Tag Archives: featured

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Schools

St. Mary’s School Makes Changes for Pandemic

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St. Mary’s Catholic School students have some classes outside. Submitted photos.

School started for St. Mary’s Catholic School on August 27.

 

But with the COVID 19 Pandemic, this year is not school as usual.

 

“We have moved our 3rd/4th grade combination classroom into our gym space, to ensure that there is at least six feet between all students,” Josh Regan, St. Mary’s Principal, said. “From the very beginning, one of our top priorities has been to make sure that there is adequate social distancing in every classroom.”

 

Regan knows the school is fortunate to be small enough to be able to social distance, and that not all schools have this ability, he said.

 

Regan is thankful for the cooperation of staff and the community in setting the school up for the start of school.

 

“I want to commend our 3rd/4th grade classroom teacher, Amber Russell, for her hard work in creating a classroom space in just a couple of weeks,” Regan said.  “She really went above and beyond in making that space not only conducive to learning but also inviting and comfortable for kids.”

 

Amber Russells’s 3rd/4th class allows social distancing in the school gym. Submitted photos.

“We also want to thank Matt Ida and Brian McGowan at Extrusions Inc. for their generous help in constructing temporary walls for that classroom,” Regan said.

The administration and staff want to maximize time the students can be without a facemask, one of the ways they are following government guidelines to stop the spread of the disease, he said.

” We want to maximize the time that kids can be kids, without the restriction of a facemask that we feel strips away part of our God-given human connection with others since we cannot see concealed faces,” Regan said.  “Communication is damaged and relationships are much more difficult to build when we cannot tell whether a child is frustrated, sad, happy, or somewhere in between based on their expression!!”

“So much communication is nonverbal, especially in how a teacher reads the emotions of students and how kids interact with each other,” he said. ” Our kids wear masks as mandated, but we have worked hard to maximize time outside where they can remove masks safely and laugh, talk, and enjoy the time with their friends! ”

Students bring beach towels to school each week to spread out on the school’s lawn to eat lunch.

St. Mary’s students enjoy lunch outside. Submitted photos.

” About a month before school we also started asking school families, parishioners, and community members to allow us to borrow any picnic tables that we could get our hands on,” he said. “A couple of our families even anonymously bought and donated outdoor tables.”

“Our teachers frequently take classes outside and use the tables to distance kids with masks off,” Regan said.

In addition, the school has all its’ physical education classes outside.

“It has worked out great for us, mostly because God has blessed us with beautiful weather so far this year,” Regan said.

Students at St. Mary’s learn outside. Submitted photos.
Fort Scott, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Podcast of Fort Scott Losing Mercy Hospital Begins Sept. 29

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Sarah Jane Tribble. Submitted photo.

A new audio file will be available for Fort Scottians to download to a computer or mobile device about the demise of Mercy Hospital in 2018.

It will be a series, which can be subscribed to, entitled “Where It Hurts.” The first season is “No Mercy.”

The author of the series is Sarah Jane Tribble, a Kaiser Health News Senior Correspondent.

 

Tribble returned several times to Fort Scott following Mercy’s closure, to interview residents.

 

She spent more than a year recording the lives of people and how they changed.

 

“Their stories are full of grit and hope. Along the way, Tribble finds that the notion that every community needs a hospital deserves questioning,” according to the press release.

 

“The reporting for this project began just weeks before the hospital closed in December 2018 and ended with a final trip in December 2019,” Tribble said. “Throughout, I was reminded of the resilience and strength of people in southeastern Kansas.”

 

 

Each episode spends time with people in town, Tribble said in an email interview.  “In one, I take the listener to a (Fort Scott) Chamber Coffee, in another, we travel to the cancer treatment center. I truly believe every person in this podcast is worth meeting and spending time with.”

 

Tribble asked “uncomfortable questions of (Fort Scott) town leaders and the Catholic nuns who once ran Mercy to find out why the hospital, like so many others in rural America, fell upon hard times and ultimately shut down,” according to the release.

 

Tribble in the first segment on Sept. 29, interviews Pat and Ralph Wheeler, Dave Martin, Roxine Poznich, Krista Postai, and Reta Baker.

 

Mercy’s Importance To Fort Scott

 

The loss to the community was not just health care but Mercy Hospital was one of its largest employers and had some of its best-paying jobs according to a Kaiser Family Foundation press release,  New Podcast “No Mercy” Features Fort Scott.

 

“Mercy Hospital served as a mainstay of the town for 132 years and was a constant presence until faltering finances forced its doors to close in December 2018,” according to the press release. “The town felt abandoned.”

 

 

To subscribe to the podcast, click below: http://whereithurts.show

 

The new podcast is a collaboration between Kaiser Health News and St. Louis Public Radio.

 

When KHN Editor-in-Chief Elisabeth Rosenthal read Tribble’s stories of Fort Scott, she knew it should be a podcast, according to the press release .

 

St. Louis Public Radio General Manager Tim Eby said in the press release  “The powerful stories from ‘Where It Hurts’ will help listeners, no matter where they are, understand the health care challenges facing our nation. These are stories that bring context and humanity and need to be heard by audiences.”

 

Series Begins On September 29 With Weekly Episodes

 

The series employing a narrative storytelling approach, debuts Sept. 29, with episodes to be released weekly through Nov. 10.

 

They will be available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and NPR One.

 

 

About the author, Sarah Jane Tribble

Tribble was born and grew up in Parsons, Kansas. Her parents still live on the 10-acre farm she was raised on.

Sarah Jane Tribble, in a winter scene in her younger years in Parsons, KS. Submitted photo.

“My love of journalism began when I joined the high school newspaper staff,” she said. ” I went away to college, took a job at the Wichita Eagle, and then followed a journalism career path that took me from coast-to-coast.”

 

She first heard of  Fort Scott Mercy Hospital closing from her mom in one of their frequent conversations, Tribble said.

 

Doing the background for the story, Tribble was alarmed by the health statistics.

 

“As someone who grew up in the region, I was initially surprised and alarmed to learn of some of the poor health statistics in the area,” Tribble said in the email interview. “The data shows there are higher rates of diabetes and obesity as well as higher rates of smoking and childhood poverty than other areas of the state. It all adds up to people dying younger.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott

New Grocery Store In Downtown Fort Scott Is Coming

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Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott, August 2020.

A new grocery store in downtown Fort Scott is on the horizon.

This project is a result of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program.

The SPARK Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to the website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

The Kansas SPARK Committee approved the final pieces of the Bourbon County Spark Plan on Sept. 25.

This Kress Building repurposing addresses access to food, which was one of the issues identified for the SPARK program.

” BAJA Investments, LLC submitted an application which will result in the rehabilitation of the Kress Building located at 17 S Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, into a grocery store,” Bill Michaud, the developer of the project and owner of BAJA Investments, LLC, said.

Kress Building, 17 S. Main, Fort Scott, August 2020.

Featured at the future store will be locally produced co-op food and salad bar/deli, he said.

Additionally, a new resource center to support the needs of the community through COVID-19 pandemic recovery will be located in the rehabilitated Kress Building.

“Prior to the grocery store opening, a collaboration of local community resource agencies will open the BWERC (pronounced B-WORK) which is an acronym for the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneurship Resouce Center,” said  Michaud. “This is an exciting collaboration between Kansas Works, (a division of Network Kansas that supports Workforce Development), the SBDC at Pitt State (Small Business Development Center), Fort Scott Community College, and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce including the E-Community program — all that together with being coordinated and supported by Bourbon County Economic Development.”

Any inquiries regarding the B-WERC facility services may be directed to Bourbon County Economic Development Director, Jody Hoener at 620.215.5725 or by email at [email protected]

Food Co-op, Deli Meat/Cheese and Salad Bar

“The idea of a downtown grocery store certainly wasn’t an original idea,” Michaud said.  “I think there has been discussion of this since the Dollar General moved out of downtown many years ago.  I think it’s one of those things that people didn’t realize how convenient it was to have until it was gone.”

 

“The many issues that have arisen out of the COVID pandemic pushed this need to the forefront and access to healthy food was a stated point of emphasis under the SPARK program,” he said.

 

“One feature we are planning is the food co-op for locally grown produce and other food products,” he said.  “We are going to provide a local outlet for as many ‘produced in Bourbon County’ products as possible.”

 

“We hope to become a resource to connect local producers with the market of consumers and restaurants who are looking for fresh, locally grown products,” Michaud said.

 

“Secondly we are offering to partner with CHC/SEK so that they may expand the food delivery service that they offer to the homebound, elderly and other underserved populations in Crawford County, into Fort Scott,” he said.  “The new store will provide storage for donated food items for delivery and supplement the needs of the clientele by making additional food items available.”

 

The pandemic has caused some nationwide unemployment, which leads to increased food insecurities, some driven by lack of transportation, Michaud noted.

 

“So adding to the food supply downtown and in northwest Fort Scott will help address that need for residents of that part of town,” he said.   “In recent years, the increased downtown housing development has further increased the need for a downtown grocery store.”

 

“That increase in residential housing, the lack of food supply to residents west of 69 highway and the great opportunity for partnerships to support local produce and other small businesses make this an investment in our community and in our downtown … a project I thought was worth pursuing,” Michaud said.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Free Movie at Gunn Park This Saturday

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The Josh Jones family: with wife Karen and daughters Madi and Taylor, and son, David.  Submitted photo.

Josh Jones believes Fort Scott is full of wonderful people and he enjoys giving back to his community, he said.

This Saturday, Sept. 26 Jones is sponsoring a movie night at shelter house #5 in Gunn Park.

Gunn Park

“This is just a simple way for me to give back to the community and our children,” Jones said. “I want to encourage citizens that have ideas to reach out to local governments or even myself to put those ideas into action. We don’t always need large projects to make a difference and sometimes even the smallest idea or act can change someone’s thoughts about Bourbon County. Fort Scott’s greatest asset is the pride our community has and we have an opportunity to make Fort Scott stand out because of that pride.”

The movie will be outside at shelter house #5, near the camping area of Gunn Park.

“Masks are recommended if in close contact but since it is outdoors there is plenty of room for social distancing,” Jones said. “Bring chairs, blankets or anything that would be comfortable to sit on.”

There is a $10 camping fee, on a first-come first-served basis, if a family is interested in camping at the park. One can make payment at the kiosk at the entrance to the camping spaces, according to a spokesman for the City of Fort Scott.

The Butcher Block, a local butcher,  will start selling hamburger meals for $5 and hot dog meals for $4 starting around 7 pm.
The movie, Sgt. Stubby starts at 7:30 p.m.
The storyline of St. Stubby is in World War I, when a U.S. Army Infantry Division serviceman has a little dog with a stubby tail wander into his camp. The man, Robert Conroy, gives the dog a name and takes him on an adventure into the war. It is based on a true story. The full story of Sgt. Stubby can be viewed at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at the corner of Wall and Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Health Care

Health Insurance Plan Being Formulated For Small Business Owners in Bourbon County

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Many small businesses do not have the ability to offer health insurance to their employees, some have the ability but would like to look at other options.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce has been working on a plan to help that situation.
An association health plan through the Chamber is being formulated to help members to be able to offer Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance to their employees.
“Our hope is that this will be beneficial to particularly smaller mom and pop, locally owned businesses who are not otherwise able to obtain or offer health insurance as an employee benefit which would also help recruit and retain employees,”Chamber Executive Director  Lindsay Madison said.  “A business just needs to have one full-time employee and one part-time employee, at a minimum, to be able to participate in the plan.”
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“We currently have 44 potential contracts represented by those who have completed the survey (see the survey link below),” she said.  “We need at least 50 to move forward with putting together plans and pricing.”
“If your business is at all interested in this type of health insurance offering or at least seeing what plans and rates will be offered,
please complete the survey link below as soon as possible,” Madison said.
“If the employer already has employee info on a spreadsheet, they can submit that,” Madison said.
The survey was first sent out to Chamber members in May, she said.
“We would like people to send as soon as possible, by Sept. 30. Companies can still come on board  beyond that date, but we need a cut-off date.”
Click here:
The Chamber is formulating this plan through  member and local insurance representative Don Doherty of
Northwestern Mutual Life, RPS Benefits, Inc.
“Information on the attached (below) is what the employer will need to complete on the survey, so they could have their employees complete this form, or provide this information in an Excel format to Blue Cross Blue Shield.  They would send the information directly to Donna Pashman of BCBS of KS, email [email protected],” Madison said.
 
“If businesses are already on BCBS and have interest in seeing what the Chamber plans and pricing will be, they can email Donna and simply reference the Fort Scott Chamber Plan, Business Name, and current BCBS member number,” she said.
 
The survey link is also currently on the Chamber website fortscott.com under the Events tab.
Business, Fort Scott

Price Chopper Building Still On The Market

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A large crowd welcomed Price Chopper to town on opening day, December 13, 2017.

There has been some recent activity at the former Price Chopper Supermarket on South Main.

Equipment in the store has been taken out.

“We have been working on taking all of the equipment out to remodel a store in Overland Park,” said Barry Queen,  the owner.

The store closing was devastating to the Fort Scott community and Queen.

“It closed in January of 2019 after just being open a little over a year because business was really soft, compared to projections.”

“I hate it, I’ve had a lakehouse at lake Ft. Scott for 20 years and love the community,” he said.

An artist rendition of Fort Scott Price Chopper. Submitted.

“It is owned by Associated Wholesale Grocers,” Queen said.  “I am on a 20-year lease and still paying rent/taxes/insurance/utilities/etc…(I would) love it if you can help us sell it and get me out of the rent.”

The commercial building, located at 2322 S. Main, is for sale or lease, with the owners willing to split into smaller parcels, according to information provided by Jody Hoener, Bourbon County’s Economic Director.  If the purchaser is retail, there is a TIF/CID in place that will transfer to the new owner. If not a retailer,  the purchase price can be negotiated without incentive.

The  39, 425 square foot building is on 4.5 acres. There is carve out pad site availability.

The building was fully renovated in 2017.

Queen’s phone number is 913-220-2515.

 

Click below for the announcement of the closing in January  2019:

FORT SCOTT PRICE CHOPPER TO CLOSE DOORS

 

Click below for photos of the store opening in Dec. 2017:

Official Opening of Price Chopper Today

K-State Extension

Season Of Change For K-State Southwind District

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As an editor who receives weekly submissions from K-State Southwind Extension,  I noticed I wasn’t receiving submissions from a few of the agents.

It turns out that one agent resigned, one retired and in addition, Kansas State University Research and Extension is in a hiring freeze.

Here is  the Southwind Extension District Director Carla Nemecek’s response:

Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.

“No doubt we are living in a season of change, and the fresh autumn weather is likely the very best of times for many. The virus that has taken over our world and everyday lifestyles is hard enough to cope with, but add heated local and national political battles, school safety and mask debates to the dynamics and the chaos can be overwhelming. 

“The Southwind Extension District is also going through a season of reorganization, but I am optimistic for a bright future because of these changes. Christopher Petty, Livestock Production & Forage Management Agent for the Southwind District resigned in May.

Christopher Petty, former Extension Agent
Livestock Production and Forage Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District. Petty resigned in May. Submitted photo.

“Then in September, Kathy McEwan, Foods & Nutrition Agent and who was also the SNAP Education Coordinator for the Southwind District retired.

 

Kathy McEwan, K-State Extension Agent recently retired.  Submitted photo.

“Without a full-time Agent to manage the SNAP program, the federal SNAP grant was regretfully ceased for FY21. The bad news is that K-State Research & Extension is in a hiring freeze for an indefinite time, and although replacing our agents will certainly happen, it just won’t be soon. Let’s choose to focus on the good news because the Southwind Extension District has a diverse and talented pool of staff who will see to it that all of your questions are answered. 

“Southwind Agents Barbara Stockebrand and Joy Miller continue to provide a broad base of expertise to help solve complicated problems by teaching essential living skills including finances, aging well, caring for your home, food preparation skills, strengthening family relationships and raising your children.

Barbara Stockebrand
Southwind Extension District – Yates Center
Family and Consumer Sciences
211 W. Butler
Yates Center, KS 66783
[email protected]
620-625-8620; Fax: 620-625-8645

  “We are coming into the open enrollment season for Medicare, and Joy can help you navigate Medicare and Market Place Insurance, too. 

Joy Miller, RD, LD
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]

“Krista Harding is actively engaged in educating adults and youth in the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, and trees through her Horticulture role in the Southwind District. Whether you have a question about lawns, vegetables, flowers, or landscape maintenance, Extension information is created for use by everyone, including homeowners, lawn services and nurseries.

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

“Our 4-H program is going strong with Jennifer Terrell, 4-H/Youth Agent leading our team of professional 4-H staff as we transition into the new 4-H year. MaKayla Stroud and Cassidy Lutz serve as our 4-H program assistants and their activity on the Southwind District 4-H Facebook page is energizing and a fun way to engage youth and families in 4-H project learning.

 

Makayla Stroud. Submitted photo.

“If you want your kids to be involved in something that will teach them skills for a lifetime, then you should consider joining 4-H!

Jennifer Terrell, District Extension Agent
4-H Youth Development
Southwind District – Erie Office
620-244-3826

“Dale Lanham and James Coover are actively managing our Extension Agriculture programming and answering questions about pastures, weed control, pesticide management, cropping systems and livestock production.

Dale Lanham. Submitted photo.

Dale is our resource for livestock-related concerns and James is knowledgeable in issues related to agronomy. Farm management is vital to the success of our rural communities, so don’t overlook their availability for your ag-related questions.

James Coover. Submitted photo.

“In addition to my role as the Southwind District Director, I have educational programming responsibilities related to Community Vitality. I am available to facilitate strategic planning for community groups or businesses, foster skills in board leadership for all organizations, assist with community needs assessments through First Impressions, and I will be offering a Grant Writing Workshop in Yates Center on November 5th. 

“Even though we are down a couple of Agents, it is my opinion there is a new level of energy and excitement across our staff and offices. We have high expectations for the future by expanding opportunities for all our programs and look forward to providing trusted, research-based information in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties for years to come.  

 

“If you haven’t already, you can find more information about the Southwind District on our website, www.southwind.ksu.edu or our Facebook page: Southwind Extension District. “

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment

Care To Share Festival Oct. 3: Fun With a Cause

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All photos submitted.

Care to Share/The Sharing Bucket is a local helping agency that provides financial and emotional support to cancer patients, survivors, and their families and caregivers.

Care To Share/The Sharing Bucket is having its 14th annual festival on October 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2480 Limestone Road.

To get there, go on K-54 Hwy. east to 240th Street South to Limestone Road, and then east.

Handicap parking is available.

There is family fun for everyone, according to Lavetta Simmons, who with help of family, friends, and the board of directors, hosts the event each year.

 

Submitted photos.

 

The purchase of a $10 wristband allows pony rides, a maze, an obstacle course, horse, tractor, and wagon rides, train rides, gunny sack races, turtle races, hedge-ball slingshot, face painting/tattoos, a petting zoo, and garden bombs.

Submitted photos.

 

Food, sold separately, includes funnel cakes, cotton candy, popcorn, muffins, apple cider, homemade pies, chili, chili dogs/polish, Frito chili pies, nachos, chips, soda, and water.

 

Craft booths include Tupperware, crocheted animals, Color Street, pumpkin patch, Paparazzi jewelry, “Pic Me Ups”, canvas paintings and more.

 

Submitted photos.

 

 

For more information call-Lavetta Simmons 620-224-8070

 

The directors of Care to Share/Sharing Bucket are Dona Bauer, Donna Beerbower, Mathew Boban, Kathy Clark, Teresa Davenport, Denny Heidrick, Carol Hill, Nancy Hofer, Randy Holt, Richard Long, Jerry Witt, and Simmons, who is the secretary/treasurer of the directors.

Submitted photos.

 

Business, COVID-19, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Cinema Gets Creative In Offerings

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Fort Cinema is located at 224 W. 18th. Submitted photo.

The  COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on movie theaters throughout the nation.

It has also impacted Fort Cinema, located at 224 W. 18th.

“We have lost 70% of our revenue during the same time frame from a year ago,” Brent Cavin, who has worked and managed the theater since 2007, said. “Blockbuster movies continue to be pushed back by studios.”

In spite of this, the cinema owners have had community support.

“The community has been great about supporting us with purchasing of concessions and gift cards. We take it as a sign that our citizens want to make sure the theater remains in Fort Scott.”

Cavin is co-owner of Anderson and Cavin LLC, with his brother-in-law, Chris Anderson, and they have been in talks with the current theater owners, Des and Amanda Hale, about purchasing the theater, he said.

Recently they introduced video game rentals on the big screen.
“It is $100 for two hours, $50 per additional hour,” Cavin said.
Participants must bring in a console that has wireless control to use on the big screen.
“We’ve hosted multiple parties already for: MarioKart, FortNite and Super Smash Brothers,” he said.  “The parties are a great way to gather with family and friends.”
MarioKart, a video game, can now be viewed on the big screen at Fort Cinema. Submitted photo.

The business has been practicing measures to ensure safety for its customers.

The theater requires employees to wear masks during customer interaction, they have put seating gaps in the viewing parties and they “deep sanitize” all heavy traffic areas in-between shows and while open, he said.

 

“The  (gaming) initiative was created as a means to provide a safe environment to gather and have fun during a pandemic,” he said. ” We have had a few parties already that asked privately if they could connect a console to our projectors. When we realized that the content looked incredible on our screen we decided to go public with the idea. We have had a lot of success with opening our theater to private movie parties in the last few months and wanted to expand upon that premise.”

 

Rentals take place outside of normal business hours, Monday through Thursday.  A theater can be rented anytime before 4 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m. On Friday through Sunday, they can be rented anytime before 1:30 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m.

 

Video game rental prices are $100 for two hours, with additional hours at $50 an hour.

 

Any wireless controller console can work, and WiFi is available for online gaming.

 

The cinema also offers theater rentals for movies: Classic movies are $100, new releases are $200.

 

“I would also like the public to know that we are open every day of the week with new movies again,” Cavin said.

 

Contact on Fort Cinema Facebook page via Messenger, or call (620) 223-3366 during the business hours of 6:00 to 9:00 nightly.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fund Raiser For Harper Memorial: Updated 9/17

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See the update from Misty Adams at the bottom of this feature.
Raymond Harper, 19, was kayaking at Lake Fort Scott on Sunday, Sept. 13 and went missing. On Sept. 14 a body was taken from the lake, for an autopsy to be performed.
Memorial services are planned for Harper on Sept. 21.
Misty Adams put this on her Facebook page yesterday.
“Chuck and Connie Harper of Fort Scott suffered a family loss no parent wishes to encounter.  On the evening of Sunday, September 13th their beloved son, Raymond had an accident at the Fort Scott Lake while kayaking. His family in the past 24 hours have suffered so much, but today their worst fear became reality when Raymond’s body was recovered from the lake.”
“If you know Chuck and Connie you know these two have hearts of gold and both have been foster parents to a lot of children. They love others when others don’t. They help others when needed and give support when needed. They are special people to me and to many others.”
“Connie was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been battling that fight and now has to deal with the loss of a child. So much pain and suffering for one family who have a heart of gold.”
Adams asked the public to pray for the Harper family in the days ahead.
“I am also asking that our community supports this family like I know Fort Scott people can. We need to bless this family like they have other families and children who the Harper’s have been their foster family.”
“A memorial fund account was opened at Union State Bank today to cover funeral expenses. His funeral arrangements are under the care of Konantz Cheney. I ask that you help this family with the funeral expenses they are now burdened with. Our goal is to raise $15,000 for the family in the next few days ahead.”

“Please understand the $15K is just a number that we felt like would cover any and all expenses,” Adams said in an email interview. ” We do not even know if we will raise that much money, but anything we can do to ease the parent’s worry is a blessing.  We are so very thankful to those who do contribute to his memorial fund.”

 
“Any money left over will stay in the memorial fund,” Adams said in the interview.
“Donations can be mailed to Union State Bank
PO Box 546 Fort Scott Ks 66701 or hand-delivered to their location at 1009  S Clark St Fort Scott Ks. Those wishing can also send a donation to Konantz Cheney Funeral Home at 15 W Wall St Fort Scott Ks 66701. Please make checks payable to Raymond Harper Memorial Fund.
“Please donate no amount is too small as every dollar is a blessing to this family. Please share this post to help spread the word and God Bless you all,️ Misty Adams, Tisha Miller and Sara Vaughn Mills.”
UPDATE
“God answered some prayers,” Adams told fortscott.biz  “The funeral expenses are covered for the family.  The Harper family wasn’t sure how to cover such a large expense unexpectedly, but our God answered their prayers. Connie Harper contacted me immediately yesterday, and we felt like the account needed to continue in his honor. We know we no longer need the goal we set forth for his funeral expenses, but if people are willing to donate towards the scholarship fund, we will accept funds in Raymond’s honor.”
“We will be turning the account into a Fort Scott High School Scholarship fund for cross-county athletes. The funds will be used to award a cross country Senior athlete a scholarship.”
“The Harper family and those organizing this memorial fund appreciate the prayers, support, generosity, and those who have contributed already to this amazing young man we are remembering. Thank you- Misty Adams, Tisha Miller, and Sara Mills.”

—

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Tiffnie Spears: New FS Fifth-Grade Teacher

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Tiffnie Spears. Submitted photo.

A teacher at Fort Scott Middle School resigned in August and  USD 234 had a fifth-grade teacher request to transfer to the middle school, creating a 5th-grade opening.

Tiffnie Spears is the new fifth-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott.

Tiffnie Spears, 29, graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2009 and graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications in 2013, then received her Master’s  Degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University in April of 2020.

“I was born and raised in Fort Scott and, as soon as I graduated from Wichita State, moved back home to be near my friends and family,” she said.

” I was able to do my internship hours with Mrs. Malone in the Fall of 2019 and did my student teaching with Mrs. Stepps this past Spring semester.”

She has been married to her husband, James, since 2011 and they have a 4-year-old son named Jacoby.

“My family loves to travel and our goal is to get Jacoby to as many states as possible before he graduates high school,” she said.

 

How did you become an educator?

“There wasn’t much that got me as excited than seeing my son, niece, and nephews grow and learn new things so I just knew I needed to go back to school to be a teacher. I was torn between following through with being a communication major or an educator so going back to school was a pretty easy choice.”

Did someone inspire you to teach?

“It was my son who inspired me to teach. After Jacoby was born, I knew I wanted to not only help him to grow and learn every day but to have a positive impact on as many children as possible.”

What is the best part of teaching for you?

“The ‘Ah-ha!’ moments are the best and most rewarding moments for me. Being able to see the positive impact you’ve made in helping that student succeed means everything.”

What is the greatest challenge in teaching?

“Starting my first year in the classroom during COVID-19 has so many obstacles but the students are doing so great with the changes we are all being faced with.”

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise

Tri-Yak-A-Thon Competition Scheduled For Oct. 10

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Tri-Yak-A-Thon winners in a past competition. Submitted photos.

The Gunn Park Trail volunteers are hoping to hold an annual multi-sport competition on Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. in the park.

“We may not be able to hold the Tri-Yak-A-Thon this year,” Penny Pollack-Barnes, spokeswoman for the group, said. “In these uncertain times, we decided to hold the event if we have enough interest in the event.  If we have 40 registered participants by September 26 we will hold the event, assuming we don’t experience a COVID surge and the weather cooperates.  So far, we have nine registered participants.”

“We will be observing social distancing recommendations at the event,” she said.  “We expect participants to help us in our efforts to make sure our event does not result in the spread of the Coronavirus.”

A runner in a prior Tri-Yak-A-Thon. Submitted photos.

Triathalon competitions are multi-sport events that require all-around fitness for the solo participants, Barnes said.

“The variety in activities allows team members with different skills to participate,” she said.  “We make the event ‘off-road’ to show off Fort Scott’s wonderful trail system.”

Kayakers in a prior Tri-Yak-A-Thon, navigate the Marmaton River. Submitted photos.

“The Tri-yak-A-Thon is a race where participants run on Gunn Park’s beautiful trails, kayak up and down the Marmaton River, and then tackle the trails again on a bike,” -Barnes, said.  “We will donate all proceeds from the 2020 Tri-Yak-A-Thon to Fort Scott Paws & Claws.”

“The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support the animal shelter,” she said.  “The trail run is a 5K, the kayak portion is another 5K, and the bike portion is a 10K.  Participate as a relay team, or if you are tough enough, you can do the entire race as a solo participant.  You must bring your own kayak, life jacket, helmet, and mountain bike.  Riders must wear a helmet.”

The race starts during a previous Tri-Yak-A-Thon. Submitted photos.

The cost is $35 for individual participants and $75 for each team.

 

Packet pickup will be from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at Shelter House #6.  

Registration will only be available online this year.  Participants must register before the event to avoid people congregating at the registration area.  Online registration will close on September 26.

Registration is online at https://www.trireg.com/tri-yak-a-thon.

Kayaks are lined up waiting for the kayaking leg of the Tri-Yak-A-Thon in a prior competition. Submitted photos.

The race will begin at 10:00 AM. 

“Whether you enter the race or just come and cheer, please join us and support our park, our trails, and our animal shelter,” Barnes said. “While much of the race occurs out of view on the trails, the participants go through our staging area multiple times.  This offers many opportunities to cheer people on.”