Governor signs Executive Order easing motor carrier regulations to assist with flood relief

To expedite emergency relief and restoration efforts associated with recent flooding in Kansas and neighboring states, Governor Laura Kelly has issued an executive order.

The order temporarily exempts commercial motor carriers and operators from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations while traveling in Kansas and directly participating in disaster operations.

“Yesterday, I signed an executive order waiving fees and easing regulation on motor carriers to assist with transporting relief to flood affected areas,” Kelly said. “I’m grateful for the work of our emergency management team and the Kansas National Guard during this critical time. It’s important communities in both states receive the aide they need immediately.”

The regulation exemptions include licensing, certification and permitting; fuel tax permits, and other rules that will allow motor carriers to more quickly bring in necessary supplies and equipment to aid in relief efforts.

Heavy rains and spring snow melts are causing moderate flood conditions along the Missouri River in several states, including Kansas, and is expected to increase to major flooding in the next few days. Doniphan, Marshall and Jefferson Counties have issued local disaster declarations and Gov. Kelly signed a state declaration for Doniphan County on March 15. Currently, potential flooding in the state would primarily affect farmland and not residential areas.

The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka has been activated to a 24/7 level to monitor weather conditions and support local emergency management operations. The governor will tour the area impacted by flooding today with the Kansas National Guard, the Kansas Department of Emergency Management, and the Kansas Water Office.

Bourbon County, Exercise, Fort Scott

Gunn Park Trail Volunteers Needed For Trail Clean-up

March 21, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Volunteers are needed this Saturday morning for clean up of the bike/walk trails at Fort Scott’s Gunn Park Trails.

“We need to clean flood debris from the trails,” said Frank Halsey, who spearheads the trail volunteers.

“This is a post-winter clean-up,” he said.

Community members are encouraged to help with this volunteer program to keep the trails in top shape.

“We will meet at 9 a.m. at the main gate,” Halsey said. “The clean-up won’t go past noon.”

“Even if people can come for an hour, that is helpful,” he said.

Trail clean-up volunteers are encouraged to bring rakes, gloves, and boots.

The trails are for bicyclists and walkers.

“No horses, they are hard on trails,” Halsey said.

The volunteers have built an eight-mile trail in Fort Scott’s largest park, Gunn Park.

There are seven different trailheads for trail users to enter or exit onto the trail that parallels the Marmaton River in sections.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Special Events March 22-25

March 21, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Keep Buying Local Cars

March 21, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Briggs Auto of Fort Scott salesmen introduced at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, March 21 by General Manager Scott Teenor, from left: Matt Harvey, Teenor , Rich Aydelotte, Paul Studyvin, Matt Bowersock.

Briggs Auto of Fort Scott General Manager Scott Teenor thanked the community for their business at the Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee on March 21.

“Keep buying cars,” Teenor said with a smile.

Teenor said the business is grown by “word of mouth and healthy criticism.”

They have hired two new technicians and three new salespeople recently, he said.

The business is located at 1819 S. Main, on Hwy. 69.

Fort Scott’s Finance Director Rhonda Dunn told the coffee attendees that Briggs Auto is the second largest generator of sales tax in the community, and sales tax revenue has increased 15 percent.

“Thanks for investing in our community,” Dunn told Teenor.

Briggs sells Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Toyota and Ford vehicles all in one location according to its website.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and on Sunday one can shop online, according to the website.

The phone number is 620-223-0900.

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 21

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Fort Scott Police Department

The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports March 21

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Bourbon County

The LEAD Bourbon County Class of 2019 Seeking Donations for Park Benches

March 21, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The LEAD Bourbon County Class of 2019 Needs Your Help!

Your donations are needed to complete our group project which will beautify our community

The LEAD Bourbon County Class of 2019 needs your help!

Each year the LEAD class chooses a group project that will benefit the community. This year we’ve chosen to put our efforts towards installing some new park benches.

We already have so many beautiful walking trails in our community, so our class would love to see some new benches along these existing routes.

To donate to our project, and for more information, please visit our GoFundMe page by clicking here.

Checks made out to the Chamber of Commerce can also be sent to:

231 E. Wall St.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

All donations must be received by March 22nd, 2019.

Obituary

Obituary of Mike Naccarato

March 20, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Mike Naccarato, age 90 passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, March 8, 2019, in Conroe, Texas. Mike was born March 20, 1928, in Carona, Kansas to Gaetano and Antonetta Ferraro Naccarato.

He is survived by his children, Bettiann Barnard of Montgomery, Texas and Steven Naccarato and wife Suzanne of Wimberley, Texas, five grandchildren-Adam Barnard, Emily Barfield and husband, Steve, Mike Naccarato, Sam Naccarato and wife Karli and Thom Naccarato. Other survivors include his companion Mary Jo Hampton, sister-in-laws Angie Naccarato and Mary Gleason and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Betty Smith Naccarato, his parents, Tom and Anna and siblings-Frank (Nora), Mary (Glen) Haskell, Edith (Joe) Embesi, Sibio (Shirley) and Vic.

He attended Fort Scott Jr. College in Fort Scott, Kansas where he received his degree in engineering and where he excelled in Basketball and Football.

Mike served in the United States Army Survey Control 13th Field Artillery Battalion of the 24th Division Korea Duty.

His love for his work included 35 years of experience in the surface coal mining industry. He worked for Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company from 1947-1970. He also worked for Consolidated Coal Company, Peabody Coal Company and Morrison-Knudsen residing in Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Texas.

He was an amazing gardener and enjoyed sharing his fruits and vegetables with family and friends.

Other talents included excelling in basketball and football throughout his school years, being a great dance partner to his wife and others and in recent years enjoying his trips to Coushatta playing blackjack and socializing.

He leaves the legacy of love, hard work and love for his family. Anyone who knew him enjoyed his humor, friendly smile and generous heart and he will be missed by all.

Mike’s funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Street Fort Scott, Kansas.

Internment with Military Full Honors will follow at 11:00 a.m. where he will be joined with his wife, Betty at Fort Scott National Cemetery 900 East National Avenue Fort Scott, Kansas.

Family and friends are invited back to the Carriage House 301 Main Street following the cemetery service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made by check or on-line in his name to: (check) Honor Flight, Inc. 175 South Tuttle Road Springfield, Ohio 45505 or (on-line) email: https://www.honorflight.org/donate

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report March 20

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Bourbon County

Friends Fest Honors Arnold Schofield

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Bourbon County, Housing

Tiny Houses For Rent at Old KOA Campground

March 20, 2019 Loretta George 3 Comments

Tiny houses are the rage on TV shows, and a local investment corporation has jumped on the band wagon.

Six tiny houses, ranging from 375 to 600 square feet, have been built on the former KOA Campground at 215th and Native Roads, just north of Hwy. 54.

“We have four (tiny house) floor plans, all have room for four people,” said Pat Wood, who is the contact person for Yellow Brick Road Investment, owners of the property.

“One-half (the tiny houses) will be long term (rentals), one-half will be Airbnb (vacation rentals),” he said.

“They are super efficient,” Wood said. “The electric bills have been about $40 per month since December. We will provide trash, lawn and housing maintenance. All are one-bedroom with lofts.”

“I think younger people will be interested in it,” he said. “It’s not an apartment, but a little more private.”

Wood has used local demolition contractor Johnny Walker for items that have been used on the tiny houses.

“We have reclaimed items…sliding doors, interior trim, kitchen backsplashes, shower surrounds, the majority of vanities and mirrors,” he said.

The name of the property is Crosslands Camping and Cabins.

“This property was neglected for many years before I got involved,” Wood said. “Little by little, we have been cleaning it up.”

“But we needed to generate some income,” he said.

“In 2016 I did a tiny house on wheels, Kevin (Stark) saw that,” Wood said. “It was his idea to build tiny houses out here. It’s a 50/50 partnership. Kevin owned the property for quite a while, I bought in two years ago.”

Wood is a member of the corporation called Yellow Brick Road Investment, with Kevin Stark as the president.

Wood can be reached at 620-224-7163.

Work began on the project in March 2018, and should be completed soon, Wood said.

There are also 54 sites for camping on the property, in a different area.

“Next, we plan to do some more work at the campground and get the clubhouse fixed up,” Wood said.

A pictorial view of a few of the tiny houses are below: