All posts by Loretta George

Kate and Trent Freeman. Submitted photo.

Kate and Trent Freeman, Edwardsville, purchased a building at 8 North National Avenue, Fort Scott, on October 2, 2020, and will soon open their new business there, called The Artificers.

“The definition of artificers is fine artists and craftsmen,” Kate said.

The business will be an art gallery, a teaching studio workshop space, and a studio space for both Kate and Trent, who are artists by profession.

“We have a network of artists that we will pull from to come in and display and teach watercolor, collage, airbrush artists… from all over the country,” she said.

There will be classes and workshops.

A possible opening will be late winter, 2021, or early spring, 2022, Trent said.

“Artificers is a group, including Trent and I and anyone we invite in,” she said. “You can expect quality work.”

Trent received a degree in fine art from Emporia State University; Kate “just does art”, she said, and added, “I do the marketing for the business.”

The business will take commissioned art and have art for sale.

Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.

“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”

Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.

Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”

“We love the atmosphere here,” Kate said. “It feels like home here. I feel there is a revival about to happen in the town and it feels good.”

The artists had a setback in July 2021, when the building next door to the north, between The Artificers and Sharkey’s Pub & Grub Restaurant, collapsed.

“That set us back three months,” Trent said.

Also, the pandemic has kept contractors busy and the Freemans are in line for plumbing, electrical, etc.

Trent is doing most of the repurposing of the inside of the former Hammond Real Estate building himself, and last Saturday was framing up some rooms on the inside.

“The front one-third of the building will be a gallery space,” Kate said. “The next one-third will have a small kitchenette and be a teaching studio workshop and have classes in all art genres. The back one-third will be our studio space for creating.”

“The City of Fort Scott is contracting Mid Continental Restoration for some facia and the entire north side (of the building) will be cleaned and sealed,” Trent said. “They have been good to us.”

The Freeman’s will eventually live on the second floor of the building when the business’s first floor is complete, Kate said.

They are not in a hurry, because their daughter is a senior in high school and they don’t want to move until she leaves for the University of Arkansas next fall.

Accompanying them in the move will be their Red Healer dog, Ivy, Kate said, and Ivy was enjoying the sun from a south-facing window in the gallery on Saturday. There will be many more days in that spot.

For more information: 8 North National-The Artificers Facebook page or https://tefreemanstudio.com/

The sign on the business reflects National Avenue.

Fort Scott Police Department

Police Chief Shelton: 25 Years in Service With FSPD

November 3, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton reached a milestone of 25 years with the department. Submitted photo.

Travis Shelton, Chief of Police of the Fort Scott Police Department, has reached a milestone, 25 years with the department.

Shelton has held positions of officer, K9 Handler, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police.

He earned an associate of science degree from Fort Scott Community College, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Missouri Southern State University.

Shelton is involved in the community as well.

“I am currently on the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Kiwanis Club, former board member at the Key Hole (Youth Center), former adjunct instructor at Fort Scott Community College, and former little league football coach,” he said.

For Shelton, the best part of his career has been the people in the community, he said.

“Unlike other parts of our country in today’s world, we have a lot of support from our community,” Shelton said. “Fort Scott is a great place to live and work with people who genuinely want what is best for our city.”

Shelton said the greatest challenge as chief of police is recruiting and retaining qualified police applicants and officers.

“This is one of the biggest challenges police departments across the country have at this point in time,” he said.

His wife, Gina Shelton, is the USD 234 Business Manager / Board Clerk. He has a son, Nick, 21, and a daughter Maci,16 years old.

Bourbon County, Elections

Bourbon County Election Results November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

These results are unofficial until canvassed by the Bourbon County Commission.

The results are provided by the Bourbon County Clerks Office.

SUMMARY REPORT- of the 2021 CITY SCHOOL GENERAL-ELECTION UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

11/02/21 08:28 PM REPORT

TOTAL VOTES

CITY COUNCIL BRONSON
(Vote for 2
Clearsia Botts. . . . . . . . . 29
Kayla Greenway. . . . . . . . . 22
Kelly Perry. . . . . . . . . . 23
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.

CITY COUNCIL MAPLETON
(Vote for 2
Mike Blevins . . . . . . . . . 6
Homer Wisdom . . . . . . . . . 5
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

CITY COUNCIL REDFIELD
(Vote for 2
Michael Beerbower. . . . . . . . 19
Kirby Martin . . . . . . . . . 20
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3 7

CITY COUNCIL UNIONTOWN
(Vote for 2
Jess Ervin . . . . . . . . . . 41
Amber Kelly. . . . . . . . . . 34
Kyle Knight. . . . . . . . . . 19
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3 3

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 USD 234
(Vote for 1
David Stewart . . . . . . . . . 1,111
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 75

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 USD 235
(Vote for 1
Brian Ray Stewart. . . . . . . . 176
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 9 4

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 USD 234
(Vote for 1
Garold (Gary) Billionis. . . . . . 566
Casey Bolden . . . . . . . . . 374
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 408

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 USD 235
(Vote for 1
Mike Mason . . . . . . . . . . 200
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7 3

CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT
(Vote for 3
Michael Hoyt . . . . . . . . . 220
Josh Jones . . . . . . . . . . 635
Ann Rawlins. . . . . . . . . . 137
Tim Van Hoecke. . . . . . . . . 668
Judy Warren. . . . . . . . . . 232
Matthew Wells . . . . . . . . . 454
Willa Wilson . . . . . . . . . 94
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 42

MAYOR BRONSON
(Vote for 1
Joshua Marlow . . . . . . . . . 30
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4

MAYOR FULTON
(Vote for 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 14

MAYOR MAPLETON
(Vote for 1
Ronald B Burton Jr . . . . . . . 6
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

MAYOR REDFIELD
(Vote for 1
Wilma K. Graham . . . . . . . . 8
Clarence Ed Guss . . . . . . . . 16
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

MAYOR UNIONTOWN
(Vote for 1
Larry Jurgensen . . . . . . . . 43
Bill Marlow. . . . . . . . . . 11
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

CITY COUNCIL FULTON
(Vote for 5
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 44

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 6 USD 234
(Vote for 1
Brian L. Allen. . . . . . . . . 848
Tracy King . . . . . . . . . . 286
Joshua Query . . . . . . . . . 217
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 18

USD 235
(Vote for 1
Tyler J. Martin . . . . . . . . 209
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 6 USD 248
(Vote for 1
Kelly Peak . . . . . . . . . . 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT
(Vote for 2
Ethan A Holly . . . . . . . . . 711
Gary Palmer. . . . . . . . . . 1,328
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 15

Fort Scott Community College BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(Vote for 3
John Bartelsmeyer. . . . . . . . 988
James L. Fewins . . . . . . . . 633
Bryan Holt . . . . . . . . . . 1,103
Bill Meyer . . . . . . . . . . 525
Kevin D Wagner. . . . . . . . . 570
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 28

Government, Kansas

Your Favorite Place in Kansas Youth Photo Contest

November 2, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

STUDENTS INVITED TO ENTER

KANSAS PHOTO CONTEST

TOPEKA –Each year Kansas students are invited to enter photographs that celebrate Kansas and be eligible for special prizes. This year’s theme is Your Favorite Place in Kansas. First place winners in each grade from first to 12th will receive iPads; second place awards in each grade are Kindles.

Last year, first grader Lily Steadman of Derby photographed a school competition to highlight the runners on the Kansas prairies. She received first place in her category in the Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest and won an iPad for her work, among the 24 student award recipients. Lily’s was one of 400 contest entries.

The student photographs contribute to the pictorial history of Kansas, like L. W. Halbe, an early 20th century teenage photographer from Dorrance in Russell County. Halbe’s photos offer a valuable window into life in his community. These photos will be preserved by the Kansas Historical Society.

The contest deadline, for first through 12th grade students, is 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Winners will be announced as part of the state’s 161st birthday commemoration at the Kansas State Capitol on Friday, January 28, 2022. Find more information and a complete list of contest rules at happybirthdayks.org.

The contest is sponsored by the Kansas legislative spouses in conjunction with the Kansas Historical Society.

Find photographs from last year’s Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest:

https://www.kshs.org/p/student-photo-contest-2020/20482

Find photographs from the Halbe collection online in Kansas Memory:

https://www.kansasmemory.org/locate.php?categories=4652

###

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

A Big Crowd At 2021 Fort Scott Halloween Parade

November 2, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Mirna Santana, manager of La Hacienda Restaurant, hands out treats to Halloween paraders on Oct. 30.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce facilitated the annual Halloween Parade in historic downtown on Saturday, Oct. 30.

“We handed out a hot dog lunch to just shy of 600 kids in costumes so including their parents, grandparents, and other family members there were probably three times that many people, upward to 1,500-2,000 people who attended the festivities Saturday morning,” Lindsay Madison, executive director, said on the Chamber Facebook page.

A large crowd winds around Skutbitz Plaza waiting for the Halloween Parade to begin.

Madison expressed thanks to the following:

* downtown retailers, businesses, and other organizations who handed out candy along Main Street.

* Briggs of Fort Scott, a major sponsor of the event

* additional sponsors and donators included: Niece Products of Kansas, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, Fort Scott Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Valu Merchandisers Company – VMC, Fort Scott Inn, Fort Scott Family Dental, Crain Insurance Agency, 3d Alternator & Starter Repair, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Security 1st Title, Walmart Fort Scott, Fort Scott Walgreens, Treasure Hunt Flea Market, and Don’s Spirits and Wines. Thanks to The Butcher Block for ordering our hot dogs.

* Fort Scott High School Thespians for providing face painting.

* Fort Scott High School Pride for helping with any needs.

* Communities In Schools: Lewis Dunkeson and crew helping cook hot dogs and other assistance.

* Bill Michaud for use of the Empress Event Center for cooking and staging the hot dogs and other lunch items.

* Kate Freeman of The Artificers for making our photo backdrop.

Hallie Coulter and Isabelle Coulter, wait for their dad to take their photo at the Halloween photo backdrop before the parade on Oct. 30.

* Fort Scott Community College Cheerleading and Dance Team for volunteer service for the hot dog lunch, setup, and cleanup.

* Mark McCoy and the City of Fort Scott Police Department for providing traffic control.

* Fort Scott Tribune and FortScott.Biz for coverage of the event.

* Tina Lipe, Alexa Metcalf, and Erin Vann for running errands for us for supplies.

* volunteers including Greg and Rita Schroeder, Angela and Kendrick Simon, Beth Nuss, and Kendall Madison.

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott

Vote Today

November 2, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Voting sign at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 2021

Today, November 2, is a day to vote your conscience in the contests for all the cities in Bourbon County, plus the school districts, including Fort Scott Community College. The polls will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

If there are any questions, contact the Bourbon County Clerk at 620.223.3800, ext. 802.

The following is where each precinct resident votes on election day, along with a sample ballot for that precinct.

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1st Ward Community Christian Church

1ST WARD

2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church

2ND WARD

3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church

3RD WARD

4th Ward Community Christian Church

4TH WARD

5th Ward Community Christian Church

5TH WARD

6th Ward Community Christian Church

6TH WARD

7th Ward Grace Baptist Church

7TH WARD

Residents living in the county vote at the following locations:

DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church

DRYWOOD

FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building

FRANKLIN USD 235

FRANKLIN USD 346

FREEDOM Fulton Community Building

FREEDOM CITY OF FULTON

EAST MARION Uniontown City Hall

E. MARION CITY OF UNIONTOWN

E. MARION TWP

WEST MARION Bronson Community Building

W. MARION CITY OF BRONSON

W. MARION TWP

MARMATON Redfield City Hall

MARMATON USD 235

MARMATON USD 234

MARMATON CITY OF REDFIELD

MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall

MILLCREEK USD 234

MILLCREEK USD 235

OSAGE Fulton Community Building

OSAGE

PAWNEE Redfield City Hall

PAWNEE USD 234

MARMATON USD 235

NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church

N. SCOTT(1)

N. SCOTT

SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church

S. SCOTT

TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building

TIMBERHILL CITY OF MAPLETON

TIMBERHILL USD 234

TIMBERHILL USD 235

TIMBERHILL USD 346

WALNUT Uniontown City Hall

WALNUT USD 248

WALNUT USD 235

CANDIDATES THAT HAVE FILED FOR THE 2021 CITY/SCHOOL ELECTION, from information provided by the county:

Bronson City Council
Clearsia Botts, 912 Linn St, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-939-4557
Kayla Greenway, 904 Clay St., Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-0195
Kelly Perry, 611 Orange St., Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-4842

Bronson Mayor

Joshua Marlow, 212 S. Clay, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-2769

Fort Scott City Commission
Michael Hoyt, 1315 Beech Ave., Ft Scott, KS 66701, 602-405-5202
Josh Jones, 617 Fairway, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-3680
Ann Rawlins, 1017 E Wall St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 541-801-9179
Tim Van Hoecke, 802 S Hill Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 913-240-6348
Judy Warren, 1706 S. Eddy St., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 913-488-1889
Matthew Wells, 1201 South National Ave, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 417-684-1714
Willa Wilson, 304 Ivy, Ft Scott, KS 66701, 913-285-0496

Fulton Mayor
No Candidates Filed

Fulton City Council
No Candidates Filed

Mapleton City Council
Mike Blevins, 1251 N. Main St, Mapleton, KS 66754, 620-743-3070
Homer Wisdom, 507 N Bourbon, Mapleton, KS 66754, 913-795-7381

Mapleton Mayor
Ronald B Burton Jr, 127 E 6th, Mapleton, KS 66754, 620-768-9399

Redfield City Council
Michael Beerbower, 402 W 3rd Street, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4175
Kirby Martin, 403 W. 2nd, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4718

Redfield Mayor
Wilma K. Graham, 102 W 4th, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4436
Clarence Ed Guss, 301 N Pine, Redfield, KS 66769, 417-339-1530

Uniontown City Council
Jess Ervin, 401 Clay St., Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-756-4825
Amber Kelly, 408 Fulton St., Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-228-0130
Kyle Knight, 606 Sherman, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-6053

Uniontown Mayor
Larry Jurgensen, 113 S. Hill, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-9810
Bill Marlow, 403 Sherman St, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-7209

USD 234 – Position #4
David Stewart, 772 190th, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-1179

USD 234 – Position #5
Garold (Gary) Billionis, 719 S National, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, 620-223-6733
Casey Bolden, 2015 E 1st, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-1961

USD 234 – Position #6
Brian L. Allen, 1809 Richards Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-6679
Tracy King, 2386 Jayhawk Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-412-8500
Joshua Query, 721 S Margrave St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-719-6828

USD 235 – Position #4
Brian Ray Stewart, 179 Soldier Rd, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-215-6394

USD 235 – Position #5
Mike Mason, 978 60th Street, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-756-4561

USD 235 – Position #6
Tyler J. Martin, 1058 Hackberry Rd., Redfield, KS 66769, 620-547-2519

FSCC – Board of Trustees
John Bartelsmeyer, 22 ½ N Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-9547
James L. Fewins, 1200 Maple Rd., Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4749
Bryan Holt, 2095 Kansas Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-2832
Bill Meyer, 14 Golfview Drive, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-4299
Kevin D Wagner, 390 130th St., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-547-2233

Southwind Extension District
Ethan A. Holly, 1606 Maple Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-228-7258
Gary Palmer, 1863 Eagle Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-1001

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Marsha’s Deli Name Changed to Lancaster’s Great Plains Deli

November 1, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Debbie Baxley and Shelly Rowe are the managers of Lancaster’s Great Plains Deli.

The signs on the local restaurant will remain the same, Marsha’s Great Plans Deli, but the owners have changed.

Owner Marsha Lancaster died on September 19, 2021, and on October 13, her siblings became the owners of her decades-running restaurant.

The restaurant will be called Lancaster’s Great Plain Deli.

Debbie Baxley, Tom Lancaster, and Don Lancaster all of Fort Scott and Carolyn Washburn, Alaska, Marsha’s brothers, and sisters, are the new owners.

“We are going to keep the signs that say Marsha’s Deli, but the business will be called Lancaster Great Plains Deli,” Baxley said.

“The last time we saw her (before she died), she said she wanted us to keep it going,” she said.

Baxley and her daughter, Shelly Rowe, are the restaurant managers.

Changes

They have recently created a new menu, dropping some options that didn’t have enough sales.

The menu of Lancaster’s Great Plains Deli. Submitted photo.

The family raised the price of their meats.

“Our prices went up on the meat price,” Baxley said. “All of our providers of meat by the pound raised their prices.”

“Marsha hadn’t raised prices in years,” she said.

“An example, like roast beef it is $7.75 per pound when we buy it but we were selling it for $6,” Rowe said. “But now it has gone up again and we are paying a little over $10.”

Family Deaths and the Pandemic

They were closed for three weeks following Marsha’s death, and the death of another family member soon after.

Since then they have been working on the paperwork involved in the new business and grieving their losses, Baxley said.

“All the people that work here have been with Marsha for over 20 years,” Rowe said.

They have had difficulty finding more employees, as many businesses have during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Baxley said.

The pandemic protocols of wiping down menus after each use, along with cleaning the chairs, after each use, etc. have increased the labor involved in running a restaurant, Baxley said.

The family has been using a walk-up order window since the pandemic began, Baxley said.

As of today, November 1, people will be able to come in and order, but won’t be able to sit and eat the food as the restaurant, Rowe said.

“We didn’t want people to stand in the cold outside to order,” Baxley said.

They currently have six employees. Martha’s three siblings in Fort Scott, along with Rowe, help out as needed, Rowe said.

“We are a tight-knit family, if we need help, we can call on others,” Rowe said.

Rebounding

Rowe said the re-opening of the restaurant on Oct. 13, following the death of Marsha was very busy.

“The first three days we re-opened, we ran out of bread, we were so busy,” Rowe said. “Everybody was so glad to have us back. It made us feel good the community is happy, wanting us to keep it going.”

Locally known for the size of their sandwiches

“Our big sandwiches are what we are known for,” Rowe said. “The meats on the sandwiches are stacked.”

“If you don’t get full, it’s your fault,” Baxley said.

The most asked for sandwich is #25, The Marsha, Rowe said. The sandwich includes turkey, ham, salami with cheddar cheese. “That was her favorite and everybody loved it.”

Marsha named all her sandwiches after family members.

History

Marsha Lancaster took over the business called the Great Plains Deli in 2002. “She worked here before she owned it,” Rowe said. “She put her name in front of it.”

The hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information or to place an order: 620.223.6432.

Lancaster’s Great Plains Deli delivers to homes and businesses.

Debbie Baxley and Shelly Rowe stand in front of the sign at Marsha’s Great Plains Deli.

Business, Fort Scott

New Barbershop Opens Soon At 118 S. Main

October 29, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Hare & Crow is the name of a new barbershop soon to be opened at 118 S. Main.

Matt Park is the owner and soon-to-be barber.

“I recently graduated from Headlines Barber Academy in Kansas City,” Park said. “I have a couple of exams to take and hope to have my license within the next few weeks. We’re putting the finishing touches on the shop as we speak. If all goes to plan, we should be able to open by the end of November.”

Park has put together a link to a community survey he created.

“I’m hoping to get some insight on pricing, hours and services so we can serve our community well,” Park said.

The survey: https://hareandcrow.com/survey

“Hare & Crow is a modern barbershop with a traditional aesthetic and atmosphere,” Park said. “We offer haircuts, straight razor shaves complete with hot lather and steam towels, beard and mustache trims, facials and shampoos.”

Inside the Hare and Crow Barbershop, 118 S. Main. Submitted photo.

“We also plan to sell some retail items,” he said. “Mostly related to men’s hair and grooming, but we will also carry other items such as locally roasted coffee, craft chocolates, and handmade wood and leather goods from local and regional makers.”

“Our shop will be a comfortable and inviting space with a lounge feel for those waiting for their turn in the chair,” he said. “It will be a place to hang out, have a cup of coffee or a pop, chew the fat with friends and neighbors whether you need a haircut or not—loafers are more than welcome.”

Matt Park gives a shave. Submitted photo.

“This is a family business,” he said. “My wife and I bought the building in July of 2020 and we live in the apartment above the shop with our four kids.”

Park can be reached by phone at (620)705-9287 or by email at [email protected].

118 S. Main, with Matt Park in front, will be open soon. Submitted photos.

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Bourbon County Sees Increase in Criminal Drug Activities: New Drug Control Positions Created

October 28, 2021 Loretta George 1 Comment

The Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is the recipient of a grant to assist local and area law enforcement agencies in controlling criminal drug activities, which have increased.

On September 30, 2021, the Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council reviewed 45 grant applications that were requesting money to either start, support, or maintain current law enforcement services, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin said.

“This was a very competitive process where some entities and agencies were not awarded their requested grant,” Martin said.

“We requested $123,040 but was awarded $113,292,” he said.

“The newly created position will assist local and area law enforcement agencies in criminal drug activities (cases),” he said.

“The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is excited and very grateful in receiving this grant and we hope to have the drug deputies in place by December of this year,” Martin said.

“Deputies interested in applying for the position will have to submit a resume and … go in front of oral interview board that will consist of local representatives and area sheriffs,” Martin said.

The sheriff currently has nine road deputies that work 12-hour shifts, and one School Resource Officer. They cover the 642 square miles of Bourbon County.

This grant created two more positions, Martin said.

Illegal drug activity has increased significantly.

There is a need for more help with illegal drug activity law enforcement in Bourbon County, Martin said.

“Drug cases have doubled from 56 total cases in 2018 to 110 cases in 2019,” Martin said.

“The number of controlled narcotic pills seized has already risen from 60 dosage units in 2019 to 343 dosage units in 2020.”

This is an increase of over five-fold.

“Oxycodone, oxycontin, hydrocodone, and fentanyl being the biggest narcotic drug that law enforcement is dealing with nationwide,” Martin said. “Make sure you hide the (prescription) medication (you take) or keep it with you.”

“In 2019, 10.67 ounces meth was seized; in 2020 10.74 ounces of meth was seized, and 38.7 ounces was seized in the first half of this year,” he said. This is three times the number of the total of last year.

“In 2019, of heroin, .16 ounces were recovered. In 2020, 4.5 grams of heroin was recovered,” Martin said.

That is four times as numerous as the previous year.

About the KCJCC Grant

Governor Laura Kelly, on behalf of the KCJCC, announced on October 21 that more than $2 million will be awarded as part of the 2022 grant awards for the Federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

The KCJCC oversees the criminal justice federal funding made available to Kansas through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

Specifically, JAG awards are made to local, state, and nonprofit agencies to fund prevention activities; equipment and technology needs; and programs designed to reduce crime, decrease recidivism rates, and provide crime victim services.

A total of $2,396,959 was awarded to 25 agencies, according to the press release.

KCJCC Members:
Derek Schmidt, Attorney General, Chair
Clay Britton, Vice-Chair (Governor’s Designee)
Justice Caleb Stegall, (Chief Justice Designee)
Jeff Zmuda, Acting Secretary of Kansas Department of Corrections
Herman Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol
Kirk Thompson, Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Government

Ratepayers Pay More For Heating Because of Natural Disasters and Exporting of U.S. Energy

October 28, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Ratepayers can expect to pay more for heat
this winter and how to minimize the impact

TOPEKA – Kansans have heard the warnings that energy costs are on the rise. As a result, consumers have questions and some may need assistance to keep pace with the higher costs. The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has launched an online resource to explain the reasons prices are escalating, help consumers minimize the impact, and find financial and weatherization assistance.

Topics covered include tips to reduce energy use, assistance programs available throughout the state, information on the Cold Weather Rule, steps to take if you receive a disconnection notice and who to call for help with utility issues.

The KCC regulates investor-owned utilities in the state; however, the agency does not set fuel prices. The price for natural gas, the predominant heating source used by Kansans, was deregulated by the U.S Congress in the mid 1980’s. As a result, prices are driven by the market. The cost utilities pay for natural gas is a direct pass through to its customers.

More information is available on the KCC’s website at https://kcc.ks.gov/kcc-consumer-alert.

Why are energy costs going up?

First, it is important to note that the U.S. Congress deregulated
natural gas prices in the mid 1980’s.

As a result, prices are driven by the market. The cost utilities pay for energy is a direct pass-through to its customers. Utilities do negotiate contracts with their suppliers and utilize hedging and storage to help manage costs, but overall, supply and demand play a huge role in market prices.

Natural gas storage levels have been below five-year average levels all summer and that continues. Coming out of Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, the nation’s storage levels for natural gas were significantly depleted.

This storage has been slow to refill for a variety of reasons:

1. Natural gas is used as a fuel for electric generation. Demand has been higher than average due to heat waves in the west and southern parts of the U.S. Plus, there was a need to replace
hydroelectric production in the west due to record drought.

2. Energy shortages in Europe and Asia are fueling exports, which displaces production that might otherwise go to domestic storage and other uses.

3. Domestic production of natural gas has declined recently as offshore natural gas wells were disrupted from Hurricane Ida and extremely low energy prices during the pandemic caused shutdowns in domestic oil and gas wells.

4. U.S. producers are exporting record amounts of natural gas to Mexico, up 25% from a year earlier and 44% more than the previous five-year average.

Yet another factor that could affect supply is the arrival of winter weather, which will increase demand and lead to higher prices. How much will vary depending on where you live.

“High demand + lower than average supplies and storage = higher than expected prices

Bourbon County, Elections

Voting Has Begun In Bourbon County: Make Your Opinion Count

October 27, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

An advance voter in the Bourbon County Courthouse.

November 2, 2021, is the day voting will cease for the upcoming Kansas election. On that day the polls will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

In the meantime, there is advance voting going on at the courthouse.

“As of 11:20 a.m. (yesterday) we have had 138 early advanced votes placed here at the courthouse,” Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk, said. “This does not include advanced mail ballots.”

The ballot drop outside the Bourbon County Clerks’ office.

There are 11,933 registered voters in the county, according to Doretta Neville, of the Bourbon County Election Office.

Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk. Submitted photo.

Early voting is happening at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue, this week from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-noon.

If there are any questions, contact the clerk at 620.223.3800, ext. 802.