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Christian Heights School Chili Feed and Bake Auction, Nov. 6
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 5
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Nov. 2-4
Obituary of Willis Hamilton
Willis Karl Hamilton a.k.a. Will Hamilton went home to be with the Lord on October 29, 2021. He was born to Garfield (Willie) and Marie Turner Hamilton on January 11, 1963. He was raised in South Bend, Indiana and graduated from John Adams High School.
He moved with his wife, Joy, and daughter, Varonica to Lee’s Summit, Missouri in 2006. While living in Missouri, they were members of Evangelistic Center International Ministries where he participated in the EC Kids Ministry engaging the children with the life-sized puppets, he hand-crafted. The products of his Mid-West Puppet Designs business.
Anyone who knew Willis was touched by his kindness, humor, and mild temperament. His greatest joys were his Savior Jesus Christ, family with whom he loved spending time, his numerous musical instruments, photography, and motorcycles.
Willis was a truly talented and creative singer, songwriter, and musician with a catalog of over 300 songs including his very first cut—an LP 45—at age 16 entitled “Jesus is Knocking” to his newest song that will be shared posthumously, entitled “Dream Machine.”
His creativity also extended to the radio station WUBS where the jingle he wrote, “If you keep us locked in, we’ll keep you lifted up,” can still be heard.
In addition, he designed a “Guard Dog” (logo) that still stands watch today outside the Eaton Corporation, where he previously worked, in South Bend, Indiana.
One of his greatest creative works was “Lord, Have Mercy,” an original movie, that premiered locally at the Glenwood Theatre in 2015.
Willis earned college hours related to computer networking at Metropolitan Community College, KCMO. He also completed certifications in 2D and 3D digital drafting and design as a participant in RW2 Career and Technical Education.
Willis also loved his job in shipping and receiving at Corbion in Grandview, Missouri as well as the people with whom he worked.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents Garfield and Marie Hamilton.
He is survived by his loving wife, Joy to whom he was happily married for 28 years; three sons and one daughter – Abner (Shawna), Elijah (Erin), Willis II (Faith), and Varonica Hamilton. Also surviving are two sisters, Anna Marie Dorsey (Phillip), Judy Eady (Ken); and two brothers, Garfield Hamilton, and Gary Hamilton; a special sister Kewana Lawshea (Charles) and five grandchildren, Jacob Hamilton, Azariah Hamilton, Bear Hamilton, Ember Hamilton, and Pearl Hamilton; and nephews and nieces Melissa Lehman, Terance Gamble, Kaitlyn Eady, Xavier Lewis Tunnage, LaDonna Johnson, and John Rybolt; and life-long friend, J. Findley May
. We will all miss him more than words can say.
Willis’ Favorite Scripture: John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 11th, at the Evangelistic Center International Ministries, 1800 Washington Blvd., Kansas City, KS. Services will be live streamed on the Evangelist Center Church YouTube channel.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 prior to the service
. Burial will take place at 2:00 PM Friday, November 12th in the West Plains Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS. Memorials are suggested to RW2 Career and Technical Education scholarship fund for students in need at https://bit.ly/3kE7qIK or mailed in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
New Grant Program Launches for Historic Building Revitalization
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new grant program that will move quickly to help revitalize underutilized, vacant and dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas communities.
The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses; housing; arts and culture; civic engagement; childcare; or entrepreneurship. The matching grants will help address emergency needs for neglected buildings and assist building owners with eligible expenses for the revitalization of historic properties. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.
“We have a shortage of ready to occupy buildings across the state, but also an abundance of historic buildings with good bones that make them great candidates for rehabilitation,” Lieutenant Governor/Secretary Toland said. “The HEAL program provides an immediate opportunity to close financial gaps in restoring these properties and making downtown districts throughout our state more economically vibrant, while also creating new jobs and services for Kansans.”
There are two funding categories under the HEAL program. Emergency HEAL grants provide immediate relief for buildings at risk of collapse. Emergency HEAL applications will be accepted from November 8-19 with awards announced November 23. All non-Emergency HEAL applications will be accepted until December 20 with awards announced January 10, 2022. Eligible properties must have historical or architectural significance and be in a downtown business district in cities of less than 50,000 population.
The Department will be conducting expedited reviews of Emergency HEAL applications in recognition of the likelihood of collapse of some structures across the state, and the impending winter weather. Applicants selected for Emergency HEAL funding will receive notification prior to Thanksgiving.
Applications must be submitted by building owners in coordination with a local nominating organization. Eligible nominating organizations include: cities, counties, non-profit organizations, designated Kansas Main Street or affiliate cities, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, Small Business Development Centers or local community foundations.
A virtual workshop on the specifics of the program is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., November 8th via Zoom. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Information about the HEAL grant program and the online application can be viewed at https://www.kansascommerce.gov/healprogram.
HEAL is possible through a collaboration of the Community Development Division, Kansas Main Street, and the Governor’s Office of Rural Prosperity at the Kansas Department of Commerce.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas in 2021 was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award and was named Site Selection Magazine’s Best Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States. Find the Department’s strategic plan for economic growth here: Kansas Framework for Growth.
The Artificers Are Coming
Kate and Trent Freeman, Edwardsville, purchased a building at 8 North National Avenue, Fort Scott, on October 2, 2020, and will soon open their new business there, called The Artificers.
“The definition of artificers is fine artists and craftsmen,” Kate said.
The business will be an art gallery, a teaching studio workshop space, and a studio space for both Kate and Trent, who are artists by profession.
“We have a network of artists that we will pull from to come in and display and teach watercolor, collage, airbrush artists… from all over the country,” she said.
There will be classes and workshops.
A possible opening will be late winter, 2021, or early spring, 2022, Trent said.
“Artificers is a group, including Trent and I and anyone we invite in,” she said. “You can expect quality work.”
Trent received a degree in fine art from Emporia State University; Kate “just does art”, she said, and added, “I do the marketing for the business.”
The business will take commissioned art and have art for sale.
Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.
“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”
Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.
Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”
“We love the atmosphere here,” Kate said. “It feels like home here. I feel there is a revival about to happen in the town and it feels good.”
The artists had a setback in July 2021, when the building next door to the north, between The Artificers and Sharkey’s Pub & Grub Restaurant, collapsed.
“That set us back three months,” Trent said.
Also, the pandemic has kept contractors busy and the Freemans are in line for plumbing, electrical, etc.
Trent is doing most of the repurposing of the inside of the former Hammond Real Estate building himself, and last Saturday was framing up some rooms on the inside.
“The front one-third of the building will be a gallery space,” Kate said. “The next one-third will have a small kitchenette and be a teaching studio workshop and have classes in all art genres. The back one-third will be our studio space for creating.”
“The City of Fort Scott is contracting Mid Continental Restoration for some facia and the entire north side (of the building) will be cleaned and sealed,” Trent said. “They have been good to us.”
The Freeman’s will eventually live on the second floor of the building when the business’s first floor is complete, Kate said.
They are not in a hurry, because their daughter is a senior in high school and they don’t want to move until she leaves for the University of Arkansas next fall.
Accompanying them in the move will be their Red Healer dog, Ivy, Kate said, and Ivy was enjoying the sun from a south-facing window in the gallery on Saturday. There will be many more days in that spot.
For more information: 8 North National-The Artificers Facebook page or https://tefreemanstudio.com/
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 4
Bo Co Coalition Minutes of Nov. 3
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
November 3, 2021
To help us with the decision on when to return to face-to-face meetings only, please let Billie Jo Drake know if your agency is continuing the ban on face-to-face meetings. If still not attending in person, is there a timeline for when it is possible?
- Welcome: Fifteen members representing fifteen agencies attended. Billie Jo reported that we will continue to have our General Membership meetings at the Scottview Apartments; the December meeting will be at noon; beginning in January, we will meet at 1:00 p.m. In an effort to resume face-to-face only meetings, she will poll the membership to ascertain when we might be able to discontinue the Zoom meeting option. She also thanked the members for making a last minute location change due to the heating problems at the HBCAT office.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Megan Rogers, Safehouse, noted that they have programs available for those in crisis situations; call 620-231-8251 for more information.
- Shana McClure, DCF, updated members on several programs available now or in the near future; consult www.dcf.ks.gov to get information. She also noted that LIEAP applications will be available in December.
- Michelle Stevenson, Fort Scott Early Childhood Program, noted that the Early Childhood Coalition is making good headway with school readiness. She provides in house support for children before they enter school; she has several openings.
- Christine Abbott, SEKansasWorks, noted that the recent Youth Summit had 94 participants; another summit will be planned for the spring. She has funding available for helping youth with careers. She continues to be available at the HBCAT office on Mondays.
- Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department, announced that WIC will be on Monday next week due to Veterans Day. She reminded members that there are incentives for those who successfully participate in the “Baby and Me – Tobacco Free” program.
- Jody Hoener, HBCAT, urged county residents to complete the HBCAT survey which is available until the end of November; survey can be accessed at HBCAT.org. There is an incentive to complete and submit the survey. Jody then introduced Rachel Carpenter.
- Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT, shared that the organization has developed three grant programs, funded by the Patterson Family Foundation, for minority, women-owned or low-income start-up businesses, restaurants and food retail, and farmer/ranchers. Rachel will be the program coordinator.
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP, informed members that she now has twelve volunteers in Bourbon County working at the Scottview Apartments and The Beacon.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army, reminded members that all monies raised in the Salvation Army bucket campaign will remain in Bourbon County; he can always use more volunteers to ring bells. Because Compassionate Ministries received a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation grant, he is able to help people with heaters and taxi tickets, as well as, provide help to the homeless.
- Allen also shared some news from Jackie Sellers, Bourbon County Senior Citizens: There will be no Meals on Wheels delivered on November 24 and 25; there will be no taxi service on November 25 and 26.
- Amanda Gilmore, Fort Scott Lighthouse, announced that they have a service on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Scott Inn. They host a Bible study and prayer meeting every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at 728 Heylman.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority, has a waiting list for one-bedroom apartments but has several two and three-bedroom apartments ready for occupancy now. She also noted that the Kansas KEBA program is still taking applications for rental assistance.
- Elizabeth Schafer rejoiced that the handicapped swing donated by the Pioneer Kiwanians has now been installed at Gunn Park.
- Jean Tucker, Feeding Families in His Name, announced that she has 34 more days as the director of the program; then, a committee of volunteers will be taking over that duty. She noted that they were providing 300-350 meals each Wednesday and several other churches and organizations were helping with the process which has been in existence for ten years. Jean also introduced Chris Eshelman, minister of the First United Methodist Church
- Hannah Geneva, SEK Multi County Health Department, was unable to attend because they were doing a booster dose clinic at the health department. They are now offering COVID-19 booster vaccines; contact 620-223-4464 for further information/scheduling.
- Program: Stacy Dickerhood, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging. This is a non-profit agency serving seniors (60+) in Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson counties. The Area Agency on Aging provides attendant care and homemaker services to those individuals meeting functional and financial guidelines with the goal of keeping people in their homes. The agency also provides funding for information and assistance, Meals on Wheels, Medicare counseling, Legal Services, caregiver support, case management, and respite care. Additional information can be found at 620-431-2980 or 1-800-794-2440. The care giver support group in Fort Scott meets the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at Papa Don’s
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the group.
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be December 1, 2021.
2021 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Underway
2021 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Underway
Ballots To Be Mailed to Eligible Voters Beginning This Week
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2021— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. To be counted, producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or be postmarked by Dec. 6, 2021.
“Now is your opportunity to elect fellow farmers and ranchers in your community to serve on the local county committee,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “These committees are a critical piece to the work we do by providing knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide. Your voice and vote matters.”
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits. Also, for County Committee elections, producers who are not of legal voting age, but supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, are eligible to vote.
Producers can find out if their LAA is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office. To find your local USDA Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-locator. Visit fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.
About Committees
Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office, and at least one seat representing an LAA is up for election each year. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2022.
Urban and Suburban County Committees
Ballots to elect urban committee members were sent beginning Nov. 1, 2021. These elections will serve local urban producers in the same jurisdiction. A fact sheet on the urban county committee election and a list of eligible cities can be found at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to form urban county committees as well as make other advancements related to urban agriculture, including the establishment of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Urban county committees will work to encourage and promote urban, indoor and other emerging agricultural production practices. Committee members will provide outreach to ensure urban producers understand USDA programs and serve as the voice of other urban producers. Additionally, the new county committees may address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost and food waste reduction. Learn more at farmers.gov/urban.
More Information
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. 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 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.
Police Chief Shelton: 25 Years in Service With FSPD
Travis Shelton, Chief of Police of the Fort Scott Police Department, has reached a milestone, 25 years with the department.
Shelton has held positions of officer, K9 Handler, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police.
He earned an associate of science degree from Fort Scott Community College, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Missouri Southern State University.
Shelton is involved in the community as well.
“I am currently on the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Kiwanis Club, former board member at the Key Hole (Youth Center), former adjunct instructor at Fort Scott Community College, and former little league football coach,” he said.
For Shelton, the best part of his career has been the people in the community, he said.
“Unlike other parts of our country in today’s world, we have a lot of support from our community,” Shelton said. “Fort Scott is a great place to live and work with people who genuinely want what is best for our city.”
Shelton said the greatest challenge as chief of police is recruiting and retaining qualified police applicants and officers.
“This is one of the biggest challenges police departments across the country have at this point in time,” he said.
His wife, Gina Shelton, is the USD 234 Business Manager / Board Clerk. He has a son, Nick, 21, and a daughter Maci,16 years old.
FSCC All-American Meat Judgers
Submitted by Sara Sutton, Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Instructor
“Our season has come to an end but I wanted to share some exciting academic news,” she said. “Eight All-American meat judgers are selected at the end of each season. This is based on high contest scores as well as GPA. Our program had 4 of those 8 spots! This is not an easy accomplishment so if you have or see the following students, please congratulate them.”
First Team All American
Sierra Graham
Cord Dodson
Second Team All American
Ethan Westerman
Lila wood
Chamber Coffee At VFW
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Join us for this week’s
Chamber Coffee hosted by
VFW Post 1165
Thursday, November 4th
8 am
1745 S. National
Fort Scott, KS
VFW is the largest and oldest war Veteran’s service organization, and they have a long and proven history of providing vital assistance and support to America’s servicemen and women worldwide
Click here to visit their Facebook page.
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