All posts by Submitted Story
Letter to the Editor: Loretta Jent
FREEDOM! Our ancestors fought for it, and this year our country celebrates it on our 250th Anniversary! We have much for which to be thankful! True, we are not perfect. That’s why we should try to be, and give, our best in return.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union has worked 152 of those 250 years to educate about the harm alcohol does to individuals as well as families in the United States.
Thankfully, more and more health organizations in our country are speaking up to educate about the toxic poison alcohol is on our bodies.
We are being advised to drink alcoholic beverages less, or not at all, because of the harm it does on all major organs in our body: Liver, Heart, Brain, Pancreas. It also damages the digestive system, kidneys, immune system, and increases cancer risk in the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon.
The National Institute of Health (nih.gov) reports that alcohol use causes more than 178,000 deaths per year.
Spring is an exciting time for new life and change!
Why not decide to throw off the bondage, or even the possibility of bondage, from alcoholic beverages?!
Perhaps you already know FREEDOM from alcohol. If not, why not choose to be FREE! Saying “No” to alcohol will not only make you healthier, but our nation will be healthier too!
National WCTU has new 2026 Youth Temperance Education flyers and posters to help educate others. Order yours at [email protected], or call (847)864-1396.
Submitted by
Mrs. Loreta Jent, Education Director,
National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran Newsletter
|
||||||||||||||
|
Governor Kelly Vetoes Eight Bills
|
| Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor: |
    |
KS Combats Sexual Extortion
|
| Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor: |
| |
KS Bill Expands Opportunities For Rural Attorneys
|
| Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor: |
| |
From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch
FROM THE BLEACHERS-758
BY DR. JACK WELCH
Opportunity Still Matters
There is something special about watching a man get a second chance. This past weekend, as the United Football League kicked off its spring schedule, you could feel it. The games were crisp. The effort was real. The hunger was undeniable.
These weren’t just games. These were opportunities. You saw players flying around the field with something to prove, not because they were already stars, but because they were chasing the chance to become one. That’s what makes this league special.
When opportunity meets preparation, special things happen. Austin Reed stepped in as a rookie quarterback and, in his very first game, set the UFL regular-season single-game passing record, throwing for 376 yards in a 36–17 victory. He completed 26 of 40 passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions, making the most of his moment from the start.
That kind of effort comes from knowing this opportunity may not come again. That’s what opportunity does. It reveals who you really are. Watching those games brought to mind junior college and NAIA athletics. In many ways, the UFL feels like junior college and NAIA football. It’s about giving someone a second chance. Maybe they were overlooked. Maybe they needed time to grow. Whatever the reason, junior college and NAIA have always said, “Come prove it.”
At the major college level, things have changed. With the transfer portal and NIL, many programs now build rosters like professional teams. Free agency has made its way to campus. While players cannot be blamed for taking advantage of opportunities, the system has shifted and, in my opinion, failed student-athletes.
Development has taken a back seat to acquisition. Loyalty has become temporary. Rosters turn over year to year. Graduation is not a consideration. That’s the reality.
That reality is why leagues like the UFL, and levels like junior college and NAIA matter more than ever. They remind us what the game is supposed to be about: opportunity, growth, and earning your way. As a college athlete, these levels are still about receiving an education.
Not everyone starts as a five-star recruit. Some have to fight for it. Prove it. When they finally get their shot, something special shows up. That’s athletics at its purest form. From where I sit, that’s still worth watching.
Thought for the Week, “Opportunity does not guarantee success, but without it, success is impossible.” Jack Welch
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
Legislative Update by KS Senator Caryn Tyson
April 3, 2026
2026 Session There were 237 bills introduced in the Senate and 507 in the House. Most of the bills didn’t get a hearing because there just wasn’t time. Since this session was compressed, even more than previous years, it was intense. Over 150 bills were sent to the Governor in the last week of session. So far, thirty-four of those were signed into law, three vetoed, and one became law without the Governor’s signature.
Nursing Instructors will only be required to have one degree higher than the students they are teaching. “Additional or more advanced credentials for faculty shall not be required by the board.” There is a shortage of healthcare providers, but how will lowering the requirements to be a teacher help? SB 344 passed 38 to 2. I voted no. The Governor let it become law without her signature.
Vetoed Bills so far this year include SB 244, requiring multi use showers, bathrooms, and other such facilities in public buildings be designated for use by only one sex; SB 368, enacting income tax deductions for participants of health care ministries; and HB 2635, an act to protect the ability of private pregnancy centers to provide life-affirming care. All three vetoes were overridden to become law. I voted for each override.
Moving or Disposing of Human Remains with the intent to conceal a death or crime is now explicitly a criminal offense as HB 2331 was signed into law. The original bill addressed unclaimed remains, allowing coroners to authorize burial after three years. I was able to offer an amendment on the Senate floor to also make it a crime to move or dispose of a body with the intent to conceal a death or crime. After Senators learned of the tragedy in Linn County, they unanimously supported adding this provision. The bill then went to conference committee, and following negotiations, it passed both chambers before being signed into law.
Vehicle Tags purchased at the County Treasurers office can be cumbersome and time-consuming in some counties. Most Treasurers have said they do not receive enough of this money to cover their costs, although there are billions collected that goes to fund other aspects of local government. CCR 325 creates a temporary group tasked with studying problems and recommending an updatedsystem. The task force report will be due January 2028. Meantime, a fee that is normally $5, will be allowed for the locals to increase to $10 for the next three years, until a new system can be implemented. These funds must be used only for vehicle-related staffing, equipment, and operations. County treasurers will also report back to the legislature on the increase in fees and how the money is being used. It passed the Senate 33 to 7. I voted yes as this has been a major issue in some counties and the process could be simplified for all Kansans. CCR 325 was sent to the Governor.
Chief’s Stadium in Kansas continues to move forward. There doesn’t appear to be any way to stop it. Especially after CCR 2466 establishes the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority, an 11-member board to oversee the development and operation of the new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs. Most of the members are appointed by the Governor, Senate President, Speaker, Majority and Minority leaders. It doesn’t give me comfort that the appointees may not have experience in building a multi-billion-dollar facility. I didn’t vote for the STAR bond bill in 2024 that started this effort and I did not vote to continue it. If these STAR bonds projects were so helpful, why does Wyandotte have some of the highest property taxes? Maybe because these developments usually do not pay property taxes and sales tax goes to pay off the bonds for the project – can you say NASCAR? It will be the same for the Chiefs stadium.
All legislation can be found at www.KSLegislature.gov.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
FSCC Board of Trustees Meet on April 6
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER
APRIL 6, 2026 – 11:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER – CHAIR
2.0 FLAG SALUTE & INVOCATION
3.0 RESCIND APPROVAL OF RFP (ACTION)
4.0 DISCUSSION OF FRAME GRANT NEXT STEPS (POSSIBLE ACTION)
5.0 FLEET DISPOSAL (ACTION)
6.0 ATHLETIC TRAINER DISCUSSION (INFORMATION)
7.0 INSTITUTIONAL UPDATE (INFORMATION)
8.0 PERSONNEL
8.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (ACTION)
8.2 Exit Executive Session – Return to Open Session (INFORMATION)
8.3 Employment Matters of Nonelected Personnel (ACTION)
9.0 ADJOURN (ACTION)
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 6
Three Nails and Three Days by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Three Nails and Three Days
Countless hymns and songs have been composed regarding the account of Jesus’ crucifixion, tender burial, and miraculous resurrection. Although I can’t remember one message I’ve heard on Resurrection Sunday (that’s not to say they weren’t good) I certainly remember the hymns and songs. Music has always greatly impacted me – it’s simply the way I was created by my Maker. One day, I stumbled across a YouTube video featuring Dolly Parton singing “He’s Alive.” Written by Don Francisco, this song has been performed by numerous recording artists. We can only imagine those three days when Jesus was on trial, scourged, nailed to the cross, was buried, and rose again. Thankfully, once in awhile a songwriter and vocalist will team up and present a song that will ignite and fervently burn its message into our hearts.
Biblical Greek scholars and historians agree that death by crucifixion was one of the cruelest and most barbaric forms of punishment. Josephus, the Jewish historian, described crucifixion as “the most wretched of deaths.” The grueling act of crucifixion was entirely in the hands of the Roman authorities and was reserved for the most-serious offenders. (And we know Jesus was innocent.) This type of death was the most humiliating, debasing, shameful, and painful method. During the scourging, Jesus’ flesh was ripped to shreds and His body was bruised from head to toe. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. At the cross a Roman soldier drove a five-inch iron nail through each of His wrists into the crossbeam. Then a long nail was driven between the bones of His feet. Jesus’ precious blood streamed from His head, hands, feet, and side, and from the cuts and gaping wounds caused by the scourging.
Believers should reverently take time to ponder what Jesus went through because we never want to treat our salvation cheaply. We mustn’t overlook the high price Jesus paid on the cross for the whole world (John 3:16). Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, we can celebrate every day knowing that Sunday’s on the way! As followers of Christ, our hope is built on the firm foundation of Jesus’ powerful and miraculous resurrection. He’s alive! He’s no longer in the garden tomb! The lost world needed a risen Savior and that’s exactly what we got! Joseph of Arimathea had no idea that Jesus would only borrow his tomb for the weekend.
After witnessing Jesus’ horrific circumstances, the grieving Mary Magdalene approached the tomb. When she and Jesus spoke by the garden tomb very early that first resurrection morning, we can only imagine her rapturous joy when she finally realized who He was! It was more glorious than when Jesus had previously cast the seven tormenting demons out of her! King Jesus didn’t waste any time giving Mary Magdalene a most-important assignment.
“Don’t cling to Me,”Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find My brothers [disciples] and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God’” (John 20:17 NLT). Mary Magdalene quickly found the disciples and excitedly told them,”I have seen the Lord!” Then she delivered Jesus’ message to them.
Earlier in the Book of John, Jesus prophetically spoke to the Jewish leaders about His upcoming crucifixion and resurrection. “Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19 WBT). They did and He did.
The Key: Three nails and three days changed everything.
Growing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs by Amanda Clasen
Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent
March 2026
Entrepreneurship isn’t just something that happens in big cities or corporate boardrooms; it’s alive and growing right here in our local communities. Through youth entrepreneurship programming, local students are discovering that their ideas, creativity, and hard work can turn into real opportunities.
Over the past several years, we’ve seen an exciting increase in young people who are interested in starting their own businesses or learning how businesses operate. Youth entrepreneurship programs give students the opportunity to explore these ideas in a supportive environment while building important life skills. One of the most rewarding parts of youth entrepreneurship programming is watching students gain confidence as they present their ideas to community members, local business leaders, and judges. Events like the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) allow students to showcase their creativity while receiving valuable feedback and encouragement from people who understand the importance of innovation and small business development in rural communities.
This year, local competitions in Allen, Neosho, and Bourbon Counties highlighted the creativity and innovation of youth across our area. Students presented a wide range of ideas, from handmade products and specialty foods to service-based businesses and creative solutions to everyday problems. While awards and prizes are part of the competition, the true goal of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is to help young people build confidence and realize that their ideas have value. Many students leave the experience with a stronger understanding of how businesses operate and what it takes to turn an idea into reality.
Participants learn how to develop a business concept, identify customers, calculate costs, and create a basic business plan. Along the way, they also gain valuable experience in communication, problem-solving, and financial decision-making, skills that will benefit them no matter what career path they pursue.
Programs like this would not be possible without the support of local businesses, volunteers, and community partners who invest their time and resources in supporting our youth. Their encouragement helps students see that their ideas matter and that their community believes in their potential.
Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business; it’s about developing the mindset to identify opportunities, solve problems, and think creatively. By helping young people build these skills today, we are investing in stronger communities and local economies tomorrow.
If you are interested in supporting youth entrepreneurship efforts, whether by volunteering, mentoring, or encouraging a young person with a business idea, we would love to connect with you. Together, we can continue empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders right here at home.
For more information about upcoming youth entrepreneurship programs or events, please contact Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen at any Southwind District office or at [email protected].