Update: Several without power after fire in substation in Fort Scott Kansas

Fort Scott Kansas Fire Department was dispatched to Evergy’s substation north of town earlier today for a lightning strike that caused a fire. 

Crews set up a safe area and worked with Evergy to reduce any further emergencies! At this time several areas are without power. 

The city has set up BRCC as an area to cool off and to rest from the heat. Sorry for the late update. Crews have been busy with this call and numerous other calls for service! 

We will update with any information as it comes available.

FSFD.

Fire at the Fort Scott Kansas sub-station

For Immediate Release:

Motorists & pedestrians: there is a fire at the Fort Scott sub-station. Please stay away from the following areas:

1). Wall St west to Judson
2). Wall St north to Elm St

We will post updates as we are able.

Courtesy of the Fort Scott Kansas Police Department 

Four Area Teachers Receive Grants for Classroom Projects

The innovative classroom project is one of 50 across Missouri chosen by WGU Missouri to receive funding. The nonprofit, fully online university issued a call in March for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate proposed classroom projects by April 17 for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding through its “Fund My Classroom” initiative. 

Windsor, Mo. (Aug. 3, 2022) – AshLea Forrest, a K-6 computer teacher at Windsor Elementary School in the Henry County R-1 School District, has received a $500 grant through WGU Missouri’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The grant will be used to purchase Dash robots, providing Forrest’s students with a hands-on opportunity to learn block coding in a fun and innovative way. Forrest learned she was selected for the grant in May.

Forrest has been incorporating block coding into her computer class curriculum and currently has three Dash robots, which enables up to nine students to participate in an activity at a time. With the grant she received from WGU Missouri, she’ll be able to obtain three additional robots, allowing every child in a class to participate in the same activity simultaneously. The Dash robots respond to voice commands and can perform a number of movements and traits. The platform provides students with an easy way to understand coding and allows them to explore loops, events, conditions and programming sequences.

Forrest’s proposal is one of almost 200 nominations received statewide. Most grants were awarded during Teacher Appreciation Week, which ran from May 2-6.

El Dorado Springs, Mo. (Aug. 3, 2022) – Jana Burley, a 2nd grade teacher at El Dorado Springs Elementary School in the El Dorado Springs R-2 School District, has received a $350 grant through WGU Missouri’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The funds will be used by Burley to expand her classroom library and instill a love of reading in her students. Burley learned she was selected for the grant on May 2 when she was surprised with a check presentation at her school.

Burley aims to get her second graders excited about reading each year, and she believes that by expanding access to the number and types of books available to them, she can accomplish this goal. The grant she received will be used to purchase between 50 and 60 nonfiction books that are subject matter-appropriate and are interesting to her students. Burley allots several minutes each day for her students to read, so expanding the library will allow more room for curiosity and excitement for reading.

Chilhowee, Mo. (Aug. 3, 2022) – Lisa Allen, a library and STEM teacher at Shawnee R-3 School in Chilhowee, has received a $300 grant through WGU Missouri’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The grant will be used to purchase books and coding devices for her K-2 students, teaching them to conduct research and problem-solve, while furthering their reading engagement and allowing them to gain experience in scientific planning. Allen learned she was selected for the grant on April 27 when she was surprised with a check presentation at her school.

Allen is transitioning to teaching library and STEM to K-8 grade students this school year. Her goal is to have projects that combine reading and STEM to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. She’ll do this by having students read a book on a certain topic, and she’ll then present a STEM problem on that same topic that students will have to solve by using research and scientific planning. The goal is to further engage students and get them excited about science and reading, while teaching them about technology. She currently has literature and technology for students in grades 3-8 but is in need of a few coding devices and primary story books for K-2 students. With the grant she received from WGU Missouri, she’ll be able to add 11 books to her classroom, as well as storage containers and simple coding devices that include a Sphero Mino robot, a Code & Go Programmable Robot Mouse and an activity set that lets students build mazes and use coding cards to program the robot mouse to follow the designated path.

Archie, Mo. (Aug. 3, 2022) – Michelle Mell, a 4th grade teacher at Cass County Elementary School in the Archie R-V School District, has received a $100 grant through WGU Missouri’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The grant will be used to purchase a set of math manipulatives for each student in Mell’s classroom, allowing them to gain a better understanding of abstract concepts when learning about fractions. Mell learned she was selected for the grant on May 5 when she was surprised with a check presentation at her school.

Mell has been working with her 4th grade students to help them make significant gains in all areas of math, particularly with fractions. She believes that by adding math manipulatives to her classroom, students will be able to connect concrete and abstract concepts and provide meaning and fluency with fractions, one of the larger learning targets for the year. The grant from WGU Missouri will be used to purchase a set of wooden Cuisenaire rods for each student in her class. The rods are a versatile collection of math manipulatives that are different colors and lengths and will be used to help her students build a better understanding of equivalent fractions and comparing fractions.

Obituary - Terry D. Whitt

Terry D. Whitt was born July 4, 1976 to Michael and Ronda (Long) Whitt in Phoenix, Arizona, his favorite thing was that he was born on the United States Bicentennial. He passed away peacefully July 29, 2022 in Osceola, Missouri.

He grew up in Maysville, Missouri where he was raised with his big brother Shawn and little sister Kimber. He graduated from Job Corp in 1995 and excelled greatly while there. His group actually won the National Job Corp Academic Olympic Competition in Washington, DC. Terry was very smart but seldom wanted people to know that. He always took pride in being the most sarcastic person in room.

Terry wanted to follow along in his grandpa, dad, and big brothers footsteps and join the military. He got into basic training but found out soon after that he was diagnosed with diabetes. This took a lifelong toll on him.

Later in life Terry was blessed with step-parents. His mom remarried David Blackburn, which means he gained a step-sister Charisse Bruce, step-brother Leland Blackburn, step-sister Kayla Ware, and step-brother Brent Blackburn.

His dad remarried Tammy (Bell) Whitt and a long 19 years after Terry thought he only had one little sister, came the baby of the group, Michaela (Whitt) Self. Although he could be a pain most days, he was always well loved by his big family.

Terry lived in Texas for a few years with his brother Shawn, but his favorite person to be around was his nephew Michael Allen. They always had to tease each other in some way.

When Terry moved back to Missouri he never wavered from being close to his dad. Wherever he was, you most likely could find Terry too. There were many trips to doctors, or late night discharges when he would call his baby sister and of course, she would always go get him, no matter the time.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Bob and Maxine Long, and Dean and Francis Whitt, step-grandparent Donald Bell, an uncle Kenneth Whitt, a cousin Missy Allwood, and his favorite black cat in the world, Midnight.

Terry is survived by his father Michael (Tammy) Whitt, mother Ronda (David) Blackburn, a step-grandmother Judith Bell, brother Shawn (Christina) Whitt, sisters: Kimber (Kevin) Zubeck, Michaela (Lake) Self, nephews: Michael Whitt, Alex Whitt, Kallen Zubeck, and Kason Self, his favorite precious niece Kyndall Self, step-siblings, aunts: Rochele (Larry) Allwood, Renee (Ted) Roberts, cousins Jake (Daisy) Whitt, Richie Allwood, Michele Allwood, Patty Allwood, and Stephanie Roberts, a very special friend Jeanne Dearing, and many friends.

Terry was one-of-a-kind. He was stubborn, hard-headed, strong willed, his way or the highway, but he always loved his family unconditionally. We will love and miss you forever, dance with both legs now, be free of pain, and protect us always.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Terry Whitt memorial fund in care of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home

Visitation
Thursday, August 4, 2022
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel

Graveside Service
Thursday, August 4, 2022
10:00 AM
Macedonia Cemetery

Interment
Macedonia Cemetery

Willow Creek in Adrian has openings for Direct Care Staff

Willow Creek in Adrian has openings for Direct Care Staff.

No experience necessary, we will train. You can work one day a month, or as much as you would like. We offer flexible scheduling. Openings during the week and weekends.

Please contact Ashley or Christian if you have any questions or would like to interview. 816-225-8214

Must have a HS Diploma/GED, 18 years or older.

Obituary - Myrna LaDon Craft

Funeral services for Myrna Craft of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2022 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) Butler, Missouri. No visitation. 

Private family interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Contributions to Children’s Mercy Cardiology or Debra Bledsoe Memorial Health Scholarship. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Myrna LaDon Craft, age 89 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Butler Center. She was born July 31, 1933 to Earnest Leslie and Fern Loraine Erfkamp Rains in Butler, Missouri.

Myrna is survived by a daughter, Dana Bridges and husband Eddy of Venice, Florida; a son, Dale Craft and wife Pam of Butler, Missouri; son-in-law, Terry Bledsoe and wife Tammy of Butler, Missouri; four grandchildren, Keri Bledsoe, Leslie Bridges, Valerie Craft and Rains Craft; and one great-granddaughter Kya Bridges. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everett “Bill” Craft; and daughter, Debra Ann Bledsoe.

Pittsburg Kansas man arrested after domestic violence call

On August 3, 2022, at approximately 3:13 a.m., officers with the Pittsburg Police Department were dispatched to 1406 Bitner Terrace in response to a domestic incident, where a male subject had damaged property and fired a gun in the backyard. 

Officers approached the residence and encountered 39-year-old Corbin Gene Murray, of Pittsburg, sitting in the backyard. Murray had a shotgun and a rifle, in firing position in front of him, pointed in the direction of a responding officer.

Commands were given for Murray to drop the weapons and he did not comply. A second responding officer, approaching from another angle, was able to quickly approach and subdue Murray, knocking both weapons from his control. Murray was handcuffed and placed under arrest without further incident.

Investigation into this incident revealed that prior to police arrival, Murray had battered a female subject inside the residence and had caused damage to items inside the residence. It was also determined that multiple children were present inside at the time of this incident.

Murray was transported to the Crawford County Jail and was charged with the following offenses; aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated endangering a child, domestic battery, interference with law enforcement, misdemeanor criminal damage, and possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Murray is currently being held without bond.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). 

Callers may remain anonymous.

MEDIA RELEASE
Domestic Violence / Aggravated Assault LEO Arrest
Released by Lt. Rebekah Lynch
August 3, 2022

BCMH Requests ARPA Funds for Aging Ambulance Units

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) has submitted applications to Bates County Commissioners Office requesting funding through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for replacement of two aging ambulance units, and reimbursement for revamping the hospital’s central registration area to enhance infection prevention measures. BCMH seeks this funding in response to COVID-19, a disease that continues to pose a threat to Americans’ health. These funds would be used to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 to the general public:

1. A request for $600,000 for the replacement of two aging ambulances with an estimated cost of $300,000 per unit. (In 2021, BCMH replaced a 2010 model ambulance with approximately 300,000 miles; the new Unit 1 ambulance was purchased for approximately $265,000.) BCMH provides 911 ambulance services for Bates County residents without any subsidies, and currently operates four ambulances to meet the needs of the county. Due to the significant cost of an ambulance, the replacement program for these vehicles is staggered. Two of the hospital’s ambulances will need to be replaced soon. The need for replacement has been expedited due to the increased mileage related to transfers going further out when hospitals in Kansas City were full due to the pandemic. The investment in these vehicles is important and truly benefits all residents of the county.

2. A request for $146,883 for reimbursement for revamping the hospital’s central registration to address infection control guidelines, a project completed in 2021. This project was developed with private, individual glass registration offices with physical barriers, accomplishing social distancing and privacy for patients and staff. BCMH would not have allocated or expended funds toward this project had it not been necessary to address the infectious nature of the COVID-19 virus.

Both requests made by BCMH fall under eligible use for ARPA funding, and “ambulances” are specifically listed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under “Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF): Overview of the Final Rule”, page 14, a part of the American Rescue Plan.