This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team located at 104 N. National.
Wesley Haven. Submitted photo.
The BEE Better Health Club owner, Wesley DeHaven started his business on June 19, 2023.
“I started a health club because I recognized how much diet and exercise can benefit one’s life in a positive manner,” DeHaven said.
“I provide group fitness classes for all ranging from 1st graders all the way up to seniors within the community, nutrition coaching, and affordable personal training services.”
He is currently in the process of getting multiple certificates from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He currently has the club at 2542 Hackberry Rd. Fort Scott, with plans to build closer to town in the future.
“The grant money will used to install electrical, plumbing, and bracing in the walls for various types of equipment,” he said.
Members performing “Seated Knees to Chest” during an ab finisher. From left to right: Paulette Albright, Rhonda Bowles, Wilma Hibdon, Joe’ Fritter, Kaleb Bailey, Sondra Newton, Estevan Deboer, Ellie Trim, Dani Vonfeldt.
Contact info:
Facebook: @The BEE Better Health Club Instagram: @beebetter.hc
Pictured are from left: Ellie Trim, Dani Vonfeldt, Sondra Newton, Kaleb Bailey, Wilma Hibdon, Joe’ Fritter, Estevan Deboer, Paulette Albright, Rhonda Bowles with a range from 18-81 years of age.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, for two special board meetings at the board office.
Vice-President James Wood opened the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
The board opened the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing. Superintendent Destry Brown reviewed the code 99 and discussed the mill levy. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing.
The board approved the following item and then adjourned the meeting:
Resolution 23-06: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-24 by roll call vote.
President David Stewart opened the 5:45 p.m. meeting. The board opened the Budget Hearing. Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith reviewed the Needs Assessment with the board. Mrs. Smith noted information shared with the board on State Assessments. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Budget Hearing.
The board approved the following items:
Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year.
Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments which were provided to the USD 234 Board of Education, evaluated by the Board, and were used as a part of the budget approval process. It was noted that the board adopted by roll call vote Resolution 23-06 to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate by roll call vote.
Personnel Report following
The board went into executive sessions for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT
August 28, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Weaver, Mark – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Classified:
Pitts, Belinda – from Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional to Mental Health Intervention Team Liaison- effective 09/05/23
O’Bryan, Carolina – Leave of Absence
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Reichard, Elizabeth (Betsy) – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Beyer, Amy – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Bratton, Ashley – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
Brown, Tina – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Lord, McKenna – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Ogle, Kathryn – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Magathan-Krone, Jane – Eugene Ware Elementary Guiding Coalition
Laubenstein, Michelle – Fort Scott High School Newspaper
Update on Quivira National Wildlife Refuge While making visits to communities across Kansas, I continue to hear concerns about the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Last week, I spoke with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director, Martha Williams to discuss concerns about her agency’s Request to Secure Water with the Kansas Depart of Agriculture-Division of Water Resources related to senior water rights of the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas.
If FWS moves ahead to secure water rights, their action could retire critical junior water rights in the Rattlesnake Basin. This means nearly 800 water rights may be shut off by FWS’s action, impacting not just irrigation and livestock water but municipal and industrial water as well. Some stakeholders estimate that the state may lose $300 to $500 million in annual agricultural activity and as much as $1 billion in annual economic activity.
During our conversation, I reiterated the concerns and potential devastation this could bring to rural Kansas communities and the agricultural economy. I will continue working with local stakeholders and state leaders to find a solution that works for everyone.
Pure Imagination moves to K-State Salina On Tuesday I joined community leaders and elected officials to celebrate and announce a partnership between Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus, Pure Imagination Studios, Salina Airport Authority, and the State of Kansas. Together, the Kansas Advanced Immersive Research and Emerging Systems Center (K-AIRES) will be established to teach and train the next generation with immersive technology in a new state of the art facility.
It was also great to receive an update on the General Atomics innovation ramp also on K-State Salina’s campus, which will be a teaching and research facility dedicated to advanced air mobility. This project is funded in part thanks to General Atomics generous donation to K-State Salina. This partnership with General Atomics is another example of the many businesses that are choosing to invest and build in Kansas.
Federal Investment for Hugoton Police Department
On Thursday, I announced new federal resources for the Hugoton Police Department. As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice, I worked to help secure these resources for Hugoton and other rural police departments across Kansas. This federal investment allocates funds to the Hugoton Police Department to purchase patrol vehicles.
I appreciated being able to meet and speak with members of the Hugoton Police Department about the importance of supporting law enforcement. Thank you to Police Chief Courtney Leslie, Mayor Jack Rowden, City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, Ardith Dunn and Steve Morris for joining me for this announcement.
Touring Prairie Food Wednesday
On Wednesday, I was invited to tour PrairieFood Pratt County distribution plant. Prairiefood manufactures a soil additive which restores soil health and fertility using organic waste which would otherwise be discarded. I appreciated the opportunity to learn about a Kansas business helping farmers to raise crop yields and maintain rich ground. With their technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, PrairieFood helps keep Kansas on the cutting-edge in sustainable agriculture. Thank you to Jason and his team for their time and contribution to Kansas’ agricultural heritage.
Listening Tour Stop in Grant County
I am grateful for the Grant County Chamber of Commerce for hosting me for a listening tour stop in Ulysses on Thursday morning. It was a chance for me to meet with members of the community about topics important to southwest Kansas. . We discussed issues such as securing crop insurance that benefits agricultural producers and finding ways to protect markets and programs that allow Kansas farmers to feed the world. I also had the opportunity to hear about the importance of energy independence and how to help small businesses flourish. In many communities across Kansas, small businesses cannot remain competitive or viable when regulations increase the cost of doing business.
Thank you to Marietta Hauser for hosting this conversation, and thank you to Catherine Moyer, Pioneer Communications, Steve Alford and everyone who joined.
Visiting Hugoton High School My first stop in Hugoton was at the local high school. I was given a tour by Superintendent Adrian Howie, Principal Melody Witt, and students Raeleigh Angell, Jewels Noland, Isaac Martin, and Griffin Heger. As the school year gets underway, it was great to hear from students about their plans for the upcoming year. I am grateful to our teachers who invest their time into instructing young Kansans. Thank you to the students, teachers and administrators for taking the time to meet with me and for sharing more about the great work being done at Hugoton High School.
Touring Southwestern Heights High School
While visiting Kismet on Thursday, I had the opportunity to tour the local high school. I was able to meet many student and teachers and hear about their plans for the new school year. I am always encouraged by my conversations with the bright students across Kansas. Thank you Superintendent Dan Frisby, Principal Ryan Kisner, and students Jaydon Vermillion, Rodrigo Sanchez, Amanda Thurakul, and Emma Stanfield who made a great tour of Southwestern Heights High School possible.
Keynote Speaker at the Liberal Kiwanis Club
I appreciated the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the Liberal Kiwanis club on Thursday. I was also able to hear updates from the Kansas Department of Transportation and members of the community regarding the future of US 54 and 83 in Seward County. Commercial truck traffic in western Kansas moves valuable goods to locations across the heartland. Some area highways are nearly 50% truck traffic. I was glad to learn KDOT is taking opportunities to learn about traffic concerns from the community.
Thank you to Sarah Thompson and the Noon Kiwanis for allowing me to join. Thanks as well to April Warden, county administrator, Scott Carr, county commissioner, C.J. Wettstein, county commissioner, Ron Hall, KDOT District 6 engineer, Brad Bennett, Seward County Community College President, Rozelle Webb, member of the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Thompson, Kiwanis President, Amy Thompson, Kiwanian, Becki Richardson, Epic Touch Communications, and Dr. Todd Carter, USD 480 Superintendent, for taking the time to talk with me.
Touring GE Aerospace On Friday, I met with Aerospace leaders from GE Aerospace at Strother Field, between Arkansas City and Winfield. GE Aerospace produces components for some of our nation’s biggest regional commercial airlines like Horizon, Alaskan, American, Spirit, and others, as well as our armed forces. I appreciated the opportunity to speak with GE’s aviation mechanics, who took great pride in being a supplier for the military. The work these industry leaders do directly impacts our transportation sector and our national security.
Touring William Newton Hospital My next stop in Winfield was to William Newton Hospital, where I was greeted by Gary Brewer and Joan Cales, who sit on the Board of Trustees. The staff showed me their new operating rooms, emergency room and developments to the rehabilitation department. Due to the significant challenges facing rural health care, Kansas has seen several rural facilities close in recent years. The pandemic aftermath combined with inflation and staffing shortages have hit rural hospitals the hardest. Solutions like the new Rural Emergency Hospital designation offer critical access hospitals a chance at a higher reimbursement rate while also narrowing the scope of their care to decrease costs. I will continue working with the CMS Administrator to ensure the REH regulations benefit Kansas rural hospitals.
As critical access hospitals like William Newton struggle to keeps their doors open, I will continue to fight for policies in Washington that help our rural communities.
Community Visit in Tampa
On Monday, I traveled to Tampa and made several stops to hear from residents across the area. I visited the Tampa State Bank, which has been supporting locals for more than 100 years in Tampa and Marion. Afterwards, I went to the Gooding Memorial Library to meet and talk with Kansans and explore the library’s book collection. Additionally, I stopped by Agri Trails Coop to learn how the company is serving their community through trading experience and market connections to offer farmers the highest prices for their products. I was sure to drop by the Sante Fe Trail Café for some local, homestyle food before leaving town.
Community Visit in Saint John
I also stopped by Saint John to visit businesses and meet with Kansans. One of my stops was at the SJN Bank of Kansas. At the Stafford County Courthouse and City Hall, I met with Kansans to talk about the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge which is located in Stafford County. I also stopped by the K-State Extension Office to learn about the work individuals are doing on 4-H Youth Development, business and economic growth, and livestock and nutrition research. I was able to speak with Carolyn Dunn who is spearheading the Port Authority of Stafford County project which would provide more jobs and agricultural growth in Kansas.
Now Accepting 2023 Service Academy Applications Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2028. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. All application materials are due to my Olathe office by Friday, September 1, 2023. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
Stephen Leigh Dean, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 25, 2023, at his home. He was born July 9, 1943, in Oneida, New York, the son of Ronald Walter Dean and Lizzie Limebeck Dean. Stephen married Merleen Della King on January 28, 1961. They made their home in upstate New York before moving to Kansas.
Stephen had over thirty years of service with the United States Army. He retired as a Sargent First Class. Stephen completed the truck driving program at Ft. Scott Community College and following his military service, he began working as a truck driver. He drove for several area trucking companies.
He later worked as a driver for Dolly the Trolly where he enjoyed visiting with tourists and sharing the history of Ft. Scott. Stephen loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. While in New York, he served as Scout Master for his son’s Boy Scout troupe.
Currently, he was a member of the Bone Creek Gun Club. Stephen was proud of his military service and was a member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. He often helped provide military honors for deceased veterans
Following the death of his first wife, Merleen, on September 4, 2020, he remarried Sharon Tucker Wolf on October 16, 2021.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home; a son, James Dean of Ft. Scott and a daughter, Julie VanBecelaere (Ted) of Osceola, Missouri; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, Merleen, Stephen was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Shirley Arno and LaNita Siebel.
Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 31st at the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Emmanuel Baptist Church 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.
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Carissa and Alex Bowman. Submitted photo.
Brickstreet Barbecue, owned by Carissa and Alex Bowman, has received a grant from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
The Bowmans opened Brickstreet in May 2023.
“We wanted an opportunity to bring barbecue food to the community,” Carissa said. “We provide great barbecue. We employ about 40 people.”
Submitted photo. from left: Carissa Bowman (owner) Doug Willard (Pit-master) Alex Bowman (owner) and Hannah Beerbower ( general manager),
The restaurant is located at 3 W. Oak St. Fort Scott just off North National Avenue. Contact info 620-224-2425.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday except Friday and Saturday, when they are open until 9 p.m.
“We will be using this grant money to help cover a portion of the cost of our smoker and kitchen equipment,” she said.
A recent menu at Brickstreet. Submitted photo.
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
The Starlite FCE held its August meeting at the Presbyterian Village meeting room. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the club collect. Nine members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for 134 hours and had recycled 1500 pounds.
The minutes of the May and June meeting were read and approved. The club had received thank you notes were read from Wilma Hibdon and Bryan Fry. Deb Lust presented the Treasurers report in the absence of Doris Ericson. Bank fees were discussed and Karen Peery moved that the club close their account and go to cash, Betty Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried. Karen Peery presented the Council report. She announced that the Fall Follies will be held in Bronson at the Community Center on October 10th at 6:00. Our club is responsible to bring four desserts and potato soup. Karen Peery, Deb Lust, Joyce Allen and Terri Williams will bring pies and Terri Williams will prepare the soup. Karen also announced that the Fair Bake sale had raised $316 to go toward a scholarship. Karen Peery, Doris Ericson and Betty Johnson will be attending the FCE State Meeting.
Glenda Miller recognized birthday of Delphine Parks and Leanna Taylor. Glenda also announced the lessons for the upcoming year and that Starlite and received 1st place in the State for our Service Project and 2nd on our accomplishment report. It was also announced that the club had handed out 100 brochures on Men’s health.
New business consisted of putting together goodie bags for the first responders in the area and signing thank you cards for their service. Thank you cards were also signed for the sponsors of the hay bale and scarecrow contests, since the club and won second place on our hay bale and third place on our scarecrow.
Deb Lust was nominated as Starlites representative for the Heart of FCE. Deb Lust moved that the meeting be adjourned, Karen Peery seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
After the meeting Terri Williams presented the lesson on Blueberries and provided refreshments of whole wheat blueberry muffins, blueberry drizzle cake, chocolate covered blueberries, dehydrated blueberries and water.
In 50 years of driving, only one vehicle proved to be a disappointment. She looked good on the outside, but the problem was under the hood. In my opinion, this vehicle should never have rolled off the assembly line! The car was just fine sitting in the garage doing nothing. But when the rubber met the road, she had no power for passing gear. She couldn’t run a quarter mile much faster than a tortoise because the body was too heavy for the itty-bitty engine, making her performance annoying and unsafe.
Christ followers are in a race, not a competition of comparison against one another, to cross the finish line just inside the pearly gates. There are no tricks or shortcuts in this race, but there is a participant’s handbook known as the Holy Bible. The writer of Hebrews states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1,2 NLT). We should be encouraged to know that Jesus has done everything necessary to ensure that we can cross the finish line by grace if we persevere in faith.
Do we realize that the Old Testament saints have passed their batons to us and they’re sitting in the grandstands cheering us on? My brother, who finished his race over a year ago, has a track record that was never broken at the Stockton High School. The only casual race I ran and won was in PE when the coach told us to run to the first boat dock and back. I remember seeing the finish line and giving it all I had. It was just enough to break Patsy’s record by only a few seconds. Physical and spiritual races are run with enduring perseverance without any weights to hold us back.
In World War II, Doolittle’s Raiders had to strip those heavy B-25s down to the bare necessities in order to get them off the carrier. They did something that had never been done before, and it worked. The pilots and crew members understood that their lives were at stake if they didn’t remove the weight that would actually kill them. We don’t want our lives to be too cluttered and clunky in order to move forward in a satisfactory manner. We need clean hands and a pure heart to run this race — in fact, we’ll be disqualified without them. “Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies…will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their Savior” (Psalm 24:4,5 NLT). The blood of Jesus, pure motives, right actions, exclusive dedication to God, and inner integrity are qualifiers to enter the race.
Only you and God know what specific junk could be weighing you down, holding you back, and cluttering your spiritual race. Be aware that believers are sometimes weighed down with trying to do too many good things which can cause us to lose our joy. We must use wisdom in order to experience the freedom to run victoriously without collapsing from exhaustion.
The Key: Strip off any weights dragging you down and finish the faith race you started.
