott, Mapleton and Uniontown received funding. A history of funded projects can be viewed at https://fsacf.com.
Interested organizations should submit their grant application through the online portal. The link to the portal can be found on the FSACF website.
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The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is now accepting applications for the 2024 General Funds Grant program. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2024.
The mission of FSACF is to serve the region by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and improving the quality of life. The Foundation is committed to making a making a meaningful contribution in the areas of civic improvements, arts and humanities, health, education, human and social services, and the conservation and preservation of cultural and environmental resources.
Grant funds are available to local 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government agencies, and religious institutions. The Foundation considers proposals based on how they improve the quality of life for residents, and is particularly interested in projects that are sustainable in the future. Collaborative projects are strongly encouraged.
In 2023, the Foundation awarded $42,117 to 19 non-profit recipients through its General Funds Grant cycle. Projects in Fort Scott, Mapleton and Uniontown received funding. A history of funded projects can be viewed at https://fsacf.com.
Interested organizations should submit their grant application through the online portal. The link to the portal can be found on the FSACF website.
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Obituary of Frank Burchett
Frank A. Burchett, age 92, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024, at his home. He was born June 21, 1932, in Richards, Missouri, the son of Cecil A. Burchett and Julia A. Lowry Burchett.
Frank graduated from Richards High School and was salutatorian of his class. Following high school, Frank went to work at Wall Street Body Shop in Ft. Scott. In addition, Frank also farmed and raised dairy and beef cattle. Frank eventually converted his dairy barn into a body shop and later moved his shop to 54 Highway on the east side of Ft. Scott.
Frank was a member of the First Christian Church where he served as a deacon and on the building committee. Frank married Mary Boggess Trowbridge on February 14, 1989.
Frank was not afraid of hard work and enjoyed keeping busy. After selling his auto body shop, Frank and Mary remodeled several homes that they resold or used as rental properties. They also owned and operated Frank & Mary’s Sales, an antique store/flea market located on Tenth Street just east of the railroad tracks. Frank also kept busy with his small engine repair shop.
Favorite times were spent surrounded by the large family where Frank often served up his famous homemade ice cream.
Frank will be lovingly missed by his wife, Mary of the home; his six daughters, Vicki Kerley (Robert) of Ozark, Missouri, Sherry Kellogg (Roger) of Springfield, Missouri, Regina McAllister (Cam) of Ft. Scott, Donna Banwart (Jim) also of Ft. Scott, Tonia West (Mike) of Norman, Oklahoma, and Trina Whitson (Kirk) of Clarksville, Tennessee; his step-children, Todd Trowbridge (Susan) of Pittsburg, Kansas and Shelly Dakil of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Also surviving are sixteen grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Alice Palmer.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
A private burial will be in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital and may be left in the 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.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 8
KDOT requesting comment on draft 2025 STIP
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Several Bourbon County Entities Awarded CFSK Grants
CFSEK Awards $170,000 to SEK Nonprofits
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce General Funds grants totaling $170,000 have been awarded to 65 nonprofit organizations across 23 counties in Southeast Kansas.
The areas of Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture are the focus of the CFSEK General Funds competitive grant process. Proposals for projects in these focus areas were accepted during the month of June. Submissions were reviewed, and selections for funding were completed late last month.
“We are continually inspired by the commitment of our nonprofit partners in Southeast Kansas, and we take pride in supporting their impactful work,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These organizations deliver a diverse range of programs, services, and activities that significantly enhance our community. We know these grants will truly benefit Southeast Kansas as a whole.”
Since 2004, competitive granting from funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided over $1.8 million to organizations throughout Southeast Kansas. Competitive granting differs from other granting provided by CFSEK, such as donor-advised grants, designated grants, field of interest grants, and others. Since its inception in 2001, CFSEK has provided over $22 million in total grant funding throughout Southeast Kansas.
The following organizations and projects were awarded funds from the 2024 General Funds grant process:
Arts & Culture – $5,200
- Big Brutus, Inc. – Brutus Fest 2025
- Family Resource Center, Inc. – Children’s Art Gala
- Howard City Library – Culture Experience
- Josiah Fletcher Foundation – Scholarships for Jazz Camp
- Spring River Mental Health and Wellness – Pathfinders
- USD 404 Riverton – Elementary Cafeteria
Basic Human Needs – $71,800
- Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry – This Is How We Roll
- Catholic Charities, Inc. – Housing and Homeless Services
- Catholic Diocese of Wichita – The Lord’s Diner-Pittsburg – Weekend Nutrition Matters
- CLASS LTD – AED Access for Individuals with IDD
- Coffey Health System – Commitment to Excellence, Baby Approved
- Community Food Pantry Fund – Milk Money
- Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas – Southeast Kansas Diaper Stock
- Cornerstones of Care – Stopping the Spiral
- Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association – Feeding the Need
- DBLO Association – Beds for Children in Need
- Dream Center of the 4 States – Help and Hope
- Families and Children Together, Inc. – Starting with the Basics
- First Baptist Church Riverton – Share with Love Food Pantry
- First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Food for Families
- Fort Scott Community College – Greyhound Pantry Upgrade
- Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries – Family Empowerment and Stability
- Happy Kids Daycare & Preschool, Inc. – Safety First
- Homer Cole Community Center Inc – Ensuring Guest Safety and Keepin’ Up Appearances
- Howard City Library – Drinking Water Availability
- Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. – Welcome Home
- Humanity House Foundation – Feeding Allen County 2024
- Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc. – Individual ABA Start-up Kits for Children in Autism Program
- Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency Funds for Labette County Families
- McCune Lions Club – Restroom Addition to Pavilion
- Mosaic – Ensuring Safety, Security and Well Being
- Sacred Heart Parish – Enhancing Client Access to Quality Frozen Meat
- SEK-CAP – Safe Homes
- Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging – TC Fund All Counties
- Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc – Kitchen Restore
- The Beacon Inc. – Maintaining Food Assistance
- The Salvation Army – Pittsburg Home Goods Pantry and Personal Hygiene Items
Youth Activities – $93,000
- Altamont Public Library – Youth Activity Area
- Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc. – Grandfamilies and Youth Support
- Chanute Public Library – Literacy4Littles
- Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Garden Improvements
- City of Galena – City Park Splashpad Shade
- City of Girard – Diving into Summer with New Diving Boards
- City of Mulberry – Mulberry Ball Park Improvements
- Columbus Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
- Columbus USD 493- Park Elementary – Sensory/Focus Room
- Crawford County Fair Association – Show Arena and Livestock Barn Paint Upgrade
- Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – Backyard Exhibit Landscaping
- Eden Early Learning Academy – Sensory Play in Safe Spaces
- Families and Children Together Inc. – Here Comes the Sun
- First United Methodist Church Wesley House – The Cozy Kids, Coats for Kids Program
- Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
- Fostering Connections – Sleep in Safety Program
- Friends of Crawford State Park via Kansas Wildscape Foundation – Outdoor Education at the Lake
- Girard Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
- Girard FFA Chapter – Sand Blasting
- Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland – Tables for Girl Scout Outdoor Activities
- Howard City Library – Reading Incentive Program
- Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush – Aligning the Stars
- Miners Hall Museum Foundation – MHM/Franklin Community Park Continued Improvements
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish/St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools – Resurfacing the Track
- Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America – Hooked On Scouting Recruitment Campaign
- Southeast Kansas Baptist Association – A Threefold Cord-Faith, Friendship and Fun
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center – It’s More Than A Snack
- Special Olympics Kansas – Sports Equipment
- Patrick Catholic School – Students Learning Through Technology
- TFI Family Services – Helping SE Kansas Teens in Care Become Adults
- The Foster Closet, Inc. – Family Enrichment Events
- University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center – Journeys & Destinations – Girard, KS
- Victory Life Church – Back2School Event 24
The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2024 grant recipients!
For additional information related to CFSEK’s competitive granting opportunities, visit www.SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition General Membership Meeting Minutes
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2024
- Welcome: Fifteen members representing eleven agencies attended. Billie Jo will be finalizing pool pass numbers with Kathi Hall and will give a final report in September. We do have a vacancy on the Coalition Board; we could use a volunteer!
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research: She will have news quite soon on SNAP and the Farmer’s Market – wait patiently. Create Better Health class will be beginning in Fulton at the Community Center September 3 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for six weeks; the flyer will be forwarded to the membership.
- Shelby Moore, Families Together: Shelby coordinates the FAST (Family Advocacy, Support, & Training) program. If parents have concerns about their ability to care for their child’s needs, education, and access to community support, they should contact Shelby at 785-233-4777 or [email protected] .
- Janelle Tate, Early Childhood Block Grant, Greenbush: Janelle is now serving on the board for the Keyhole; she would welcome ideas on how to increase participation and use of the facility.
- Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: Rachel will be sending a flyer outlining the latest project for HBCAT.
- Amy Sawyer, Small Business Development Center: Her office is located at HBCAT; she will help with questions and processes involved in a small business.
- Cherri Walrod, K-State Extension: Cherri is now the K-State community health worker; she will help families navigate health care and social services.
- Megan Rogers, Safehouse Crisis Center in Pittsburg: She works with shelter groups as the children’s advocate. Safehouse shelters people and helps them get the services they need.
- Lacey Morando, Spark Wheel: Lacy makes connections in the community to ensure children get the proper resources. She will be involved with the Pittsburg, Fort Scott, Uniontown, and Parsons school districts. In USD 234, Spark Wheel has been working at FSHS and FSMS for several years. Lacey works with the site coordinators in each location.
- Teresa Amershek, Safehouse Crisis Center: Teresa is the Director of Child Exchange and Visitation. Due to various factors such as number of visitations, space, etc., visits are limited to one hour at the present time.
- Tammy Alcantor, Crawford County Health Department: Tammy continues to offer classes for Teen Pregnancy and Baby and Me Tobacco Free. She is excited to announce that she will now be able to do prenatal classes in Bourbon County starting August 19 through Zoom!
- April Jackson, SEK Recovery Resources through Thrive Allen County: April’s program is now covering nine counties. Since its inception, 35 men have been served through the Recovery House in Iola. The initial grant will end this month; they now will partner with Drug Endangered Children. The program is focused on anything to prevent substance abuse; the goal is to get resources before they are needed. Congratulations to April who is now a certified community health worker!
- Lora Wilson, CHC: Lora helps with resources and is in charge of the Tobacco Cessation program for CHC.
- Clayton Cook, CHC: Clayton shared that Mount Carmel Hospice provides services in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, and Neosho counties. Their team will address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of both their patients and their families at the end of life by providing care in the patient’s home. For more information, call 620-264-6550.
- Program: Rachel Carpenter and Lisa Robertson shared updates at HBCAT and with the COPE program. Rachel shared that the COPE grant has been extended for one additional year; Lisa will continue in that leadership role. Rachel leads the Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) which has a vision to create lasting solutions to improve the quality of life in Bourbon County. LHEAT has been able to implement a county wide transportation program, offer free laundry services, and assist 137 individuals find safe housing. Lisa provides services by starting wherever the client is to help with health care, housing, transportation, food assistance, insurance, mental health, utility assistance, and anything else that will help that client. COPE now works with 157 partners to provide these services. In the two short years the program has been in existence, they have served over 400 clients!
- Open Forum: Janelle Tate reminded members that the Nazarene Church has a “Celebrate Recovery” program that meets on Mondays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be September 4, 2024.
Janelle Tate has volunteered to fill the vacant spot on our board and has also secured our September program. The program will be presented by Judy, the board chairman for the Keyhole. Please note: We will hold our September (September only) meeting at the Keyhole. I will send the exact address later but the Keyhole is located at the corner of Main and 10th. Streets – across from the south end of the Fort Scott High School. Plan to be at the Keyhole on September 4.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 7
K.R.I. Update To Open A Unit For 9-13 Year Olds
Kansas Renewal Institute is an addiction treatment center, mental health service and healthcare administrator, which opened its doors at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, in April 2024.
To view the feature on the opening: https://fortscott.biz/news/k-r-i-is-fully-staffed-licensed-and-ready-for-patients
The facility receives patient referrals through Managed Care Organizations (MCO) from the State of Kansas Medicaid Program, said Joe Tinervin, K.R.I.President of Operations.
They currently have 32 adolescent residents.
” We chose not to pursue a license for Substance Abuse Disorder/Detox at this time,” Tinerin said. “We decided to go all-in for Physiactric Residential Treatment Facility because that’s what the State needs help with the most.”
“Our current census consists of residents between the ages of 8 to 16 with separate units for pre-adolescents and adolescents. Our license allows us to work with youth ages 6 to 18,” he said.
“We currently have 72 employees and growing,” he said. ” We have enough staff to accommodate our current census with room for growth, but we’re always searching for new talent who are aligned with our mission and core values, to join our organization.”
To view prior stories on K.R.I.:
Kansas Renewal Institute Opens First Location
Kansas Renewal Institute Repurposes Mercy Hospital
“All referrals come through the MCOs,” he said. “Sunflower, United Healthcare and Aetna Better Health of Kansas.”
“The kids we have admitted have been on the waitlist for quite a while,” Tinervin said.
K.R.I. is opening a pre-adolesent unit specifically for children aged 9-13 years old, allowing this age group to be separated from older adolescents.
K.R.I. occupies the north and west wings of the former Mercy Hospital.
On June 13, Freeman Health Systems announced that the southwest part at 410 Woodland Hills Blvd. will become a 10-bed hospital with an emergency department.
“Having both medical and behavioral health under one roof, we’ll be able to reach more people with needs,” Tinervin said.
