Fort Scott Library Summer Reading Program: Space

The 2019 Summer Reading Program theme is A Universe of Stories, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, which will be celebrated on July 20.
This year’s youth program will include activities and challenges for all library patrons ages birth – 18.
A program for adults will also be available, with details to be released later.
The teen and family kick-off parties will take place soon, and early registration is open online through the library website at fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org.
Any summer reading registrations turned in online or in person by June 4 will earn a prize for each child or teen. Paper registrations and volunteer forms are available at the library circulation desks and have been sent home through all Bourbon County schools and preschools. Please stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for more details.

Volunteers or donors may email Miss Val at [email protected] or call 620-223-2882.

We still need more donors for weekly snacks, and more volunteers to help with parties and regular program weeks.

All volunteers will receive a letter for their resume or college application upon request.

2019 Summer Reading Performers Schedule:

Musician Alan Cunningham – June 11 at 10 a.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Juggler Brian Wendling – July 3 at 10 a.m. at the  Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Rare Jewels of the Rainforest Bird Show – July 16 at 10 a.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Other Events Scheduled:

A Universe of Games Teen Kick-Off Party – May 29 from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Keyhole 

Space Camp Family Kick-Off Party – June 5 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Regular Weekly Programs (Kids Birth – 5th grade) – Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10 a.m., June 18 – August 7 at Fort Scott Public Library. NO regular meetings the weeks of June 4 & 12 or July 2 & 17 due to performances and parties. Events will begin in our event room and the computer room, located downstairs, and finish upstairs for awards, registration, and book browsing. Grades for age groups are based on what grade the child is going into this fall.

Regular Weekly Programs (Teens and Tweens going into 6th – 12th grade) – Wednesdays at 4:15 pm, June 5 – July 31 at the library (at least once monthly we will meet at The Keyhole). Teens are also encouraged to volunteer at children’s meetings.

Alien Parties – June 24, 2:30 –  3:30 & 4:30 – 5:30 at Fort Scott Public Library (Pre-registration required)

LibraryCon: A Celebration of Stories and Fandoms Community Event – July 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Fort Scott Public Library

Harry Potter Birthday Teen Wrap-Up Party – July 31, 5 – 6 p.m. at Fort Scott Public Library

Family Wrap-Up & Rewards Swim Party – Tentative Date – August 14, 7:15 –  9:15 p.m. at Fort Scott Municipal Pool

Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Assistant Director, Fort Scott Public Library

Wichita Work Release Facility Escapee

 

On May 26, 2019 at 3:49 a.m. George Young #105961 was declared an escape from the Wichita Work Release Facility. Young has been at Wichita Work Release since March 13, 2019. The facility houses 250 minimum-custody male offenders.

Young is a black male, 6’0, 200 lbs. with black hair. He is 51 years old and was currently serving time at Wichita Work Release Facility as a Parole Violator with a new sentence from Sedgwick County, Kansas. Young’s most recent criminal conviction was in 2018 for Theft.

 

Anyone with information on George Young can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 620-221-6660 ext: 56218, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-572-7463, or local law enforcement (911).

 

 

Payday is More than a Candy Bar by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

The Bottom Line

 

 

I remember my parents teaching me the value of money and how to work. My first job that earned money was given to me by my mother. She handed me a fly swatter and told me she’d give me a nickel for every hundred flies I killed. We lived in Arkansas and had chickens and pigs, so there were plenty of flies. I’d kill my hundred (learning to count as well), ride my bike a half mile down the gravel road to the store, and usually spend my nickel on a PayDay candy bar. If I worked really hard, I could earn enough to buy a 10-cent grape pop as well. I’d keep my eyes peeled for pop bottles in the ditch because I could redeem them at the store.

Let’s do a quick study on wages and gifts. A wage is something you earn because you work for it, and a gift is totally free. The best example of this is found in the Bible. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT). The “wages of sin” refers to the payday that comes as a result of working for the devil. You may think, “Now wait a minute! I certainly don’t serve the devil!” But God’s Word says that if you haven’t accepted God’s free gift of salvation through His Son, you’re earning wages of death from Satan. There’s no in-between, it’s one or the other. If you’re thinking of moonlighting for God, forget it — that won’t work either. Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, and ALL your mind” (Matthew 22:37 NLT).

A life of sin will eventually destroy you. The nonbeliever works hard for sin his whole life and then his pension is eternal torment. Obviously, the devil makes a rotten boss. The deceptive thing about sin is that it comes disguised as self-gratification, fun, and fulfillment. Satan is the master deceiver who lures people into a life of misery by promising them all kinds of happiness. However, the real payoff for all their hard work is disappointment, destruction, and death. But God’s gift is abundant life now and into eternity, all freely given by Christ Jesus.

The meaning of “gift” is an endowment, something freely given. God lovingly gives grace (favor) to those who call upon His name. Blessings, benefits, and bestowments all come to us from a kind heavenly Father who gives, and gives, and keeps on giving because it’s His nature. Because He loved the world, He gave His Son.

The wages of sin is earned. The gift of God is graciously given and freely received. Before conversion we were all on Satan’s payroll. But as believers, we’re on God’s gift list! The devil’s final payoff is eternal punishment, but God’s ultimate gift is His Son, Jesus. He loves you and wants to bless you and give you a mansion in heaven. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price that was necessary for your sins to be forgiven. If you believe that, then forsake your sins, confess Him as Lord, and you‘ll receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.

The Bottom Line: Payday is coming for those who refuse God’s wonderful gift.

Nominate a Young Entrepreneur

Brian Griffin repairs bikes after seeing a need in the community. See Young Entrepreneur: Brian Griffin.

Fortscott.biz would like to feature local,  young entrepreneurs under 20 years old, who have seen a need and have started a business to meet it.

 

To nominate a young entrepreneur, email [email protected] with the name, age, email address and phone number of the person, with the business they are doing.  Please include who is nominating the person and why.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda May 28

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: May 28th, 2019

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-Jim Harris – 10 minute executive session for preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

Jim Harris – Discuss the condition of Yale Road

10:00 am – Dave Martin with the City of Fort Scott – executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

10:30 am – Health Department Generator

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

A Time To Mourn by Pastor James Collins

A Time To Mourn

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

I was awakened at 2:30 in the morning by a pounding on my door. Adrenaline immediately hit my system as I jumped to my feet. You learn how to sleep and sort of stay awake at the same time in combat. I threw open the door to see the face of Pfc. Clark. “Come quick chaplain,” he said. “We had a convoy get hit. There is one casualty.” Clark turned to run back to headquarters. I yelled after him, “Who?” He stopped, looked over his shoulder, and said, “Maj. Culver.”

I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. My eyes welled up with tears. As I hurriedly dressed, I argued and bargained with God. “No! No! No! You can’t do this. Not Wayne. Let it be a mistake. Take my life instead.” I slipped my boots on without lacing them and ran out into the night. There was a red haze in the air. Literally, the Iraqi desert looked like hell.

The tactical operations center was quiet when I enter the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me. The squadron commander, Ltc. William Rachal walked over. He put his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “Chappy, the vehicle Wayne was in was struck by an IED. He was killed instantly.” My legs felt weak, I backed up against the wall, and slid down into a chair. Ltc. Rachal leaned in and continued, “I know that you are hurting, but I need you to hold it together. Everyone will be looking to you.” I choked back tears, stood to my feet, and said, “Yes, sir.”

Ltc. Rachal was right. Over the next few days, people did look to me. As the chaplain for Task Force Geronimo, the soldiers looked to me for spiritual guidance and comfort – especially in a time of loss. Wayne was a huge loss. To our unit, Maj. Ronald “Wayne” Culver was our executive officer. To me, he was the best friend I had on the deployment.

We spent a lot of time together in the year leading up to our arrival in Iraq. Once we arrived, we made it a point to have coffee every morning. We didn’t talk business over morning coffee. The conversations were about family, movies, music, and God. I intentionally ended each morning coffee with a prayer for Wayne. The last time I saw him, I also prayed for him. He was getting ready to depart on the ill-fated mission. When I finished praying, Wayne smiled and said, “You didn’t pray in little baby Jesus name.” He was jokingly referring to a line in the movie, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Since his death and over the years, I often think about his children. His daughter, Michelle, finished her master’s degree last year. She lives in Austin and works for the State of Texas. His son, Ron, graduated from the University of Kansas last week. Wayne would be proud of them.

It is going on ten years, since I last spoke to Wayne’s wife, Tracy. I can’t work up the courage to contact her. At our deployment ceremony, Tracy said to me, “I am so glad that you have come into Wayne’s life. Since he met you, he is more focused on the Lord. Wayne loves you.” Then she said something to me that haunts my dreams. She said, “Keep him straight. Take care of him.” Tragically, I couldn’t take care of him…

The day before Wayne’s death, I had just returned to Iraq from ten days in the United States. I had been given leave to go home to be with my wife, Amanda, for the birth of our son, John. My son was born one week, and my best friend died the next. There is a time to be born; and a time to die. To everything there is a season…

The point is: The Bible teaches there is a time for mourning. When Wayne died, I really couldn’t process his passing. I had to be strong. I had to soldier on. I had to preach his memorial service. My season for mourning had to wait. It had to wait until today. As I write these words, my heart breaks over the loss of my friend.

Memorial Day is this Monday. It is a solemn day to remember those who gave everything in the service of this country. It is a time to honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we cherish. It is a time to mourn their loss.

However, I have come to realize that Wayne would not want me to mourn forever. So, I have decided to look forward. There will come a time when I will see Wayne again. There will come a time when we will share a morning cup of coffee. There will come a time when death and sadness will be no more. There will come a time when there will be no more crying, pain, or mourning.

I don’t know about you, but I look forward to that season…

James Collins is a pastor, columnist, author, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church at (620) 223-2986, or through the website www.thepointis.net.

Governor directs flags be flown half-staff for Memorial Day

 

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and in recognition of Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to noon on May 27. President Donald J. Trump also issued a flag directive honoring Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.

“I’m always deeply humbled when I reflect on the sacrifices made by the military service men and women of this country – whether it is veterans, soldiers currently on active duty, or those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Kelly said. “Memorial Day is a time to honor those who died while serving our country. They are all reminders of the values that our country holds dear, and the high stakes necessary to defend our way of life.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

High Water May Force Wildlife to Move

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) cautions people living in or near high-water areas to not be surprised if they see more wildlife than usual. Animals living near flooding bodies of water or in low-lying areas will be forced to temporarily move to other locations to survive. They could congregate on high-ground “islands,” in residential or commercial areas or around outbuildings. Residents may even find small animals in homes or outbuildings if they’re not well-sealed.

Animals such as rabbits, rodents, lizards, snakes, turtles, insects, certain birds or even larger animals such as coyotes and deer may be on the move. Here are some tips to be aware of when you spot a flood-weary animal –

  1. Leave them alone. They need a refuge from high water and might only be passing through. They will not set out to harm you, but any animal may bite or attack in self-defense.
  2. Small animals like lizards and snakes may congregate under shrubs, rocks and debris. Use caution and protective clothing such as long pants, gloves and sturdy shoes if you need to work in the yard or garden. Above all, do not reach blindly under rocks and debris. You don’t like surprises, and neither will a sheltering animal.
  3. Many animals can swim and may get trapped in a flooded building, so use caution when removing possessions from a flooded structure.
  4. Do not try to feed them. Free food may encourage them to overstay their welcome.
  5. The water will eventually recede, giving animals the opportunity to return to their former habitats, so be patient and be a good neighbor to our wildlife.
  6. Most animals can adapt to changing weather conditions, but not all. Be aware that some animals will perish but many more are likely to survive.
  7. Ground-nesting birds and other animals may lose their nests or burrows and their eggs or young. Many will re-nest as soon as they find proper habitat. Though it may take time, most animal populations will eventually recover.
  8. Do not attempt to rescue animals stranded by high water, as flood waters are dangerous and can obscure serious hazards.
  9. Keep an eye on pets to be sure they don’t tangle with displaced wildlife or chase wildlife into floodwaters.

If displaced wildlife have become a nuisance, people can visit the KDWPT website at https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Damage-Control and find a list of wildlife damage control permit holders (NADC Permit Holders) who may be able to assist.

—30—

 

 

Ron Kaufman

Director of Information Services

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

1020 S. Kansas Ave., 2nd Fl

Topeka, KS 66612

785-296-2870

KSOutdoors.com & TravelKS.com

Note  new email address – [email protected]

Bourbon County Local News