Chamber Coffee Hosted by FSCC John Deere Tech

Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, August 8th, 8am

Hosted by Fort Scott Community College

John Deere Tech 2223 S. Horton St. (23rd & Horton)

About the Coffee this week:

The John Deere program at Fort Scott Community College began in 2002 at the Frontenac campus, with the inaugural class of 13 students graduating with an Associate Degree in 2004. In 2017, the program was relocated to Fort Scott to better serve Bourbon County residents. Recently, the college introduced a one-year John Deere certificate, with the first cohort starting on June 3, 2024, comprising 25 students. Heritage Tractor generously funded the renovation of a classroom to accommodate these new students. The John Deere Advisory Board, which includes representatives from both the John Deere dealership and surrounding dealers, is highly supportive of the program.

Click here for the FSCC website.

Click here for the FSCC Facebook page.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information: (620) 223-3566, [email protected]

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members

shown below for your year-round premium support..

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Unofficial Results of August 6 Primary Bourbon County Election: Final

Note: The U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Kansas Senate and Kansas House of Representatives races do not indicate the true winners, merely the votes they garnered in Bourbon County.
Kansas House of Representatives District 4 encompasses both Bourbon and Linn Counties.
In Linn County, these are the results for that seat, therefore although Jones won in Bourbon County, James had more votes counting both together.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE DST 4
          (VOTE FOR)  1
           RICK JAMES .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,138   72.76
           JOSHUA JONES  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       426   27.24
James won with a total of 2,212 votes to Jones 1,650.
In Bourbon County:
“In the following results, Undervote is someone who chose to vote for fewer than the allowed candidates (such as listed as “Vote for 1” and they left it blank) overvote is someone who voted for more than the allowed candidates,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said. The write-in board counted late into the night.
To view the total voting, including precincts:
Unofficial Results
Bourbon County, Primary 2024, Aug 06, 2024
All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, All Contests, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 2818
20 precincts reported out of 20 total
2024-08-06


All Precincts
United States House of Representatives District 2 (Dem)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 21 undervotes)
Nancy Boyda 262 votes  63.75%
Matt Kleinmann 149   36.25%
Total 411 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 21

United States House of Representatives District 2 (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (7 over voted ballots, 7 overvotes, 119 undervotes)
Jeff Kahrs 370   16.37%
Michael A. Ogle 104   4.60%
Derek Schmidt 1246   55.13%
Shawn Tiffany 424   18.76%
Chad Young 116   5.13%
Total 2260 100.00%
Overvotes 7
Undervotes 119

Kansas Senator District 13 (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 49 undervotes)
Austin B. Stapleton 383  100.00%
Total 383 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 49

Kansas Senator District 13 (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 196 undervotes)
Tim Shallenburger 1553   70.95%
Sam Owen 636   29.05%
Total 2189   100.00%
Overvotes 1
Undervotes 196

Kansas House of Representatives District 4 (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 397 undervotes)
Write-in 35 100.00%
Total 35 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 397

Kansas House of Representatives District 4 (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 88 undervotes)
Rick James 1074   46.74% (James won the district with 57%)
Joshua Jones 1224   53.26%
Total 2298 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 88

County Commissioner District 1 (Rep) (Vote for 1)
793 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 91 undervotes)
Brandon Whisenhunt 702   100.00%
Total 702 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 91

County Commissioner District 1 (Dem) (Vote for 1)
127 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 25 undervote
Clinton L. Walker 102 100.00%
Total 102 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 25

County Commissioner District 2 (Rep) (Vote for 1)
1055 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 24 undervotes)
Jim Harris 375 36.37%
David Beerbower 656 63.63%
Total 1031 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 24

County Commissioner District 2 (Dem) (Vote for 1)
180 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 160 undervotes)
Write-in 20 100.00%
Total 20 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 160

County Commissioner District 3 (Dem) (Vote for 1)
125 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 16 undervotes)
Steven Houston 109 100.00%
Total 109 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 16

County Commissioner District 3 (Rep) (Vote for 1)
538 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 11 undervotes)
Clifton Beth 152 28.84%
Leroy Kruger 375 71.16%
Total 527 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 11

County Clerk (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 410 undervotes)
Write-in 22 100.00%
Total 22 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 410

County Clerk (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 382 undervotes)
Susan Walker 2004 100.00%
Total 2004 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 382

County Treasurer (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 399 undervotes)
Write-in 33 100.00%
Total 33 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 399

County Treasurer (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 94 undervotes)
Jennifer Hawkins 1795 78.35%
Michael Hoyt 496 21.65%

County Register of Deeds (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 418 undervotes)
Write-in 14 100.00%
Total 14 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 418


County Register of Deeds (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 300 undervotes)
Lora Holdridge 2086 100.00%
Total 2086 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 300


County Attorney (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 420 undervotes)
Write-in 12 100.00%
Total 12 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 420


County Attorney (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 414 undervotes)
James Crux 1972 100.00%
Total 1972 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 414


County Sheriff (Dem) (Vote for 1)
432 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 356 undervotes)
Write-in 76 100.00%
Total 76 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 356


County Sheriff (Rep) (Vote for 1)
2386 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 32 undervotes)
Bill Martin 1199 50.93%
Nelson Blythe 1155 49.07%
Total 2354 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 32

Bourbon County Primary Election Results (unofficial) with All 20 Precincts Counted

To view the complete results of the Bourbon County 2024 Primary Election:
The following are the results of the local contests with all 20 precincts counted:
In Bourbon County Josh Jones had more votes than Rick James, 1,224 to 1,974, but Rick James had more votes in the other counties and will replace Trevor Jacobs in the Kansas House of Representatives District 4 contest.
In the Bourbon County Commission:
District 1 Brandon Whisenhunt, Republican,  garnered 702 votes, Clint Walker, Democrat 102.
District 2 David Beerbower beat incumbent Jim Harris, both Republicans, 656 to 375 votes.
District 3 LeRoy Kruger garnered 375 to  incumbent Clifton Beth’s 152 votes, both Republicans.
Jennifer Hawkins won over Michael Hoyt 1,795 to 496, both are Republicans, in the County Treasurer position.
Bill Martin beat Nelson Blythe 1,199 to 1.155 for Bourbon County Sheriff, both are Republicans.

Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg President Drew Talbott to retire

Pittsburg, Kan. — August 6, 2024 — After 30 years of exemplary service, Drew Talbott, president of Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg for the past four years, will retire as of August 30, 2024.

Talbott joined Via Christi in 1996 and became the hospital’s interim president in November 2020. His interim title was removed two months later. Before becoming hospital president, he served for 13 years as the hospital’s chief operating officer and for 11 years as its director of Information Systems.

“Drew has spent thirty years serving the hospital in Pittsburg, long before it was a part of the Via Christi system,” said Kevin Strecker, Via Christi’s Market Ministry CEO. “He’s been a dedicated servant leader and I can’t thank him enough for his service.”

Under Talbott’s leadership, Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has received countless awards for high-quality care, including:

  • “A” Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group
  • Get With The Guidelines, Stroke Gold Plus Award from American Heart Association
  • Infant and Maternal Health from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund
  • Gold Environmental Excellence award from Stryker

“I have enjoyed three decades of watching talent develop, families grow, patients heal, and yes, mourn the loss of those whom we’ve loved and who continue to inspire us,” Talbott said in an email to hospital associates. “While there is no such thing as perfect timing to wind down my very special time in Pittsburg, I am replete knowing our hospital has a sustainable future with a tremendous talent pool, and an enthusiastic new sponsor in Mercy Health System.”

Talbott’s final day as president comes one day before Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg transitions to be under the sponsorship of Mercy Health System on September 1, 2024.

###

About Via Christi

 

Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Via Christi is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In Kansas, Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 134 other sites of care and employs more than 6,400 associates. Via Christi is sponsored by Ascension, a national health system that operates more than 2,600 sites of care – including 139 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states. Ascension includes more than 134,000 associates and 35,000 aligned providers. In FY2023, Ascension provided $2.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and support for community benefit programs. Visit www.ascension.org.

 

 

 

 

Unofficial Early Voter Results of the Bourbon County August 6, 2024 Primary Election

These were posted on the Bourbon County KS Facebook page in the last hour:

The Unofficial Early Voter Results

Tabulation of the totals of today’s votes is still being done, with 8 out of 20 precincts in at this time, according to Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.

They are expected in to be totaled in the next 1.5 hours, she said.

To view the remainder of the Unofficial Early Voter Results:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=939987451505091&set=pcb.939988138171689

USD234 New Teachers: Hardesty, Vincent, Ragan

This is part of a series of new teachers in USD 234 School District, Fort Scott. There are 24 new teachers and two new administrators.

School starts for students on August 16.

There are five campuses in the district:

  • Fort Scott Preschool Center (serving pre-kindergarten students ages 3+)
  • Winfield Scott Elementary School (serving kindergarten through through second-grade students)
  • Eugene Ware Elementary School (serving third through fifth-grade students)
  • Fort Scott Middle School (serving sixth through eighth-grade students)
  • Fort Scott High School (serving ninth through twelfth-grade students)

According to its website, the district has nearly two thousand students enrolled within the district and over 350+ staff members.

 

Tabitha Hardesty. Submitted photo.
Tabitha Hardesty, 41, is a new Special Education Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
She has 10 years of experience as a paraprofessional at Eugene Ware and is currently working towards obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Education through Wichita State University.
“I’m in a Teacher Apprentice Program designed for paraprofessionals to go to school and work towards becoming a teacher.”
In her spare time she enjoys “supporting local fundraisers, especially if they support the students within our community.”
“Our faith and family are very important to us,” she said.
She is married to Kent Hardesty, owner of KtK Electric, LLC. “Together we have one daughter Kenzi, who will graduate from Pittsburg State University in December.”
She said the best thing about being an educator is building relationships with children. “Then assisting them in reaching goals that can be hard for them to achieve.”
“The biggest challenge is working with students that don’t come from the best situations. At the end of the day, I have to leave them and hope they will be okay.”
McKayla Vincent. Submitted photo.
McKayla Vincent, 25, is a new 1st Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Pittsburg State University and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University.
She worked as a para-educator for a year and a half.
“Before that, I spent four years working with children at the Mental Health Center.”
In the community she participates in a church group, she said.
Her family is comprised of her mom and stepdad in Kansas City and her dad and stepmom in Sterling. She is originally from Sterling.
She has three older brothers and one younger brother, and a nephew and two nieces due in August.
“My dog Paisley is also a very important part of my family.”
What is the best thing about being an educator?
“Seeing students learn and grow!”
What is a challenge?
“Missing the students when they move on to the next grade.”
Mackenzie Ragan. Submitted photo.

Mackenzie Ragan, 23, is a new third-grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

She attended Fort Scott Community College and received an Associate of Science, then transferred to Pittsburg State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

“There are many amazing things that come with being an educator! I think that the best part is watching students have lightbulb moments and celebrating those moments with them,” she said.

FSCC Business Expo Is August 20

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Community College…

Fort Scott Community College Business Expo

2108 South Horton, in Bailey Hall

Your Business/Organization is Invited to have a Booth!

Tuesday, August 20th, 8-11am

Help welcome new & returning students!

Show them what’s available in Fort Scott for:

Jobs Shopping ~ Retail

Restaurants

Healthcare

Banking

Churches Activities Recreation & Entertainment

Volunteer Opportunities

& More!

If interested in having a FREE booth, preferred method is to complete this Google doc.

Contact Tanya Potthoff at FSCC with any questions or to sign up by email or phone: Click here to email,

Call 620-223-2700 x-3530,

Or, scan the QR code below.

~ ~ ~

Fort Scott Community College is planning for their annual Business Expo to welcome returning and new students to the campus and community, and would like to invite businesses and organizations to have

a FREE booth!

The Business Expo is planned for Tuesday, August 20th, with set up at 7:30am and the Expo from 8-11am. You can expect to have approximately 200-300 students come through during that timeframe. You can set up and provide anything you would like as far as a display, brochures, job applications if you are hiring, coupons, giveaways, etc.

Click here for the FSCC website.

Click here for the FSCC Facebook page.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below for their year-round premium support of the Chamber!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

AD: Joshua Jones for KS State House of Representative, District 4

 

Former Fort Scott City Commissioner Josh Jones and  Fort Scott Water Distribution Supervisor Bill Lemke discuss the splash pad project in this April 19, 2023 photo at the site on North National Ave.

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.

.Josh Jones helped the Gordon Parks Museum receive the AME Church property in June 2023.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation
(left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation.

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. 

John Crain and Josh Jones paint the bathroom at Third Street Park in this October 2022 photo. Submitted photo.
Josh Jones was part of a committee that helped bring the splash pad to Fort Scott. This is opening day in 2023 from the Fort Scott Splash Pad Facebook page.

My Promises to You

 

  1. **Give Back My Salary** 

   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. 

 

  1. **Year-Round Accessibility and Transparency** 

   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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National 811 Day (Aug. 11): Separating Fact from Fiction About Safe Digging Practices 

 

Aug. 5, 2024 – Kansas Gas Service is addressing common myths about the 811 service to raise awareness about the importance of safe digging.

 

“Contacting 811 is one of the most important things that customers and workers who dig can do,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations. “Safety is our top priority, and taking the easy step to contact 811 is the best way to protect yourself and your neighbors.”

 

Digging into the Facts About 811:

 

  1. Is contacting 811 a complicated process?

Fact: One easy phone call to 811 or submitting a locate request online at Kansas811.com will alert owners of registered pipelines, telecommunication cables, underground power lines, etc., to mark their buried facilities. There’s no charge to you for this service.

 

  1. Do small digging projects require an 811 notification?

Fact: Every digging project, whether small or large, such as planting a tree, installing a fence or major construction, requires contacting 811 at least two full working days in advance.

 

  1. Is there a need to contact 811 if you’ve dug in the same spot before?

Fact: Even if you think you know where underground lines are located, it’s important to contact 811 every dig, every time. There may be unexpected lines or changes since your last project.

 

  1. Is it necessary to contact 811 in rural areas where there are no utilities?

Fact: Even in rural areas, there can be buried facilities, and their locations can be surprising. Always contact 811 before digging.

 

 

On 811 Day, and every day of the year, Kansas Gas Service encourages you to put safety first when undertaking any digging project — no matter the scale.

Essential tips for safe digging:

 

  • If you hire a contractor, make sure they contact 811 before digging.

 

  • Respect the tolerance zone, which is 24 inches on either side of the underground facility. Within this zone, you should exercise reasonable care using hand or soft digging techniques to avoid any contact or damage to the facility. Soft digging includes any excavation with tools and equipment that uses air or water pressure to break up soil and rock.  All damages or disturbances to a utility must be reported to the facility owner or operator and 811.

 

  • Smell Gas, Act Fast!If you smell natural gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave the area immediately then call 911, 811 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.

 

For more information about safe digging practices and the importance of 811, visit beadigherokansas.com or scan the QR code below.

 

 

 

 

About Kansas Gas Service

 

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.

 

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.