Tag Archives: featured

Fort Scott Community College, Government, Jobs

FSCC Administrative Transition Has Challenges

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Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.

The recent administration shifts at Fort Scott Community College have not been easy.

FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler was put on paid administrative leave on May 20 and Sara Sutton was promoted to interim president. No reason was given by the college trustees for putting Kegler on leave.

To view a prior story:

FSCC Will Name Interim President: Dr. Kegler Placed on Administrative Leave

Sutton was selected by the FSCC Board of Trustees to be the interim president, on May 23.

At that same meeting, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s golf and women’s golf, e-sports, and flag football and will honor those student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year, they announced.

Sutton began duties as the new interim president on May 24.

Sutton has been an instructor at the college since 2018, then promoted to vice president in February 2024.

Sutton earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University,  and was appointed as the FSCC Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.

Her duties have now shifted to leadership of the community college.

“This transition has had its challenges to navigate,” she said. “The change in leadership on Friday, May 24th not only brought about my Interim role but also a new athletic director.”

Liza Erwin is the newly appointed FSCC Athletic Director.

“With the board’s decision to suspend the three sports programs, the new athletic director had to properly inform the National Junior College Athletic Association of the changes and then gain access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) system,” she said. “That did not take place until early in the following week. Then, it was a series of approvals with all LOI’s released by Saturday, June 1st from FSCC.”

“The Athletic Director was in contact with coaches and personally contacted each student,” Sutton said. “While we wish this process was faster on our end, we were at the mercy of the challenges of the transition of a new Athletic Director and Interim President all in the same time frame. We tried our best to complete the release in a timely manner so students could move forward.”

“All students who were impacted by these changes have been given the opportunity to be on scholarship next school year,” she said. “Those who have paid any fees for the 2024-2025 school year and wish to not attend FSCC will be refunded.

“This decision was not taken lightly and the educational future of those impacted is important to Fort Scott Community College,” Sutton said.

 

Bourbon County, Elections, Jobs

Candidates File for Primary Election: Change Coming For Bourbon County Government

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The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National in 2018.

The Bourbon County Primary Election Day will be on August 6.

“Early voting will begin on July 29, to give everybody a week to come in early to vote,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.

Five Bourbon County Government officials are seeking re-election this year.

And there is a shift in elected personnel.

Patty Love, the current Bourbon County Treasurer, has decided to retire and will not seek re-election this year, according to Hawkins.

“After much consideration, I have decided to run for Bourbon County Treasurer,” she said. “I spent five years working in the  Treasurer’s Office and feel my knowledge and experience are needed in that office.”

Love, Hawkins, and Bourbon County Chief Financial Officer Susan Walker have worked closely on county issues over the past few years, Hawkins said.

“We are making great progress within the organization, as evident by the good audits, however; I feel there is still more to accomplish, and I can help accomplish this by being Treasurer,” she said.

“Susan Walker, CFO, has played an integral part in my success as County Clerk and I feel she would be an excellent Clerk as she has 20 years of experience in human resources and municipal finance and government,” Hawkins said.

“Many do not know that Susan is a Certified Municipal Clerk through Wichita State University,” Hawkins said. “Given how well our offices have worked in the past I feel this will make for a smooth transition. Our plans are to create policies and procedures to ensure financial controls are in place for future elected officials.”

“By working together and developing policies and procedures there will be checks and balances in place and the need for a Chief Financial Officer can be eliminated potentially saving the wages of the CFO or reallocating the wages to other needs,” Hawkins said.

The following are the other incumbents and their challengers, with a short explanation of the duties of the office.

Commissioners

All three of the commissioner seats are up for re-election.

The current three County Commissioners, Clifton Beth (District 3), Jim Harris ( District 2), and Brandon Whisenhunt (District 1) have thrown their hat in the ring to serve again.

Those running against them are Clinton Walker, David Beerbower, Steven Houston, and Leroy Kruger.

The county commissioners are the chief elected officials of the county, according to the county’s website. They set policies and procedures for running the courthouse and set the budgets for all Bourbon County departments.

County Attorney

Tiara McElroy is not running again for Bourbon County Attorney and James Crux has filed for that position.

The county attorney is the prosecuting attorney for the county.

Register of Deeds

Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge has filed for the position again and no one filed to run against her.

The register of deeds keeps and records all deeds to property located in the county, according to the county’s website.  He/She maintains military discharge records and school records as well.

County Treasurer

Jennifer Hawkins and Michael Hoyt are running for county treasurer. Hawkins is the current Bourbon County Clerk.

According to the county’s website, the county treasurer collects and distributes all real and personal property taxes and is an agent for the Kansas Division of Vehicles for vehicle and title registrations.

County Clerk

Susan Walker, the current Bourbon County Finance Director, has filed for the Bourbon County Clerk position.

The county clerk is the county’s chief election officer who maintains voter registration and conducts all elections in the county, according to the county’s website.  He/she sets the tax roll and keeps records for the county as Freedom of Information Officer.

Sheriff

Sheriff Bill Martin filed to run again and is being challenged by Nelson Blythe.

The county sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, according to the county’s website.

 

To view all the state and other county filings provided the county clerk:

2024 Primary Election Candidates – Copy

 

 

 

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneur Series: The Needham Brothers

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Please nominate a Young Entrepreneur for this series, a youth under 18 years old.

The Needham brothers with their first customers of the day on May 25, Dad, Seth, is in the background middle.

Robert Needham, 10, and his brother, John, 6, with the guided help of their father, Seth, have developed homemade food products.

They started working on recipes  several weeks ago.

On May 25, they set up shop at Gunn Park, south of the first playground area, near where cars are leaving the park.

Robert and John Needham at their pop-up business in Gunn Park on May 25.

“They were open for about an hour and 45 minutes,” Seth said. “Around 2:45, I could tell they were getting worn out, so we shut down. They had been working on set-up, signs, and getting supplies loaded since about 10 AM that morning, so it was a long day for them. But they had around $75 in sales between the two of them.”

Robert

Robert is the creator of Robert’s Famous Lemonade.

The logo that Robert, with computer help from his Dad, made for his business.

Robert said he named his business “because it’s famous and also lemonade.”

Robert sells his lemonade in red Solo cup at Gunn Park at his pop-up shop.

With supervision, Robert buys the lemons, “juices them out” and then makes a simple syrup, then adds extra sugar, “because it was too sour,” he said.

“It’s super good, costs $2, and you get a red Solo cup with a straw,” Robert said. If you bring your own cup, you save 25 cents.”

Robert is saving up his money for something special.

 

John

John’s product is homemade popsicles.

John created the logo for his business with computer help from his father.

He explained how to make the product: “You take blue gelatin, sugar, a Kool-Aid packet, water and a secret ingredient, Blue Hawaiian Punch and heat it up.  You cool it. Then you pour it into popsicle molds. You put sticks in before juice. Then Dad puts it in the freezer. It takes 10 hours to freeze.”

They will be making different flavors through the summer, Seth said.

John shows his product Blue Raspberry Starburst Popsicles.

Seth said his boys always taste-test the products before selling them.

The best part of his business, for John, is “You get a bunch of money.”

Marketing Lessons

Their Dad helped them with the marketing of their product.

“We found an online design tool, and then they did all the work themselves,” Seth said. “The websites had some basic templates made up that they customized with their names, choice of colors, choice of fonts, and images.”

They have also learned how to make a marketing video, Seth said.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Dance, Song and Storytelling: The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers At The Fort

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Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, introduces the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers to the audience on the fort’s grounds on June 1. To the right is the singer/drummer for the troupe.

As part of the Good Ol’ Days event, Native American dancers entertained the audience on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers, a professional Native American dance troupe from Norman, displayed song, dance, and storytelling on June 1 at the site.
A young audience member converses during the dance troupe performance.

The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers are a group of powwow champions that formed a professional Native American dance troupe. All the dancers are enrolled tribal members, most full-blood, representing various tribes. The dance regalia worn by each dancer is brilliantly colorful, traditional, and representative of the dancer’s tribe and dance performed, according to:  https://www.arts.ok.gov/Oklahoma_Performing_Artists/Oklahoma_Fancy_Dancers.html?

The audience is asked to join the dance troupe in a social dance.

The dance show was educational, informational, and entertaining, showcasing various traditional American Indian tribal dances and storytelling.

The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers in their dance regalia.

 

The day also included an artillery demonstration/discussion, some ranger-guided site tours, the Windy Hollow Folk Music group, and the dancers.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, of the National Park Service, has exhibit areas and a visitor center currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To learn more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please get in touch with the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc. 

 
Area News, Art, Church news, Fort Scott

Catholic Church Reno Update: Help Needed To Fund Artifacts Restoration

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Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. May 22, 2024.

The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church has risen from the ashes of the devasting fire that destroyed the church in August 2022.

To view the story of the fire: Fire at Fort Scott’s Catholic Church Causes Extensive Damage

People are working on the inside and the outside of the building at 705 S. Holbrook, with a target date for the church dedication of November 23, 2024, a week before Thanksgiving.

“The bricks are completed on the east (front) side,” Mark McCoy,  a building committee member, said.

“It’s a lot of intricate work, not just plain bricks,” he said. “The circle in the front will be where the stained glass window from the former church will be.”

“Over the next few weeks, subcontractors will be working inside placing drywall, and completing HVAC runs,” McCoy said. “Masonry will continue brickwork on the west side then move to the north and south.”

 

Work is being done on the exterior and interior of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. On the construction fence is an artist’s rendition of what the new church will look like.

 

The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church priest’s residence is on Holbrook Street on the backside of the church.
“Father Yancy’s house is completed,” McCoy said.
Meanwhile in Wichita, the restoration of the religious artifacts that were damaged is continuing.

The Restoration of the Artifacts

When Robert Elliot, a Catholic from Wichita, heard of the fire at Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, he contacted Fr. Yansey Bergis to offer help and assistance in any way he could.

Elliot is a seasoned restorer with over two decades of experience, he said.

“It was apparent that I would be of the most help in rebuilding, restoring, and refurbishing all of the damaged and destroyed Stations of the Cross and all of the Statuary of the church,” Elliott said. “The fire, water, and smoke damage was enormous. I knew this would be a long and arduous process estimating at least one year to complete.”

Some of the artifacts of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, following the fire, provided by Elliot.

“Four stations were damaged beyond repair (so one might think) as they lay in pieces on the ground,” Elliot said. “The rest were out of view and we had no idea as to their condition. The insurance company needed a price to do the repairs. Without seeing all of the stations, I provided a modest calculation of what the cost would be. It was my desire to assist the church in its time of need.”

“He wasn’t able to analyze all the depth of restoration or the artifacts at that time,” McCoy said. “We are so appreciative of the work he has taken on.”

When all of the stations and statues arrived at his studio, they were able to assess their condition and begin to comprehend the immense task they had undertaken, Elliot said.

“Over the year we used all of the money allocated to the project to cover the cost of labor, materials, studio rent, insurance, and labor,” he said.

Some of the workmen on the artifacts at Elliot’s workshop in Wichita, were provided by Elliot.

“I have been using funds from my personal retirement account to pay the workers and the expenses for this project since the first of the year,” he said. “We have made great progress on the project since we started a year ago, but we have a long way to go. At the very least, four to six months more.”

“It is impossible to illustrate the amount of time and detailed labor involved in bringing each of the twenty-one religious artifacts back to life so to speak. At present we have generated a little over $6,000 of the $65,000 we need. The deficit, I will have to bear alone,” Elliott said.

A GoFundMe account is set up: https://gofund.me/15feea23

“Our goal is to generate the additional monies needed to complete this important work to a high degree of excellence and craftsmanship it deserves,” Elliot said.

Here are the artisans currently working on the project:

Mary Francis Skinner, Kathy Faulkner, Dan Ochs, Michael and Hector Ibarra, Gabe and Matan Umbarger, John Suffield, Jane Clark, Ian Snyder and Eliot who is the coordinator, logistics, art director, restoration and repair, quality control, recasting the destroyed frames, and painting the statues and stations.

 
“We are always interested in finding skilled persons willing to offer their services,” he said.
Food, Fort Scott, Schools

Summer School and Free Food Start in June at USD 234

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USD 234 School District halls are quiet right now, but in June some students will be back for more learning.
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
“Summer school will be held during the month of June for students from preschool through high school,” said Superintendent Destry Brown. “Part of the summer school activities is for students with Individualized Educational Programs. We call this the Extended School Year. The other part for Kindergarten through 8th grade is an enrichment summer school for any student who wants to come. The high school kids will be working on credit recovery during summer school.”
“The elementary students and all the Extended School Year students will be at Winfield Scott. Elementary School,” Brown said.  “The preschool students will be at the preschool. The middle and high school students will be at the middle school.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School, 316 W. 10th Street, Fort Scott.
“Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at Winfield Scott and the Middle School and is free to all students and any other children from birth to 18. We will also be sending food home for the weekends for any student who wants or needs it.”
“Students not attending summer school may come to Winfield Scott or the Middle School at 11 a.m.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School is located  at 316 W. 10th and Fort Scott Middle School is located at 1105 E. 12th.
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

 

Fort Scott

Signup to Enter the Good Ol’ Days Parade Today! Lavetta Simmons Will Be the Grand Marshall

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Lavetta Simmons. Submitted photo.

At the Good Ol’ Days Parade, on May 31 at 6 p.m. Lavetta Simmons will be honored as the grand marshall.

Deadline to get an entry into the parade is 1 p.m. today.

The following tribute about Simmons is from her family member Sidney Zimmerman.

Lavetta Simmons is the true meaning of doing for others before doing for yourself, according to Sidney Zimmerman.

“She dedicated 15 years to the Care Share Cancer support group, providing empathy, love, and support to cancer fighters/survivors and their families. Sometimes she was the only listening ear available.”

“Lavetta played a pivotal role in many people’s lives and has built a legacy, providing a strong foundation for Care to Share to continue growing and providing services in the community.

“If asked, Lavetta would say something along the lines of  ‘It has nothing to do me, I didn’t do it alone or I couldn’t have done it without out my family and friends’ And although she is correct, she did not do it alone, but without her relationships with family and friends and strong community presence, many tasks would have been unmanageable.

“As we honor her, she wants to thank the businesses, community members, and individuals who have made Care to Share a success.

“To those who trusted in her the first few years, as the organization grew, to our long-standing supporters- her priorities were God, Family, and  Care to Share.”

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Mi Ranchito Restaurant Opens At 17 S. Main

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Mi Ranchito Restaurant, 17 S. Main, on May 23, 2024.

Mi Ranchito Restaurant, 17 S. Main, has opened this holiday weekend, according to owner, Rubler De La Torre.

They opened Sunday for family and friends and on Memorial Day to the public.

“The restaurant looks beautiful,” De La Torre said. “We are very happy with how it turned out.”

They are accepting applications for all positions: cooks, servers, hostesses and bartenders.

One can apply in the restaurant to Hernan Pineda, the restaurant’s general manager.

“You can also apply on Facebook Messenger, at Mi Ranchito Fort Scott,” he said.

The restaurant hours will tentatively be Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“That could change, depending on the business,” De La Torre said.

Rulber De La Torre,  from the Kansas City area, is no stranger to the restaurant business. He has two restaurants in Olathe, two in Overland Park, one in Lenexa, one in Mound City, and one in Gladstone, MO.

De La Torre said restaurant favorites are street tacos and mango chicken salad. Specialties are cream cheese enchiladas,  Jalisco chimichangas, pasta and steaks.

To view the menu: Menu MC & FS (3)(1)

Rubler De La Torre (In the hat) and family. Submitted photo.

The Historic Downtown Fort Scott building at 17 S. Main has seen many different businesses but is known by long-time residents as the Kress Building.

This new restaurant follows the Pizza Republic Restaurant which closed in January 2024.

Robert and Kim Coon, doing business as Coon Rentals LLC, are owners of the building,

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Spoiled Brat Moves To New Location

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The new Spoiled Brat Salon building at 124 E. Third Street, Fort Scott.

Spoiled Brat Beauty Salon has moved shop.

“We moved in on May 21,” co-owner Stephanie Anthony said. “We had been at 19 S. Main for ten years. Before that at Scott and Wall Avenue for 11 years.

“We wanted a facility that will see us into retirement,” she said. “The location is more visible, with all new equipment and we are not fighting for parking,” she said. “Although we will miss our downtown.”

Stephanie and her sister Heather Engrstom are the owners of Spoiled Brat and are one of several stylists/nail technicians in the salon.

Alesha Martin and Pennie Burton are also stylists/nail technicians, and Brooklyn Meech will be added to the shop when she completes cosmetology school in a few weeks, Anthony said.

Jay Felix is a stylist and barber.

All of these women can be reached at 620- 223-2155 for appointments.

Delynn Abati is a nail technician and can be reached at 620-704-1315.

Avery Dorsey is an esthetician who offers facials, full body waxing, eyebrow tint and laminations, and eyelash lifts and tints and can be reached at 620-215-3037.

Hours of operation are by appointment.

“Everybody worked the hours they want,” Anthony said. “Generally there is someone here Monday through Saturday. When we can, we do take walk-ins.”

 

 

 

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Names An Interim President: Sara Sutton

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Hedges Building, Fort Scott Community College.

The Fort Scott Community College  Board of Trustees and the Administrative Team announced on  May 21 that they had decided to name an interim president, according to a college press release.

The current president, Dr. Jason Kegler has been placed on administrative leave with pay, effective Monday, May 20th. There were no more details of Kegler’s leave given.

A special trustees meeting was announced for May 23 at 8:30 a.m.

At this meeting, the trustees deliberated and then announced that Sara Sutton was named as interim president of the college.

Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.

Sara Sutton, who earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, was appointed as the Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.

Since 2018,  Sutton had taught in the FSCC Agriculture Department and coached the Meat Judging Team

Now, she will lead the college until a new president can be found.

The board had one public commenter before the executive sessions that was planned.

Steve Anthony said he has some international students living with his family and they play golf. Anthony asked the board if there is going to be a golf team next year, he would like to know to help his students plan for their next college year.

One executive session to discuss non-elected personnel included John Hill.

Another included the executive team of the college: Sutton, Sonia Gugnani, Gina Shelton, and Juley McDaniel.

One session included changing signing rights on the college’s bank account.

Following another executive session, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s and women’s golf, esports, and flag football and honor those scholarships for the 2024-25 school year.

They adjourned after an approximate 2.5-hour meeting.

Area News, Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Youth

4-H Spring Dog Show: May 25 at 1 p.m.

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Pictured is Ella Snider and her dog Tex earned 5th overall in their division at the Kansas State Fair last year. Submitted.

Zach Ross, Fort Scott,  is the  Kansas State University Southwind District coordinator for the local 4-H dog program. That district is comprised of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties.

He and his wife, Aubrey,  will be hosting a Spring Dog Show at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on May 25 at 1 p.m.

The event is for youth participating in 4-H Clubs

“Typically (dog) handlers compete at the Bourbon County Fair to qualify to take their dogs to the Kansas State Fair,” she said. “The Southwind District has 43 handlers who have an opportunity that day, at least 10 from Bourbon County. Zach and I have been coaching the Bourbon County group for three years and we have several handlers who are looking to move up in agility and obedience divisions and need to have more qualifying scores to be able to go to state.”

“We’ve invited all regional dog show programs to attend and compete, she said. ” Handlers will be competing in Agility, Showmenship, Obedience, and Rally Obedience.”

“We are excited to have this opportunity for our handlers and want to share their hard work with the community,” she said.

The event is free for spectators and the dog handlers.

“Many of our handlers are ready to move up and our program needs to purchase advanced equipment,” she said.  “We will be accepting donations that will help fund new equipment so that handlers can compete in higher-level events in the future.”

Checks can be made to 4-H Council and in memo: Dog Program and be sent or delivered to the K-State Extension Office at 210 S. National, Fort Scott, 66701.

The Bourbon County Fair Dog Show is on July 13 at 8 a.m.

 

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Will Name Interim President: Dr. Kegler Placed on Administrative Leave

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The Fort Scott Community College  Board of Trustees and the Administrative Team have decided to move in the direction of naming an interim president this Thursday, May the 23rd in the absence of Dr. Jason Kegler.

Dr. Kegler has been placed on administrative leave with pay effective Monday, May 20th.

FSCC Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on May 23, 2024 at 8:30 am in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall.

After calling the meeting to order, the board will immediately adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel.

Once an Interim President has been selected, an announcement will be made to the public.

We are working as hard as we can for the future of our students, our employees, and our community.

Submitted by FSCC Board of Trustees
620-223-2700 • 800-874-3722
www.fortscott.edu