This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Monday, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of the federal, state, then local candidates.
Bobby “Bob” Reed, 45, is running for Bourbon County Clerk.
Reed graduated from Wichita North High, and also from Fort Scott Community College with an Associates of Science Degree in 1995. He also served in the Kansas Army National Guard for nine years with the 891st Engineer Battalion.
Reed’s experience:
“I have been a department head for Bourbon County for the past seven years,” he said. “I have prepared and managed a budget for all of the seven years. I have been recognized by past and current commissioners on open record as doing a very good job on budgets.”
“I am currently in charge of 18 employees, 74 inmates, and a 1.2 million dollar budget.” Reed is a major in the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.
He believes he brings an open mind to the table, he said. Also, “I’m willing to work hard, as most of my adult career I have had multiple jobs. I feel that I am a good boss, as many of my current and past employees would say the same. I am willing to help solve problems. I am pro-employee and have them as a top priority. I am a people person and have had 25 years of talking to the taxpayers of Bourbon County.”
Another priority for Reed is getting to know the county clerk’s employees “and gather ideas from them on ways to make their jobs easier, making a visit to the clerk’s office easier for the taxpayers of Bourbon County and learning, as it will be a new job for me.”
The following is information provided on the Bourbon County Kansas website.
You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.
The County Clerk is elected in November of Presidential Election years to a term of four years. There are no term limits to this elected office.
The Bourbon County Clerk/Election Officer is responsible for a wide range of things under Kansas Law. Some of those are listed here.
Advance Voting is available prior to each election. You may advance vote in one of two ways: By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you OR in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.
From late yesterday evening until this morning, Bourbon County has 8 more positive COVID-19 cases. 2 individuals are contacts of previously listed positive cases. 6 individuals are from out of state and out of county that are currently staying in Bourbon County. The individuals are in isolation. Because of the number of new cases, the investigations are still being conducted and this is all the information that can be released at this time.
Please STAY HOME IF SICK (ie: feeling sick, awaiting COVID-19 test results or instruction from the county health department, if you tested positive for COVID-19, if you were in contact with a positive case, if you were notified to isolate or quarantine), wear a mask when applicable (Bourbon County is following the Governor’s order for mask wearing), practice social distancing, practice good hygiene and avoid touching your face!
Bourbon County
Current Positive Cases
16
Presumptive Cases
1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon
6
Current Recovered Cases
29-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing
47
Deaths
1
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
Kelly Administration Awards TANF Youth and Family Stability Grants
Grants will support children and help move families out of poverty
TOPEKA – Kansas families will now have greater access to family support programs that provide stability during these uncertain times. Today, Governor Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard awarded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Youth and Family Stability Grants to eight agencies from across the state.
“COVID-19 has created a lot of new burdens for vulnerable communities across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m pleased to announce these grants that will immediately provide a boost in critical services like childcare, education, and mental health services for Kansas families and kids who need them more than ever.”
TANF is a federally funded program designed to help needy families support theirchildren in the short-term and move out of poverty in the long-term.The Youth and Family Stability Grants provide federal TANF funds to programs that aim to reduce poverty by providing primary prevention and early intervention services to prevent youth from engaging in high-risk behaviors and to help families achieve and maintain stability.
DCF awarded Youth and Family Stability Grants to:
Communities in Schools for in and out-of-school programming that includes case management services for at risk school age youth and their families to help students graduate from high school and connect their families with needed resources.
Youthrive for case management services and programming for former foster youth aging out of the Independent Living program in Johnson, Wyandotte, Douglas, and Shawnee counties.
IRC Kansas Family Connections and Resiliency Program for case management services and prevention intervention programming to address trauma, help families achieve and maintain stability, and reduce risk factors for at risk youth and their families in Sedgwick county.
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health for case management services and programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency, and family stability for at risk youth and families in Douglas county.
Connections to Success for case management services and programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and family stability for at risk youth and families in the Kansas City area.
Mental Health Association of South-Central Kansas for case management services and mental health programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and family stability for at risk youth and families in Sedgwick county and the surrounding area.
Mirror, Inc. for case management services and programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and family stability for at risk youth and families in Shawnee county and the surrounding area.
Urban Scholastic Center for programming for at risk school age youth in Wyandotte county including financial literacy education, entrepreneurial and furthering education opportunities, educational supports, and case management related services.
“DCF is excited to work with both new partners and familiar faces to provide these vital services to Kansans,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Programs that provide support and stability will now be available to children and families across the state when they need them most.”
DCF received a total of 23 proposals. A review team composed of DCF program and budget staff members considered all applications and assigned scores based on the strength of the proposals.
The grant term awarded is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.
Verdon Howard Dauben, age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas went to meet his Lord and Savior Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born May 13, 1938, in Ft. Scott, the son of Howard Dauben and Edith Stephan Dauben.
Verdon graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He married Chelsa Travis on September 11, 1959, at Ft. Scott.
Verdon’s father passed away when Verdon was six. As a result, Verdon was no stranger to hard work. At a young age, he worked as a farmhand and often worked several part-time jobs.
Later, Verdon along with Gerald Boone owned and operated Boone & Dauben Drive-In located on National Avenue in Ft. Scott. Boone & Dauben opened on July 15, 1963. Verdon stayed active with the business until his retirement in 2003.
In addition, Verdon served for eight years with the Kansas Army National Guard. He enjoyed camping and reading as well as spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Chelsa, of the home; his daughter, Joyce Larsen and husband, Steve, of Springfield, Missouri and his son, Joe Dauben and wife, Angie, of Colorado. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Arlie Diederich (Ryan), Jarett Dauben (Whitney), Ty Larsen, Travis Larsen (Beth), Ben Gettler (Ashley) and Dakotah Gettler and eight great-grandchildren, Amaya, Mason, Maggie, Colt, Molly, Case, Gus and Patton.
Verdon was preceded in death by his parents, a great-granddaughter, Gabriella, two brothers, Billy and David Dauben and a sister, Mary Allen.
Private graveside services will be held Saturday, July 11th at the Clarksburg Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights or St. Mary’s Catholic School 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.
Karen (Mabery) Atkins formerly of Fort Scott passed away suddenly on June 23, 2020 in Nixa, Missouri.
Karen was born March 15, 1949 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the only child to Frank and Faye (Duncan) Mabery. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1967.
She lived and worked in Fort Scott until 2002 when she moved to Nixa, Missouri to help with the family business, Atkins Weatherproofing in Springfield, Missouri, along with her children and husband, she worked and help run the business until her untimely death.
She loved car racing, sports and spending time with her family.
She became interested in The Alzheimer’s Association when her cousin was diagnosed. Karen helped organize the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Abilene, Texas and for the yearly auction she made a special quilt that hangs in the office in Abilene TX.
She was also interested in family history, traveling, and she made a lifelong wish trip to Ireland.
Karen was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frank Lee and Faye Mabery. Karen was a devoted daughter and caretaker to her parents in their later years.
Karen leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband, Wayne, and her children all of Nixa, Missouri: Karalee Taylor (John Lowe) and Frank Atkins, grandchildren, Kelby Taylor, Madison Shelden, and TruAtkins, great-grandchild, Sophie Taylor, Taxen and Asher Cosens. She, also, leaves behind her lifelong friends and cousins who will cherish a lifetime of memories.
Karen grew up with an idyllic childhood in Fort Scott surrounded by doting parents and a huge extended family, including incredible aunts, uncles, and cousins. She enjoyed dozens of close friends and a loving relationship with her cousins. She was blessed with small town, rural hometown living where she and friends could explore the streets and countryside of Fort Scott on horseback.
Karen was an avid animal lover and her family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the donate to C.A.R.E Rescue Animal Shelter or the Missouri Forget-Me-Not-Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, and may be sent to or left in the care of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct Graveside services, 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
The Fort Scott High School gym bleachers, 2020. Submitted photo.
The old Fort Scott High School bleachers were installed over 50 years ago in 1964, and have served the school activities since that time.
Recently USD 234 purchased and installed new ones. The new bleachers are located in the main gymnasium at FSHS.
“They have served their purpose, and in the past several years have needed numerous repairs,” Jeff DeLaTorre, U234 Athletic/Activities Director, said.
They were identified as an area to address for many years by the school leadership.
“The cost and skill to maintain the bleachers to function safely versus replacing them were prohibitive, which is why it was decided to replace them,” Gina Shelton, U234 Business Manager and Board Clerk, said.
The new Fort Scott High School gym bleachers, 2020. Submitted photo.
“The new bleachers also provide a more modern look to the gym, as well as provide more comfort to our fans and spectators,” DeLaTorre said.
“They were installed over the past two weeks. The backs to the bleachers will be installed later this summer,” he said.
The total cost was $314,020 and was paid out of the school district’s contingency part of the bond funds, according to Shelton.
“We feel the new look in the gym will benefit our students daily, providing a brighter look that will enhance pride in their school,” DeLaTorre said. “They will also benefit our parents, spectators, and fans that attend events in our gym by providing more comfortable seating. The addition of these bleachers is a positive addition to our gym that has been the site of some wonderful memories in the past, and we know will be home to more wonderful moments in the future.”
The Fort Scott High School Class of 2020 Parent Group will be hosting PROM 2020, held July 25 at The River Room in Fort Scott, KS. The Walk-in will begin at 6:15 PM, with the dance to begin at 8:00 PM and end at 11:00 PM.
This is a free event and is open to all Fort Scott High School Junior and Senior students along with their dates. Nobody over the age of 21 will be allowed to attend the prom.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, all attendees will be required to turn in a signed waiver form in order to attend. Attendees over the age of 18 can sign the waiver themselves, while attendees under the age of 18 must have a parent/legal guardian signatures. The waiver can be picked up at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, and Common Ground Coffee Shop. If you would like to print out the waiver yourself, please text or email Vanessa Poyner at (620) 719-6943, [email protected] to receive the link to the waiver. The waiver will not need to be returned before July 25th. The signed waiver will be the students “ticket” to enter the dance.
The Prom walk-in will be from 6:15 PM- 8:00 PM. The walk-in will start on the corner of Judson & Oak Street and will continue East up to the venue entrance. In order to ensure social distancing, we are requesting that only family attend the walk-in viewing, and abide by all State/County/City mandates and safety recommendations. The walk-in will also be streamed online live through www.kombfm.com City Link TV.
This years prom theme is “Hot Havana Nights”, and the Prom 2020 King & Queen candidates, are; Addison Lyons, Emma Martin, Lauren Madison, Caleb Briggs, David Milburn, and Gage Wilson.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Vanessa Poyner at [email protected] or (620) 719-6943.
“The Senior students have had to miss out on so many important activities due to COVID-19. We are hoping that by allowing them the opportunity to have a prom will grant them a bit of closure to their senior year, and give them one last chance to celebrate with their classmates,” Vanessa Poyner said.
Here is the waiver the parents and students will be required to sign prior to entering the event.
Fort Scott Prom 2020 Student/Parent/Guardian Waiver
Parents or Legal Guardians:
The Fort Scott High School Class of 2020 Parent Group will be hosting PROM 2020, held July 25th at The River Room in Fort Scott, KS. The Walk-in will begin at 6:15 PM, with the dance to begin at 8:00 PM. By signing this form, you are agreeing to attend (students over 18), or giving permission for your child (the student is under the age of 18) to attend this year’s Junior-Senior Prom. Furthermore, you, the student/parent/guardian, are waiving and releasing any liability on the FSHS Class of 2020 Parent Group, including any specific individuals associated with said Parent Group; The River Room (the venue); and any volunteers present, including but not limited to parents serving as chaperones at the event, helping with set-up or take-down, providing transportation, and/or assisting in any other way at or during the Walk-in or the Prom dance.
Any and all liabilities, injuries, illness, and/or damages that may occur to the student at or during the walk-in or Prom, including transportation to and from the event will be your (the parents or legal guardians) responsibility and not that of the named entities above. By signing this release form, the student/parent/guardian agree to abide by the following guidelines, especially with the current COVID-19 situation.
All persons in attendance will NOT be allowed to attend and enter the prom unless this release form is presented to the designated volunteers on the evening of July 25, 2020.(See back signature page for signatures needed)
Prom 2020 Guidelines
All temperatures will be taken prior to entering the prom venue. Should your student have a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees, they will NOT be allowed to enter and will be asked to leave the premises.
All State/County/City orders will be followed. (ie. masks, social distancing, etc.)
All dates MUST be 21 years of age or younger. If committee members deem necessary, they will ask for the ID of attendees present. If not able to present ID’s as to their age, they will NOT be allowed to enter and will be asked to leave the premises.
No one may bring alcohol onto the premises, including inside the venue. Failure to abide by this provision will result in your child being asked to leave the premises.
No one may bring controlled substances, illegal substances, vaping instruments, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, firearms, and the like on premises. Failure to abide by this provision will result in your child being asked to leave the premises.
We/I understand, by signing this release form, that it is possible that, due to COVID-19, sickness could possibly occur. We, the undersigned, agree to release all parties and entities mentioned above as to any liability due to any resulting sickness or illness to the student, the student’s date, the student’s family, the student’s friends, and anyone else with whom the student may come into contact with after the walk-in and Prom dance.
Thank you for your understanding and support in this situation. We know these are unusual times. We want to assure that this year’s Prom will be an exciting and memorable time for you and your child.
Fort Scott High School Student Name (please print):
Governor Laura Kelly signs Executive Order Implementing Foster Care Report Card
Another Step Toward Improving Foster Care System
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Order #20-53 establishing an annual education report card for students in foster care. The report card will track educational outcomes and collect data to give state leaders, education providers, and stakeholders a picture of where the state needs to improve when it comes to educating foster care kids in Kansas.
“This executive order is another step my administration is taking to improve outcomes for vulnerable children in the foster care system,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Education is key to a strong future workforce in Kansas. This report will help us track educational outcomes of all Kansas students in foster care – which will in turn help Kansas’ vulnerable families and make our public education system more accountable. I will continue to preserve the foster care programs that are already in place during this unprecedented pandemic. We will grow these foundational services and continue to fight on behalf of all Kansas children.”
The foster care report card will track the following:
A: The graduation rate of students in foster care at the end of each academic year;
B: The number and percentage of students in foster care who were promoted to the next grade level;
C: The number and percentage of students in foster care who were suspended during the school year, and the average number of days each student spent in suspension;
D: The number and percentage of students in foster care who were expelled during the school year;
E: State standardized assessment scores for students in foster care, including the number and percentage of students meeting academic standards as determined by the state board of education;
F: The number and percentage of students in foster care enrolled in any preschool-aged at-risk program, Kansas preschool pilot program or early childhood special education program under section 619 of part B of the individuals with disabilities act;
G: The number and percentage of students in foster care who participated in the mental health intervention team pilot program or a similar mental health program;
H: The total number of students in foster care enrolled in a school district or accredited nonpublic school and the disaggregated number and percentage of students in foster care enrolled in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools; and
I: De-identified disaggregated race and ethnicity data for each data set required in (A) through (H); and
J: Any additional data elements that both the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Department for Children and Families deem appropriate for inclusion.
The executive order directs the Department for Children and Families to work with the Kansas Department of Education to accumulate the data. The report card will be published annually and presented to the House and Senate Educations committees by the Kansas Department for Children and Families by January 15 of each year.
“I commend Governor Kelly for her continued leadership and commitment to building a strong foster care system in Kansas,” Secretary of Children and Families Laura Howard said. “I have long supported the idea of a foster care report card because I believe that a child’s success in education is a predictor for their success in life. The Department for Children and Families has already engaged with the Department of Education to begin gathering data. I look forward to seeing where the data leads us so we can identify ways in which both agencies can support foster youth in meaningful ways that ensure their wellbeing.”
The foster care report card was a provision in House Bill 2510 during the 2020 Legislative session that was vetoed by Governor Kelly due to the fiscal crisis the state faces.
Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
Mail Call: Bills, a birthday card from Mom, a store circular, or your monthly bank statement. From time to time, you may receive “pre-approved” credit card offers in the mail, too. Do you ever wonder what they are and where they come from?
These credit card offers are not random, they are prescreened and targeted to you. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are allowed to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you. Prescreened offers are based on information in your credit report that indicates you meet the criteria set by the offeror.
You have the option to opt-out of these offers, why might you? Some people prefer not to receive these kinds of offers in the mail to limit access to their credit report information for solicitations or to reduce some mailbox “clutter”.
As you consider opting out, you should know that prescreened offers can provide many benefits. These offers can help you learn about what’s available, compare costs, and find the best product for your needs. The terms of prescreened offers also may be more favorable than those that are available to the general public. Some credit card products may be available only through prescreened offers.
The official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests to Opt-In or Opt-Out of prescreened offers is OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPTOUT. Whether you call or visit the website, you will be asked to provide certain personal information. You will have two choices for opting out. The first is to opt-out for five years and the other is to opt-out permanently. You can always Opt-In and be eligible to receive prescreened offers again if you have previously completed an Opt-Out request.
A reminder that it may take up to 60 days for offers to stop being mailed. You may continue to receive mail from companies who send offers not based on prescreening.
How does this affect your credit report? There will be “inquiries” showing which companies obtained your information for prescreening, but those inquiries will not have a negative effect on your credit report or score. Removing your name from prescreened lists has no effect on your ability to apply for or obtain credit or insurance.
To learn more about Credit, visit our website at southwind.k-state.edu/home-family/financial/. Also follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, please contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
