The Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging Team was named the Reserve State Champion team at the Kansas FFA State Livestock Judging contest on Tuesday, April 30th in Manhattan, Kansas. With the win the team has qualified to represent Kansas at the American Royal Livestock Judging contest in Kansas City, Missouri in the fall. Team members include sophomores Klara Stock and Jaci Marlow and freshman Kole Harris and Jace Harvey. The team is coached by Uniontown FFA Advisor Scott Sutton.
Individually the team was led by freshman Kole Harris. Harris finished 8th overall individually and 3rd overall in reasons. Klara Stock was 11th overall and 14th in reasons. Jace Harvey was the 30th ranked individual. There were 88 total teams and 360 individuals in total.
Advisor Scott Sutton commented, “This young team exceeded expectations by earning the title of Reserve State Champion. For a young team to handle a competitive contest with such a high level of maturity is really impressive. Obviously with this finish they have set the bar very high for the next few years of their high school judging career. I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish!”
Bree Spurgeon started her cottage industry of specialty cookies in 2017.
A cottage industry is a small business in which people work in their own homes, according to Cambridge Dictionary.
The first business was named The Cookie MOMster, from a suggestion by her daughter.
“I started The Cookie MOMster in 2017 after taking Financial Peace University at the Nazarene church,” Spurgeon said.
She said she is domestic and crafty and thought she’d make some cookies for Valentine’s Day and advertise on Facebook.
“Next thing I know, I’m taking orders, making sheet cakes, cupcakes, and cookies,” she said.
Spurgeon is disabled with Cystic Fibrosis, which was diagnosed at three months of age.
“I wasn’t able to hold down a full-time job, with my lungs, at that time, because of the previous infections that have damaged my lungs,” she said. “Medication came out in 2019 that changed my health for the better. Now I have a second chance at life without a lung transplant. I can pretty much live a normal life, without gasping for air. I got my life back.”
But carpal tunnel syndrome began in her hands.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually and include tingling, numbness and weakness in her hands.
“It was excruciating enough to make me think of quitting, and I was experiencing burnout,” Spurgeon said.
She shifted gears and began to work at Bids and Dibs consignment store in the downtown area of Fort Scott.
“So I went to work at Bids and Dibs and eventually got over my burnout,” she said.
She began massage therapy for the carpal tunnel and started to get excited about making cookies again.
Submitted photos of B-Licious creations.
She started thinking about getting licensure for her cookie-making business.
“My daughter originally named me The Cookie MOMster, but since someone in Kansas has that name already, I’m not able to have it,” she said.
A month of agonizing over a name began.
Then one of her best friends sent the name B-Licious Cookies, for her to consider.
It combines the word delicious, which helped describe her cookies.
“My name starts with a B, I thought, that’s it, that’s my business name!” she said.
Spurgeon self-taught herself cookie baking.
“As I watched countless videos on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, I discovered royal icing and I fell in love,” she said. Royal icing is a type of icing composed of sugar, egg whites, and sometimes flavoring or coloring that dries to a hard glaze and is used for decorating baked goods, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
She began to focus on royal icing,
“I stopped doing buttercream, cakes, and cupcakes and focused on royal icing,” she said. “I look back on those days when I first started royal icing and they were so terrible, but everyone was so encouraging and you have to start somewhere. Plus, it was so much easier with carpal tunnel.”
“Fast forward to 2024, I fully own my own business and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team helped me gain my LLC wings,” she said. “The process was super easy and fast and they gave me all the information I needed to continue moving forward at the beginning of April.”
“I do not need a license because I do not use cream cheese and my final product doesn’t need refrigerated. I operate under the cottage law. I do everything at home and only make sugar cookies with royal icing.”
She has been honing her cookie decorating skills and now uses a cookie projector to download clipart about a particular theme onto a flash drive, put it into the projector and the image projects onto the cookie, then she traces it with icing.
The cookies before decorating. Submitted photo.
“I also use an airbrush and sometimes and I use cookie stencils as a background before I put the image on the cookie,” she said.
She advertises through Facebook only.
Cookies are priced $25 – $35 per dozen “depending on the difficulty of the theme.”
Jakeob Stewart, son of Brian and Megan Stewart, is competing for Colby Community College on May 3 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
He will be showing in the beginner horsemanship division.
Stewart is a 2022 graduate of Uniontown High School.
Why I support the ER Sales Tax (and why I originally didn’t)
Bourbon County is at a crossroads. In the span of the last year, we’ve lost two major employers and our Emergency Room. We’ve always been facing headwinds when it came to population decline (more on that later), but ever since the 1-2-3 punch of Timken, Value Merchandisers, and the ER, it’s almost felt like we are at the beginning of some sort of doom spiral into extinction.
Why I originally didn’t support the ER sales tax:
When the sales tax for an ER was first proposed, I was against it. When Mercy announced its closing in 2019, we suffered what I would call a massive community trauma. Many of us assumed that the hospital would always be there, and when it became clear that it wouldn’t, we as a community went into panic mode. Trauma has a way of skewing your judgment, making you susceptible to emotion-based decisions you wouldn’t make under normal circumstances, and that has happened to our County in the wake of losing our hospital. Millions of dollars have been spent trying to fill the gaping hole that Mercy left in our community, and while I believe those investments were made with only the best intentions, they’ve only made that gaping hole bigger. When the concept of an ER sales tax was first discussed, I questioned how this investment would pan out any differently than the others.
Why I support it now:
Thankfully, before we as a community put the cart before the horse once again, things slowed down. In the time since, we’ve had a volunteer group of well-respected local medical and business professionals take the reins of this initiative and take a very pragmatic, non-emotional, practical approach. Nobody on the Citizens for an E.R. committee has any dream of pie-in-the-sky outcomes, they are focused strictly on what we as a rural Kansas community can realistically accomplish. Some of the members of this committee are people I’ve been pestering for literally over two decades to run for City or County Commission to no avail. These are people whose judgment I have 100% faith in, and I believe in what they have very meticulously placed on the ballot. I also believe there is MUCH more at stake with this ballot initiative than just an ER.
What I fear if this sales tax doesn’t pass:
Even with the painful loss of Timken and Value, we currently have what every other Kansas county without an ER doesn’t: several large employers. Most of these employers are manufacturers, manufacturers who I suspect value having an ER nearby in case of a workplace accident. I suspect their insurance companies value it as well. So what happens if our lack of an ER becomes permanent and not just a blip? I have no inside information, but I can tell you that some of our biggest employers have facilities in neighboring towns with ERs that have PLENTY of empty space for expansion. Is 1/4 of one cent worth keeping our major employers in Bourbon County happy? I think it is. I have heard at least one person tell me “Linn County doesn’t have an ER, so why do we need one?” While I have nothing at all against Linn County (I have a great job there), I would implore anyone curious to work up a list of large employers in Linn County. Spoiler Alert: This exercise will not take you long.
Actually, when it comes to the numbers, Linn County has been relatively lucky when it comes to maintaining its population while not having a hospital or ER. Back in 2016, Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Development created fifty-year population projections for every county in Kansas, going from 2014 to 2064. Those projections show Linn County only losing 20% of its population by 2064, going from 9502 in 2014 to 7677 in 2064. However, Bourbon County (and keep in mind that these projections were made when Bourbon County still had a hospital) was projected to lose a full 25% of its population by 2064, going from 14,772 in 2014 to 11,087 in 2064. How do you think that number changes if we don’t even have an ER? How about if we don’t have an ER, and lose one or two more large employers who need the medical and liability protection of an ER nearby? My goal with this isn’t to scare people (though I myself will admit that I’m scared), but to encourage you to think about this ER sales tax as more than just about an ER, but about the future of Bourbon County itself.
Welcome: Nineteen members representing twelve agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that the Board would be approving swim pass applications on May 7 and applicants would receive a letter with instructions for redemption.
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Holly Fritter, Health Department: Billie Jo will forward Holly’s message about the Community Baby Shower in June and the tetanus shots available for those adversely affected by the recent flood.
Michelle Stevenson, USD 234 Early Childhood Program: Needs to fill slots for her program within the next few weeks due to several pre-school students graduating in June.
Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: At present, there is no waiting list for one-bedroom apartments; all other sizes have very short waiting lists; she needs applicants.
Kathy Romero, Angels Care Home Health: They serve about forty patients in Bourbon County by providing services in the client’s home.
Travis Wilcoxen, Angels Care Home Health: They also offer in-home psychiatric care provided by state certified psychiatric nurses.
Nick Johnson: USD 234 Pre-School will add an additional pre-school class for the 2024-2025 school year to accommodate the increased need.
Stephanie Herring, Family Resource Center: Stephanie will be helping Miss Val at the library with a nature walk on May 15, at Nelson Park at 9 and at Third Street Park at 10. She will be working with Heather Shepherd to organize a “Back to School” drive for personal hygiene products; they are planning to be able to offer free haircuts as well. For information on the services provided by The Family Resource Center check the website: thecenterpittsburg.org.
Heather Shepherd, Community Health Worker for 234: She is working with high school students to maintain the community garden by Medicalodge.
Shanna Willey, CHC: She is available to help with insurance, Medicaid, Marketplace, some Medicare, financial assistance, SNAP applications, etc.; she is also the point person for the food pantry.
Renee Hibdon, CHC: Renee works with pregnant moms with education and services.
Sarah Gengler, First Presbyterian Church: On May 15, from 11:00 a.m. until finished, they will hold a free lunch and learn which will include free spinal screenings.
Janice Lamb, Coach, CORE Communities: Fourteen core leaders began the course; two were employed during the course and then unable to attend; twelve graduated. The program goal is to make a difference in poverty. Phase 2 now begins; Janice needs speakers who would be willing to share and encourage these graduates.
Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis: The Kiwanis ladies will be hosting the Chamber Coffee this Thursday; CASA can always use volunteers.
Larry Jump, SEK-CAP: Their pre-school goal is to do everything they can to prepare students for kindergarten.
Janice Durbin, SEK-CAP Head Start: works with students in the home setting.
Shelby Lackey, SEK-CAP Head Start: Shelby provides support for educators working with families in the program.
DeeDee Cheney, SEK-CAP: DeeDee is the family home educator for children ages 0 to 3.
Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State, SNAP Educator: The “Eating Smarter, Saving More” class is beginning in Iola for four weeks. On June 6, 6:00 p.m., a six-week class will begin in Fort Scott. Lea Kay will forward flyers for these She also reminded members of the upcoming ribbon cutting for the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, May 4, 7:45 a.m.
Lisa Robertson, COPE. Even though the COPE grant will expire at the end of May, the free laundry service will continue at the Five Star Laundry on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. for one year. Also, BB Go has been funded at least through December.
Program: Amanda Clasen, K-State Research Community Vitality Agent
June program: Tara Solomon Smith, QPR Suicide Prevention
Amanda presented a power point which explained the history, the services, and the personnel that make up the Southwind District. In order to find class schedules, available assistance, and questions answered, check Facebook or the website: Southwind.ksu.edu.
Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be June 5, 2024.
Governor Kelly Announces April Total Tax Collections Nearly 8.0% Above the Estimate
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that total tax collections for April were $1.42 billion. That is $101 million, or 7.7%, more than the monthly estimate. Total tax collections are up 9.6% from April 2023.
“These revenue numbers underscore how important it is to provide responsible tax relief now,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I remain committed to cutting taxes in a fiscally responsible, comprehensive manner that doesn’t jeopardize the progress we’ve made.”
“The overage for April is largely due to the fact that we are processing 63,000 more ‘balance due’ checks from taxpayers this year than we were at the same time last year,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said. “A combination of two additional processing days and recently upgraded check remittance technology at the Department of Revenue have allowed payments to be processed faster and much more efficiently.
Secretary Burghart went on to say, “the spike in processed payments for April is really just a carrying forward of payments that would normally be processed in May. As a result, individual income tax receipts for May will likely be lower than the estimate.”
Individual income tax collections were $740.3 million in April 2024. That is $91.0 million, or 14.0%, more than the estimate, and up 24.7% from April 2023.
Corporate income tax collections were $338.2 million last month, which is $6.3 million, or 1.9%, more than estimates. It does, however, reflect a 4.5% drop from corporate income tax collections at this same time last year.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $295.1 million, which is $3.1 million, or 1.1% more than the estimate but down $13.5 million, or 4.4%, from April 2023.
The Consensus Revenue Estimating group met on April 19 to revise estimates for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Click here to view the April 2024 revenue numbers.
Fourteen county roads remain closed due to flooding or damage from the flooding.
Here is the latest road info as of right now, according to Bourbon County Emergency Management Director Brian Allen. There haven’t been a lot of changes today from yesterday, he said.
Water covered:
Xavier from 215th to 225th
Xavier from 250th to state line
205th from Maple to 54 Highway
175th & Quail to 170th & Range
Hackberry from 80th to 95th
Closed due to damage. Possible long term closure:
100th & Soldiers (culvert washout)
215th Xavier to Yale (asphalt washout)
Hackberry 95th to 112th (asphalt washout)
60th from Grand to Hackberry (2 bridges out)
215th from Indian to Hackberry (culvert & road issues)
Express from 160th to 170th (bridge out)
115th Xavier to Yale (bridge out)
Maple from 115th to 125th (collapse)
Maple from Lucky to 240th
Fresh North Carolina Strawberries pre-purchase now!
Pick up May 25-26 $35 per flat. Call (620)939-43020 Click or Come to the store to purchase. Pre-purchase only.
Don’t let the drive to Western Bourbon County scare you away. Carpool, or go in with friends and alternate pick-ups each month with a group of friends! The savings and fresh variety are worth it.
Don’t forget to grab your next Perry’s Produce Box for just $21 Fresh boxes are delivered right here to Bids & Dibs. The next order deadline is Monday, May 20 Pick up on Thursday, May 23.
Looking for Sliced Meat & Cheese trays, Cubed Meat & Cheese Trays, Fresh Baked Cookie Platters, Fruit Platters or Veggie Platters? Give Perry’s Pork Rinds & Country Store a call!
Made with the finest Amish Meats & Cheese from Troyer! Shop local and support small businesses. These make great options for office gatherings, church get-togethers, graduations, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day! 3 Day Call Ahead is Preferred. (620)939-4300 or email [email protected]
Meat Options: Pickle & Pimento Loaf, Souse, Head Cheese, Ham off the Bone, Black Forest Ham, Roast Beef, Pan Roasted Turkey, Cajun Turkey, Kettle Fried Chicken, Pepperoni, Salami,
