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Bo Co Republicans Meet January 9
The Bourbon County Republicans will meet Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6 pm, at Ft. Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., Ft. Scott, KS.
Submitted by Debbie Martin, Correspondence Secretary
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 7
Applications for 2025 Boys State of Kansas Session Open
January 7, 2025 — The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is accepting applications for its 2025 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, June 1, through Saturday, June 7, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 33rd consecutive session at KSU and 87th overall.
Traditionally, Kansas Boys State has been for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this year’s session to also include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring.
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
The cost to attend the Boys State of Kansas program is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or his family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2025 session should visit ksbstate.org to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2025 program is Wednesday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis. In addition, those who register by Friday, Jan. 31, will receive a $50 early-bird discount.
Kansas Boys State attendees are eligible to receive a three-hour course credit (Introduction to Political Science [POLSC 110]) through Kansas State University, as well as earn merit badges to attain the Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, attendees can apply to win a Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The American Legion Department of Kansas finalist is guaranteed to receive a $1,250 scholarship, with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 as a national scholar.
Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit ksbstate.org/sponsor-a-delegate. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at [email protected] or (785) 550-6492.
For complete information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas program, visit ksbstate.org. For information about the 2025 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, June 1, through Friday, June 6, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit ksgirlsstate.org.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American
Bourbon County Community Theatre Hosts 2nd Annual Adult Prom
Bourbon County Community Theatre in Fort Scott hosts Saturday Night Fever, an Adult Prom, as a fundraiser for future events and performances.
BCCT formed in 2023 and is holding its second annual prom for adults (age 18 and over); a night of fun, dancing, and community support.
This formal dance is from 8-11 p.m. on Feb. 15 on the upper floor of Sharky’s, 16 N. National in Fort Scott. In addition to dancing to a live DJ, there will be non-alcoholic drinks and snacks included in the ticket price, as well as alcoholic beverages and meals available for purchase from the bar.
They hope to add to the fun (and success) of the night with some lighthearted music dueling. Attendees can pay $1.00 to request and/or dedicate a song, $5.00 to request a song NOT be played for an hour, or $10.00 for a song to be banned for the night.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at bcct.ludus.com or at the door on Feb. 15. Tickets are $40 per couple or $25 for a single ticket. Additionally, Valentine gift add-ons can be purchased through bcct.ludus.com ahead of time including a half dozen roses for $12 and a heart-shaped box of chocolates for $20.
Participants are encouraged to dress in their best formal or disco-era attire.
BCCT is always accepting members. If you’d like to be a part of bringing community theatre back to Bourbon County, visit the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page and complete the form to become a new member.
FSHS Thespians Announce Spring Play Auditions
Fort Scott High School Thespians announce that auditions for the spring play “And Then They Came for Me – Remembering the World of Anne Frank” by James Still are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 OR 14 in the FSHS Auditorium.
The production is a multimedia performance with live sound bytes and videos from the actual Holocaust survivors portrayed in the play as well as real video footage from the time period.
Auditions are open to any student at Fort Scott High School. Rehearsals are 6:30-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20-22. Auditioners only need to attend one night of auditions and should bring a prepared 1-2 min. monologue to audition with.
The play is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with Mesa Jones serving as Assistant Director. It is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or at 620-719-9622 with questions.
Winter Safety Tips
Obituary of Vicki Cox Parsons
Vicki Sue Cox Parsons, age 68, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg. She was born January 15, 1956, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Albert L. Cox, Sr. and Rosalie Smith Cox.
Vicki married Donald M. Parsons on February 29, 1972, in Girard, Kansas. They later divorced. Vicki received her BSN in nursing from Pittsburg State University. She worked at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg for twenty-six years. She worked as a nurse in several areas of the hospital, but she especially enjoyed her time in pediatrics.
Vicki dearly loved all her family and was a second mom to her eleven grandchildren; she faithfully attended their many activities and loved hosting sleepovers.
Vicki was an avid traveler and was privileged to take many vacations with her family, some of which included Europe and South Korea. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who loved her.
Survivors include her children, Brandy Stanley (Roger), Micah Parsons (Sarah) all of Pittsburg, and Andrea Briley (Christopher) of Webb City, Missouri, and eleven grandchildren, Montana, Kayln, Blair, Andrew, Christopher, Brady, Levi, Addison, Parker, Calista and Rourke. A great-granddaughter is expected later this month. Also surviving are two brothers, William Cox (Kelly) of Ft. Scott and Robert Cox, Murphysboro, Illinois and two sisters, Teresa Ahmadi (Reza) of Houston, Texas and Cindy Larsen (Danny) of Ft. Scott.
Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Albert L. “Sonny” Cox, Jr. and three sisters, Jean Schroder, Sharon Baucom, and Linda Metcalf.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the chapel.
Following services, there will be cremation, and a private burial will take place later at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to Fostering Connections 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.
Clothing and Food Donations Accepted by Bethsada Christian Church For Those In Need
Becky Cowlishaw purchased the former Christian Church at 101 S. Judson in 2016 and renamed it Bethsada Christian Church.
“About 7 years ago, in 2017, I saw an idea a friend of mine had shared on Facebook that I wanted to replicate. I started taking donations to give away winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarves,” Cowlishaw said.
That idea soon turned into giving away donated clothing of all kinds as well as bric-brac and other household items, Cowlishaw said.
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She knows there is a clothing need in the community and asks those wishing to donate clothing to do the following:
“1. I would prefer a message or text letting me know an approximate time frame, if at all possible, as to when the donations will be dropped off. This allows me to get the donations taken inside where I can separate and hang items if needed. If bags are left on the porch without my knowledge many times I will find the bags ripped and items scattered.
“2. Do not donate dirty items, junk, trash, etc. That should go without saying but you would be surprised /shocked by what I have come across while going through bags and boxes.
“3. I ask that any items taken are for you or family members to personally use. I have had reports of items being taken with the purpose of selling those items.
“4. The donation box in the alley is not associated with the church. I did ask for the box to be put there so that I could forward non-wanted items to another organization. Just know, if you put your bags of donations in the box in the alley, those donations are not staying local. It’s the donor’s choice, but wanted to clear up any possible confusion.”
Clothing donations to stay local are left on the west porch on Judson Street.
Food Is Available Also
“I also have a food Blessing Box on the west side of the building,” she said. “Should anyone have donations of non-perishable food items feel free to put your items in the box, no prior arrangements are necessary.”
“My intent and prayer is for the truly needy ( single mothers, folk with low income, the unemployed, the homeless ) to possibly come across items that they or their family can use,” she said.
“I understand how much of a blessing it is to have my family’s needs met when I didn’t have the finances to meet those needs. I want others to be blessed too.”
Donors can contact her through Messenger on Facebook pages at
Becky Caldwell Cowlishaw
Bethesda Christian Church
or
Email addresses:
or
Cell phone:
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 6
City Hall Is Closed Today
City Hall in Fort Scott will be closed on Monday.
Submitted by
Brad Matkin
City Manager
City of Fort Scott
The Bourbon County Commission Meeting For Today Has Been Cancelled
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on January 6, 2025 has been cancelled due to the courthouse being closed due to inclement weather.