The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is offering a class to help women learn how to use their strength when it matters most: a female self-defense class.
The idea originated with Kim Schwab, who is an administrative assistant at the BCSO.
“I have two daughters…it gave me peace of mind when they took classes,” Schwab said. Both daughters took classes in other cities.
“I came to the sheriff (Bill Martin)and asked him if there was one in Bourbon County, he said no, but he had always wanted to bring one,” she said.
So the sheriff’s office is sponsoring a female self-defense class on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1195 E. 12th St.
“It is for women, 12 years and up,” Schwab said. “If a minor under 18, they must have a parent accompanying them.”
“I attended a class in Paola with a daughter, there were a lot of women over 60,” she said.
Registration is on the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or come by the sheriff’s office to pick up an application, she said.
Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, 293 E. 20th.
The first hour is classroom instruction, followed by an hour of hands-on self-defense techniques.
“I feel a lot more confident in a situation,” Schwab said. “Some techniques I’d never heard of, and they teach some preventive techniques.”
For more information contact Schwab at the sheriff’s office, 620-223-1440.
A $12 donation is appreciated to help pay for the instructors time, but not required to participate.
Bryan Ritter, brewmaster for the Boiler Room Brewhaus, speaks to the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet attendees on Tuesday morning. Bryan and Barbara Ritter, owners of the business, hosted the event.
The Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet meets several times a year to allow people interested in downtown Fort Scott to share ideas/events.
Bryan Ritter, who along with wife, Barbara, own the Boiler Room Brewhaus, hosted the Meet and Greet on Tuesday on Feb. 5.
The business sold 2,000 gallons of beer last year, he said.
“We do specialty beers, named after our animals on the farm,” Ritter told the group. “We ended the year in the black!”
Besides making and selling beer, they host events.
“We do birthday parties, music events, hosted charitable events,” he said. “Any civic organization that raises funds, we’d be happy to help.”
Their contact information: 913-636-4892 or 620-644-5032 or [email protected].
Others who spoke at the meet and greet:
Dick Horton, Southeast Kansas Community Action Program Director of Community Engagement, invited the attendees to give input to its regional assessment. To complete the community assessment: http://www.sek-cap.com/index.php/about.us/community-assessment
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said Project 17 has a user-friendly Wix platform available to businesses who have under $1 million in revenue.
Madison also said the Chamber is finalizing its Business Locator Map Pinpoints and Ads, with a focus on shop, dine, play and stay businesses.
She said there is ad space on the Skubitz Plaza Downtown Directory Sign, for $100 a year.
Madison said the KOMB 103.9 Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show is April 5-6.
Ally Turvey, from the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau is continuing to sponsor the downtown family movie nights. This year the entertainment evenings will move to Skubitz Plaza and one of the four films featured is about Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
The City State Bank Ribbon Cutting begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.
Hedgehog.INK will have a book signing featuring author Gerri Hilger. (Editors note: the book signing will be rescheduled from Feb.7, due to weather.)There will also be a story time Saturday featuring author Joyce Love, reading her rendition of “The Three Little Pigs.” In addition, local artist Jean Solomonson will lead the children in card making.
Madison informed the attendees of the Google live stream”Give Your Website a Refresh” on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m to noon at the Lowell Milken Center. Attendees will learn about search engine optimization and best practices for creating a search-friendly site.
Also, there will be a Bill Drury Seminar, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon, with a focus on “Effective Leadership For First Line Managers and Supervisors,” Madison said.
There are grants available for downtown businesses to refresh a facade, see Rachel Pruitt with the City of Fort Scott for more information.
Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, said there are student position openings at the fort this summer.
Martha Scott, Friends of the Fort, said subscriptions are continuing for installing flags at residences/businesses in celebration of national holidays. The group charges $35 a year and will install and take down the flags.
Business owner, Jared Leek, said Valentines Day has been sold out at Crooner’s Lounge, but days before and after are available for reservations. He said on Feb. 16 Elton Dan, an Elton John impersonator will perform at the Liberty Theater. Leek also said that the Bourbon County Arts Council has six events coming this year downtown, the first one is March 9.
Pat Lyons, Lyons Twin Mansions, said they and the Courtland Hotel are part of a “Most Romantic Weekend In Kansas” promotion on Valentine weekend.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin gave updates on healthcare, the Craw-Kan Cooperative broadband project, Mark McCoy’s group to unify the city/county governments, and parking issues downtown.
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said Fort Scott Lofts, formerly Western Senior Living, now only require 20 percent of residents to be 55 years old and older.
Pruitt also said the Warrior Convoy parade through town, in connection with Adam LaRoche’s Wounded Warrior Hunt, will be May 1 this year.
Fort Scott Codes Director Rhonda Dunn said a possible U.S. Cellular cell phone tower downtown is in the design phase and stated it is a process that the public will be allowed input on.
Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter is having an online Facebook auction that includes several large appliances: computer, refrigerator, freezer. The auction closes today, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.
Owner/operator Barbara Trimbur is slowly catching up and restocking after the recent renovation of her shop, she said.
New flooring and a new ceiling exposing the original tin tiles of the building await those who enter the Iron Star Antiques and Such, 3 N. Main.
New ceiling and flooring have been added to the Iron Star, 3 N. Main.
A recent renovation makes the shop appear more spacious.
“It looks huge now,” said ownerBarbara Trimbur. “We took out the acoustical ceiling, a dropped ceiling with fluorescent lights. (And)The flooring was coming apart.”
“I’ ve taken out two partitions, I’m using doors now for walls,” she said.” “It’s opened it up more.”
Ron Query was the contractor for the update.
The High Country look: cowboy with a modern flair.
Trimbur waited until the update was finished, last Friday, and is in the process of filling it back up again.
The Iron Star Antiques and Such was closed for the update Jan. 29-30.
“I’ve just been to market in Dallas,” she said. “Mostly spring stuff and ordered Christmas things for the following Christmas.”
Most of the furnishings in the shop are repurposed, or renovated, she said.
A renovated dining room set Trimbur recently purchased to sell.
She purchased the business 14 years ago from Yvonne Beck, and eight years ago purchased the building with the two storefronts from Steve McGinnis.
Unique handbags for sale.
Trimbur has five merchandise consignees, with three of them: Yvonne, Karen and Kathy, working with her in the store.
“The three of them work to offset their rent and commission,” she said.
Trimbur said she sells a large amount of iron shelving, brackets and pulls.One of her favorite tasks is to decorate themed tables. Pictured is Trimbur telling about the Valentine-themed tablescape she has finished.An up-close view of the table setting with a Valentine theme.
The store is open seven days a week, barring heavy snow or icy weather events. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
State Treasurer Jake LaTurner Continues Fight in Washington, D.C. to Recover United States Savings Bonds
Washington, D.C. — Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and attorneys representing his office will appear before the U.S. Court of Federal Appeals located at 717 Madison Place NW in Washington, D.C. at 10:00 a.m. (EST)Thursday, February 7th to continue his fight to recover the proceeds of lost, abandoned, unclaimed, and/or stolen United States Savings Bonds for Kansas citizens.
“The men and women of the Greatest Generation purchased these bonds during a time when people put trust in their government’s pursuit of the greater good. Their sacrifices helped finance the war against Hitler, build the interstate highway system, and put a man on the moon,” said LaTurner. “Now it is time for that same government to honor its commitments and repay its debt to those who built it.”
The Court of Federal Claims, in a strongly worded opinion, ruled on August 8, 2017 that Kansas was entitled to the information from the United States Treasury on the bonds sold in Kansas. This information would give the State Treasurer’s Office the tools they need for researching the rightful owners of these bonds and connecting them with their unclaimed money. The United States Treasury has appealed that ruling. The ruling was a first of its kind with respect to U.S. savings bonds and a positive first step in the fight to return the bonds proceeds to Kansas and other states as well.
It is estimated that there are $26-billion in matured but unclaimed bonds nation-wide with more than $200-million belonging to Kansans. In many cases, bonds remain unclaimed because the rightful owners or heirs are unaware they exist. J. Brett Milbourn, lead attorney on the Kansas State Treasurer’s appeal of this case believes the best vehicle for returning this money exists at the state, rather than the federal level.
“State Treasurers around the country already have a number of resources at their disposal to reunite citizens with their missing or unclaimed property,” said Milbourn. “Although the U.S. Department of the Treasury has a responsibility to notify and pay these mature bonds, the government has no plan – nor any real incentive — for keeping the promises it made when these patriots loaned it the money.”
In addition to Kansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas and Florida have cases pending in the Court of Federal Claims seeking the same relief. A total of 20 states have followed Kansas’ lead and passed laws to allow the Unclaimed Property Administrator of the state to seek recovery of lost, stolen, or abandoned bonds.
On September 7, 2018, 20 senators, including Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging him to work with Kansas and other states to resolve their claims and help the states reunite original bond owners with their proceeds of unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds.
From Senator Richard Hilderbrand’s weekly newsletter, here is what is happening in the Kansas Legislature:
Monday –
Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment: Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees – [Senate Education Committee; February 4 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
Hearing on: SB 27, removing a restriction, for purposes of employment security law, on leasing of certain employees by client lessees of lessor employing units – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
Hearing on SB 40, removing expired warning provision for approach of an emergency vehicle traffic violation – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
Hearing on SB 41, clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring seat belt use is a traffic infraction – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
Presentation by: Roger Werholtz, Kansas Department of Corrections – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 5 at 10:30 am]
Wednesday –
Hearing on: SB 15, amending the definition of “service-connected” in the Kansas police and firemen’s retirement system – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; February 6 at 9:30 am]
Hearing on: SB 45, enhancing penalties for offenses causing death or serious bodily injury to public sector employees – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 6 at 10:30 am]
Hearing on: SB 44, appropriations for the department of education for FY 2019, 2020, and 2021; increasing BASE aid for certain school years; continuing 20 mill statewide levy for schools and exempting certain portion of property used for residential purposes from such levy – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance; February 6 at 1:30 pm]
Thursday –
Briefing on: Property taxes by the Kansas Department of Revenue – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 7 at 9:30 am]
Hearing on: SB 16, authorizing school districts to expand at-risk education funds on evidence-based learning programs – [Senate Education Committee; February 7 at 1:30 pm]
Jerrold Clifford (Cliff) Patterson, age 79, of Fort Scott, KS, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. He was born on September 21, 1939, in Kirksville, MO, the son of Reece Jerrold and Ruth Margaret (Reynolds) Patterson. Cliff married Nancy Jo Smith on December 13, 1958, in her parents’ home in Lawrence, KS. He worked for Hallmark Cards, Ennis Business Forms and Ward-Kraft as well as being an owner/ operator of the Otasco store in Ava, MO. Cliff enjoyed flying, sailing, fishing, woodworking and riding his motorcycle. He was active in the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the ROMEO Riders motorcycle club until pulmonary fibrosis ended these involvements. At the time of his passing, Cliff attended Diamond Community Church in rural Fort Scott.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Nancy of the home; four daughters, Sharon McGaughey of Pollock Pines, CA; Brenda DeKeno (Don) of Pea Ridge, AR; Deborah Allen (Tim) of Fort Scott, KS; and Laura Soliday of Kansas City, MO. He was the proud grandpa of twelve grandchildren; and the beloved “GGpa” to ten great-grandchildren. Cliff is also survived by a sister, Darlene Radke of Ferndale, WA; and a sister-in-law, Rozann Patterson of Prosser, WA. He was also the much loved uncle of four nephews and one niece. Cliff was proceeded in death by his daughter, Sandy Patterson of Bella Vista, AR; his parents; his brother, Claude Patterson of Kissimmee, FL; his brothers-in-law Robert E. Smith of Kansas City, MO and Elmer Radke of Ferndale, WA.; his nephew, Doug Radke of Bellingham, WA.
Pastor Trevor Jacobs will conduct funeral services at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 10th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM Monday, February 11th, in the Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:45 PM on Monday. Memorials are suggested to CrossPower Agape ministries and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
BCSO Major Bobby Reed in his office at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.
Personnel at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office have been making available the Daily Intake Roster, including photos of those arrested at the jail.
This public service has been available on the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page since moving into the new jail facility in June 2018. They had provided the service a short time before moving to the jail, in fact.
But it was too time-consuming, said Major Bobby Reed.
“It took one and one-half days of time, so we discontinued,” Reed said.
With the help of the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, BCSO built a system that allows quicker delivery of the information to the public.
In recent days, they have been catching up posting the information from the arrests of October until January.
The Daily Intake Roster includes a photo of the inmate, their name and age, their offenses and bond amount and type.
“We did October, November, December and January (arrests) online in about 45 minutes,” Reed said.
“We’ve had a lot of requests from the community of ‘when is it going to be back up?’,” he said.
“It gets the word out,” Reed said. “The public can like our (Facebook) page and when someone comes in, they can see it.”
“We are only doing them by months, we just ran January 2019, so the next one will come out at the end of February.
On February 1, there were 72 inmates in the BCSO, with 15 Linn County inmates included in that total, Reed said.
Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Director,and also a member of a member of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT
Tobacco addiction is being addressed locally.
“Right now Bourbon County has the 4th worst ranking for tobacco use in the state. Tobacco users cost employers $5, 816 in annual excess cost than non-tobacco users (Berman et al, 2014). What strategies have shown to make the largest impact? Counseling and Medication,” according to Jody Hoener. “Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Tobacco Cessation Specialist Training, all free spots are filled, but you are still welcome to register to attend and we can invoice you the cost, $950. Other research and resources can be found through the Partners in Quitting Program and KANQUIT!”
“Based on last week’s Workwell KS Workshop on Tobacco Cessation, held at the Empress Event Center, we will see two more worksites implementing tobacco-free policies in addition to Peerless and FSCC. Please let me know if you are interested in making this policy change and we can send you a template and work with you through the process.”
Graphic provided by Hoener.
The following is a press release from Hoener.
In 2018, The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) conducted a survey to examine the perceptions of Bourbon County community members about the issues of healthy eating, active living, and tobacco cessation.
The survey was a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant that was received by the HBCAT in coordination with Mercy Hospital and the City of Fort Scott.
Pathways is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas initiative.
HBCAT thanks the 244 community members who took the time to complete the survey. Here are a few key findings from the survey results.
Tobacco Free Policies: Most survey respondents support tobacco-free policies in local parks, school grounds, and worksites.
Action being taken: Research shows the two most important factors to tobacco cessation is medication and counseling. The HBCAT will work with worksites, local healthcare, schools, and community policy to encourage evidence-based solutions and promote healthy environments.
Finding #2: Almost 80 percent of respondents didn’t think that our community had adequate street lighting for walking at night.
Action being taken: Through our schools, worksites, and community policy pathways we are working to improve access to outdoor recreation. Formal assessments have been completed, and planning is in place to apply for funding to implement strategies at several locations throughout the community to encourage safe non-motorized transportation and physical activity.
Finding #3: Almost 80 percent of respondents are familiar with the U.S. recommendations for adult fruit and vegetable consumption but less than half of them reported meeting those guidelines.
Action being taken: The HBCAT spearheaded the inception of the Bourbon County Food Alliance and that alliance is instrumental in our work, “The Bourbon County Food Alliance is focusing on supporting the Farmers Market and looking for opportunities to increase patrons and vendors,” Robert Uhler, City of Fort Scott Community Development Director.
For more information about the survey or the Pathways initiative, contact: Jody Hoener, (620)215-5725 or at [email protected] Find us on Facebook or Twitter at @Healthybbco 0
The 9th Annual Dancing With Our Stars is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Proceeds from the annual Dancing With Our Stars will this year benefit Bourbon County 4-H, Communities in Schools, Lee’s Paws and Claws, the Fort Scott High School Pantry and Closet, Friends of the Fort, Fort Scott High School Thespians and Care to Share.
The theme this year is Totally 80s.
Proceeds from the ticket sales fund the charities. VIP Tickets are $15, regular tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office, 231 E. Wall.
The entertainment is dancing, of course. and members of the audience vote during intermission on teams comprised of Southwind Extension District members, Fort Scott High School students, Fort Scott Police Department members, Smallville Crossfit members, and volunteers from Fort Scott National Historic Site.
There will be other performers who are not a part of the competition: Abby Albright and Jackson Muckala and Kenna Miles.
Gary Palmer and Hunter Adamson will be the emcees of the event.
The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club.
Members of the DWOS Committee are Betty Boyko, Janet Braun, Kathy Dancer, Rhonda Dunn, Lynnette Emmerson, Lindsay Madison, Shirley Palmer and Melissa Wise.
Map cover photo: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park near Scott City.
Whether you want to find the closest airport, discover new places of interest or travel along a Scenic Byway, the new 2019-2020 Kansas Official State Transportation Map has it all.
The map, published by the Kansas Department of Transportation, highlights numerous tourist and scenic locations, including state parks and lakes, as well as the recreation areas across the state.
City/county indexes and a distance map allow motorists to pick the best route to their destination. Visitor resources, helpful phone numbers/websites and locations of museums and hospitals are also provided.
On the back of the map are inset maps of Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka and 13 other cities. There is also road condition information and details on how to get roadside assistance.
Maps will be available at various travel information centers, attractions and other locations across the state. They can also be requested on the KDOT website at http://www.ksdot.org/maps.asp.
Kirk Sharp was recently selected to be the new Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director. He is pictured just outside the museum against a wall depicting some life moments of Gordon Parks. The museum is located in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Kirk Sharp started his duties as the new Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director on Jan. 7.
But Sharp is no stranger to the museum. He has been serving behind the scenes since 2004.
“I always had an interest and encouraged the activities and helped with activities and special events when I could,” Sharp said. He also served on the Gordon Parks Museum Foundation Board for four years.
Sharp is a 1985 graduate of Fort Scott High School, and has worked at FSCC before.
“I worked here in FSCC admissions from 2007 to 2010,” Sharp said. “Then Mercy Hospital where I managed Health For Life, occupational and sports medicine until the hospital closed (In 2018).”
“I feel blessed for this exciting opportunity to be with the Gordon Parks Museum and also being back with FSCC,” Sharp said.
“Kirk was the best choice,” said Kassie Feugate-Cate, FSCC’s Director of Strategic Communication. “He is a great asset to the program. We are grateful and look forward to seeing what he can do with the museum, moving forward.”
The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.
Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
“I want to continue the mission of the Gordon Parks Museum towards cultural diversity, through special events and programs, not just here in the community, but nationwide,” Sharp said. “Trying to look to the future by becoming more interactive, maybe kiosks or tablets for our digital generation.”
February is designated Black History Month and there will be several learning experiences offered at the museum.
On Feb. 15, there will be a presentation of “Slave to Soldier” during a “Lunch and Learn” at the museum, from 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to bring a lunch and hear the history lesson.
This is a Buffalo Soldier history presentation, featuring the Alexander/Madison Chapter-Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area, 9th and 10th Cavalry Association. These many generations of negro soldiers served their county from 1866 to 1944 in the military.
“We are also going to show a Kevin Willmott film, “The Jayhawkers” in the month of February. Kansas University Professor Willmott is a past recipient of a Gordon Parks Award and this year is in the running for an Oscar for his film “BlacKkKlansMan.”
History of the museum:
“After Gordon Parks attended the first ever Gordon Parks Celebration in 2004, he gifted the Gordon Parks Center with 30 of his photographs. This spectacular group includes many of his iconic works such as American Gothic, Tuskegee Airmen, Flavio, Ali Sweating, Ingrid Bergman on Stromboli and many others,” according to the Visit Fort Scott website: https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/gordon-parks-museum/
Kirk Sharp stands in front of a giant photo of Gordon Parks in the museum.
“In 2006, after his death, his personal effects and other memorabilia, per Gordon’s wishes, were given to the Museum. This valuable collection included many of his awards and medals, personal photos, paintings and drawings of Gordon, plaques, certificates, diplomas and honorary doctorates, selected books and articles, clothing, record player, tennis racquet, magazine articles, his collection of Life magazines and much more,” according to the Vist Fort Scott website.
The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information see The Gordon Parks Museum Facebook page.
Sharp is married to Sis Sharp and has two children, Jolee, 26 and Trey, 24.
