The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Magali Turner, a 2023 New Mexico Milken Educator and fifth-grade teacher at Ruben S. Torres Elementary School in Deming, New Mexico. Magali will arrive in Fort Scott on June 21st for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Ms. Turner is a passionate fifth-grade educator who is widely recognized for creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to succeed. Known for her enthusiasm for mathematics, she challenges students to think critically while maintaining high expectations that empower them to push beyond perceived limits. By encouraging focus, perseverance, and goal setting, Ms. Turner helps students realize that their effort can open doors to greater opportunities than they may have imagined.
Through creative and engaging instruction, she brings energy to every subject she teaches. Ms. Turner is particularly committed to building strong foundations in math, science, and reading—skills that students carry with them long after they leave her classroom. Her innovative teaching style and dedication to student growth have made a lasting impact on her students and the broader school community.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Magali’s enthusiasm for discovering the stories of Unsung Heroes in history will be contagious and will be a great asset as the 2026 Fellows develop their projects.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.
Commerce Invites Jobseekers to Explore New Careers at Upcoming Job Fair
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 25.
“Summer is in full effect — and this season is all about new adventures and new experiences. If you’re looking for a new career, now is the perfect time,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Whether you’re exploring opportunities or looking for your first job, Kansas employers are looking for the next best candidate — and one of them could be you.”
The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a new job to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.
This month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.
Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.
Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About KANSASWORKS:
KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services. KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.
ALLEN, JUDY MARIE, 46
Arrested: 6/16/2026 3:34 AM
Agency: Fort Scott PD
Charges:
– Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stim
– Possession of Certain Hallucinogenic Drugs
– Use/Poss Drug Paraphernalia/Human Body
Bond: No bond
FASANELLA, ANGELINA M, 27
Arrested: 6/16/2026 8:30 AM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charge: Sanction (warrant)
Bond: $0
REED, WESLEY ALAN, 26
Arrested: 6/16/2026 4:19 PM
Agency: Fort Scott PD
Charges:
– Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor
– Domestic Battery; Physical Contact in Rude Manner
Bond: $0
BECKLEY, JAMES A, 53
Arrested: 6/16/2026 4:30 PM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charges:
– DWS
– Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stim
– Possess Paraphernalia to Cultivate <5 Plants
Bond: No bond
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by Travelodge & Penny’s Diner
Thursday, June 18 at 8 a.m. Travelodge, 2505 S. Main St. We hope to see you there!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Travelodge & Penny’s Diner, 2505 S. Main St., this Thursday, June 18 at 8 a.m. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register for a special drawing.
Travelodge by Wyndham Fort Scott offers convenient lodging for travelers, visitors, and guests coming to the Fort Scott area. Located along the south edge of Fort Scott, the hotel provides guest amenities including free WiFi, comfortable rooms, and on-site dining.
Located inside the hotel, Penny’s Diner is a 24-hour diner offering classic American favorites in a fun, retro 1950s-style atmosphere. The diner is open around the clock and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and comfort food favorites all day, making it a convenient stop for both local residents and travelers.
For more information, contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar at fortscott.com and select the Chamber Coffees category for upcoming locations.
Steve Han, a 10th grade student at Beckman High School in Irvine, California, earned the $6,000 Grand Prize. Han’s colored pencil, marker, and pen work on paper, The Hands of Reconstruction, Frances Perkins, depicts Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a U.S. Cabinet position and a driving force behind landmark labor reforms that reshaped workers’ rights and social protections during the New Deal era.
In his Impact Statement, Han describes how the imagery of his artwork celebrates Perkins’ leadership: “In the center is Perkins who lifts a torn American flag. The flag shows a nation hurt and sunken by poverty, exploitation, and instability, but she still lifts the flag. Through this gesture, I wanted to express Perkins’ determination not to let suffering define the future.”
ARTEFFECT Winners Celebrated at MCAAD Gallery in Washington, DC!
On Sunday, June 14, ARTEFFECT Celebrated the opening of the ARTEFFECT Gallery at MCAAD in Washington, DC with previous winners Anne Jumper, Grace Li, and Sophie Sterling. Anne and Grace spoke about their artworks in the gallery, sharing about their process and why they chose their unsung heroes as inspiring role models.
Congratulations once again to the 43 young artists featured in the ARTEFFECT Gallery at MCAAD celebrating the LMC Unsung Heroes!
INNOVATION GENERATION 2026 SUMMER ART COMPETITION NOW OPEN!
ARTEFFECT’s new summer competition, Innovation Generation, focuses on the theme of innovation and invites young artists to celebrate the stories of Unsung Heroes who made positive, profound, and lasting contributions to others through their innovations, inventions, and research.
The competition is open to high school students. All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate, including rising high school freshmen (students entering 9th grade in Fall 2026) and students who graduated high school in 2026.
Meet our 2025-2026 Ambassador Michelle Hickey, an Art Teacher at Scio Middle & High School in Scio, Oregon.
Each ARTEFFECT Ambassador culminates their visual arts online fellowship with a capstone project that brings the inspiring stories of the LMC Unsung Heroes into their classrooms and communities.
Here is an excerpt from Michelle’s Capstone Project report:
“My students learned a lot more about their Unsung Hero’s needing to be able to speak about them, and the process it took to make their artwork, and they are a lot more confident now with what they would do in the future for another project like this.”
Congratulations to Michelle and her students at Scio Middle & High School in Oregon for your fantastic ARTEFFECT projects!
Congratulations to Michelle’s student, Lily Burkett (Grade 11), for winning a 2026 Certificate of Excellence for her artwork Mother of the Mesozoicabout Unsung Hero Mary Anning!
Michelle also had two other students whose projects were selected as Finalists in the 2026 ARTEFFECT annual competition!
2026 Finalists by Michelle Hickey’s students: An Unseen Star by Cecilee Faville (Grade 11) about Unsung Hero Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin; and Resilience and Safety by Lucian Hickey (Grade 8) about Unsung Hero Lt. Col. Tran Ngoc Hue.
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Lenita “Lyn” Ellen Pulliam, 81, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away at home on Saturday, June 13, 2026. She was born on November 19, 1944, to Sergeant Benjamin Earl Pulliam, and Cora Alice and Alvin Vernon Tucker.
After attending Fort Scott High School, Lyn worked at various companies over the years, having spent much of her career at Frito Lay in Dallas, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and later returning to Fort Scott and retiring from the State of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services Office.
Lyn was a devoted Christian who often found strength in the pages of her Bible. She loved spending time with her family and friends, and was usually full of long talks, loud laughs, and occasional tears. Going to the movies, reading a good book, and margaritas by the pool, were some of her favorite pastimes. Most importantly, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the center of her world and her greatest joy in life. The love, laughter, and endless support she shared with them, will remain her lasting legacy.
Lyn is survived by her daughters, Toni (Rusty) Felt, Lisa (Brent) Neubauer, and Cheryl (Dale) Gates; grandchildren, Jerod (Tracie) Felt, Jordan (Kory) Harding, Nathan Uttinger, Trenton (Jacie) Uttinger, Colton Manley, and Grayson Manley; great-grandchildren, Brady Felt, Karrington Harding, Karoline Harding, Ryan Austin, Mason Uttinger, Tucker Felt, and Adalyn Uttinger; siblings, Sharon Dean, Verna (Phil) Sibona, Frank (Melanie) Tucker, Cindy Breese, and Khris (Jeff) Simpson.
Lyn was preceded in death by her son, Jeffery Dean Uttinger; parents, Earl Pulliam, and Alice and Alvin Tucker; sister, Vivian Tucker.
There was cremation. Rev. Leon Weece from Miami, Oklahoma, will conduct a memorial service at 10:30am on Thursday, June 18th at Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place at the Deerfield Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Scott View Apartments (Highrise) Activity 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 cheneywitt.com.
Although this week’s meeting did not take place I want to take a moment to talk to you all. I want to commend the people who put themselves out there and open their lives to the scrutiny that may follow. Whether it is running for office, speaking at meetings, authoring articles, or simply standing up and sharing an opinion.
I believe in hard work, respect, accountability, and having the backbone to stand on your decisions and the humility to change your mind. Folks say they want more people involved in government. I agree. People deserve choices (did you notice we will have lots for Governor this year?!). We could also continue as a community with willingness to accept that not everybody is going to think the same way. I believe expectations of 100% alignment are green in this climate. My experience tells me if you think different than the man to your left or right hope for respectful dialogue but prepare to defend.
Recently I have witnessed a decline in self-accountability. We live in a tech driven era where words come easy not always with complete understanding and reality is easily altered through AI and misinformation. With this I expect to bring receipts, and that suits me simply fine, it does not bother me to show and tell rather than just tell.
The part I think can be a large deterrent to potential candidates is when politics turn into twisting words, false narratives, nasty memes, personal attacks, under reporting, over reporting and tearing people down for thinking differently. If media and influencers push narratives and outcomes rather than just delivering facts it becomes troubling for me. Trust your readers, trust your electorate, get out there and help your neighbors understand both sides and let them choose what they believe in and respect them when you cannot align.
From me to you I will continue voting the way I believe is right for Bourbon County. I will continue being upfront and speaking clearly because the people of this county deserve that. Bourbon County deserves representatives who do not hide behind double meaning phrases. Different opinions are part of freedom and if you cannot stand behind yours, then consider change. Moving forward together is important. We have recently seen that if leadership cannot work together, we will not move at all.
Character matters more to me than titles. Ethics matters more to me than gains. Integrity matters more to me than the cost of doing business. I am pure country, raised to work hard, speak with candor, hold my opinion until I have enough verifiable information to form one, tell the truth, keep my faith, and continue working through the storm. I answer to God, my conscience, and the people who elected me to do the job. Strong communities are built by people willing to work, serve, and lead with grit and honesty. If you want to work with me, work as hard as me. If you want to stop me, outwork me. Bullying, intimidation, and half-truths aren’t going to do the trick.
There is one more thing I want to talk about again. Over the last several months, I have watched conversations in our community about who should be asking questions, and continuing to stay informed. Let me just say, “everyone” this is so important!
My thoughts, I support journalism for all. Communities need people willing to attend meetings, ask questions, review records, and keep the public informed. If there is a idea that asking questions should belong exclusively to one group of professionals, it is my opinion that sentiment no longer exists and possibly for good reason. I think journalism, public announcements and citizen involvement can coexist. All have an important role in keeping communities informed.
We live in a time where information moves quickly. Citizens attend meetings. Citizens request records. Citizens make phone calls. Citizens ask questions and compare what they hear with what they see. Many spend hours digging into issues because they care about their community. That involvement should be encouraged, not discouraged.
The answer to information you disagree with is more information. The answer to questions is answers. The answer to concerns is transparency. I trust people to sort through information and make decisions for themselves. I trust them to look at facts, ask follow-up questions, and come to their own conclusions. Not every citizen will get everything right. Not every journalist or elected official will get everything right. That is why facts and records matter. That is why accountability matters. I believe the people of Bourbon County are best served when they can hear from multiple sources, and learn to review the information for themselves, and decide what they believe.
Nobody should be afraid of an informed public. If someone has questions, ask them. I will answer all I can, you may hear me say “I have to ask the county counselor first,” and I hope you understand.
The future of Bourbon County will not be shaped by one journalist, one Facebook page, one elected official, or one voice. It will be shaped by citizens who care enough to get involved, do their homework, and become informed voters, the future of this county belongs to you the citizens! You the voters have more power than you know, you are The People at the Top. I hope you understand that and stay informed and get out there and vote!
