Governor Names Three to Kansas Board of Regents
Topeka – Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. Thursday appointed two new members and reappointed one member to the Kansas Board of Regents. William Feuerborn, Garnett, has been reappointed, and Allen Schmidt, Hays; and Mark Hutton, Wichita will be the newest members of the Board. Each will serve a four-year term, pending Senate confirmation, expiring June 30, 2022.
“Our higher education institutions play an important role in educating the next generation, which keeps our workforce and economy strong. The Regents ensure that the future of our state remains bright and prosperous by keeping our higher education system on track to meet these long-term goals,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer. “Bill, Allen, and Mark bring a great amount of experience and talent to the board and I am excited they’ve agreed to serve our great state.”
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is appointed by the governor. It is the governing board of the six state universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, 19 community colleges, and six technical colleges).
- William Feuerborn was born in Garnett, Kansas and has served on the Board of Regents since 2014. He has spent the last forty years in small business development and ranching. He also served as a State Representative in the Kansas legislature from 1994 to 2012. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University.
- Allen Schmidt is a retired U.S. Army Colonel from Hays, Kansas where he works as the Director for Development Services of Northwest Kansas. Schmidt served as a State Senator in the Kansas legislature from 2011 to 2013. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas, Master’s Degree in Psychology from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Science degree from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA.
- Mark Hutton is from Wichita, KS where he was the CEO of Hutton Construction Corporation. Hutton served as a State Representative in the Kansas Legislature from 2013 to 2017. He is a graduate of Kansas State University in Manhattan, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
“I’m excited to welcome Allen and Mark to the Board and congratulate Bill on his reappointment,” said KBOR Chair Dennis Mullin. “It’s an honor to serve our fellow Kansans in this capacity. I look forward to working with our newest Regents to support families, businesses and the Kansas economy through our higher education system.”
The Board also administers the state’s student financial aid, the Kan-ed network, adult education, GED, career and technical education programs, and the state university retirement plans. In addition, members of the Board are also responsible for approving private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions to operate in Kansas.
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OverhangingTree Trimming Begins
The City crews will be trimming trees that are overhanging over the streets throughout the City of Fort Scott.
This is for school buses and the trolley to operate safely down the City streets.
Please be advised that according to City Ordinance 2527, “The City shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove plants, trees and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to ensure the safety or to preserve the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.”
If you have questions, call City Hall at 223-0550.
Autumn Is Busy In Fort Scott: Downtown Quarterly Meeting

There are many good things happening in Fort Scott, according to attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet October 2.
The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:
Bryan Ritter, with Boiler Room Brewhaus Microbrewery, spoke to the attendees about the upcoming liquor by the drink question on the November ballot.
“Yes is a vote for small business and economic development,” Ritter said.
The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:
- The Gordon Parks Celebration is this weekend at Fort Scott Community College see this link for details: Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 4-7
- Hole In The Wall Liquor Store’s grand opening and ribbon cutting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.
- Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is Oct. 19-21 at the fairgrounds. Oct. 18 is the downtown parade at 6 p.m.
- Downtown Halloween Parade is 11 a.m. Oct. 27.
- Hedgehog, INK Bookstore, 16 S. Main, grand opening and ribbon cutting is from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.
- Forks and Corks at Memorial Hall, Nov. 3.
- Holiday Open Houses, Thursdays, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.
- Veterans Day Celebration, Nov. 9-11. https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/veterans-day-weekend-celebration
- The Downtown Christmas Parade is Tuesday, Dec. 4. The theme is Cowboy Christmas.
- Homes For The Holidays Tour, Dec. 7-8
- Carriage Rides, Dec. 15, downtown.
- Small business Saturday, Nov. 24 http://shopsmall.com
- Educational Google Livestream “Drive A Holiday Shopping Rush For Your Business” Wed. Oct.17 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Papa Don’s Restaurant.
- Toy soldier cut-outs for decoration on light post downtown for sale at the Chamber for $15.
- There are grants available for exterior painting of a business, and other grants: contact is Rachel Pruitt at City Hall.
- Fort Scott National Historic Site: interactive candlelight tour is Dec. 7-8.
- Veterans Day Weekend, Nov. 9-11. http://www.visitfortscott.com
- Friends of the Fort: Buy a flag subscription to place flags at businesses and homes. Proceeds go to Fort Scott National Historic Site.https://www.facebook.com/Friends.FSNHS
- Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said the city is working with Mercy Hospital on solutions to the closing of the hospital.
- There is a new children’s book produced by the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, featuring the story of Irena Sendler and using LMC Program Director Megan Felt and her daughter to tell the story.
- The City State Bank downtown branch renovation has started and should be finished in 60 days.
- To support the cause of Lee’s Paws and Claws, businesses are asked to consider placing collection boxes near their cash registers. Contact Kate Sweetser.
- Smallville Crossfit’s Day of the Lifting Dead is Nov. 3
- Bourbon County’s new economic director, Jody Hoener, welcomed input from the community.
- Captured Images is producing a new magazine and is seeking advertisers.
- Nate’s Place Restaurant is closed this week for some remodeling, which was helped with a Healthy Bourbon County grant.
- The Liberty Theater: Across the Pond Band will perform Oct. 27; Jessica Page Band, Nov. 10; and the Jerry Thompkins Band, Nov. 13.
- The Front Door Christmas Store will be open every Saturday and Sunday in November and also the downtown open houses. This year the store will be at 104 N. National, next to the Buffalo Grill.
- Fort Scott Community College events: Oct. 13-free children’s fair; Oct. 20-alumni rodeo, the play “Gilligan’s Island” will be Oct. 19-21.http://www.fortscott.edu/calendar
- Papa Don’s Restaurant held a fundraiser for the FSCC track team Oct. 3. Students waited tables, and a percent of the day’s profits went to the team.
- The Fort Scott Lofts project is in the beginning stage and will be home to 40 more residents downtown, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt said.
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Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet attendees pick up literature of upcoming events, following the meeting.
Free Kids Festival Oct. 13 at FSCC by Briana Blandamer
Saturday, October 13, the FSCC Community Relations committee will be holding a FREE Fall Kid’s Festival.
Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the fun!
The festival will be held at Fort Scott Community College in the South Bailey Hall Parking lot from 9 am to 11 am.
There will be a costume contest at 10 am, so wear your best Halloween costume! There will be a prize awarded.
The activities will include a hayride, bounce house, games, prizes, face painting and treats. Bring your own pumpkin for pumpkin painting.
This will be the first of two kid’s festivals this school year, with the second this Spring. FSCC wants to involve the community in campus activities and this is one way to do so that is a lot of fun for everyone involved.
Kassie Cate says, “The FSCC Community Relations committee is looked at as one of the bridges between the college and the community. We do our best to participate in all the community activities as well as provide activities on campus for the community. The community always does a great job at holding numerous activities and events throughout the year, so we feel that we need to also be a part of that, and do our share on free or low-cost events for the people in Fort Scott and surrounding areas.”
Please contact Kassie Cate with any questions by email: [email protected] or by phone: 620.223.2700 ext. 5248
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 4
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Oct. 3
Click below for the daily reports, which can best be viewed on a computer.
Relay For Life Fall Festival Oct. 6
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Obituary of Harold Coleman
HAROLD COLEMAN
Harold Dean Coleman, 69, passed away Tuesday evening October 2, 2018, at Mercy Hospital. He was born January 22, 1949, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Harold Howard and Lavon Hazeldean (Clayton) Coleman.
Harold attended Fulton schools until they closed, and then finished up at DeSoto High School, graduating in 1967. He also went to Pittsburg State University’s welding school.
Harold served in the US Army and served many years in law enforcement. In 1984, Harold was elected Bourbon County Sheriff, a position he continued to fill for 24 years until his retirement in 2008. He was also a Bourbon County Commissioner following his retirement as Sheriff.
Harold is survived by son Stacy Coleman and wife Lenda, of Blue Springs, Missouri; daughter, Deana Wade and husband Brian, of Fort Scott; brother Garyl Coleman and wife Patty, of Prescott, Kansas; four grandchildren, Aaron and Adam Blaine, and Kyenne and Makyn Wade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Truman Coleman, and his sister-in-law, Judy Coleman.
Following cremation, Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Military Honors at the cemetery will be conducted by the Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Detail.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, October 9, 2018, at the funeral home from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Scholarship and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
The Journal Editor Submits Story of Independence Losing Its’ Hospital
The Journal magazine just published this story on what Independence, Kansas, has learned in terms of surviving without a hospital, noted The Journal Managing Editor Chris Green in an email to fortscott.biz.
“I thought it might be of interest with the news out of your community this week,” Green said in the email.
Click below for the article:
CHRIS GREEN • Managing Editor of The Journal
KANSAS LEADERSHIP CENTER • FOR THE COMMON GOOD
316.202.5440 • 325 E. Douglas Ave. Wichita, KS 67202
Chamber Coffee at Gordon Parks Museum Oct. 4
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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Obituary of William Higginbotham
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William “Willie” Reed Higginbotham, age 71, resident of Mapleton, KS, went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at his home.
He was born July 18, 1947, in San Saba, TX, the son of William Hardy Higginbotham and Ezra Florese “Bobby” Mabry Higginbotham.
He married Vickie Tinkle on December 18, 1970, in Center, TX. They later divorced.
He married Lesley Luce on August 8, 1997, in Kansas City, KS.
Willie worked for Otis Elevator in Dallas, TX for many years as a field manager.
After moving to Ft. Scott, KS, in 1998, he worked 10 years for Shepherd Team Auto Plaza followed by Cox Motor Company, Pleasanton, KS, for 8 years.
When not working, he enjoyed “piddling” on outdoor projects. Willie was a big football fan, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren with all their activities.
Survivors include his wife Lesley of the home; his mother, Bobby Higginbotham, Granbury, TX; three daughters, April Duffey and husband Jason, Louisville, CO, Condra Ables and husband Darin, Alvarado, TX, and Rachael Martin and husband Tyler, Redfield, KS; a son, Adam Worley and wife Jessica, Richmond, MO; a brother, Sandy Higginbotham and wife Holly, Antlers, OK; a sister, Kim Miller and husband Bryan, Bluffdale, TX; five grandchildren, Addie Martin, Andrew Martin, Katie Martin, Juley Martin and Arianna Jones; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Higginbotham, a nephew, Christopher Higginbotham; and his father.
Rev. Larry Stevicks will conduct memorial services at 3:30 PM Friday, October 5th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Family Worship Center, Baton Rouge, LA, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.









