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Monthly Archives: October 2024
Wreaths Across America Gets an Extended Date to Collect Donations
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What’s Happening in Fort Scott October 25
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Questions to Decide on the Nov. 5 Ballot and Electioneering: What You Need to Know
Two questions will be decided by Bourbon County voters at the end of November 5th’s election, along with choosing the leaders at all government levels. At a recent Bourbon County Commission meeting Clerk Jennifer Hawkins laid out the Kansas Law prohibiting electioneering, following is the excerpt from the minutes.
Electioneering Not Allowed
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, discussed the upcoming General Election and went over what electioneering is.
“Jennifer stated that KSA 25-2430 outlines electioneering and defines it as
“knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or question submitted, including wearing, exhibiting or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers other materials that clearly identify a candidate in the election or clearly indicate support or opposition to a question submitted election, within any polling place, on election day or advance voting site, during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting, or within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance thereof.”
“Jennifer explained this means that there cannot be any t-shirts, hats, flags on vehicles, magnets on vehicles, pins, or other wearable advertisement containing a candidate’s name or slogan.
“Jennifer said that the statue exempts “bumper stickers that are affixed to a motor vehicle that is used to transport voters to a polling place or to an advance voting site for the purpose of voting.”
“Jennifer said that any political yard signs near a polling place cannot be within 250 feet of an entrance.”
Questions On The Ballot
County Question
“Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d) & (e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?
Yes or No
Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt said that the question is on the ballot because of a petition that was passed around the county to increase the number of commissioners.
The number of petition signers was not going to meet the deadline but was coming close to the required number, and the petitioner, Michael Hoyt, requested that the commission put it on the ballot for the voters to decide. In a 2 to 1 vote, Clifton Beth and Whisenhunt voted yes and Jim Harris voted no.
“I am hoping it will cause more discussion of issues,” Whisenhunt said. “There will be more discussion with five people talking about an issue instead of three.”
USD 234 Question
“Shall the method of election in Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, be changed from the six-member district method of election, under which the school district is not divided into any member districts and all board members are elected at large?
Yes or No
Destry Brown, Superintendent of USD 234 provided the following ballot question explanation.
“The USD # 234 Board of Education is asking patrons to consider a change to how Board of Education members are selected. Currently, each member is chosen from a specific area within the district boundaries, and all voters within the district vote on every position.
“This was done years ago when consolidation was done and the
district wanted to have representation from the different school communities: Winfield Scott, Eugene Ware, and rural schools like Fulton.
“Today, all students in the district attend all our schools. No attendance center boundaries exist any longer.
“In recent years, we have had to fill positions on the Board of Education due to death, movement of members out of the district, changes in job responsibilities, and retirement.
The district has found it difficult to find people to run for the Board of Education based on these specific areas that were designated years ago. Consequently, we only have six board members right now.
“We are asking the community to consider changing all our Board of Education members to at-large seats.
“This will allow people in any area of the district to run for the Board of Education.
“Some concerns have been voiced that all the board members could be elected from one neighborhood. Theoretically, that could be possible. However, it has not occurred in the districts that use the at-large format. In fact, the makeup of those boards often are more diverse.
“What would that look like? Next year, the district will have four positions open.
“Anyone interested in becoming a board member can file for a position. Suppose six people decide to run for the board. Then, the ballot next November will list all six people, and voters will select four candidates they would like to have on the Board
of Education.
“The four with the most votes, then become board members no matter where they live within the district boundaries.”
Last Day to Apply For Advance Voting Mail Ballot Is Oct. 29
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports on Oct. 25
Thank You, Lucinda by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
She graduated from seminary with a Master of Theology degree and became a well-known, Christian speaker. I met Lucinda about twenty years ago when she welcomed me into her home and church where her husband pastored. Sixteen years before that, while speaking at a ladies’ retreat, Lucinda was asked to pray for the pastor’s wife who was in the hospital, dying of cancer. When she met the frail woman, Lucinda asked how she could pray specifically for her needs.
“Pray for my husband to meet and marry a follower of Jesus who will be a good mother to my two children, especially Justin, our six-year-old, special needs son.” Lucinda’s heart broke for this precious woman who died a few days later. She continued to pray as the woman had directed.
Two years later, my friend was at a Christian event when she was introduced to a young pastor. Within a few months, they began dating, and Lucinda met his children, one, an eight-year-old, autistic boy. God had orchestrated a meeting between Lucinda and this man, the husband of the dying woman Lucinda had prayed for. Little did she know, she would become that man’s wife and mother of his children.
As a guest in Lucinda’s home, I met her son, Justin, who had just returned with a gold medal from the Special Olympics’ tennis competition. Following dinner, Justin announced that it was his turn to wash the dishes. I asked if I could dry. “Probably not,” he said. “You probably won’t do it right.” I cracked up, but Lucinda lovingly told him that his criticism was not warranted and he should give me a chance. Which he did. I immediately learned that Justin had a very specific way to handle dish-drying. I never knew that that task could be so ardeous.
Lucinda died a few months ago, an unexpected cancer diagnosis that came just as she was finishing her book 52 Blessings for Women. Her devotional is for women who are “weary and wandering, disheartened and discouraged, stressed and searching” (basically, every woman I know). Little did she know, she would be asked to endure the very thing other women were enduring in hopes her words would be a blessing to them.
A few weeks ago, Janet, an author and close friend of Lucinda, asked fellow writers to help spread the message of Lucinda’s soon-to-be-published book. Would we be willing to read it and share its message with others? I signed on, and yesterday, my friend’s devotional was delivered to my home. The last sentence of her introduction is the perfect picture of Lucinda’s life. “Lucinda was always the first to offer an encouraging word, and it was her mission to communicate God’s faithfulness, extend His grace, and encourage others to trust him fully.”
And now, through her death, she is able to do just that as she wrote for us all to be a blessing to others…not in a fake sort of way, but to truly lean into the hearts of those we encounter, to encourage them to be an encouragement as a tangible way to show love and compassion.
Although Lucinda never got to see the fruits of her newest writing labors on earth, I’m sure she is seeing them through eternal eyes. Thank you, Lucinda, for inspiring so many of us to do better.
Halloween Safety Tips
Protect Your Children from Scary Boo-Boos and Bumps in the Night
Safety Advocates Offer Tips to Keep Your Children Safe this Halloween Holiday
TOPEKA – On Halloween, injuries can be just as scary as ghosts and ghouls but are much more real. Pedestrian accidents, falls, burns and poisonings are just a few of the common injuries that occur on this particular night. The good news is they are preventable. Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center and the Office of the State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of your fall festivity planning.
On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as there will be more children on the streets and sidewalks – and those kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.
Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house. Trick-or-treaters are often out when it’s dark and more difficult for drivers to see them. Children younger than age 12 should not be crossing streets alone on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager.
“While it’s a good idea for children to have a cell phone with them in case of an emergency, remind them to pay attention to their surroundings,” said Cherie Sage with Safe Kids Kansas. “Don’t be distracted from hazards because you are texting or talking on the phone.”
Remind children to be careful with candy. It’s hard to resist the temptation to dive right into treats, but it is best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware kids are in a candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away and keep the Poison Help number programmed into your phone: 800-222-1222.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source. Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery powered candles or lights. Remember to make sure your family has working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping room.
With Halloween just a week away, follow these tips to ensure everyone has a fun and safe holiday.
Costume Safety
- Choose costumes and decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and have kids carry glow sticks and flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- Prevent trips and falls by selecting a costume that is the right size and choose non-toxic face paint and makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Decorate Safely
- Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, such as candles, light bulbs and heaters.
- Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and when decorating pathways and yards.
- Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
- If you are attending parties or haunted houses, look for the exits and have an escape in case of an emergency.
- If using dry ice, make sure you use gloves or tongs when handling it and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
- Stick to sidewalks or paths. Don’t walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be hazards you can’t see.
- If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to left as possible.
- Only cross the street at corners and crosswalks; not between parked cars. Make eye contact and wave at drivers before crossing.
- Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Put away phones and other distracting electronics.
Trick or Treat Safely
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit, stick to a pre-planned route and trick-or-treat in groups.
Drive Safely
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Watch out for pedestrians when turning at intersections. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
###
About Safe Kids Kansas
Safe Kids Kansas works to prevent childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children. Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing injuries in children. Coalition members include over 70 statewide organizations, agencies and businesses and a network of local coalitions across the state. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment serves as the Lead Agency for the coalition.
Visit us at safekidskansas.org, on Facebook and Instagram.
About the Office of the State Fire Marshal
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Kansas from the hazards of fire, explosion and hazardous materials. OSFM’s aim is to reduce the deaths, injuries, and property losses of Kansans through inspection, enforcement, regulation, investigation, hazardous material incident mitigation and public education.
Visit us at firemarshal.ks.gov, on Facebook or X/Twitter.
About the Kansas Poison Center
The Kansas Poison Control Center at The University of Kansas Health System serves the entire state of Kansas, including Kansas City. All calls are free and confidential. And the service is available 24/7. The Poison Helpline is 1-800-222-1222.
First Southern Baptist Church Celebrates Its 60th Year With Special Events This Weekend
First Southern Baptist Church at 1818 S. Main is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024.
“It was chartered in 1963,” said current pastor, Joel Crippen.
The church currently has nursing home ministries, men’s and women’s fellowships, and they support missionaries through the Southern Baptist Convention Mission Board, he said.
The church’s theme for its anniversary is “Standing on the Word of God, Past, Present, Future.”
The public is invited to join the celebration events that start on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a traveling museum, and 6:45 p.m. is the Family Life Center Dedication. The museum will continue Oct. 25-27 with daily hours.
On Saturday the Tucker Family Band will perform at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, the Missourians Gospel Group will perform at 6 p.m.
There will be free-will offerings for all concerts and the Bible Museum.
Church service times are Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Morning worship at 10:50 a.m. They average about 80 people in attendance the pastor said.
Evening services each week are at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays with Youth AWANA at 6:30 p.m.
Pastor Crippen said the mission of the church is to “spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Traveling Bible Museum
Beginning on Friday, Oct. 25, a traveling museum on the Bible will be on exhibit at the church, at 1818 S. Main in the Family Life Center.
Ancient artifacts and a working replica of the press that printed the first Bible will be on display.
There will be tours/viewing and teaching classes with exhibit presentations daily at 1:30 p.m. with curator John Sliffe.
For more information contact the church at 620.223.2986
| The Tucker Family Band |
The Tucker Family Band will perform at the church on Saturday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m., 1818 S. Main.
The Tucker Family Band is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (keys and vocals) Fort Scott; daughter Mariam Tucker Self (lead vocals and saxophone) Peculiar, MO; son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals) Asbury, MO; cousin Jessie Bergen (electric bass) Anderson, MO; and J Williams (lead guitar) Columbus, KS. Kitten Lagoon from Anderson, MO, is the sound engineer and emcee according to a press release.
As youngsters, singing and playing instruments was just a normal part of being a kid and having fun. All of the band members grew up in the church and have a passion for sharing the gospel through music. The members have been involved in worship at their own individual churches for years.
The TFB’s repertoire includes the beloved gospel music of Elvis Presley plus other Christian recording artists. Some of the featured songs are: I Believe, Up Above My Head, Where Could I Go, Peace in the Valley, Bosom of Abraham, Can‘t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus, and many more. No matter what your musical preferences are, there will be something for everyone.
There is no admission fee for the one-hour concert. A free-will offering will be received.
The Missourians
The Missourians will perform at 6 on Sunday, October 27 at the church.
What started as a male trio in the 1980s took on that traditional four-part harmony sound several years later and the group hasn’t looked back, according to their website. This vocal group is comfortable performing on concert stages before thousands, as well as in rural churches. The group’s versatility makes them a favorite among young audiences and older music lovers alike. Their ability to adapt to any setting, without compromising the message they present, makes them a favorite wherever their music is shared.
Over the past 30+ years, the group has recorded a total of 19 albums and 2 videos with their latest project “Jesus Saves”. The recording, like each performance, is a testament to the versatility of the quartet, as it encompasses a mix of both traditional hymns and Southern Gospel classics, without distracting from the Gospel message.
The Missourians have shared the stage with such greats as Gold City, Brian Free & Assurance, Ivan Parker, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, and many others.
The Missourians continue to reach new plateaus, as they consistently strive for perfection in their musical presentation of the Gospel message. “We believe we are constantly reaching new levels, lyrically, vocally, and spiritually. We believe that’s what God expects of us, and our greatest desire is to please Him in all we do,” according to their website
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 24
FS Skating Rink Is Seeking Donations
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FSCC’s John Deere Progam Scores College of Tomorrow Award
This month, Fort Scott Community College received the 2023 College of Tomorrow Platinum Award from John Deere.
“We received the award on Oct.4th, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa,” said Dale Griffiths, who along with Mike White is an instructor at the Fort Scott Community College John Deere Technology Center.
“John Deere’s College of Tomorrow Award scores John Deere TECH schools on many things like facilities, recruiting, retention, graduates, the amount of training our instructors put in annually, and website, just to name a few,” said Griffiths. “The levels that are awarded are platinum, gold, and bronze. With Platinum being the highest possible score. We are honored to receive this award for 2023 and hope to continue in 2024.”
About The Program
At Fort Scott Community College’s John Deere Tech Program, approximately 20 students per year graduate, “With 95% employed by their sponsoring dealership after graduation,” said Dale Griffiths.
A student can complete the John Deere Tech certificate in one year with an option to complete an Associate of Applied Science Degree after that, according to information provided by Griffiths.
Candidates for the program must secure a sponsorship from a John Deere dealer but can be helped, if necessary, by an FSCC John Deere Tech Instructor in locating a dealership near you to visit to obtain your sponsorship.
