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Monthly Archives: October 2019
Taylor Qualls, Decor Creator: Young Entrepreneur
This is part of a series that highlights young entrepreneurs, under 30 years of age, in Bourbon County. If you would like to nominate a young entrepreneur, submit to [email protected] the name and email/phone number of the person, along with why you are nominating them and your name.
Taylor Qualls, 22, is the owner of her own business, Hazel Bee Ink.
” I create customized gifts and hand-lettered products,” Qualls said. “I have also created wedding invitations, signs, and decor. I have made a little bit of everything. I mostly do calligraphy, but I also make custom dip mugs and coasters, pet portraits, home illustrations, and wall signs. I have also made wedding invitations and I address envelopes! “
Qualls is currently attending Pittsburg State University and will complete her bachelor of music education with an emphasis in vocal music in December 2020. She and her husband are living in Pittsburg. She is from Fort Scott and graduated with an associate of arts from Fort Scott Community College in 2016.
“I have always been one of those people who doodled in their notebooks,” Qualls said. ” During the summer, I would change my handwriting, and then practice it over and over again until it became muscle memory just because I thought it was fun.”
Her first job using her penchant for drawing was for a friend.
“My first hand-lettering job was for a friend, Kristian Brennon’s, wedding,” she said. “After that, I got married and ended up making all of the signs, wedding party gifts, bouquets, programs, and centerpieces for my own wedding.”
“I honestly didn’t plan on pursuing it until my husband, family, and friends began encouraging me to,” Qualls said.
In January 2019, another young entrepreneur, Delynn Abati. asked her to make a cake topper for a customer of hers. She is a local Fort Scott baker.
“Then she asked me to make a couple more,” she said. ” One day, she asked me if I had a business name so that she could tag my page in it. That’s when I finally decided to go for it.”
Eight months later, the business has grown “beyond my wildest expectations,” she said.
“I used to dream about having my own business one day, and now it’s a reality. I am so thankful for all of the support and encouragement I have received from my people on this wild journey of mine. I would list them out, but there really are so many important people that helped me create Hazel Bee Ink.”
Qualls has no employees, “but my husband, friends, and family have helped me out tremendously!”
Qualls is expanding her business to retail.
“I recently started selling products at a store in Pittsburg named Sonder & Co. and it has been such a blast,” she said. ” If you haven’t heard of them, I would highly recommend looking them up. I have started looking into opening an Etsy store and I will hopefully be setting up booths at some craft shows and festivals in 2020!”
Her family consists of her husband, Levi Qualls and their pup, Hazel.
Her extended family include her parents-Travis and Tina Schilling,
grandparents-Dale and Donna Schilling, Ed and Ladonna Cox and her in-laws, Rex and Michelle Qualls.
Qualls was recommended by Kasey Eaton.
“She did a cake topper for my daughters graduation cake,” said Eaton. “She is very talented and artistic.”
Contact info: [email protected]
Check out Qualls Facebook page to see more of her creations.
Halloween Parade Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 26
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 25
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Oct. 24
Click below:
Jesus With Cell Phones by Patty LaRoche
Had smart phones been around in Jesus’ day, I think he wouldn’t have been too keen on them, especially if those spending time with him used them like people of today. This week I heard a speaker discussing how inconsiderate we are when it comes to our phone addiction, prompting me to wonder what Jesus would have done, had his disciples chosen their phones over him.
Picture, for instance, the Last Supper with the apostles reclining at the table when Peter gets buzzed (and no, not on wine, on his phone.) “Oops! Gotta take this one, Gentlemen. ‘Tis the fishing report for tomorrow.” Or how about when the paralyzed man was lowered through the roof so he could hear Jesus speak? “Horizon” network would have blown up as the crowd Instagrammed photos to their pals instead of focusing on Jesus forgiving the man’s sins.
Jesus was all about one-on-one relationships. Physical relationships. He touched people, no matter how homely or dirty or poor. He made them feel important. He heard their stories and never was too busy to make them know they mattered. He recognized that meaningful communication was/is more about body language than voice-tone or words, something that’s missing in this new age of technology.
How would he have reacted had his listeners held up their index finger as in “Just a minute” or “Hold that thought” while they accepted a buddy’s call, gossiping about nabbing the adulterous woman instead of hearing Jesus speak about eternal life? Would they have been so preoccupied with the latest weather forecast that they would have missed his Sermon on the Mount or his triumphant entry into Jerusalem or his disappearance from his grave? Today, predictably that would happen.
Texting while someone is talking is an offensive way to let the speaker know that what (s)he is saying isn’t important. Granted, there are exceptions, but far too often when we choose our cell phones over our company, we are just plain RUDE. Should we be incapable of dining with friends or family without our phones lying beside our dinner plate, we are rude. And spare me, please; placing our phones upside down on the table does not make us less guilty.
(But, nice try.)
When we put our guests on hold rather than put fellow texters on hold by refusing to immediately read their messages and make a response, we are rude. (Let’s save the “emergency” objection because emergencies are calls, not texts.) When we stand at the cashier’s counter fumbling for our credit card as we gripe about a neighbor’s dog while balancing our cellphone between our ear and shoulder, we are rude.
Granted, cell phones have their place and can be useful, but making them our idol and going through withdrawals without them, we have a problem. Christians, beware. If we are spending more time on non-critical issues with our phones rather than more significant, eternal issues, we need to deal with our addiction. In Deut. 6:6-9, God instructed his people that their communication with Him was what mattered most.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
If I didn’t know any better, I would think that in today’s world, that Scripture describes our time spent on cell phones…and not in God’s Word.
Bourbon County Commission Meeting Minutes of Oct. 8, 15
October 15, 2019 Tuesday 9:00
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Oharah and Fischer present. The County Counselor Justin Meeks and the County Clerk Kendell Mason were also present.
Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Nancy & Kerry Van Etten and Julie Saker each attended a portion of the Commission meeting.
Michael Hoyt met with the Commissioners to clarify his request from the last time he met with the Commissioners; he said he would like for the County to engage Emergency Manager Will Wallis to test or evaluate all EOP plans in place to see if there is room for improvement. Mr. Hoyt said the USD 234 plan fell apart in two areas on September 3, 2019 when there was an intruder; the 911 system and notifying the parents of students of the incident. Lynne Oharah said he had a conversation with Will Wallis and asked what the County’s responsibility was for those plans; Will said he was asked to critique USD 234’s plan, he said he did and felt it was a good plan. Mr. Hoyt said they had an event or incident and said there was no reason why the County leadership couldn’t take control and evaluate the plans. Lynne said he would discuss this with Will Wallis again.
Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman met with the Commissioners; Jim said they are mowing and crushing. He said they are making chips at the Beth Quarry. The County is making 1,400 tons of asphalt for the City of Fort Scott. He said they did a 23,000 ton blast. Jim Harris said they will be doing a snow drill this week.
Lynne said there are potholes at the north end of Devon that need filled and said a culvert may be needed; Jim said they would send the pothole patcher to the area.
Jeff made a motion that Kendell Mason send all department heads a memo asking that they watch and control their overtime since we are over budget in employee benefits (taxes and KPERS are based on compensation, and are elevated due to the extra overtime), Lynne seconded the motion. Jeff said we need to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s money and said if we don’t reduce expenses it will require a reduction in force.
Jeff discussed the work done on Ironwood and the collapsed culvert there; he said the County did an amazing job there; he complimented the work that Jared Lord did.
Jeff discussed Mr. Phillips property on Justin Lane; he said there is water running from a spring or from a runoff, Mr. Phillips asked that ditching be done there. Jim Harris said he would view the area.
Lynne reported that 125th & Osage going east and west needs gravel.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener). No action was taken.
Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Bobby Reed and Leslie Herrin (who was videotaping the meeting) met with the Commissioners to discuss a bill the Sheriff’s department received from Noxious Weed. Bill said he had requested gravel (which they have not received) for an area on the north side of the Sheriff’s building. Bill said they received a $566 bill from Noxious Weed for chemical spraying done by the Sheriff’s building. Bill suggested that the bill be written off since the property belongs to the County. Jim Harris said Noxious Weed has to purchase the chemicals and said if Noxious Weed sprays at the Landfill then the Landfill pays for the chemicals. Jeff questioned how the bill for spraying is different than the bill for fuel delivered to the Law Enforcement Center for the generator; Bill said the fuel for the generator should be paid out of operations. Jim Harris said they mow the area, but do not send a bill for mowing. Lynne said they would discuss the bill for spraying with Nick Ruhl when he returns. Jim Harris said there is a $506 delinquent bill owed from the Law Enforcement Center to Road & Bridge for fuel that was delivered for the generator; however, it was later stated that the $506 bill had been paid.
Julie Saker briefly met with the Commissioners; she announced that she was planning to run for Sheriff in 2020.
Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners; she discussed the event center, she said she and Rod Markin had attended a work group meeting and did site visits. She said the next step is to do business (to see if there is a need for the facility) & resident surveys. Jody said she needed to put out a press release to businesses and residents to identify long term property tax goals. Jody said the average mill levy for Bourbon County is 180.77 (which is the 11th highest in the state of Kansas). Jody suggested adding value to help reduce the mill levy and to obtain a long term goal (by 2030) of an average mill levy of 158.61. Lynne made a motion to accept this goal, Jeff seconded and the motion passed. Jody said that Jim Keller and Steve Buerge had both made contributions towards having the market demand study done.
Jeff Fischer discussed the St. Martins Academy on Indian Road; he said he had met with Daniel Kerr, Mr. Kerr said they did not want regulations or restrictions, but asked that the County place school zone signs (without restricting or reducing the speed limit at this time). Jim Harris recommended 45 mph since this was the current speed limit in the area. Jeff said that St. Martins had constructed a bridge and pathway for the students to use to keep them from walking on Indian Road. Jeff made a motion to direct Jim Harris to install school zone & warning signs with a 45 mph speed limit, Lynne seconded and the motion passed.
William Laporte from Hidden Valley met with the Commissioners; he said they have received good service from the Sheriff’s department. He said recently the club house alarm had gone off, but it was a false alarm; he said he wanted to contact the Sheriff’s department to notify them of the false alarm so they didn’t make the trip to Hidden Valley, but said he had to call 911 to cancel the call, but said his 911 call went to Linn County. He questioned if it was true that only 2 deputies were on duty at one time and asked if it was too expensive to add more deputies; Lynne said the tax payers do not want their taxes to go up. Mr. Laporte asked about Yale Road; Lynne said it would eventually be paved.
Sparky Schroeder met with the Commissioners and Jim Harris; he said the base on 230th is coming apart, Jim Harris said the asphalt came apart but said the base did not. Jim said they did a good job on the base of the road and said if it fails they will fix it. Mr. Schroeder said if it’s a blacktop issue, what are they doing to fix; Jim said it is unpredictable in what asphalt will do.
Mike & Judy Wilson met with the Commissioners regarding Unity & 75th Terrace; Mr. Wilson said the gravel had washed off of the road and said the road needs a crown or peak so that the water can run off. Jim Harris said they would view the road.
Justin Meeks reported that the City of Uniontown had accepted the real estate contract for the Noxious Weed building in Uniontown; he said he would discuss this at the next Commission meeting when Nick was present.
Lynne gave Justin Meeks permission to attend the KAC conference in November, Jeff seconded and the motion passed.
Justin Meeks discussed the tax sale and said that the tax sale is progressing; he said the publication for the tax sale cost $10,000.
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 the motion, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
At 11:23, Lynne made a motion to adjourn and Jeff seconded.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
Lynne Oharah, Chairman
Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
10/21/2019, Approved Date
October 8, 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 was also present.
Rod Markin with Markin Consultants met with the Commissioners and Jody Hoener regarding a multi sport indoor arena in Bourbon County. Nancy and Kerry Van Etten were also present for this meeting. Markin Consultants specialize in multi sport indoor arenas. The first phase for Markin Consultants is to do a market demand analysis, look at possible sites, demographic trends, look at competitive factors, determine who would use the facility, talk to producers and promoters of events then develop a program or plan for the facility. Once phase one is complete, they would share this with the Commissioners to see if a complex is viable. Phase two is to do a market and financial feasibility study and look at the related economic impact. Phase one will cost $15,000 (this will take approximately 10-12 weeks) and phase two is $6,000. Mr. Markin said we need support from the local community. Jody Hoener felt the arena could help retain our population, businesses and help with sales tax. Mr. Markin discussed the fairground and the FSCC rodeo arena, he asked how those would be impacted if a multi sport arena was built; it was stated that they wouldn’t be affected since they are smaller and there’s no room for them to grow. Lynne suggested since Bourbon County was located at the crossroads of two highways and close to major cities this could possibly be a good option for our area.
Jim Harris met with the Commissioners; Jim discussed tires and the Landfill, he said he was going to reach out to other Landfills for options on disposing tires.
Jim said they were going to blast at the Beth Quarry this week and will then make asphalt chips. He said they are patching and hauling gravel around the County. Jim said he recommended to not lay anymore asphalt this year, he said the Sales Tax fund is done; Jim said they completed close to 18 lane miles of asphalt in 2019.
Nick made a motion to give Jim Harris permission to hire a replacement mower employee, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Jim said he met with Will Wallis; Will asked Jim for a burning station at the Landfill, Jim said he is getting the location ready.
Nick reported a plugged culvert on 145th North of 54 Highway.
Lynne asked Jim to look at an area between 85th & 95th and Xavier Road.
The Commissioners approved reclaiming the road to get some ditches, install culverts and cut tress (out of the County’s right of way) on the North side of KOA Campgrounds.
Jeff Fischer attended a renewable energy conference; he said wind and solar energy were discussed. Jeff suggested that Counties obtaining windmills should pay attention to roads; he said Allen County has approximately 60 windmills and are now doing the road restoration after the installation of the windmills. Transportation innovation was also discussed. Jeff will attend an APEX wind energy meeting on October 10th.
Jeff did a presentation about the Forward Kansas Visioning Transportation Futures meeting he attended; he said the meeting discussed many items and needs involving planning for future transportation. After his presentation, he questioned what the Commissioners should do differently to plan for future transportation.
The Commissioners briefly discussed the overtime to be paid on October 11th; for a two week period the Sheriff’s department had 199.00 hours, the Attorney’s department had 67.75 hours, the Correctional Center had 116.75 hours and Road and Bridge had 99.00 hours.
Lynne made a motion that the Commissioners approve Gold Mechanical to fix the HVAC system at the jail for $65,500, but want a contract to do the work and the contract needs a timeframe for completion and needs to have a guarantee that it will fix the problem, Nick seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Kendell Mason). After the session, Nick made a motion to authorize Kendell to replace a full time employee, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Lynne 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.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks, Deb Schoenberger and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.
Jeff made a motion to give Lynne the authority to sign the Savvik Buying Group contract, Nick seconded and all approved.
At noon, Nick made a motion to adjourn for the day, Jeff seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
Lynne Oharah, Chairman
Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
ATTEST: Nick Ruhl, Commissioner
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
10/21/2019, Approved Date
Obituary of Justin Calvert
Justin James Calvert, age 45, of Madison, WI passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. He was born on Sept. 21, 1974, in Girard, Kansas, the son of Douglas Calvert and Marcia (Hughes) O’Neal.
Justin graduated from Caney Valley High School in Caney, Kansas in 1993.
He served in the U. S. Marines from 1995-1999. He moved to Wisconsin in 2003 and married Dr. Mindy Haseleu on May 1, 2011. Justin worked as a finance manager at Smart Motors for the last 12 years.
Justin was a big, tall and muscular guy with an incredibly loving heart. He was very protective of his family and friends. He loved spending time with them and especially relished teasing his nieces and nephew. Justin was very generous, caring and sweet. He was very hard working, dedicated and successful in his job. He loved classic cars and started his collection with a red 1967 Chevelle. His pride and joy was a Verdoro Green 1968 Pontiac GTO, owned by his father-in-law since 1971 and restored in 2017 by his high school friend Scott Mills. Justin and his GTO won numerous awards including Best of Show at multiple shows. He enjoyed working out, watching football, going to car shows, swimming in his pool, collecting anvils and vises, and eating home cooked meals. Many who knew him may not have guessed how much he loved his cats, Bibi and Vitto. Justin was very patriotic and extremely proud of his service in the Marines. He was thrilled to reconnect with his Marine Corps brothers after 20 years.
Justin is survived by his wife, Dr. Mindy Haseleu; his mother, Marcia (Hughes) O’Neal and her husband, Dan; his father, Doug Calvert and his wife, Ilana; his brother, Matt Bowersock; niece, Madison; in-laws, Bob and Beth Haseleu and Vance and Teppy (Haseleu) McCaw; and niece, Rowan and nephew, Lane. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mari-Kate Bowersock; and grandmother, Mary Hughes.
A funeral service was held at Gunderson East Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Following services for Justin in Madison, WI, there will be Cremation, then, Services with Burial at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m., Friday, November 1, 2019 under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas. Members of the United States Marines Funeral Detail will present Military Honors.
Obituary of Walter Earnest Foulk
Walter Earnest Foulk, age 91, resident of Arcadia, KS, died Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS.
He was the youngest of seven siblings, born on April 4, 1928, in Arcadia, the son of John and Lydia Moore Foulk.
Walter served in the Army during the Korean War.
He married Mary Alice Lynch in September 1955 and together they had four children (Connie, Lydia, Andrew and Lora).
She preceded in death on September 10, 2018.
He worked in Springfield, MO, beginning at the City Utilities, then Springfield Tablet, and finally for Litton Company.
Walter enjoyed fishing, watching football, tinkering with lawn mowers, and visiting with local friends.
He was a lifetime member of Arcadia American Legion Post #110 and a member of the Arcadia Christian Church.
Survivors include three children, Dorthy Lydia Baker, Springfield, MO, Andrew Foulk, Springfield, MO, and Lora Jean Pratt, West Alton, MO; seven grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son Connie; two brothers, John and Marion Foulk; fours sisters, Emma Suzetta, Violet Wilson, Vida Cullman, and Wanda Tullis; and his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, October 26th, at the Arcadia Christian Church.
Burial will follow in the Sheffield Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Girard American Legion.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott
. Memorials are suggested to the Arcadia Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
New Info Sign Coming to Courthouse
A new digital message sign will soon be placed on the Bourbon County Courthouse north wing.
At a recent Bourbon County Commission meeting, Emergency Director Will Wallis told the commissioners that the Garland Fire Department sold him a digital sign for displaying emergency messages.
“Garland Fire bought this sign several years ago,” Wallis said. “When the new management of Garland Fire Department took over they discovered it. After some discussion, the department decided they really didn’t have any practical use for it.”
“They called us and wanted to know if we had a use for it and also gave us an idea of what they wanted for the sign,” he said. “After several months of discussion and deliberation Shane (Walker, Bourbon County Information Technology Director)and I decided to purchase it and use it to display messages to the public such as CodeRed signups, Red Flag fire warning days, Weather warnings such as ice storms, snowstorms, etc.”
“We paid $1,200 for it and used grant money, no county money was used to buy it and no county money will be used to pay to have it installed. The sign will be against the outside wall of the courthouse/sheriff’s old office, facing east. People can read this sign when they pull up to the four-way stop at Second Street and National Avenue.”
Wallis is currently taking bids to have it installed.
“It may take a few weeks to get this process completed,” Wallis said.
KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2020-2023 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp
The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Nov. 6. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Adopt-A-Child and Elk Christmas Basket Sign Up Nov. 5-7, 12
The Beacon announces the Adopt-A-Child and Elk Christmas Baskets sign up it Nov. 5, 6, 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Beacon, 525 E. 6th St. Ft. Scott, Ks.
Also, Tuesday, November 12, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Bring your Beacon Card to sign up.
If you don’t have a Beacon Card
*We will need Picture ID for all adults in the household.
*Social Security card for all in household
*Proof of Bourbon Co. residency
*Proof of Income
* If you receive any service from DCF must sign a release for verification
Submitted by
Gary Murrell, Director
Contact for more information: 620-223-6869