Tonight’s Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees board meeting is being canceled due to a lack of quorum.
Monthly Archives: January 2024
Jeff Armstrong: New Realtor in Fort Scott
Jeff Armstrong obtained his real estate license in the fall of 2021. and he joined Front Door Real Estate in August of 2022.
“I look forward to assisting sellers/buyers through the quagmire of home real estate,” he said. “Besides children, home ownership is one of the largest and possibly most stressful financial responsibilities for adults. My purpose as a real estate agent is to work alongside the client to facilitate transactions, clarify areas of uncertainty, listen and identify the client’s needs/wants, and create an atmosphere of trust.”
“There are many high-quality realtors in Fort Scott, so I am constantly reading, listening, and learning to provide the exceptional service clients deserve,” he said.
“My original purpose of getting my license revolved around owning and managing a piece of commercial real estate in town, however, like many short-term goals, I pivoted,” he said.
“I run and operate a pressure washing business (Armstrong Pressure Washing) out of Fort Scott and did some work for Jared (Leek) back in early 2022,” he said. “We were just talking and I mentioned I recently earned my real estate license and he graciously asked if I would have interest in joining Front Door.”
“The wealth of knowledge and expertise at Front Door Real Estate made the decision simple,” he said. “I am spoiled to be a part of such an amazing group of professionals. Real estate transactions do demand a certain level of knowledge and problem-solving, but can be wasted without trust, integrity, and communication. Much like any service profession, real estate is fueled by relationships.”
“Housing markets go up and down, but how we work for our clients supersedes those events and smooths out the rough times and enhances the joyous moments.”
When asked what his community involvement/hobbies/interests are:
“As each day passes, I find that my faith in Jesus Christ becomes more and more important to me and all that I do should be done to glorify His holy name. With kids in middle school and high school, most of my extra time revolves around them and their engagements. I also own and operate my pressure washing business during the spring/summer/fall months.”
“I am supported and encouraged by my gorgeous wife Jamie and blessed with my two children, Kendal and Jax,” he said. “My parents, Steve and Janet, provide me wisdom and encouragement even as an adult.”
Contact Info: 620-224-3036, [email protected], Facebook @jeffarmstrong-realtor, 113 S. Main Street
Fort Scott City Hall Is Closed Today. January 22
City Hall will be closed today due to icy conditions. Thank you,
Brad Matkin
City Manager
City of Fort Scott
Bo Co Courthouse Closed, Commission Meeting Rescheduled for January 23
Due to the icy road conditions the courthouse will be closed today, so tonight’s meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Attached is the agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Meeting for Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Submitted by
Jennifer Hawkins
Bourbon County Clerk
210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Phone: 620-223-3800 Ext. 191
Fax: 620-223-5832
Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on January 23
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
January 23, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 1/8/2024
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $290,106.71
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $539,504.23
- Approval of November Financials
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- CFO
- County Clerk
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
- Selection of Chairman 2024
- Audit Contract
- REDI/Legacy Health Announcement
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
BYOB by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Everybody thinks of BYOB as “Bring Your Own Bottle,” but I’m not. Nor am I referring to it as “Bring Your Own Baboon” or “Bring Your Own Bassoon.” Nope, I’m thinking of “Bring Your Own Bible.“ When I was a young girl, an older gentleman in the church once said to me, “I can look in the pages of someone’s Bible and tell you what they believe because of the scriptures they’ve underlined.” I’ve pondered his statement many times as I continue to underline in my Bible 55 years later. Howard was also the same Christian man who once told me, “I love ya, but it puts an awful strain on me.”
The value in reading and studying the Bible is not to argue theology, but to learn how to live out God‘s design for our everyday lives. We are to renew our mind every day by reading, meditating, and practicing God’s Word. It’s a choice. After we decide to follow Jesus, the decision-making process has only just begun. “I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude] and I put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24 AMP.) “I put on” is a choice.
I stand in my closet and choose the clothes I’m going to put on. I stand in front of the bathroom mirror and make up my mind as to whether I’ll put on makeup. We make minor preparations for the day and often neglect the major ones that matter the most. In the morning, we sometimes forget to make up our mind to be Godlike. And then wonder with regret that evening why we blew our stack, spewed out unkind words, and didn’t act a thing like Jesus. It’s really not a good idea to try to put our life together without referencing the official Instruction Manual.
Sneakers or sandals, button-up or T-shirt, we’re constantly making choices. No one is holding a gun to our head to get us to put on the nature of Christ every day. It’s our call. Apostle Peter invites us to holy living when he writes, “So think clearly and exercise self-control….So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do…” (1 Peter 1:13-15 NLT.) In order to stay alert and obey God, we must know what He says. Everything we need to know is provided in the pages of His Word. It’s our user’s guide for “How to be Holy” in all of our conduct and manner of living. Nothing is left out in the tall order to “Be holy in everything you do.”
Consecrated followers of Christ are instructed to be holy, which is living a dedicated life to God and being devoted to His service. It’s the ongoing practice of individuals being set apart to God and aiming for moral and spiritual excellence. God never tells us to be something that’s impossible. Apparently, it’s possible to be holy. So knowing and practicing His Word guards against ignorance and helps us in our walk with Christ on the highway of holiness.
The Key: BYOB to church and underline in it. Then when you’re gone, the next generation can read it and be reminded of what you believed.
Bourbon County Community Outlook Conference Is January 31
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Celebrating Unsung Hero James Reese Europe
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Announces
a Grant from Humanities Kansas to Celebrate
Unsung Hero James Reese Europe and Black History Month
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a $300 grant from Humanities Kansas to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of the founders of Ragtime and Jazz and a true Unsung Hero – James Reese Europe.
The grant will support a special presentation by Internationally renowned musician and historian Lem Sheppard.
Sheppard will present “African American Musicians in Kansas 1860-1920. Particular attention will be paid to music and musicians in historic Fort Scott!
Also included are a soup lunch, music by the Fort Scott High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Robinson, and a cakewalk just like 100 years ago!
The event will take place at the Ellis Center at FSCC on Thursday, February 15th, at 11:00 am.
The event is free, and all are welcome!
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. The Center also works to educate the local community on its past, present, and future.
About the Gordon Parks Museum: The Mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, an internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.
The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for January 22
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
January 22, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 1/8/2024
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $290,106.71
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $539,504.23
- Approval of November Financials
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- CFO
- County Clerk
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
- Selection of Chairman 2024
- Audit Contract
- REDI/Legacy Health Announcement
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Attachments:
Accounts Payable 1-12-2024 P13
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Mary Alice Holder Obituary
Mary Alice Holder, age 94, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott. She was born March 6, 1929, on the family homestead at Angora, Nebraska, the daughter of Frank William Sherlock and Gladys Irene Brown Sherlock.
Mary married Earl “Gene” Holder on February 10, 1949. Together, Mary and Gene owned and operated service stations and motels in various Nebraska towns. In addition, Mary was a longtime representative for Avon, but above all was a loving and dedicated wife and mother. Mary was a woman of faith and following their move to Ft. Scott in 1995, she became a member of the First Southern Baptist Church. Mary enjoyed creating jewelry, cooking and collecting. She will be lovingly missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include three daughters, Dixie Adams of Laurel, Maryland, Barbara Poppe of Lincoln, Nebraska and Irene Bradbury (Gerald, Jr.) of Redfield, Kansas; seven grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter. Also surviving are three sisters, Pearl Lavender, Opal LaFever, and Ruth Weiser.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, on December 11, 2015. She was also preceded in death by a son, Ron Holder, two sons-in-law, Richard Adams and Arthur Poppe; daughter-in-law, Belinda Holder; two granddaughters and two sisters.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, January 27th at the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island, Nebraska
Memorials are suggested to the First Southern Baptist Church 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.
Grant Writing Workshop on Feb. 6 and Feb. 8
Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project. Grants are a way the government funds ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the local economy. Grants can come from many other sources as well like local foundations, corporations, or local government. K-State Research and Extension’s Community Vitality Team offers grant writing training for local communities because grants are an important component of sustainable funding.
Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at an online workshop planned by K-State Research and Extension in Southwind District on Feb. 6th & 8th from 1:30 to 4:30 P.M. The workshop is presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals. Participants can register online at https://bit.ly/47Fn39P. The cost to attend is $60.
“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”
Participants also learn from each other, she said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.
Workshop topics include:
- Conquering your grant writing fears and start writing
- Identifying sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?)
- Where to find grants
- Practicing the grant writing elements: Problem, Outcomes, Activities, Evaluation and Budget.
Southwind District is looking forward to working with Nancy Daniels and bringing this valuable workshop to our District! For More information and registration assistance, contact Community Vitality Agent, Amanda Clasen at [email protected] or at 620-244-3826.
Women’s Health Matters
K-State Research and Extension
Family and Consumer Science Agent
Southwind District
211 W. Butler
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620
With the turning of the calendar from 2023 to 2024, many Americans have likely set their News Year’s resolution to stick to “healthier” habits or routines. According to a research study conducted by the Fisher College of Business, 43% of people quit their resolutions by the end of January.
One cause for this high failure rate could be that our beliefs about “healthy” habits are based on opinions, not facts. There is a lot of information on the internet related to health topics. Whether it’s the newest drug to help with fat loss or a miracle workout routine that will give you a shredded 6-pack of abs, it can be hard to determine what is and is not a reliable resource that you can put your trust in. If you don’t see instant results as promised by all the false information, you will probably find yourself being part of that 43% statistic.
For that reason, the K-State Research and Extension Living Well Wednesday team has dedicated the 2024 Winter Series to topics focused on women’s health. Sleep is a Superpower was the subject of the first program on January 10th. During this presentation, specialist Michelle Lane debunked some of the common misconceptions around sleep and helped participants understand how vital sleep is to their everyday well-being. Personally speaking, I didn’t understand the impact that sleep has on all aspects of health until I heard her presentation. The session was recorded and can be view on the Living Well Wednesday website at https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/fcs/livingwellwed/.
The next two topics are Women’s Health and Functional Medicine on February 14th and Navigating Diets, Supplements, and Women’s Health in a Confusing World on March 13th. Both programs are held virtually via Zoom from 12:10 – 1:00 pm and will be recorded for later viewing. Registration is still open for these programs and can be completed at https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/fcs/livingwellwed/. Upon registering, participants will receive a link to access the live Zoom session.
Don’t get lost in all the latest and greatest quick information on health. Your health is something to take very seriously and now is your chance to hear from experts in the field! For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.