Monthly Archives: January 2025
County Commissioners increase sheriff’s, EMS director’s pay

The Bourbon County Commission voted to bring Sheriff Bill Martin’s pay up to $75,000. This was to correct the lack of pay raise passed in the Jan. 20 meeting.
Commissioner Leroy Kruger had received feedback from citizens that Sheriff Martin has become the lowest-paid elected official. He opened the discussion, saying that Bill was under the impression that a $5000 raise was budgeted for him and he should have at least that much.
Commissioner Dave Beerbower said, “I’ve been opposed to these big increases in salary over the last couple of weeks.” They may be deserved, but it’s more about how we get them there. In the initial resolution, the other elected officials were getting a big increase to their base salary. The sheriff was already at a higher rate than them, as his position warrants, and was going to receive an 8% raise. Now, after the revision last week, that brought the raises of the other elected officials to about 26% from the base salaries. “I would like to see it staggered, but we didn’t do that,” he said.
Average salaries for sheriffs in Kansas ranges from $75,000 to $100,000, per Beerbower’s research. He went on to say that if the county raised him about 26%, “like we did the others, that would raise him to $75,600 and that would put him at the bottom of that scale for the state.”
“I’m not opposed to him getting a raise at all,” said Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt.
A citizen asked if there’s enough room in the budget for the salary increase.
“In the original resolution, there was money set aside for the increases that they originally asked for and then we lowered that last week,” said Beerbower. So there is money out of that that still would be available to increase him more than the $5000.
“Sheriffs are typically the highest paid in most counties,” because of the risks inherent to their positions, Beerbower also said.
He went on to explain that there’s at least $30,000 left after changing the resolution from the original request of $70,000 for each position (clerk, register of deeds, and treasurer) to $60,000.
Beerbower moved to increase the sheriff’s salary by 26% to $75,600.
Whisenhunt moved to raise the sheriff’s salary to $75,000 and give a $5,000 raise to the EMS director. Beerbower seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Susan Walker, County Clerk said she would start a new salary schedule next week.
During the public comments section of the meeting, Clint Walker spoke to the commission about solar and open government. He advised them to slow down and not make hasty decisions. “Do your research and make a good decision on things.”
“My specialty in the military was nuclear, biological, and chemical, so I know a little bit about this stuff and have dealt with this stuff,” said Walker, when referring to lithium batteries as part of using solar power. Lithium batteries can be dangerous, but many businesses in the area use solar. If solar is so dangerous, why do we use it in so many places? He asked.
He reminded the commission that county agreements need to be consistent, saying that a projected $4 million in tax income was to come from solar businesses over 10 years. “I’m sure that y’all will figure out and find a business to come in and make up that $4 million in taxes.”
County Clerk Susan Walker brought some end-of-year reallocations to the commission for approval. These were due to late invoices and a major issue with an accounts payable that never posted to the general ledger.
The two funds involved were the Appraiser fund and Sheriff’s fund.
In order to keep within the bound of both budget and cash laws, the commission was asked to reallocate from the sheriff’s fund to the general fund for $52,325.45; and from the appraiser’s fund to the general fund for $4,500. She explained that if the commission didn’t reallocate these amounts, they will have a budget violation in both the sheriff and appraiser funds.
Walker explained that the sheriff and appraiser had enough cash to cover the expenses, but not enough budget. They must follow budget law and cash law. There should have been a budget amendment done at the end of the year, had the issue been known.
Walker explained that this is a 2024 matter. “I need to know if, in the general fund, in 2025, if you want me to move cash from these two funds to the general fund so that you recoup it. It’s two separate issues, budget and cash,” she said.
At the end of the year [2024], the clerk asked each department if they needed an increase in their budgets, but received no response.
Walker has offered to create a purchase order system so that the expenses are encumbered on the date of service or purchase, rather than each department having to collect invoices. “It helps with these kinds of things when you get down to the end of the year.”
Whisenhunt made motions to reallocated the expenses as listed, Beerbower seconded and it carried unanimously.
Discussion is expected regarding budget as the year wraps up.
After conducting two separate executive sessions about non-elected personnel, Whisenhunt announced: “We are going to hire a new county counselor today. Bob Johnson from Iola.” The vote was unanimous.
Terry Hallsey, EMS director, asked the commissioners for permission to start getting bids for new ambulances. It will take 3-5 years to get the actual ambulance. The current new one took 2 and a half years to obtain. Commission approved the hunt for new bids.
Whisenhunt addressed the issue of meeting decorum, asking that when the meeting is in session, those in attendance and the commissioners please turn cell phones to silent to avoid distractions.
Whisenhunt also introduced a noise ordinance discussion he had been receiving calls on. Some folks in the north east part of the county building bitcoin mining computers that require diesel generators. Citizens want it quiet after 10. The county currently has no noise ordinance. Commission suggested asking the new county counselor about possible steps.
Kruger said that historically it won’t be something easily done.
Commission approved a resolution setting legal descriptions for the five commissioner districts. These districts have already been settled when the maps were chosen at the beginning of 2025.
The election for districts 4 and 5 will be the Bourbon county 2025 general election.
Primary election dates: June 2, candidate filed deadline of noon.
July 15, deadline to register to vote or update registration.
July 16, advanced ballots by mail
July 28 – Aug. 1, early voting at the courthouse from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. Aug. 2, is 8a.m.-12p.m., Aug. 4 is 8:30a.m.-12p.m.
Aug. 5 is primary election day from 7a.m. to 7p.m. at your normal polling place.
Polling place changes will be mailed out to everyone.
Commissioners selected the board seats and advisory positions they will serve on this year.
Beerbower: Juvenile detention, senior citizens, health department
Kruger: Fair board, REDI
Whisenhunt: Bourbon County Conservation district
During commissioner comments, Beerbower brought up Michael Barnard volunteering services to repair the Elm Creek Lake Shelter House. Beerbower and the other commissioners plan to ask the new counselor about liability, so the county can move forward to use Barnard’s services. There may also be FEMA money available and a state grant to help fix the dam.
Kruger had a juvenile detention center question for Beerbower to ask when he meets with the juvenile detention board. He said that when he (Kruger) was in law enforcement, it took a judge’s order to send a juvenile there. With the rate for that bed being so high and a potential system in play in here in town, is that something that we need to keep holding down money for. “It’s a very big expense for something we rarely, if every, use.”
Kruger also said, “I want to thank everyone for having patience with us,” as we learn how to do this job. “I appreciate everyone sticking with us.”
Whisenhunt wrapped up the meeting saying, “I want to try to bring some fun back into county politics.” He then suggested a youth day, where selected youth come and try to do commissioner jobs for a day.
Obituary of Alva Snyder
Alva Leroy Snyder, 89, resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Labette Health Center in Parsons, Kansas. He was born August 23, 1935, in Harding, Kansas, the son of George Franklin Snyder and Mary Elizabeth (Townsend) Snyder. He married Marjorie Marilyn Schwartz on April 4, 1958, in Fulton, Kansas, and she preceded him in death January 5, 2005.
Ale graduated from Fulton High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 until 1960. He worked at Leroy Robinson Farms in Garden City as well as feed lots, and prior to Garden City, worked for Richard Clarkson operating a bulldozer. He also farmed for Delbert Campbell in Friend, Kansas, and bulldozed for Charles Brohan. Alva was a truck driver in both Scott City and Hesston, Kansas. He moved to Bronson in 1998 and worked for WalMart.
Alva is survived by his children; Roger Snyder and wife Connie, of Chelsea, Oklahoma, Michael Snyder and wife Trisha, of Independence, Kansas; six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Mary, he was also preceded in death by his son, Gale Snyder, his sister, Mary “Sug” Beckford, and two brothers, John Snyder and George “June” Snyder.
Rev. Chuck Russell will officiate graveside services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Mapleton Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
Shane Dennis Inducted Into Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame on Feb. 1

Former Wichita State University star baseball player Shane Dennis will be inducted into the 2025 class of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame this Saturday in Wichita.
Dennis was born in Fort Scott and was a standout athlete at Uniontown High School.
“We didn’t have a baseball team at the time,” he said. “I played Legion ball at Fort Scott in the summer,” Dennis said.
While pitching for the American Legion team in Fort Scott, the team won 28 games over three years and struck out 418 hitters in 222 innings, according to the website, http://ksbaseballhof.com.
“He was all-state in both football and basketball. He once scored 52 points and had 17 rebounds in a single game and set a 1A state record by scoring 90 points in the 1990 1A tournament, including 33 points in the championship game,” according to info on the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame website.
He graduated from U.H.S. in 1990 and became a midweek starter on the Wichita State University baseball team, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.66 earned run average as a freshman for a Shocker team that went to the College World Series final.
As a college sophomore, he won 13 games, struggled as a junior but bounced back to go 9-2 as a senior with a 1.35 ERA, according to the website.
“He was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and by Collegiate Baseball. Dennis’s career marks for ERA, starts, strikeouts and innings pitched are ranked in the WSU top ten,” according to the website.
Dennis was then drafted in the seventh round by the San Diego Padres program and pitched four seasons in the organization, winning minor league pitcher of the year in 1996.
“In 1997, Dennis pitched the first of two seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan Pacific League. He returned to the Padres organization to play his final season for Triple-A Las Vegas in 1999.
“While at Wichita State, Dennis majored in radio/television journalism and served as color commentator on Shocker women’s basketball broadcasts. In 2001, he returned to Wichita as play-by-play voice for the Double-A Wichita Wranglers before going back to Wichita State as director of baseball operations for 12 years,” according to the website.
Dennis is now part of the WSU baseball broadcast team and hosts a daily sports show, The Shane Dennis Show, on ESPN Wichita 92.3 radio station.
“I’ve been at ESPN Wichita the last three years, doing Wichita State Baseball and Basketball games,” he said.
Dennis’s father, Don, pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox and was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, according to the website.
Don Dennis died in 2007 and his mother Betty Dennis lives in Uniontown.
Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article296142789.html#storylink=cpy
Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter January 2025
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Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is now accepting applications for new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag project. The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to display “Old Glory” on five different flag holidays during 2025 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $40 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12-foot
staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :
Memorial Day, May 26th
Flag Day, June 14th
Independence Day, July 4th
Labor Day, September 1st
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Applications for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone, text, or email. Call 417-684-2484 or email [email protected]. Renewal notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2024 subscribers. Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2025.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site including the Naturalization Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, and Veterans Challenge coins among other special programs.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
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Black History Month Celebration Lunch and Learn Feb. 12


Chamber Coffee Hosted by SparkWheel on January 30

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Obituary of Goldie Weyant Arndt

Goldie Marie Weyant Arndt, age 94, a resident of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kansas. She was born April 27, 1930, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Willis William Wells and Goldie Belle Weston Wells.
Goldie was raised in the Uniontown area and graduated from the Uniontown High School. She married Miles Weyant on December 25, 1948. Together they had five children, Jim, Brad, Chuck, Mary and Matt.
Goldie loved to cook. She owned and operated her own restaurant, Goldie’s Place, located on the north side of the square in Uniontown, for many years. During this time, she made countless pies and was often called on to cater the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the employees of Bourbon County.
Goldie’s husband, Miles, preceded her in death on December 13, 1993. She later married Larry Arndt on October 4, 2003. They enjoyed several happy years together until his death in 2015.
Goldie was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include her three children, Chuck Weyant (Donna) of Bronson, Kansas, Mary Beerbower (Alvin) of Uniontown, Kansas and Matt Weyant also of Uniontown and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Richard Wells (Sharon) of Poteau, Oklahoma.
In addition to her husbands, Goldie was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Jim and Brad Weyant, three grandsons, Clayton Michael Weyant, Brandon Weyant and Tony Weyant, a granddaughter, Melanie Beerbower and a sister, Una Wells.
Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct a memorial service at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, February 1st at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown.
Private burial will take place at a later date at the Uniontown Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the First Missionary 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.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report Jan. 28
Ground(Hog) Breakfast Fundraiser On Feb. 1
JOIN US FOR OUR 6TH ANNUAL
“ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES
WITH A SERVING OF GROUND(HOG)”
OR (added this year)
“ALL YOU CAN EAT BISCUITS WITH GROUNDHOG GRAVY”
DINE IN OR CARRY OUT
SILENT AUCTION & BAKE SALE
February 1, 2025, 8 A.M. – 2 P.M.
at First Southern Baptist Church
1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS
Children 7 and under FREE
8 to Adult $5.00 in advance or
$6.00 at the door
for advanced tickets Contact
Ida Ford 417-262-3948 or
Terri Williams 620-215-3202
**All proceeds go to FSBC Building Fund
Program Helps Families with Eligible Children Offset the Cost of Food over Summer Break
DCF Announces 2025 SUN Bucks Application Period Now Open
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced Monday, Jan. 27 that the 2025 application period for SUN Bucks is now open. SUN Bucks, previously called Summer EBT in Kansas, is a federal program administered by DCF that provides a one-time benefit of $120 per year for each eligible school-aged child to help offset the cost of groceries over the summer.
“Children and teenagers need consistent access to healthy foods to grow and thrive, and summer is a time when many of them lose access to the healthy meals they receive at school,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “SUN Bucks can help fill the gap by providing families a small boost with helping to put nutritious food on their tables.”
Many families will automatically get the SUN Bucks benefit without needing to apply. Households with an eligible child who can be identified by DCF will receive a letter from DCF in January 2025 notifying them that their child is eligible for SUN Bucks. SUN Bucks benefits will be added to an existing household Kansas Benefits Card (also known as an EBT card) or loaded onto a Kansas Benefits Card and mailed to their home in April.
If a household did not receive a letter from DCF in January regarding SUN Bucks eligibility, and they believe their child is eligible, they will need to apply. SUN Bucks applications will be accepted from Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, through 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. Families will need to use their existing DCF self-service account or create an account to apply through the DCF online self-service portal, dcfapp.kees.ks.gov. Benefits will be issued beginning in April 2025.
Eligibility:
Children may be eligible for the program if:
- The child attends a Kansas school offering the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals at any point since July 2024.
OR
- The school-aged child (7-17 years old) lives in a household where someone has received Food Assistance (SNAP) or TANF Cash Assistance at any point since July 2024.
Children in the custody of the DCF Secretary and enrolled in a Kansas school are eligible for SUN Bucks. Relatives, non-related kin, and foster homes will need to submit a SUN Bucks application for children in their care after April 1, 2025, to ensure the benefit is issued to the correct address. For any applications submitted after April 1, SUN Bucks benefits will be issued once the child has been determined eligible.
In 2024, the SUN Bucks program provided more than $15 million in benefits to 127,202 Kansas children. Learn more about SUN Bucks at SUNBucks.dcf.ks.gov.
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