Health Champion Award Nominations Sought

The nomination deadline for the 2023 Health Champion Award has been    . The Governor’s Council on Fitness is excited to partner with the Salina Crossroads Marathon to provide  entry to the Salina Crossroads Marathon, Half Marathon, 4.01K, Family Run/Walk and Team Relays on November 5th in Salina, KS.

Anyone who submits a nomination for an individual or an organization for Health Champion will receive a code to register for free to the event of their choice.

The nominee will also receive free entry!

Kansas Health Champion Award Nomination: http://www.getactivekansas.org/…/Health_Champion…Salina Crossroads Marathon website: https://www.runsalinacrossroads.com/

Send your nominations in today for your community’s champion! Organizations, individuals, worksites…anyone!

Jody Hoener The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. President and CEO, 620-215-2892, 104 North National,Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 4

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

Date: October 4, 2022

1st District-Nelson Blythe                                                                 Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

 

         

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.

 

 

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
  • Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
  • Delwin Mumbower – Burn Ban Update
  • Lora Holdridge—South East Kansas Regional County Officials Meeting
  • Clifton Beth – SEK Area Agency on Aging – Board Opening
  • Ashley Shelton – Gas Price Lock In
  • Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
  • Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
  • Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
  • Public Comment
  • Commission Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Why is Bourbon County Shrinking? Agriculture by Gregg Motley

 

Changes in how we produce food has to be the number one reason rural America and Bourbon County (BB) are shrinking; however, agriculture continues to be a major economic influence in small communities and the number one industry in BB.  Consider the following 2017 statistics about BB agriculture from the State of Kansas:

 

Total acres in BB:         406,701      Acres farmed:         335,935, or 82.6%

 

Total farm employment:        821, or about one in ten workers

 

Agricultural product sales:     $79 million

 

Cattle population:         71,079, or about 5 cows per BB resident

 

In the State of Kansas, agricultural produced $8.8 billion in product in 2017, which was 4.6% of the $192.3 billion total Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) for the State.  Nationally, agricultural was 7.7% of the GDP in 1930; by 2002, that percentage had fallen to 0.7%.  It is not that agriculture has produced less; rather, our economy has become much more diversified, and most of that has occurred in urban areas. Kansas remains 6.6 times more dependent upon agriculture than the average state.

 

What about agricultural employment?  In 1900, 41% of the labor force in the United States of American (“USA”) were agricultural workers; by 2002, that number had fallen to 1.9% of the labor force.  It is easy to see that this 20th Century megatrend has impacted rural America to a far greater extent than their urban counterparts.

 

It is not hard to discern how this happened.  At the beginning of the 20th Century, the industry relied upon horses and mules for the heavy lifting around the farm; these animals, which required care and feeding as well, were replaced by about 5 million tractors and other vehicles and implements.  This mechanization, along with improved methodologies, has driven farm consolidation; while the number of farms in the USA has dropped 63%, the average farm size has increased by 67%.  Additionally, in 1930, about one-third of farmers earned off-farm income; 70 years later, that number was 93%.

 

The impact on rural American has not only been devastating in terms of population, but culture.  In 1900, about 60% of rural Americans were farmers; the number is about 20% now, and 10% in BB.  Once culturally dominate in rural communities, they are now relegated to the sidelines.  Anecdotally, when I grew up in a farm community in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, farmers occupied the key roles in government around the county, including commissioners and school board members; that is seldom the case now.

 

This is another national megatrend that was out of the control of rural American communities, and characterizes the nature of our demise.  No one is to blame, it is all a part of living in a small community with wide open spaces.

 

Next week, I will take a deep dive into the dramatic increase in government regulations which has further strained rural American businesses, driving many of them to close down or to sell to larger companies.  It is another key factor in why BB is shrinking.

Ascension Via Christi transitions Care Van program to Community Health Center

Ascension Via Christi, Pittsburg. Submitted photo.



Ascension Via Christi will be transitioning its Care Van program to Southeast Kansas Community Health Center as of Nov. 1.


“Our goal when we established the Care Van program was to ensure our community’s residents had access to their medical services and appointments,” says Charlotte Russell, physician services director at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “We are happy that this
transition will still allow Pittsburg residents that convenience through the Community Health Center, which aligns with our overall goal of ensuring rural Kansans’ have continued access to
close-to-home care.”


To continue using the Care Van program after Oct. 31, patients will need to call 620-231-9873 to schedule their transportation.
“We want to ask that you join us in thanking our Ascension Via Christi Care Van team for their hard work and dedication to our Mission and the Pittsburg community,” says Russell.
###
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Tips to Affording Health Insurance for Women

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event
Tips and Tricks to Affording Health Insurance
Next Wednesday, October 5th
5-7pm
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!
We are here to help connect you with women leaders to learn from their successes and failures–and to develop relationships into mentoring!
Please note-one registration per person to help us with registration!
Keynote Speaker: Mitzi Davis
Mitzi Davis is a Small Business owner who specializes in Medicare, Health and Life Insurance. She has owned 2 small businesses previously and for the last 10 years has owned a Small Health & Life Insurance Brokerage. Mitzi has seen and lived the need for creative ways to add benefits to your small business to attain and retain your employees.
Mitzi can help form a plan to help individual small businesses offer benefits like health insurance to employees so they are not in constant turnover of staff.
Let Mitzi help you form an individual plan to make your business more profitable and allow you to focus on generating income and growing your business instead of constantly struggling with employee retention.
Additional Speakers: Don Doherty & Lindsay Madison
Registration required for FREE childcare!
Dinner is sponsored and catered by Perry Pork Rinds and Country Store! Dinner will be Bourbon Street Chicken and Rice and samplings of Mama K’s Fudge!
Networking and dinner from 5-5:30; the program will begin right at 5:30!
Funding for this event is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as part of Bourbon County Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and the USDA Rural Business Development Grant.
We are an equal opportunity organization.

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Sept. 30 Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

September 30th Weekly Newsletter

Fall Fun in The Fort!

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

TROLLEY TOURS,

ON THE HOUR FROM THE CHAMBER!

Friday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under

50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott!

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

9/30 ~ Elks Lodge Taco Bar by Free Will Donation, 5pm-close, click here for info.

9/30 ~ Football Homecoming for both Fort Scott Tigers and Uniontown Eagles!

9/30 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park, music by the Hemphill Family, Heritage Park Pavilion, 7-8pm

9/30-10/2 ~ Pioneer Harvest Fiesta—Quilt Show, Corn Husking/Shelling, Oat Threshing, Straw Bailing, Rock Crushing, Sawmill Operation, Free Bean Feed with paid admission, click here for more info.

10/1-10/2 ~ Live music all weekend at the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, click here for music schedule.

9/30-10/31 ~ 5th Annual Scarefest Haunted House, Clark Street Lights Opens for the Halloween Season, 753 Clark St., Fridays & Saturdays 7-10pm, click here for their FB page.

10/1 ~ Farmers’ Market, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon.

10/1 ~ Growing Towards Self Sufficiency Gathering, BBCO Fairgrounds, 9am, click here for more info.

10/1 ~ Distribution of Food & Household Essentials, Saturday, October 1st: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Food & Household Essentials distribution from Fort Cinema Theater for the first 75 families courtesy of Flag Church.

10/1 ~ Storytime at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, 10:30am

10/1 ~ Michael Jeffers Memorial Bullriding

10/2 ~ Annual Life Chain, First Southern Baptist Church, 1:30pm

10/4 ~ Downtown Meet & Greet, hosted by the Chamber at City State Bank, 202 Scott Ave, 8:30-9:30am

10/5 ~ Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event, 5-7pm, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

10/6 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Gordon Parks Museum, 8am

10/6-10/8 ~ The 19th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration, click here for more info.

SAVE THE DATE:

10/13 ~ Downtown Fall Fest – shopping, hot cider, pumpkin snacks, and a chance to win $100 Chamber Bucks, 5-8pm

10/25 ~ Election Candidate Forum, hosted by the Chamber, Ellis Fine Arts Center, doors open 5:30pm, forum begins 6pm.

_____________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Hedgehog,INK! is hosting storytime!

Downtown Meet & Greet hosted by the Chamber at City State Bank, Downtown Location!

Downtown Fall Fest hosted by the Chamber ~ Come out and enjoy fall in Fort Scott!

Election Candidate Forum, Tuesday, October 25th

FORT CINEMA SHOW SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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FLAG Church Hosts Food Distribution on Oct. 1

Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the  Family Life Assembly of God Church distribution site for free food.
Family Life Assembly of God, Fort Scott Campus, is hosting a  free food distribution for the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Cinema parking lot, 224 W. 18th Street, on Saturday Oct. 1st.
Participants will have to be in a vehicle and come through the Fort Cinema parking lot, according to Pastor Grady Proffitt.
FLAG workers help distribute food in an earlier distribution. Submitted photos.
“We have resources to supply food and essential household items to 75 family units,” Proffitt said. “There will be a fruit and vegetable box, along with bread, and other foods and essential household items.”
Workers hand out food in a prior food distribution.
Convoy of Hope, Springfield, MO, is the sponsor source of this distribution.
Workers in a prior distribution. Submitted photos.
“Our mission is to help with essential needs of families in our community,” Proffitt said. “We are blessed to have many partnerships within our church, and we want to use those to the best of our abilities. Our church mission is to help people love God and love others. We choose to use what God gives us so others may be blessed.”
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God Church meets in Fort Cinema. Submitted photos.
The church has been established in Fort Scott for about one month, meeting in the Fort Cinema movie theater.
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God in worship. Submitted photos.
” We had 91 people attend our launch Sunday, and have been blessed since,” he said. “FLAG Church has been commissioned to plant a campus in Fort Scott. We aim to not steal or take away from other churches here in town, but add to the Church by reaching those who do not have a church home. We want to encourage others that already have a church home to keep going. There are many great churches in Fort Scott! We are excited to be a part of what God is already doing here in this community.”
The church mission is led by four core beliefs: Salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Jesus, Pastor Proffitt said. To learn more about their beliefs: https://www.flagchurch.com/about.
“Within the pursuit of our mission, God has done many miraculous works throughout our gatherings,” Proffitt said. “Since the beginning of August, on Thursday nights, we have seen five physical healings on those in attendance. We seek to gather, connect, and pray for more of God’s miraculous signs and wonders just as He did in Acts 2. God is truly doing something amazing!”
The sermon is broadcast from the Pittsburg Family Life Assembly of God Church. Submitted photos.
  Sunday morning service is from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and includes live worship, corporate prayer, kids services, and a Gospel centered message.
A gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co.. Submitted photos.
They also host a Campus Gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Pastor Grady Proffitt and wife, Jacque Proffitt. Submitted photos.
FLAG Fort Scott is led by Pastor Grady and  and his wife, Jacque Proffitt.
“We moved to Fort Scott in June,” he said. “We have had seven years of ministry experience and are thankful we can be a part of this great community! FLAG Fort Scott is definitely a place you want to check out!”
 

To contact Proffitt:

Agenda for the Bourbon County Coalition for Oct. 5

 

Patty Simpson will be acting as chairman.

As of today, September 30,  the Bourbon County Coalition  has assisted 19 families with 56 children for an approximate expenditure of $4,885.00 for the first nine months of 2022, according to chairwoman Billie Jo Drake.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

 

October 5, 2022

 

 

  1. Welcome: 

 

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1. Program: Dacia Clark, Small Business Development Center.

 

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  Next General Membership meeting will be November 2, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

Hollow Heads by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche

Recently, hundreds of people arrived in Fort Scott to create an ESPN, “Red Bull Special” about motocross riding.  Ten of the world’s top riders came from as far as Belgium and Australia to compete in what they called “the most competitive event ever.” Hollywood producers, camera people, event coordinators and hill design specialists worked on my son’s and daughter-in-law’s ranch to turn a few acres into what I called a “crazy land.”

For days ahead, the riders checked out the 120+ possible jumps, knowing that they would be judged for their three-minute, death-defying tricks.  I had no idea what to expect, but over 1,000 race-lovers did, so weeks ahead of time, they purchased tickets to sit in the grandstands to cheer on these daredevils.

Because the event was held on Adam and Jenn’s land, I was allowed to watch the practices.  I held my breath as the riders zoomed to the top of one hill, only to take off and land 150-feet away on the down slope of another hill.  Sometimes they somersaulted their motorcycles in mid-air or did handstands on their bikes while holding on to the handlebars, looming forty feet over our heads.

The day before the race, Tyler, the biker who first had the dream to create this happening, walked into Adam and Jenn’s kitchen to talk with some of the soldiers who had come to watch.  I told him that I was terrified with what I saw and asked if he ever had broken any bones.  He listed them: both feet; both femurs; most ribs; a collarbone; wrists (multiple times); and both arms, one a compound fracture twelve weeks earlier.  He added that there had been several ACL tears and concussions.

On the day previous, Tyler had mastered a vault with such difficulty that all the other practicing racers stopped and applauded.  I asked him about it.  “For four days,” he said, “I have stayed awake at night, dreaming of how to tackle that jump.  I’d never mastered a hill with that degree of difficulty, but I had to do it.  I just got into my ‘hollow head’ and made it happen.”

“Your what?” I asked.  Tyler explained that when he is overcome with fear, he allows nothing else to enter his head besides conquering that terror.  I asked the soldiers if they knew about a “hollow head.”  They nodded. One answered, “When you’re in Iraq with rifles drawn, and you’re entering a home, unaware of what’s on the other side of the door, you have to be 100% focused if you plan to come out alive.” The bikers and the soldiers were kindred spirits, even though their motives were drastically different.

What makes some people determined that Fear will not win, and others let it defy who they are?  Why can’t we all allow “hollow head” to direct our focus in whatever we need to conquer?  If these riders and soldiers allow that mindset to help them do deathly, fearful things, shouldn’t we too be able to replace our anxious thoughts with a determination to master those silent enemies?

According to Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.” By speaking only encouragement to our souls, could we dare tackle something about which we have been uneasy or alleviate something that keeps us stagnant?

I love how Jesus put it as recorded in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.”  Jesus offers us his peace.  Today, let’s boldly look at whatever we fear, hollow our heads and give Jesus a chance.  All we have to do is ask.

All Outside Burning Order is Set Due to Drought Conditions in the County

On September 27, 2022 the Bourbon County Commission ordered  all outside burning in the county prohibited, unless specifically approved by the fire chief, with the exception of covered barbeque grills.

High heat and little rain since June have prompted the ordinance, and is in effect until a sufficient rain occurs.

Under these extreme dry conditions, once started a fire would be difficult to control by fire departments. Water usage is of great concern and also the availability of enough water to put out the fire.

To view the entire order:

doc03175320220927113432

Obituary of Dr. David Wolf

Dr. David Merle Wolf, age 82, resident of rural Deerfield, MO, passed away at his home early Tuesday, September 27, 2022.  He was born December 16, 1939, in the old Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott, KS.  He was the son of Merle and Anna Mayme (Potter) Wolf.  He married Barbara Vaughn on March 1, 1963, in Miami, OK.

 

David (or Doc), as he was known by many, attended grade school in several of the country schools in Bourbon County, Ft. Scott Junior High, and High School.  He graduated from Kansas City College and Bible School in Overland Park, KS in 1957.  Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy where he spent the next five years stationed on the U.S.S. El Dorado.

 

Having accepted Christ as his Savior at the tender age of four, and a call to preach at twelve, upon his return from the Navy, he began to prepare by returning to Kansas City College and Bible School.  With time out to pastor several churches, working with as well as starting a mission in the slums of Kansas City, MO, he did not graduate until 1971 with a Bachelor of Missions degree.  Immediately following that, he and his wife moved to Salem, OH, where he attended Aldersgate School of Religion, obtaining a Master of Arts degree in May of 1972.  While attending school, he held numerous revivals in area churches.  In August of 1972, he received a Doctorate of Theology from the University of Florida.  He continued to evangelize while working on his Doctorate of Christian Education from Berean Christian College, graduating in July 1975.  During the following years, he continued working in the evangelistic field and teaching in several schools.

 

When communism fell and the country of Albania was opened to missionaries, he was there presenting the plan of Salvation to a people who did not even acknowledge the very existence of God.  He helped establish several churches there over the next fourteen years.

 

After many years of living in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, California, Arizona, and Ohio, they returned to the Ft. Scott area where they lived until his death.  During this time, he continued to evangelize, and in the later years, was quite successful in a 1:1 ministry.  As a sideline, he raised cattle and horses, and farmed.

 

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of the home; two brothers, Nathan (Kathleen) Wolf, Etter, TX, and Garen (Sheila), Cincinnati, OH; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle, and Anna Mayme Wolf; his father and mother-in-law, Russell, and Cletta Vaughn; his sister, Virginia Crooks; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, October 3rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home.

For many years, he said he did not want any flowers (except for a dandelion) at his funeral.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Albanian Ministries, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Local News