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Wreaths Across America KS 0049, the local For Scott, Kansas, fundraising group is proud to be named the Top Group in Kansas. Thanks to local support, sponsorships to place veteran’s wreaths at Fort Scott National Cemetery were successful to provide a wreath for every veteran gravesite at the ceremony held December 16, 2023.
Each year, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America recognizes top sponsorship groups for excellence in serving their local community while helping to share the yearlong mission to Remember, Hoor, and Teach. Among the thousands of supportive groups honoring locally interred veterans through wreath sponsorships, WAA recently announced that special recognition has been given to Wreaths Across America KS 0049 for Fort Scott National Cemetery as the outstanding group in Kansas.
Since its founding in 2007, WAA has collaborated with hundreds of like-minded organizations, volunteers, and civic groups nationwide to remember and honor our nation’s veterans. Thanks to local support, this group was able to maximize efforts to honor veterans laid to rest at Fort Scott National Cemetery. This group has been recognized for pride displayed in our veterans at a national level.
You can help support the local Wreaths Across America KS 0049 for Fort Scott National Cemetery by sponsoring a veteran’s wreath for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day 2024 on Saturday, December 14. Each $17.00 sponsorship will sponsor a wreath to be placed on the headstone of an American hero. To sponsor a wreath, contact Location Coordinator Diann Tucker, 620-224-7054, or Mika, 620-223-6700. Wreaths Across America is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony.

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.

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


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.

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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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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.