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Work Continues Thursday, Oct. 16, on Kansas Rural Health Program Proposal
Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance meeting will be livestreamed
TOPEKA – The Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance (KRHIA) will hold its second of three meetings on Oct. 16, as the 14 Governor-appointed alliance members support the application for the Kansas’ Rural Health Transformation Program.
The passage of H.R. 1 included $50 billion for the Rural Health Transformation Program. KRHIA is working with Kansas’ application development team as it prepares its plan for RHTP funding. The application must be submitted by Nov. 5. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will announce funding awards by Dec. 31.
The goal of the application is to support Kansas’ rural health systems, communities and patients in a holistic manner by improving access and outcomes through workforce development, education, systems change and technology.
The KRHIA held its first meeting on Oct. 9. The virtual meeting was livestreamed on YouTube and was available to view on the KDHE Rural Health Program webpage. The accessible recording will be available soon on the Kansas Rural Health Program webpage. The Oct. 16 event will be available for viewing the same way.
The final meeting will be held Oct. 20 and will also be available to view via livestream.
WHAT: Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance meeting
WHEN: 2-4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16
WHERE: KDHE YouTube page and the KDHE Rural Health Transformation Program webpage
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KDHE and KSU Host Youth Poster Concert on Rabies Prevention
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KVDL) at Kansas State University in collaboration with Bavarian Nordic and the One Health Commission Bat Rabies Education Team (BRET) are hosting a poster contest to educate children about rabies prevention in Kansas.
Kansas students from kindergarten to 12th grade are encouraged to participate. Winning submissions will receive a donation to their school as well as a personal prize. Submissions are due Jan. 30, 2026. More information can be found on the KVDL website.
This contest aims to raise awareness about rabies, the impacts it can have on ecosystems and how to prevent rabies transmission. Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that can be transmitted to people by infected mammals. Wildlife such as bats, which are the origin of most human rabies cases in the United States, still play an integral role in the Kansas ecosystem through pollination and eating crop-destroying insects.
Not all wild animals have rabies, but recognizing the potential for wildlife rabies reservoirs to transmit rabies to humans and pets is crucial for rabies transmission prevention.
By following the theme, “Act Now: You, Me, Community,” the posters submitted for this contest should highlight how individuals and communities can work together to prevent rabies.
For more information on rabies in Kansas, visit the KDHE rabies webpage.
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Organ Recital Featuring Devon Turner TODAY at 7p.m.
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Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Newsletter Oct. 2025
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Entries are due July 1, 2026.
Learn more: 
Entries due July 1, 2026
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Student Spotlight: Emma Manion — Bringing Ada Deer’s Story to Life
Video courtesy of Kettle Moraine Communications Coordinator, Sara Otto
Want to experience it for yourself? Schedule a group tour or plan your visit today! Call us at 620-223-1312 or email: 
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Bourbon County Community Theatre Presents Annual Voices from the Grave Tour
Oct. 14, 2025
Bourbon County Community Theatre, LLC presents their annual Voices from the Grave Tour in downtown Fort Scott.
Voices from the Grave takes place from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 25 in downtown Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short acting vignettes centering around stories of murder and mayhem in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by members of the BBCO Community Theatre Board and are based off of stories from local authors.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com or from the Chamber of Commerce in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and tours will meet at the former St. Andrew’s Chapel located at the northeast corner of National and 2nd Street. Tours will travel north to the Fort Scott National Historic Site and return back to the chapel. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.
New this year, tour participants can purchase spirits along the route of the tour. Businesses providing drinks include Main Street Vintage & Co. at 23 S. Main, Cohn’s Cafe at 110 S. Main, and La Hacienda at 24 N. Main in Fort Scott.
More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Regen Wells at 620-215-3510.
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Chamber Coffee Hosted by Labconco on Oct. 16
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News Release from the U234 Board of Education from October 13
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
October 13, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA PUBLIC
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Board Minutes
09-11-25
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – September 20, 2025 – $1,796,795.06
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Resolution 25-12 – Add/Correct Bank Signers Middle School
4.8 Declare Surplus Property – Vehicles to be sold at auction
5.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
5.1 Superintendent’s Report (Destry)
5.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Zach)
5.3 Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Terry)
5.4 Special Education Director’s Report
6.0 Winfield Scott Presentation
7.0 New Business
7.1 Donation to Fort Scott Community College – Bus #14 (Action Item)
7.2 2026 Health Insurance Renewal (Action Item)
7.3 Wrestling Mats and Wall Pads Purchase (Action Item)
7.4 Wrestling Locker Room Lockers and Benches Bids (Action Item)
8.0 Public Forum
9.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
10.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Obituary of Virginia Viel
Virginia Viel, 74, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025. She was born on December 22, 1950, in Hope, Arkansas, to Clinton and Bertha Lee. Virginia was known for her sharp wit, loud laugh, and even bigger heart.
She spent many years working in customer service for Lincoln National, Mass Mutual, and UniCare Insurance before later retiring from Cavalry Crossing. No matter where she was, Virginia made friends easily and never hesitated to speak her mind.
Virginia lived her faith through action, always showing up for people, offering encouragement, and loving her family fiercely. She is survived by her daughters Joetta (Brian) Reisz of Boise, Idaho, and Vanessa (Kirk) Poyner of Fort Scott, Kansas; her grandchildren, Jeron and Kenady Poyner of Fort Scott; and her siblings, Marie Knight of West Monroe, Louisiana, and Calvin Lee of Camden, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Bertha Lee; her brother, William Lee; and her two best friends, Linda Poyner and Karen Stewart, who were like sisters to her.
Virginia loved casino trips and competitive games of marbles with friends. She was passionately loyal to her family and happiest when surrounded by the people she loved. Whether it was a quick visit, a family gathering, or just sitting and talking, she made every moment count. Her greatest joy in life was being “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Jeron and Kenady, a role she treasured and poured her whole heart into.
Virginia’s life was full of personality, perseverance, and love. She made an impact on everyone who knew her, and the stories about her will be told for years to come.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by a memorial service from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Medicalodges of Fort Scott Activities Fund, a place where the residents and staff held a special place in her heart.
Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Ad: What FSCC Offers
Looking for a college that gives you options? At Fort Scott Community College, students can choose from associate degrees in Arts, Science, Applied Science, and General Studies, along with a variety of certificates that lead straight to rewarding careers. Whether you’re interested in healthcare fields like Certified Medication Aide, Nurse Aide, EMT, Home Health Aide, Manicuring, or Phlebotomy, or want to take on a technical challenge with certificates in Ag Technology (John Deere), Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Environmental Water Tech, Farm & Ranch Management, Harley-Davidson Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, HVAC, Masonry, or Welding we’ve got you covered!
But college isn’t just about the classroom. FSCC offers plenty of ways to get involved through music and performance opportunities (band, choir, theater), student clubs and organizations (like Collegiate Farm Bureau, Phi Theta Kappa, SkillsUSA, STEAM Club, FSCC Media Team, and more), and even competitive judging teams in livestock and meat.
If athletics is more your thing, FSCC is home to intercollegiate sports for both men and women. Compete in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, rodeo, track & field, or cross country, all while building friendships and representing the Greyhounds.
And the best part? We’re still growing. New programs, degrees, certifications, and athletic opportunities are on the horizon! There’s never been a better time to join FSCC!
Fort Scott Community College; where opportunity meets possibility.
Kansas Deer Poaching Case Closes
Kansas Game Wardens Close Investigation into 2023 Trophy Deer Poaching Case
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) today announced the successful closure of a wildlife poaching case involving the illegal harvest of a trophy deer in Kansas. The investigation, led by KDWP Game Wardens, concluded with a guilty plea from a Tennessee man who admitted to unlawfully taking the deer.
While investigating an unrelated poaching case in early 2024, Kansas Game Wardens learned that a trophy deer had been killed in Miami County, Kansas before being later tagged in Missouri.
Following this discovery, Game Wardens obtained a warrant for the suspect’s phone records, which confirmed his presence in Kansas during the timeframe of the photo. In late summer 2024, Kansas Game Wardens traveled to the Nashville area, where they seized the deer and later received a phone confession from the individual, who admitted to killing the deer in Kansas with a rifle and without a valid permit.
The suspect was prosecuted in Miami County, Kansas, and recently pled guilty to charges related to the illegal take. He was fined $5,000 and must also pay $3,960.50 in restitution and $108 in court costs.
KDWP’s Special Investigations Unit led the case, with support from the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The successful resolution underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting wildlife crimes, including complex cases that may span multiple jurisdictions and take years to conclude.
“Kansas Game Wardens are dedicated to protecting our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Greg Kyser. “Most hunters respect the law and play a vital role in conservation. Unfortunately, bad actors undermine that trust and make it harder for everyone. This case demonstrates the persistence and professionalism of our officers, who work tirelessly to hold violators accountable and uphold the integrity of our hunting laws.”
KDWP enforces state and federal fish and wildlife regulations, boating laws, and public land rules across both private and public lands. Game Wardens also support emergency response efforts and collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Through education and outreach, KDWP promotes safe, ethical outdoor recreation and works to preserve Kansas’s natural heritage for future generations.
For more information about KDWP’s law enforcement and wildlife protection efforts, visit ksoutdoors.gov/Law-Enforcement
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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.
