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U.S. Census Bureau Rep to Speak at Chamber Coffee On Aug. 19
FORTSCOTT.COM | 620-223-3566
FORTSCOTT.COM | 620-223-3566
New Teachers At U234: Carlee McCullough and Johnna Walls
This is part of a series introducing new Fort Scott educators.
Johnna Walls, 22, is a new fourth-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott.
She graduated from Fort Scott Community College with an associate of science degree, then Ottawa University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. OU was where her grandfather, John Walls, also graduated with an education degree, she said.
Walls spent the last three years serving as a substitute paraprofessional and substitute teacher throughout the Fort Scott district.
Her family includes her parents, Wayne and Colleen Walls, and a brother, Timothy Vaughan, and now includes her boyfriend Christian Cox, and two dogs Peach and Ponch.
After working as a paraprofessional at Eugene Ware Elementary she got inspired to teach, she said. “I previously had no interest in teaching, however, working with these amazing kids changed something in me and I knew this was what God was calling me to do with my life. My first group of students at Eugene Ware inspired me to take a leap and I am thankful every day for those students.”
For Walls, the best part of teaching is the relationships.
“I meet so many amazing kids from an array of backgrounds and I am able to lead them to see the world of possibilities that are open to each and every one of them,” she said. “More than anything, I love seeing them come in at the beginning of the year and then transform into confident, capable, and thriving individuals.”
“Challenges are everywhere within the realm of teaching,” Walls said. “Yet, the challenges are continuously outshined by the numerous accomplishments and happy moments that are always popping up within the school. Challenges are simply a step in creating positive change and positive outcomes.”
Outside of her career, she travels nationwide rodeoing, she said.
“I barrel race on my horse, Rocket, while also cheering on Christian while he rides bulls.”
Carlee McCullough, 29, is a new teacher at Fort Scott Preschool, which is a part of USD 234.
She graduated from Pittsburg State University and has one year of experience teaching second-grade at Hume, MO.
She and her husband Danny McCullough have two boys, Canyen and Callen.
“I pursued teaching because I wanted to make a difference and I’m someone who loves a challenge,” she said. “In education, you are constantly being challenged with problem-solving ways to help your students reach their full potential.”
“The best part of teaching hands down has to be when you see the light bulb or ‘aha ‘moment in your children’s eyes or on their face,” McCullough said. “It’s that moment when they understand what you have taught them. It’s so exciting because not only are you so proud of them but you can tell how proud of themselves they are and those moments are so special and so fun.”
“A challenge for me is just making sure I’m showing up each day as the best version of myself, but it’s a challenge I look forward to each day,” she said.
Outside of her teaching career, she helps on the family farm with haying in the summer, checking cattle, doctoring cattle, and weaning calves in the next couple of weeks, she said.
Three Big Heavyweights by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
One of my all-time favorite movies is Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone, which hit the theaters in 1976. The story is about a small-time club fighter who gets a rare shot at the world heavyweight championship and wins it. Rocky displays courage, hard work, and determination to go the distance for his self-respect. This movie has so many good life lessons that I will periodically watch it just for down-to-earth inspiration.
As Christians, we have three big heavyweights on our side. “Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one — for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one — for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (Romans 8:33,34 NLT). And Holy Spirit does not condemn us because He is in agreement with the Father and Son. Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever“ (John 14:16 AMP).
What a relief for believers who grasp the truth that God does not condemn us because He has justified us. Jesus does not condemn us because He is seated at the right hand of His Father pleading for us in intercession. And Holy Spirit does not condemn us because He lives up to His name as a comforter and helper.
With God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit on your side, the only way you can lose is if you throw in the towel. You can stay on top of your spiritual training by practicing Psalm 18:23: “I am ever [on guard] to keep myself free from my sin and guilt.” Don’t let your guard down because that allows the devil to take a punch at you. Stay vigilant and focus on living your life according to the Word of God. Practice the privilege of prayer. Diligently listen for the gentle voice of Holy Spirit and then obey right away.
Christians believe in God the Father, confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, and then receive Holy Spirit. God reveals Himself through His Son, but He communicates to us through Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, Peter said: “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and your children…all who have been called by the Lord our God” (Acts 2:38,39 NLT).
A gift is something given willingly to someone without payment. God gave His only Son Jesus as a free gift to the world. Some receive Him and some reject Him. Holy Spirit was requested of God by Jesus as a promised gift to believers. Some receive Him with joy and some reject Him. Our earthly life is one big training session for that final round that’s sure to come. Every time the bell rings, make sure you fight to keep the faith.
The Key: Ding ding…the devil can‘t use you for a punching bag when the three Heavyweights are in your corner!
Fort Scott Design Review Board Meets 18
The Design Review Board will meet on Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider two items.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 18
Funds To Help With Organic Certification for Producers
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2021 – Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021.
“USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “By assisting with the costs, this program can help organic farmers get their certification along with the benefits that come with it.”
OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories (or “scopes”):
· crops
· wild crops
· livestock
· processing/handling
· State organic program fees.
Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office or a participating state agency.
This funding will be complemented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. More information on that funding will be available in the coming weeks.
More Information
To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the OCCSP webpage, visit usda.gov/organic, or contact your local USDA Service Center.
In 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 http://www.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Suddenlink Offers 400 Mbps
Obituary of Agnes Armstrong
Agnes Laureta Workman Armstrong, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.
She was born October 23, 1925, in Garland, Kansas, the daughter of Ivan Lee Workman and Elva Palmer Workman.
She was a member of the first Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) graduating class from Fort Scott Junior College. She subsequently passed the State Boards and worked for Mercy Hospital for seventeen years.
She was a member of the Eastern Star at Hepler Chapter #427 for many years, then Hiattville Ideal Chapter #369 and finally Fort Scott Olive Chapter #13.
She was an avid bowler having bowled for forty years as a member of the O’Bryan Ranch team. She attended thirty-two state bowling tournaments and at age eighty, was awarded a trophy at the Salina, Kansas state tournament for being the oldest bowler in the competition.
She was a member of the Fort Scott Garden Club. Cooking was her favorite hobby, especially baking. Her baked pies were enjoyed by many. Noodles and gravy with mashed potatoes was also a favorite dish of family and friends.
Survivors include a son-in-law, Robert Finley of Walnut, Kansas, a daughter, Diana Fletcher and husband, David, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, two sons, Steve Armstrong and wife, Janet, of Fort Scott, Kansas and Stanley Armstrong and wife, Cindy, of Bridgeport, Texas. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Armstrong, a daughter, Virginia Finley, a grandson, Robert Finley II, her parents, a sister, Loleta Tracy, and three brothers, infant, David Leon Workman, William “Bill” Workman and Charles Workman and a daughter-in-law, Roberta Armstrong.
Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 21st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 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.
Obituary of Judy Renard
Judith Ann Renard, age 80, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, August 16, 2021, at Country Place Living in Ft. Scott. She was born September 20, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Russell and Edith Post Hammons. She attended Mapleton School as a young child, then graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1958 and later received her BS degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University in 1962. She married John Renard on May 17, 1964, in Mapleton, KS. John preceded her in death on December 20, 2019. After marriage she lived in Ellsworth, KS and was employed as the Ellsworth County Extension Agent. After a short stint in Newton, KS, John and Judy returned to make the family’s home in Fort Scott, KS in 1969. As a child, Judy always dreamed of being a shop keeper. While raising her children, she started her first downtown business, Calico Cottage, with a close friend, Bonnie Irby, in 1979. Following a fire that destroyed the Calico Cottage and John’s Main Street Shoe Repair Shop, Judy opened the Country Cupboard in 1980. For many years, this was a favorite stop for locals and the many tourists visiting Ft. Scott. She was extremely grateful for the many dedicated employees and customers throughout the years. Throughout her life, Judy was very active in 4-H and was recognized with her husband John for their lifetime leadership and volunteer roles. A strong supporter of Tri-Valley Development Services in its early years, she was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, a Founding Member of the Good Ol’ Days committee and participated in various local community organizations. Judy was dedicated to promoting Fort Scott downtown development and was recognized for her efforts by receiving the Lifetime Keystone Award in 2008. Her passion was everything K-State, especially football and basketball. She loved attending her kids, grandkids activities and all the local school sporting events. She also cherished attending family reunions and get-togethers. Judy was an active member of the First Christian Church and later attended the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Jim Renard and wife Melissa, Dallas, TX, Ron Renard and wife Geila, Marshall, MO, and Dave Renard, Mapleton, KS; a daughter DeeAnne Miller and husband Kevin, Ft. Scott, KS; a sister, Janice Camerlinck, Leonardville, KS; 4 grandchildren, Kellen Renard, Kevin Miller, Jr., Sara Todorovic and Patrick Coman; 3 great grandchildren, Vance Salazar, Lyric Coman and Violet Coman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John, infant sister Sandra Hammons and her parents.
Rev. Dusty Drake and Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Friday, August 20th, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to either the Bourbon County Fair or the Good Ol’ Days and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
FS City Starts Class Action Lawsuit Against Hulu and Netflix
The City of Fort Scott recently authorized a class action lawsuit, Fort Scott Versus Hulu and Netflix, for failing to pay a video franchise fee under KSA12-2022, according to a contingency agreement provided by the city. The document had no date on it, but agrees the law firm cover the expenses of the lawsuit and will receive 33% of any amounts recovered as their lawyer fees.
“No case has been filed, only hiring an attorney to move forward,” said Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer.
Michael Fleming, with Kapke Willerth, LLC, a law firm from Lee’s Summit, MO, and former Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier signed the document.
Fleming is the attorney representing Fort Scott, he said in an email interview.
Fleming responded to the following questions:
What is the purpose of this lawsuit?
“To recover money owed by Netflix and Hulu for failing to pay the franchise fee in the past and to ensure that it is paid in the future.”
What benefit will it be to the people of Fort Scott?
“Pay for the use of public right of way and property easements within the city, offset city operating costs, and offset additional personal property taxes.”
Is there a timeline?
“Not yet. At some point, a judge will issue a scheduling order and pick a trial setting. Until then, the timeline remains up in the air.”
To view the document:
Updated FS Commission Agenda
The Fort Scott Commission agenda packet has been updated.
Items changed is the American Wrecking Service (Item C under Consent) amount – $81,675.00.
Added the invoice for Nuss & Farmer (Item G under Consent) amount – $1,825.50.
Added Old Business – Resolution No. 21-2021 – Sale of Lake Fort Scott Property Proceeds
Removed one item under Item B – Skitch’s Hauling – Hauling of Clay – New Business
Added Item G – Below Grade Restoration – Eagle Block Bldg
Removed Fire Department Update – Item J – under New Business