Monthly Archives: November 2021
A Lifetime of Appreciation by Patty LaRoche
It is no surprise that most people go to their grave wondering if they made a difference, if they contributed, if they mattered.
Last week on Veteran’s Day, we celebrated a group who don’t have to ask that question. Their contributions are immeasurable, for their fight for FREEDOM –the freedom for which they sacrificed–IS NEVER FREE. It comes at a great price, the price these heroes paid.
Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC, understood their importance. It was he who wrote the following: “It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, who gave us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, and who allows the protestor to burn the flag.”
The t-shirt worn by the man in the picture above is the same one we bought for our son, Adam’s, birthday this month. We were celebrating alongside the Afghanistan family who moved to Fort Scott last week.
Even they were touched by the shirt, for they knew first-hand about the sacrifices made over the past 20 years in an attempt to bring freedom to their country.
I am in a bi-weekly Bible study Zoom call with a group of Vietnam vets and their wives. In our last meeting, one of the ex-soldiers shared about the memorial services he and his wife are organizing for the families of Vietnam vets who never had a proper burial. We all listened in awe as he revealed the impact these services were having on loved ones.
Dale, the army veteran who leads us, spoke of Stan, the Vietnam soldier with whom this Zoom group platooned and who wrote of his experience in that war.
Helicopters dropped his group of U.S. soldiers off in a jungle, not knowing it was a bunker complex set up by the North Vietnamese. A round of bullets rang out. The first shot hit Stan’s chin. On the second stream, Stan felt a hot flash and was knocked on his back. He couldn’t find his M-16 machine gun but saw the men on both sides of him were dead. His right knee was shot out and his lung punctured. His arm was hanging by the skin at the top of his shoulder, most of the bone missing. Stan scooted on his back to try and find cover. A fellow soldier grabbed him under the armpits and dragged him to a nearby medic.
After surgery and I.C.U., he was told that shrapnel had taken half of his liver. The soldier’s personal belongings—including his New Testament Bible—were brought to his hospital bed. The second bullet had penetrated his pocket-sized Bible which he carried in his jacket pocket. Its tip was lodged at 2 Corinthians 5:7: For we walk by faith, not by sight. That Bible had saved his life…literally.
Today, Groveport Heritage Museum displays that Bible. Look at that t-shirt again. We never will know the hidden stories of what our military men and women went through to protect us.
Let’s make it a habit to show our appreciation…not just on Veteran’s Day but every day.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 19
FS Golf Course Advisory Board Meets Nov. 22
The Golf Course Advisory Board will meet on Monday, November 22nd, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton. The meeting will take place in the clubhouse. This meeting is open to the public.
KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List
KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the state of Alaska and the countries of Estonia, Isle of Man, Latvia, Lithuania and Serbia. The countries of Austria, Cayman Islands, Croatia and Gibraltar have been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual should quarantine if they meet the following criteria:
- Traveled between Oct. 7 and Nov. 18 to Alaska.
- Traveled on or after Oct. 22 to Barbados and Georgia.
- Traveled between Oct. 22 and Nov. 18 to Latvia and Serbia.
- Traveled on or after Nov. 4 to Faroe Islands and Slovenia.
- Traveled between Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 to Estonia, Isle of Man and Lithuania.
- Traveled on or after Nov. 18 to Austria, Cayman Islands, Croatia and Gibraltar.
- Attendance at any out-of-state or in-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
- Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.
The travel and mass gathering quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.
For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.
For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel or mass gatherings if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
- Have remained asymptomatic since the travel.
Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings.
Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
- Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
- Have remained asymptomatic since the travel
Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.
The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.
Staffing shortages could impact KDOT winter operations in southeast Kansas
Kansas Department of Transportation offices in southeast Kansas are committed to keeping the highways cleared whenever inclement weather occurs.
In line with workforce shortages across the nation, KDOT does not have enough equipment operators – the agency’s primary snowplow operators – in a number of areas across Kansas. These shortages create the potential for highways to not be cleared of snow and ice as quickly as in the past.
The agency has dealt with reduced staffing in the past, but the shortages are greater this year. Southeast KDOT offices are about 22% short of snowplow operators needed to be fully staffed, with a 30% shortage of needed equipment operators statewide.
“KDOT is facing significant staffing shortages in some areas and will work proactively to clear Kansas highways by shifting crews to affected areas and pretreating highways and bridges whenever possible,” said Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Our snowplow operators work 12-hour shifts and do their best to keep the roads open and the public moving.”
To help address the shortage, the agency will deploy all employees who have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to plow snow and hire seasonal workers. For people interested in working at KDOT, go to the state’s employment website at http://jobs.ks.gov/ KDOT will assist selected applicants in obtaining a CDL upon hiring, including paying for training.
“It will be more of a challenge for our crews in north-central Kansas to keep that same level of service this winter,” said District Engineer Wayne Gudmonson. “We encourage motorists to be aware before and during winter storms and possibly alter or delay travel plans if necessary.”
Before traveling, motorists can check www.KanDrive.org, KDOT’s road/weather condition website. It is updated 24/7 for highway conditions, overall weather information, short-term closures and general alerts.
Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed
Help The Salvation Army make beautiful music this holiday season –
sign up to be a bell ringer and make a difference in our community!
The Salvation Army’s 2021 Red Kettle Campaign in Fort Scott begins Saturday, November 20th, and continues every day through December 24.
This year again, we will have volunteers ringing bells at Walmart.
“Volunteers are critical to the overall success of our Red Kettle Campaign. Individuals, families, and groups are encouraged to sign up for a shift – it’s a fun, easy way to help those less fortunate in our community,” said Outreach Director, Allen Schellack.
The money collected during the 2021 Red Kettle Campaign will support Salvation Army programs in Bourbon County for the coming year. These programs include emergency rent and lodging, utility assistance, gasoline, prescriptions, as well as local disaster response.
“All gifts made in our community stay in our community,” said Schellack.
To volunteer to be a Salvation Army bell ringer, please call Fort Scott
Compassionate Ministries at 620-223-2212.
Mexican Food Truck: New Business Venture
Jonathan and Yadira Barbosa, Mapleton, thought for a year about opening their food truck, Los Tres Pollitos.
Yadira’s homecooked meals have been enjoyed by many people, Jonathan said.
“When my brothers come for hunting, they seemed to enjoy it,” Jonathan said. “And we have done a fundraiser for a local church.”
They have been stationing the food truck in Bronson on the weekends when it works with his business schedule, he said.
“We are positioned at the old gas station on Hwy. 54 in Bronson,” he said. “The property is owned by the Perry’s of Perry’s Pork Rinds.”
They also do catering.
“We have also set up at the Uniontown Elementary School for their in-service for teachers (in October),” he said.
To discuss the catering menu and prices, please call one month in advance at (620) 215-4247, he said.
“There are lots of options and pricing would depend on what they would like,” Jonathan said.
The Barbosa’s are a busy family, Yadira is a full-time mom to the couple’s three children and is pregnant with their fourth child.
Jonathan owns a fencing company, and also is a sub-contractor for a Kansas City company that sets up in-ground swimming pools, he said.
Yadira is Lupe Santana’s sister, who owns the La Hacienda Restaurant in Fort Scott. The brother and sister are from central Mexico.
But they decided to launch their new business, a Mexican food truck, called Los Tres Pollitos Mexican Breakfast and Street Tacos on October 9, 2021.
Their offerings are Mexican breakfast burritos and street tacos made with chicken, steak, or chorizo.
They have three types of homemade salsa. and also offer chicken or cheese quesadillas.
“All homemade, just like you would get off the streets of Mexico,” he said.
KDHE Encourages COVID-19 Safe Holiday Celebrations
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) encourages Kansans to celebrate the upcoming holidays safely. Whether you are celebrating with family or friends, it is important to know what COVID-19 precautions you can take to protect yourself and others this holiday season.
In order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking the following precautions:
- Get vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated. Getting vaccinated also helps protect others around you, including those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children.
- Get tested. Even if someone is not showing symptoms, they can still spread the virus. Protect your loved ones by getting tested for COVID-19 before spending the holidays with friends and family.
- Wear a mask. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is recommended that you wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth in public indoor settings. In communities with substantial to high transmission rates, wearing a mask is recommended in public indoor settings even if you are fully vaccinated. If you or someone you are celebrating with has a weakened immune system, is at an increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated, you may choose to wear a mask while gathering as an added precaution.
- Take travel precautions. It is recommended to delay travel until you are fully vaccinated, but whether you are fully vaccinated or not, it is important to know the travel recommendations and restrictions before your trip. For information about domestic and international travel guidance for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, visit the CDC’s Travel page.
“With the holidays fast approaching, we want to encourage all Kansans to prioritize their health and safety this season,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “It is important to take the steps that we can and do our part to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. During the upcoming holidays, we hope you can create new, happy memories while protecting yourselves and your loved ones.”
Help keep our communities stay safe by getting tested regularly. To find a free testing location near you, visit knowbeforeyougoKS.com.
To learn more about the vaccines, who is eligible to get vaccinated (or receive a booster shot), and schedule a vaccination appointment, visit kansasvaccine.gov.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 18
Get A Big Game Hunting Permit
Application Period Open for Coveted KDWP Commission Big Game Permits
PRATT – Local chapters of nonprofit organizations based or operating in Kansas – that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage – have a special opportunity waiting for them with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Commission. The Commission Big Game Permit program allows eligible organizations a chance to draw one of seven special big game permits, which can then be sold to raise funding for conservation-based projects. The official drawing will take place at the Commission’s January 13, 2022 public meeting. Applications, which can be obtained from Commission secretary Sheila Kemmis at [email protected], must be submitted no later than January 1, 2022. Organizations are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.
One elk, one antelope or up to seven deer permits are issued each year, depending on applicant preference. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with legal equipment for that season; and, they do not count against other big game permits the license holder is eligible for.
Once the permit is sold, the cost of the permit, plus 15 percent of the total sale price, is subtracted and kept by the organization, while the remainder is remitted to KDWP with a proposal for a conservation project. When the project is approved, the money is returned to the organization to complete the project. An exception to this procedure would occur if Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KHFH) is drawn. In that case, KHFH keeps 85 percent of the funds to help pay for processing donated deer.
For more information, contact Kemmis at [email protected] or (620) 672-0702.
FSHS Swim Team Fundraiser: Fall Extravaganza
The Fort Scott High School Swim Team will have a fundraiser at the Fall Extravaganza on November 22 at Fort Scott Middle School.
They will be selling pulled pork stuffed baked potatoes or a pulled port sandwich meal.
Drinks will be available for sale also.
To learn more: