Sumbitted by Carl Jowers, American Legion Commander

If you are able to help with flag placement tomorrow:

The National Cemetery flag placement starts at 8:30 am. I believe they have about 7,000 miniature flags to place.

The Fort NHS flag placement starts at 9 am.I believe they have about 4,000 miniature flags to place.

My understanding is that the flags will be placed unless there is lightning in the area or tornados.

I hope to see you at one of these events tomorrow. Invite family and friends to help in this community event.

Entertainment, Government, Kansas

Rains, Flooding Affect Some State Parks

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reported today that frequent heavy rains are impacting some state parks in eastern Kansas. High water levels at many reservoirs have flooded campgrounds, overtopped roads, closed boat ramps and beaches and dampened visitors’ enthusiasm for any outdoor activities. Most state parks in western Kansas have been largely unaffected.

In eastern Kansas, Elk City State Park is closed, all campgrounds and day-use areas at Fall River State Park are closed and Perry State Park remains open but with very limited services. Most other state parks in eastern Kansas are reporting various degrees of flooding issues.

Typically, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the busy season for Kansas state parks. The four months of the summer season – May through August – account for more than half of annual state park revenues.

“State park staffers are doing their best to accommodate visitors’ needs,” Secretary of KDWPT Brad Loveless said. “At affected parks, staff are happy to work with visitors to change their reservations to a dry campsite if available, arrange for another date in the future, provide a gift card good for a future stay or issue a refund. We remind visitors, for their own safety, to avoid flood waters and never move or drive around barricades”

Visitors can go to kshuntfishcamp.com to check on campsite and cabin availability and make reservations. For information about conditions at individual parks, go to https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/State-Park-Alerts or visit KSOutdoors.com and click on State Parks for other information.

Kansas state parks do not receive any State General Fund monies and are almost entirely fee-funded. Revenues drop significantly when bad weather hits. Once the flood waters recede, the damage they leave behind can take months to repair, further limiting park hours and revenues during the summer months.

—30—

Here are the latest updates for each state park:

El Dorado: 5-23-19 – The park is open. In the Walnut River area, all campgrounds, cabins, shelter, trails and day use areas are open. Campsites and cabins are all reserved for the holiday weekend. The Shady Creek Area has non-utility sites available in several campgrounds. Shady Creek Area 1 boat ramp is the only usable ramp on the lake. Bluestem Point campgrounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 are closed. Utility Campgrounds 5, 6 and 7 have about 50% of their campsites open and usable. All usable sites are reserved for the weekend. Bemis Creek campground has 12 usable utility campsites but they are all reserved. The

archery and firearms ranges are both open.

Glen Elder: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 3.5 ft. above conservation level, inflow at 1900 cfs. and outflow at 50 cfs. Osage Road is closed, and a few primitive sites are affected. The courtesy dock has been pulled at Kanza boat ramp, and a portion of the parking lot is closed. No other facilities are affected at this time.

Webster: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 2 ft. above conservation level. Inflow 607 cfs., and outflow is being shut down. Three sites are closed in Rock Point Campground, and those reservations have been transferred to Hill Top. No primitive site or other facilities are affected at this time.

Lovewell: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 1 ft. above conservation. Inflow at 141 cfs. and outflow 0 cfs. No facilities are affected at this time.

Historic Lake Scott: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is .05 ft. above conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.

Cedar Bluff: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 16.33 ft. below conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.

Prairie Dog (Keith Sebelius Reservior): 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 7.3 ft. below conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.

Meade: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is at conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.

Eisenhower (Melvern Reservoir): 5-22-19 – The park is open. The lake is 16.01 ft. above conservation level, and outflow is 20 cfs. minimum. The lake is projected to be 18.8 ft. above conservation level by 5-30-19. Park staff is shutting down all the electrical in Blackjack Campground and Abilene Campground. Almost all primitive sites are underwater, and the beach and beach restroom are closed.

Pomona: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 23.26 ft above conservation level, and outflow is 15 cfs. minimum. The lake is about 9 ft. from going over the spillway. The lake is projected to 26 ft. above conservation level by 5-31-19. The marina will be moving all the house boats off the water on 5-22-19, and they also shut down all electrical service to the marina area. Big Bear Campground is closed. The Kansas shower building is closed. Staff is closing six sites on the marina side of Kansa Campground as well as all the Kansa primitive sites. The park road to east side of the park is closed; the back gate is open on the county road.

Wilson: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake is 4.8 ft. above conservation level. All utility sites are full. Many walk-in primitive sites available, but some will be impacted by rising water. All cabins are full. Goldenrod Campground road is closed. Otto swim beach road is closed. There is plenty of day-use available park-wide. Boating access is available, but courtesy docks are being pulled from the water. All trails are open.

Hillsdale: 5-22-19 – The park is open. The lake is 9.78 ft above conservation level and outflow is 24 cfs. minimum. The beach, beach area and beach house are closed. Closed campgrounds – Scott Creek, Pintail Point, Crappie Cove, Quail Run. Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground is partly closed. All boats ramps are closed except Jayhawk and Marysville, and Jayhawk ramp is nearing the point where it will have to be closed.

Clinton: 5-22-19 – The park is open – All campsites and cabins are OK. The lake is 13.72 ft above conservation level and outflow is 21 cfs. minimum. All boat ramps are closed. The marina is closed. The beach is closed. Blue Trail and Red Trail are closed.

Tuttle Creek: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake level is 52.06 ft. above conservation level. Forty-two sites now open in River Pond / Rocky Ford, and no flooding impacts are expected for Memorial Weekend. All primitive sites are open in River Pond. Cedar Ridge primitive sites are open. All cabins are full. Randolph has two utility sites open; there are no issues for flooding. Plenty of day-use opportunities available at River Pond. Boating access will be difficult.

Perry: 5-23-19 – The park is open but is mostly flooded and has very limited services. The office is closed. The lake is 25.21 ft. above conservation level. Several sites are available however, utility company may have to shut off all power. If this happens, there will be no bathhouse facilities or dump-stations available. If power is lost, utility sites may be used for primitive camping. Generators will be allowed park-wide. The cabins are shut-down. There are very limited day-use activities; patrons should use caution. There is no boat access.

Kanopolis: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake is 20 ft. above conservation level. Very limited utility sites are available. Sites that are open will be utilized for customers being moved from flooded areas. Many primitive walk-in sites are available. Generators will be allowed in areas impacted by the flooding. All cabins are full. Some park roads may be impacted over the weekend, if the water continues to rise. Trail access is closed to many areas, and there are limited day-use opportunities.

Boating access is available at Langley Point, but boaters should use caution.

Milford: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake is 21.14 ft. above conservation level. There are very limited utility sites available park-wide. Two to three utility sites may be available in Woodland Hills. Many primitive walk-in sites are available at Woodland Hills and Cedar Point. Generators will be allowed at Woodland Hills and Cedar Point Primitive campgrounds. There are six-seven primitive walk-in sites at Sunset Ridge. All Cabins are full. There are limited day-use opportunities. The marina and Walnut Grove boat ramps are accessible, but boaters should use caution.

Crawford: 5-23-19 – The entire park is open. Campgrounds, trails, day use areas and cabins are all open. All campsites are currently reserved for the Memorial weekend except a very few non-utility sites.

Sand Hills: 5-23-19 – The entire park is open and usable. There are still several utility sites available for this holiday weekend.

Elk City: 5-23-19 – The entire park is closed due to flooding. The park is unreachable through the county road system. Park is without power and phones. Staff will be stationed at Crawford State Park until they are able to enter Elk City again. If visitors have questions they can call Crawford State Park at 620-362-3671.

Fall River: 5-23-19 – All campgrounds and day use areas are closed. Cabins are usable but reserved for the weekend.

Cross Timbers: (On Toronto Lake): 5-23-19 – The park is open. Non-utility sites are available at Mann’s Cove and Sandstone campgrounds. Utility sites are available at Osage Plains Campground. Currently Black Jack utility campground is open until water rises again. Cabins can’t be reached. No boat ramps are available.

Cheney: 5-23-19 – The park is open. East Shore and Lakeview campgrounds and the marina are open. Lake View sites are filled. Remainder of that area is closed. In the West Shore Area, Harding Hill and Geifer Hill non–utility sites are open and available. Half of Smarsh Creek utility sites are open. Remainder of that area is closed.

El Dorado: 5-23-19 – The park is open. In the Walnut River area, all campgrounds, cabins, shelter, trails and day use areas are open. Campsites and cabins are all reserved for the holiday weekend.

The Shady Creek Area has non-utility sites available in several campgrounds. In the Shady Creek Area, one boat ramp is the only usable ramp on the lake. Bluestem Point campgrounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 are closed. Utility Campgrounds 5, 6 and 7 have about 50% of their campsites open and usable. All usable sites are reserved for the weekend. Bemis Creek campground has 12 usable utility campsites but they are all reserved. The archery and firearms ranges are open.

Prairie Spirit Trail: 5-23-19 – The Prairie Spirit Trail is open and usable from Ottawa to Iola. There are some rough spots caused by recent heavy rains and erosion, and continued rain could leave the trail surface soft to the point that narrow bike tires may cause ruts, but the surface is currently solid. Visitors should always be aware to changing trail conditions as some locations may receive more rainfall than others.

Flint Hills Trail: 5-23-19 – The Flint Hills Trail is open, and the surface is firm in most locations, however, due to the varied development and surface construction some locations are in better shape than others, and there are some known points that are difficult to pass through or impassable. There are several locations between Ottawa and Osawatomie that have water at the edge of the trail, as well as over the trail making through travel between those points impossible. We also have several trees reported down on the trail in that section. There is a section of the trail by Quenemo that has trail surface damage from flooding and water backing up onto the trail, however, it is passable now by walking a bike over the dry rough surface which is about 100 yards in length. The trail between Vassar and Osage city is very muddy and travel is discouraged in this area. There may be other isolated wet spots and with more wind or rain conditions can change. Visitors should always be aware to changing trail conditions as some locations may receive more rainfall than others.

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 my new email address – [email protected]

Government, Kansas

Governor Encourages Vigilance During Severe Weather, Flooding

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Kelly: Make safety a priority ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Speaking to media at the Kansas State Emergency Operations Center today, Governor Laura Kelly outlined the state’s largescale coordinated response to flooding and severe weather and encouraged Kansans to remain vigilant as severe weather continues to impact the state through Memorial Day weekend.

“Memorial Day Weekend is a time many Kansans head outside or go to the lake. In many areas, conditions are not safe,” Kelly said. “Please, put the safety of yourself and your family first. Check the weather before you venture out. If there is severe weather or tornados, seek shelter in a secure location. Check your road routes before traveling – remember conditions can change very fast. And stay away from flood water.”

Heavy rainfall, tornados and severe thunderstorms have been impacting Kansas communities for several weeks. Earlier this month, the governor signed a disaster declaration. Since then, the declaration has expanded almost daily, and the current declaration includes 42 Kansas counties. More rain and severe storms are forecast through early next week. Widespread flooding will likely cause additional road and park closures in the coming days.

“Please do not play, swim or walk in flood water. It is full of debris, hidden objects and worse. The current can sweep people away,” Kelly said. “Follow all safety warnings and signs. If local officials advise you to evacuate, heed their advice. They are trying to help keep you safe.”

On May 20, Kansas activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response to multi-hazard events including flooding, tornados and severe thunderstorms. This coordinated effort is led the Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli who also serves as the director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. It also includes many state and federal agency partners working together to assist local communities.

Road Closures:

To obtain information about current road closures in your local area, visit: www.kandrive.org

Kansans are encouraged to avoid flooded roads. Tafanelli stressed the importance of not underestimating the force and power of water.

“It only takes about a foot of water to float a car,” said Tafanelli. “Two feet of rushing water can carry away most SUVs and pick-up trucks. Flood waters move swiftly and can quite easily knock you off your feet and sweep you away. So, please, heed all warning signs and safety barriers. Don’t try to wade or drive through flooded areas. Turn around, don’t drown.”

State Park Closures:

As Kansas approaches one of the busiest weekends for its state parks, safety must be the top priority. For flood alerts in State Parks, visit: https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/State-Park-Alerts

* Conditions are changing frequently. Please, contact your local parks directly for updates on park conditions.

According to Tafanelli, Kansans should not swim, walk, or play in flooded streams or lakes.

“There may be dangerous floating debris, hidden underwater obstacles, and treacherous currents,” Tafanelli said. “Don’t try to launch a boat or swim in the water. Even fishing or walking along the bank can be dangerous because the bank may be slippery or easily collapse. Flood waters demand our utmost respect.”

Weather Updates:

Visit www.weather.gov for the weather impacting your area. Also monitor local media outlets for weather alerts and safety warnings in your area.

Local assistance:

In the event of an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency assistance, contact local law enforcement and first responders. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management works directly with them. All requests for local assistance should be initiated through the county emergency manager.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Devon Kids in the Kitchen

May 23, 2019 Loretta George 1 Comment

Southwind Extension District is sponsoring FREE cooking classes for youth to learn more about kitchen self-care skills. The classes are for youth that have completed the second through eighth grade. Younger or older children will not be allowed.

Since this is a ‘hands-on’ experience, we limit the size of each class depending on the size of the facility. If you have questions please call Kathy McEwan at 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].
Instructors for the classes will be Nutrition Assistants Malynda Payne and Mary Daniels.

Email address *

Child’s Full Name *

Child’s Mailing Address *

Grade Just Completed *

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

Child’s Age *

Child’s Gender

Male

Female

Primary Emergency Contact Number *

Secondary Emergency Contact Number *

Health Information (any known allergies) *

Parent’s Name *

Parent’s Email *

Parent’s Home/Cell Number/Work *

Name of Child’s Doctor *

Parent/Guardian Permission Agreement

By electronically submitting this registration form, I (parent/guardian) understand participants will be supervised and that if a serious illness or injury develops, medical and/or hospital care will be given. I hereby give permission to the attending physician to hospitalize and/or secure proper treatment for my child. I hear-by release K-State Research & Extension, the State of Kansas and their agents, officers and employees, from all claims, demands and causes of action of any kind, including claims of negligence, which may arise from participation of my minor child in “Kids In the Kitchen” classes. I also authorize K-State Research & Extension or their assignees to record and photograph my child’s image and/or voice for use in research, educational and promotional programs.

YES

Send me a copy of my responses.

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Fulton Culinary Kids

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story 2 Comments

Southwind Extension District is sponsoring FREE cooking classes for youth to learn more about kitchen self-care skills. The classes are for youth that have completed the third through eighth grade. Younger or older children will not be allowed.

Email address *

Child’s Full Name *

Child’s Mailing Address *

Grade Just Completed *

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

Child’s Age *

Child’s Gender

Male

Female

Primary Emergency Contact Number *

Secondary Emergency Contact Number *

Health Information (any known allergies) *

Parent’s Name *

Parent’s Email *

Parent’s Home/Cell Number/Work *

Name of Child’s Doctor *

Parent/Guardian Permission Agreement

YES

Send me a copy of my responses.

Never submit pass

Government, Kansas

New State Hospital Commission Leadership Appointed

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Secretary Howard Appoints Leadership Team for Newly Established State Hospital Commission;
Larned State Hospital Acting Superintendent Takes on Permanent Role

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today she has appointed several leadership positions to serve on the agency’s newly established State Hospital Commission.

Kimberly Lynch, currently Chief Counsel for KDADS, has been named State Hospital Commissioner. Lynch began her more than 10 years of state service in 2009 with the Kansas Attorney General’s Civil Litigation Division. She joined KDADS in 2012 and was promoted to Chief Litigation Attorney, then Senior Counsel, before being named Chief Counsel in 2017. Lynch holds a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University, where she majored in Psychology. She recently earned a certification in Health Care Compliance from the Health Care Compliance Association. Throughout her tenure at KDADS, Lynch has represented the state hospitals and provided guidance and counsel to the superintendents and staff.

Dr. Mike Dixon has been named Deputy Commissioner of the new commission. Dr. Dixon, who was named Superintendent at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center (PSHTC) in 2017, will continue to serve as Superintendent while taking on the additional role of State Hospital Deputy Commissioner. In addition, he has served as Chief Forensic Psychologist and Program/Clinical Director for the Sexual Predator Treatment Program at Larned State Hospital (LSH). Dr. Dixon holds a Ph.D. in Community Clinical Psychology from Wichita State University and is a licensed psychologist.

KDADS’ current budget director Georgianna Correll, has also been named State Hospital Commission Deputy Commissioner. Correll joined KDADS in 2016 as the Facilities Reimbursement Manager and was promoted to Budget Director in 2017, where she has worked closely with hospital superintendents and provided guidance to the hospitals’ chief financial officers. Correll has held a variety of positions within the public sector as well, such as Director of Business Development and Client Relations, Business Analytics Manager and Sales Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Friends University.

Secretary Howard announced the creation of a new state hospital commission in February this year as part of a strategic plan to develop a cohesive approach to supporting and empowering the Kansans it serves. The new commission also affords the agency the opportunity to improve communication and collaboration between state hospitals, commissions and stakeholders.

Additionally, Secretary Howard announced Acting Superintendent of LSH Lesia Dipman has accepted the permanent superintendent position and will continue to serve and bring continuity to the hospital staff and the Larned community. Dipman has served the State of Kansas for 34 years, starting her career at LSH in 1984 where she has worked in various positions, including Administrative Program Director of the State Security Program. Dipman attended Fort Hays State and Kansas State University (KSU) and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from KSU in 1994. In 2005, she was promoted to Director of Social earned a master’s degree in social work from Newman University in Wichita.

###

Cara Sloan

Public Information Officer / Website Administrator
Office of the Secretary

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Office: (785) 296-0807

Cell: (785) 249-6234

[email protected]

Visit our website at: www.kdads.ks.gov

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission and Bourbon County Commission Meet Together May 28

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held together with the Bourbon County Commission on Tuesday, May 28^th, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will be held in the Bourbon County Commission Meeting Room at 210 S. National. It is anticipated that they will adjourn into an executive session to discuss personal matters of non-elected personnel.

Government, Kansas

Senator Tyson’s Legislative Update

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

May 17, 2019

2019 Session End is May 29^th, known as sine-die. Every session is unique and seems to take on a personality of its own. This year was no different. The unique people involved and the different issues being worked, combine to create the ‘personality’ of the session. It can be a difficult environment and a messy process. However, during debate on a judicial appointment, we were reminded of how blessed we are to have our government process and a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Judicial Appointment: A few years ago the legislature changed the appointment process for Appellate Court Judges by adding Senate approval. Recently, the Governor submitted a nomination for Senate approval. That nominee was voted down on a vote of 0 Yes to 38 No. Some people cried foul when the appointment process was changed. However, if it would not have changed, the nominee who did not receive one Yes vote would have become an Appellate Court Judge. This scenario is an example of why the process for appointing Kansas Supreme Court Justices needs to be changed. Senate approval would be one way of giving the people a voice in naming justices.

Taxes and Expenditures: For years, there has been misinformation about the 2012 tax cuts, referred to as the “failed tax experiment”. For the record, after the 2012 tax cuts there were more cuts. In 2013 sales tax was cut from 6.3% to 6.15% and the bottom bracket of the state income tax was cut from 3.5% to 3.0% and the top bracket was cut from 6.25% to 4.9%. In 2014 the bottom bracket was cut from 3% to 2.7% and the top bracket was cut from 4.9% to 4.8%. In 2015 the top bracket was cut to 4.6%. In 2016 the bottom bracket was cut to 2.4% and the top bracket was cut to 4.6%. Tax cuts are usually good for stimulating the economy and that grows businesses and provides jobs. A good example is the unintended revenue increase the State is receiving from the Federal tax cuts. These cuts should be good for Kansas taxpayers but for this to happen the government has to be well disciplined on regulating spending. Unlike the Federal government, our State government is not supposed to go into debt. That’s in our State Constitution. But unfortunately, we are finding ways to circumvent our State’s fundamental principles.

So, when you hear about failed 2012 tax cuts, remember we also cut income taxes in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, and then President Trump cut Federal taxes in 2017. The tax cuts now are not the problem, runaway spending is the problem. Kansas tax laws were in tandem with federal tax laws before the 2017 Federal tax cuts. In an attempt to re-align Federal and State tax law, the legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 22 and then House Bill (HB) 2033. Both were vetoed by the Governor. The argument was used that it would, “decimate the state’s ability to pay our bills and invest in our people.” That is absurd. The out-of-control spending is going to “decimate the state’s ability to pay bills”. How about this, the Governor submitted her increased budget to the legislature and the legislature decided She was not spending enough so they appropriated millions more money in the budget then what was requested. I was one of the few who didn’t vote for the Budget.

In summary, according to Kansas Legislative Research, the State will be in-the-red in two years with current law. And after all the increases this budget puts the State on a path to be approximately $1.4 billion in-the-red in four years. That doesn’t take into account any increased spending in those four years. So then what? Once again, the Governor will probably pull money from KDOT and delay payments to KPERS or even raise taxes.

We need to change our laws to address the budget process and create a fair and level tax code for Kansans. I am hopeful that with due-diligence, we can still achieve this end.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12^th District State Senator.

Caryn

Obituary

Obituary of Patricia Pool

May 23, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Patricia Alaine “Patty” Pool, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was born March 31, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Henry Eugene “Gene” Floyd and Maxine Monroe Floyd. Patty graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1969. She married Michael L. Pool on November 11, 1970, at Nevada, Missouri.

In earlier years, Patty worked at several area banks. She later worked in the Bourbon County Vehicle Registration Office for over twenty-years. Patty enjoyed playing the violin and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Mike, of the home; and two sons, Brian Pool (Jana) and Brent Pool (Tawny), all of Ft. Scott and five grandchildren; Laura, Ashleigh, Nash, Kellen and Evan. Also surviving are two brothers, Earl Floyd, of Overland Park, Kansas and Steve Floyd of Ft. Scott and two sisters, Lynette Jackson, of Ft. Scott and Bonnie George of Concordia, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown Math Teacher: Mike Durnell

May 23, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Mike Durnell, 51, will be teaching mathematics at Uniontown Middle School (grades 7-9) for the next school year.

In the vacancy that 50-year math teacher Alan Shinn left, the subjects are being reassigned to two current math teachers and then Durnell was hired as a new math teacher to take the junior high classes, USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard said.

“I have been a Missouri educator for 28 years,” Durnell said. “In my career, I have taught math at the middle school and high school level.”

He and his wife, Suzan have been married 28 years.

“We have been at El Dorado Springs (Missouri) for the last 19 years,” he said. ” I taught 8th-grade math for 14 years before becoming the activities director for the last five.”

” I retired after 28 years but really wanted to get back into the classroom,” Durnell said. “If I stay in Missouri, I am limited to part-time ( 550 hours) or going to a private school. Teaching in Kansas allows me to teach full time. It is a financial decision.”

“Suzan has another two or three years before she can retire,” he said. “I plan on commuting until she retires. It will be a longer drive than my current 10-minute commute, but that has spoiled me.”

Suzan is the elementary librarian for El Dorado Springs.

Durnell earned his bachelors degree from College of the Ozarks, his masters in educational administration from Missouri State University, and his specialist in educational administration from William Woods University.

His hometown is Moundville, Missouri and he attended Bronaugh schools.

In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing, he said.

How did you become an educator?

“I was fortunate enough to have some great teachers and had a positive experience with school. I decided I wanted to be a part of that. I found that I love working with students and helping them understand difficult concepts.”

Is there someone who inspired you to teach?

“Coach Randy Roberston, my high school coach, and teacher under whom I student taught.”

What is the best part of teaching for you?

“I like interacting with the students and realizing that I have the ability to make a difference in their lives just like Coach Robertson did in mine.”

What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?

“It can be frustrating when you have students who are not working up to their potential abilities. However, I love a good challenge in teaching.”

The Durnells have two daughters:

Jenna Vickers and her husband, Quade, live in Springfield, Missouri. Jenna is an accountant and Quade is an emergency room nurse, he said.

Tessa is finishing her Junior year at Ft. Hays State University and is a speech pathology major. “She runs track and cross country for the FHSU Tigers,” Durnell said.

Fort Scott Police Department