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Vaccinations Prevent New COVID Variants From Spreading
Governor Laura Kelly Encourages Vaccinations to Protect Kansans from Rapidly Spreading Delta Variant
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly encouraged all Kansans to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their communities from the rapidly spreading Delta variant.
“The Delta variant is rapidly spreading in neighboring states, and the best way to protect yourself, your community, and finally get our state back to normal is by getting vaccinated,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Kansas is moving in the right direction, but we can’t let our guard down now. Visit www.kansasvaccine.gov today to find a vaccination site near you.”
According to the CDC, the Delta variant is 60% more transmissible than the B. 117 variant, which was previously the dominant strain. The new variant appears to be spreading most quickly in communities that have the lowest vaccination rates.
“The rapid increase of the Delta variant throughout the U.S. and in Kansas is of great concern to us,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Vaccination continues to be the best defense in combating variants.”
Kansans are encouraged to take precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including getting vaccinated, following CDC mask recommendations, practicing physical distancing, good hygiene, getting tested if exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and staying home if ill.
The Delta variant first originated in India and has been found in more the 90 countries. A newly identified variant, Delta plus, has been recently identified in India and appears to be less responsive to monoclonal antibody treatment. High vaccination rates not only prevent the spread of COVID-19, they also prevent new variants from developing.
To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.gov. Testing is available and free for all Kansans.
Lunette Blair Returns to Fort Scott
The Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc, are hosting the donation ceremony of the Lunette Blair building and land to the Fort Scott National Historic Site in a public ceremony/photo-op on the site in Skubitz Plaza, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 11 am.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will deliver remarks as a key proponent of the park’s boundary expansion through the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
U.S. Congressman Jake LaTurner also plans to be present and speak.
Reed Hartford, President of the Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., will share the history and progression of events that brought us to this historic day.
Members of several different groups and organizations who have owned and participated in helping to preserve this historic structure including the Molly Foster Berry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County, Western Blockhouse Committee, and the City of Fort Scott will participate in the event.
Construction of the Lunette Blair began in 1863. It is the only building remaining of the three fortifications surrounded Fort Scott during the Civil War. Lunettes are temporary forts, curved into a protective shape and placed near but outside the main fortification. Fort Scott’s three lunettes (Blair, Henning, and Insley) held the blockhouses enclosed by a wood and earthen wall.
Celebrate Independence with the Sights and Sounds of 1860’s Military Fireworks
Celebrate the anniversary of American independence with the sounds of cannon fire while honoring the servicemen and women who have defended the United States for the past 245 years. Fort Scott National Historic Site will accept the donation of the Lunette Blair building and land in a public ceremony/photo-op on the site in Skubitz Plaza, Saturday, July 3, at 11 am.
Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, 2021, Fort Scott National Historic Site will have artillery demonstrations, tours, programs, and living history activities throughout the day. On Monday, July 5, 2021, festivities continue with tours, programs, and living history.
Saturday, July 3
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Donation of Lunette Blair Property Ceremony
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – The Summer of 1861
3:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
4:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
Sunday, July 4
10:00 am – Civil War Small Arms Discussion
11:00 am Guided Tour of the Fort
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
3:00 pm – The History of Combat Photography (Civil War to Present)
Monday, July 5
10:00 am – Civil War Small Arms Discussion
11:00 am Guided Tour of the Fort
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
3:00 pm – The History of Combat Photography (Civil War to Present)
Visitors and local residents are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Obituary of Matthew McClellan
Matthew Todd McClellan, age 38, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.
He was born August 27, 1982, in Ft. Scott, the son of Eugene Arthur McClellan and Juliet Ann Simmons McClellan. Matt graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 2000. He went on to receive his Associates Degree from Ft. Scott Community College.
He married Starlene Bowden on December 11, 2010, at Ft. Scott. Matt had been employed by Ward Kraft for sixteen years. Matt enjoyed golfing and fishing. He was a hard worker and used his talents to remodel two homes. Matt and Star had also welcomed several foster children into their home over the last eight years.
He was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include his wife, Star and their two daughters, Madelynn and Madyson, all of the home in Ft. Scott
. His mother, Julie McClellan, of Ft. Scott and his brothers and sisters, Josh McClellan (Rechelle), Daren Hutchison (Kristen), Jill Durbin (Jesse), Brenda Pense (Jim), Tricia Heston (Doug), Rick McClellan (Teresa), Chuck McClellan (Tina) and Cheryl McClellan. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Brenda Bowden and numerous nieces and nephews.
Following cremation, Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct a celebration of life service at 10:30 A.M. Friday July 2nd at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church.
Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter 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.
New U234 Educators: Laura Howard and Peyton Guiles
This is part of a series of new educators in the Fort Scott School District.
Laura Howard, 26, is a new Fort Scott Middle School 7th/8th English Language Arts Teacher. She has two years of teaching experience.
She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in English Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree that will allow her to teach public speaking for college credit.
“I moved around a bit as a kid so I don’t really have a ‘hometown’ but I spent most of my time in Pittsburg and in La Cygne, KS.,” she said.
She is married, with two sons, Eric (6) and Soren (1), and has a miniature Australian Shepherd named Lula. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and doing yoga.
“I became a teacher because I took a class on graphic novels and realized how much they would benefit struggling readers. I realized how important books are and that we become better people by reading and learning about people who are different from us and I wanted to use that to help make the world a better place. Then I spent time in the classroom and I realized how desperately kids are waiting for someone to see them as a person that has thoughts and feelings worth listening to.”
“I got interested in the field because I wanted to help kids enjoy reading, but now I’m in it because I want kids to learn about the world and understand that they don’t have to be a grown-up to have value and worth.”
She was inspired by a former teacher.
“Christy Nickelson taught the advanced English courses and the French courses at my school and I always loved the way she made us feel,” she said. “She never raised her voice, she made time for fun, and she spent countless hours grading work and teaching us how to fix it. You can’t not like her. She will support you and help you no matter how badly you mess up. I consider myself beyond blessed to have started my career by teaching in the room next door to her. I have modeled a lot of my own teaching and interacting with kids from the way she taught and interacted with me.”
“The absolute best part of teaching is getting to know each of the kids,” she said. “I love to learn about who they are and who they want to be. I have had so many great moments of kids just wanting to share their time and thoughts with me which leads to really fun experiences in the classroom! The more I know about the kids, the more I can personalize their lessons and really help them get the most out of our time together.”
“The greatest challenge of teaching is the surprises. Knowing what to teach? Sure, college gives you that. Knowing how to grade? Another easy one. It’s the things you can’t plan for that get you. Sometimes it’s having a lesson that requires using Wi-Fi and then, bam! No internet! Sometimes it’s a kid behaving in the exact opposite way that you expect, like being angry or in tears. Sometimes it’s a perfectly planned activity going completely sideways. Surprises like these happen all the time. You can’t prepare for them so you just have to be ready to throw out what you had, roll with the punches, and reflect on it later so you can be more prepared next time.”
Peyton Guiles, 22, is the new Special Education Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
“I will be a first-year teacher, however, I have had various field experiences through Pitt State and I did my student teaching at Eugene Ware,” Guiles said.
Education: BSE 2021 from Pittsburg State University, majored in Elementary Education Unified K-6
Hometown: Girard, KS
Family:
“My parents are Carlita and Keith Guiles, and I have an older brother, Alex.”
Hobbies/community involvement:
“Some of my hobbies include watching the Kansas City Chief and the Royals, spending time with my friends and family, and taking care of my fur babies.”
Why did you become an educator?
Why did you become an educator?
“During my K-12 years, I struggled as a student because I was a nontraditional learner and my learning needs were not being met. Having that perspective, I became an educator because I want to make a difference by meeting my students where they are at and support their unique learning needs.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part about teaching for me is seeing the students’ growth and watching their confidence build up as they learn new concepts and skills.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“One of the greatest challenges I have faced in teaching so far is balancing students’ diverse learning needs. Every student is different and unique, so I have learned to get creative in my teaching strategies to meet their learning needs.”
Kansas State Housing Needs Assessment: Your Feedback Is Needed
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 28
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports June 24-27
Pinto Beans on the Ceiling by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
I’ve heard way too many stories about the misconduct of a pressure cooker. I know of one country cook that had to scrape pinto beans off the kitchen ceiling, walls, and floor because her cooker blew its stack. I’ve never blown up anything because I’m afraid to use a pressure cooker, so I don’t even own one! I don’t like messes so, just to be safe, I practice patience and “w-a-i-t for it” by using a slow crockpot.
Everybody can skip through life when the sidewalk is smooth. But whether you’re a Christian or an unbeliever, we’re all going to experience segments of life in a pressure cooker. That’s where the rubber meets the road and you find out what you‘re made of. “You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity” (Proverbs 24:10 TLB).
When heartache, adversity, and disappointments knock on your door, that means they have arrived. And you better know what to do with them. Don’t hang out the “welcome” sign or roll out the red carpet! Adversities are uninvited and unwelcome visitors and they cannot take up residence in your life. Don’t let troubles set up camp in your heart and soul. We have to know how to hand them off to Jesus and keep them in proper perspective. Otherwise, they will get out of hand and be blown up all out of proportion. We have to deal with adversities similar to what Samson did — tie their tails together, set ’em on fire and send ‘em packin’ (Judges 15:4-5).
Your attitude and actions are extremely important to you, God, and everybody around you. The Bible tells us that troubles can’t keep a good man/woman down. “For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again” (Proverbs 24:16 TPT). You can be bold as a lion, strong as an ox, and stubborn as a Missouri mule when you’re believing and standing on God’s Word.
The gospel song, “I Shall Not Be Moved” would be a great motto for Christians to adopt. “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8 NKJV). No matter what life throws our way or dumps on our porch, we cannot let it destroy our joy, peace, and confidence in Christ Jesus. Believers can say, “I am standing on the promises of God and I shall not be moved.” (So take them apples!)
The last thing I want to do is profess to believe in Almighty God and then be a poor specimen of a Christian because I won‘t trust God. My heavenly Father will take care of me and He‘ll take care of you. God has been good to me all my life and I’m confident that His love and my faith in Him will extend to my last breath.
Don’t wait for hard times to show up and then try to scrape up your spiritual weapons for battle. That’s like heading to the root cellar after the tornado blew up your house. Dig into that foxhole with God and prepare daily for life’s advancing trials. ”Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT). Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
The Key: If you can’t take the pressure, get out of the kitchen and into God’s Word.
New Housing in Bourbon County by Gregg Motley
Consider the following data about housing SEK; new houses built from 2016 and 2019 by selected county:
Allen 60; Bourbon 10; Cherokee 47; Crawford 288; Linn 182
Also consider that 8 of the 10 houses built in BB were TINY houses, costing about $40,000 a piece. Only two market houses were built during the time period considered. Why are we the tip of the tail on the SEK housing dog? A few thoughts:
It is not employment. We have a strong employment base, and it seems that every employer is hiring. About one in three workers commute into BB from another jurisdiction. The lack of good jobs is not the problem.
It is not quality of life. We have as many amenities, if not more, as the competing counties listed above. Crime is not out of control, and community spirit is generally good. We have good schools, a good community college, good churches, and good cultural amenities.
First and foremost, it is taxes. Consider the fact that if you live in Fort Scott, you pay the highest tax rate of all first-class cities in the state, save one: Parsons. Here are the levies of the counties listed above:
Allen 62.88; Bourbon 66.67; Cherokee 51.70; Crawford 50.14; Linn 49.94
Yes, we are the highest in the area. We don’t even compare to Vernon County, Missouri.
The number two reason is related to the first: year after year of low comparable sales, because of high taxes, makes it VERY difficult for bankers and mortgage lenders to get an adequate appraisal to make a loan on a new house. Those who want to build a new house will have to come up with at least 30% down, perhaps more. Who can afford to throw away all that equity?
What is the solution? Some proposals:
Control the cost of government by looking at shared services. We can’t afford the luxury of taxing entities in close proximity ignoring each other, and replicating structures.
After we lower costs, reduce the levies. We have to get competitive with our neighbors. Also, we have to increase our assessed valuation, not by increasing the value of existing properties but building new ones.
Exploit what we have. Why does Linn County, which has one of the highest unemployment rates, and lowest household incomes in the state, build so many houses? Besides low taxes, they have lakes on which residents and those who want a second home can build. We have miles of undeveloped lake shoreline in BB.
Look to build public/private/charitable partnerships to explore solutions. It will take private creativity, public investment, and some charity to get the housing ball rolling, until taxes can be mitigated, and comparable sales increased.
Let’s make this a priority and seek solutions together.
What’s Happening In Fort Scott June 25 Newsletter
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