Bourbon County Core Community is a local program that seeks to open the gates of poverty, give education and resources, and offer support to people in this community.
The organization is having its year-end funding campaign called Faces of Change, which supports the program.
“The Core Community Faces of Change Campaign features three community members who are prominent leaders in Bourbon County but had humble beginnings in poverty,” said Deana Betts, liaison for the organization. “They had to navigate broken families, isolation in school and community, and nearly insurmountable odds to get to where they are today.”
“Many times, people have untapped potential trapped behind the bars of poverty. Core Community exists to open the gates of poverty, to give education, resources, support, and hope to people.”
“The results we are seeing are amazing! In our first two classes alone, we have seen eight people walk away from poverty!”
“As a group, our participants have increased their monthly income by $12,738, and they have paid off $36,786 worth of debt! This doesn’t just affect the families in our program; it has a lasting effect on our communities, our schools, dependency on the government, and so much more.”
“This work is needed in Bourbon County, but we cannot do it alone. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 and need the help of our community, churches, organizations, and individual donors to sustain this work.”
They currently have a $20,000 match on funds given during this campaign, which can double every dollar donated.
“This will be a great budget booster,” Betts said.
The match donors are Dean and Becky Mann, Carla Farmer
Steve Buerge, and two anonymous donors.
The website for giving, which also lists the “Faces of Change” stories in full:
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
The story is told of a little boy who lived in a ghetto. Because of his strong belief in God, his friends constantly teased him, saying, “If God loves you, why doesn’t he take care of you? Why doesn’t God tell someone to bring you shoes or send someone with a warm coat? Where is the good food you’ve been asking God for?” The little boy thought for a moment and with tears in his eyes, softly said, “I guess He does tell somebody but somebody forgets.”
I am afraid that too many of us are that “somebody.”
We see the man on the side of the road, holding his cardboard sign that lets us know that he is homeless, broke, a veteran, asking for money. The scribbled writing ends with “God bless you.” We drive away. After all, he could get a job; everybody is hiring. He probably will buy alcohol with the money we give him, anyway.
Our neighbor recently taped aluminum foil to her windows in an effort to save on her heating bill. Embarrassed? You betcha. What’s this neighborhood coming to?
We watch obese people struggle to manage their Walmart shopping cart and put groceries into their car trunks, and we scurry on by. After all, it’s not our fault they don’t try to get in shape, and we’re in a hurry to get home from work. They should try to walk a mile in our designer shoes!
The call goes out for volunteers to hang wreaths on the tombstones of the soldiers buried at our National Cemetery or place flags in the ground at our National Fort, but that’s the day we are having a family get together or a lunch date with a friend. Just too busy!
How about this one? I know that I should take a meal to ________ who is going through a difficult time right now, but I’m sooooooo tired.
And yes, some of us have tried to help and have gotten burned. No fun. We offer our couch for a two-night stay that turns into a two-week visit. Our guests do nothing to help but treat our offer as something they are owed. Or we “loan” money, never to see an attempt to repay. We vow never to help again.
What’s really sad is when we tell someone we will pray for them, and then we don’t. (My hand is raised here.) My intentions are good. My actions? Not so much. And then they let us know that all is well and thank us for our prayers, and we don’t admit that we forgot or just were too preoccupied to follow through.
Not everything needs to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, we just need to keep our antennas up and be aware of needs around us. A smile. A compliment. Opening a door. The other day in Costco, I stood in the line that, of course, was the slowest one available. The man in front of me had three orders, and something went wrong with the way the employee rang them up. He needed a manager. The assistant manager came, but that wasn’t good enough.
As the other lines moved along smoothly, I turned to a young woman behind me. “This is my fault, you know,” I said to her. “You never should get behind me in a line; this happens regularly.” She grinned and said, “I sure hope you’re not going to Trader Joe’s next.” We both cracked up. When I finally got through the line, the register attendant looked exasperated. I paid and said, “Have a blessed day.” She stopped, looked at me and said that I made her day.
In the parking lot, I watched an elderly lady wandering, clearly looking for her car. Been there, done that! I pulled up beside her and asked what her car looked like and then drove around, looking for it, to no avail. Finally, I persuaded her to get into my car (she was terrified of me!) so we could search together. As it turned out, it wasn’t where she thought she left it.
Philippians 2:4 can change lives: Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. We need to be determined to be determined not to forget.
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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Before discussing a proposed noise ordinance, the clerk’s office addressed the commission concerning the new payroll company the county is changing over to.
Payroll
County Clerk Susan Walker read a statement to the commission about the payroll and benefits problems they are currently having with the new payroll system the county.
“It was not an operation improvement. It was a political move,” she said the commission’s decision to hire Pay Entry to do the county’s payroll.
“It undermines the efficiency,” she said. It has not saved time for her office but has added to the hours needed.
Walker also stated that recent comments in commission meetings implied a failure of her office. Implying that any payment has been processed without prior approval is false.
Jennifer Hawkins, Deputy Clerk, addressed the commission regarding the affects of what the new payroll system is doing.
She is working directly with Pay Entry and cited several issues she found in her meeting with them Thursday morning.
“My main concern is employees can change the cost center and their job title,” even by accident, she said, which would change their pay rates and what account their pay comes out of. Pay Entry said they cannot lock employees out of that part of the program without locking everyone else out too, including supervisors.
“The system seems rather clunky compared to what we have now. In my opinion, it’s taking two steps back compared to what we now use,” said Jennifer.
Commissioners Samuel Tran and Mika Milburn both wanted to include the vendor’s representative in a meeting about the issues.
Commissioner David Beerbower suggested putting the changeover to having Pay Entry manage the county’s payroll (which was to take place on Sunday) on hold until they can have a meeting with the payroll vendor at the regular commission meeting on Monday.
This shouldn’t be happening during the election time, Beerbower pointed out, as the clerk has election responsibilities taking her time.
Beerbower told Milburn to reach out to Emerson to ask for a delay in starting up to allow for time to work out the issues.
Walker said she was asked to start up at the end of the quarter, and she suggested waiting to start up until the start of the new year.
Tran said the commission needs to discuss it among the three of them. He also said that when there’s a problem, those involved are either a help or a hindrance.
He said the county officials and employees need to work as a team.
He also said they are trying to make things better.
Walker said that nothing was broken in the system that the county had been using.
Milburn will pass on the clerk’s office issues to Pay Entry, and the changeover will be delayed until the problems can be worked out.
Noise Ordinance Resolution
Tran said he spoke to the county’s attorneys, and the county doesn’t have standing for an injunction or a cease and desist order, so the noise ordinance is the next step they can take. It will give them standing.
Beerbower shared a noise resolution example with the commission that a citizen had given him for review. He said it is similar to noise resolutions in Atchison and Douglas Counties.
Some highlights from the resolution he read include:
Defining “plainly audible” as sound an unaided human ear 75 feet from the source can hear. Tran also requested the addition of reverberation to the ordinance.
The ordinance differentiated between residential, agricultural and commercial/industrial areas. It also distinguished between noise volume allowed during the day and night.
Daytime (7 AM-10 PM) decibel limits in the ordinance are 60 dB in residential, 65 in agricultural, and 70 in commercial and industrial areas.
Actions on the list of violations include: operating outdoor power equipment between 10 PM and 7 AM, operating muffler-less vehicles, operating amplified music or a speaker at a volume heard beyond the property boundary.
Normal agriculture operations, special events, and construction during the day are exempted from the resolution.
Enforcement would be by the sheriff’s department. Violations may result in a citation and misdemeanor charge with fines of $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Each day of the violation qualifies as a separate offense. The county can seek an injunction to stop continuous offenders.
Beerbower expressed concern about adding decibel levels to the resolution because of the issue of who measures the sound.
He said the language of the ordinance, which calls noise that causes damage to another’s health and impedes their ability to enjoy their life a violation, is adequate.
Public Comments
Zach Cross expressed concern that the commissioners consider grandfathering in existing businesses. He owns a kennel business in the south end of the county and is concerned about his ability to continue to operate if a new neighbor doesn’t want the noise of the kennel so close to their property.
Mary Ridge expressed concern about noise from gunfire and fireworks.
Michael Hoyt compared the ordinance to a speed limit change, which is enforced the minute it’s published.
Beerbower asked Tran and Milburn if they had any changes to suggest.
Beerbower asked to bring it back to the regular meeting on Monday. He said he would get legal’s opinion before then.
TOPEKA – With just a few safety steps, you can prevent children from going bump in the night to ensure a happy Halloween. Injuries can be scary, but the good news is they are preventable. Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center and the Kansas State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of your fall festivity planning.
Child pedestrian injuries are more likely on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as more children will be on the streets and sidewalks. Kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.
Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house. Children younger than age 12 should not cross streets on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager. If your children are mature enough to be out without supervision, make sure they keep to familiar areas that are well-lit, stick to a pre-planned route and trick-or-treat in groups. Carry a cell phone in case of an emergency but pay attention to your surroundings and don’t be distracted by texting or talking on the phone.
“On Halloween night, it’s important to see and be seen,” Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas, said. “Carry a flashlight and have your trick-or-treaters wear reflective tape or stickers on costumes and treat bags.”
Remind children to be careful with candy. It’s hard to resist the temptation to dive right into treats, but it is best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware that kids are in a candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away and keep the Poison Help number programmed into your phone: 1-800-222-1222.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source. Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery-powered candles or lights. Remember to ensure your family has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, both inside and outside of every sleeping area.
“Our goal is to keep every trick-or-treater safe this Halloween,” Mark Engholm, Kansas Fire Marshal, said. “Use battery-powered candles, watch for trip hazards and remind kids to stay alert and visible while out collecting treats.”
With Halloween just a week away, follow these tips to ensure everyone has a fun and safe holiday:
Costume Safety
Choose costumes and decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
Prevent trips and falls by choosing a costume that is the right size and choose non-toxic face paint and makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Make trick-or-treaters visible to drivers with reflective tape or stickers and carry glow sticks and flashlights to help see and be seen. Remind kids not to chew or bite glow sticks, as the liquid inside can irritate their mouths and eyes.
Decorate Safely
Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, including candles, light bulbs and heaters.
Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and decorations.
Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
If you are attending parties or haunted houses, look for the exits in case of an emergency.
If using dry ice, wear gloves or use tongs when handling it, and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
Stick to sidewalks or paths. Do not walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be hazards you can’t see.
If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Only cross the street at corners and crosswalks – not between parked cars – and make eye contact and wave at drivers before crossing to ensure they see you.
Pay attention to your surroundings and put away phones and other potential distractions.
Drive Safely
Slow down and be alert in residential neighborhoods, especially when turning at intersections or entering and exiting driveways and alleys. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
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About Safe Kids Kansas Safe Kids Kansas is a non-profit coalition of statewide partners working to prevent childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability in children. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment serves as the Lead Agency for the coalition.
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Kansas from the hazards of fire, explosion and hazardous materials. KSFM’s aims to reduce the deaths, injuries, and property losses of Kansans through inspection, enforcement, regulation, investigation, hazardous material incident mitigation and public education.
About the Kansas Poison Center The Kansas Poison Center at The University of Kansas Health System serves the entire state of Kansas 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are free, fast and confidential. Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the Federal Fiscal Year 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at ksdot.gov/about/publications-and-reports/state-transportation-improvement-program-stip.
The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes November 6. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at 785-296-2252.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, 785-296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Reminder there is also a work session discussing benefits at 5:00 PM.
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 6:00 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
II. Payroll Update – County Clerk
III. Noise Resolution
IV. Adjournment _____________
History is full of heroes whose stories haven’t yet been told. The 2026 Discovery Award gives students in grades 4–12 the chance to bring one of those stories to life and show how one person’s courage, compassion, or innovation can change the world.
Educators Reflect on the Impact of the Discovery Award
Each year, the Discovery Award Competition empowers students in grades 4–12 to uncover and share the stories of Unsung Heroes, individuals whose courage and compassion changed history. For the educators who guide them, the impact goes far beyond the classroom.
“The project makes history come alive for my students,” shared Silvia Miranda, a 2025 Discovery Award-winning teacher. “It answers the question, ‘Why do we have to learn this?’ by showing them that history isn’t just about dates or events — it’s about people who made a difference. They begin to see that anyone can be a hero and that their own voices matter.”
Across grade levels, teachers emphasized how the competition builds both academic and life skills — from research and analysis to empathy and resilience. Kevin Dailey explained, “This project isn’t easy. It happens because students put forth effort and overcome obstacles. The lessons in resiliency and determination are invaluable.”
Brian Dussel noted that the competition “gives students a voice and a purpose. They learn how storytelling and scholarship can honor those who made a difference.”
Suzy Turner described how the experience transforms understanding: “Students realize the tremendous power of the individual to impact others and the world they live in — it’s far more captivating than the traditional history classroom experience.” Her students, she added, “gain empathy, communication, and collaboration skills while learning to tell powerful stories that connect history to the present.”
For Carolin Menendez, the project’s impact was especially clear through her students’ reflections. “They began to see history differently,” she said. “Learning about Alex Bernal’s story helped them understand that many of the rights we enjoy today exist because of people like him — and that big change often has small beginnings.”
Valerie Conklin shared how students have taken their learning to new heights through the competition. “My students who have participated in the Discovery Award have not only deepened their understanding of history but have truly created new knowledge in the form of documentaries, websites, and performances that have been shared with a global audience. This important research gives our students a voice and the power to uplift and amplify the stories of Unsung Heroes.”
For many educators, the Discovery Award also redefines what learning can look like. “It’s the perfect blend of academic skill-building and real-world learning,” said Terry Kaldhusdal. “It connects directly to the community and fosters lifelong curiosity.”
And as Chris Dier, the 2024 National Outstanding Discovery Award Teacher, shared, “This project allows students to step into the role of historians and bring history to life in meaningful ways. It’s a beautiful process.”
Together, these educators agree that the Discovery Award inspires students to see history not as something distant, but as something deeply human — and to recognize their own power to make a difference.
Dig Into History — Start Your Discovery Award Project!
Now’s the perfect time for students to begin researching their Unsung Hero for the 2026 Discovery Award Competition.
If you’re new to the Discovery Award, visit our website for complete guidelines, examples, and tips to help you get started. And if you have questions along the way, our team at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is happy to help you get started in the right direction.
Jericho Schools are celebrating their students’ success in the Discovery Award and ARTEFFECT competitions with new banners showcasing their winning projects!
LMC Fellows Sarah Espinal (’24), and Theresa Cantwell, and Valerie Conklin (’25) proudly displayed the banners, which highlight the creativity, research, and storytelling that brought Unsung Heroes to life in their classrooms.
The banners serve as daily inspiration for students and staff — a reminder that every story has the power to make a difference.
Each year, thousands of visitors walk through the doors of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes — and they leave inspired. From teachers and students to lifelong learners, guests share how meaningful and powerful the Unsung Hero stories are.
Fall is the perfect time to plan your visit! Bring your students, organization, or travel group to explore exhibits that celebrate individuals whose courage and compassion changed the world.
Learn more about how your students can take part in the 2026 Discovery Award Competition: 
Entries are due July 1, 2026, so now’s the time to start digging into history!
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