Monthly Archives: April 2019

Bourbon County, Fair

Get Ready For Bourbon County Fair Open Class

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Wilma Graham enters art and craft entries from Medicalodge residents Monday at the 2018 Bourbon County Fair.

The 2019 Bourbon County Fair will be July 13 through July 20 at the Bourbon County Fair Grounds. It is time to start thinking of what you are going to enter in the Open Class exhibits. King Arthur Flour continues to sponsor a baking contest for both adult and youth and will donate nice prizes. Recipes and King Arthur Flour will be available to the contestants. A registration form will be in the fair paper or contact Jackie Warren for more information.

There will also be a Table Runner Contest. Please contact Jackie Warren for the instructions for this year’s contest. Don’t forget the new categories that were introduced in the Quilts Division last year: Mug Rug, Hexagons (any size), Holiday Item, Wool Applique and a Quilt on a Stick.

A new category of “Lego’s” will be added to the Arts and Crafts Division. This should be a fun category as different types of creations can be exhibited. Make any kind of Christmas ornament and you can enter it in the new category “Christmas Ornament”, also in Arts and Crafts.

Don’t forget the Small Hay Bale Contest and the Scarecrow Contest. Please contact Terri Williams to register for these so we can have a hay bale ready for you, or a bucket of sand for your scarecrow.

If you haven’t purchased a copy of the Posters of the Bourbon County Fair dated 1886, you may do so during the fair. All remaining posters are now priced at $5.00.

There are so many exhibits to visit during the Bourbon County Fair, both Open Class and 4-H. In addition to exhibits there will be programs in the Myers Building on Wednesday, July 17. These are presented by members of FCE (Family and Community Education).

More information will be in the Fair Book which will be printed by the Fort Scott Tribune in early May.

We are grateful for the sponsors and supporters of the Bourbon County Fair. All the prize monies for the special contests and awards are donated by sponsors. We appreciate these sponsors and volunteers. There would not be a Bourbon County Fair without these wonderful people.

Please contact Jackie Warren, 620-224-8161, [email protected] or Terri Williams, 620-215-3202 for more information or questions.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Good Ol’ Days Parade Entries Sought

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The Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce is taking registrations for
Parade Entries
for the
39th Annual
Good Ol’ Days Festival!
Click HEREto register online
The 2019 Good Ol’ Days Festival Parade
is drawing near!
The deadline for entries is
Wednesday, May 29th
@ 6:00 p.m.
Entries without registration form completed will not be allowed in the parade.
(Please place registration number on the right side of your entry.)
For a printable copy of
the registration form,
please clickhere.
Deliver or mail entry to:
Chamber of Commerce,
231 E Wall, Fort Scott, KS 66701
OR fax entry to (620) 223-3574,
OR email to:
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The theme for this year’s festival is
“Off The Rails”,
as 2019 is the
150th Anniversary of the
Intercontinental Railroad.
Because the Good Ol’ Days Committee is teaming up with both Fort Scott Munitions and the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the parade will be opened to all types of transportation.
Fort Scott Munitions will be hosting a large car & bike show this year, and will be auctioning off a motorcycle for charity.
The Fort plans to do a comparison of ambulances from the early 1900’s through today. They will have a fire truck & ambulance on Skubitz Plaza, an Air Ambulance on parade grounds, possibly a military helicopter, an original ambulance cart from the early 1900’s, re-enactors, and much more.
For a full description of the events, please visit the
Good Ol’ Days website by clickinghere.
Fort Scott

U.S. Flag Subscription Available

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FRIENDS OF FSNHS EXTEND 2019 FLAG SUBSCRIPTION DEADLINE

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. have extended the deadline to sign-up for a subscription to the U.S. Flag Project an additional 10 days. Requests for a 2019 subscription are due by April 10.

The Friend’s U.S. Flag Project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!

For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays in 2019:

Memorial Day, May 27th

Flag Day, June 14th

Fourth of July, July 4th

Labor Day, September 2nd

Veteran’s Day, November 11th

Applications can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by e-mail at [email protected].

All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.

Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care

Budgeting For the New Ambulance Service

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The budgeting process for the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service has two government bodies amending their budgets for 2019.

These actions are because of Mercy Hospital closing in December 2018, and along with that, the hospital ambulance service.

A collaboration between the city and the county will provide the new ambulance service.

The City of Fort Scott will operate the ambulance, Bourbon County  Commissioners will bill the insurance and receive the revenue and then reimburse the city. The majority of this budget is wages, taxes and benefits, according to the Fort Scott City Commission March 19 minutes.

A task force was formed to put together a new ambulance service that will serve the community. The task force was comprised of representatives of Mercy, Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott.

On March 19, the Fort Scott City Commission approved to create a new EMS fund and adopt an EMS budget of  $1,004,242, according to the commission minutes.

The county government is also revisiting its budget.

“The county’s projected budget for 2019 for ambulance service is 1.1 million dollars,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

Lynne Oharah

“The county has always had a line item budget for ambulance service which was paid to Mercy,” Oharah said.  “I think that that budget item was approved for $316,000 for 2019. This is a budget line item where we will amend our budget.”

“We have (Certified Public Accountant)Terry Sercer working with us on an amendment to the ambulance budget…,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

“This budget will be figured on what we contracted with the city to provide ambulance service, plus what we pay an outside company, OMNI, to provide medical billing and collections, wages for the volunteer employees that staff the third ambulance and other ancillary expenses associated with handling ambulance. Building a budget item for future ambulance replacement included,” Oharah said.

The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse houses the Bourbon County Commission, Treasurers Office and the Clerk’s Office.

 

Business, Government, Kansas

Statewide Broadband Availability Map

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Governor announces statewide broadband availability map, requests public input

 

Governor Laura Kelly and Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers announced today the completion of the first iteration of a broadband availability map for the State of Kansas.  Rogers announced the map at the Rural Opportunities Conference in Dodge City yesterday. The map was made possible through a grant from the Information Network of Kansas (“INK”) Board of Directors.

 

“High speed broadband access is no longer a luxury, and unfortunately, there are still many areas throughout Kansas without adequate access to quality, affordable advanced broadband services,” Governor Kelly said. “Gaining public feedback and input on this map is an important step that my administration will be taking to identify and close broadband coverage gaps across the state.”

 

The map indicates where there are areas served and unserved by many of our participating broadband service providers. The map can be accessed at:  https://connectednation.org/kansas/interactivemap.

 

“Improving broadband access is key to growing rural Kansas and ensuring businesses and families can thrive,” said Lt. Governor Rogers. “We must ensure that every Kansan, no matter where they live, has access to the critical infrastructure needed to connect and participate in the 21st century economy.”

 

Broadband coverage was reported on a voluntary basis by the state’s broadband service providers.

 

Starting this month, Connected Nation will deploy network engineers across the state to validate the data reflected on the map, guided by feedback received from the public. Connected Nation will then update the map based on its findings in July. The public is encouraged to submit feedback via a form that can be accessed here:  https://connectednation.org/kansas/feedback.

 

“I hope the public will take time to provide feedback during this mapping process as we work to develop more effective approaches to closing the digital divide, which continues to persist in our rural communities,” Governor Kelly continued. “Our goal is to leverage the knowledge developed so that we are able to target resources more effectively and make Kansas one of the most connected states in the nation.”

 

Feedback may be submitted via computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Persons submitting feedback are encouraged to provide a short description of the issue and enter the address where the issue can be found. A screenshot detailing the area in question will automatically be submitted if an address is provided under Section 2, which will aid the network engineers and mapping team in pinpointing the problem.

 

 

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Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at FSCC’s Arnold Arena April 4

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:

KOMB 103.9 FM Home Show
Location:

Arnold Arena, located on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.
Thursday, April 4th, 2019
Visit KOMB 103.9 FM’s website

by clicking 


Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
April 11th – Fort Scott Christian Heights
April 18 – Presbyterian Village
April 25 – Peerless Products
May 2 – National Day of Prayer Breakfast (Pioneer Kiwanis and
Cheney Witt)
Area News

Volunteer Buglers For Veterans Services Being Sought

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Bugles Across America

Bugles Across America, NFP was founded in 2000 by Tom Day, when Congress passed legislation stating that Veterans have a right to at least two uniformed military people to fold the flag and play Taps on a CD player. Bugles Across America was founded to take this a step further.  In recognition of the service these Veterans have provided to their country, we felt that they each deserve a live rendition of Taps by a real bugler.

The motto, “SOUND THE HONOR – HONOR THE SOUND” is meant to express the desire that each volunteer bugler be available as much as possible to honor veterans with the ‘live’ sounding of TAPS.

Robert Solomonson lives in Fort Scott and is a local member of Bugles Across America. He is available as a Bugler for military graveside services and other memorial services in the Southeast Kansas area.

His service is strictly voluntary; no compensation is required. Robert can be contacted at telephone number (620)704-7373 or by email at  [email protected].

Area musicians who play the Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn or a Bugle can contact https://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/ for more information on becoming a volunteer bugler at  Veterans funerals or other memorial services. 

Submitted By Carl Jowers. Commander. 

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25

Area News

Sexual Assault Awareness Program Coming to Fort Scott

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April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Safehouse Crisis Center is hosting several awareness, educational, and support programs throughout the month for the southeast Kansas community. Safehouse provides free and confidential advocacy, shelter, and therapy services to victims and survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in seven counties in southeast Kansas. Safehouse will be honoring the national awareness month with free programming for area survivors and community members. 
 
The awareness month will begin with the “What Were You Wearing?” Survivor Art Installation on Wednesday April 3rd, at the Pittsburg Public Library from 3:00pm – 7:00pm. The Art Installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013 and was inspired by Dr. Mary Simmerling’s poem, What I Was Wearing. The Installation asks participants to understand that it was never about the clothing and the act of shedding those clothes is never enough to bring peace or comfort to survivors. The violation is not simply woven in to the fabric of the material, it is a part of the survivor’s new narrative. If only ending sexual violence was as easy as changing our clothes. Instead it requires all of us to evaluate what enabled us as individuals and as a society to ask, “what were you wearing?” in the first place. Attendees can walk through the display anytime between 3:00pm and 7:00pm. The display will also be traveling to Fort Scott and be on display for community members at the Fort Scott Public Library Friday April 12th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Saturday April 13th from 9:00am – 12:00pm. 
 
Throughout the month, local southeast Kansas libraries will have sexual assault awareness book displays. Check out the library closest to you that is participating: the Pittsburg Public Library, the PSU Axe Library, the Girard Public Library, the Weir Public Library, the Fort Scott Public Library, the La Cygne Library, the Pleasanton Lincoln Library, and the Coffeyville Public Library. 
 
On Thursday April 18th, Safehouse will be hosting a Rara Rocks Painting Party at 6:00pm at the Pittsburg Public Library. Rara’s Rocks was started by Tamara Suguitan (nickname Rara), a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. She shared her story with Rara Rocks, a platform to provide healing and comfort to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The mission of Rara’s Rocks is to spread awareness for sexual and domestic violence, the free support the community provides, and to let survivors know they are not alone. Rara’s motto is, “Heal when you reveal your ‘rocks’.” Each rock resembles a person because we are all works of art. 
 
 
An important part of healing from sexual violence is learning to regain a sense of calm and safety in our lives and in our bodies. In the past decade, research has shown that yoga can also have a strong impact on the healing processes of many survivors of trauma. On Saturday April 20th Safehouse is partnering with Balanced Life Yoga to provide a free trauma-informed yoga class from 2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Eclectic Soul Studio in Pittsburg.
 
Safehouse will also be hosting a survivor writing workshop series called Write to Empower facilitated by advocates and local community writing professionals. The first workshop on Monday April 15th will focus on Safety, the second on Monday April 22nd will focus on empowerment, and the final workshop on Monday April 29th will focus on healing. All workshops take place at the Pittsburg Public Library from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Attendees do not have to attend all workshops, but area encouraged to do so. 
 
Community members may attend a free Lunch & Learn about the Dynamics of Sexual Violence on Wednesday April 24th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the Pittsburg Fire Department Training Room at 911 W. 4th Street. Attendees bring their own lunch and Safehouse brings the education. 
 
For more information about Safehouse awareness and educational programs, contact Ali Smith, Prevention Education Specialist at 620-231-8692. Safehouse also encourages you to reach out to community and campus groups also providing free programming for Sexual Assault Awareness Month such as Ascension Via Christi (620-231-6100), the Children’s Advocacy Center (620-235-0067), PSU’s Students for Violence Prevention (620-235-4831), PSU’s Student Alliance for Gender Equality (620-235-4512), and the Southeast Kansas National Organization for Women (SEK NOW) [email protected]
Business, Fort Scott

American Heart Association Donations Accepted at Gordmans

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HOUSTON (April 2, 2019) – Happy, healthy hearts start at home, which is why Gordmans has teamed up with the American Heart Association to raise awareness and funds in the fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death among women in the United States.

 

Through Gordmans’ gThanks program, store guests will have the opportunity to make a donation at the checkout counter to the American Heart Association during the month of April.

 

“Our guests love saving money and now have the chance to save lives by supporting the American Heart Association to create a world of longer, healthier lives,” said Michael Glazer, President and CEO of Stage Stores. “We invite our guests to get pumped for heart health by joining us in supporting the American Heart Association in our stores – every heart helps!”

 

Donations to the American Heart Association help pave the way for advancements in preventing, treating or even eradicating heart disease and stroke. American Heart Association research has led to the development of pacemakers, surgeries, drugs and many other lifesaving breakthroughs.

 

According to the American Heart Association, 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented. Leading a healthy lifestyle and being physically active are just a few heart healthy tips. Gordmans guests are invited to share a photo of how they get pumped for heart health. Throughout the month of April, Gordmans will donate a dollar, up to $10,000 for each Facebook and Instagram post mentioning #getpumpedforhearthealth.

 

Visit gordmans.com/getpumped for American Heart Association facts and benefits, social contest, and link for donating online.

 

Government, Kansas

Governor calls on Senate to vote on Medicaid expansion

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Governor Laura Kelly declares disappointment with stalling tactics, calls on Senate leadership “to do their job”

 

Topeka – On behalf of thousands of Kansans struggling to secure affordable healthcare, Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference this morning calling on the Kansas Senate leadership to allow a vote on Medicaid expansion this week.

 

“By design, the legislation I presented was very similar to a plan that passed the legislature in 2017 with strong bipartisan support. That’s why I’m disappointed with Senate leadership for blocking the debate and the committee process,” Governor Kelly said. “Now with the regular session winding down, “halfway there” isn’t good enough.”

 

Almost two weeks ago, a bipartisan coalition in the Kansas House passed Medicaid expansion. Governor Kelly applauded this coalition during the press conference, recognizing their strength and determination in moving Medicaid expansion forward.

 

“I have always endorsed efforts to carefully study issues before taking action,” Governor Kelly said. “But when it comes to Medicaid expansion, “study” is a code word for “stall.” The House did what’s right for Kansas – I’m calling on the Senate to do the same.”

 

During the press conference, Governor Kelly outlined the timeline of Medicaid expansion in recent years. In 2011, Governor Sam Brownback asked Kansans to wait until after the 2012 Presidential Election to act on Medicaid. After the 2012 election, Kansas still failed to act. Brownback then insisted Medicaid could not be expanded until the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The Supreme Court upheld the ACA in 2015. Kansas still did not act. When the Legislature overwhelmingly approved Medicaid expansion in 2017, Brownback vetoed the bill.

 

By not expanding Medicaid, Kansas has forfeited over $3.2 billion of our tax dollars to other states. The economic benefits of expansion have been clearly documented. The governor noted in the press conference that there have been 300 published studies and reports on the positive impact of Medicaid expansion in other states, including:

 

  • A reduced poverty rate;
  • A growth in the number of healthcare related jobs, spurring economic growth;
  • A healthier, insured population;
  • A significantly lower level of uncompensated care for health facilities.

 

Medicaid expansion passed the Kansas House of Representatives on March 21. The governor released her plan on January 29, 2019. Neither chamber held hearings on the bill or scheduled a floor vote.