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Obituary of George Hightower
George Frederick Hightower, age 77, a resident of Walnut, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, Kansas. He was born March 27, 1947, in Hartman, Arkansas, the son of John David Hightower and Dorothy Anita Kuhl Hightower. George married Leona Marie Reed on August 9, 1965, Alpena, Arkansas.
Following their marriage, George served three tours in Vietnam with the United States Army.
Throughout his life, George worked at Churchill Manufacturing in Chanute where he helped construct oil pumping equipment. He later was employed by the Erie Lumberyard and then Neosho Small Parts also located in Erie. In addition, he also worked in law enforcement for the City of Walnut.
George enjoyed fishing and playing cards with his good friends.
Survivors include his four children, George Hightower (Amber) of Georgia, Paula Robertson (Jamie) of Thayer, Kansas, Leo Hightower (Megan) of Chanute, Kansas and Wayne Hightower (Pam) of Ft. Scott, Kansas; twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Donna Guntharp (Jackie) and a step-brother, Mike Shrum.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Leona, on January 3, 1992. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Maryann Hobbs and Cathy McDole, an infant brother, Del Edward Hightower and a step-brother, Rick Shrum.
There was cremation. Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct graveside services at 1:30 P.M. Friday, April 4th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 P.M.
Memorials are suggested to the Walnut Community Service Organization 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.
Bourbon County Republicans Are Accepting Applications For 3rd District Commissioner
Due to the recent vacation of the county commissioner seat by Leroy Kruger, the Bourbon County Republicans will be accepting applications to fulfill this important role. Interested Republican residents of Bourbon County District 3 (definition below) seeking to fill the county commission seat should send a letter of interest with qualifications, rationale and reasons why they should be selected to: Kaety Bowers, Chairwoman, email bourbon.county.republicans@
The Bourbon County District 3 Appointment Area is defined as the area designated as District 3 (prior to the geographical redistricting done to increase the Bourbon County commissioner total from three to five). See the map above for details; District 3 is labeled and shaded red.
Any questions regarding your address and its location within the district should be directed to Susan Walker, Bourbon County Clerk; phone 620-223-3800 ext. 191
Obituary of Dora George
Dora Alice Baucom George, born April 12, 1954, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose kindness and generosity touched many lives.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert George; her parents, Lewis and Marie Baucom; her sister, Peggy Baucom and a grandson.
She is survived by her children, Les George (Bianca), Robin Butwan(Christopher), Kathryn Knoer (Brad), Shari Brown, Tami Simmons (Joe); her cherished grandson, Ethan Butwan and many loved grandchildren and great grandchildren; her brother, Joe Baucom; and her sisters, Kathy Swingle and Jo Ann Scott (John).
With a heart for service, Dora found joy in caring for children, supporting her church, and dedicating her time to helping the elderly in her community. She lived a life of faith, compassion, and selflessness, always putting the needs of others before her own.
Her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. A celebration of her life was held at United Funeral Service in New Albany, MS on Wednesday, March 26th.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 29th, at the Centerville Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gideons International at SendTheWord.org in her honor. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS.
USD235 Special Meeting is March 28
Chamber Coffee Hosted by Bids and Dibs on March 27
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report March 26
Cold Weather Rule and the LIEAP application period end soon
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) wants to remind utility customers that there are two important dates coming up that they should be aware of. First, the Cold Weather Rule ends on Monday, March 31. The Cold Weather Rule protects residential customers, served by KCC regulated utilities, from disconnection when temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees.
In addition, Monday is the deadline to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP. Applications for the federally funded program must be received by the Kansas Department of Children and Families by 5 p.m. on Monday. Information about the program is available at https://www.dcf.ks.gov/
When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Monday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility’s policy. That is why it is important to call now – while regulated utilities are still required to offer the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan.
The KCC urges all customers facing financial difficulties to act now to stay connected. To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. Utility assistance program information is also posted on the KCC’s website.
It is important to note that the KCC does not regulate co-ops or municipal utilities, although many of those utilities also offer a cold weather payment plan. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://kcc.ks.gov/
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KS Dairy Producers Reminded to Obtain 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage by March 31
Manhattan, Kansas March 25, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging dairy producers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), an important safety net program that helps offset milk and feed price differences. This year’s DMC signup began Jan. 29 and the deadline to enroll is March 31, 2025.
“We encourage producers to join the 67 dairy operations in Kansas that have already signed up for this important safety net program in advance of the deadline,” said USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Deputy State Executive Director Joshua Ridder “At $0.15 per hundredweight for $9.50 coverage, risk protection through Dairy Margin Coverage is a cost-effective tool to manage risk and provide security for your operations.”
The American Relief Act, 2025 extended provisions of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) authorizing DMC for coverage year 2025.
DMC provides dairy operations with risk management coverage that pays producers when the difference (the margin) between the national price of milk and the average cost of feed falls below a certain level selected by the program participants.
DMC offers different levels of coverage minus a $100 administrative fee. The administrative fee is waived for dairy producers who are considered limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged or a military veteran.
DMC payments are calculated using updated feed and premium hay costs, making the program more reflective of actual dairy producer expenses. These updated feed calculations use 100% premium alfalfa hay.
For more information on DMC, visit the or contact your local USDA Service Center.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
Note: Bourbon County is represented by Kansas Senator Tim Shallenberger and Representative Rich James. They have not responded to requests for a weekly newsletter. In the interest of providing legislative information, Senator Tyson provides a weekly newsletter. U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt has recently started providing information at the federal level.
March 21, 2025
It was a difficult week in the legislature. Over 80 bills were worked on the Senate floor. It was intense and made for a long week. There were too many bills to discuss in this update. All the legislation is posted at www.KSLegislature.gov.
Property Taxes are a concern for most Kansans. The Senate Tax Committee held hearings on the House position of limiting taxable valuation increases in House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 5011 and repealing part of the Truth in Taxation, Revenue Neutral notices, in House Bill (HB) 2396. The Committee didn’t support the House averaging over several years to limit tax values and instead supported the 3% tax value limit passed in Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1603, 28 to 12 on February 5th. So, the Committee voted to put the same language in 1603 into 5011. The Senate then passed 5011 on a bipartisan vote of 30 to 10. I voted Yes.
The Tax Committee also rejected repealing Revenue Neutral notices, but did move forward on a protest petition that would block local governments from increasing their property tax revenues (i.e. taxes). The Senate lowered the threshold to 3% or an inflation index, whichever is lower, plus new construction and voted on bonds. If the local government unit increases property taxes greater than that amount, voters could block the increase by signing a protest petition. Some of the logistics still need to be worked out, but it is being considered. One thing that most of us can agree on is that the current system is taxing people out of their homes and needs attention.
Slowing State Government Growth by passing SB 259, automatic income tax reductions would be set in place based on taxes collected the previous year. For years Kansas taxpayers have been paying more, growing the beast that is big government. SB 259 would trigger a personal income tax cut for the next year when taxes collected are greater than inflation until the personal income tax bracket is 4.5%. Once 4.5% is reached, the trigger would be used to decrease corporate and privilege taxes until comparable reductions are reached. The bill passed 30 to 10. I voted Yes.
Illegals Voting in Kansas elections would be exposed if HB 2020 becomes law. It would require the Department of Revenue to notify the Secretary of State of any noncitizens drivers licenses issued. The Secretary would then be required to investigate any names on the noncitizen list with voter registrations and direct county clerks to remove the registered voter from the voter rolls. The bill passed 32 to 8. I voted Yes.
Special Elections that often increase taxes will only be held in April, August, or November if HB 2022 becomes law with the Senate changes. A recent election in Sedgewick County cost taxpayers $136,000. If it would have been on the August or November ballot, there wouldn’t have been an extra expense. I voted yes. It passed 24 to 16.
Artificial Intelligence generated visual sexual images of children will be a sex crime if HB 2183 becomes law. It passed the Senate unanimously.
Prayers for those who have lost loved ones. It was a difficult week in the Kansas Senate, as a few senators lost loved ones. It is one of the hardest things we face in life. For all who have lost a loved one, their life was a gift from God and may their memory continue to bless you.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
K-52 resurfacing project will begin soon in Linn County
The week of March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a resurfacing project on K-52 in Linn County. The 14-mile project area includes two highway sections: from K-31 northeast to the U.S. 69 south junction, and from the U.S. 69 north junction east to the Kansas-Missouri state line.
Project activity includes a mill and overlay. Flaggers and a pilot car with guide one-lane traffic through the work zone during weekday daylight hours; expect delays of 15 minutes or less. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by June.
KDOT awarded Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., of Topeka, the $3.2 million construction contract. Persons with questions may contact Ian Stringham, (785) 433-6116, or Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
KDOT urges drivers to slow down and obey the posted signs in all work zones. For information on this project and other construction activity on state highways in Kansas, visit www.kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1.
ArtEfffect Submission Guide
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