The April issue of the Uniontown High School Talon Newspaper is ready to view here:
Governor Kelly Vetoes House Bill 2412
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed House Bill 2412.
The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2412:
“I concur with legislators who believe that citizen knowledge of and involvement in our democratic process at the local, state and federal level should be emphasized throughout our children’s educational journey. That knowledge would include an understanding that, in Kansas, the Kansas Board of Education is accorded constitutional authority to determine curricula. So, while I support the concept of Civics Education, its design and implementation should be dictated by state and local boards of education.
“Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2412.”
God’s Ways, Not Ours by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
My student’s step-mother died this past week. “Jon” had been excited about an experimental medical procedure that would save his mom’s life, but something went wrong. When Jon returned to class, I shared with him how sorry I was. “She was the kindest person I’ve ever known,” he said. “She never had a bad word to say about anyone. It’s hard to understand why she had to die when so many jerks don’t.”
Jon began sharing how much his mom loved Jesus and lived for him. We discussed how much better her life is now compared to when she was suffering with a heart defect, but we both understood the genuine hurt felt when someone so dear dies. Jon recently had back surgery, and his father will soon have a surgery in which his small intestine will become his stomach. Clearly, this family has been asked to endure much.
And then there is Diana, my wheelchair-bound friend who watched her husband choke to death when the restaurant employees apologized because they weren’t allowed to perform any medical procedure, Heimlich included. Her unmarried daughter was diagnosed with cancer and will begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments this week.
This same week, Becky, my longtime friend from Ohio, texted that her younger son had died from complications following surgery in which his pancreas and spleen were removed, even though they had gone to one of the finest hospitals in the country. Her older son passed away three years ago from cancer. Becky cannot make phone calls because she lost her hearing five years ago. I cannot even tell her verbally how I hurt for her and her husband.
Too much. Too much. Sometimes, challenges seem too much to bear.
God knows that. He sees us shake our fists at Him, scream for answers when there appear to be none and watch our faith be shaken. I wonder how many millions of times He has listened to our tantrums and wanted to tell us that His ways are not our ways, that this trial needs to grow us, to bring us closer to Him. Perhaps this is the first time we have been on our knees in years (well, since the last time we were overwhelmed). Perhaps this is so others can watch us endure in order to give them hope. Perhaps we won’t know the “why’s” until we meet God face-to-face.
No one enjoys suffering, yet James tells us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials. This makes no sense. Why would anyone rejoice in hardship? The answer is found in what trials produce. They develop perseverance. They strengthen faith. They teach dependence on God. Without trials, our faith remains shallow. With them, it grows deep and unshakable.
Becky knows all about that. Her final words in her text were these: “God answered my nightly, ongoing prayers that he doesn’t suffer terribly with a long, painful ending.” She ended by repeating herself: “God answered my prayers.”
He always does, sometimes in ways we find difficult to understand.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village announces Art is Ageless® winners
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is excited to announce the winners of its recent Art is Ageless® juried competition and exhibit.
“We’re honored that local seniors allowed us to exhibit and judge their wonderful works,” said Angela Carpenter, senior living sales specialist. “Art is Ageless is unique because it only features the works of artists who are 65 and over.” Our artists prove it’s never too late to create art, in any form.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village hosted a reception for the winning artists listed here:
Best of Show amateur: Ann Rawlins, “Forest Fire”
Best of Show professional: Paul Milks, “Kansas State Bird”
People’s Choice amateur: Ann Rawlins, “Forest Fire”
People’s Choice professional: Paul Milks, “Kansas State Bird”
Judge’s Choice amateur: Janet Tucker, Log Cabin Jacket and Purse”
Judge’s Choice professional: Tony Fornelli, “Two Bass and Lunch”
Christmas amateur: Judy Howser, “White Christmas”
Drawing amateur: Letha Johnson, “Peace Offering”
Fiber Arts amateur: Ruth Bahr, “Share and Share Alike”
Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Bonnie Seifer, “Ugly Flamingo”
Mixed Media/Crafts professional: Mary Eastwood, “Bench Shoe Box”
Needlework amateur: Marie Wiley, “Puppy Towels”
Needlework professional: Charlotte Kite, “Apples on Shelf”
Painting amateur: Judy Howser, “Wake Up Call”
Painting professional: Tony Fornelli, “Home on the Range”
Photography amateur: Donna Lutes, “Country Sunset”
Photography professional: Paul Milks, “Kansas State Bird”
Quilting amateur: Janet Tucker, “Log Cabin Jacket and Purse”
Quilting professional: Carolyn Sadler, “Slices of My Life”
Sculpture/3-D professional: Bobbi Kemna, “Pocket Full of Prayers”
Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) senior living communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.
Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of PMMA®. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social, and spiritual health. The program encourages Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, contact Angela Carpenter, senior living sales specialist, at 620-223-5550, or [email protected].
-30-
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 24
Ad: Be the One Consistent Adult
When a child enters foster care, everything changes — their home, their school, their routines…
and often the adults in their life.
A CASA Volunteer may be the only consistent adult showing up just for them.
Be the steady voice.
Be the one who shows up.
Become a CASA Volunteer.
Contact Christa at [email protected]
From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch
Hearing the Right Voice
In educational leadership, we talk a lot about noise. The crowd gets loud. Opinions come fast. Everyone has a take on what you should do, how you should lead, and what shortcuts you should take to win.
We’ve all heard it: Swap your integrity for a new sale. Barter your convictions for an easy deal. Exchange your devotion for a quick thrill.
Those voices don’t come screaming, they come subtle. They whisper. They woo. They taunt. They flatter. They are the voices of the crowd.
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend mock interviews at Uniontown High School. What Superintendent Vance Eden has built there is something special. Students, sophomores through seniors, sat down with real professionals and practiced how to interview, how to present themselves, and how to answer and ask questions.
Think about that. Schools do a great job teaching math, science, and English, but how many truly prepare students to get a job? What impressed me most wasn’t just the program; it was the leadership behind it. When I complimented Mr. Eden, he didn’t take credit. Instead, he shared that the idea came after a former student didn’t get a job because of a poor interview. He saw a need and took action. That’s leadership, seeing through expectations and doing what is right.
I was reminded of a leader who faced a tough decision. A shortcut was offered, one that would improve numbers and likely go unnoticed. The pressure was clear: “Just get it done.” It wasn’t right, though. He said no. It cost more. It delayed progress. It wasn’t popular, but over time, trust grew. His team knew where he stood. The culture strengthened because people understood, we don’t win at the cost of who we are.
In John 6, after feeding the five thousand, Jesus heard the crowd rise up. Thousands of voices swelling into a roar, “King Jesus!” It sounded like success. It looked like momentum. Jesus saw through it though. He knew their motives weren’t about truth, they were about control.
Consequently, He walked away. Jesus would rather be alone with the true God than surrounded by a crowd with the wrong motives. That’s leadership. Leadership isn’t defined by what people want; it’s defined by what is right. Doing the right thing, regardless of how it looks to the masses, is always the right thing to do.
Thought for the Week, “When the noise gets loud, make sure you’re still listening for the truth.” Jack Welch
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
KS Unemployment Insurance System Is Modernized
|
Special Event at Hedgehog Bookstore This Saturday
Hedgehog Bookstore is preparing to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday, April 25th and would love for you to join us! We’ll have special activities and promotions from 10 am to 5 pm.
Golden Ticket Hunt – Find the golden ticket hidden somewhere in the store and win 12 FREE audiobooks from Libro.fm!
Giveaways – Every $10 you spend gets you a ticket for a chance to win book bundles and gift certificates!
Mystery Book Bundles – We’ll be offering wrapped bundles of books in specific genres. These are great if you love a surprise or want to broaden your horizons!
Make Your Own Bookmark – Kids & those who are young at heart will have a chance to create their own bookmark!
Golden Ticket Hunt – Find the golden ticket hidden somewhere in the store and win 12 FREE audiobooks from Libro.fm! Giveaways – Every $10 you spend gets you a ticket for a chance to win book bundles and gift certificates!Mystery Book Bundles – We’ll be offering wrapped bundles of books in specific genres. These are great if you love a surprise or want to broaden your horizons!Make Your Own Bookmark – Kids & those who are young at heart will have a chance to create their own bookmark!If you aren’t able to come in but still want to support the store, you can:
* Make a purchase at the Hedgehog Books shop on Bookshop.org. A portion of each purchase supports Hedgehog Books, and Bookshop is offering free shipping all weekend!
* Purchase an audiobook on Libro.fm. A portion of your purchase supports Hedgehog Books. From April 20th thru the 26th, Libro is offering customers who start a new one credit per month membership two free audiobooks with code BOOKSTOREDAY. And, they’ll have bestselling audiobooks on sale all week long!
“Thanks for your continued support of Hedgehog Books! We appreciate you and value your continued input on ways we can serve you better. Hope to see you soon,” said Janet Miller, co-owner of the store.
—
CHC/SEK Names Infectious Disease Program Director
PITTSBURG, Kan.—The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is pleased to announce the promotion of Taylor Panczer to Infectious Disease Program Director.
Panczer holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education from Montclair State University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
“Taylor’s compassion for others shines through in everything she does, and she brings a wealth of experience in health education, outreach, and advocacy,” said Lori Rexwinkle, RN, MSN, CHC/SEK Chief Operations Officer. “Her experience, combined with our providers’ expertise, is a great recipe for continued success in our Infectious Disease Program. I look forward to seeing the program grow so we can care for even more patients in our community.”
Panczer joined CHC/SEK in February 2021 as the Diabetes Program Manager and later served as the STI/HIV Outreach Coordinator. Most recently, she has served as the Wellness and Student Advocacy Services Coordinator through CHC/SEK’s partnership with Pittsburg State University (PSU). She will continue in this role alongside her new responsibilities, strengthening collaboration between both organizations, and expanding access to coordinated care for patients and students.
“CHC/SEK brings established, patient-centered workflows, and our campus clinic has built-in opportunities for infectious disease prevention education,” said Panczer. “Now, we have the opportunity to bring these strengths together into a unified program. I look forward to partnering with our highly skilled infectious disease team, local clinics, and health departments to improve the quality of life of our patients.”
As program director, Panczer will work closely with Julie Stewart, MD, Terra Livingston, APRN-C, and the infectious disease team to further develop patient programs. Stewart and Livingston are both Certified HIV Specialists™ through the American Academy of HIV Medicine.
In addition to providing HIV care, CHC/SEK offers comprehensive care for hepatitis, syphilis, and tuberculosis. “These diagnoses are often stigmatized, so compassionate care matters,” said Panczer. “We focus on the whole person, not just their diagnosis, ensuring patients feel respected and supported throughout their care.”
The team also provides service coordination, case management, educational outreach, and sexually transmitted infection testing. “Finances, transportation, and access to food and housing can all serve as barriers to receiving care. We coordinate these services to give patients the best chance of successful treatment,” Panczer said. “For example, if a patient lacks stable housing, it can be much harder for them to stay consistent with medications that require refrigeration.”
Panczer’s promotion supports CHC/SEK’s efforts to provide quality, affordable care to everyone. “Taylor is a great addition to our team, and her background and training are sure to open pathways for those who need them most,” said Julie Stewart, MD, CHC/SEK Physician. “We are excited to increase access for patients facing various medical issues from living with HIV to chronic pain to complex, chronic, multi-system conditions.”
For more information, visit chcsek.org.
###
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information subject to protection under the Federal Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164). If you or your organization is a “Covered Entity” under the above mentioned regulations, you are obligated to treat such information in a manner consistent with the regulations. If it appears that this email was sent to you in error, (1) you are prohibited from utilizing or disseminating this email or any attachments; (2) please immediately delete it from your computer and any servers or other locations where it might be stored and (3) email [email protected] or call 620.231.9873 advising that you have done so. We appreciate your cooperation.
Ad: Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus
Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus
Flint Hills Technical College is seeking a full-time instructor for the Automotive Technology program, located in LaHarpe, KS, beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.
The successful candidate will have knowledge of the principles of operation for fundamental concepts of at least half of the following subjects:
- Automotive Engines
- Automotive Brakes
- Electrical
- Engine Performance
- Automotive HVAC
- Steering and Suspension
- Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles
- Manual Power Trains
Qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree in related field required (or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe); Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of two years’ work experience in the automotive field or two years of teaching experience in automotive education.
- ASE Certifications in instructional areas (or ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe).
- Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
- A Kansas teaching certificate is not a requirement for this position.
Salary and Benefits:
- Full-time, 9-month position
- A competitive salary range of $40,000-$54,000, commensurate with experience and education level
- KPERS retirement plan
- Employer-paid health insurance for the employee
- Annual salary is distributed over 12 months
- Flexible teaching schedule.
Application Process:
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial college transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources at [email protected].
The FHTC Board of Trustees reserves the right to withdraw positions prior to being filled.
