Stories from Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Note: Part one of this series appeared in Saturday’s edition. Fort Scott Community College President Jason Kegler fielded questions on topics ranging from the college’s recent financial struggles to moving the college into the future during a Community Conversation Jan. 24 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center...

During a lengthy Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees meeting Monday afternoon, college officials reviewed and discussed the college’s current financial situation, as well as its effects and changes that need to be made. FSCC President Jason Kegler recapped the following as some of the causes of the financial strain as the college faces a deficit by spring: “bank statements had not been reconciled since the start of fiscal year 2024; significant overpayment of scholarships (both academic and athletic) with no allocation from the expenditure side; student receivables have historically ran higher than auditors typically see; a dependence on financing or lease options; an ongoing audit; and an enrollment decline,” Kegler said in his report.. ...

Charlene Marie (Grant) Riley, 78, of Chanute, Kan., passed away on Jan. 26, 2024, at her home. She was born on July 27, 1945, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Charles S. Grant Jr. and Darlene M. (Ball) Grant. Charlene graduated from Uniontown High School in 1963 and furthered her education at Fort Scott Community College...

Ellery Benjamin Calkins, age 76, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.   A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Mo. ...

Johnny Lee Spears, Sr., age 65, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday Jan. 29, 2024, at the Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, Mo. Funeral services for Johnny Spears will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. ...