All posts by Loretta George

Minutes of the Bourbon County Commissio March 28

April 6, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

This is first in a series of minutes of the Bourbon County Commission provided as a public service. They will be published as they become available.

To see previous minutes click:

http://bourboncountyks.org/index.php/commission-minutes-2019

March 28, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met for a special meeting, the Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk were present.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 30 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Shane Walker). After the session, Nick made a motion that Lynne Oharah be the contact person regarding the list of incomplete items at the new jail facility, Jeff seconded and all approved.

The Commissioners plan to discuss the jail facility and the list of incomplete items on April 2^nd at 10:00 am.

At 10:19, Nick made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

04/02/2019, Approved Date

March 26, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director, met with the Commissioners; she asked permission to attend the Kansas Rural Opportunity Conference in Dodge City, she estimated this to cost up to $300 for the conference registration fee and hotel. Nick made a motion for her to attend, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Jim Harris). No action was taken.

Nick asked Jim Harris to move the Patcher machine to the Industrial Park to do patching there.

Darrin Petrowsky with KDOT met with the Commissioners to give an update and proposed schedule for the 69 Highway project. He said in March they plan to finish the pavement removal, grade for Lime and CTB, prepare and place intersections at Calvary, Deer and Fern, begin Lime and possibly CTB, do signing and Polymer overlay. In April they plan to finish CTB, begin paving the mainline and begin shoulder work. In May they plan to finish paving the mainline, finish shoulder rock, do guardrail work, switch traffic to unrestricted the last week of May and do striping and rumble strips. In June they plan to remove the temporary crossovers, do clean up and do seeding. He said they should be opening Deer and Fern Road soon.

Mr. Petrowsky said Bourbon County will have several 1R maintenance projects, one of the 1R projects will be from the 59 Junction to the K7 Junction. He said they will be working on a bridge in Bourbon County. Jeff questioned how KDOT assigns the priority hard surface road projects; Darren said they have a pavement health system. He said they have a van that will drive every mile of the 10,000+ miles in Kansas; this van measures the roughness and cracking in the roads as well as other items, KDOT uses the report that is produced from the van measurements. When KDOT gets funding the wish list areas submitted for repairs by the local KDOT offices are driven by officials and the officials then recommend and approve some of the wish list projects.

Lynne made a motion that the Commissioners meet with Jim Harris and Norm Bowers to view the Industrial Park on March 27^th and possible solutions to the road there, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Jeff discussed a culvert for Becky Howard; Jim Harris said the culvert is on the list.

Lynne discussed a pothole at 95^th & 54 Highway; Jim Harris said this would be a KDOT issue.

Jim Harris reported that KCAMP gave Bourbon County $2,000 for the risk avoidance grant, this money helped purchase the grill guard and safety lights for the new R&B department pickup truck and the road temperature sensor.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners). No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Jim Harris). No action was taken.

Alice Maffet with the SEK Multi Health Department presented a memorandum of Understanding for the SEK Multi County Health Department regarding ambulance service to the Commissioners for approval; Jeff made a motion that Lynne sign the document, Nick seconded and Lynne signed the document.

Nancy Van Etten briefly met with the Commissioners. She questioned how the Ambulance building was progressing; Nick said they are hanging the sheetrock this week and the building will likely be finished by April 15^th. Nancy questioned the progress at the SEK Multi County Health Department; Jeff said they will probably move into the building May 1^st.

Kevin Gleason met with the Commissioners; he said the road crew was doing a great job.

Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners; she asked permission to spend up to $150 for supplies for the Chamber of Commerce Coffee on March 28^th; Lynne made a motion to spend up to $150 out of the Commission budget for supplies, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jody Hoener said she is on the board for the Sunflower Trail, she said the dues are $100 and asked for the Commissioners to vote to spend the $100; Lynne said he didn’t feel they needed to vote on this expense since it will be paid out of Economic Development.

Jody Hoener discussed the Farmers Market sign located at the Wall Street and the Old Fort entrance, she said the sign is faded and needed replaced. She said two bids have been provided to replace the sign; one for $200 (which is re-doing the sign that is there) and a bid for $400 (which would be a new metal sign); she asked if the Commissioners wanted to help fund a portion of the $400 sign to help promote shopping local. Jeff made a motion to support up to $200 for the sign for Economic Development, Nick seconded and all approved.

At 11:35, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Nick seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris, Krista Goltra, Jody Hoener and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick Ruhl said he had heard that Kansas Rock’s had poured a large slab of concrete to place a sign in the County right-of-way.

Greg Schick met with the Commissioners; he said he had read in the newspaper where the County had waived the dump fees for the debris from the demolition of the Stout building, he asked if the County would consider waiving fees for a project he is doing on Wall Street (the old lumber yard buildings), the Commissioners said they waived the fees when the City of Fort Scott approached them. He questioned if they would be taking bids to tear down the building, the Commissioners did not know if they had taken bids. Mr. Schick said he had received zero help from the City of Fort Scott for his projects. Mr. Schick said he would like to use the road easement in an area on Musket Road; Justin Meeks said he would review this road and discuss this again next week.

Lynne made a motion to approve Resolution 10-19, a wage resolution adding the wages for an EMT 1, EMT 2 and a Paramedic for the Ambulance, Nick seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion that all of the Commissioners attend the Chamber Coffee at the Courthouse on March 28^th, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Nick left the meeting to continue working on the ambulance barn.

Jeff and Lynne reviewed a list of incomplete items at the Law Enforcement Center; Lynne planned to provide the list of items to Justin Meeks, Jeff Fischer and Nick Ruhl for input once compiled.

At 4:39, Lynne made a motion to adjourn and Jeff seconded, meeting adjourned.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

04/02/2019, Approved Date

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, Schools

FSCC Celebrates 100 Years In the Community

April 5, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Alysia Johntson announced the Centennial Celebration of Fort Scott Community College at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday at the college gym.

The school is oldest continually operating community college in Kansas and will celebrate one hundred years of existence September 20 and 21, Johnston told the coffee attendees.

Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston.

“Fort Scott Community College started in Fort Scott High School in 1919,” Johnston told the coffee attendees.

That move allowed students who wanted to start college, but not have to go out of the community, to attend college, said Mert Barrows, a member of the Centennial Committee.

The college moved to the present site on South Horton Street in 1967, Johnston said.

“Today we provide online degrees and also have one of the best occupational areas around,” Johnston said.

“I was a student here for the 50th anniversary (of the college),” Harold Hicks, Centennial Committee Chairman, said.

“This college has a special place in my heart,” Hicks said. “Several members of the committee are graduates and much of our success in life, the seeds were planted here.”

To celebrate the centennial, there is a banquet and tailgate party planned for the community.

The celebration will kick off Friday evening, September 20, with a banquet for graduates, employees, and their families, according to a press release from FSCC. Saturday afternoon, Sept. 21, will feature a tailgate party at the stadium for all members of the community and conclude with the Homecoming game at 7 p.m.

Other activities planned include the burial of a time capsule, a series of featured articles in the newspaper, display cases around the campus, cake celebration, a video depicting campus activities, and appearances at local fairs and other community events, and other activities in the works, according to the press release.

Fort Scott Community College (then Fort Scott Junior College) was voted into existence on November 8, 1918, in a city-wide election. Rees Hughes, principal at Fort Scott High School, administered the newly formed college with fully qualified teachers to teach a program of consisting of foreign languages, English, mathematics, and science that would be identical to that offered by the University of Kansas, according to the press release.

According to a Fort Scott Tribune article published in April 1918, “By establishing the two years of college work in Fort Scott, it offers an unusual opportunity for students in Fort Scott and Bourbon County and adjacent counties to secure two years of normal school or college work while near home. The work done in the Fort Scott Junior College will be fully accredited at any of the colleges, normal schools or universities of the state,” according to the press release.

Centennial Committee members: Hicks, Barrows, Carolyn Sinn, Valetta Cannon, Bernita Hill, Robert Nelson, Bob Cable, Lori Cable, Rhonda Bailey, Ellen Fairchild, Leslie Damien, Karri Johnson, Marcel Normand and Kassie Feugate-Cate.

Contact person for the Centennial Committee is Harold W. Hicks, [email protected], Fort Scott Community College, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Tel: 620.223.2700 X3150

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Home Show Starts April 5: “More Vendors Than Ever”

April 4, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Approximately 60 vendors focusing on home, sport, farm and garden, plus booths of community entities, await you at the KOMB-FM 103.9 Home Show this weekend.

Fort Scott Broadcasting Company, owner of KOMB-FM and KMDO-FM is having its annual home show this Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

Tim McKinney tells the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees about the home show this weekend. Deb McKinney listens in the background.

“We will have tons of giveaways and great food,” McKinney told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, which they hosted at the show site. “We have more vendors than we have ever had.”

Participating vendors:

Advantage Metals, Albers Marine, Ascension Via Christi, Autumn Exteriors, Bath Innovations, Blue Valley Trailers, Briggs Auto, Bourbon County Conservation District, BN Hunting Supplies, Busy Bugs Pest Control, Care to Share, Community Health Center, City of Fort Scott, Common Ground/Astra Coffee, Country Place Senior Living, Covey Garage Doors, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce/Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, FSCC Centennial Committee, Hague Quality Water, Heidricks Tru Value, Home Depot, Home Pro, Jim’s Sales, K-State/Southwind Extension District, LeafFilter, Live Local, Miller Feed & Farm, Momentum Indoor Training, Nemesis Contracting, Norris Heating and Air, O’Malley Implement, Phillip’s Lawn Care, Perry’s Pork Rinds, Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Pro Active Agriculture, R II Concrete Construction, R&R Equipment, Redbud Farms, Rolox Home Service, Ruddick’s Furniture, Satellite Center, Seal Smart, Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Shirt Shack, SIT Solutions, Skitch’s Hauling & Excavating, Stewart Realty, Stutesman’s Action Realty, Sunscape Pool & Backyard, Thrasher, Inc., Tractor Supply Co., Twister Trailer, Visit Fort Scott, Wreath Ride, U.S. Cellular, and Yutzy Construction.

In conjunction with the home show, Fort Scott Community College is providing a kids fair from 9 a.m. to noon on April 6. Parents can leave their children at the kids fair and enjoy the home show, said Fort Scott Communication Director Kassie Cate.

Tim and Deb McKinney, owners of Fort Scott Broadcasting and Central Communications.

McKinney said his family opened the station in 1954 and the radio station is known for its local news, sports, talk and podcasts, live stream events, live play by play sports and more.

It is headquartered at 2 N. National Avenue and can be contacted at (620) 223-4500.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care

Budgeting For the New Ambulance Service

April 3, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

The budgeting process for the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service has two government bodies amending their budgets for 2019.

These actions are because of Mercy Hospital closing in December 2018, and along with that, the hospital ambulance service.

A collaboration between the city and the county will provide the new ambulance service.

The City of Fort Scott will operate the ambulance, Bourbon County Commissioners will bill the insurance and receive the revenue and then reimburse the city. The majority of this budget is wages, taxes and benefits, according to the Fort Scott City Commission March 19 minutes.

A task force was formed to put together a new ambulance service that will serve the community. The task force was comprised of representatives of Mercy, Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott.

On March 19, the Fort Scott City Commission approved to create a new EMS fund and adopt an EMS budget of $1,004,242, according to the commission minutes.

The county government is also revisiting its budget.

“The county’s projected budget for 2019 for ambulance service is 1.1 million dollars,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

“The county has always had a line item budget for ambulance service which was paid to Mercy,” Oharah said. “I think that that budget item was approved for $316,000 for 2019. This is a budget line item where we will amend our budget.”

“We have (Certified Public Accountant)Terry Sercer working with us on an amendment to the ambulance budget…,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

“This budget will be figured on what we contracted with the city to provide ambulance service, plus what we pay an outside company, OMNI, to provide medical billing and collections, wages for the volunteer employees that staff the third ambulance and other ancillary expenses associated with handling ambulance. Building a budget item for future ambulance replacement included,” Oharah said.

The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse houses the Bourbon County Commission, Treasurers Office and the Clerk’s Office.

Area News

Sexual Assault Awareness Program Coming to Fort Scott

April 3, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Safehouse Crisis Center is hosting several awareness, educational, and support programs throughout the month for the southeast Kansas community. Safehouse provides free and confidential advocacy, shelter, and therapy services to victims and survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in seven counties in southeast Kansas. Safehouse will be honoring the national awareness month with free programming for area survivors and community members.

The awareness month will begin with the “What Were You Wearing?” Survivor Art Installation on Wednesday April 3rd, at the Pittsburg Public Library from 3:00pm – 7:00pm. The Art Installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013 and was inspired by Dr. Mary Simmerling’s poem, What I Was Wearing. The Installation asks participants to understand that it was never about the clothing and the act of shedding those clothes is never enough to bring peace or comfort to survivors. The violation is not simply woven in to the fabric of the material, it is a part of the survivor’s new narrative. If only ending sexual violence was as easy as changing our clothes. Instead it requires all of us to evaluate what enabled us as individuals and as a society to ask, “what were you wearing?” in the first place. Attendees can walk through the display anytime between 3:00pm and 7:00pm. The display will also be traveling to Fort Scott and be on display for community members at the Fort Scott Public Library Friday April 12th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Saturday April 13th from 9:00am – 12:00pm.

Throughout the month, local southeast Kansas libraries will have sexual assault awareness book displays. Check out the library closest to you that is participating: the Pittsburg Public Library, the PSU Axe Library, the Girard Public Library, the Weir Public Library, the Fort Scott Public Library, the La Cygne Library, the Pleasanton Lincoln Library, and the Coffeyville Public Library.

On Thursday April 18th, Safehouse will be hosting a Rara Rocks Painting Party at 6:00pm at the Pittsburg Public Library. Rara’s Rocks was started by Tamara Suguitan (nickname Rara), a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. She shared her story with Rara Rocks, a platform to provide healing and comfort to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The mission of Rara’s Rocks is to spread awareness for sexual and domestic violence, the free support the community provides, and to let survivors know they are not alone. Rara’s motto is, “Heal when you reveal your ‘rocks’.” Each rock resembles a person because we are all works of art.

An important part of healing from sexual violence is learning to regain a sense of calm and safety in our lives and in our bodies. In the past decade, research has shown that yoga can also have a strong impact on the healing processes of many survivors of trauma. On Saturday April 20th Safehouse is partnering with Balanced Life Yoga to provide a free trauma-informed yoga class from 2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Eclectic Soul Studio in Pittsburg.

Safehouse will also be hosting a survivor writing workshop series called Write to Empower facilitated by advocates and local community writing professionals. The first workshop on Monday April 15th will focus on Safety, the second on Monday April 22nd will focus on empowerment, and the final workshop on Monday April 29th will focus on healing. All workshops take place at the Pittsburg Public Library from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Attendees do not have to attend all workshops, but area encouraged to do so.

Community members may attend a free Lunch & Learn about the Dynamics of Sexual Violence on Wednesday April 24th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the Pittsburg Fire Department Training Room at 911 W. 4th Street. Attendees bring their own lunch and Safehouse brings the education.

For more information about Safehouse awareness and educational programs, contact Ali Smith, Prevention Education Specialist at 620-231-8692. Safehouse also encourages you to reach out to community and campus groups also providing free programming for Sexual Assault Awareness Month such as Ascension Via Christi (620-231-6100), the Children’s Advocacy Center (620-235-0067), PSU’s Students for Violence Prevention (620-235-4831), PSU’s Student Alliance for Gender Equality (620-235-4512), and the Southeast Kansas National Organization for Women (SEK NOW) [email protected]

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Mercy Pharmacy Tranferred to CHC/SEK April 1

April 2, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.

Since Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018, many changes have happened at the former facility.

One of those changes is the pharmacy, it has transitioned to operating by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas personnel.

“The Fort Scott (Mercy) Pharmacy officially transferred to CHC/SEK on April 1,” Krista Postai said.

“We participate in the federal government’s 340B Drug Discount program which allows us to purchase medications at the lowest cost possible,” Postai said. “This makes it possible for us to make sure that cost is never a barrier for people to get their medicines.”

“As a result, we are only allowed to fill prescriptions for patients of a CHC/SEK clinic. Prescriptions from out-of-town specialists may also be filled if they were referred there by one of our physicians and it is documented in their record. Our pharmacists can help with working through that if needed.”

Income from the pharmacy helps cover medicines for those who can’t afford them.

“It is worth mentioning that any income from the pharmacy is redirected back into patient services and helps covers the cost of vouchering medicines for those who can’t afford them, patient navigators, case managers, patient transportation, etc. – resources many patients need but are not reimbursable from other sources,” Postai said.

The staff remains the same.

“Same staff, although we added an additional pharmacist – Julie Pellet – a long-time Mercy employee who had, most recently, worked at the now-closed pharmacy located in Price Chopper,” Postai said.

“Same hours as in the past and delivery as usual,” she said. “Patients can also utilize the drive-through located on the emergency room (south)side of the hospital.”

There have been rumors that CHC/SEK will be leaving the facility in the near future.

“CHC/SEK’s lease for the current clinic in the hospital is for two years, after which we are planning on relocating,” Postai said. “Everything is in the discussion stages, but we know we will need about a 25,000 sq. ft. facility. An initial discussion has been on construction of a new building but we’re not even close to determining which direction we should go yet. We should know more in about a month.”

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Ambulance Service Starts Today, April 1

April 1, 2019 Loretta George 1 Comment

Mercy EMS is no more.

Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services is, as of today, April 1, the new ambulance service for the community.

For emergency situations, you still dial 911.

“For emergencies, you can dial 911,” Bruner said. “For all non-emergency calls, the public can contact me at 620-223-2140.” Bruner is the Fort Scott Deputy Fire Chief.

Bruner is a representative of the City of Fort Scott on a task force that was given the job of transitioning the services, there were also representatives from Bourbon County and Mercy Hospital.

“The transition has been a learning process with all the licensing and credentialing that takes place,” Bruner said. “We are very appreciative to Mercy with the assistance they have provided to make this transition into Bourbon County EMS.”

“Currently, we will remain stationed at Mercy Hospital and the Fort Scott Fire Department Station 1 (located on National Avenue),” Bruner said.

The city will operate the ambulance, the county will bill the insurance and receive the revenue and then reimburse the city. The majority of this budget is wages, taxes and benefits, according to the Fort Scott City Commission March 19 minutes.

“We currently have six ambulances,” Bruner said. “Three of those are staffed 24/7.”

Currently, there are 11 full-time emergency medical services staff members, according to Bruner.

“Of those, four are paramedics, 1 paramedic/registered nurse and six emergency medical technicians,” Bruner said. “In addition to the full-time staff, we have 15 PRN staff. Of those four are paramedics, four are AEMT’s and seven are EMT’s.”

“Other than the logo change on the uniforms and the decals on the trucks, the service remains the same,” Bruner said.

Insurance

“We now have most, if not all, of the enrollment completed with all identified insurance carriers,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said. “But it’s early in the insurance reimbursement process and we will be able to obtain a clearer picture of our monthly insurance reimbursements going forward. We are hopeful that reimbursements will cover expenses.”

Building Donated By Mercy

A building on the campus of the former Mercy Hospital is being remodeled for Bourbon County EMS.

“Renovations are still being completed at the new EMS headquarters located on the northeast corner of the Mercy Campus,” Bruner said.

“Mercy has graciously offered the donation of the EMS building,” Jody Hoenor, a member of the task force, said. “We are only waiting on the finalization of some of this paperwork.”

County jail work-release prisoners have worked on the renovation of the building, with work slated for completion by April 15, Hoenor said.

New EMS Director Being Sought

Christi Keating is the current EMS Director but is resigning, according to the city minutes.

“They have been interviewing candidates and we will be announcing the new hire soon,” Hoenor said.

History

Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas now operates the medical clinic at the site, while Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency services department.

Each Kansas county must provide ambulance services to its residents, according to state statute, Commissioner Oharah said.

Uncategorized

Fort Scott High School National Forensic Qualifiers

April 1, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

2018-2019 National Qualifiers to compete in Dallas, Texas in June!

Hunter Adamson and Zoe Self – 1st in DUO
Zoe Self – 1st in International Extemp
Mark Adams – 1st in Lincoln Douglas Debate and
Mark Adams – 2nd in United States Extemp
Elizabeth Ngatia – 1st in Program Oral Interp
Madi Toth – 1st in Program Oral Interp
Neil Gugnani and Shekhar Gugnani – 2nd in Public Forum Debate
Rebekah Sweyko – 1st in United States Extemp
Jonie Antonio – Student Congress Representative

We also had many students who made it to finals round!
Those competitors are:
Jade Russell and Jorden Willard placed 4th in Public Forum Debate
Audra McFarland and Karina Kantilal placed 4th in DUO
Shekhar Gugnani placed 4th in International Extemp
Jade Russell place 6th place in International Extemp
Landon Doherty placed 4th in Lincoln Douglas Debate
Karina Kantilal placed 5th in Program Oral Interp

The students who made it to semi-finals in addition to those listed above are:
Takia Page in United States Extemp
Reaghn Dowell in International Extemp

Way to go TIGERS!!!
2 parts down, 1 to go!

Submitted by Angella Curran

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Female Self Defense Class Coming To Fort Scott

March 29, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Kim Schwab, Roger Kemp, and Bill Martin visit with Jacqui Spradling following the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday.

The tragic murder of his daughter spurred Roger Kemp and his wife to action.

Ali Kemp was 19 years old in 2004 when she was raped and murdered in Leawood, a Kansas City suburb.

“That’s why we do this program,” Kemp said. “We don’t want it to happen to anybody else.”

The Kemps helped facilitate the creation of a self-defense program for females from middle-school age to “a 90-year-old grandmother,” he said.

The Ali Kemp Education Foundation, T.A.K.E., is coming to Fort Scott Middle School on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Jill and Bob Leiker are the chief instructors for the class.

“Bob was formerly in law enforcement,” Kemp said. “Bob has been into prisons and interviewed several predators to find out what they look for.”

Since its inception, the T.A.K.E. program has seen 68,000 people go through the self-defense class nationwide, Kemp said.

Kim Schwab, an administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, is currently taking registrations for the class.

She can be reached at the jail by calling 620-223-1440 or stopping by the center, located at 293 E. 20th in Fort Scott, for an application. Alternatively, one can access the application on the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Facebook page.

“Sheriff Bill Martin directed me to the T.A.K.E. class,” Schwab said. “It is one-hour of education and the second-hour to learn the moves you need to get away (from an attacker).”

A donation of $12 is requested, but not required.

Sponsors for the class are being sought by the Sheriff’s office.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Government

Tour and Updates: Bourbon County Commission

March 28, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Chamber members take advantage of the tour of the second-floor office of the Bourbon County Attorney following the Chamber of Commerce coffee.

A large number of people crowded into the hallway of the Bourbon County Courthouse Thursday morning to attend the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee.

Many of the county’s departments were represented at the coffee.

Community announcements were given, with each announcer paying $1 to the Fort Scott Trolley Car transportation fund.

This week’s coffee was hosted by the Bourbon County Commission, with First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah telling of the events coming up in the county.

First District Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah.

Nick Ruhl, District 3 Bourbon County Commissioner.

Jeff Fischer, District 2 Bourbon County Commissioner.

Oharah invited the attendees to tour the facility on the first floor that houses the Bourbon County Clerk, Treasurer, County Commission Room, Economic Director and Counselor.

Also open for viewing was the second-floor Bourbon County Attorney Office space, which has been in use since October.

Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling.

Oharah said the commission is “looking to renew a one-cent sales tax for maintaining or new hard-surfaced roads in the county.”

On another subject, he also noted that “the county is totally responsible for the ambulance service as of April 1.”

This following the closing of Mercy Hospitali n October and the transitioning to the county’s responsibility for the ambulance.

Economic Director Jody Hoenor said the transition was a “team approach” between the county, Mercy and the City of Fort Scott.

Hoenor advised people to contact their insurance provider directly to see if the ambulance service will be covered in their policy.

Hoenor also said she is working on a strategic plan for the county which focuses on “increasing our population to spread the tax base over many shoulders.”

Angel Wilson, victim witness coordinator and office administration; Judy Hood, senior legal secretary and juvenile victim witness coordinator; and Staci Haynes, diversion and senior legal secretary at the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office.

Jim Harris, Bourbon County Public Works Director.

J.T. Heckman, Bourbon County Public Works Supervisor.

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 28

March 28, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Click below:

032819a

032819r

Bourbon County

Gardeners Christmas Auction This Saturday, March 30

March 27, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Tri-Valley Developmental Services, 4305 Campbell Drive, located in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.

The long winter is almost over. Gardeners are getting antsy to get their hands in the dirt in their gardens.

“It’s winter time,” Barb McCord, Tri-Valley Developmental Services (TVDS) Horticultural Therapist, said. “I know a lot of gardeners are excited about getting started.”

The 7th Annual Gardeners Christmas Auction, Saturday, March 30, will help assist them to get started.

Barb McCord tells about some of the plants grown in the greenhouse at Tri-Valley Developmental Services.

The silent auction along with the plant and garden decor sale is from 10 a.m. to noon at the TVDS, located in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park at 4305 Campbell Drive.