Obituary of Deborah Stewart
Deborah Ann Stewart, age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She was born December 12, 1956, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of William Lawrence Gates, Jr. and Dixie Auluwee Dill Gates. Debbie graduated from Ft. Scott Christian Heights and remained a loyal Crusader supporter throughout her life.
She had worked at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott for twenty-seven years and had recently retired a few months prior to her death. In addition to working at the Medicalodge, Debbie also sold Avon. She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. Debbie had been attending the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include two sisters, Donna Smith (Nathan) of Ft. Scott, and Victoria Gates all of Ft. Scott and a brother, Randy Gates (Angela) of Girard, Kansas; three nieces, Kayla Smith of Ft. Scott, DeAnn Hixon (Brandon) of Topeka, Kansas and Melissa Yacouzaai (Nick) of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a nephew, Nate Smith of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a special friend, Robert Wilkerson of Ft. Scott and Debbie’s beloved dog, Minute.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, William L. Gates III and a sister, Dixie Diane Hixon.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 5th at the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights 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.
McGehee Starts Power Washing Business
Cody McGehee started a new power washing business this month in Fort Scott.
“I am the owner and operator,” he said. “The name of my business is called Precision Power Washing. I live and operate in Fort Scott…and will also be providing services for the surrounding areas as well.”
McGehee, 28, works a full-time day job and is available to pressure wash from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
“My services will include pressure washing, soft washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, siding cleaning, patio/ deck cleaning, driveway cleaning, sidewalk cleaning, residential and commercial cleaning,” he said. “I will also be doing automotive cleaning as well as boats and RV/ campers.”
“I have multiple years experience power washing concrete surfaces, but am now taking on different types of surfaces while continuing to educate myself in the field,” he said. “I take pride in my work and support and promote local businesses as often as possible.”
McGehee finds the work satisfying.
“I began this journey with the support of my friends and family,” he said. “I am following a dream and a passion. Pressure washing is an art in my eyes. It is very satisfying work and is very rewarding. To be able to restore someone’s property to its glory and see them stunned by the ‘after look’ of a finished product gives my heart joy. I have always been a guy to try and make people happy. To me, this is a great way to see people happy. Restoring the pride people have in their property is an amazing feeling. I am looking forward to serving Fort Scott and the surrounding areas!”
Contact McGehee at
McGehee is a 2012 graduate of Fort Scot High School.
“I am happily married to my wife Allie McGehee and we have three children: Micah, Roman and Olivia.”
He works full time for the City of Fort Scott’s Street Department.
Jayda Pugliese Named 2022 Lowell Milken Center Fellow
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Jayda Pugliese, K-8 Principal at St. Mary Interparochial School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jayda Pugliese will arrive in Fort Scott on June 26th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Jayda Pugliese was a recipient of the 2016 Milken Educator Award in Pennsylvania, the 2018 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Sylvia Shugrue Awardee, and was a 2019 finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year (NSTOY-PA). At the time of receiving a Milken Educator Award, Jayda Pugliese was a fifth-grade science and math teacher at Andrew Jackson School. In 2018, Jayda became an elementary and middle school principal at St. Mary Interparochial School.
Jayda Pugliese facilitates national and international professional development and training for schools, districts, and universities. Topics include best teaching practices, designing accessible instruction for diverse learners, STEAM-based technology integration for classrooms (e.g., project-based learning, 3D printing, design thinking, and blended/remote learning practices), implementing effective leadership, and system-wide strategic planning.
Jayda, who is profoundly hearing-impaired, relates well to students with disabilities and teaches compassion, empathy, and understanding. She is the first in her family to graduate from high school and earn a college degree; graduating with a B.A. in Special Education and Elementary Education, a M.Ed. in TESOL and Literacy, and is a current doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Administration.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Jayda is an inspiration to all of us. Her determination to reach her educational goals and share her passion for math and science with her students and colleagues makes her an exemplary member of the 2022 Fellows.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world
throughout history.
Kansas Rocks: Local Fun For 4-Wheel Drive Enthusiasts
Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, located at 2051 130th Road, Mapleton, offers a 380 acre off-road park open to 4-wheel-drives, side-by-sides, mountain bikes and hikers.
Kanrocks Recreation Association Inc. is made up of 30 volunteer members and is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit business.
The founder and president is David Killion.
For those just starting in four-wheel drive adventures, the organization offers classes.
“We offer Off-Roading 101 classes and the next class is July 23 followed by a fall class on Sept 17,” Killion said.
The park is busy throughout the year with events.
“We also have our largest regular Frostbite event the last Saturday in February,” he said. “Our Creep-Crawl Halloween event is the third weekend in October that offers a ton of things for the kids and adults, ending the night in a haunted trail ride. We also have events sponsored and put on by clubs like the Sunflower Run in June. There is also an Adopt-A-Trail program where clubs come in and help do trail maintenance for a half day, twice a year, in exchange for a free half day of wheeling.”
“We are open Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays,” Killion said. “The cost is $25 per vehicle and driver and $5 per passenger over 12.”
“We have RV parking and tent camping, picnic shelters, a pavilion, shower house restrooms and a kids playground,” he said.
“We have separate costs for camping and RV and offer 2 and 3-day discounts,” he said.
Camping reservations can be made at the website: ksrockspark.com. The park also has a Facebook page.
History of the park
“I started the first 4-wheel-drive club in the Kansas City area in the 1990’s and soon found out the closest, legal places to go off roading was about three hours away,” Killion said.
“I wanted to develop something closer and began searching for land, quarries, talking with farmers etc. In my search, I found a grant administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism that helped entities develop trail systems.”
“After applying for the grant, we looked at 150 pieces of land within 90 miles of the KC area. We found this great property and started building a premier off-road park. We are celebrating 19 years this year and will have a big event next year to celebrate 20 years.”
Bourbon County in a Drought Watch
Governor Declares Drought Emergency, Warnings and Watches for Kansas Counties
The Governor’s Drought Response Team examines conditions; and recommends updates to the Governor
Effective June 27, Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties with Executive Order #22-06. This drought declaration places all 105 Kansas counties either in watch, warning or emergency status.
“A significant portion of the state of Kansas has experienced drought or abnormally dry conditions for the past several months,” said Governor Kelly. “Unfortunately, these conditions are forecast to persist or get worse, so I strongly encourage Kansans to be mindful of drought conditions while we work to minimize the threat of fires across the state.”
The drought declaration placed 34 counties into an emergency status, 8 counties in a warning status and 63 into a watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Although most of Kansas has experienced high precipitation this past month, a record-breaking heat wave has been making its way across the area. While most of eastern Kansas is currently drought free, the forecasted hot and dry conditions will likely lead to the rapid intensification of drought conditions in portions of the Midwest over the next few weeks.
“We have watched drought conditions in parts of the state continue to get worse since this past fall or longer in some areas, causing concern with groundwater supplies, crop production, elevated wildfire risk and more,” said Owen. “The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the situation and make recommendations to the Governor as necessary. As future outlooks call for hot and dry conditions to continue into July, the potential for a “flash drought” is likely.”
Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes. These counties also become eligible for water in some Federal reservoirs.
Individuals and communities need to contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request prior to any withdrawals from lakes. These requests will in turn be referred to the appropriate office to obtain necessary permits to withdraw requested water.
This Executive Order shall remain in effect for those counties so identified until rescinded by Executive Order ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.
Effective immediately, Executive Order #22-06:
- Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning or Drought Watch for the counties as identified below;
- Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate
watch, warning or emergency level-drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects drought has on Kansans.
For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas
Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.
County Drought Stage Declarations:
Drought Emergency: Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Decatur, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant,
Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness, Norton,
Rawlins, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Wallace, Wichita.
Drought Warning: Barber, Ellis, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rooks, Rush, Stafford.
Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee,
Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Ellsworth, Franklin, Geary,
Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln,
Linn, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage,
Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Smith,
Sumner, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 28
Missing Person: Alyssa Canarte
Bonnie Garrett Named 2022 Lowell Milken Center Fellow
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Bonnie Garrett, a 7th and 8th grade PLTW/STEM teacher at Morris Middle School in Huntsville, Alabama. Bonnie Garrett arrived in Fort Scott on June 26th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Bonnie Garrett, a veteran middle school PLTW/STEM master teacher at Morris Middle School in Huntsville, AL, with 20 years of experience, was a 2007 Alabama Milken Educator. Bonnie strives to make STEM “real and relevant” for her students through creative learning experiences and experiential connections. She connects STEM concepts with local industries and organizations, allowing her students to develop a sense of community while building their mastery in STEM concepts.
Bonnie has been involved with various educational programs, like the University of Minnesota’s Institute for Global Studies, which developed Exceptional Virtual Lessons with Global Content as an educator resource for various subject areas. In 2017, she was selected as a NEA Foundation Global Fellow and traveled with a cohort of educators on a 10-day field study to Beijing and Xi’an to investigate the historical and cultural context of China. They learned about its education system through meetings with policymakers and business and nonprofit leaders and visited schools to meet teachers, students, and administrators. Bonnie also coaches her school’s Robotics and Greenpower USA teams, serves as the President of the Huntsville Education Association, and facilitates nationwide trainings as a master teacher for PLTW.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Bonnie is an outstanding educator who provides the leadership necessary to make education relevant in our world today. Her work in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math will make her an invaluable asset to our team of Fellows.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning through the creation of projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world
throughout history.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Weekly Newsletter
Supreme Court Ruling on Roe v. Wade
Since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, numerous, sensible laws designed to protect the lives of the unborn have been blocked by unelected judges. On Friday, nearly 50 years after Roe, the Supreme Court ruled there is no constitutional right to an abortion. As Justice Alito stated, “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” With this ruling, the American people will again have the opportunity to make their voices heard through their representatives and the legislative process. This decision will now allow legislatures, accountable to the citizens who elected them, to take action to pass laws that protect children in the womb and support their mothers.
Announcing Amelia Earhart Statue to be Placed in U.S. Capitol
Today, I joined Senator Roger Marshall in announcing that the Architect of the Capitol approved placement of a statue of Amelia Earhart – the most famous woman in aviation and in Kansas history – in the U.S. Capitol. The Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony will take place on July 27. A bold and inspiring aviator, Amelia Earhart soared into the history books, setting flight records and breaking barriers. She led the way for thousands of women to pursue their dreams – whether that was in aviation or to break their own, new barriers.
Next month, the statue of Amelia Earhart will join President Dwight D. Eisenhower as bronze beacons representing Kansas in our nation’s capital. I want to thank the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation, the Earhart family and the City of Atchison for their tireless work to bring Amelia to the Capitol.
The National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol consists of 100 statues – two contributed by each state. Kansas first sent marble statues of U.S. Senator John James Ingalls and Kansas Governor George Washington Glick to the U.S. Capitol. In 1999, the Kansas Legislature voted to replace these two statues with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Amelia Earhart. The Amelia Earhart statue will be the 10th woman represented in the 100 statues in the U.S. Capitol. The bronze statue of Earhart was created by George and Mark Lundeen and will be a twin to an Amelia Earhart statue that will be placed at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison.
Questioning Federal Reserve Chairman Powell on Rate Hikes on Agricultural Industry
On Wednesday, I questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell during a U.S. Senate Banking Committee hearing on recent interest rate hikes and their impact on the Kansas agricultural community. In the increasingly difficult business environment Kansas farmers already face, uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of costs poses growing concern for the farming industry and its lenders.
Farming is a noble calling, and our agricultural industry is the backbone of our nation and the world. Kansas farmers already face an uphill climb as costs rise and profit margins shrink. Our agricultural community must be given the confidence that the Fed will do all in its power to prevent rate hikes from threatening this essential industry.
You can watch the video here.
Senate Gun Safety Legislation
Last week, I voted to oppose the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act on the Senate floor. We can and must do a better job of preventing violence, however we must work to address the root issues of violent crime rather than create new laws that hinder the Second Amendment rights of legal gun owners. In order to make our policies genuinely effective, we should start by enforcing existing gun laws, punishing criminals to the fullest extent of the law and ensuring our schools are safe from senseless acts of violence. We must also recognize that violence cannot be solved by the federal government alone. State legislatures should work to find solutions that fit the needs of their states, and we ought to always be working to instill family values, rid our communities of hate, support our law enforcement and end the stigma of mental health.
Touring the University of Kansas Cancer Center
On Tuesday morning, before returning to Washington, D.C., I had the opportunity to visit The University of Kansas Cancer Center – the only National Cancer Institute-designated center in the region. It was great to tour the state-of-the-art facility and meet with some of the hardworking individuals who lead cancer research in the heartland. I am grateful for their work and dedication to finding new treatments and a cure for cancer. Thank you to Dr. Roy Jensen, Dr. Robert Simari and Christine Thomas for taking the time to provide a tour of the research labs.
Responding to Biden’s Gas Tax Holiday Proposal
On Wednesday, President Biden called on Congress to suspend the federal gas and diesel fuel tax for three months. However, a federal gas tax holiday is a trivial attempt to address a serious issue that is hurting Kansas families. When President Biden took office he immediately sought to undermine American fossil fuel production – creating significant difficulty and uncertainty for domestic producers which has contributed to gas prices skyrocketing to historic levels. The Biden administration must shift course and pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy which unleashes American oil and gas production.
Questioning U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai
On Tuesday, during my Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, I questioned U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai regarding the soaring costs of imported fertilizer. The increasing input prices facing farmers are tightening margins and straining their ability to operate. The U.S. Trade Representative must work to reduce trade barriers and ensure farmers have access to an adequate supply of fertilizers. The Biden administration must reverse anti-energy policies that are driving up the cost of fertilizer inputs like natural gas, and roll back tariffs on phosphates and nitrogen fertilizers. I also asked Ambassador Tai about ongoing negotiations to lower duties on softwood lumber and steel. Homebuilders in Kansas are seeing growing costs of materials, which is driving up home prices, and forcing low- and middle-income buyers out of the market. When our country faces an affordable housing shortage, and the world is facing decreased food production, we should not let high tariffs stand in the way of Kansans meeting these needs.
Holding Big Tech Accountable
Last week, I joined Senator Roger Marshall as a co-sponsor of the Political Bias of the Algorithm Sorting (BIAS) Emails Act. This important legislation would provide needed accountability to Big Tech. Censorship of political emails by Big Tech hurts Kansans’ ability to decide for themselves who they want to elect as their representatives. We must make certain Big Tech does not use biased algorithms that are designed to influence voters and push agendas.
Indian Affairs Committee Hearing
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing on the Department of Interior’s recently published report on Federal Indian Boarding Schools. I listened to Secretary Deb Haaland provide moving testimony on the impact of these schools on Native American children and successive generations. The report listed a dozen schools in Kansas, and described conditions at the Haskell Institute and Kickapoo Boarding School. We must know our past to build our future, and this report is a necessary starting point for the work ahead. Before the hearing began, I visited with Secretary Haaland and Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland about the need to quickly hire a new president at Haskell to provide stability, and I was pleased they both informed me this is a priority for the department.
Addressing the Kiwanis Club in Newton
Last week, I was pleased to join the Kiwanis Club in Newton and speak with them about the current issues impacting their community. I always appreciate hearing input from Kansans on what is important to them, as well as their insight regarding current happenings in our state and nation. Thank you to Kelly McElroy, the Newton City Manager, for the invitation and to the entire Kiwanis Club for hosting me.
Touring Agco Corporation in Hesston
Last week, I stopped by Agco Corporation in Hesston to tour their facilities and to visit with their senior leadership on the current issues facing their business and community. A highlight of my tour was the opportunity to see the final production of the combines and swathers they manufacture. Thank you to Beth Shelton, Executive Director of the Harvey County Economic Development, Megan Smith, Executive Director of the Hesston City Chamber, Susan Swartzendruber, Hesston City Councilmember, and all of the senior leadership of Agco Corporation for hosting me during this tour.
Visiting Full Vision in Newton
On Monday, I was in Harvey County and had the opportunity to tour Full Vision, a precision metal fabrication ship that has been in business for 60 years. Thank you to Doug Scheible and his team for showing me the wide array of products they manufacture, including equipment roll over bars and medical grade treadmills. Thank you to Newton City Manager Kelly McIlroy and Economic Development Director Zach McHatton, as well as Harvey County Economic Development Director Beth Shelton, for joining the tour.
Meeting with Kansans in Washington, D.C.
Sedgwick County Commissioner Sarah Lopez
On Thursday, I met with Sedgwick County Commissioner Sarah Lopez to discuss the federal government’s economic development initiatives and how these initiatives will assist Sedgwick County. As the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I help fund the Economic Development Administration and their work to build durable economies across the country, including in Kansas. I look forward to continuing to work alongside local leaders, like Commissioner Lopez, to strengthen the local economies in our state.
Kansas Music Educators Association
I enjoyed meeting with members of the Kansas Music Educators Association in our nation’s capital last week to discuss their legislative priorities, as well their efforts to grow the number of music educators in Kansas and provide more opportunities in music for Kansas students. Thank you to Jamie Minneman, John Taylor, Kelly Knedler and Holly Taylor for sharing their insights on the challenges for music educators and their accomplishments in training young Kansans to have a love for music. I look forward to continuing to work together with these educators to make certain all Kansas students have access to a well-rounded education.
Douglas County 4-H Group
On Wednesday, I welcomed members of the Douglas County 4-H to my D.C. office. It’s always great to spend time with young Kansans, and this group was no exception. I enjoyed speaking with these young men and women about the positive effects that 4-H has had on their lives. I have no doubt that they are all on the path to becoming great leaders who will positively impact our state in the years to come.
Wheat Harvest Near Albert
I wanted to share this photo of the Kansas wheat harvest that I received this week from Katie Rosborough and her dad. Kansans truly do feed the world, and pictures like this one are a great reminder of the dedication our Kansas farmers have in this mission.
Charlie Redd and the The Luna Voo Doo Band Coming July 8
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2022 Lowell Milken Center Fellows Receive Keys to the City
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas has awarded its 2022 Fellowship to 11 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, the five fellows for June 26 – July 1 were given the key to the city. Six other Fellows were in Fort Scott last week.
The Fellows honored this week were Trysta Asche from Nebraska, Bonnie Garrett from Alabama, Jayda Pugliese from Pennsylvania, Josha Sietsma from the Netherlands, and Suzy Turner from Iowa.
LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “It is an honor to be able to network and collaborate with these exceptional educators and provide this opportunity for them to reflect, re-energize and strategize with each other as they seek new ways to inspire their students.”
Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards their Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world.
As LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning, preparing them to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students and learn the stories of role models who help change the world.
Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows enjoy visiting the Fort Scott area.