Obituary of Brenda Hathaway
Brenda Sue Hathaway, age 66, a resident of rural Fulton, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at her home. She was born July 8, 1957, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Leon Moore and Donna Hall Moore.
Brenda married David Hathaway on May 26, 1984, at Mapleton, Kansas. Brenda never knew a stranger and loved meeting new people. She worked in food service for both USD #234 in Ft. Scott as well as Country View Nursing Home in Prescott. Her outgoing personality also led to a career in sales. Brenda worked in the cell phone industry for several years. Her success in this business gave her the opportunity to take numerous trips throughout the United States.
Brenda loved her family and wanted us all to remember, “When you have someone you love in Heaven, you have a little bit of Heaven in your home.”
Survivors include her husband, David, of the home; her children, Kyle Hathaway (Shannon), Rhonda Cole (Ben), Rachel Thompson, and Angela Carpenter (Jeff) all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Kyler Clampitt, Kaylyn Hathaway, Blaine Hathaway, Laryn Schnichels (Kyle), Hayden Cole (Madison), Nicolette Carpenter and Dalton Carpenter; six great-grandchildren, Cason, Colbi, Jace, Addy, Cohen and Spencer. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Patty Hathaway of Ft. Scott and Bertha Valdivia of Topeka, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.
Brenda was preceded in death by two sons, Kenny and Clinton Clampitt, her parents, Frank and Donna Moore, two brothers, David and Lonnie Moore, mother-in-law, Helen Hathaway, and brother-in-law, William Hathaway.
There was cremation.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Wednesday, February 14th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Private burial will take place at a later date in the Barnesville Cemetery east of Fulton, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.
Core Community Bourbon County: Healing Lives, Solving Poverty, Empowering Communities February 2024
Submitted by Cherri Cable Walrod – Community Liaison
Core Community is a program that aims to end poverty in Bourbon County, Kansas. Core Community is unique in its approach because it involves those who are currently experiencing poverty to be a part of finding a solution. At heart, it creates a safe place of unconditional love and non-judgment where relationships are formed with the participants, allowing Core to assist them with the tools and resources needed to move up and out of poverty for good. Within the safety of the community, all who come to the table are changed forever.
A community-wide effort occurred to raise funds so Core Community could begin without delay in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Commissioners realized that Core Community is a good investment for economic growth for Bourbon County. They provided the initial investment of funds in June of 2023. Then the USD #234 School Board and the Fort Scott City Commission also invested financially towards the fundraising efforts. Several area churches, businesses, individuals, advisory board members, and civic groups all worked together, pooling their resources to generate the development funds to launch Core Community in Bourbon County in November 2023 officially.
Several Fort Scott churches have been involved in helping to launch the program, providing meals, volunteers, providing meeting space and financial donations. Bourbon County businesses, community leaders and individuals have also given their time and finances to launch the program.
Core community launched its first weekly class on Monday, November 13, 2023. Meetings are held every Monday at 5:30 PM at the United Methodist Church, Fort Scott. Each week Core Community provides a family style meal which is provided by local churches, small groups or civic groups.
At 6:15 PM, the adults head to class and the children are cared for in a fun, safe and loving environment run by Angie Trim.
The adult program participants are called “Core Leaders”. They are called Core Leaders because they are the most qualified to lead themselves out of poverty. Core Community Bourbon County currently has fifteen adult individuals participating in this first 20-week commitment class. They represent eleven individual households.
During Phase One, the class participants studied a curriculum book called, “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World” by the author, Philip E. DeVol for 20 weeks. Participants become investigators of their lives, and then learn new ways of thinking about their situation and how to change the trajectory of their lives. They begin to shift their mindset about poverty.
There are several ways in which the Core Community model is set apart from other programs that have been tried in Bourbon County. Core Community Bourbon County is a chapter affiliate of Youth Core Ministries. YCM is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit which provides leadership, guidance, and infrastructure for Core. YCM has implemented fifteen successful Core Community programs throughout rural Kansas counties and tracked the statistics for the program.
Y YCM estimates that 72 % of all participants have stabilized their lives. The process can take many years to overcome the grip and mindset of generational poverty. Core Community offers a full spectrum of wrap-around support for participants who are willing to work towards a better future.
Core Community program raises funds from within its county of operation for an annual operating budget. These funds stay in the county and help to cover operational expenses, including three part-time paid staff positions. It is necessary to have paid staff, not just volunteers, to achieve the best possible outcomes with the participants.
Much of the success of Core Community is due to the Community Coach. Janice Lamb is the Community Coach for Bourbon County. Janice is a “life coach” of sorts and has five to ten interactions a week with participants. Interactions range in scope from minor questions about the availability of resources to helping them with more complex issues. Janice has done many one-on-one visits with participants who seek to build personal confidence to overcome trauma so they can be more successful in the workforce. She helped a participant obtain a reliable and affordable vehicle from Bourbon County Cars so she did not miss work when hers was no longer drivable after an accident.
Core Community outperforms similar programs because of the longevity that the participants are in the program. Phase Two is for the graduates of the initial 20-week “Getting Ahead” class, or Phase One. In Phase Two, the participants continue to come to weekly Monday meetings. These participants decide what will help them overcome barriers that may be holding them back from rising above poverty. They know better than anyone else what they need next as they forge their way towards a better life. Phase Two participants are matched with a local middle-class community member, called a Core Friend. Other Core Community Programs throughout Kansas see Phase Two participants stay in the program for two to five years.
Core Community Bourbon County is scheduled to graduate its first class of Core Leaders (program participants) from Phase One in April 2024. These brave participants overcame fear, many obstacles and beat the odds to build a better life for themselves and their families.
“Core community has been nothing but an amazing program to be a part of. I was hesitant at first but was immediately greeted with nothing but kindness and love, it was an instant relief that I knew I was supposed to be there. It has brought my family closer together than we have ever been. Monday nights are our favorite night of the week. We can’t wait to see what changes our family can grow from not just class but building relationships with people we would have never met otherwise. Our family is forever grateful for everyone who helps out.” Brittany, Bourbon County Core Leader.
Another Core Leader in Bourbon County says, “I look forward to Core Community each week. I used to feel so alone and isolated in my life. Now I know that I am not alone. I now have hope and the support I need to help me get ahead.”
Core Community Bourbon County Advisory Board Members include Bill Michaud-Chairman, Jennifer Michaud, David Shepherd, Amy Harper, Carie Fess, Josh Jones, David Goodyear, David Gillen, Destry Brown, Rachel Carpenter, Jodi Davis, Shelby Reichard, Janice Lamb, Cherri Walrod, Angie Trim.
Cherri Cable Walrod is the Community Liaison for Core Community Bourbon County. If you are interested in learning more, Cherri is available to speak to individuals, groups, churches, civic organizations, etc. Cherri’s contact email is [email protected].
Core Community is about healing lives, solving poverty, and empowering communities for greatness through relationships. You are invited to join the movement to end poverty for all!
Amended Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on Feb. 12
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
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
February 12, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 2/5/2024
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $297,154.89
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $810,179.43
- Public Comments
- Trevor Jacobs
- Jennifer Hawkins-Resolution
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Sheriff Bill Martin
- Equitable Sharing Agreement Certification
- Vehicle Loan-KCAMP
- Justin Meeks-Healthcare Sales Tax
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Scout Pinewood Derby is February 17: Come and Cheer Them On
The Fort Scott Scout Pinewood Derby event is on February 17, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 1 East Third.
The schedule for February 17 is as follows:
5 to 6 p.m. Check-in and registration.
6 to 6:30 Scout races.
6:30 to 7 Scout awards.
7:30 to 8 Corporate Races.
8 to whenever… Grudge Races.
“The Pinewood Derby has been an annual event for many years for scouts, and it’s one of the highlights of their year,” said Scoutmaster Seth Needham. “Three years ago, we decided to make it a community event and invite local businesses and organizations to attend. It’s been a huge success, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The purpose of the event is twofold, Needham said.
“First, more people come to our derby. The scouts work hard on their cars, so this allows more people to come and cheer them on, the kids love it…and a chance to see what scouts is about. Local business people show up, as well as the Police Department, Fire Department, and the Sheriff’s Office. The kids look up to those guys, so it’s a big deal for the scouts to see them come cheer them on.”
“Second, it’s a fundraiser for us,” Needham said. “Companies pay $25 to enter the race, which gets them a pinewood derby car kit and gets them entered for the race. We use that money for a variety of things, but it mostly goes to trophies and the cost of putting on the derby. Any extra money we raise helps cover membership dues.”
“When I first started doing this, I talked to a lot of people in the community about participating,” he said. “Over and over, I heard the same thing; ‘I still have my trophy from pinewood derby from when I was in scouts’. It’s something that they held onto for years. Our pack used to do much smaller trophies due to the cost, but with the addition of the corporate derby, we can hand out nice trophies that the scouts will keep for a long time”.
“We give out trophies for 1st place for each Den, as well as Grand Champion and Reserve Champion,” Needham said. “My favorite trophy is the Sportsmanship Trophy… it goes to the scout who shows the best sportsmanship throughout the event…Factors in deciding who wins this trophy…(are) helping your fellow scouts build their cars, cheering on your friend (even when you’re competing against them), helping set up, building their car versus buying one online, and much more. It’s my absolute favorite trophy for the night. And honestly, we probably couldn’t have afforded to add this trophy without the addition of the corporate derby.
“The grudge races are a new addition,” he said. “After the main races, the teams can go to the pit area and make modifications to their cars and then challenge other racers to a race. So if the sheriff and the police department want to see who has the fastest car, they can settle the dispute on the track. Each race costs $5, and the challenger pays the entry fee.”
After the races, there is a lock-in at Presbyterian Church for the kids..an overnight race-themed evening of games, crafts, and movies.
The Scouts meet on Tuesdays at the First Presbyterian Church. Once the weather gets nicer, they usually meet at Riverfront Park. “It’s a good park to meet at because there is a lot of open space for the kids to explore, and the gazebo to do our lessons,” he said.
“The Scout program is open to any child in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. After 5th grade, they move up to the Troop, which is the older kids.”
Needham has been the Cubmaster for three years.
“I love it. I enjoy seeing the kids learn the importance of helping other people, doing their best no matter what, and being creative,” he said. “My favorite part of Scouts is our community events, whether that is the Pinewood Derby, or taking the kids for a walk downtown to pick up trash. We also help with flags at the Old Fort on Flag Day, participate in parades, and usually try to spend at least one day a year doing a project at a local park. Oh, and we also go camping and go on hikes.”
Upcoming Events
The Blue and Gold banquet is in May, where awards for the year are received. Each Den has adventure requirements throughout the year, as well as electives they can participate in.
At the banquet, they receive belt buckles for these activities. There is also a “Cross-Over” for 5th-grade students choosing to continue in the Scout program by joining the Troop.
“We have a wooden bridge that we set up, and they walk across it to symbolize they are crossing over into the troop,” Needham said. “I don’t know how old the bridge is, but it’s been around for many years and has signatures of previous scouts who crossed over. There are a lot of names on that bridge from people in our area.”
For the first time a, Soapbox Derby race will be held on June 1.
“I’m excited,” Needham said. It will be a fundraiser, with money raised to send Scouts to Camp Arrowhead, in Missouri, this summer. “It’s a wonderful camp, and it should be a lot of fun.”
Other summer outdoor activities: include a scout swim at Fort Scott Aquatic Center for one night; a Beach Bash at Fort Scott Lake which is one of the kids’ favorite activities; and also hikes and camping.
KidWind Challenge kicks off this week with record number of teams
|
|
|
KDHE Announces Expansion of Newborn Screening Program
New screen for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) added.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Kansas Newborn Screening Program (KS-NBS) began screening for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) at the start of the month. The move aligns with the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel, which is the national guideline for newborn screening.
“We are very excited to be able to add testing for X-ALD to our screening process,” Janet Stanek, KDHE Secretary, said. “This will have a direct and positive impact on the health and future of our youngest Kansans.”
Nearly 35,000 Kansas babies receive the newborn screening shortly after birth each year. With one small blood sample, 33 metabolic and genetic conditions can be detected. Early diagnosis and entry into treatment has demonstrated evidence of better health outcomes for children. Many of the conditions on the screening panel are not detectable at birth or during routine follow-up visits.
According to multiple sources, it is estimated that one out of every 15,000 newborns is diagnosed with X-ALD. X-ALD is a disease that affects the nervous system and the adrenal cortex. If untreated, X-ALD can impact learning and behavior in boys, with onset typically occurring between the ages of 4 and 10.
The KS-NBS strives to protect and improve the health of all newborns in Kansas. Visit kdhe.ks.gov/NewbornScreening to learn more about the program. More information on tests included in newborn screenings can be found at Babys First Test. For specific information on X-ALD, visit ALD Parents Guide.
###
KDOT’s Cost Share Program: Financial Assistance To Local Entities For Improving Transportation Systems
|
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports February 12
Bo Co Democrats Meet Feb. 18
Bourbon County Democrats kick off 2024 with their first general meeting on Sunday, February 18th, 2024.
The meeting will be held at Fort Scott Community College in The Ellis Building meeting rooms.
The meeting time is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
They will welcome a well-known Kansas Legislator to this first meeting: Representative Vic Miller, House Minority Leader. Miller is leaving the House to run for Kansas Senate this year and will be discussing “Cracking the Super Majority,” along with other issues relevant to Bourbon County and the State.
Please join BBcoDems to welcome Representative Miller.
We are also holding a special drawing (which involves customized engraving).
For more information, call or text 620 215 1505. Please add your name to the message.
Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook
“Serving Bourbon County’s Registered Democrats”
Bo Co Commission Agenda for Feb. 12
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Attachments:
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
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
February 12, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 2/5/2024
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $297,154.89
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $810,179.43
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Jennifer Hawkins-Resolution
- Sheriff Bill Martin
- Equitable Sharing Agreement Certification
- Vehicle Loan-KCAMP
- Justin Meeks-Healthcare Sales Tax
- Jim Harris- Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Letter to The Editor: Cory Bryars
As a resident of Bourbon County and highly engaged in several goings-on in Fort Scott, I strongly advocate for a City staff position to represent the best interests of Fort Scott in Economic Development efforts in our City, County, and region. I am asking fellow residents to vocally support this via phone calls, emails, Facebook or however you make your opinion known
Nothing against any of the third-party agencies that are involved in trying to bring business, housing, training, workforce, whatever, to Fort Scott, but each has its own agenda and its own leadership. They each do what they do well, but what they inherently can NOT do is put the City of Fort Scott first and foremost in ALL of their efforts. And that is what ONLY the City of Fort Scott CAN do, and needs to do.
In the best of times, economic development is a vital part of City operations. In times like these with pending closures of major employers, it is paramount that we take swift and decisive action to assess what other economic issues might be coming our way, head off any that we can, and actively preserve as well as grow our existing business and housing base.
And this action is long overdue. The City Manager stated clearly in the Feb 6 City Commission meeting that existing local businesses need to be contacted regularly, and it is known that to-date they have not been. Why not?
A letter from REDI to the community stated that Timken and Valu leadership/corporate were contacted immediately upon the closure announcements. This is REACTIVE—not a recipe for success. Why were relevant city and county officials and their contracted economic development entities not in regular PROACTIVE contact with local and corporate leadership—asking what’s working, what’s not, what threats are there to your staying in Fort Scott? What do you need to never leave Fort Scott, and to grow your operations in Fort Scott. Why? Because perhaps WE DON’T HAVE A PERSON WHOSE JOB THAT IS?? WHY NOT???
Some have said Brad Matkin can do that. Some have said REDI can do that. Some might think that is the role of a Chamber of Commerce, or a group of civic-minded private citizens who are good at getting things done.
And maybe you know the old story of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. Well—if you do, it’s worth hearing again relative to this situation, and if not—here ya go…
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.
The moral of the story? NOBODY DID IT. Is that the Fort Scott way? Every day I see people of ACTION, changing old things, making new things, whatever it takes to GET IT DONE. We have the people, and we have the spirit, but for the last several years apparently, we HAVEN’T HAD THE JOB ASSIGNED.
I had a discussion with a party relevant to one of the closures as to whether they would have entertained work-study or apprenticeship programs from the high school or FSCC. Their answer was “absolutely, but no one ever even asked if they were interested, let alone proposed an actionable plan.” Sure—the phone rings both ways, but if we want to control our destiny, we don’t wait for that call—WE DIAL THAT PHONE A THOUSAND TIMES EVEN IF THEY DON’T CALL BACK ONCE!
We’ve been hearing that there are work-force problems—from skill set to just a willingness to show up on time, if at all. That problem wasn’t resolved with significant pay increases—that it is a sign of a deeper problem than any one company or city or county can solve. These are cultural issues, so we’ve got to get the schools involved, and community programs well beyond chasing net new business.
Sure, there are several agencies that I’m aware of that are working on their perceived portion of this, and I’m sure the cliché of “Together, we can start to make change” is true in this case, but WHO IS TYING IT TOGETHER? WHO IS ADDRESSING IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF OUR CITY, which drives the well-being of our County and surrounding areas.
$40,000 to REDI might as well be washed away in river foam 
UNLESS we have a systemic way to specify how it SHOULD be used, How it WAS used, and what the RESULTS were.
UNLESS we have a systemic way to specify how it SHOULD be used, How it WAS used, and what the RESULTS were.Instead of starting with how little can we spend and hope to get better results from an entity over which we have little or no control and whose results are not where everyone “planned” them to be, how about we say—
∙ What are our desired end results? (how many dwellings, incremental tax dollars, FTEs, whatever other measurable results)
∙ How do we achieve those results?
∙ And once we have an action plan, How Much Will It Cost?
∙ And if we can afford—we do it. If not, we cycle back and prioritize until we have $$$ and actions aligned. And if we say we can’t afford it, are we willing to accept the results? If not—find a way to afford it—we have the money, and there are ways.
This is not an indictment of REDI. Far from it. And it is not a recommendation that more money at REDI is the solution. And it is not an endorsement of HBCAT, although I do support them strongly, as well as supporting REDI and any other entity helping our citizens.
This is ONE THING—a call for action by our City Commission to hire a City employee to look out for the best interests of our city. That is the solution. Not a solution. THE SOLUTION.
Cory Bryars…913-269-3122 text or call