Yearly Archives: 2024
Book Signing Event for Local Author on Sept. 14
USD234 New Teachers: Hardesty, Vincent, Ragan
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.
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.
Tabitha Hardesty, 41, is a new Special Education Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
She has 10 years of experience as a paraprofessional at Eugene Ware and is currently working towards obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Education through Wichita State University.
“I’m in a Teacher Apprentice Program designed for paraprofessionals to go to school and work towards becoming a teacher.”
In her spare time she enjoys “supporting local fundraisers, especially if they support the students within our community.”
“Our faith and family are very important to us,” she said.
She is married to Kent Hardesty, owner of KtK Electric, LLC. “Together we have one daughter Kenzi, who will graduate from Pittsburg State University in December.”
She said the best thing about being an educator is building relationships with children. “Then assisting them in reaching goals that can be hard for them to achieve.”
“The biggest challenge is working with students that don’t come from the best situations. At the end of the day, I have to leave them and hope they will be okay.”
McKayla Vincent, 25, is a new 1st Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Pittsburg State University and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University.
She worked as a para-educator for a year and a half.
“Before that, I spent four years working with children at the Mental Health Center.”
In the community she participates in a church group, she said.
Her family is comprised of her mom and stepdad in Kansas City and her dad and stepmom in Sterling. She is originally from Sterling.
She has three older brothers and one younger brother, and a nephew and two nieces due in August.
“My dog Paisley is also a very important part of my family.”
What is the best thing about being an educator?
“Seeing students learn and grow!”
What is a challenge?
“Missing the students when they move on to the next grade.”
Mackenzie Ragan, 23, is a new third-grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
She attended Fort Scott Community College and received an Associate of Science, then transferred to Pittsburg State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
“There are many amazing things that come with being an educator! I think that the best part is watching students have lightbulb moments and celebrating those moments with them,” she said.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 6
FSCC Business Expo Is August 20
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AD: Joshua Jones for KS State House of Representative, District 4
Joshua Jones Candidate for Kansas House of Representative District 4
As election time approaches, I want to emphasize the need for candidates to remain active even after the election is over.
Too often, elected officials only engage with the community during election periods. As an eighth-generation resident of Bourbon County, I have a deep connection to this area and believe that community service and consistent involvement are key to our success.
Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working on projects such as refurbishing the high school tennis courts, helping acquire and donate a historic property to the Gordon Parks Museum, organizing events to raise awareness for Memorial Hall, and assisting in the development of a community splash pad.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation
(left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation.
As your representative, I understand that we are all in this together and recognize the dedication required to be a positive and active elected official year-round.
My Promises to You
- **Give Back My Salary**
My belief is simple: if the people I serve benefit, then I benefit. We are all in this together. I am giving back my salary because your tax dollars should work for you.
- **Year-Round Accessibility and Transparency**
How often do you only hear from politicians during the election? During my time as Mayor/City Commissioner, I was the first to hold public forums to get citizens’ input.
This ad paid for by Joshua Jones Candidate/Treasurer
National 811 Day (Aug. 11): Separating Fact from Fiction About Safe Digging Practices
Aug. 5, 2024 – Kansas Gas Service is addressing common myths about the 811 service to raise awareness about the importance of safe digging.
“Contacting 811 is one of the most important things that customers and workers who dig can do,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations. “Safety is our top priority, and taking the easy step to contact 811 is the best way to protect yourself and your neighbors.”
Digging into the Facts About 811:
- Is contacting 811 a complicated process?
Fact: One easy phone call to 811 or submitting a locate request online at Kansas811.com will alert owners of registered pipelines, telecommunication cables, underground power lines, etc., to mark their buried facilities. There’s no charge to you for this service.
- Do small digging projects require an 811 notification?
Fact: Every digging project, whether small or large, such as planting a tree, installing a fence or major construction, requires contacting 811 at least two full working days in advance.
- Is there a need to contact 811 if you’ve dug in the same spot before?
Fact: Even if you think you know where underground lines are located, it’s important to contact 811 every dig, every time. There may be unexpected lines or changes since your last project.
- Is it necessary to contact 811 in rural areas where there are no utilities?
Fact: Even in rural areas, there can be buried facilities, and their locations can be surprising. Always contact 811 before digging.
On 811 Day, and every day of the year, Kansas Gas Service encourages you to put safety first when undertaking any digging project — no matter the scale.
Essential tips for safe digging:
- If you hire a contractor, make sure they contact 811 before digging.
- Respect the tolerance zone, which is 24 inches on either side of the underground facility. Within this zone, you should exercise reasonable care using hand or soft digging techniques to avoid any contact or damage to the facility. Soft digging includes any excavation with tools and equipment that uses air or water pressure to break up soil and rock. All damages or disturbances to a utility must be reported to the facility owner or operator and 811.
- Smell Gas, Act Fast!If you smell natural gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave the area immediately then call 911, 811 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.
For more information about safe digging practices and the importance of 811, visit beadigherokansas.com or scan the QR code below.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
FSCC Trustees Will Have a Special Meeting on August 8
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.
Obituary of Taylor Bowman
Taylor Christine Bowman, age 31, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, completed her journey into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. She was born November 13, 1992, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Christopher Mark Bowman and Lana Lanette Hayden Bowman.
Taylor graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and the Ft. Scott Community College. Taylor had worked both as a CNA and in the dietary department at area nursing homes. She was currently employed as a cashier at Dollar Tree in Pittsburg.
Taylor had a green thumb and enjoyed tending to her many houseplants. She also enjoyed collecting owls and diamond painting. Taylor loved to travel, having made her own way to her dream trip to Ireland and Great Britain at the age of sixteen. She attended the Community Christian Church.
Survivors include her parents, Christopher Bowman and Lana Bowman, both of Ft. Scott, and two sisters, Cari Hunziker (Doug) of Drexel, Missouri and Leslie Farris (Nathan) of Decatur, Michigan. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Raymond and Marjorie Hayden and Arthur “Tolle” and Doris Bowman.
A Celebration of Life will take place Thursday, August 8 at 1:30 pm at the Cheney Witt.
A time of visitation to follow at the chapel.
Taylor will be laid to rest next to her beloved grandparents at a later date during a private ceremony, in Centerville Cemetery in Devon, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the Taylor Bowman 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 chenewitt.com.
Friday Night Free Concert at FSCC Features Mariam Tucker Self
This week’s Friday Night Concert will feature Mariam Tucker Self, Kansas City‘s only female Elvis tribute artist. Singing with professional studio tracks recreated by the EPProject, the evening will feature songs from Elvis’ famous 1973 “Aloha from Hawaii Concert,” plus additional favorite hits. The free concert, held in the Round Room at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton, begins at 7:00 p.m.
“I’ve known this young lady since she was a child singing in church at the age of three. Her mother stood her up on the piano bench and she sang in perfect pitch. Born and raised in Fort Scott, she now resides in Peculiar, MO, with her husband Levi and their three daughters. She is the lead vocalist for the Tucker Family Band, performs solo gigs, and sings in the church worship team in Lee‘s Summit,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “I am pleased to welcome Mariam onto the stage to perform for our great community. You won’t want to miss this lively show. Bring a neighbor and join your friends for a fun evening of musical entertainment.”
The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and organized by Carlson.
Ramsey Charged with False Claim of Being Shot By Assailants
Levi M. Ramsey, 30, of Redfield, was taken into custody without incident on August 3, 2024 by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for an incident he reported to authorities on July 29, according to a press release for Bourbon County Sheriff William Martin.
At that time, Ramsey reported he had been shot by serveral unknown individuals.
During the investigation, deputies uncovered that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted and he had not been confronted or shot by any other individuals.
Ramsay was booked into jail with $5,000 bond and was released a short time later after posting the bond.
Ramsey will be charged with unlawful request for emergency service assistance giving a false alarm, criminal discharge of a firearm, and interference with law enforcement.
The criminal case is being forwarded to the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office awaiting review and formal charges.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
Bike Repair Stations Installed in Riverfront Park Donated by the Fort Scott Rotary Club
Riverfront Park has slowly been transforming from the unmaintained area it once was to a public space for concerts, weddings, and other gatherings and also beautiful tree-lined walk/bike trails.
Along the trails are resting areas and as you go under the Hwy. 69 Highway, some colorful historic murals have been painted by local artist, Stephen Toal.
Recently another enhancement has been added to the park.
“Due to the increased bicycle traffic, the need for bicycle repair and the ability to air tires has been met by the Fort Scott Rotary Club,” said Jerry Witt, president of the Riverfront Authority, which oversees the area. “Two bicycle repair stations have been added to the park. One station has been installed on the Belltown Walking trail on the north side of Marmaton River and a second station has been installed on the south River Loop Road.”
“The concrete foundations were funded by the Riverfront committee at a cost of $2,400.,” he said. “The repair stations consist of a bike rack, air pump, and various tools and were funded and donated by the Fort Scott Rotary Club.”
