James Woods Leaves a Vacancy on USD 234 Board of Education

James Wood from the USD 234 School Directory.

James Wood has served as a member of the Board of Education in Fort Scott for four years. He was just recently re-elected in November for a second term. James works at Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, PA. In late November, James was promoted to a partner position with Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, PA, which changed his responsibilities at the firm. Consequently, James is resigning his position on the USD # 234 school board effective January 1, 2024.

“James has been a great board member and has held several leadership positions on the school board during his term. He is a creative thinker and has been a great asset to the board because of his accounting and business background. He will be sorely missed on our board,” states Destry Brown, superintendent.
On reflecting about his time on the board, James reflects, “I have truly enjoyed my time on the Board of Education. I believe in the direction our school district is going and am excited for the future of the district. I grew up as a Tiger and will always be a Tiger at heart.”
The Board of Education will discuss filling the vacancy created by Wood’s resignation at the next board meeting on January 11th. 

Medicalodge New Administrator: Lucia Crellin

Lucia Crellin. Submitted photo.

 Lucia Crellin, 29, will be the new administrator of Medicalodge Fort Scott, following the retirement of Lynette Emerson in December 2023.

“I started with Medicalodges Coffeyville on Midland in May 2023 as an Administrator in Training with KACE (Kansas Adult Care Executives), and I have just accepted the Administrator Role for Fort Scott Medicalodges and will be acquiring my Kansas Licensure as well as my NHA Licensure at the first of the year. “

She has a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a focus in health science from Emporia State University and also has her Kansas Certified Nurse Assitant License, through Neosho County Community College.

“I started training under Lynette on December 18th, and as of January 2, I will be taking over the position,” Crellin said.

“I grew up in the halls of long-term care as my…mother put herself through nursing school to become a Registered Nurse and pursue her career goals being a Director of Nursing, Administrator, Nurse Consultant, and now Director of Education. For the last couple of years, I have been learning the ins and outs of the administration role among long-term care nursing homes.”

“I entered this career because there is a great need for quality administrators and nursing staff among long-term care settings/nursing homes,” she said. “I think that sometimes people forget that our older generation of folks are still human beings and they deserve to continue living their best life at whatever stage they may be in,” she said.  “I want to make a difference in the lives of residents staying in our nursing homes whether it be for a short-term skilled stay or a long-term stay. I want to make residents feel safe and comfortable in their homes/our nursing homes. I want our residents and our future residents and their families to know that I care, and will always care and advocate for them.”

The greatest challenge?

“I think the greatest challenge is the fact that I am a single mother and a brand new administrator,” she said. “The work-life balance will certainly be a challenge, and dedication and commitment are both important to be successful at both. This can place a challenge when both take such a high priority and both are physically demanding as well as 24/7 jobs. In healthcare and especially healthcare leadership there is no time off. Even when you are ‘off’ you really are not off. When your phone rings regarding your child, you answer. When your phone rings regarding your facility, you take that call. It’s not challenging to do all of that, the challenge will be overcoming the toll that this can take, and knowing everyone and everything depends on you, and knowing you are the one to be held accountable because all will have to be accounted for by you, and answered for and fixed with my oversight. But with all that being said, I have a great support system within my company and my family, and I am looking forward to overcoming any challenge that comes my way.”

Crellin lives in Yates Center and commutes.

She has a four-year-old daughter, Elayna, and a significant other, Taylor.

Youth Sex Trafficking Prevention Presentation is January 31

The following is a press release from USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown.

“I am excited to announce that thanks to Shanda Stewart, the E3 Ranch Foundation, and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department we are able to bring a phenomenal speaker to our community to educate us on the dangers of social media and its relationship to sex trafficking.  Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 31st 6 p.m. at the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center!,” according to the press release.

“Russ Tuttle will also be presenting to our students in all Fort Scott Schools on February 1st. His presentations to students are age appropriate and are geared at teaching students about the dangers of using social media.,” according to the release.
Here is the flyer for the event:

BeAlert® is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project® to end domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)before it starts by disrupting the exploitation of vulnerability.

THIS ADULT ONLY COMMUNITY PRESENTATION FOCUSES ON THE ROLE OF “LIFE ONLINE” FOR STUDENTS

ONE IMAGE & THREE WORDS WILL CHANGE YOUR PARADIGM!

 

The Who – caring adults invited to attend:

  • Law enforcement
  • Firefighter’s and EMT’s
  • Medical professionals
  • Counselors
  • Faith community leaders
  • School personnel
  • Parents, guardians, and all other adult family members

 

The What – educate and empower caring adults in our community:

  • Students are enamored with social media and “life online”
  • Name apps and provide practical advice to guide caring adults
  • Unpack vulnerabilities that can be exploited: loneliness, isolation, depression, suicide, sexting, sextortion, pornography, cyberbullying, exploitation, sexual exploitation, and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)

The How – the approach: Fast-moving Power Point presentation designed for maximum impact

 

The presenter – an active abolitionist: Has command of the topic and speaks with energy that grabs and keeps the attention of attendees.

The presentation – fast paced with appropriate images and videos:

  • Provide insight into the role of technology in exploiting vulnerabilities
  • Identify the demand in this high demand business of sexual exploitation
  • Provide the option to engage with the BeAlert® Strategy, the Stop Trafficking App, and the “top ten practical steps” for adults to keep students safer

 

LOCATION:   FSCC ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER

SPONSORS:  E3 RANCH FOUNDATION & BOURBON COUNTY SHERIFF’S         DEPARTMENT

TIME: 6 PM  on January 31

OTHER DETAILS: NO CHILDREN PLEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SHANDA STEWART 620-215-2681

Governor Kelly’s Year In Review

Year in Review: Kelly Administration Delivers a Successful 2023 for Kansas

TOPEKA – As 2023 comes to an end, Governor Laura Kelly today highlighted some of the key successes from the first year of her second term.

“This year, I worked with the Legislature, members of my administration, and Kansans from across the state to continue building on the successes of our first term,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Heading into 2024, there is more work to be done to ensure Kansas remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Bipartisanship: In 2023, Governor Kelly signed 89 bipartisan bills into law, including significant legislation that:

Expanding Affordable Child Care:  The first executive order of Governor Kelly’s second term established the Early Childhood Transition Task Force. The task force was charged with reviewing Kansas’ early childhood programs and developing a roadmap to create a cabinet-level agency solely focused on supporting our youngest Kansans. Earlier this month, the task force presented Governor Kelly with its final report.

Throughout 2023, the Kelly administration has allocated more than $65 million to create nearly 6,000 new child care slots.

Economy and Workforce: In 2023 alone, the Kelly administration closed 256 economic development projects, totaling more than $3 billion in new business dollars invested into the state and creating or retaining more than 12,000 jobs.

In September, Governor Kelly celebrated the anniversary of establishing the Office of Registered Apprenticeship. Now, over 4,500 Kansans are active in a registered apprenticeship program, showing a nearly 55% increase in new registered apprentices and 18 new programs established in 2023.

Infrastructure: In 2023, Governor Kelly announced the final phase of the last two projects remaining from the T-WORKS program. These projects were only able to move forward through the Governor’s and Legislature’s bipartisan work to close the “Bank of KDOT” by the end of her first term.

High-Speed Internet: The collaboration of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Research and Education Network, and private providers brought $43 million in federal funding to strengthen the state’s high-speed internet infrastructure. Nearly 9,000 homes and businesses have been connected to high-speed internet in 2023.

Water: In partnership with the Legislature, Governor Kelly invested a record $35 million to protect vital water resources and fund projects to address high-priority dams and small-town water infrastructure through the passage of HB 2302. As she proposed in her budget, funding has also been dedicated to pay off debt for the Milford and Perry Reservoirs, saving Kansas taxpayers money in long-term interest payments.

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No Rearview Mirrow by Carolyn Hayward Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

 

At the expense of sounding like the worst driver in the world, I’ll share my personal experience because it’s the perfect lede for this column.

My mother convinced me to enter my seven-month-old daughter in a baby contest in 1987. When we were in the car and on our way, I heard Mariam sneeze from the backseat. The thought of the possibility of snot running down her face was more than I could bear, so I turned around to see if there was a “disaster on aisle 3.” With my head turned and looking backward, I sideswiped an oncoming vehicle and my Buick and ended up in a bean field. My daughter and I were unhurt, and the driver of the other car had some scratches on her arm from the broken driver’s window. The wreck occurred because my attention wasn’t focused on what was in front of me. Looking backward instead of forward is the worst technique for driving.

 

Looking backward to your past is not the best approach to life either. Please don’t live your life looking in the rearview mirror. “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 TEV.) Maybe your past hasn’t been perfect. If that’s the case, then join the crowd and realize you‘re in good company. The only perfect One on planet earth was Jesus. And even His life had some disappointments, hurts, and sorrow. I encourage you to let go of your past, move on, and embrace a future that’s full of hope in Christ.

 

It’s nice that we have a new year every 12 months because it gives us a fresh chance to change out the old and do things different and better. In Luke 9:51 TEV, it states that, “Jesus made up His mind….” Let’s make up our minds to do something beautiful for the Kingdom of God in 2024. We need to watch where we’re going and stop being halfhearted about our purpose and future.

 

Jesus is the loving and merciful Redeemer who can make all things new. Believe against all odds that divine help is on the way in 2024. Don’t look back at the things that have fallen to pieces, but look up and forward to Jesus. He is the One that is designing your future on a rock-solid foundation. “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you” (Proverbs 4:25 NLT.)

Although I’m uneasy about heights, I managed to walk across the Royal Gorge four times by looking straight ahead and focusing my eyes on the other side of the bridge. Life is short and there’s no time to waste on wallowing in regret or discouragement about the past. We can pour our heart out to God for any sin or failure, humbly receive His mercy, and then bravely move forward in hope and peace.

 

If you search your heart and find something that you should apologize and ask forgiveness for, by all means, do it for the sake of peace. But if there’s nothing you can do to defuse the bomb of your past, then simply walk forward into your future holding onto Jesus‘ nail-scarred hand. He loves you and can heal you everywhere you hurt. But you have to make up your mind to let Him soothe away the scars of your past.

 

Let’s stop looking back and intensify our commitment to do something worthwhile for the Kingdom of God.

 

The Key:  Obliterate your rearview mirror so you won’t look backward at your life.

Obituary of Charles Allen

Charles Arthur Allen, 85, of Holland Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 23rd, 2023, with his family lovingly by his side.  Although his family is deeply saddened by his passing, they are encouraged knowing that Charles touched many lives during his time on earth and is now celebrating in the arms of the Lord.  Charles was not one to quote scripture, but he encouraged others by the way he lived.  He believed in living life with a smile, a funny greeting and often his goodbye… “Keep up the good work.”  Those who met him were blessed to have known him.

Charles is survived by his loving wife Linda of 63 years; son Kurt Allen (wife Nona), daughters Susan Leonard and Kristin Wade (husband Robert); Nine grandchildren, Jacki Ferrier (husband Ryan), Lauren Ammons, Joce Renfro (husband Jordan), Kayla Crane (husband Ennio), Tim Wade (wife Kaity), Christopher Allen (wife Bryanna), Courtney Stoppel (husband Grant), Faith Adams (husband Davis) and Cale Wade; and four great grandchildren, Eden Cazares, Emma Crane, Archer Renfro and Juniper Adams; brother Harold “Pete” Allen (wife Janice) and sister Barbara Wheeler. Charles is loved and remembered by Rebecca Allen, Jim Leonard and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Esther Allen; sister Bonnie Hill and brothers Tommy Allen and Jerry Allen.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life in Holland, Michigan that will be held at Rose Park Baptist Church on January 13th, 2024.  An additional celebration of life will be held in Fort Scott, Kansas at Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel on January 20th, 2024 at 10:30 am.

 

Obituary of Russell Blubaugh

Russell Leroy Blubaugh, age 88, a resident of Olathe, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe. He was born December 20, 1935, in Bentley, Kansas, the sixth child of Oscar H. Blubaugh and Minnie A. Krauss Blubaugh’s ten children. In 1948, the Blubaugh family moved from Bently to a farm in Anderson County, Kansas northeast of Westphalia. Russ attended Mont Ida Rural Grade School and went on to graduate from Westphalia High School. He married Evelyn June Johns on June 8, 1961. Russ, along with his brother, Roger, eventually took over the operation of the Blubaugh Farm. They grew row crops, milked and raised beef cattle. They took pride in their land and received an Anderson County Soil Conservation award. While in Garnett, Russ and Evelyn were member of the First Christian Church where Russ served as a Deacon. In 1985, Russ and Evelyn left the farm and moved to Olathe, Kansas where Russ began working as a plumber for Gladstone Plumbing where he worked with his longtime friends Raymond and Milton Johnston. He worked in the profession until the mid-1990’s. Russ was a natural when it came to fixing things. Therefore, when he retired from plumbing, he started a part-time job with Lowe’s in Olathe. He enjoyed staying busy and helping the many customers. Russ enjoyed woodworking and helping Evelyn keep up their yard and flowerbeds, but above all he enjoyed spending time with his four granddaughters. Many hours were spent riding bikes, swimming, and going out for ice cream. Russ will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include two daughters, Diane Hastert (Duane) of Garnett, Kansas and Deann Mitchell (Greg) of Olathe, Kansas; four granddaughters, Meagan Ingold (Josh), Lauryn Linzay (Jesse), Shelby Ellis (Tim) and Sydney Gray (Tristan) and two great-grandsons, Carter and Kaysen Ingold with another Ellis grandson on the way. Also surviving are four brothers, Roger Blubaugh (Judy) of Olathe, Kansas, Reuben Blubaugh (Barbara) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, David Blubaugh (Sheila) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Steve Blubaugh also of Excelsior Springs and a sister, Norma Jean Nilges of Garnett. Russ was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, on September 3, 2022; two infant twin great-granddaughters, Marcie and Jaycie Ellis as well as his parents, three brothers, Ralph, Robert and Raymond Blubaugh and a sister, Lois Nilges.

Pastor Chris Goetz will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 2nd at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Mont Ida Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Friends of the Garnett Library 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.

FS City Commission Agenda for January 2

The only order of business for 1-2-2024 is to establish the new 2024 City Commission. All other business will be discussed on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:00PM

 

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
January 2, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: M. Wells
III. New Business
A. Oath of Office – Commissioner Tracy Dancer and Commissioner Dyllon Olson
B. Appointment of Mayor of Fort Scott
C. Appointment of President of the City Commission of Fort Scott
D. Review and agreement of Code of Ethics – Ordinance 3563
E. Review and agreement of Code of Procedure for the Commission of the City
of Fort Scott, Kansas
IV. Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
V. Reports and Comments:
A. City Manager Comments:
B. Commissioners Comments:
T. VanHoecke –
M. Wells –
M. Guns –
T. Dancer –
D. Olson
C. City Attorney Comments:
VI. Executive Session:
VII. Adjournment:
Next regular meeting scheduled: Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 6:00PM

Community Presentation to Disrupt the Exploitation of Sex Traffickers

BeAlert® is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop
Trafficking Project® to end domestic minor sex trafficking
(DMST)before it starts by disrupting the exploitation of vulnerability.

THIS ADULT ONLY COMMUNITY PRESENTATION FOCUSES ON
THE ROLE OF “LIFE ONLINE” FOR STUDENTS
ONE IMAGE & THREE WORDS WILL CHANGE YOUR PARADIGM!

LOCATION:Fort Scott Community College  Ellis Fine Arts Center
SPONSORS: E3 RANCH FOUNDATION & BOURBON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
DATE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31ST
TIME: 6 PM
OTHER DETAILS: NO CHILDREN PLEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SHANDA STEWART 620-215- 2681

The Who – caring adults invited to attend:
• Law enforcement
• Firefighter’s and EMT’s
• Medical professionals
• Counselors
• Faith community leaders
• School personnel
• Parents, guardians, and all other adult family members

The What – educate and empower caring adults in our community:
• Students are enamored with social media and “life online”
• Name apps and provide practical advice to guide caring adults
• Unpack vulnerabilities that can be exploited: loneliness, isolation, depression, suicide, sexting, sextortion, pornography, cyberbullying, exploitation, sexual exploitation, and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)

The How – the approach: Fast-moving Power Point presentation designed for maximum impact.
The presenter – an active abolitionist: Has command of the topic and speaks with energy that grabs and keeps the attention of attendees.
The presentation – fast-paced with appropriate images and videos:
• Provide insight into the role of technology in exploiting vulnerabilities
• Identify the demand in this high-demand business of sexual exploitation
• Provide the option to engage with the BeAlert® Strategy, the Stop Trafficking App, and the “top ten practical steps” for adults to keep students safer

 

Bourbon County Local News