Bourbon County, Business, Exercise, Health Care, Housing, K-State Extension

Aging With Attitude

April 26, 2019 Loretta George 1 Comment

Expo attendees moved around to the vendor’s tables before the first whole group educational panel discussion on the opioid crisis.

Aging with Attitude Regional Expo filled the gym of Community Christian Church on Friday to hear breakout speakers on the opioid crisis, scams against senior citizens, life with partial sight, veteran’s benefits, gardening, farm families in tough times, and getting beyond superficial conversations.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, Smallville Crossfit owners, facing the camera, lead the group in exercises.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, owners of Smallville Crossfit, Fort Scott, demonstrated exercises that can even be done from a chair.

Patty LaRoche gave an inspirational speech on “What Matters Most.”

There are four components of aging to find contentment, she said, which include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. She listed humorous and contemplative examples of each component.

And door prizes galore were handed to attendees by vendors, businesses and organizations.

Resource fair vendors were Girard Medical Center, K-State Extension, Hometown Health Care, Moore-Few Care Center, Arrowood Lane Residential Care, Kansas Agricultural Medication Services, Heritage Health Care, Medicalodges Fort Scott, Southeast Kansas Library System, Integrity Home Care and Hospice, Presbyterian Village, Resource Center for Independent Living, State Farm Insurance, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Angels Care Home Health, Ascension Via Christi, SKIL Resource Center and Kansas AgrAbility.

A panel session on the opioid crisis was composed of, from left facing camera: Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Pharmacist Craig Campbell, Community Health Center Peer Mentor Heather Burns, Community Health Center Addiction Treatment Amy Phillips, and Fort Scott Police Department Chief Travis Shelton. Moderator is K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller at right.

Ginger Nance and Becky Kellum, Presbyterian Village personnel, visit with a person at their booth.

State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson visits with an attendee.

Denise Groene, director of Wichita Better Business Bureau, leads the session entitled “Scams Against Seniors.”

LaShawn Noel, a social worker with Integrity Home Care and Hospice, leads a session on “Getting Beyond ‘I’m Fine'”.

“Helping You and Your Family Through a Tough Farm Economy,” was a session led by Char Henton, Forrest Buhler and Gary Kepka from Kansas Agricultural Medication Services.

Veteran Services Representative Ryon Knop leads the session “Veteran’s Benefits for Spouse and Dependents.”

“Living a Full Life with Partial Sight” was a session led by Southeast Kansas Library Special Needs Consultant Melissa Frantz and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Amanda Smith.

K-State Horticulture Agent Krista Harding leads the session “Garden At Any Age.”

Pharmacist Craig Campbell leads an expanded session on the opioid crisis.

Additional support for the expo was provided by Community Christian Church, Dale and Betty Johnson, Cheney Witt Funeral Home.

Helping with introducing the speakers were 15 Fort Scott Community College Ambassadors, with help serving the meal provided by Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Students.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas helped support this expo event.

Area News, Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown Spruces Up

April 26, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

Spring cleaning is the time to clean up your yards, attics, garage and closets.

Next weekend, a small town in the area will be renting huge trash hauling bins to helps its citizens to do just that.

Uniontown City Council helps provide the town’s citizens a way to get rid of unwanted, unsightly items.

The city council rents huge trash hauling bins twice a year, once before Uniontown High School graduation in May and again before Old Settlers Picnic weekend, in August, this year May 3-5 and August 23-25.

The bins are located on city property near the corner of First and Clay Streets.

The city property where the trash bins will be located for the clean up day.

“This assists our residents with the clean up of their property and to keep our town clean and appealing to visitors,” Sally Johnson, Uniontown City Clerk, said.

Absolutely no tires, batteries, or freon are allowed in the city’s trash hauling bins.

The city will recycle metal.

“There will be an area to the side (of the bins) for metal objects that are then taken for recycling,” Johnson said.

The town-wide clean up is for Uniontown residents only.

Opinion

Afraid of the “What-if” by Patty LaRoche

April 26, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The word “Christian” appears only three times in the Bible. The word “Disciple,” however, is used nearly 300 times. For good reason. Professing to be a “Christian” seems relatively safe since 83% of Americans refer to themselves by this name. But calling ourselves a “Disciple” takes it one step further; it indicates we have some ownership in our pact to make Jesus not just our Savior, but our Lord. He is not merely our Get-Out-Of-Hell-Free card.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “disciple” as “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.”

Simply put, we share the gospel. Sadly, for most Christians, the very thought of being a witness for Christ turns them into utter scaredy-cats, which leads me to the picture of the crane.

Last week I was on the treadmill in our community center, looking out the front window, when I noticed two very large birds hanging out on the sidewalk. Whenever a car pulled up and the drivers attempted to open their doors, the braver bird would run over to the cars, terrifying those individuals. If the driver moved into the next parking spot, car-jacking Big Bird followed. No one exited his/her vehicle. People walking to get their mail made hurried U-turns when the cranes began strutting their direction. Soon the word spread, and dozens of people showed up with their cameras, taking pictures from a distance.

I cracked up. It was just a bird, for goodness sakes, not a python. Poor thing probably just wanted a bite of bread but instead ended up panicking the neighborhood. When I left the workout room and walked outside, the birds didn’t phase me. What were they going to do, peck me to death? To those photographers, I must have looked terribly bold. Or terribly stupid.

No one gave the birds a chance. They had it in their minds that the outcome would not be a good one, so they chickened out, not unlike Christians who refuse to disciple. Afraid of the “what-if’s” of sharing their faith, they are held hostage to uncertainty. Now, they’re not concerned about discussing the K.C. Chiefs or a new restaurant or a bargain article of clothing they bought, but Jesus? Of that they are petrified.

In Acts 3, the disciples Peter and John were confronted by a crippled beggar. Peter responded, “Silver or Gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you – in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Immediately the beggar was leaping and praising God, astounding the crowd which set the stage for Peter to share Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Not what the religious rulers wanted to hear, so they commanded Peter and John not to speak of Jesus again. Then comes my favorite part in vs. 19-20: “But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”

Get that? They cannot help but witness. They have seen the resurrected Messiah and know there is nothing more important for the crowds to understand. As the old saying goes, “What grips the heart wags the tongue.” Or, in Jesus’ words, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Mt. 12:34) Jesus makes it clear where the starting point is: in our heart. We need to fall in love with Jesus more than we love our favorite sports team or a morning cup of coffee or ourselves. There should be a difference in our lives because of him. And that’s what we need to share.

Next week we will look at several suggestions as to how we can become bolder disciples for Christ.

Fort Scott Police Department

The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports April 25

April 26, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Click below:

4-25-19

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes From April 16

April 26, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

April 16, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune and Nancy Van Etten were also present.

Jim Harris presented 1 application for 2 permits for Pioneer LLC to install pipes under the road to water cattle from a pond across the road; one location is at 40^th south of Cavalry (2” water line) the second is at 50^th south of Eagle (3” water line). Jeff made a motion to approve the permit, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jim Harris presented the Paser Asphalt Road Manual to the Commissioners; he said this could be used to rate the condition of the roads.

Jim Harris said he had found two used tractors for sale; a 2011 New Holland with 1754 hours with no warranty for $39,900 and a 2017 John Deere for $53,950 this is a demo model with 30 hours and a 1 ½ year warranty. Jim Harris suggested that Road & Bridge, Landfill and the Sales Tax fund could pay for the tractor. After discussion; Jeff made a motion to approve purchasing the 2017 John Deere for $53,950, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jesse Walker met with the Commissioners; he asked that the County maintain a portion of 95^th & Unique. He said he had found a 1977 survey that shows this is a County road. Lynne said he discussed this road with Lora Holdridge, she said this road is still on the map; Jim said that Shane Walker said this road did not appear on the maps. Jim Harris said if it is a County road then he felt the County should build a road all the way through to 85^th. Lynne said he would continue to research this road.

Jim Harris reported that the Noxious Weed department will be moved from Uniontown to the Road & Bridge barn in Fort Scott at the end of this week. Jim said it will be open for chemical sales on Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons & Friday mornings as well as by appointment. The Commissioners discussed the soon to be vacant Noxious Weed building in Uniontown; Lynne made a motion to give Jim Harris the authority to list the building for sale, there was not a 2^nd on the motion. Jeff suggested that the County find out the value of the property and to explore alternative uses for the building.

Jim Harris said they will be patching on 215^th, will be covering the Landfill, finishing up a Timberhill culvert, moving the excavator to install a culvert, doing ditching northwest of Fort Scott, using the excavator on Soldier, will be drilling next week at the Blake Quarry to prepare for a blast and said they have 20 driveway culverts to replace on Condensory Road before overlaying the road.

Jeff questioned who maintained the roads around Rock Creek; Jim Harris said this was the City of Fort Scott’s property.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jim Harris). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to have free dump days at the Landfill on May 17^th & May 18^th for Bourbon County residents including tires, no commercial businesses, Jeff seconded and all approved the motion.

The Commissioners held a 2019 budget amendment hearing for the Ambulance fund; the budget amendment allows for a total of $1,020,000 of expenditures, $316,020 had already been budgeted, this amendment allows for an additional $703,980 of expenditures. Lynne made a motion to approve the 2019 budget amendment for the ambulance fund, Nick seconded and all approved and signed the budget amendment. The Commissioners are responsible for the ambulance budget.

Nancy Van Etten questioned housing conditions and regulations in the County; the Commissioners said the only codes the County has are septic tank regulations and that there are no codes in the County.

Jeff made a motion to move the April 23^rd Commission meeting to April 22^nd, Nick seconded and all approved.

Dale Arnold met with the Commissioners; he discussed trees that were trimmed near the Sale Barn, he said the tree trunks are still there and said you can’t see around the corner when the trees have leaves on them. Jeff reported this to Jim Harris.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

At 11:44, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

04/22/2019, Approved Date

Fort Scott

Community Prayer Breakfast May 2

April 25, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Join us for the

Community Prayer Breakfast

celebrating the

National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 2nd at

Danny and Willa Ellis Family

Fine Arts Center

See the flyer below

for full program details

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Get Your BBQ On: April 26 at the Fairgrounds

April 25, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Anyone interested in grilling and barbecuing can learn more during BBQ 101, lead by K-State Research and Extension Agent’s Kathy McEwan and Chris Petty, along with Mayco Ace hardware store owner Chris Maycumber on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Yeager Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

“There will be some taste testing, but it’s mostly classroom style education,” Petty said. “We will have cuts of meat, and grills on display.”

The class is free but limited to 25 people, and pre-registration is required by calling 620-223-3720.

“Spots are filling up fast,” Petty said.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Uncategorized

Fort Scott Special Events April 26-28

April 25, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Obituary

Obituary of Angela Clark

April 25, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Angela Jo Clark, age 50, a resident of Chanute, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was born November 25, 1968, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Richard Francis Pent and Janice Ilene Smith Pent. Angela graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1987.

She married Kevin Clark on June 3, 2006, in Ft. Scott. Angela worked as an insurance customer service representative for Epoch Group and then Cobalt. She was currently employed by Cognizant.

She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and trying to beat her husband, Kevin, at Phase 10. She also liked to read romance novels and make regular shopping trips to Wal-Mart.

Survivors include her husband, Kevin, of the home; her son, Mitchell Pent and wife, Rebecca and their daughter, Kairi, of Park City, Kansas; her two daughters, Kelsey Grubb and husband, Sam, and their child, Sammy, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; and Amber Ripple and husband, Steven, and their children, Olivia and Maverick, also of Ft. Scott; two step-sons, Jerry Schultz and wife, Lisa, and their children, Hunter, Haydon, Libby, Jessica, Jordan, Mercedes and Koltan, of Ft. Scott; Steven Schultz and his daughter, Danyelle, of Chanute and a step-daughter, Amanda Wolfe and her children, Breana, Chloe, Caleb, Tanner and Mason, of Chanute, Kansas. Also surviving are her mother, Janice Pent, of Ft. Scott, a brother, Patrick Pent, of Gardner, Kansas and two sisters, Ronda Eastwood of Overland Park, Kansas and Tracy Jordan, of Hamilton, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, Richard Pent, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, April 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday afternoon at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County

Fort Scott’s Women Self Defense Class This Saturday

April 25, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Kim Schwab, left, Roger Kemp, and Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin talk with Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling at the March 29 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee. Schwab, Kemp, and Martin talked about the upcoming self-defense class initiated by the Sheriff’s Office to coffee attendees.

The Ali Kemp Education Foundation, T.A.K.E., will present a class on female self-defense, this Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.

The class is from 10 a.m. to noon.

“The first part of the class is a lecture on safety awareness,” said Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center who is handling the registration for the event. “The second part is combat training, hands-on techniques done with a partner.”

Schwab has taken the class in another town and highly recommends women take personal responsibility for their own safety.

“We are offering the class because we live in dangerous times and every women’s personal safety is her personal responsibility,” Schwab said. “It is a survival skill that women of every age should know.”

A $12 donation is requested, but it is not required, she said.

“It actually costs more than $12 per person to bring the class to town,” Schwab said.

To register, contact Schwab at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center at 620-223-1440, extension 270.

Local sponsors of the event are Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance, Stewart-Tucker Realty, The City of Fort Scott, Briggs Auto Dealership, City State Bank, McDonalds Restuarant, Kenny Felt Photography, Martin Rental Properties (Alisha Martin), Liberty Bank, Iron Star Antiques, Fort Scott Inn and Liberty Theater/Crooner’s.

“Seventy-nine have registered so far and you can register clear up until the class on Saturday,” Schwab said. “Just show up and you can register then. Women under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.”

“Women should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (sneakers) so they can move easily,” Schwab said.

“Roger Kemp will be coming and speaking at the beginning of the class about his foundation, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, and the reason his family is doing this for women all across the country,” Schwab said.

Kemp’s daughter was raped and murdered in Leawood, a suburb of Kansas City. Following the tragedy, the Kemp family initiated the foundation to provide self-defense classes to females.

Area News, Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Come To The Fort For Living History April 27-28

April 25, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

History re-enactors and volunteers will be portraying life during the Civil War era at Fort Scott National Historic Site this weekend, April 27-28

The Holmes Brigade, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, Western Bluecoats Field Hospital, Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc., and Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers will be demonstrating cooking, sewing, period games, and other activities about life at the fort during this time period.