Category Archives: Bourbon County

Freeride Motocross Competition in Fort Scott on Sept. 17

FREERIDE MOTOCROSS DREAMLAND RETURNS FOR YEAR THREE WITH

RED BULL IMAGINATION

 

  • Leading Freeriders Tyler Bereman, Colby Raha, Josh Hill, and More Return
  • Limited Number of Tickets Available to Attend Competition in Kansas

 

Red Bull Imagination, the premier freeride motocross competition dreamt up by Tyler Bereman, is returning in September to Fort Scott, Kansas for its third year. The event brings together top freeriders for a week of some of the biggest and baddest tricks, whips and lines on a custom-built, life-sized “playground” course not found anywhere else in the world. New this year are more riders, more course updates, and for the first time ever, a limited number of tickets for spectators to witness the epic competition in person on September 17. Those that cannot make it to Kansas will be able to catch the highlights streaming on ESPN+ on September 25.

 

Drawing inspiration from sports like skateboarding and mountain biking with a pool-bowl style course and paying homage to Red Bull Imagination’s legacy of progressing the sport of freeride, the course will evolve yet again to take shape with features that offer riders more methods of creative freedom across the board.

 

The competition format, shaped from years past, will remain the same and inform the September 17 contest. In advance of the competition, riders will spend three days session-ing and fine-tuning their craft, followed by a rest day that precedes the competition day.

 

Leading freeride motocross rider and 10-time X Games medalist Bereman will be joined by returning riders and rookie riders, including 2022 X Games Gold medalist, 10-time X Games overall medalist Colby Raha and former AMA Supercross/motocross rider Josh Hill.

 

Tickets are limited to the first 1,500 guests and are available for purchase today at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/imagination starting at $45 for adults at $25 for kids. Ticket prices will go up on September 1.

 

All the action will stream in a one-hour show on September 25, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN+. More information on the course development, full rider roster and judging panel will be announced in the coming weeks. Through August 15, consumers who download and register Dirt Bike Unchained on mobile iOS and Android devices can earn entries for a chance to win a VIP experience with Tyler Bereman at Red Bull Imagination.

 

Catch up on all the action from last year’s Red Bull Imagination by visiting https://www.redbull.com/us-en/projects/imagination.

 

 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 22.3 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads). Subscribers to Hulu + Live TV also receive ESPN+ at no additional cost.

 

Constitutional Amendment Question: Yes, in Bourbon County, but No Kansas Totals

Click below to view the unofficial primary election results submitted by Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk.

Most incumbents faired well in this election and the constitutional amendment proposed vote was Yes with 2, 335 votes and No-1,662 in Bourbon County. (See page 26 of the submitted documents)

UNOFFICIAL PRIMARY 2022 RESULTS

The state of Kansas election total results are different on this issue.

Kansans as a whole voted no on this constitutional amendment on abortion.

To view the Associated Press release:

https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e

Update on Jail Staff Shortage

Bob Reed is the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator. Taken from the jail’s website.

On June 16, 2022, Bourbon County Jail Administrator Bob Reed announced that inmates are being sent to other counties, because of staffing shortages.

On that day he announced that approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere, with a  cost to the county of $40 per day per inmate.

Reed said he and Sheriff Bill Martin are still working on the problem.

“As of 08-01-2022 we have 30 inmates (out of 54) being housed out,” Reed said. ” Depending on the county that is $35-45 per inmate per day.”

Currently, there are 24 being housed in Bourbon County with the rest in Allen, Cherokee, and Wilson County’s jails, according to the jail’s daily reports.

The Bourbon County Law Enforcement staff are still transporting inmates for hearings, etc.

“Some hearings are done by zoom and some are done in person,” Reed said.  ” The ones that are done in person are obviously transported here from the county they are being housed in and then transported back.”

“I currently have nine employees,” he said. “Three to five more will get us going.” Sixteen would make the jail fully staffed, he said.

“I have not been fully staffed for a long time,” he said.

Since June Sheriff Bill Martin and Reed have worked to raise the base pay from $12.50  an hour to $14.50 an hour, he said.

He said the county offers standard benefits of eye, health, dental, major medical insurance, sick time, and vacation.

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin works at his desk at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.

To view the prior story:

Bo Co Jail Inmates Moved to Other Counties

Bourbon County Commission Cancels Aug. 2 Meeting Due to Elections

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: August 2, 2022
1st District- Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
There will be NO meeting on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 due to Election Day.
Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Uniontown Schools Enroll Aug. 3-4

The two school districts in Bourbon County are preparing to start classes this month.
In USD235, Uniontown, parents have an opportunity to enroll their students on Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon and Aug. 4 from noon to 7 p.m. The student’s first day is August 25. This district is welcoming two new principals, a new superintendent, and six new teachers.
Fort Scott’s school district has student enrollment today, August 1, with the first day of school on August 18.
See last Friday’s fortscott.biz feature to learn more about USD 234 enrollment:  Fort Scott’s USD 234 Enrolls Next Monday
Vance Eden. Submitted photo.
U235 is varying the times to best accommodate families’ schedules, Vance Eden, superintendent, said.
Students aren’t required to attend the event, but a parent/guardian would need to come for all enrolling students unless other arrangements have been made,” he said.
Parents will go to their children’s respective schools to enroll their students.
“While students will be able to find out who their teachers are, teachers will not be working that day,” he said.
The district has one position that they were unable to fill, “but we have made the needed adjustments to respond to the shortage,” Eden said.
As far as COVID-19 plans: “The district will continue to receive guidance from the county health officer as appropriate,” Eden said. “With it now being treated as endemic, we do not anticipate any significant impact on the student experience.  We will continue to use appropriate cleaning and disinfecting practices to minimize the sharing of illness.”
Teachers will report on August 22, with students’ first day on August 25.
To view interviews with the administrators:
New teacher profiles will be featured in coming publications
“We are excited to get the school year going,” Eden said.  “Students won’t see any major changes to their experience on the first days.  That said, we will be reflecting on and making adjustments throughout the year to best meet student needs.”

Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting Agenda for July 29

Voting has started in Bourbon County for the primary election, next Tuesday, August 2.

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Friday starting at 1:00 pm

 

Date: July 29, 2022

1st District-                                                                                                 Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

 

         

A SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, JULY 29TH IN THE COURTHOUSE FOYER BEGINNING AT 1 PM.

 

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship.

 

The Beacon Staff: Increase In Need Is Seen

Dave Gillen and Patty Mowen are the co-directors of The Beacon Food Pantry of Bourbon County. Submitted photo.
The Beacon Food Pantry of Bourbon County is seeing an increase in need.
“We have seen a uptick in new families this summer,” Dave Gillen, director of the pantry said. “New families have been the larger families. I believe with the increase in prices of everything their money does not go as far. “
The pantry is running low on a few things and  are paying more for things they must purchase for food baskets.
THE BEACON IS IN NEED OF A FEW ITEMS:
Specifically, the Beacon is in need of boxed marcaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, boxed cereal and spaghetti noodles.
The Beacon is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It is closed Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
The phone number is (620) 223-6869.
It is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott.
The Beacon is  a not-for-profit organization,  a food pantry serving Bourbon County, Kansas, that also provides financial assistance.

History of Fort Scott National Cemetery Tour on Aug. 13

Bourbon County Carpool Tour taking place Saturday, August 13th
National Cemetery

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Old Fort Genealogical Society, and Historical Preservation Association of Bourbon County announce another carpool tour that will be on Saturday, August 13th at 8:30am. The format of the tour will be by carpool where attendees will provide their own transportation, stopping at the National Cemetery where the tour will be guided by local historians.

The tour on the 13th of August will be visiting the National Cemetery. Fort Scott National Cemetery was created during the Civil War and has continued to include all military since then. Local historians will walk you through the cemetery noting persons, telling reasons for memorial stones, and giving important information about the military campaigns our men and women were involved in while defending the United States and our allies. Volunteer Historians will include Ken Lyon, Brian Allen and Arnold Schofield.
The tour will leave The Old Fort Genealogical Society at 221 S. National Ave. (Memorial Hall) at 8:30 am and will finish by 10:30 am.  The cost is only $5 per person and pre-registration is required on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Those interested may register online at fortscott.com, click on Events, then Bourbon County Tour.  A waiting list will be maintained if the tour reaches capacity.  For questions or more information, contact the Old Fort Genealogical Society by calling 620-223-3300 or emailing [email protected].

Walk-In Mammograms Today at CHC

CHC/SEK Fort Scott to provide walk-in mammograms July 27

FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram. 

The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.

Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive. 

Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam. A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay. 

CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram. 

In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong. 

For more information people can call 620-223-8484.

K-7, K-31 chip seal work starts this week

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin resurfacing on sections of K-7 and K-31 in Bourbon County this Thursday, July 28.

 

KDOT will place a chip seal on the following sections:

 

  • K-7, from the east K-31 junction north to the Bourbon-Linn County line.
  • K-7, from the U.S. 54 junction north to the east K-31 junction.
  • K-31, from the east K-7 junction east to the junction with U.S. 69 (see map).

Flaggers and a pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone during daylight hours. Expect delays of 15 minutes or less. Weather permitting, the road work will be finished by mid-August. Vance Brothers Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is contractor on the project, which has a construction cost of $550,000.

 

Persons with questions may contact KDOT Area Engineer Troy Howard at (620) 901-6557 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details.

 

 

 

 

 

USDA $202,000 Grant For Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced that USDA is investing $2,268,200 toward eight community projects across the state.

Project details of today’s eight announcements are:

  • A $33,000 grant will assist Thrive Allen County, Inc. with a Feasibility Study to create an incubator/accelerator space for Allen County. The space would increase economic development by creating an inviting, supportive space for entrepreneurs in the area.
  • A $202,000 grant will assist The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, in conjunction with partners Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center and Kansas Works, expand services to small businesses. Assistance provided will include access to local employment opportunities, increased access in business education, workforce development, and job training opportunities. It is anticipated that 100 full time jobs will be created.
  • A $30,200 grant will help purchase a fully equipped patrol vehicle to enhance the work of the City of South Hutchinson‘s Police Department.
  • A $55,000 loan and a $35,000 grant will help purchase four transportation vehicles for individuals with developmental disabilities in Marshall and Washington Counties. The three transport vehicles and one maintenance truck will replace older vehicles with high mileage and high maintenance costs. Once all the vehicles are put into service, they will meet the basic needs of the individuals with developmental disabilities for many years to come.
  • A $577,000 loan and a $291,000 grant will provide additional funding for renovating the water and sewer system in the City of Caney. Funds previously obligated for this project include $600,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce and loans and grants totaling $4,765,800 from USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal.
  • A $24,000 grant will be used toward an engineer to evaluate the current wastewater system for the City of Susank. A preliminary Engineering Report will outline any appropriate corrective actions needed.
  • A $479,000 loan and a $512,000 grant will supplement previous funding for improvements to the water supply system of the City of Caldwell.  Funds already assigned to this project include a prior award from Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan in the amount of $1,558,000 and Kansas Department of Commerce-Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $600,000. This project ensures that the city will have safe and reliable water for many years to come.
  • A $30,000 grant will be used to evaluate the wastewater collection system and treatment facility in La Harpe. An engineer will evaluate the current system and propose a plan for repairing and modernizing the water system. Once completed the city will have the information needed to develop a final wastewater system project.