The following are the unofficial results for the general election Nov. 5 for the Fort Scott City Commission, USD 234, and Fort Scott Community College Trustees, USD 235, area town councils and the Southwind District.
Out of 11,526 registered voters in Bourbon County, 2, 345 voted in this election.
According to Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason, the results will not be official until after canvassing by the commissioners on November 14th
To see the complete Bourbon County Clerk’s election results click below:
Minimum-custody Inmate Kyle Ingels Walked Away from Wichita Work Release Facility
Minimum-custody inmate Kyle Ingels #98449 has been placed on escape status at approximately 6:48 p.m., Tuesday, after he walked away from the Wichita Work Release Facility.
Ingels, a 32-year-old white male, left for work at 10:30 a.m. and was reported missing when he did not report back to the facility following work Tuesday evening. Ingels was last seen wearing a red hoodie with black writing on the sleeves, blue jeans, black boots, and a black baseball cap.
Ingels is currently serving a 60-month sentence for several convictions in Neosho County including theft, forgery, drug possession, and endangerment of a child. Engels had a prior drug conviction from Neosho County in 2007.
Ingels is 6 feet tall, 198 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information on Ingels can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 620-221-6660, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.
The walk-away is currently being investigated. New information will be released as it becomes available.
The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 250.
The Kansas wind could benefit Bourbon County financially.
Apex Clean Energy, headquartered in Virginia, is exploring the feasibility of constructing Jayhawk Wind, a wind energy project expected to generate up to 195 megawatts of clean, homegrown energy, according to http://www.jayhawkwind.com/about_jayhawk
Local wind data confirms that the Bourbon County area under consideration is ideal for a project of this size, which will produce enough safe, pollution-free energy to power up to 48,750 Kansas homes every year, according to the website.
Apex is working with local landowners, community leaders, and various stakeholders on the project and welcomes input into the planning process.
The Jayhawk Wind project hosted two moderated public forums on Wednesday, Oct. 30, one Hepler and one at Fort Scott Community College’s Ellis Center to answer residents’ questions about wind energy and Jayhawk Wind.
The is proposed area is in the southwest part of Bourbon County and the Hepler / Walnut areas of Crawford County.
“Over 100 residents attended both forums where industry experts discussed sound, property values, environment and wildlife impacts and protections, development, construction, and operation of a wind farm, what new revenues the two counties can expect, and short-term and long-term job creation,” according to the press release.
“Construction will initially create 318 full-time equivalent jobs,” said economist Dr. David Loomis, who conducted the economic impact study, according to the press release. “These include jobs directly related to the project as well as jobs created by the additional economic activity including new demand for goods and services at area restaurants, merchants and local businesses.”
Dr. Loomis presented how Jayhawk Wind will create an entirely new source of long-term revenue for local schools, government services, and property owners, according to the press release. “The total direct financial impact to the region will be in the millions of dollars over the life of the project, with additional indirect economic benefits to the local economy.
A complete economic impact report will be released in the coming weeks, according to the press release.
“Many of the residents who attended are landowners who are already participating in the project as well as considering participating in the project,” according to the press release. “Landowners with wind facilities on their property will receive annual lease payments. These payments will continue over the projected 30-year lifespan of the wind farm, injecting millions of dollars into the economies of Bourbon and Crawford Counties, supporting local merchants, contractors, equipment suppliers, auto dealers, and others.”
Apex development director, Jade Scheele, said the power generated by Jayhawk Wind will be delivered into the Kansas electrical grid, reducing the need to import electricity from outside markets.
Videos of the forums will be posted by Nov. 22, to www.jayhawkwind.com, as will a written document providing all the questions asked at both forums with the answers.
Bourbon County Commissioners identified economic development as a priority in October 2018 and hired Jody Hoener to lead the county’s economic development efforts, according to a press release from Hoenor.
The commission gave Hoenor the task of identifying development opportunities which would result in new revenues and jobs for the county.
“One of the developments identified as a positive source of revenue is a wind energy project, so we were pleased to learn that a company has proposed to build a wind farm here in Bourbon and Crawford Counties,” Hoenor said. “Throughout Kansas, wind farms create a substantial new source of tax revenue and add to the local economy. We think the Jayhawk Wind project offers an opportunity for Bourbon County residents.”
Before a project can be built, agreements will be negotiated to ensure that Bourbon County residents benefit from the project as Kansans do in other counties throughout the state, Hoenor said.
The wayfinder map of Riverfront Park, North National Avenue.
Lights for the Bell Town Walking Trail at Riverfront Park on Fort Scott’s north entrance will soon be installed.
“They are LED downlights to light the trail at dusk for more safety,” Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority, said.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is providing funds for the lighting.
The City of Fort Scott Streets Department is pouring concrete for the pedestals for the 27 pole lights which will stand about 12 feet high, similar to the poles in the historic downtown district. The streets crew has also done the trenching for the electrical pipe for the poles.
Fort Scott Maintenance II Employee Kyle Knight, left, and Fort Scott Streets Supervisor Jerry Morgan tell about the pedestals that were poured today for the new LED lighting in Riverfront Park.
“Max Fanning is doing the electrical work labor,” Witt said. “We are paying for that.”
Also slated for a 2019 completion date is paving and striping of the parking area, west of the park pavilion at the entrance. Also, a handicapped accessible wheelchair ramp will be built to the pavilion.
The Riverfront Park Pavillion had its ribbon-cutting in May 2018.
Last week, the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation granted the Riverfront Authority a $2,317 award to purchase metal picnic tables and benches for the pavilion, Witt said.
New Trails
Witt said the Riverfront Authority has applied for a Kansas Department of Transportation Grant to create additional trails on the south side of the Marmaton River, along the River Front Road.
“When we built the road in 2015, the grant was for road and trails,” Witt said. “But the cost of the road construction was higher than expected, so the trails were put on hold.”
Agricultural Engineering, Uniontown, is working with the Riverfront Authority in designing the 2, 953 feet of trails, which will be eight-foot-wide and have an asphalt surface, Witt said.
Overlook Moving
Flooding this past spring moved the recently built wooden overlook off its’ foundation and the Riverfront Authority is planning to move the structure to higher ground, Witt said.
Members
Members of the Riverfront Authority, from left Allen Warren, Arnold Schofield, Danny Magee, Jerry Witt, Dean Mann and Betty Boyko. File photo. Not pictured: Jeff Sweetser, Bob Love, and Penny Barnes.
Members of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority are Witt, Allen Warren, Jeff Sweetser, Bob Love, Betty Boyko, Danny Magee, Arnold Schofield, Penny Barnes and Dean Mann.
American Legion Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey Post 25 is in 1st place in 2nd District membership. Today’s numbers have Post at 74 members or 97.37%.
Our 2020 membership goal is 76. We are currently 2 members short of 100%. Help Post 25 reach 100% by renewing your membership or by recruiting a new member.
If Post 25 reaches 100% by Friday, November 8, we will receive $100 for meeting the Department’s Veterans Day goal of 100% membership. We only need two renewals to receive the $100 membership award.
You can easily renew online at www.legion.org. It’s safe and secure and takes less than five minutes
You can also mail in your $40.00 renewal to the Post 25 Finance Officer.
Darrell Spencer
1183 185TH ST
Fort Scott, Ks, 66701.
I can also arrange to meet with you to pick up your renewal. I’m retired so I can easily work around your schedule to meet you, but no 3 AM meetings please!
With the signing of the LEGION Act, any honorably discharged Veteran who served one day of active duty since December 7, 1941, can now join the American Legion. Many Veterans are not aware they can join the largest Veterans fraternal organization in the world. If you know a Veteran, ask them to join us.
Upcoming Events
November 4. Post 25 meet and greet starts at 630 pm in Memorial Hall.
November 4. Post 25 general membership meeting starts at 7 pm in Memorial Hall.
Veterans Day Weekend: Schedule of Events Honoring All Veterans since “1842” – Annual Veterans Day Celebration!
FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 8, 2019
Evening Event – 7pm * Missourians Concert @ Memorial Hall, 1 East 3rd St.
SATURDAY * NOVEMBER 9, 2019
Afternoon: 1pm * Grand Ball Lessons @ Memorial Hall, 1 East 3rd St.
3pm * Veterans Day Parade @ Downtown Fort Scott, Main Street
Evening: 7pm * 1800’s Remembrance Grand Ball @ Memorial Hall, 1 East 3rd St.
SUNDAY * NOVEMBER 10, 2019
Morning: 9am * Veterans Church Service
10:45am * Community Christian Church Service, 1919 Horton St.
Evening: 6pm * Brent Giddens is ELVIS @ Memorial Hall, 1East 3rd St.
MONDAY * NOVEMBER 11, 2019
Mid-Morning Ceremony: Please join us at The United States Cemetery No. 1
11am * Veterans Day Service * 900 E. National Ave.
Noon: 12pm * Veterans Day Lunch @ VFW Post #1165, 1745 S. National Ave. (Free will Donations)
November 14. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 600 pm in Memorial Hall.
November 14. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 730 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post 25 Legion family members can join the Post 25 Color Guard. This includes Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion Squadron members.
November 16. Chartering American Legion Riders Chapter 25 at 10 am in Memorial Hall. To join, you must own a motorcycle of at least 250 cc’s AND be a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion.
We invite Legion family members from other American Legion Posts to join our Riders Chapter. If you have a current Legion membership in any American Legion family organization, we invite you to join us.
January 31 – February 2, 2020. Department of Kansas Midwinter Forum at Fort Scott.
Informational Items
Additional shuttle drivers are needed. The VA-provided shuttle now transports dialysis patients to Pittsburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays plus area Veterans for VA hospital appointments on Mondays and Thursdays. Call or email me for more information on becoming a shuttle driver.
Auxiliary Unit 25’s first outreach program is to provide support to Veteran mothers of newborn babies at the Topeka VA Medical Center. They are currently collecting needed items for newborns and all donations are greatly appreciated. Diapers, body wash and shampoos, blankets and clothing are among the items requested. Call Unit 25 Vice President Marilyn Gilmore at 785.214.5618 for more information or to donate items. A copy of the flyer is attached.
Attachments
Fort Scott Veterans Day Activities.
American Legion Post 25 and VFW Post 1165 combined Color Guard.
Don’t hesitate to contact me with any suggestions or questions you may have about Fort Scott American Legion Post 25.
Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Model School presented Jackie Hall an award on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Pittsburg State University. Left to right: Chris Rose KAHPERD Model School Committee member; Karla Stenzel KAHPERD president; Jackie Hall, USD 235 Physical Education Teacher; Karl Ely, member of the Model School Committee. Submitted photo.
The state’s physical education association recently awarded Uniontown teacher Jackie Hall with the highest award for a model school that promotes a quality physical education program.
The Kansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Model School Program is designed to identify and recognize and award schools that provide and model school physical education programs, according to Hall.
“The award process promotes quality physical education throughout the state of Kansas,” she said.
“The award rubric included 12 areas of criteria for the Gold Level… ALL levels had to be met and documented,” Hall said.
The areas include the amount of time spent by students in physical activity, providing instruction to both boys and girls, pursuing professional development as a teacher, the school districts facilities for p.e.(including a variety of and sufficient quantities of equipment), maintaining a hazard-free environment, teacher curriculum instruction practices, assessments of students, administrative support (funding), inclusion of students with disabilities and collaborating with classroom teachers for integrated instruction to students.
“I have been teaching at West Bourbon Elementary School for 38 years,” she said. ” Our school administration and staff realize the importance of physical education, and I try very hard to provide a wide variety of activities to challenge ALL students to be physically active. I am very honored and humbled to receive this award on behalf of our school. I am so blessed to work with a great staff.”
KAHPERD Model School Award 2019 Gold Level was presented last week to Hall during the association’s state conference at Pittsburg State University. Hall also made two presentations during two session of the conference.
WHO: Governor’s Administration, Kansas Water Office
WHAT: The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas
WHEN: Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8
WHERE: NEW LOCATION – Hyatt Regency, 400 W Waterman Street, Wichita, KS
TIME: 8:30 a.m.
Information: The eighth annual Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas will address relevant and current water resource issues as well as the continued implementation of the Kansas Water Vision and integration into the Kansas Water Plan to ensure Kansas water needs are being met, now and in the future.
There will be keynotes the morning of Day 1 including Jill Wheeler, head of Sustainable Productivity for Syngenta in North America; Lt. Governor Rogers; Matthew Lohr, Chief NRCS; and Rollin Hotchkiss, BYU. There will be breakout sessions in the afternoon.
Topics include:
Sustainability Across the Supply Chain
Flooding Impacts
Groundwater Quality
The Arbuckle
Reservoir Sediment Management
The fourth Water Legacy Award will be presented at the conference Tuesday morning and ‘Be the Vision’ nominees will be recognized as well.
To view the brochure for a current list of speakers and panelists visit: www.kwo.ks.gov
Day two will build on the water policy and vision implementation discussions from the previous day with technical presentation posters and talks. Graduate and undergraduate students will present their research posters.
This event is open to credentialed members of the media.Please RSVP to the Kansas Water Office by phone (785) 296-3185 or email Katie Patterson-Ingels, Communications Director at [email protected].
The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is hosted by the KWO and K-State /Kansas Water Resource Institute. Major sponsors for the event include 96 Agri Sales, Inc., Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock.
Although Coy Pollmeier, 19, is a professional bull rider, he has taken up boot repair as a side job.
“Riding bulls is what I do most of the time and leather/ boot-repair is what I do on the side,” he said. “I only do boot-repair on the side because I also travel a lot …professionally, in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.”
Pollmeier purchased the leather/boot repair shop equipment from John Renard earlier this year. Renard retired after providing the service to Bourbon County for decades.
If one has a good pair of boots, they can last for years, with a few repairs now and then.
Pollmeier is providing that service to those who want to keep a good pair of boots for a long time.
CP Leather and Boot Repair is the name of his new business.
“I… work out of my house,” he said. “I have a drop off site in town.”
He is in the process of perfecting the craft.
“I have spent time with a few other repairmen picking up things here and there but it has been mostly trial and error,” he said. “I have been working on repairing boots for probably about the last eight months and I’m just now going public about it.”
A boot before repair. Submitted photo.
The same boot after being repaired by Pollmeier. Submitted photo.
“I can repair most boots and shoes to an extent,” Pollmeier said. “I am the only one in the shop, so it is all done by myself. It usually takes me a few hours to completely redo a pair of boots.”
The leather/boot drop off site is Hills Service Gas Station, 308 No. National Avenue.
David Foster, Chief Executive Officer of Terrakat LLC.
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 manure spreader. Submitted photo.
“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 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.”
