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Obituary of Dwight Driver
Dwight Lester Driver, age 52, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born October 11, 1970, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Dwight Adams Driver and Karen Marie Sampson Driver.
Dwight worked as a wood cutter and enjoyed doing carpentry work.
Survivors include his mother, Karen Sampson Farmer of Bronson, Kansas and two children, Dwight Justin “D.J.” Conway Driver and Brynn Marie Driver.
He was preceded in death by his father and step-father, Fred Farmer.
There was cremation and no public service is planned. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
KS to Limit Bradford, Cleveland, Select, Chanticleer Pears Trees Because of Invasivenessss
KDA Seeks Public Input on Callery Pear Trees
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture is requesting public comment on a proposal to limit the number of Callery pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) that are planted in Kansas each year. This includes trees with the names of Bradford, Cleveland Select, Chanticleer, and others.
Because of this tree’s inherent invasiveness and its proven tendency to spread to areas outside of the landscapes in which is planted, KDA is seeking ideas on how to restrict the further introduction of these trees into the state, including a possible quarantine that would restrict new planting or movement of the Callery pear into and within the state of Kansas.
Although KDA recommends the removal of all invasive species found to be growing on public and private lands, this proposal would not include any requirement for the removal of any Callery pear trees that had already been planted. Therefore, listing the species as a noxious weed would not be applicable in this case.
The plant protection and weed control program at KDA is committed to protecting the state’s native and cultivated plants from the introduction and outbreak of harmful plant pests, including insects, plant diseases, weeds, and other organisms.
Provide comment on the idea of restricting the movement of Callery pear trees into and within the state of Kansas at agriculture.ks.gov/
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U234 Board Met On June 12
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, June 12, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda with removal of 8.9 KERMP insurance and the consent agenda as follows:
- Board Minutes from the May 8, 2023, regular board meeting and May 19, 2023, special board meeting
- Financials-Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – May 19, 2023 – $1,663,532.16
- Activity Fund accounts
- Extended Trip Applications, Fundraising Applications, Gifts & Donations
- Resolution 22-14 Banking Resolution
Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Jannah Farrington as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month.
- Farrington is a Special Education teacher at Fort Scott Middle School. Mrs. Farrington organizes the Special Olympics held for students and coordinates going to Pitt State for participation. She is always positive and trying to find what is the best for kids. Mrs. Farrington has taught for USD 234 for 12 years.
Classified Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Cheryl Marsh as the Classified Tiger Team Member of the Month.
- Marsh is a Kitchen Manager at Fort Scott High School. Cheryl is gracious and kind to everyone. She has a can-do attitude and does what is best for schools. Mrs. Marsh has been with USD 234 for 25 years.
Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Bill Michaud as the Volunteer of the Year. Mr. Michaud is the coordinator of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce mentoring program that matches local leaders with Fort Scott High School students.
Board Members shared comments.
Superintendent Destry Brown provided an update to the board on services provided by the school nurses in the district, shared information regarding the Core Community program, discussed a June 27th special board meeting for the purposes of closing down the budget and other end of year items. He also noted two grants that had been applied for: Safe and Secure Grant and Mental Health Grant.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on end of year data, highlighting celebrations, curricular and assessment team progress, Science Resources, the new assessment program, and Summer Enrichment.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, updated the board on new employee orientation, USD 234 job fair to be held on July 11th & 12th at the FSMS Community space, and final categorical aid numbers for Special Education.
The board approved changing the regular July board meeting from July 10th to July 17th, still to be held at the Board of Education, 424 S. Main Street, at 5:30 p.m.
Superintendent Brown shared information with the board in regard to adoption of a policy related to out-of-district student enrollment.
The board approved the following items:
- Workers Compensation Renewal 2023-24 – KASB Workers Comp
- Trash Bid & Recommendation – 5-year bid to 4 State Sanitation
- Audit Contract for the year ending June 30, 2023, with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPAs
- Ratification of Negotiated Agreement for 2023-24, including changes to Supplemental Salary Schedule
- Curriculum Associates – iReady – K-8 Assessment & Intervention
- Approval of Personnel Report
- Approval of ESSER Premium Pay for 2023-24
- Approval of Classified Raises for 2023-24
- Approval of Special Services Raises for 2023-24
- Approval of Director Raises for 2023-24
- Approval of Administrative Raises for 2023-24
The board tabled the following items:
- CDWG Technology Carts & Supply
The board heard an audio recording from patron Tracy King.
The board went into an executive session for negotiation and personnel matters.
Vice-President Barrows adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
June 12, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Billionis, Connie – Retirement – Board of Education Deputy Clerk, Secretary, Alumni Recording Secretary, as of May 31, 2023
- Campbell, Carlee – Resignation – Fort Scott Preschool Center Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Ericson, Tyler – Resignation – Winfield Scott Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Mead, Jenice – Resignation – Fort Scott Middle Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Wilcox, Ashley – Winfield Scott Technology Teacher and Professional Development at the end of the 2022-23 school year
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Certified:
- Thomas, Rachelle – Transfer from Eugene Ware 5th Grade to Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher
Classified:
- Hodges, Julius – Transfer from Winfield Scott Paraprofessional to Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
- Lisica, Michelle – Transfer from Eugene Ware Paraprofessional to Eugene Ware Speech Paraprofessional
- Willard, Siarra – Transfer from Eugene Ware Paraprofessional to split Speech/Paraprofessional
- Witt, Randi – Transfer from MIS Clerk to Winfield Scott Speech Paraprofessional
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Casey, Hunter – Winfield Scott 2nd Grade Teacher
- Cate, Kassie – Winfield Scott Elementary Special Education Teacher
- Stanley, Billie – Eugene Ware 5th Grade Teacher
- Turner, Candy – Fort Scott Preschool Center Teacher
- Workman, Darcy – Eugene Ware 4th Grade Teacher
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Ludeman, Sara – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Blackburn, Brendon – Fort Scott Middle School Head Football Coach
- Blackburn, Brendon – Fort Scott Middle School Summer Weights and Conditioning
- Brown, Lindsey – Fort Scott High School Girls Summer Conditioning
- Feeback, Brennen – Fort Scott High School Assistant Football Coach
- Heatherly, Julie – HOSA sponsor
- Eugene Ware Elementary Mentors
Young Entrepreneur Series: Camren Lamb
This is first in a series of young entrepreneurs in the community. The series aims to highlight youth who are venturing out in their own businesses.
Please submit names of other recommended young entrepreneurs to be featured to [email protected]
Camren Lamb, 9, heard about entrepreneurship in January 2022, at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Dare to Dream program, an adult entrepreneurship event.
Camren is the son of Melanie and Larry Lamb, rural Fort Scott.
Melanie attended the event and Camren came also.
“I asked if I could make a picture, so I sold my first art,” Camren said.
He sells artwork and plays a newly purchased guitar as part of his business.
Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught him and others in a April 2022 childrens workshop about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.
“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.
In addition to selling his artwork, he plays music requests on his guitar for passersby.
“I played ukelele first, then guitar,” he said. The guitar was purchased from money he earned at the Children’s Business Fair in April 2022.
He doesn’t charge for for playing, he said.
“I use it to draw people (in to look at his artwork),” he said. “I take requests and tell them songs are free but I had a basket for artwork sales and people started putting money in for the music.”
He was selling at the Fort Scott Farmers Market for the first time on June 3. “This is my second time selling, the first time was at Buck Run Community Center at the Children’s Business Fair.”
Most recently he played guitar at the Shead Farm Festival, the Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store and at the Friday Night Free Concert at the gazebo downtown.
He took ukelele lessons from Bob Solomonson and guitar lessons from Stephen Moses, he said.
Camren said this year his earnings will go to help the Show Me Christian Youth Home and he is also saving money for church camp.
Chamber Coffee At Varia Resale Clothing June 15
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 13
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
Recognizing the 79th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy
Speaking at D-Day Anniversary Ceremony
It was an honor to represent the U.S. Senate and join Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, General Mark Milley and World War II veterans at the ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. Sharing the stage with American and allied military leaders and dignitaries, we paid our respects to the 9,386 American soldiers buried in Normandy and the 1,557 listed on the Wall of the Missing, and we reaffirmed the importance of continued friendship and partnership across the Atlantic Ocean.
The patch of earth at Normandy holds a place in the hearts of families across the United States. Generations of Americans have grown up with only stories and photographs of an uncle, a father, a grandfather or a brother who made the ultimate sacrifice. Each loss represented here by either a white marble cross or Star of David is a loss that a family has borne for nearly 80 years. They are still loved and remembered.
Fort Scott Farmers Market Feature: The Hamiltons’ Artisan Bakery
We are happy to have The Hamiltons’ Artisan Bakery as a part of the Fort Scott Farmers’ Market for their 2nd year! The Hamiltons can be found at the market Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday afternoons from 4-6 p.m. They will be bringing sourdough breads and a variety of baked treats each week. Come out and get some!
The farmers market is located on Skubitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Affordable High Speed Internet Project Coming to Bourbon County
TOPEKA, June 12, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis today announced a $49.9 million loan to connect thousands of rural Kansans to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. The project will improve service for 149 businesses, 821 farms and over 4,000 people in Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette and Neosho counties.
“High-speed internet is essential in today’s world of online business, learning and communication,” Davis said. “This investment will help ensure rural Kansas remains a place of opportunity to live, work, and raise a family.”
This is the fourth funding round of the USDA ReConnect Program. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department has invested in 142 ReConnect projects that will bring high-speed internet access to 314,000 rural Americans.
Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement totaling $714 million in USDA investments in Kansas and 18 other states.
The Kansas details are:
- The Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative Inc. in Kansas will receive a $49,954,702 loan to connect 4,189 people, 821 farms, 149 businesses and three educational facilities to high-speed internet in Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette and Neosho counties.
Background: ReConnect Program
Applicants to ReConnect Program funding must serve a rural area that lacks access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload. Applicants must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in the proposed service area. Additionally, to ensure that rural households that need internet service can afford it, all awardees will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
Obituary of Neva Carol Boyd Coberley
Neva Carol Boyd Coberley, age 88, passed away peacefully Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Medical Lodge of Neosho, MO. She was born in Rural Bourbon County on February 2, 1935, to Margaret (Lind) and Claude Stainbrook. She had five sisters Irene, Marjorie, Claudia, Nancy, and Florence. They preceded her in death.
She married her high school sweetheart Donald Boyd with whom she had 4four children: Dennis, Kimberly, Gary, and Lisa. They eventually moved to Lawrence, KS where she was employed by Kansas University and The Lawrence School System. She lost Donald Boyd to cancer in 1976 and decided to move her youngest back home and settled in Redfield KS.
She met and eventually married Wade Coberley, and they melded their children Jesse, Cathy, Bud, Mae, and Angie to make a family of nine. They moved from Ft. Scott, KS to Aurora, MO, and settled. She loved KU sports, singing, Blue Grass festivals, and flea marketing.
She loved her family fiercely and doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She loved to travel, which they did until health declined. She lost Wade Coberley in 2017 and moved to live with Lisa in Aurora, MO.
Ill health led her to Medical Lodge where she was loved until the end of her life. She was quick witted, loved crossword puzzles, reading extensively, and her family.
She was loved by everyone who knew her.
Survivors include nine children and stepchildren, 27 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. She loved them to the moon and back. She was preceded in death by her son Dennis in 2011.
Services for Neva are planned for 1:00 PM Friday, June 16th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Hatch Cemetery, Uniontown., KS.
Donations are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society 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.
Obituary of Nicholas Naveira
Nicholas Humberto Naveira, age 87, resident of Elizabeth, NJ, and more recently of Farlington, KS, died Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Comfort Care Home, Pittsburg, KS.
He was born December 6, 1935, in Cuba, the son of Gregorio and Caridad Rodriquez Naveira. He married Joaquina Garcia. They arrived in the United States in their 30’s and settled in New Jersey. Nicholas worked as a mechanic, and later a machinist for the Red Devil paint supply company.
Survivors include his wife Joaquina Naveira, Farlington, KS; a son Jose Naveira and wife Becky, Farlington; a daughter, Daisy Naveira, Farlington; and a sister, Cira, Florida
He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Luis and Soillo Naveira, and a sister, Luisa Naveira.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 13th, at the Farlington Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.