FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2024
The Office of the President
Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott Community College President, Dr. C. Jason Kegler, would like to invite members of Bourbon County, the surrounding communities, and alumni to a series of conversations regarding the college and its impact on our community.
The first conversation will be held at 5:30 pm in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on January 24, 2024.
The purpose of the conversation series is to engage the community on matters related to the college.
We will be examining the college’s mission and vision, image, identity, economic impact, and other topics involving the community.
These conversations will occur monthly beginning in January and concluding in April, with the potential for future conversations.
The idea of the conversations is for this to be an opportunity for two-way conversations designed to gain information on this
community’s college for the people we serve.
The college and Dr. Kegler are looking forward to this opportunity to engage with the community and our constituents.
For more information, please call 620-223-2700 ext. 5202.
“In case of a water emergency during very cold weather, please call Emergency Communication Services at 620-223-1700 to report a leak”
“This number can also be used to determine where the shelter is located if the power is lost during a storm (Buck Run Community Center is our shelter). We have had some elderly people call us wanting to know these things and do not have Facebook.”
Lavetta Simmons, Teresa Davenport, and Joy O’Neal, the founders of Care to Share. Submitted photo.
After 16 years in an organization she helped found, Lavetta Simmons is retiring.
The genesis of the organization was a Relay for Life of Bourbon County event in 2007, at that time Teresa Davenport was going through her cancer fight, Joy O’Neal was a cancer survivor and Lavetta Simmons had been a caregiver to both her parents who had died of cancer.
“Teresa Davenport said, ‘When I get cancer-free, I would like to start a cancer support group,'”Simmons said. Joy O’Neal and Lavetta Simmons volunteered to help.
That cancer support group started in 2007, with a Fort Scott family’s four-year-old daughter who had been diagnosed.
Through the efforts of Davenport and her classmates, along with O’Neal and Simmons, a fundraiser was formed and close to $7,000 was raised for the family. Today, that girl has moved into her future.
“We each had our things to do to make it happen and we made it happen!” Simmons said.
In 2008, during the group’s first meeting at Mercy’s McAuley Center, the name Care to Share was chosen and a decision was made to meet quarterly.
“Our first year, we cared and we shared, through calls, visits, and prayer,” Simmons said. “During this time we were able to see the financial suffering that our fighters were going through as we gave them emotional support.”
In 2009, Lavetta announced at a meeting that she would like to help the cancer fighters financially
“That’s when The Sharing Bucket was added to the Care to Share Cancer Support Group, with the idea of fundraising with our group and our bucket never going empty,” she said. “The three of us came together, met with a lawyer to form a non-profit 501c3 organization…and chose a board of directors.”
The group introduced itself to the community at the 2009 Home and Garden Show.
“The year 2009 was a financial struggle for all of us with some very God-given moments and stories to pass on”, she said. “During this time, we added that Care To Share is ‘God Given, God Driven.'”
“In 2010, Fort Scott lost a very caring lady to cancer. She had struggled for many years,” Simmons said. “She left her memorials to us. We had never thought about receiving memorials. She was the first, and her memorials were $7,840. She blessed us with an
amount that was way beyond our dreams. The family asked that we invest a portion of it with the idea that Care To Share Cancer Support/The Sharing Bucket would go on forever. So we did, and we have grown it to a very nice amount today.”
“Our community has joined us and blessed us over and over again,” she said. “Each meeting we grew, each fundraiser we grew, each visit we grew. It has been the most amazing heart-touching God Driven; God Given thing, and has driven us all closer and closer
to God.”
“Last year we cared and shared financially 1,274 times with a total amount of $97,137.89!” she said. “That was only financial assistance, not counting the calls, texts, messages, emails, meals, rides, Ensure supplements, etc.”
“We never know where God is directing us next,” she said. ” We have followed and believe if God brings you to it, God will bring
you through It.”
The caring and sharing community made it possible, she said.
“But, I also want to mention that this could never happen without my family, and my extended family… My family has lived the journey. We were there when my parents took their last breaths. We have been there for so many cancer fighters and their families in our communities and we have been there for every fundraiser that has been put together for The Sharing Bucket.”
Her immediate family has all grown up, she said.
“They now have families of their own,” she said. “…So there comes a time when maybe we have to let go?? How do we do that? We don’t know?”
“Well, we figured it out. God, Family, Care to Share has always been our motto,” she said. Now she is caring and sharing with her family.
” I now care for two of my great-grandbabies,” she said. Daily her time is given to Lillian, 3, and Austyn, 1 month,
“Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket has blessed me over and over, through our caring and sharing with every cancer fighter and their families, and through caring and
sharing through our wonderful giving community. I will always have a place close to my heart for it.
THANK YOU FOR CARING AND SHARING,” Simmons said.
The group shares this scripture with the cancer fighters, “as we believe in it and want to give them faith as well, Matthew 17:20
IF YOU HAVE FAITH AS SMALL AS A MUSTARD SEED, NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU,” she said.
Cory Bryars, Vice President of the Care to Share Board wrote this about Simmons:
“They say charity can come in the form of time, talent, and treasure. For most of us, we have to choose which one or maybe two of those to give as we take care of the rest of our lives. Lavetta gave all three, zealously,” he said.
“As a co-founder of Care to Share and as a leader of day-to-day activities as well as the Board of Directors, Lavetta has helped generate over $1.2 million in support of our local cancer communities,” he said.
“She has given her time taking countless calls at all hours of the day and night from families desperate for support during the difficulties of their cancer journeys. Lavetta has visited cancer survivors and their families in times of dire need with open arms, an open heart, and an open Care to Share wallet to help them get over whatever hurdle they were facing that day,” he said.
“Lavetta’s commitment and passion brought generous giving from her family and friends, and our entire community is immeasurably better off through her efforts,” he said. “She is warm, caring, compassionate, organized and efficient and she gave those talents to SEK cancer fighters through Care to Share.”
“We thank and honor Lavetta for her vision, her passion, and her dedication and support as she passes the torch to the next round of Care to Share leadership.”
Care to Share continues with Teresa Davenport as the president, Joy O’Neal died in 2022.
There will be an open house at the Care to Share new office located at 401 Woodland Hills on January 22.
$5 Million Will Provide Fuel Station Improvements in Topeka, Ottawa and Ellis
TOPEKA, Jan. 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Christy Davis announced today that $5 million in grants will increase the availability of domestic biofuels in Kansas and give travelers cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas pumps.
“These grants will help people in rural areas access clean energy,” Davis said. “By increasing the supply of biofuels made here in Kansas and the U.S., we are strengthening our energy independence and lowering costs for Kansans in rural communities.”
This announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 21 other states. The details of the Kansas projects are:
A $122,521 grant will help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels through Capital City Oil Inc. This project will install one E15 dispenser, one E85 dispenser, one B20 dispenser, two ethanol storage tanks and two biodiesel storage tanks at one fueling location, located in Topeka. This project aims to increase the amount of biofuels used by 5,280,000 gallons per year.
A portion of a $4,943,820 grant will help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels at two Kansas locations of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. This project will retrofit 704 E15 dispensers at 88 fueling stations located in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Station locations impacted by this grant are: AZ – Eloy, Chandler, Gila Bend, Williams, Benson, Joseph, City; FL – Lee, Ocala, Ormond Beach; GA – Waco, Thomson, Brunswick, Richmond Hill, Jackson, Dublin, Tifton, Emerson, Hogansville; IA – Sioux City; IL – Williamsville, Ina, Kankakee, Dwight, Le Roy, Roscoe, Greensvile, Utica; IN – Mooresville, Richmond, Whiteland, Memphis, Gary, Whitestown, Haubstadt, Demotte, Marion, Pittsboro, St. Paul; KS – Ottawa, Ellis; KY – Waddy, Sparta, Horse Cave, Corbin, Richmond, Grayson, Calvert City; MO – St. Joseph, Matthews, Rolla; NC – Dunn, Marion; NE – Aurora; NM – Albuquerque; NV – Fernley, Wells, Las Vegas; OH – Zanesville, Hubbard, Jeffersonville, Perrysburg, Burbank, Baltimore, Dayton; SD – Sioux Falls; TX – Van, Midlothian, Hillsboro, Katy, Luling, Rockwall, Anna, Edna, Three Rivers, Texarkana, Weimar, Hutchins, Seguin, Fairfield, Von Ormy, Weatherford, Mount Vernon, Lufkin, Cleveland, Houston, Fort Worth, Rhome; and WI – Tomah. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 86,085,412 gallons per year.
Background: Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. Expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels strengthens energy independence, creates new revenue for American businesses and brings good-paying jobs to rural communities.
In June 2023, USDA made $450 million available in Inflation Reduction Act funding through the HBIIP to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels. That same month, USDA also announced the first round of Inflation Reduction Act-funded HBIIP awardees.
USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. There are three quarterly application windows left, and the program ends Sept. 30, 2024. The next application deadline is March 31, 2024.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
Julia Fern Haggard, age 50, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, January 6, 2024, at her home in Pittsburg. She was born November 30, 1973, in Pittsburg, Kansas the daughter of Harriett Walker Wisdom and Gary Falletti.
Julie graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1992. She married John Haggard on December 3, 1994, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Julie had worked for several years at Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott. John and Julie later lived in Texas for several years before moving to Pittsburg.
Julie loved sports of all kinds. She was a great fan of the Ft. Scott Tigers and of the Pittsburg State Gorillas and went to as many of their games as possible. She also enjoyed country western music. Some of her favorite singers were Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks and George Strait. Julie had a gentle spirit and loved animals.
Survivors include her husband, John, of the home; two sisters, Amy Nance and Dustee Craddock-Harrison as well as her father, Gary Falletti. Also surviving are her mother-in-law, Barbara Haggard, an aunt, Elizabeth “Alee” Walker, an uncle, Mike Falletti and numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends.
Julie was preceded in death by her mother and grandparents.
Rev. Dustin Morris will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Julie Haggard Memorial Fund 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.
Ready to elevate your career or pave the way to a four-year degree?
Enroll now for summer semesters at Fort Scott Community College!
Spring classes began today, on January 10th.
Fun fact: Most classes at FSCC are transferable and we offer lots of online courses for your busy schedule!
Don’t miss out—enrollment is OPEN. Visit https://fortscott.edu/admissions for more information and connect with our awesome Admissions Representatives today!
Editors note: Due to a computer glitch this story was mistakenly posted on Facebook last night. It was deleted and will be posted today.
The Spoiled Brat Salon new shop will be built on the left in this photo, which looks east on Third Street at Scott Avenue.
People have noticed a construction site starting at 124 E. Third, near the corner of State Avenue and Third Street.
The building going up will be Spoiled BratSalon, currently located in downtown Fort Scott at 19 S. Main.
Stephanie Anthony and Heather Engstrom are the owners of Spoiled Brat Salon.
“We’ve been wanting a new space of our own,” Anthony said. “We will be offering basically the same services, with the possibility of adding new stylists/services,” she said. They are hoping for a spring move to the site, she said.
Engstrom Construction LLC is the builder.
“My wife Heather and I bought the property under Peacock Properties LLC,” Scott Engstrom said. “We purchased it in July and did the demolition on the property. We got tired of renting and wanted to own.”
The building will be a 35-foot by 50-foot, 1700 square-foot wood frame with a metal facade and front porch, he said.
“There will be seven stations in the salon and a massage therapy room,” he said.
“On the west side, there will be two concrete handicap vehicle spots, specifically for van accessible handicap,” he said.
“We are still considered downtown, but outside the historic district,” he said.
He and his sons, Taylor, 24, and Brayden, 21, are helping in the build.
Engrstom Construction LLC can be reached at 620.202.1881.
Spoiled Brat Salon’s number is 620.223.2155.
Spoiled Brat Salon will be located across the street in this photo, looking south.
Patricia C. Wynn, age 60, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Allen County Hospital Emergency Room in Iola, Kansas. She was born January 30, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of Charles C. Bullington, Jr. and Claudia Burks Bullington. She married Jimmie Wynn on November 9, 1984. Patricia was a devoted wife and mother. She worked hard to become a licensed CNA and later graduated from Ft. Scott Community College and became an RN. Patricia worked at area nursing homes and hospitals. She loved animals and was always willing to take care of a dog or cat in need. Patricia had given her life to Christ and was doing her best to serve and follow Him. She was a member of the Rinehart Christian Church.
Survivors include her husband, Jimmie, of the home; four sons, Brett Russell (Cassidy) of Walnut, Kansas, Travis Wynn (Daisy Harding) of Moran, Kansas, Nicholas Wynn (Jessica) of Bronson, Kansas and Matthew Wynn (Elora Bartlett) also of Bronson and six grandchildren, Sara, Hunter and Cheyenne Russell, and Madison, Brycen and Remington Wynn. Also surviving are two brothers, Charles Bullington and Thomas Bullington. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Brandon Wynn.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place at a later date in the Bronson Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Patricia Wynn Memorial Fund 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.
Castiel Alistair Grubb, 8-month-old, son of Phillip Grubb and Haley Ford, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born April 12, 2023, at Overland Park, Kansas. He was named after an angel, was an angel here on earth and he is now an angel in Heaven. His name, Castiel Alistair, has the meaning, “My Cover is God, Defender of the People.” Castiel was born a month early and had to fight to live. He spent two weeks in the NICU and seldom cried. He will be remembered for his laid-back personality who was always satisfied and content. Not only did he love his parents, but he also dearly loved his brothers. He had a variety of nicknames, such as Cas, Bebe. Despite his brief life, he made a significant impact and made memories that will last a lifetime. He was loved and cherished abundantly by many.
Survivors include his parents, Phillip Grubb and Haley Ford and two brothers Ryker and Shepard Grubb. Also surviving are grandparents, Joel and Angela Grubb, Barbara and Jason Falbo, Leslie Keaton and Dwight and Lana Miller and great-grandmothers, Marjorie Turner and Wanda Keaton and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Terry and Vicky Ford and his numerous great-grandparents.
Pastor Dale Samuels will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, January 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following funeral services there will be cremation and private burial will take place at a later day at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Castiel Grubb Memorial Fund 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.
Fort Scott, Kan. – With inclement weather and severe cold in the forecast for Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Fort Scott Community College is rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 17.
In making the announcement, Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum noted that the “Day of Service” (in honor of King’s birthday) begins with a food drive for the Beacon Food Pantry of Fort Scott.
Canned goods and non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, located in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.
The celebration, with all events open to the community, features a free soup lunch at noon. The lunch, provided by Great Western Dining, includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. The celebration lunch also includes a “I Stand for …” photo promotion, sponsored by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
An afternoon of celebration and tribute through music, “Celebrating Every Voice,” begins at 1 p.m. in the theater and features choirs from the Apostolic Christian Church and the United Missionary Baptist Church, both of Fort Scott, and blues guitarist Lem Sheppard from Pittsburg. All events are free to attend.
For more information, go to https//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or call the museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected]
