The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes will be celebrating two important milestone events on September 12-13, 2022. Those dates will mark the official Grand Opening of the Lowell Milken Park, as well as the commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. A Community Open House is scheduled for Monday, September 12th from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and Tuesday, September 13th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The public is invited to view the new Unsung Hero exhibits, both in the beautiful Lowell Milken Park and in the Hall of Unsung Heroes.
Special events for the afternoon of Monday, September 12th, include the following four sessions with honored guests recognizing special Unsung Heroes:
1:00 pm – Family of WWII Navajo Code Talker Chester Nez
2:00 pm – Rwandan Rescuer Carl Wilkens
3:00 pm – Family of WWII Boat Developer Andrew Jackson Higgins
4:00 pm – Family of Astrogeologist Gene Shoemaker (whose ashes are buried on the moon)
A cross can be seen from the fallen timbers in the sanctuary of Mary Queen of Angels Church. Courtesy photo of Shane Walker.Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church fire on August 29, 2022. Courtesy of Stephen Toal.The Catholic church fire damage to the sanctuary. Courtesy of Kenny Felt.
Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 705 S. Holbrook, Fort Scott suffered extensive damage in a fire that started in late evening on August 29.
According to a press release from the FSFD, on Monday, August 29, 2022 at approximately 9:12 p.m. the Fort Scott Police Department and fire department, along with Bourbon County EMS responded to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Scott for a report of a fire.
When the units arrived the church was on fire with heavy smoke and flames emitting from the southeast corner of the structure.
The Fort Scott Fire Department, with assistance from Nevada Fire Department, Scott Township Fire Department, Bourbon County Rural District 3 Fire Department, and Arma Fire Department battled the blaze until the early morning hours today.
The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the state fire marshal’s office, along with local fire investigators, according to the press release from Fire Chief Dave Bruner and the FSFD Public Information Office.
One Fort Scott Firefighter sustained a minor injury and he was treated and released from the Via Christi Emergency Department. No other injuries are known.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, and the members of our community who have been affected by this tragedy,” according to the release. “All official updates on this case will be posted to the Fort Scott Fire Department Facebook page, as well as the Facebook and Twitter accounts for the Fort Scott Police Department.”
Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church this morning, following the extensive fire last evening. Photo courtesy of Stephen Toal.Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Courtesy of Shane Walker.Inside the sanctuary of the Catholic Church this morning. Courtesy of Kenny Felt.Inside structure damage from the fire. Courtesy of Shane Walker.The Catholic Church fire as seen from the backside of the church. Courtesy of Sara Simonds.People watch the fire at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church on Monday evening, August 29. Photo courtesy of Stephen Toal.Fort Scott Firefighters take a break during the fire at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Monday night. Courtesy photo by Stephen Toal.St. Mary’s Catholic Church fire. Courtesy of Angie Bin.
The following was from the St. Mary’s School Facebook page this morning.
“We had a major fire at our church last night. Damage is extensive but all indications are that we will be able to rebuild. However, for safety reasons we will cancel school for today. We will work tomorrow to get information from professionals and develop a plan to return to school as soon as possible, hopefully on Wednesday. There is no faith community more devout, fierce, or resolute than ours. God will get us through this, stronger than ever!”
Fort Scott Lighthouse welcomes Rachel French, the leader of a local interdenominational Christian women’s group, IF: Fort Scott. IF: Fort Scott promotes unity throughout the Body of Christ in Fort Scott and surrounding areas.
They host weekly Bible studies and two large gatherings throughout the year. The studies and events are focused on unity, discipleship, and community.
IF will be hosting their next Gathering on Saturday, October 22. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, September 10, and can be purchased at https://iffortscott.wixsite.com.
Rachel is a Jesus Follower, wife to Daniel plus a mom to two teen girls, Grace and Sophie, an advocate for unity within the Body of Christ, a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and a believer in local community stewardship.
Guests are welcome Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. This is an interdenominational ministry opportunity for men, women, and youth. The goal of Aglow International is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.
Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse meets the second Thursday of each month at the conference room of Fort Scott Inn, 101 State Street.
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new educators in USD 234.
Dale and Ashleigh Brauer and children. Submitted photo.
Dale Brauer is a new 8th-grade math and Algebra 1 teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.
He earned an Associates of Science from Fort Scott Community College, Bachelors of Science in Education from Pittsburg State University and a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University.
This is Brauer’s ninth year in education.
His hometown is Girard, Kansas.
His wife is from Fort Scott, Ashleigh Page Brauer, and they have three children.
“We raise our six year-old nephew Theodore Brauer, our
oldest son is 2 years-old, Maverick Brauer, and Macen, 2.5 months old.”
Brauer’s grandparents are Mary Diane and Derell Spencer, and his mom is Susan West. He has a brother Marcus Page and wife, Ashley, who work at Fort Scott Community College.
In his spare time he likes making items out of wood – cabinets, tables, kids toys, and spending time with his family.
A former teacher from his high school inspired him to take part in the profession of teaching, he said.
For Brauer, the best part of teaching is interacting with students.
Jerry and Judy (Armstrong) Witt are celebrating their 60th anniversary Thursday, August 25th. They were married Saturday, August 25th, 1962, in the First Christian Church in Fort Scotty by Rev. Jim Grooms.
The Witts note that their faith, love, and commitment to each other have brought them many blessings over the past 60 years. They have five sons, Matt and wife Cherie, Aaron and wife Heather, Jared and wife Stephanie, Jordan and wife Randi, and Luke and wife Cherie. Their nine “precious” grandchildren are Henry, Oliver, Remy, Ivan, Ava, Lydia, Jack, Cole, and Jayden.
They will celebrate Saturday with a family dinner hosted by their sons and wives. Cards are welcome and may be mailed to the Witts at 9 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Director Rob Harrington, along with the REDI team of Jackson Tough, Director of Tourism, Emily Diebolt, Grants Manager, and Suzette Torres, Marketing and Programming Assistant and the Board of Trustees look forward to hosting everyone and providing updates on the work of the organization.
Jerry and Judy (Armstrong) Witt are celebrating their 60th anniversary Thursday, August 25th. They were married Saturday, August 25th, 1962, in the First Christian Church in Fort Scott by Rev. Jim Grooms.
The Witts note that their faith, love, and commitment to each other have brought them many blessings over the past 60 years. They have five sons, Matt and wife Cherie, Aaron and wife Heather, Jared and wife Stephanie, Jordan and wife Randi, and Luke and wife Cherie. Their nine “precious” grandchildren are Henry, Oliver, Remy, Ivan, Ava, Lydia, Jack, Cole, and Jayden.
They will celebrate Saturday with a family dinner hosted by their sons and wives. Cards are welcome and may be mailed to the Witts at 9 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
A special meeting of the Board of Education, Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, is hereby called to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of August, 2022, at the River Room, 3 W. Oak Street.
The purpose of the meeting is a discussion with the Bourbon County Visioning Committee. There will be no action taken at this meeting.
By order of the President of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas.
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by David Prickett of Deerfield, Mo. The vocal and guitar performance will feature a variety of familiar gospel favorites and favorite country classics.
“Since his first performance in 1962 in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, at the All-Army Talent Show, Prickett is no stranger to the music stage. He later moved to Texarkana where he had several bands and then eventually began doing solo gigs. After returning to Alaska, he and his wife Midge moved to Deerfield in 2005. Prickett has played Good Ol’ Days, Bushwacker Days, churches, healthcare facilities, our Friday night concerts, and many other events,” concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Come out and join us for a fun night to enjoy great music with friends. We’re pleased to welcome David Prickett back to the park pavilion.“
The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2022, for a special board meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board heard a presentation of the revenue neutral recommendation from Gina Shelton, Finance Director/Board Clerk. The revenue neutral hearing was held. One patron addressed the Board.
The board heard a presentation of the budget from Superintendent Destry Brown and Mrs. Shelton. The budget hearing was held. There were no patrons that addressed the Board.
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
The board approved the following items at the meeting:
Resolution 22-07 – Expressing the Property Taxation Policy of USD 234 with respect to exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate
Approval of the 2022-23 Budget with the Building Needs Assessment and State Assessments having been provided to and evaluated by the Board of Education as used in the budget approval process
Resolution 22-08 – Local Option Budget Percentage to use in 2022-23 Budget
Approve revision of calendar
Tiger Families – Students will not attend on September 19th so that the district can have a professional development day to focus on safety and training. Students will attend on May 1st
Approve MOU with Greenbush for special education director
Personnel Report – following
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Leave of Absence – Tim Coyan, FSPC Van Driver
Leave of Absence – Gordon Harris, Eugene Ware/FSPC custodian, Aug. 18 to Sept. 18, 2022
Resignation – Tamara McReynolds, Eugene Ware paraprofessional
