West Fort Scott sidewalk project funded, work to begin

 
During this week's Butler city council meeting it was announced that a long awaited project that will allow for safer foot traffic along west 52 highway/Fort Scott street in Butler is officially underway. The first phase of engineering for a new sidewalk is in the works that will run on the south side of the roadway and will extend from Fran Avenue east to the Family Center parking lot. 

This first phase comes at a cost of $570,000 to which the city will have to kick in just 20% thanks to a TAP grant. Upon completion (date is yet to be released) phase two will begin however 'a fork in the road' has been encountered regarding the railroad overpass as it will require cooperation not only with the city of Butler, but MoDot and the railroad, Union Pacific, as well.

According the Ward 3 councilwoman Fran Alkire, who attended a special meeting with the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission recently, the overpass overhaul is funded and although MoDot is on board with plans, the stalemate appears to be with the railroad who keeps pushing the project back; at this point it will be at least two maybe three years before there will be any further action taken on their part, barring some unforeseen miracle.

In defense of Union Pacific railroad, the project will be a costly, time consuming preposition as rail traffic would need to be rerouted or postponed altogether during tearout and reconstruction; as street traffic can easily be rerouted, it obviously isn't that simple for the railroad hence, lots of planning will be needed.

Updates on both projects will be provided accordingly.

Denim & Diamonds Casino Night coming to Clinton on Oct. 18

Why does West Central need a fundraiser on October 18 in Clinton?

Since 1965, West Central Missouri Community Action Agency has been helping people and changing lives—but the needs of our rural communities keep growing. From food and housing to transportation and beyond, our programs rely on the support of friends and neighbors who believe that together we can lift up individuals and strengthen the communities we all call home.

That’s why we’re hosting Denim & Diamonds Casino Night—a night of fun that fuels our mission. Every dollar raised goes to the parts of our programs that grants don’t reach, ensuring we can keep showing up for local communities today —and for another 60 years.

Join the fun!

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Doors open at 5:30 PM

Primitive Olde Crow & Winery, Clinton, MO

$50 Ticket = Meal + Gaming Money + Night of Fun!

Casino tables | Selfie Station | Games | Raffles

Get tickets & info: https://wcmcaa.org/denim-diamonds-fundraiser/

Join us to celebrate, have fun, and make a difference for the communities we call home.

Ellett Memorial celebrates Physician's Week

 Join us in wishing a happy Physician Associate's Week to Dylan Timmerman, PA! Dylan is a Board Certified Physician Associate specializing in Dermatology. He joined our Outpatient Specialty Clinic in August, 2025. Dylan's Dermatology Clinics are held one Friday per month at the AC Rural Health Clinic.

Thank you Dylan for bringing your dermatology expertise to EMH! We appreciate all you do!

Harrisonville to host electronics recycling event tomorrow

 

Hume students consider career paths thanks to Careers on Wheels

Hume students enjoyed a fun and meaningful morning at the square, learning about the many career paths that keep our community moving forward.

Students had the opportunity to explore a variety of hands-on careers and connect directly with local professionals. Career Representatives included: Bates County Memorial Hospital, Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Dirks Heavy Contractors, Hume Fire Department, DonutNV, Fort Scott Community College – CDL Program, Walnut Creek Agri Service, Mr. and Mrs. Eckart, ThorniRidge Exotic Petting Zoo, Dean Cannon, and ohe City of Hume!

This event was hosted by Hume School Counseling. Events like these remind us how collaboration between schools and community partners helps inspire the next generation of workers, leaders, and dreamers.

Thank you to all of those involved in supporting our students. 

Morning showers, drying out this afternoon

Obituary - Doris June Holeman

Doris June (Barger) Holeman, 87, passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, KS. Funeral services will be held at 10am, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Dengel & Sons Mortuary. Visitation will be from 5pm to 7pm, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the mortuary. Doris was an athlete and later in life really enjoyed watching sports on TV. We would like to invite everyone to wear Chiefs, Royals or KU apparel in her memory.

A small graveside service will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, west of Centropolis following the service on 10/15/2025.

Doris was born Saturday, June 25, 1938 in the community of Badger Lee, Oklahoma, the daughter of Barney Tralford and Irene Gertrude (Diffee) Barger. Growing up one of six children and the only daughter, Doris was an outdoors person who deeply loved her family. In 1956 she graduated from Sallisaw High School and moved to Kansas City for work. Doris was united in marriage with Paul Holeman October 12, 1956, in Kansas City, Kansas. She lived in Kansas City, Kansas from 1956 to 1967 moving to Shawnee, where they resided for 20 years raising their family. Doris and Paul enjoyed many wonderful years on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma.

In 1987, Doris and Paul moved to Franklin County where she resided until her death. Survivors include her two children; Debi Milton and husband Randy Milton of Ottawa, and Paula Holeman and partner Rick Reding of Eudora; two siblings, Don Barger, Sallisaw, OK, and Jerry Barger and wife Rose Barger, Shawnee; seven grandchildren, Dave Tarpy, Brook Milton, Elisha Smith, Trevor Fries, Tim Smith, Hannah Milton and Kendal Fries; 15 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Holeman, parents Barney and Irene Barger, brothers Eddie Barger, Freddie Barger and Joe Barger.

Doris was employed as an office manager for most of her working career. She was very detail oriented keeping precise books and records prior to the computer era. She was competitive and athletic; winning a foot race with Debi in the late 70’s. She loved her family with all her heart. She had a way about her of wanting to understand people and situations to find the way she could help in all situations. She enjoyed planting and tending to her beautiful flower garden.

Doris enjoyed many years of traveling to South Padre, Branson and many other destinations. She enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events.

She adopted a mantra later in life that served her well; “We adjust to what we must.”

We want to acknowledge Elisha Smith, Doris’ Granddaughter, for her role in facilitating and providing the best care possible in her later years. Our hearts are full with gratitude that Doris was cared for by family and the staff that became family along the journey.

We are so very grateful to Richmond Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center for providing the highest quality of care for our loved one and loving her. She was called Grandma by the staff which made her and all of us extremely happy.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Richmond Healthcare Activity Fund ℅ Dengel & Son Mortuary, 234 S Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.

Obituary - Tim Gilbert

Timothy M. Gilbert departed peacefully on October 8, 2025 at his home in Garden City, Missouri. Tim was born in North Platte, Nebraska in 1956 to Lucia Polskil Gilbert and Leland Gordon Gilbert. He was the eighth child of nine, and is preceded in death by his two brothers, Larry Gilbert and James Gilbert and two sisters, Shirley Mills and Mary Rolland. Tim is survived by his brothers Richard Gilbert, Francis “Frank” Gilbert; his sisters Wanda Howard and Kathy Piklapp; his wife Jolinda Gilbert; daughters Angela Seelye, Jamie Woody, Teri Gilbert, and son, Daniel Gilbert; fifteen grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.

Tim will be remembered most for his devotion to his family and friends. He graduated from Tri-Center High School in Neola, Iowa in 1974. He married wife Jolinda “Jody” Johnsen in in Neola, Iowa in 1976 and they were married for 49 years.

Tim was dedicated to his career in every professional position he held, a quality he passed on to his family and anyone he worked with. Tim began his sales career in 1973 working for W.T. Grants in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1979, he began working for Timpte, Inc. in Council Bluffs, and eventually relocating to Savage, Minnesota until 1987 when he became a sales manager for Reyco/ Transpro where he worked his way up to Vice President of Sales at Reyco Industries/ Tuthill Transport Tech in Springfield, Missouri. In 2002, Tim moved to Kansas City, Missouri to work as the Manager of Heavy Duty Sales at Peterson Manufacturing in Grandview, Missouri. He retired from Peterson in 2018 to his home in Garden City, Missouri, with his wife Jody.

Tim will be remembered for his laugh and storytelling. He was a hard-working, honest man who had a no-nonsense approach to life. He was loyal to his family and friends. He is much loved and will be missed.

Remember me with smiles and laughter,

For that’s the way I will remember you all.

If you can only remember me with tears,

Then don’t remember me at all.

-Michael Landon

Cremation with Celebration of Life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice House and sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.