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Fort Scott, Government

Volunteers Needed for FS Design Review Board

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Two openings for the City of Fort Scott Design Review Board:
must be a City resident:
The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for the Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.
Thank you,
Lisa Dillon
Clothing, Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Native American Dance Presentation and Feather Workshop

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Courtesy of National Park Service.

 

Fort Scott, Kan. – Learn Native American stories and experience dance performances by the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers. Then learn how to work with Feathers that adorn the dancers in traditional Native Plains fashion. All activities are free and open to the public.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort, meet in the Visitor Center

1 p.m.   – Oklahoma Fancy Dancers (Native American Cultural Dance Presentation), Parade Ground

2:30 p.m.– Make & Take Traditional Native Feather Workshop for youth and some space for adults, meet inside of the Grand Hall

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET: “HUGE SUCCESS”

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Submitted by Marilyn Flagg

 

Even though Arcadia High School closed its doors at the end of the  “1965” school year, the annual alumni banquet is still being held on memorial week-end.  This year, the 2025 banquet was held in Arcadia, Kansas at the Community Center with 62 attending.  The membership also includes the Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Class of 1965.  The banquet was held in Arcadia on Saturday afternoon, May 24th and was catered by Chicken Mary’s and served by the Stansbury brothers of Arcadia, Ks. Open Door Mission Church Youth.

 

Enclosed with the invitation to the banquet this year was the deceased for 2024 prepared by Marilyn Flagg, Historian.  The change of addresses, phone numbers, etc. was enclosed also prepared by Marilyn.  The 2024 Financial Report done by Shirley Landon, Treasurer, and the 2024 Minutes completed by Virginia Smith, Secretary, was a hand out at the banquet.

 

Social hour was 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by lunch and business meeting. President Pat Morris of Arcadia welcomed the 40 Alumni and 22 guests.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was led by Merle Engle.   The invocation was by Richard Page.

 

At the opening of the business meeting, President Pat Smith Morris (Class of 1964)  introduced alumni officers Vice President, Tom Watt (Class of 1968); Secretary, Virginia Harris Smith (Class of 1964);  Treasurer, Shirley McKinstry Landon (Class of 1956); and Historian Marilyn Coonrod Flagg (Class of 1962) and thanked them for all the work they have done for this year’s banquet.

 

There were no objections or corrections to the 2024 Minutes or the 2024 Treasurer’s report.  They stand approved as presented.

 

Richard Page led the nominations and election of officers. Michael Sheffield and Sharon Foster were also on the nomination committee.

Richard Page nominated Tom Watt for president in 2026 and Pat Morris for Vice President.  Michael Sheffield made the motion to accept and Lilly Sheffield seconded Michael’s motion.  All in favor voted yes and motion carried. Shirley Landon will remain as Treasurer; Virginia Smith as Secretary and Marilyn Flagg as Historian.

 

Special recognition was given to members of the 60th (1965);

70th (1955); and 80th (1945) this year.

 

Those attending from the 60th class were the following:

Rosedda Burge Carter and guest Teresa Kennedy; Terry Bright;

and Linda Montee Underwood and guest John Underwood.

 

Attending from the 70th.  were as follows:  Virgil Curnutt and guest Benjamin Curnutt;  Mary Lee Eggen Payne and guests Ron and Cindy

Morton.

 

There were none in attendance for the 80th class.

 

All 22 guests were asked to stand and be recognized.

 

Tom Watt, chairman of the Scholarship Committee, announced the winner of the 2025  A.F. Bowlus/Betty Kirksey Scholarship as Lainey

O’Dell.  Lainey is the great granddaughter of Jack and Mary Lee Payne.

Since Lainey lives in Alabama and unable to attend, her grandparents,

Ron and Cindy Morton and great grandparent, Mary Lee Eggen Payne, attended and spoke in her behalf.  Lainey was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.  Katherine Shead was awarded an additional “AHS” scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Katherine is the granddaughter of Larry Shead. Because of her graduation, Katherine and Larry were unable to attend.

 

Any child, grandchild, or great grandchild of Arcadia High School Alumni may apply for a scholarship.

 

Marilyn Flagg led the memorial service for alumni deceased since the last meeting.  Those remembered were: Mary Coonrod Bournonville; Robert (Bob) Morozzo; Yvonne Blair Gazaway; Helen Cambers Green; Elmer R. Carpenter; Marilyn Ferguson Nuzum; Philip Harris; Don Kauble; Carl F. Morris; Donald E. (Gene) Stevens; Patsy Fanning Scott; Elizabeth Burge Buchanan; Sandra Hanson Hamby; Doylene Shoemaker Chapman; Mary Jo Wozniak McKinney; David Beerbower; Mike Carpenter; Priscella Krieger; and Jack Hurst.

 

The roll call which consisted of the following and the 1945, 1955, and 1965  classes listed above was done by Tom Watt.

 

1949 –  Jerry Skidmore

Billy D. Yoos and guest William Yoos

1950 –  Betty (Clarkson) Skidmore

1953 –  Bobby Charles and guests Bobby Harris and Paul Harris

1954 –  Esther Engle Cousins and guest Janice Crooks

Gary Peterson and guest Patty Peterson

1956 –  Shirley (McKinstry) Landon and guest Tina Caldwell Hooks

1957 –  Merle Engle

Francis M. Jones and guest Karen Kay Tripp

Lilly (Turner) Sheffield

Lou Sheets and guest Linda Sue Sheets

1958 –  Joyce McKinstry Turner

Laura Coonrod Felt

1959 – William Page

Michael Sheffield

1960 – Hilda Cockman Page

Jerry Coonrod and guest Jan Steele

1961 – Howard Holland and guest Louise Holland

1962 – Marilyn (Coonrod) Flagg

Joyce (Elliott) Maycumber

Helen (Morris) Nichols

Ronnie Smith

1963 – Sharon Barnard Foster

Richard (Dick) Page

1964 – Ronnie Kellogg and guest Barbara Kellogg

Virginia Harris Smith

Steve Morris

Ronnie Portwood and guest Mary Portwood

Pat Smith Morris

Sherry Swafford Page

1966 – Jerry Morris

Larry Smith

1968 – Don Schaub

Sherry Sisney

Tom Watt and guest Phyllis Watt

 

Billy D. Yoos (Class of 1949) was given an award for being the “Oldest” alumni.  Virgil Curnutt (1955) was  awarded for traveling the “Most

Distance”.

 

The school song was led by Jan Steele.  Jan is the daughter of Richard (Dick) Steele) long time music teacher in the Arcadia High School.

 

The benediction was led by Merle Engle.

 

The servers were the

Stansbury Brothers (Camryn, Wyatt, and Timothy), of Arcadia, Kansas Open Door Mission Church Youth and Judy Stansbury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government, Kansas

KDOT to begin Bridge Repair on U.S. 69 June 9

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Courtesy of Google Street View.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a bridge repair project on the U.S. 69 bridge over Wall Street in Fort Scott the week of June 9.

Project activity includes patching and resurfacing the bridge deck.

One-lane traffic will continue through the work zone. Drivers can expect delays of no more than 15 minutes, weather permitting, through the end of December 2025.

KDOT awarded the $1.5 million construction contract to PCI Roads, LLC of St. Michael, Minnesota. People with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones.

For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1. For updates on construction projects in Southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.

Opinion

Change by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

From stumbling to soaring, we have a choice to make.  We remember the stumbles, times we wish we could delete from our memories, times we needed to turn to the One who offers us the ability to soar and not tire out.  Times when we need to change our ways, but who, except for wet babies, likes change?                                                             

We dig our heels in and justify our decisions to continue doing what requires no soaring or running or even walking.  The couch becomes our safe place, and the television becomes our god.  Easy peasy.  Except it’s not the way God calls us to live.             

Isaiah reminds us that when it comes to change, the eagle has much to teach us.                     

Did you know that the eagle has the longest life-span among birds? It can live up to 70 years, but to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision. In its 40s, the eagle’s long and flexible talons no longer can grab prey, which serves as food. Its long, sharp beak becomes bent, and its aged, heavy wings, covered with feathers that have grown thick over the years, become stuck to its chest, making it difficult to fly.                        

The eagle is then left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change, which lasts 150 days. The bird must fly to a mountain top and sit on its nest.  There it knocks its beak against a rock until the beak falls off. The eagle then will wait for a new beak to grow back, a beak used to pluck out its talons. When the new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking out all the old feathers. After five months, the eagle takes a famous flight of rebirth and lives 30 more years.

Like the eagle, we cannot “stay right where we are” and call ourselves Christians.  God wants us to delete old memories, eliminate destructive (lazy?) habits, and soar like eagles. We just need to understand that faith does not come in one giant tsunami-like wave.  It is a step-by-step process which calls on us to move out of our comfort zone, to pluck out whatever keeps us from soaring.  We don’t have to wait until we believe it all, see it all or understand it all.  We just need to take the first step.

That’s what the Israelites did after they escaped Egypt and 40 years later, found themselves camped on the bank of the Jordan River.  Joshua 3 explains their dilemma.  God asks them to step into the raging river (“at flood stage”) and trust that He will take them to the other side where the Promised Land awaits.  The priests go first, as per Joshua’s instructions, followed by one man representing each tribe and then the rest of the Israelites.  Not until the priests’ feet hit the water did God allow the river to open for them to pass through.  One step. An act of trust that opens Heaven.

God offers us the same victory.

The next step is ours.   We stumble or we soar.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Friendship and Dating Program at Tri-Valley

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Submitted photo.

Tri-Valley Developmental Services Holds Friendship and Dating Class for Persons Served; Program  Grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

 

Persons Served at Tri-Valley Developmental Services (TVDS) Fort Scott Service Center are participating in a Friendship and Dating Program that was made possible by funds from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.  Grant money from the Foundation was used to purchase Friendships and Dating program developed by the University of Alaska – Anchorage.

 

The program teaches individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) how to build healthy, meaningful relationships and prevent interpersonal violence. “This program has made a huge impact on the individuals we serve,” said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “Persons served are having fun and are learning a lot through the program.  We discuss communication skills (non-verbal and verbal) as well as emotions and feelings.  This program is a success, thanks in part to our friends at the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.” 

 

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Call the Foundation at 620-244-6500 with questions about the Community Foundation.

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott May 29 Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 29th Weekly Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park! Visitor Center and historic buildings are open Friday through Tuesday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The grounds continue to be open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset

** Guided tours Saturday & Sunday 10am & 1pm! **

Click HERE to visit the website.

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

Fort Scott Farmers Market

Saturdays | 8am-noon Tuesdays | 4-6pm

Gathering Square Pavilion, 111 N. National

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

FS Public Library

*Wednesday Writers every Wed. @ 1:30-3pm

*Summer Reading June 3rd – July 29th!

201 S. National Ave.

Kansas Small Business Development Center

at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9am-4pm.

Par Tee Girl Ladies’ Golf League –

Every Wednesday thru July!

League Fee: $40

Contact:

Diane Striler at [email protected] or 248-568-7790

Click HERE for the Facebook Group Page!

Dolly Trolley Historic 50-min narrated tours!

Adults $6 | Children 12&under $4

Call 620-223-3566 or stop in the Chamber at

231 E. Wall St. to book your ride!

Fort Scott Aquatic Center

Opens Memorial Day, May 26th

Monday – Saturday

Public Swim: 1-5:15pm

Adult/Family Swim :5:30-7pm

*Lifeguard Breaks: 3pm & 5:15pm

Sunday

Public Swim: 1-6pm

Adult/Family Swim: 4:45-6pm

*Lifeguard Breaks: 3 & 4:30pm

Daily Admission:

2& under Free

3-14yrs $2

15-62yrs $3

63yrs+ $2

Questions: 620-223-8142

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema!

Follow their Facebook Page HERE for updates!

__________________________________

__________________________________

Fort Scott High School

All Class Reunion Yard Signs!

Signs $20/each

*Several personalized designs available

*Additional Tiger swag including apparel, drinkware, license plates, banners also available

Deadline to order: Monday, June 16th

Pick up: Wednesday, June 25th @ the Chamber

231 E. Wall St.

Click HERE for order form .pdf file

Show off your Tiger Pride in style!

__________________________________

__________________________________

UPCOMING EVENTS

GOLF CART RAFFLE – donated by

Bourbon County Cars

Proceeds benefit:

Kiwanis Youth Scholarships & Care to Share

2011 Yamaha 48V Electric Golf Cart

Tickets: $20 each or 10 for $100

Tickets can be purchased at Bourbon County Cars

via Venmo by texting Josh Jones 620-215-3680

or by clicking HERE!

Drawing will be held July 12th at the

Care to Share Golf Tournament!

5/30-31 | St Mary’s Mega Sale

Kennedy Gym

Friday 6:30am-5:30pm

Saturday 7am-11am

(Sat. starting at 9:30am – fill a bag for $1)

5/30 ~ 3-5pm | Garage Sale for Spay & Neuter Stray Dogs & Cats in Fort Scott

Questions call Dee Covey 620-215-4074

5/30 ~ 7-8pm | Friday Night Concerts in the Park

Heritage Park Pavilion – 1st & Main St.

Open Mic & performances by regular guests

5/30-31 ~ 7pm | FSHS Tiger Drama Camp presents

“The Rainbow Fish: An Undersea Adventure”

Click HERE to purchase tickets

or purchase at the door!

Location: Fort Scott High School

5/31 ~ 8am-12pm | Breakfast on the Bricks

by Museum of Creativity

@ The Gathering Square Pavilion

Free Will Donation

*Proceeds will go towards their Wheelchair Access Ramp Fundraiser

**This event will happen again

Saturday, July 12th and Saturday, Aug. 30th

5/31 ~ 9-10am | Little Chefs Cooking Class at The Kitchen C+C – Strawberry Shortcake

Ages 4-6 | $20/Child

Click HERE to sign-up!

5/31 ~ 10am-1pm | Car Wash Fundraiser for FSHS students to attend SkillsUSA Nationals

Tractor Supply Parking Lot

Donations via Cash or Venmo welcome!

5/31 ~ 11am-1pm | Blissful Aesthetics & Wellness Customer Appreciation Day!

Free lunch provided as a thank you! enjoy

Food truck Werner’s & Pies (Hotdogs & Pizza)

Free laser or Botox consultations & discounted services May 31st ONLY!

RSVP 620-238-2825

6/2-7/17 ~ 9:15am-10am | Freedom Fitness KidFit Summer 7-week Session

Mon-Thurs.(4 days a week)

Skill/Sport-specific training

Limited spots available

$110 due on the first day

6/5 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee hosted by the

Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days Committee

@ Skubitz Plaza

6/5 ~ 8-10pm | The Rough Romance tour Patio Concert at Liberty Theatre

feat. The Rough and Tumble AND Flagship Romance

presented by Bourbon County Arts Council

Tickets $15 BCAC Members

$20 Non-Members

Contact: Terri Floy 620-224-7221 or

Deb Anderson 620-224-8650

6/6-7 ~ | BBCO Community Theatre Presents

“Beauty & The Bull or Chaos in Fort Scott”

A Melodrama

June 6th – 8pm

June 7th – 10:30am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm,

6:30pm, and 8pm.

Tickets $5/each (5 & under FREE)

Tickets available at the door or online HERE!

Doors open 30 min prior to showtime

6/6 | Battleline Tactical Pistol 1 Day Course hosted by Fort Scott Munitions Training

*Option for 2 day course

Email: battlelinetacticalteam@gmail.com

6/6-7 ~ | EKSSS Swine Series Show

@ BBCO Fairgrounds

6/6 Friday Night Lights Pig Show

6pm Showmanship begins

6/7 Bourbon Brawl Pig Show

9am Showmanship begins

Click HERE for entry forms.

6/6 ~ 9am | Extrusions/Winvent Golf Outing at Woodland Hills Golf Course

6/6 ~ 6-9pm | Artist Opening Reception & First Friday’s at The Artificers

Feat. Artists:

Roxi Hardegree | Botanical Artist / Master Artist

Trent Freeman | Mixed Media Artist / Guest Artist

6/6 ~ 6pm | Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days Parade

Theme: 44 Years of Crafting Memories

Click HERE for parade entry form!

*Deadline to register is June 3rd, 1pm

6/6 ~ 7-8pm | Friday Night Concerts in the Park

at Heritage Park Pavilion – 1st & Main St.

6/6 ~ 7:30pm | KC All Stars Band

As part of Good Ol’ Days Festival

70’s to current hits

6/6-7 | Red Garter Show at the Liberty Theatre

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

Showtimes:

Friday, June 6th at 7pm

Saturday, June 7th at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm,

3pm, 4pm, & 5pm

6/7 | BSA Pack 114 Lemonade & Bake Sale

at the Farmers Market

Gathering Square Pavilion

6/7 ~ 8am-1pm | Tiger Baseball Fundraiser

(3-person Golf Scramble)

Woodland Hills Golf Course

6/7 ~ 9-11am | Tom Davis Memorial 5K

$20 entry fee

Pre-register 8:30am at

Fort Scott High School Football Field

or HERE !

All 1st place winners in each age division will receive a

5K finisher medal!

6/7 ~ 10am-2:30pm | Native American Dance Presentation and Feather Workshop by the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers

at the Fort Scott National Historic Site

6/7 | Baby Contest

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

9am Registration

10am Contest

@ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St. (Enter thru South door)

6/7 ~ 10am-5pm | Dunk-A-Deputy by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

*All proceeds go to “Gifts for Kids”

$5 for 3 balls

$20 walk-up & push

6/7 ~10am-3pm | Car & Bike Show

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

$20

10am-12pm Registration

12pm-3pm Show

Awards 2:30pm

Raffle drawing for 1/2 hog

$5/ticket or 5 for $20

*All proceeds from the event go to help the 2025-26 FSMS 8th grade class Washing Workshop Trip.

6/7 ~ 11am-3pm | Wet Cyanotype Workshop by Roxi Hardegree at The Artificers

$100

Click HERE to register!

6/7 ~ 11am-12pm | Holly Crays Music w/ Full Band (Red Dirt Country)

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

@ Skubitz Plaza on the Care to Share Stage

6/7 ~ 1-3pm | Ty Ellis & The Flatliners

(Red Dirt Band)

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

@ Skubitz Plaza on the Care to Share stage

6/7 ~ 4pm | Left of Center Band

(Rock/Country)

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

@ Skubitz Plaza on the Care to Share stage

6/7 ~ 7pm | Mississippi the Clarksdale Caravan

(Mississippi Blues)

As part of the Good Ol’ Days Festival

@ Skubitz Plaza on the Care to Share stage

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

…

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Randy Nichols

4 Comments

Electing Kansas Supreme Court Justices.

 

In her May 13 legislative update Senator Tyson supported changing the current nomination process for selecting Supreme Court justices.  She supports electing our Supreme Court justices.  The issue will appear on the August 2026 ballot.  She alleges the current system came about because Kansas voters were thought “not smart,” that the nominating process is unfairly dominated by lawyers, that it lacks transparency, that it promotes “judicial activism” and that it has failed based on overturn rates of  Kansas cases heard by the U.S. Supreme court.  Please read her update and let’s unpack what she said.

The current nominating process came about in 1958 after then-governor Hall conspired with his lieutenant governor and a retiring supreme court justice to get himself appointed to the supreme court. (His action was labeled The Triple Play.)  Subsequently, informed and intelligent Kansas voters supported the constitutional amendment defining the current judicial nominating process and have continued to support it since 1958.

The judicial nominating committee is composed of nine people.  Two people from each of the four congressional districts.  One is a lawyer elected by lawyers in their district. The second person is a non-lawyer appointed by the governor. The chairperson is a lawyer elected by a vote of all eligible lawyers across the state.  The committee vets and selects three candidates.  From these three the governor choses the Supreme Court justice.  The process is transparent. All committee meetings are open to the public and press and responsible to the Kansas open records act.  While no process is perfect this system gives equal representation to all areas of the state, it balances political influence and it avoids voting domination by large population centers.

It’s important to note that a Supreme Court justice stands for a vote of retention after their first year and every six years thereafter.  We as voters therefore decide to retain or not based on an actual record not on campaign promises and special interest group influence as happens with elected politicians.

Senator Tyson states the nominating committee process has failed because of the number of Kansas cases overturned at the U.S. Supreme Court level.  She states that it is “alleged” Kansas has the highest overturn rate per capita of any state.  How do you even interpret this?  The study is statistically skewed both by population bias and the fact the upper court does not hear all Kansas cases but picks and choses the ones it wants.  A better study done by Washington University found that since 1966 the Kansas overturn rate was 66%.  The national average was 77%.

Senator Tyson next implies elected judges would be less likely to engage in judicial activism.  So ask yourself if a judge who made campaign promises and was supported by a large dollar special interest group, often with out of state ties, (think the recent Wisconsin supreme court election) would be more or less likely to engage in judicial activism?   Senator Tyson goes further implying our appointed judges will be judicially active by conflating them with German judges from the 1930s.  Those judges were antisemite, Nazi sympathizers appointed by Adolf Hitler.  Is that really the comparison she wants to make?

To further illustrate her concern that cases heard by appointed judges are overturned at the U.S. Supreme Court level and that appointed judges are judicially active the Senator sites the court case of Kansas vs Gonzales.  The case involves an undocumented immigrant using falsified federal and state forms. Obviously a hot button example.  Please read the case yourself.  It does not represent judicial activism protecting an undocumented immigrant.  Rather it is a case defining if a federal law, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, supersedes Kansas law.  It was overturned by a 5-4 decision.  What the case actually represents is the system working the way it was designed.

Electing Supreme Court justices will introduce partisan politics, special interest group and outside the state dark money influence into the selection process.  Preserving our system of checks and balances is critical.  Electing justices is a bad idea.

Randy Nichols

 

Area News

Anthony Mansfield Escaped From Johnson County Work Release Facility

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Minimum-Custody Resident Anthony Mansfield Escaped From Johnson County Work Release Facility After Not Returning To the Facility

~KDOC resident Anthony Mansfield placed on escape status~

NEW CENTURY, Kansas. – Kansas Department of Corrections resident Anthony Mansfield has been placed on escape status at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, after not returning to the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) or reporting to his job yesterday.

Mansfield, a 36-year old white male, is considered dangerous. He was reported missing when the resident could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Mansfield is 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and weighs 185 pounds with an average build. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with black designs, long black sleeve undershirt, brown boots, brown baseball hat and stonewashed jeans .

Mansfield was convicted in Johnson County for eight-months of incarceration for criminal damage to property convictions. He is serving that sentence at the JCDOC-ARC from which he walked away. Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who have release plans that are appropriate to Johnson County are housed at the ARC.

Anyone with information on Mansfield can call EAI at 816-266-2102, JCDOC at 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

Kansans can also contact EAI via email at [email protected].

The walk-away is being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available. 

Photo

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Obituary

Obituary of Patricia Eastwood

1 Comment

 

Patricia Ann Eastwood, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at her home in Ft. Scott.  She was born July 26, 1941, in Iola, Kansas, the daughter of William Charles Hoggatt and Virginia Ann Thompson Hoggatt.  Pat attended schools at Iola, Hoisington and Ft. Scott.

She was united in marriage to James L. Eastwood on February 10, 1957, at Ft. Scott.  Pat was a devoted wife and mother.  After raising her family, Pat chose to continue her education.  She graduated from Ft. Scott Community College in 1988 and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in 1990.  In 1992, she became a licensed adult care home administrator.

Over the years, Pat worked at Key Industries, Western Insurance Company and Great West.  She later served as administrator of Ft. Scott Manor.  During Pat’s tenure, the nursing home received three deficiency-free surveys; this was due to the dedication of the staff.

Pat was an active member of the Community Christian Church.

She enjoyed reading and camping at the lake. Pat liked to sew and used her talent to make comforters for the “Bags of Love” project which helped children in need.

 

Survivors include a son, Jim Eastwood (Paula) and two daughters, Susan Carnes (Mike) and Shelly Brennon (Kenny) all of Ft. Scott; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are a sister, Judy Button Hobbs of Ft. Scott and a brother, Vernis Hoggatt of Springfield, Oregon.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, on August 14, 2018.  She was also preceded in death by a great-grandson, Weston, a brother, Bill and a half-sister, Verlyne.

 

Rev. Paul Martin will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 31st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Area News, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Health Care

Local Students Graduate From Freeman Health System Nursing School

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Some of the nearly 30 nurses who will be joining Freeman Health System once they pass their NCLEX exams. Submitted phot

 

Mission Accomplished

Dozens of New Graduate Nurses Recognized During Special Ceremony  

 

Joplin, MO. – Nearly 30 nurses were warmly welcomed into the Freeman fold Tuesday night during a graduation ceremony that’s unique to this area.

Resembling athletic signing day celebrations often seen at high schools and universities nationwide, these graduate nurses – who have completed their two years of schooling but have yet to take their National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) to become registered nurses – inked their signatures on dotted lines while loved ones looked on and future Freeman co-workers cheered and applauded their accomplishments.

“I am very appreciative of those around me and how hard they’ve worked to become nurses,” said Camrie Davis, a graduate nurse who will work for Freeman orthopaedics. “Anybody who you went to school with, they all become a sort of fellowship to you.”

Nurses serve as linchpins to any functional hospital or healthcare system, said Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Fry, speaking to the assembled graduate nurses and their families at the Ron Richard Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus.

“A patient spends five percent of their time with physician and about 95 percent of their time with a nurse or nurse tech,” Fry said, “So, it is truly vital to us that we bring nurses into our system who are consistent with our mission, vision, values. I think we’re confident today that everyone joining the team fits that bill.”

The graduate nurses recognized during the ceremony included: Shelby Blythe, Karen Gonzalez, Aiddenn Vanatta, Jadyn Fox, Victorea Stephenson, Jaylen Evans, Adeline Vanderpool, Karleigh Schoenberger, Paige McIntire, Amber Opel, Alexia Ingold, Esmeralda Martinez, Jacob Pearce, Danielle Russell, Mickayley McCluney, Heather Autry, Blair Wilson, Taylor Young, Madison Burkhart, Amanda Weaver, Rylie Tyer, Dylan Byrd, Camrie Davis, Molly Kesler, Mackenzie Droessler, Megan Blair, Brittney Clark, and Anistyn Honey.

To learn more about Freeman Health System’s nursing programs, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.