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All posts by Submitted Story
Happenings At The Gordon Park Museum
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Hot Wok Restaurant: Open on Christmas Day
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 19
From the Bleachers-739 BY Dr. Jack Welch
FROM THE BLEACHERS-739
BY DR. JACK WELCH
Decision or Commitment
There is a powerful difference between making a decision and making a commitment. Most people understand how to decide. Decisions are often easy to speak aloud, easy to applaud, and easy to celebrate in the moment. Commitment, however, is proven only over time. It requires action, discipline, and sometimes sacrifice when enthusiasm fades.
Imagine standing in a church on a wedding day. The groom looks into the eyes of his beautiful bride, his voice trembling, a tear forming as he speaks words of devotion: “Forsaking all others until we are parted by death.” Everyone in the room is moved. The words are strong. The decision is clear. We admire what appears to be a lifelong promise.
Now imagine learning a week later that while the newlyweds were on their honeymoon, the groom was unfaithful. In that instant, the words spoken on the wedding day lose their power. What once sounded noble and heartfelt becomes hollow. The decision he proclaimed was not validated by faithful commitment. Without commitment, words carry no weight.
This distinction matters far beyond personal relationships. It shows up every day in the workplace. Organizations often make decisions in meetings: new initiatives, new expectations, new strategic plans, and bold visions for the future. Departments nod in agreement. Leaders voice support. The decision feels unified and optimistic.
A decision without commitment is little more than wishful thinking. True progress happens only when every department commits to the decision that was made. Commitment means aligning daily actions with the plan, even when it becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means resisting the urge to quietly do things the old way while publicly supporting the new one. It means ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
Being invited into the decision-making process is important. Being heard matters. Once a direction is set though, commitment is what moves an organization forward. Without it, teams drift, trust erodes, and momentum is lost. Just like in that wedding story, the words may have sounded right, but the actions tell the real story.
Decisions announce intention. Commitments prove character. From the bleachers, it’s easy to cheer when decisions are made. Leadership, however, is revealed in what happens after the applause fades. The question is never, “Did we decide?” The real question is, “Did we commit?” A decision defines direction, but commitment determines distance.
Thought for the Week, “What truly matters is not what we say we will do, but what we faithfully follow through on when no one is watching.” Rodney Southern, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach at Copperas Cove High School
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
CHC/SEK Announces New Pharmacy Residency Program
PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has expanded its graduate medical education offerings with the addition of a community-based pharmacy residency program.
CHC/SEK, with a long-standing commitment to clinical education, also offers a family medicine residency developed in partnership with the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Both residency programs were created to address the healthcare workforce shortage by cultivating a new generation of professionals committed to delivering quality, compassionate care to rural communities.
Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, the 52-week program enables residents to build upon the skills learned in pharmacy school and provides them with hands-on experience caring for underserved and rural populations. Each year, CHC/SEK will welcome two pharmacy residents, and the first class will arrive in June 2026. The residents will join the team at Apothecare, CHC/SEK’s in-house pharmacy.
“Residents will become an integral part of our healthcare team, learning not just by observation but by taking an active role in patient care,” said Amanda Treiber, PharmD, CHC/SEK Director of Pharmacy. “Supported by dedicated preceptors and a culture of continuous learning, residents will receive structured training that empowers them to grow as empathetic, skilled, and community-focused pharmacists.”
Residents will develop expertise in patient-centered care, education, leadership, administration, pharmacy practice, professional development, specialty pharmacy, and the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which helps ensure patients have access to lower-cost medications.
“One of the standout features of this program is the opportunity it offers residents to explore many different aspects of community pharmacy practice,” said Megan Martin, PharmD, CHC/SEK Pharmacy Residency Program Director. “It’s our goal to help residents find fulfillment in their careers while equipping them with the skills and experiences they need to excel as pharmacists.”
The program features a personalized approach to professional development, giving residents the flexibility to explore and expand their expertise in their areas of interest. “We’ll tailor each resident’s experience by aligning their training with their personal career goals. For example, if a resident has an interest in specialty pharmacy, we’ll include additional time and mentorship with our specialty pharmacy team,” said Treiber.
Through this residency program, CHC/SEK strives to nurture a strong commitment to caring for all patients, regardless of their financial circumstances, and ensuring they have the medications they need. “This program provides the foundation for a career defined by leadership, compassion, purpose, and lifelong learning,” said Martin. “This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to grow their clinical skills while making a meaningful impact on countless patients’ lives.”
The CHC/SEK pharmacy residency program has an accreditation pre-candidate status with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
CHC/SEK is currently accepting applications into the program. For more information, contact Megan Martin at 620-258-5731 or [email protected], or visit chcsek.org/pharmacy-residency.
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About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information subject to protection under the Federal Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164). If you or your organization is a “Covered Entity” under the above mentioned regulations, you are obligated to treat such information in a manner consistent with the regulations. If it appears that this email was sent to you in error, (1) you are prohibited from utilizing or disseminating this email or any attachments; (2) please immediately delete it from your computer and any servers or other locations where it might be stored and (3) email [email protected] or call 620.231.9873 advising that you have done so. We appreciate your cooperation.
CHCSEK Announces New Pharmacy Residency Program 12-18-25.docx
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 18
Dec. 18 Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Meeting Agenda (Page 1)
Agenda 12.18.25
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Call Meeting to Order
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Roll Call
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Opening Ceremony
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Pledge of Allegiance
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Prayer
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Executive Sessions
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Non-Elected Personnel Interview (Item I)
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Non-Elected Personnel Interview (Item II)
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Resolutions for Signing
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Resolution 48-25: County Owned Building Signing
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Resolution 50-25: Noise Resolution Signing
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Resolution 49-25: Vacation/Sick Leave Policy Signing
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Minutes Approval
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Approval of Minutes from the December 8, 2025 meeting
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New Business & Updates
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Elevator Modernization
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Executive Session: Non-Elected Personnel (Milburn-Kee)
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Adjournment
Note: The Commission will not meet on December 22nd or December 29th, 2025.
Detailed Packet Summary
Executive Session Guidelines (Page 2)
The packet includes the standard legal forms for entering executive sessions according to KSA 75-4319. It outlines justifications such as personnel matters, attorney-client privilege, and financial affairs of corporations.
Resolution 48-25: County Building & Office Space (Pages 3–6)
This resolution establishes formal office and storage assignments within the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex.
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Courthouse 3rd Floor: Dedicated to District Court operations.
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Courthouse 2nd Floor: Primary space for the County Attorney.
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Courthouse 1st Floor: Houses the Kansas Driver’s License Office (Suite 10), Appraiser (Suite 11), Extension/4-H (Suite 13), and Recorder of Deeds (Suite 14).
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Courthouse Annex: Contains the County Clerk, Commission Room, Treasurer, and Public Works.
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Restricted Areas: Specific “Cell Pods” and suites (like Suite 12) are designated for secure IT storage, Emergency Management, and specific department overflow.
Resolution 49-25: Vacation & Sick Leave Policy (Pages 7–8)
This resolution amends the County Policy and Procedure Manual effective January 1, 2026.
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2026 Transition: Due to end-of-year constraints, 2026 will serve as a transition year. Half of the annual vacation leave will be front-loaded in January, with the remaining half released monthly from July to December.
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Standard Accrual (2027): Starting January 1, 2027, all leave will be accrued monthly at 1/12th of the annual amount.
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Rehire Policy: Employees returning to the county will use their most recent hire date for benefits; “bridging” of prior service time is no longer permitted.
Resolution 50-25: Noise Limitations (Pages 9–10)
This resolution establishes regulations for excessive noise in unincorporated areas of the county.
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Standards: Uses EPA guidelines to define violations (e.g., noise greater than 55 dB outdoors near residences during daytime).
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Evidence: Measurements recorded within 75 feet of a source serve as evidence of a violation.
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Penalties: Violations can result in a fine of up to $500 per day.
Minutes of Previous Meeting: Dec 8, 2025 (Pages 11–14)
A summary of the actions taken during the previous special meeting:
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Solar Projects: Approved resolutions and agreements for the Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek solar projects, exempting them from the commercial solar moratorium.
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Property Relief: Approved real property relief for a local resident following a house fire.
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Public Comments: Included discussions on the 3-minute speaking limit and requests regarding equipment storage and department moves.
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Administrative: Rescinded a previous motion to transfer $200,000 from inmate housing fees to the general fund.
Elevator Modernization Proposal (Pages 15–32)
The packet contains a detailed “Turnkey Modernization Proposal” from Otis Elevator Company for the Courthouse elevator.
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Cost: The base contract amount is $199,700.
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Payment Terms: 50% initial payment ($99,850) is required to start engineering and ordering; 25% upon material delivery; and 25% upon completion.
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Timeline: Approximately 14 weeks for manufacturing and 5 weeks for installation.
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Scope: Includes a new microprocessor control system, new door operators, infrared protection devices, and aesthetic/safety upgrades to hall fixtures.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Hyundai and Kia Settlement in Kansas
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The Bourbon County Planning Commission Today is Canceled
The planning commission meeting scheduled for 12.17.25 has been canceled.
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk
Info On Driving in Kansas Dust Storms
Pull Off, Lights Out: KDOT, KHP launch
Kansas dust storm safety campaign
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) are launching a new safety campaign sharing safety guidance for western Kansas drivers traveling through areas with blowing dust and high winds.
A public service announcement (PSA) highlighting dangers in dust storms was created as part of the safety campaign. KDOT and KHP encourage media outlets, traffic safety partners and the public to share the PSA, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/DoDWPzY_kRM.
Dust storms often occur from December to April. The region’s flat plains, open agricultural fields, ongoing drought conditions and strong wind patterns create an environment where hazardous dust storms can develop rapidly.
“In Kansas, a windy day can turn dangerous fast. Knowing how to react properly can save lives,” said Technical Trooper Tod Hileman.
Drivers are urged to prioritize safety over speed when encountering high winds or sudden reduced visibility. The high winds can create sudden gusts and cause larger vehicles, including large trucks, RVs and trailers, to sway or lose control.
Blowing dust adds another layer of danger, with visibility capable of dropping to zero within seconds. These sudden “brownout” conditions increase the likelihood of multi-vehicle crashes.
“It’s important to remember what to do in these situations, because these steps may be the difference between safety and disaster. We want the traveling public to be knowledgeable, so they can respond when visibility is low,” said KDOT Director of Safety Troy Whitworth.
The Pull Off, Lights Out campaign outlines several critical safety steps for motorists involving dust storms, which include:
- Avoid driving into or through a dust storm, if possible.
- Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible.
- Turn on low beam headlights if you must drive through dust.
- Never stop in a travel lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles.
- Turn off all vehicle lights, including headlights and emergency flashers, while parked.
- Set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal.
- Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the visibility to clear.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather alerts and be aware of rapidly changing conditions throughout the region. For current road conditions and traffic information before you leave, visit Kandrive.gov or call 511.
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NOTE: Media outlets are encouraged to use the link above or to download the PSA at https://kansashighwaypatrol.