Florene Helen Wilborn, 82, of Fort Scott, formerly of Batesville, Texas, passed away, Monday evening, January 13, 2020 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home.
She was born, May 20, 1937 in Batesville, Texas, the daughter of Clifford and Jamie Lily (Baxter) Jones. She married Paul Wilborn, June 2, 1955 in Batesville, Texas, he survives of the home (Cavalry Crossing).
In addition to her husband, Paul, she is survived by two daughters, Lisa Shank and her husband, Mark of Redfield, Kansas, and Jeannie Witty and her husband Robert of Wichita Falls, Texas, a sister, Barbara Wilborn of San Antonio, Texas, four grandsons and one granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Following cremation, the family will plan memorial services in Batesville, Texas, at a later date. Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home has charge of local arrangements.
THANK YOU to those businesses and individuals who have already committed to volunteering or donating items.
Please click here to emailDiana with times you can work or items you can donate. Monetary donations also welcome, made payable to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and we can purchase items needed.
Physical items or monetary donations may be dropped off at the Chamber through 5 pm Thursday.
Contact Lindsay Madison at the Chamber with any questions, 620-223-3566, or [email protected].
Fort Scott Community College has been a part of the community for over 100 years and it is looking to help future generations find their career path.
“Even though we are in an era of declining enrollment in Kansas colleges and universities; I am very positive about the future of FSCC due to the fact we have great faculty and staff that make student learning and student success their mission,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said. “We are also extremely fortunate to have an incredibly supportive community and Board of Trustees, which is greatly appreciated.”
On January 13, the spring semester at the college began.
A recent 2019 Annual Report Centennial Edition gave glimpses of events throughout the years and named current offerings as well.
Thirty-seven fields of study are available to students: agriculture, art, biological science, business, certified medication aide, certified nurse aid, chemistry, computer science, construction trades, cosmetology, criminal justice, education, emergency medical technician, engineering, English, environmental water technology, farm and ranch management, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Technology, heating-ventilation-air conditioning, history, home health aide, John Deere Technology, mathematics, manicuring, masonry, music, nursing, phlebotomy, physical education, physical science, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, speech, theater, and welding.
FSCC’s John Deere Progam has been recognized as a College of Tomorrow awardee by John Deere, Inc. The honor was earned because of program excellence, instructor development, internships, and facilities, according to the annual report.
The college marked 15 years in partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company. FSCC offers technician training in a hands-on Harley Davidson approved environment, equipping students with both knowledge and soft skills.
FSCC’s Nursing Program was ranked 2nd in Kansas because of its overall affordability and exemplary NCLEX pass rates after evaluating 36 nursing programs in the state.
In the college’s annual report, much has been accomplished in just the last year.
In 2019 FSCC initiated its eSports program, joining in a nation-wide growing collegiate sport: competitive video gaming. The FSCC eSports team helps students improve their gaming performance, social and leadership skills, according to the annual report.
Also, last year the college added onto the Burris Building, which gives FSCC agriculture program room for future growth.
Burris Hall on the campus of FSCC was expanded and the old section updated in 2019.
FSCC welcomed the new director of the Gordon Parks Museum,Kirk Sharp, after being a part of the Gordon Parks committee for over a decade. Kirk will work to advance the legacy and memory of visionary artist Gordon Parks.
Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp, center, looks over donated photos of the film “The Learning Tree” with onlookers during the Gordon Parks Celebration in Oct. 2019.
Sports Added
Women’s golf and track and field programs were added to the college in 2019.
New Board of Trustees Members
Two new board of trustees were elected in Nov. 2019: Dave Elliott and Kirk Hart. A third trustee Bill Meyer was selected to fill the vacancy of his wife, Liz, who died at the end of 2019.
2020
“The expectation for 2020 is to continue to meet the needs of our students, community, faculty, and staff, as well as all of our stakeholders,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.
FSCC retiree Carolyn Sinn, from left, and FSCC Centennial speaker Gina Shelton, help FSCC Class of 1941 graduate Esther Sewell cut the Centennial Celebration cake while President Alysia Johnston, along with centennial speakers Mark Muller, Marcel Normand and Jim Barrows watch in the background, in September 2019.
Some of the events in 2020 include:
Bailey Hall
The fundraising for the renovation of Bailey Hall at the college continues.
“We have a plan for Bailey Hall renovation with a price tag of around one million dollars,” Johnston said. “However, until we have more money we will not begin the project and we have no timeline for now. We hope to use the money donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bailey as seed money to receive more dollars.”
“All gifts would be greatly appreciated and people can contact our Chief Development Officer, Jeff Tadtman, 620 223-2700 ext. 5830 [email protected]”
Men’s Golf
The college will start a men’s golf program in August 2020.
Accreditation
“Accreditation is critical to the college as it allows us not only to ensure we are Title IV eligible (federal student financial aid), but we maintain high quality and transferable courses and programs,” Johnston said. “Accreditation is a peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. ”
“Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved.”
” We will have our first Assurance Argument due this June under the Higher Learning Commissions (HLC) Open Pathway accreditation, and we have a committee that has been working on documentation and narrative for the Assurance Argument for at least a year.”
“We were fortunate to be placed in the Open Pathway accreditation model when we received our 10-year accreditation from HLC in 2016. The Open Pathway is a less prescriptive model for accreditation and allows us to determine our own path of continuous improvement.”
Nursing Program Evaluation
“The Nursing Program is scheduled for a comprehensive evaluation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN),” Johnston said. “ACEN is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as a specialized accrediting agency for nursing education programs located in the United States and its territories.”
Photo from L to R: Logan Geiger, Maddie Ard, Clay Brillhart, Braden Griffiths and Coach Scott Sutton.
The Uniontown FFA Meat Evaluation team recently brought home 4th place honors at the National Western Roundup Meat Evaluation contest held in Fort Collins, Colorado. Uniontown earned the opportunity to represent the state of Kansas in the contest with their state runner-up finish this past May.
The contest consisted of placing classes, beef grading, retail identification, questions, meat formulation problems and a written exam. After completing all of the above on Saturday, January 11th on the campus of Colorado State University, the team ranked 3rd in Beef Grading, 4th in Placings, 6th in Retail Identification and 4th overall.
Clay Brillhart led the team individually with a 7th place finish overall. He also ranked 8th in the placing category and 8th in the retail identification division. Maddie Ard finished 17th overall, Braden Griffiths was 5th in Beef Grading and ranked 21st overall, and Logan Geiger ranked 24th in Retail Identification. The team is coached by Uniontown FFA Advisor Scott Sutton.
The Fort Scott Housing Authority has available or will be coming available shortly apartments listed below.
1 – efficiency
7 – one-bedroom units
3 – two-bedroom units
4 – three-bedroom units
If you know of anyone needing affordable housing please feel free to give them my contact information. We have an application process and we can mail them out or it may be picked up at our office location.
Anita Felipa Lee, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 12, 2020, at her home.
She was born May 11, 1951, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of Andrew James Henderson and Ida Jones Henderson. She was united in marriage to Earnest L. Lee, Sr.
In earlier years, Anita had been employed by Coleman Company. She later worked at Aerosol in Neodesha, Kansas for thirteen years. She moved to Ft. Scott in 2013 to be near her family. She was a member of the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene. Anita did her best to live a life that showed love to others. Fishing was one of her favorite hobbies.
Survivors include her son, James Leroy Lee (Tonya), of Ft. Scott and a daughter, Shenia Maria Wolf (Eric), of Joplin, Missouri; three grandchildren and a great-grandson. Also surviving is a sister, Illana Turner, of Savannah, Missouri. Her husband, Earnest, preceded her in death in 1993.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, James, Leonard, Lloyd and Archie Henderson and five sisters, Daisy Cress, Dixie Miller, Maudie Shelton, Lottie Floydia and Thelma Schneider.
Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct a memorial service at 1:30 P.M. Friday, January 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene 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.
Jerry Colleen Malone, age 76, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, January 12, 2020, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. There was cremation. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
(TOPEKA, KS) – Legislators have been working to find solutions in addressing ever-increasing high property taxes. They spent much of 2019 on the issue and are prepared to introduce legislation that will improve transparency and truth in taxation.
Senator Caryn Tyson, Linn County, Chair of the Senate Tax Committee, released the following statement today:
“One of the main complaints legislators hear from their constituents is that property taxes are too high. After studying the issue, it is apparent there is a need for more transparency and truth in taxation. Other legislators are working with me to change that – by increasing transparency and improving the process to appeal real estate property taxes.”
Senator Tyson is leading this effort along with Senator Bud Estes, Ford County, Senator Larry Alley, Cowley County, Representative Ron Highland, Wabaunsee County, and Representative Ken Corbet, Shawnee County. They are working with others throughout the state to understand the process and find solutions in addressing high property taxes. The initial step was hearing from county officials, appraisers, taxpayers, and tax experts. As this process continues there will be other legislators involved who will be instrumental in completing this process.
Tyson said, “Most property taxpayers aren’t as concerned about the valuation or mil levy as they are about the increasing dollar amount of their property taxes. By changing the process, this will require transparency in property tax increases and keep the public informed of proposed property tax changes before an increase occurs.”
“A change we are proposing will require the mil levy to be recalculated so the same dollar amount would be collected as of the previous year. To increase the property tax dollar amount, the governing body would be required to announce a meeting where the public officials would vote on the increase.” She went on to say, “this will require public officials to vote on a property tax increase rather than increasing valuations that automatically raise property taxes.”
The changes are modeled after other states, such as Utah and Tennessee. By using proven methodologies Kansas is not reinventing the wheel.
There are other proposed changes to help, such as allowing an option for an arbitrator to oversee the first step in the appeals process; putting an estimated dollar amount for your property tax on the valuation sheet; and excluding maintenance from increasing the valuation of your property. These are just some of the changes that will improve the process and truth in Kansas taxation laws.
Governor announces planned resignation of Kansas Adjutant General
Governor Laura Kelly today announced the planned resignation of Kansas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli.
Tafanelli, who has served as the state’s Adjutant General since Jan. 8, 2011, will step down from his current post on March 31.
The Adjutant General is the principal military advisor to the Governor. As the Adjutant General, Tafanelli oversees the activities of the Adjutant General’s Department, which includes the Kansas Army and Air National Guard. He also serves as the director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management and director of Kansas Homeland Security. For budgetary and administrative purposes, he is responsible for the Civil Air Patrol.
Tafanelli also served in the Kansas House of Representatives.
“I want to thank Major General Tafanelli for his outstanding service to the people of Kansas and our nation, and for his steadfast leadership of such a critical part of our government operations,” Governor Kelly said. “His efforts have aided Kansans in many ways, to include his direction of the state’s response in communities impacted by disasters such as tornadoes, flooding and more recently wildfires. He has served his state and nation well, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
“As I look back on the past 39 years of my career in uniform, I have been blessed to work on a team of the most outstanding and dedicated professionals and I am extremely proud of the men and women of our Department,” Tafanelli said in his letter of resignation to the Governor. “They work tirelessly to carry out our Agency mission, working in public service for a greater cause and have proven always willing to sacrifice to make our state and nation a better place.”
Tafanelli also thanked Governor Kelly for her leadership and support.
“It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as a member of your Cabinet as the Adjutant General of this great State,” he said in the letter.
The Governor will release details on a succession plan later this month.
Governor, Lt. Governor announce release Office of Rural Prosperity listening tour report
Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers announced at a press conference today the release of the Office of Rural Prosperity Listening Tour report.
The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), housed within the Kansas Department of Commerce, was created by Governor Kelly as a way to help revitalize and highlight rural Kansas communities.
The Office’s new report includes details regarding the unique needs and strengths of rural communities across Kansas that were gathered during a listening tour conducted this summer by Lt. Governor Rogers and outlines the Office’s recommendations for fostering growth and prosperity in these areas.
“I am proud of the work Lt. Governor Rogers has done to identify rural communities’ barriers to long-term prosperity,” Governor Kelly said. “We are committed to partnering with rural communities, to develop policies that help Kansans succeed.”
The report is a summary of conversations and public listening sessions with hundreds of Kansans about what prosperity means to their community.
“Through our discussions with rural communities, we learned a lot about rural Kansans’ unique challenges,” Lt. Governor Rogers said. “Which include housing; physical and digital infrastructure; economic and workforce development; high property taxes; and access to quality, affordable health care and child care.”
The report outlines several areas ORP will be focusing on in the coming months to begin addressing these challenges. It includes plans to create three Interagency Work Groups that will develop tools to help address the unique challenges facing rural communities in the areas of housing; childcare; and workforce recruitment, retention and education. These groups will bring together state and federal agencies to help identify what our state can be doing better when it comes to each area, find available resources and make recommendations for administrative changes.
“While the creation of the Office of Rural Prosperity and my listening tour were great first steps, we know there is much more work to do in order to facilitate growth and prosperity in rural communities,” Lt. Governor Rogers said. “I am excited to continue working to improve rural Kansans’ quality of life one step at a time.”
