- Watch for cars
- Have your parents check your treats
- Stay in well-lighted areas
- Don’t go out alone
- Beware of the ghosts and goblin’s
Halloween Safety Tips From Sheriff Bill Martin
All posts by Loretta George
First Snow of the Season
First snow of the season!
Today’s weather forecast from weather.gov
Sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values as low as 19. West wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
David Foster, Local Farmer, Expands Horizons
David Foster, who is a fourth-generation Bourbon County dairyman, still makes his living providing for his wife and children on the family farm at 1035 Hwy 39.
In addition to tending to his milk cows, he started a new business this year called Terrakat LLC.
The equipment spreads the manure that his herd of dairy cows produces daily.
“The equipment allows the farmer to spread manure on the field providing nutrients to the soil that is needed to raise crops,” Foster said. “Manure is fertilizer.”
“Terrakat (his business) was formed in March once I knew I had found a product that not only would be beneficial for Foster Dairy but also be beneficial for others as well,” he said.
The equipment is manufactured in Turkey.
“I flew over to Turkey in March (2019) to meet with the manufacturers, that I would then contract to produce my first ag equipment product of a manure spreader,” Foster said.
He had done his research but wanted to see first hand the product.
“I have a good company with good quality steel, good workmanship and willingness to allow me to make any changes I feel necessary to make the product better,” Foster said.
“Once I had returned, I placed an order for two units that had a capacity of 20 tons of manure each,” Foster said. “We planned to keep one for ourselves at Foster Dairy and then to sell the second unit.”
Foster began the business to save money on agricultural equipment for Foster Dairy, and then to build a business that can save others money on needed equipment, he said.
“I am providing a quality product that is more cost-effective and (additionally)then spending dollars locally for my business needs, for example, Captured Images Photography, SkyyFoxx, My1Stop.com to name a few,” he said.
It’s been a project that has unfolded this year.
“They (two pieces of equipment) arrived in a shipping container in July during the Bourbon County Fair,” Foster said. “After getting them unloaded and finishing some assembly, we waited for a window to demo the spreader where the ground was not too wet to spread manure. Which was difficult this year. When we did, we hired a drone company to take some professional footage as well as a photographer to take some high-end photos.”
He made his first sale this month.
“I took one of the units to the Ozark Fall Farmfest farm show in Springfield at the beginning of October where I made my first sale!” he said. “To my surprise, it wasn’t the model on display but one size bigger. That order for a T28 Terrakat Manure Spreader was placed last week and expected to ship this Friday.”
“The highlight of my first farm show wasn’t simply making a sale, but more importantly, to get feedback from other farmers and ranchers in the four-state area and to compare Terrakat to five other well-know brands of manure spreader,” Foster said. “After hearing from them, I was even more pleased to learn that I not only beat the competition on unit price, but had more features packed into a lower maintenance design with more volume capacity!”
“I also had a promising meeting with one of the country’s largest farm cooperatives last week in partnering with Terrakat to offer my manure spreaders to all of their 14000 members across the country,” he said. ” I have generated a lot of interest in a very short time. Terrakat is still in the startup/launch phase. I’m booked to go to the Tulsa Farm Show on December 12-14th. I have already had people tell me they are looking forward to seeing a Terrakat spreader at that show.”
“Meanwhile, I have been working on some added features to include scales, removable beaters, and GPS-ready variable rate flow control to name a few,” he said.
Besides being a dairyman and this new business venture, Foster owns another business called Cash Cow Enterprise LLC where he has reclaimed and salvaged used metal buildings for the last 12 years.
Foster is still working on website design for Terrakat LLC, a promotional video, establishing a nationwide dealer network, designing feature enhancements, and “my next product- line rollout, and another trip to Turkey to work on designs and other products with my manufacturer.”
Foster’s phone is 620-224-9433, and website: www.terrakat.com
or his Facebook page.
Foster graduated Uniontown High School in 1998, Fort Scott Community College in 2000, and Kansas State University with a degree in animal science and a degree in agricultural communications
He is involved in his community through Farm Bureau, 4-H, FFA, Bourbon County Fair Board, and Dairy Farmers of America.
Foster is the only employee at this time for Terrakat LLC, but expansion will require employees in the future, he said.
“Overall, I believe my new company will be successful because I am modeling it after my successful business of Cash Cow Enterprise LLC,” he said. ” I have learned that I don’t sell anything that I don’t use myself. I work on slim margins to make the best deal and to remain competitive. I take pride in feeling like I am helping farmers and ranchers like myself by providing a good quality alternative at a lower price than the competition.”
Police Department Received Report of Criminal Threat to FSHS
USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong received a report from the Fort Scott Police Department that a criminal threat was made regarding Fort Scott High School on Oct. 28.
A person was accused of posting a social media threat against the high school on October 28, just about the time Fort Scott High School lets out for the day.
“The Fort Scott Police Department reported to me this afternoon, (Oct. 28) after school was out, that they had received information from a third party website that a criminal threat was made on the high school this afternoon,” Hessong said. “FSPD investigated the report this afternoon and found that no credible threat was made upon the high school.”
“It was a hotline based out of California,” FSPD Captain Jason Pickert said. “They received an anonymous tip that a video had been posted on a social media site.”
“We learned upon investigation the person does not have an account with that media site, so it was falsely reported,” Pickert said.
“We spoke with the suspect involved and did independent research,” he said. “The person was local, but not a high school student.”
“We notified Ted Hessong shortly after the report came in, about 3:20 p.m.,” Pickert said. “I think it was a false report from the get-go.”
The incident was communicated to the school district parents through the school messenger mass phone call system that a report of a criminal threat was made, it was investigated, and no credible threat was made upon the high school, Hessong said.
“The safety and security is the number one priority of the school district,” Hessong said. ” I want to thank Chief (Travis) Shelton and his detectives and officers for reporting and investigating the possible threat. It is nice to know that our local law enforcement agencies, FSPD and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department, supports our schools.”
Bancroft Returns as Fort Scott Finance Director
Susan E. Bancroft, 44, started as the new City of Fort Scott Finance Director on October 9.
However, Bancroft is not new to the City of Fort Scott.
“I left the City of Fort Scott as Assistant City Manager/Finance Director to work for USD 234 as the Business Manager in 2012,” she said. “I was employed by them for three years when I realized I wanted to chase my career. I then went to work for NPC International as HCM Director in Pittsburg. NPC employs roughly 40,000 employees and is the largest franchisee for Pizza Hut and Wendy’s in the nation.”
Bancroft’s husband died this summer, which changed her life priorities.
” Unfortunately, life threw me a curveball when I lost my husband in June of 2019 in a car accident east of town,” she said. ” My life’s priorities changed and I started looking for something closer to home. I am thankful that the City of Fort Scott welcomed me back to work in the position of finance director. I have a lot of catching up to do but am very excited to be back.”
Bancroft replaces Rhonda Dunn, who resigned for a job in private industry.
Bancroft earned her bachelor of science degree from Missouri Southern State University in business administration.
Her family includes daughter, Bailie Hughes and son-in-law Victor Hughes; son- Gunnar Brown: step-daughter – Kynleah Bancroft and daughter – Allie Brown.
Taylor Qualls, Decor Creator: Young Entrepreneur
This is part of a series that highlights young entrepreneurs, under 30 years of age, in Bourbon County. If you would like to nominate a young entrepreneur, submit to [email protected] the name and email/phone number of the person, along with why you are nominating them and your name.
Taylor Qualls, 22, is the owner of her own business, Hazel Bee Ink.
” I create customized gifts and hand-lettered products,” Qualls said. “I have also created wedding invitations, signs, and decor. I have made a little bit of everything. I mostly do calligraphy, but I also make custom dip mugs and coasters, pet portraits, home illustrations, and wall signs. I have also made wedding invitations and I address envelopes! “
Qualls is currently attending Pittsburg State University and will complete her bachelor of music education with an emphasis in vocal music in December 2020. She and her husband are living in Pittsburg. She is from Fort Scott and graduated with an associate of arts from Fort Scott Community College in 2016.
“I have always been one of those people who doodled in their notebooks,” Qualls said. ” During the summer, I would change my handwriting, and then practice it over and over again until it became muscle memory just because I thought it was fun.”
Her first job using her penchant for drawing was for a friend.
“My first hand-lettering job was for a friend, Kristian Brennon’s, wedding,” she said. “After that, I got married and ended up making all of the signs, wedding party gifts, bouquets, programs, and centerpieces for my own wedding.”
“I honestly didn’t plan on pursuing it until my husband, family, and friends began encouraging me to,” Qualls said.
In January 2019, another young entrepreneur, Delynn Abati. asked her to make a cake topper for a customer of hers. She is a local Fort Scott baker.
“Then she asked me to make a couple more,” she said. ” One day, she asked me if I had a business name so that she could tag my page in it. That’s when I finally decided to go for it.”
Eight months later, the business has grown “beyond my wildest expectations,” she said.
“I used to dream about having my own business one day, and now it’s a reality. I am so thankful for all of the support and encouragement I have received from my people on this wild journey of mine. I would list them out, but there really are so many important people that helped me create Hazel Bee Ink.”
Qualls has no employees, “but my husband, friends, and family have helped me out tremendously!”
Qualls is expanding her business to retail.
“I recently started selling products at a store in Pittsburg named Sonder & Co. and it has been such a blast,” she said. ” If you haven’t heard of them, I would highly recommend looking them up. I have started looking into opening an Etsy store and I will hopefully be setting up booths at some craft shows and festivals in 2020!”
Her family consists of her husband, Levi Qualls and their pup, Hazel.
Her extended family include her parents-Travis and Tina Schilling,
grandparents-Dale and Donna Schilling, Ed and Ladonna Cox and her in-laws, Rex and Michelle Qualls.
Qualls was recommended by Kasey Eaton.
“She did a cake topper for my daughters graduation cake,” said Eaton. “She is very talented and artistic.”
Contact info: [email protected]
Check out Qualls Facebook page to see more of her creations.
New Info Sign Coming to Courthouse
A new digital message sign will soon be placed on the Bourbon County Courthouse north wing.
At a recent Bourbon County Commission meeting, Emergency Director Will Wallis told the commissioners that the Garland Fire Department sold him a digital sign for displaying emergency messages.
“Garland Fire bought this sign several years ago,” Wallis said. “When the new management of Garland Fire Department took over they discovered it. After some discussion, the department decided they really didn’t have any practical use for it.”
“They called us and wanted to know if we had a use for it and also gave us an idea of what they wanted for the sign,” he said. “After several months of discussion and deliberation Shane (Walker, Bourbon County Information Technology Director)and I decided to purchase it and use it to display messages to the public such as CodeRed signups, Red Flag fire warning days, Weather warnings such as ice storms, snowstorms, etc.”
“We paid $1,200 for it and used grant money, no county money was used to buy it and no county money will be used to pay to have it installed. The sign will be against the outside wall of the courthouse/sheriff’s old office, facing east. People can read this sign when they pull up to the four-way stop at Second Street and National Avenue.”
Wallis is currently taking bids to have it installed.
“It may take a few weeks to get this process completed,” Wallis said.
FSCC Received Complaint Of Football Student-Athlete Eligibility
The following is a press release by Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College Vice President of Student Affairs addressing a recent complaint on the eligibility of a football student athlete.
On October 15, 2019, Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) was contacted by the national office at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) regarding a formal complaint from a non-conference school that had been filed regarding the eligibility of a student-athlete on the FSCC football team.
Further investigation confirmed that FSCC had obtained a release and a transfer tracking form for the student, but was lacking a transfer waiver form which results in a violation of NJCAA by-laws.
On October 18th, FSCC obtained the signed form and the student will be eligible to play for the remainder of the season.
The ruling from the NJCAA is in the appeal process, and the college has no further information.
This was an honest, administrative error that the coaches and player had no knowledge. There was no malicious intent to violate NJCAA by-laws, and there was no benefit for the team to not acquiring the form. FSCC is committed to refining the eligibility process to ensure that this type of event never occurs again.
FSCC will not have a final ruling on whether some games will be forfeited until the appeal is completed, everything is still under review, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities.
Advance Voting Begins Today, Oct. 23: Polling Places Listed For Nov. 5 Election
A general election will take place on November 5, 2019, to vote for representation on school boards, city councils, and the Kansas State Southwind Extension District.
Also on the ballot is a constitutional amendment question.
“The amendment question seeks to do away with a census count specifically for college students and military personnel to be counted where they come from and not where they are at the time of their vote,” according to a report on KSN TV, Wichita, Oct. 14, 2019. For the whole report click below:
https://www.ksn.com/video/constitutional-amendment-for-census-change-on-november-ballot/
Advance voting will begin today, Oct. 23and continues through Nov. 4 at noon., at the courthouse only, 210 S. National. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All of the following polling places will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. The polling places in Bourbon County are as follows:
Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:
1st Ward Community Christian Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church
4th Ward Community Christian Church
5th Ward Community Christian Church
6th Ward Community Christian Church
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church
Residents living out in the County vote at the following locations:
DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church
FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building
FREEDOM Fulton Community Building
EAST MARION Uniontown City Hall
WEST MARION Bronson Community Building
MARMATON Redfield City Hall
MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall
OSAGE Fulton Community Building
PAWNEE Redfield City Hall
NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church
SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church
TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building
WALNUT Uniontown City Hall
Main Street Gallery Expands Flea Market
The owners of Main Street Gallery & Gifts, 23 South Main, have taken the for sale sign out of the window.
Although there has been a for sale sign in the business window for several months, the McClellan’s changed their minds.
“We took the building off the market,” Josh McClellan, one of the owners said. “I had it brought up to me that ‘Why would any more vendors come rent space if I was not investing my time into them?’ We decided to not sell it. We decided to have my wife come full time to assist with the store to help manage everything.”
Owners of the business are Josh, and his wife, Rechelle, and Josh’s mother, Julie McClellan. They sell home décor, flea market items, custom picture framing, and brew supplies. They have been in business since October 1st, 2000.
“We are wanting to expand the flea market with more booth spaces,” Josh said. “In order to do so, my wife, Rechelle McClellan, will be there to help vendors and buyers, so my mother, Julie, can focus on her upholstery business. Rechelle started full time on October 19.
Booth spaces have been in the lower level of the building and now they are extending the flea market booths to the first level.
Booth Rental
The McClellan’s are taking names and phone numbers for a booth rental waiting list.
Booth space prices are as follows:
Lower Level 4X4 feet=$20.00
Lower Level 4X8 feet=$35.00
(Expanding on the main level)
Main Level 4X4 feet=$40.00
Main Level 4X8 feet=$70.00
“We take a 10% consignment fee. This fee pays for loading items, bags, credit card fees, etc.” Josh said.
Penny Vote Contest
“Main Street Gallery and Gifts will be doing a penny vote contest with our three (Main Street) windows,” Rechelle said. ” I have four vendors decorating the north and south windows. The money we raise will be donated to The Sharing Bucket. Please feel free to spread the news. Penny votes start the first Christmas open house downtown.”
“We will have mason jars that people can put pennies, dollars, etc. in, and whoever that has the most money wins,” she said.
“We are very excited about what the future holds for our business,” Josh said. “We are here to help the people and visitors of Fort Scott. We have something for everyone through all of our vendors. We couldn’t do it without all of them. We appreciate all the past, present, and future vendors of Main Street Gallery and Gifts.”
The phone number of the shop is 620.223.2210.
Turvey Promoted to Tourism Manager
Allyson Turvey, 30, is the new Fort Scott Tourism Manager at the Fort Scott Visitors Center, 231 E. Wall.
“Most of my past experience has been in customer service, but because I worked in the tourism department for two years before the promotion, I have gotten lots of on-the-job training,” she said. ” I am a certified Kansas Destination Specialist, a credential I received last year from the Tourism Industry Association of Kansas. I’m also a Certified Professional Travel Counselor, a credential I received from the State of Kansas Tourism Department.”
Turvey graduated from Sail High School, Tallahassee, FL and attended Fort Scott Community College for an associate’s degree before attending Missouri Southern State University for a bachelor’s degree in business.
Turvey’s duties include managing the visitors center, and social media marketing.
“I also attend various conventions and trade shows throughout the year in an effort to secure group tours and conferences, for which I help plan itineraries and agendas,” she said. “I work closely with the city and county tourism assets in order to get more visitors to them, and assist in planning and marketing events.”
In addition, she handles the marketing program of the LaRoche Baseball Complex.
” The best part of my job is the people,” Turvey said. ” I not only get a chance to work closely with locals, but I also get to meet people from all over the world who have come to visit this little community. At the visitors center, I’ve met people from Mexico, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, France, and so many others.”
Many in the community often take for granted Fort Scott and its’ attractions, but “Our visitors are always beyond impressed,” she said.
Her work is enjoyable in other ways as well.
“It’s also pretty awesome to work so closely with locals as well,” she said. “This community is absolutely filled with great people who love this city and want it to continue to succeed. This makes my job a lot easier because someone always has a new idea, or event, or business they want to bring here. I love that I can use my job position to help out with some of the fun endeavors people come up with. ”
Turvey grew up near Tulsa, OK, and still has family there.
Fort Scott Convention & Visitors Bureau can be reached at
620.670.2750 or [email protected]
Bourbon County Nov. 2019 Election Candidates: Advance Voting Starts Oct. 23
Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said advance voting will begin at the courthouse, 210 S. National. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning October 23rd. Advance voting ends on November 4th at noon.
CANDIDATES FOR THE 2019 BOURBON COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION
CITY OF BRONSON-CITY COUNCIL
JAMES E. OLSON-1218 CLAY ST, BRONSON, KS 66716
DANIELLE MINOR-506 BAY ST, BRONSON, KS 66716
MICHAEL STEWART-1111 CHARLES ST, BRONSON, KS 66716
CITY OF FORT SCOTT-CITY COMMISSION
HAROLD (PETE) ALLEN-1248 CRAWFORD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
KEVIN “SKITCH” ALLEN-324 E. 20TH ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
CYNTHIA BARTELSMEYER-22 ½ N. MAIN ST PO BOX 266, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
JOSH JONES-617 FAIRWAY, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
DEB MCCOY-510 S. EDDY, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
LINDSEY WATTS-1310 HORTON, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
CITY OF FULTON
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF MAPLETON
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF REDFIELD-CITY COUNCIL
WILMA K. GRAHAM-102 W. 4TH ST, REDFIELD, KS 66769
JIMMIE JACKSON-502 W 1ST ST, REDFIELD, KS 66769
L.D. MORRISON-404 3RD, REDFIELD, KS 66769
ANGELA HIXON-311 N PINE ST, REDFIELD, KS 66769
CITY OF UNIONTOWN-CITY COUNCIL
DANEA D. ESSLINGER-205 7TH ST, UNIONTOWN, KS 66779
DAVE WEHRY-206 FULTON, UNIONTOWN, KS 66779
USD 234
JAMES WOOD-523 S HOLBROOK, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION 1
DANNY BROWN-424 N FRANKLIN, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION 2
MICHELLE HUDIBURG-904 S CRAWFORD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION 2
KELLYE BARROWS-1607 S CRAWFORD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION 3
JOSH JONES-617 FAIRWAY, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION 3
SHAWN GOANS-2102 JAYHAWK RD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 620-223-3840 POSITION AT LARGE
LYNETTE JACKSON-25 GOLFVIEW DR, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION AT LARGE
BILL MICHAUD-7 N MAIN ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION AT LARGE
USD 235
TROY GOODRIDGE-1335 125TH, REDFIELD, KS 66769 POSITION 1
JASON SUTTERBY-148 HWY 39, SAVONBURG, KS 66772 POSITION 2
JOSHUA HARTMAN-403 CLAY ST, UNIONTOWN, KS 66779 POSITION 3
KOLBY STOCK-1486 JAYHAWK RD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 POSITION 3
SALLY JOHNSON-402 HILL ST, UNIONTOWN, KS 66779
FSCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DAVID ELLIOTT-1779 LOCUST RD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
KIRK HART-715 S LITTLE ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
MICHAEL HOYT-1315 BEECH ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
CURTIS LEAR-643 MAPLE RD, UNIONTOWN, KS 66779
ROBERT NELSON-216 N LINCOLN ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT
DIANE BRILLHART-412 130TH ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
PETE WILEY-1476 225TH ST, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
The school districts of Girard, USD 248 and Arma, USD 346, overlap slightly into Bourbon County, because of this, the following candidates are on the Bourbon County ballot, according to Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk.
USD 248
DALE SHIREMAN-206 E. HOWARD, GIRARD, KS 66743 POSITION 1
ROGER L. BRENEMAN-803 N. LEONARD, GIRARD, KS 66743 POSITION 2
DAVE GOBLE-478 W 680TH AVE, GIRARD, KS 66743 POSITION 3
LORI JOHNSON-124 E. 630TH ST, GIRARD, KS 66743 AT LARGE
USD 346
MAX KRULL-307 W KANSAS AVE, BLUE MOUND, KS 66010 POSITION 3
BRENT PADDOCK-6360 INGRAHM RD, MOUND CITY, KS 66056 AT LARGE