The Bourbon County Republicans meeting is Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 6 pm, at the Bourbon Co. Fairgrounds Merchants Bldg, Ft Scott, KS.
They have a booth in the Merchants Bldg. but will move outside for the meeting.
Please contact Chairman Mark McCoy, text 620-719-7841 or email [email protected] for agenda items.
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Kathy and Tracy Dancer, owners of Cohn’s Cafe, 110 S. Main, hosted the quarterly Fort Scott Downtown Meet and Greet on July 9.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors quarterly events to learn/tell of happenings in the downtown historic district.
Lindsay Madison, the Chamber’s executive director, told of the following upcoming events:
Superintendent of Fort Scot National Historic Site Jill Jarworski said the fire suppression project is 50 % complete, the Blair House will soon have new siding, the infantry barracks will be renovated, three HVAC units will be replaced, there will soon be more accessibility at the Fort, Candlelight Tours are in the planning stages, the Naturalization Ceremony will be Sept. 20 this year, there is an app “Sunflower Summer” for 3-4th grade students is free and features Kansas attractions.
Downtown Trolley Tours has a new driver, Steve Allmond, with Friday tours on the hour starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m.; Saturday hours start at 10 a.m. on the hours. There is a wheelchair lift available and at least 6 persons minimum.
Merita Meech announced her inaugural Jim Meech Agri-Medical Foundation event at Sharkey’s Third Floor on July 27, from 6-8 p.m. She has a web link for the event to help farmers/ranchers in the first 30 days following a crisis.
There will be a craft event at the River Room Event Center at Oak and National Avenue on July 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Scott City representative Mary Wyatt said a new name for the golf course will be announced on August 15, a grant has been applied for Memorial Hall, KDOT recently awarded the city money for East National Avenue and the Third Street Park project is nearing completion.
Regional Economic Development Inc. Director Rob Harrington told of the Freeman Hospital opening in April 2025 at the former Mercy site. The health system is going through the Federal licensing process. At the August 2 Chamber Coffee, Kansas Renewal Institute and REDI will give tours of the newly renovated emergency department facility. REDI is having its annual gala on August 3 at the Liberty Theater with a live and online auction to provide scholarships for local high school students. He said in 2025, there will be many construction workers (solar energy) in the county that will need housing, and possibly be shopping and attending events in the county. He encourages welcome packets for them and “they will bring in a huge amount of sales tax.”
Open Mortgage, at Wall and National, has merged and will be getting a new name.
A new business, House of Cottonwood Candles,, there is opening in the former Common Ground building at 116 S. Main.
Jerry Witt, Riverfront Authority Chair, said that Riverfront Park will soon have some new features.
Two Fort Scott Community College Basketball Coaches attending said they are recruiting for the new season.
Konantz Cheney has a new website and can be followed on Facebook.
Madison said she and staff continually get compliments about the downtown area and thanked the downtown businesses.
In June 2025, there will be the all-school Fort Scott High School Reunion events.
The Bourbon County Fair starts next week and Meech encouraged all to walk through the fair and appreciate the effort the FFA and 4H youth have done throughout the year.
Joshua Jones Candidate for Kansas House of Representative District 4
As election time approaches, I want to emphasize the need for candidates to remain active even after the election is over.
Too often, elected officials only engage with the community during election periods. As an eighth-generation resident of Bourbon County, I have a deep connection to this area and believe that community service and consistent involvement are key to our success.
Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working on projects such as refurbishing the high school tennis courts, helping acquire and donate a historic property to the Gordon Parks Museum, organizing events to raise awareness for Memorial Hall, and assisting in the development of a community splash pad.
As your representative, I understand that we are all in this together and recognize the dedication required to be a positive and active elected official year-round.
My Promises to You
My belief is simple: if the people I serve benefit, then I benefit. We are all in this together. I am giving back my salary because your tax dollars should work for you.
How often do you only hear from politicians during the election? During my time as Mayor/City Commissioner, I was the first to hold public forums to get citizens’ input.
This ad paid for by Joshua Jones Candidate/Treasurer
PRESS RELEASE
A bi-partisan Bourbon County citizens group, aptly named The Three-to-Five Committee, has published and received preliminary sufficiency, on a petition to place a question on the November 2024 general election ballot; “Shall the current number of
Bourbon County Commissioner Districts setforth on KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d)&(e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?”
As provided in the Kansas Statutes the Districts will be five districts “as compact and equal in population” as possible. The change will have no impact on the County budget. The additional Commissioners will allow better collaboration and focused
representation on their respective districts.
As the Commission is currently constructed, the group noted, “Even two Commissioners having conversations on any topic that may
come before the Commission, is a violation of the Kansas Open Meeting Act (KOMA).”
Allowing an opportunity for collaboration and discussions with two Commissioners will improve the decision-making process and should provide improved transparency and accountability.
Signatures will be collected by registered voters in Bourbon County over the next few months to place the question on the November ballot to prevent the need for a special election and the expense associated with such an election.
Additional information is being assembled to make sure every petition signer is well informed on the benefits of this expansion in Bourbon County in the Bourbon County Commission.
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To view the petition:
Petition to increase the number of Commissioners 7-9-2024 printable
Submitted by Michael Hoyt.
On Friday evening, July 12, the band Backside of the Moon will perform for the Chamber of Commerce concert series.
The band plays a variety of music and includes some comedy in their
performance. Members of Backside of the Moon are Larry Snow, Judy Snow, Don Brubaker, and Pat Briant.
This is a very talented group which is based in Mound City. The concert at the pavilion park begins at 7 p.m.
Because seating is limited, you are encouraged to bring a lawn
chair.
In case of hot or rainy weather, the concert will be held at the Common Ground Coffee Shop.
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, July 8, 2024
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The Board voted for David Stewart to remain as Board President and Stewart Gulager to remain Board Vice-President.
The board approved the official agenda and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
06/03/24 Minutes
06/10/24 Board Minutes
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – June 20, 2024 -$2,128,270.84
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Appoint Terry Mayfield as Deputy Board Clerk
HS Extended Trip Forms 24-25
HS Fundraising Applications 24-25
Resolution 24-01 – Destruction of Records
Resolution 24-02 – Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Resolution 24-03 – Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes
Resolution 24-04 – Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds
Set fees for copying records
10 cents per page for employees
10 cents per page for alumni
15 cents per page for non-employees
20 cents per page for color copies
Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate
For information only – as of 07/01/24 – 67 cents
2024-25 School Fees
Recreation Commission Board Member Term
Designation of newspaper for official school publications – Fort Scott Tribune
Offices for the 2024-25 School Year
KASB Government Relations Network Representative – Board President
Food Service Hearing Officer/Compliance Coordinator for Federal
Anti-Discrimination Laws – Terry Mayfield
Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act/Coordinator/Point of Contact for Child – Destry Brown
Welfare Agencies/District Foster Care Liaison/Freedom of Information Officer – Haley Jones
Food Service Program Representative – Robin Button
Clerk – Candace Jobe
KPERS Representative/KiCS Designated Representative Member – Angela Robinson
Treasurer – Rhonda Dawson
LCP Coordinator/Coordinator for Homeless Children/ 504 Coordinator – Destry Brown
Fort Scott High School Attendance Officer – Jeff Johnson
Fort Scott Middle School Attendance Officer – Matt Harris
Eugene Ware Attendance Officer – Brandon Boyd
Winfield Scott Attendance Officer – Nicole Gilmore
Bourbon County Ready Board – vacant
June 2024 KASB Policy Updates
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the SAFE Schools grant that will help update security cameras, district radios, and provide additional AEDs. Also, he clarified information about the new Preschool Building.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield updated the board on cross training and job descriptions within the district office. He explained the processes for his position and how he planned to bring information to the Board in the future. Lastly, he gave an update about closing the 23-24 school year budget.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, reported on finances coming in for the upcoming school year. She explained about updating Special Education manuals that need to
be completed this next year
The board approved the following items:
There was none present for public forum.
The board went into executive session for negotiations/salary discussions.
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
July 8, 2024
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Colvin, Angela – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Middle School
Geneva, Nancy – Resignation – Food Service
Wilson, Kerrie – Resignation – Receptionist/District Admin Assistant – Board Office
TRANSFER:
Dawson, Jamie – School Psychologist Para
Endicott, Jencyn – Preschool Para
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:
Rainey, Taylor – Special Education Teacher – KRI
Stewart, Mya – .5 Speech Para & .5 OT Para
Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:
Matkin, Tammy -Receptionist/District Admin Assistant – Board Office
Thurston, Jordan – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Nolene Louise Whiteside, 97, of Fort Scott, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Presbyterian Village. She was born February 11, 1927, in the family home in Pawnee County, Kansas, the daughter of John “Walter” Stump and Esther Alveda (Larson) Stump. She married Edward Lee Whiteside on September 7, 1947, in Larned, Kansas. He preceded her in death May 8, 2008.
Nolene graduated from Larned High School in 1945 and then attended KU for two years in accounting. It was during this time that she met Ed, her future husband, while sitting out of campus activities due to a sprained ankle she injured playing softball. While everyone else was “digging dandelions” Ed came over to sit by her and talk. He later asked her on a date, and they continued to date after he returned to his home in Fort Scott to work in the family grocery store.
After they were married, Nolene and Ed lived over the Whiteside’s Grocery store for a short time before moving to a house and then eventually building two houses over the years. At their home on Lee’s Circle Drive they had the big yard that Ed liked and room for the large garden that Nolene loved.
Traveling was something she and Ed enjoyed doing together, and through the grocery store business, Ed won several trips. They traveled to South America, Brazil, Hawaii, Kiawah Island, and San Juan Puerto Rico. After retiring, they took several trips with the Fun Seekers to Vancouver and Victoria Canada, Europe, Prince Edward Island, and Niagara Falls.
Over the years, Nolene has belonged to a number of different clubs including Kansas Federation of Women’s Club, of which she was Past President, 2nd district; Progressive Mothers Club, Pieran Club, DAR, Starlite FCE, Old Fort Genealogical Society, and church circle. She was also a leader for both the Campfire Girls and Cub Scouts when her children were involved. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served in a number of roles from Sunday School teacher, VBS director, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Administrative Board, Young Mother’s Circle, UMW Treasurer and President. Nolene enjoyed crocheting afghans and potholders, and loved gardening (vegetables and flowers) as well as reading.
Nolene is survived by her children, Sheryl Bloomfield, Fort Scott, Marilyn (Ron) Bailey, Phoenix, Arizona, and Lee (Nadine) Whiteside, Goodyear, Arizona; four grandchildren, Jenny (Ryan) Sciara, Matt (Sara) Bloomfield, Kate (Brian) Reddy, and Andrea (Andrew) Omer; nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Ed, Nolene was also preceded in death by her parents, sister, Maxine Stump, brothers, Leonard and Ralph Stump, infant daughter, Nancy Ann Whiteside, great-granddaughter, Olivia Bloomfield, and son-in-law Tim Bloomfield.
Pastor Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. on July 15, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. A visitation is scheduled for Sunday evening July 14, 2024, 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the Olivia Bloomfield Foundation (oliviabloomfieldfoundation.org) and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
The family would like to offer special thanks to the caring staff of Gentiva Hospice. Also, Nolene’s family sends a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Presbyterian Village for their loving and wonderful care over the past five years.
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