A special meeting of the Uniontown City Council will be held at City Hall on November 27 at 6 p.m.
____ Jess Ervin ____ Danea Esslinger ____ Amber Kelly ____ Josh Hartman ____ Bradley Stewart
Discuss ordinance regulating council pay
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance and job duties of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.
Leland Eugene “John” Bolden, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at his home. He was born December 2, 1943, in Ft. Scott, the son of Arthur Shrakes and Violet Bolden.
Following high school, John enlisted in the United States Army. The Army became a career for John and he served for twenty years.
John married Barbara Ann Audilet on November 29, 1966, at Lowell, Arizona.
After retirement from the military, John and his family moved to Arizona where John began his second career as a copper miner. He worked as an equipment operator in the copper mines for another twenty years. John retired from mining in 2003. He and Barbara lived for a short time in Iowa before relocating to Ft. Scott, Kansas partly because Ft. Scott had better fishing. In addition to fishing, John also enjoyed hunting and working on vehicles as long as they weren’t Chevys.
Survivors include two daughters, Laura Barenthin of Ft. Scott and Barbara Ann Spinazzola (Tony) of Mesa, Arizona; six grandchildren, Craig Bolden, Jasmine Tomasi (Ethan), Lillian Barenthin, Alex Bolden, Sierra Spinazzola and Caitlyn Spinazzola and four great-grandchildren, Tessa Goddard, Auryana Bolden, Jonathan Bolden and Emilia Barenthin. Also surviving are three brothers, William “Bill” Fountain of Ft. Scott, Richard Fountain of Joplin, Missouri and Randy Fountain, Manhattan, Kansas and three sisters, Naomi Hull of Groves, Texas and Myrtle Hull and Patty Hathaway, both of Ft. Scott.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara on July 15, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Thelma Lewis.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 21st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.
Marty Read conducting the 2016 Bad Art by Good People Art Auction.
Several local people are donating their artwork, and supporting the local arts council in fundraising.
The Bourbon County Arts Council invites the public to join them in celebrating creativity in our community at this year’s “Bad Art by Good People” Fundraising Event and Auction.
The event is Thursday, November 16, at 7 p.m. at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 2108 Horton Street on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.
People look over the artwork at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee before the Bad Art by Good People auction in 2018.
The first “Bad Art by Good People” Event was in 2013. This is where local people try their hand at art and then offer that art to be sold to benefit the Bourbon County Arts Council.
This year’s auction will be the 6th year, with 23 artists participating.
“Since that first auction, 120 community members have donated their time and creative energy (with a bit of humility) to this project, where individuals are given a canvas and asked to create an original piece of art,” Deb Halsey, BCAC President said.
The BCAC Mentoring Workshops provide inspiration and technical advice to those who are creating the art, with the help of local artists.
This year’s artists include Caroline Barnes, Kelly Barr, Nedra Barr, Donna Bowman, Dave Brezik, Rilie Creollo, Kathy Dancer, Kate Freeman, Trent Freeman, Rachel French, Stewart Gulager, Rob Harrington, Ronda Hassig, Krysta Hulbert, Bobbi Kemna, Megan Malone, David Martin, Madelyn Martin, Matt Park, Carrie Southwell, Joy Self, Diane Striler, and Billy Webster.
Artificers Gallery owners, Kate and Trent Freeman, have also donated a series of “Pendulum Paintings” that were created during their 2023 Kids Camp. Proceeds from the auction of these paintings will be donated to Bourbon County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
At 7 p.m., the event will begin with art viewing and voting for this year’s “Best Bad Artist”.
The winner of this award will receive a certificate for $50 in Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Bucks, which can be spent at any of over 60 local retailers.
Local auctioneer Marty Reed will conduct the art sale at 7:30 p.m. and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
“Bad Art by Good People is one way that the BCAC attempts to fulfill its mission to ‘foster, promote and increase the knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts’ in our community,” said Halsey. “The BCAC also supports local students, by donating annually to Project Art at Fort Scott Middle School and providing scholarships to high school seniors in Bourbon County who will be pursuing art-related majors in college.”
Deb Halsey and Elaine Buerge man the reception booth at the event in 2018.
“This year, the BCAC has also made contributions to the Gordon Parks Celebration, as well as the First Kansas Colored Infantry Mural,” she said. “They have also hosted two Patio Concerts at Crooner’s Restuarant and are scheduled to host a Membership Drive Concert and Dinner in February 2024, headlining the musical group “Wednesdays at Herman’s” which features singer Summer Buerge Timperley, daughter of local artist Elaine Buerge, and Steve Buerge.”
The Bourbon County Arts Council is comprised of the following members: Deb Halsey, President; Breann Eden, Vice-President; Terri Floyd, Treasurer; and Steve Floyd, Secretary; as well as Elaine Buerge, Trent Freeman, Justin Meeks, Kelly Nelson, Robin Whitlock, Chris Woods, and Vicki Wright. Deb Anderson graciously served as board president for 23 years, Halsey said.
“Come out and enjoy an evening of original art, and cast your vote for this year’s ‘Best Bad Artist’,” she said.
Linda Jackson’s painting from the event in 2018. Submitted photo.
Melvin Foley from the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Melvin Ray Foley III escaped from custody at 10 a.m. this morning from the work-release program of the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.
He is now back in custody, according to the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
This is the original post from the page:
On 11/15/23 at approximately 1000 hours an inmate, Melvin Ray Foley III escaped from custody. Foley is approximately 5’11” 150lbs with short brown hair and dark-rim glasses. Foley has distinctive tattoos on the left side of his neck, right side of his head, and left arm. Last seen wearing an orange jumpsuit with white undershirt near 23rd and Horton.
From left, Thug 1, Doctor Virus, Thug 2, News Announcer, Mrs. Claus, Santa, Bigfoot, Ben II, Jordan, Grace and Ben I. Submitted photo.
“I love the anticipation of Christmas,” AllenTwitchell, Fort Scott Community College’s Theatre Director said in a press release. “Tis indeed the season for memories, for family, for giving, for the promise of snow and a new year, and it is my pleasure to celebrate it with the community on Nov. 16 this year.”
“The gift we present at 7 p.m. that day in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is called “Santa ‘Claws’ Is Coming to Town,” the second installment of a three-part trilogy featuring Bigfoot as a central character and written by me because at my previous academic place of employment, the costume closet contained an idle Bigfoot costume,” he said.
“And, for the fifth year, Walmart of Fort Scott is graciously supplying Christmas candy to be distributed by the cast in the lobby following the show,” he said.
“I believe in the power of the arts to bring us together,” Twitchell said. “The theater also provides a palatable platform from which to confront social issues and hopefully inspire positive change. Also, the community supports us with their tax dollars and we want to give back in the form of inexpensive (free) entertainment options.”
About the play
“In part one of the trilogy, “A Very Hairy Christmas,” Bigfoot is pursued by the dreaded Darth Hunter and his henchmen, Dim and Dimmer, but with the aid of three youngsters (Ben, Jordan and Grace) and an ace reporter (Ben’s dad), he escapes the clutches of the evil villain and learns the story of Christmas and then everybody sings.”
“In this year’s offering, Darth Hunter’s demented brother, Doctor Virus, plots to kill Christmas by addicting Santa Claus to a video game and forcing him to miss the midnight deadline for delivering the first present to a select family in Fort Scott, thereby activating the “Santa Clause” and canceling Christmas…as negotiated by the reindeer union during its most-recent contract talks,” he said. “Again, Bigfoot and the kids endeavor to come to the rescue and chaos ensues…along with more singing.”
“Part three, All I Want for Christmas is Bigfoot’s Teeth, performed at FSCC on two prior occasions, unites the two previous “bad guys” with their even-more-sinister sister, Noella DeVile, intent on capturing Bigfoot and extracting his teeth for their magical properties, which include keeping her young and beautiful,” Twitchel said. “Spoiler alert: She is unsuccessful and everybody sings.”
The cast: Clint LaFollette, Will Holliday, Braxton Ferrell, Gia Dickey, Heidi Clevenger, Josh Smith, Nick Shelton, Isaiah Subbert, Ivy Swearingen and Christina King. The singing director is Chris Goddard. Joshua Ramsey and Zach Loper provide tech support. “And, of course, Santa makes an appearance,” he said.
“If this doesn’t sound like fun to you, just come for the candy,” he said.
“In any event, let us be the first to wish you, “Merry Christmas – and a Happy Thanksgiving,” he said.
Allen Twitchell. Submitted photo. 2023
Twitchel is in his seventh year as FSCC’s theater instructor.
“Sharing my passion for live theater with students and young people is my motivation, as well as doing what I can to ensure they leave here not only as better students but as better people,” he said.
Upcoming events on the FSCC Campus:
FSCC cheer and dance squad is sponsoring a Little Greyhounds Cheer Clinic for youngsters in kindergarten -eighth grade from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in Arnold Arena. The cost for the clinic is $25. Contact Allee Morillo, head cheer and dance coach, at (913) 230-8869 to register or for answers to questions.
The FSCC Library Book Club meets next Wednesday (Nov. 15) in the library commons area. The featured topic is Women in Science and Diversity and the select book is “Lessons in Chemistry.” Contact Susie Arvidson at [email protected] for more information.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, November 16th at 8 a.m. hosted by USD-234 at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served. Attendees are asked to enter through the main entrance facing Main Street.
Fort Scott city school district was originally organized in 1865 as District No. 55 and the first school opened in the fall of 1865. By 1892 there were eleven school buildings in Bourbon County. In Kansas, the unified school districts developed after legislation passed in 1962 that was intended to reduce the number of rural school districts.
Today the USD-234 school district serves approximately 1,871 students from Pre-K to 12th grade. The mission statement for the district is that USD-234 will lead in the success of each student in becoming independent, responsible, and productive global citizens. The vision statement for the district is that USD-234 will provide an exemplary education for all.
Join us this Thursday to hear about the current and upcoming programs that are happening at the High School this year. Contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
On Monday November 13th at approximately 2:30 pm Officers with the Fort Scott Police Department were dispatched to the VFW located at 1745 South National in Fort Scott, Kansas in reference to a burglary. The burglary occurred sometime between the evening hours on Sunday the 12th and the afternoon of Monday the 13th. Entry into the building was forced through an exterior door. The perpetrator(s) were able to gain access to a safe and removed $604.50. There are currently no suspects. If you have any information, please contact the Fort Scott Police Department.
Wilma Kay Graham, age 77, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 12, 2023, at her home in Redfield. She was born January 23, 1946, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence William Brown and Lois Kathleen “Kay” Wilson Brown.
Wilma married Larry Robert Graham on November 12, 1964, at Nevada, Missouri.
Wilma was an active member of the Redfield Community. She served several terms on the Redfield City Council and was also a member of the Redfield Ruritan and the Redfield Baseball Association. She kept busy working and organizing many breakfasts and chili feeds to support these organizations. She also served as recordkeeper for the cemeteries in the Marmaton Township.
Wilma was a longtime member of the Redfield United Methodist Church.
In her spare time, Wilma enjoyed working outside, spending time with her grandchildren and taking the occasional trip to the casino.
Survivors include her children, Tresia Graham of Uniontown, Kansas, Ricky Graham (Angela) and Stephan Graham all of Redfield and Jason Hicks (Nicole) of Ft. Scott, Kansas; eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Richard Hill, Charles Hill and Broderick Glessner and two sisters, Diana Sullivan and Shasta Clay.
Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, on March 30, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her father, Clarence Brown, who was killed in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean Conflict, her mother, Lois “Kay” Hill, two brothers, Dewey Hill, Jr and Kenneth Brown and a grandson, Rushton “Peanut” Hicks.
There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the Dayton Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the Redfield Ruritan 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.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
10/9/2023 Regular Meeting
10/30/2023 Special Board Meeting
Financials-Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – October 20, 2023 – $1,669,587.26
Activity Fund accounts
USD 234 Gifts
FSHS Art Club Fundraising
FSHS Extended Trip Spring Break 2025
FSHS Swimming Fundraising
FSHS Wrestling Fundraising
FSHS Baseball Fundraising
USD 234 Licensed Tiger Team Members of the Month are as follows:
Rachelle Thomas is in her 21st year of teaching but this is her first year with Special Education. Tonya thanked Rachelle for her willingness to step up and become a leader for the Eugene Ware Special Education department.
Stephanie Flanner has been the Behavior Consultant at Fort Scott School District for two- and one-half years. She has been recognized for her ability to help the students even if that is riding the bus to school with them in the mornings. Tonya stated that Stephanie is bringing innovative ideas to her that will help staff and students.
Tonya Barnes recognized Rick Scholes. He is in his 12th year with USD 234 as the School Psychologist. Rick is always supportive of teachers and immensely helpful with paperwork and meetings. He is hard working and very ready to help the students
Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month was Bryce Daly. Superintendent Brown recognized Bryce for his behind-the-scenes work as District Technology Coordinator. He is willing to work nights and weekends to make sure that the school network is on track. Bryce was thanked for his hard work and being willing to step in wherever needed
Eugene Ware recognized four outstanding students:
Elsie Fields and Jace Marbery represented the Leadership Club Team from Eugene Ware. Elsie reported on the annual food drive going on this week and will be donated to our local Beacon. The winning class will receive ice cream bars. Jace explained about Wreaths Across America. The students decorate paper wreaths with a Veteran’s name and displayed in the school. Each wreath is $1, and all money is donated to Diane Tucker who then buys wreaths for the National Cemetery.
Leah Pommier and Audrey McNutt explained about enrichment projects that are being done at Eugene Ware. They reported about their shop where they are selling several school supplies. These students are learning to use Canva to help create parent newsletters.
Superintendent Destry Brown did not present at this time.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the Board on first- and second-year teacher meetings. She reported that we are seeing great participation and leadership from these teachers. December will start winter testing and teachers are using the data from previous reports. Seeing the students using the latest programs has been encouraging.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, presented the Board with a printed report.
Superintendent Brown explained about early payroll as well as ESSER reports that are due for the State.
Superintendent Brown discussed the new requirements for the nonresident student policy. A public hearing was set for December.
Superintendent Brown and the Board looked at the district map and discussed a possible change in “at large” voting. This will be discussed further and would be brought to a public vote at a later date
The board went into an executive session for possible purchase of property.
The board approved the following items:
Personnel Report following
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
The board went into an executive session for Superintendent Evaluation.
TOPEKA – KANSASWORKS, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, is taking significant strides to empower justice-involved individuals across the state through the Re-entry Specialized Employment Counseling & Training (ReSpECT)WORKS program. This program provides intensive case management and career navigation for eligible individuals released from the prison system in Kansas.
The ReSpECTWORKS program, administered in partnership with the Kansas Department of Corrections, was established in 2021 to help reduce the state’s recidivism rate in Kansas, which is currently at 35 percent.
“This program focuses on providing an opportunity for justice-involved Kansans to secure sustainable, living-wage employment in order to actively participate in society and break the cycle of incarceration,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “In turn, employers that need talent can be rest-assured these candidates have a pool of resources to help them succeed.”
The program currently operates through federal funding that the agency competes for, such as the $4 million Pathway Home grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2021.
Assistance is provided on an as-needed basis and includes:
Job preparation, exploration and planning
Occupational skills training
Rental assistance
Transportation and other basic needs-related payments
Supplies and work clothes
Intensive case management and employment counseling
Assistance obtaining state identification
Other individualized services
“We know that those who obtain a livable wage job upon release from prison are a third less likely to return,” Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda said. “We are excited about our partnership with KANSASWORKS and the ReSpECTWORKS program, as it provides an added layer of resources to help these individuals succeed once they have returned to the community.”
A unique aspect of ReSpECTWORKS is that participants remain with the same case manager pre- and post-release. Additionally, participants receive 12 months of follow-up upon securing stable employment. The objective of this method is to assist participants by providing comprehensive, personalized service that will help lead them into and retain high-demand, sustainable-wage jobs and decrease the likelihood to re-offend.
To date, the ReSpECTWORKS program has enrolled 360 justice-involved participants and has achieved an employment rate of more than 70 percent.
“Our approach to this program is intentional, and the feedback that we’ve gotten from those enrolled is encouraging,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce Mike Beene said. “All of this is about putting the human element back into the equation, and the ReSpECTWORKS program facilitates that.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce hopes to expand the program and increase the annual number of justice-involved individuals served annually to 120 within the next year.
About KANSASWORKS:
KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
