Newly Created Position in USD 234: Haley Jones

Haley Jones, 28, is the new USD 234 Board of Education Administrative Assistant/Communications Coordinator, as of July 5.
The position is a combination of administrative assistant and communications coordinator, which is a new feature to the board.
“As administrative assistant, I perform various clerical tasks, take phone calls, filing, organizing calendars, and greeting those who visit the board,” Jones said. “With the communications coordinator position, I create/send out any important information or updates for our school district- via email, social media, texts, and our website. As well as reaching out to those in our community who are able to be of assistance in helping spread the word for us. I will continue to grow in this position and learn/take on new responsibilities.”
Jones was a para-educator at Fort Scott High School in early 2020, and then in late 2020 worked as an insurance customer service rep for Cobalt MedPlans until July of 2023.
Jones graduated from FSHS in 2013 and then graduated from Fort Scott Community College with an Associates Degree in 2017.
Her family is boyfriend, Derek Houdashelt and children nine-year -old Aiden Houdshelt and 8-month-old Kash Houdashelt.
Friday Night Free Concert: Faith’s Journey

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be a special performance by Faith’s Journey, a trio from Branson, Mo. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National Ave., which is bringing this concert to the public.
A free-will offering will be accepted.
Faith’s Journey is a ministry of music that performs over 120 dates a year from coast to coast. This ministry is comprised of Jonathan Edwards, MC and baritone for the group; his wife Deana Edwards soprano; and Scott Roberts, tenor and pianist.
Faith’s Journey has ministered on small and large stages across the country singing great traditional gospel music. They have been featured performers at Branson’s Silver Dollar City as well as had their music played on radio stations across the country.
Friday Night Concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson and sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music and Jim Butler.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 26
CHC/SEK Fort Scott Offers Mammograms to Women at Open House on August 2

FORT SCOTT – Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) invites women to celebrate their health at its 3D mammography event. “Celebrate You” will be from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 2 at 2322 S. Main St.
For women age 40 to 74 years of age, it is recommended to have a screening mammogram every one to two years. CHC/SEK is proud to offer 3D mammography services to area women. According to the American Cancer Society, several studies have shown 3D mammograms provide more detailed imaging and can detect up to 40 percent more cancers than 2D mammograms.
No appointment or referral is required to attend the event. Most insurances are accepted however, no one is denied care. Those who attend will receive free refreshments and a gift. For information about this event, call 620-223-8484.
Relax & Reconnect!
Reconnect with your partner during a romantic weekend at the award-winning Cedar Crest Lodge in Pleasanton, Ks.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center offers couples therapy focused on reconnection and repair, along with education, skill building, and the neuroscience behind it all.
Also included in your romantic, nature-inspired retreat are meals made with locally-sourced food, use of the tranquil outdoor pool, hot tub, and sauna, and access to serene hiking trails and certified wildlife habitat.
The retreat is August 25-27, 2023.
To learn more contact SEKMHC
620.365.8641 ext. 208
www.sekmhc.org/relationship-retreat
Obituary of Chester Bower
Chester Eugene “Chet” Bower, age 79, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, at his home. There was cremation.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 29th, at the Community Christian Church.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the Church.
Memorials are suggested to Show-Me Christian Youth Home or Community Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Ready For School Year 2023-24: USD 234

“We are SO excited for another successful school year and all the great things it will bring,” Destry Brown, USD 234 Superintendent said.
The Fort Scott School District 2023-2024 first day of school is Friday, August 18.
Highlights of new things to the district this school year:
Tonya Barnes was employed as the school district’s full-time Special Education Director, Brown said.
To view a prior story on Barnes:
Tonya Barnes Begins as U234 Special Education Director on July 1
- “We are able to use ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds) for more special education personnel and intervention assistance,” Brown said.
- “The JAG program at Fort Scott HIgh School- a school to career program. This is evidence based and done with a career specialist.”
“JAG-K will help prepare students for successful futures,”according to its website https://jagkansas.org/ “We will partner with students to help them identify a career path compatible to their interests and skills and overcome the various challenges they face that put them at risk of not attaining educational and career success.”
- “Enrolled students can eat free for the 2023-2024 school year,” he said.
- “A new FSHS heating/air conditioning/venting system, with further energy improvements being performed at each of our district’s buildings,” Brown said.
Those who retired from the district this year:
Chris Sather, Amy Lybarger, Kelly Cox, Cristin Stark, Kristi Hartman, Carol Bingesser, Michelle Martin, Jane Hill, Becky Howard, Susan Carnes, Ramona Wilson, Debbie Endicott, Connie Billionis, and Stewart Guss.
New teachers to the district:
Xoe Altic , Hunter Casey, Tracy Comstock, Annyssa Davenport, Erin Deatsch, Brennen Feeback, Kassie Fugate-Cate, Caleb Hendricks, Jane Magathan-Krone, Rayanne McKinsey, Emily Peterson, Jacquelyn Rivera, Ashlee Setina, Torrie Singmaster, Billie Stanley, Candy Turner, Mark Weaver, Beckie Woellhof, Nicholas Woods, Darcy Workman, Julie Forkner and Frances Furry.
These new teachers will be featured in a series of profiles in the coming weeks on fortscott.biz.
U.S.Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
Unveiling a Bipartisan Breakthrough on NIL Legislation
On April 4, 2022, the University of Kansas Jayhawks defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. An average of 18.1 million people watched the Jayhawks comeback victory, making it the most viewed NCAA championship game in cable television history. This game was broadcast by Turner, which, along with CBS, agreed to an $8.8 billion contract extension with the NCAA to broadcast March Madness on their networks. It is no secret that college athletics have grown into an increasingly profitable, billion-dollar industry. However, the rules surrounding athlete compensation have not been modernized.
On Thursday, I released bipartisan proposal draft legislation that would make certain college athletes can benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness without hurting their eligibility to compete. The College Athletes Protection & Compensation Act would set national standards for name, image, and likeness, while also prioritizing athletes’ health and education. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J) and I released this proposal to empower student athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love. Athletics teach young men and women many valuable skills that serve them throughout their life, and it’s important to protect their ability to pursue an education while allowing them to capitalize on their name, image and likeness as a college athlete.
You can read more from the Kansas City Star here.

Recognizing Senator Bob Dole’s 100th Birthday
One of Kansas’ most beloved sons, Senator Bob Dole, who would have turned 100 on Saturday. The legacy of Senator Dole is one of service, sacrifice and love for country. He dedicated his life to his fellow Kansans and to his country, working to create a more perfect union for all. He was a friend to all and embodied what it means to be a statesman, a public servant and most importantly, a Kansan.
You can watch my full remarks here.
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Celebrating Ribbon Cutting of Washburn University Law School Robert J. Dole Hall
I was pleased to be in Topeka on Friday to honor the legacy of Bob Dole and to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Washburn University’s new state-of-the-art law school building. The Robert J. Dole Hall is a $33 million-dollar project which includes a courtyard, an advocacy area, law clinic, more than 12,000 feet of classroom space and an 11,000 square foot library. Washburn leadership announced earlier this spring their plans to move the education department to this new building to serve more students as Washburn’s competitive law program continues to grow.
I want to extend my thanks to Washburn University President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, Dean of Washburn’s School of Law Jeffrey Jackson, and Washington University Alumni Foundation President Marshall Meek for inviting me to join them on Friday and for their efforts to make certain that Senator Dole’s memory lives on at Washburn. Washburn University’s School of Law continues to offer Kansans a premier institution to learn and study law while also developing their network in the state for future employment. I look forward to countless years of Washburn School of Law graduates, now studying in the Robert J. Dole Hall, honing their legal skills and staying in our state to serve their fellow Kansans.
Death Notice of Chester “Chet” Bower
Chester Eugene “Chet” Bower, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, at his home. Services will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 25
Updates of Activities in Fort Scott Tomorrow

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