March 25, 2022 Friday at 2:00 P.M.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners and Jim
Harris by phone and the County Clerk present.
Anne Dare, Mike Houston, Christi Keating, Randy Nichols, Jason Silvers, Tim
VanHoeke, Katie Harrington, Mary Pemberton, Jennifer Wiggans, Trace Evans, and
Austin Bahr were present for some or all of the meeting.
Clifton stated that with the news of what is happening in Missouri with a couple of
Noble Health Hospitals, we need to make a statement. Clifton stated that we paid
for a feasibility study and we fully expect to get that study. It is in existence, I’ve
seen parts of it and Noble Health will be here Tuesday of next week. There are
rumors on Facebook circulating that Noble Health is not what they presented
themselves to be. Comments have been made by some that don’t know what they are
talking about. What happens in Missouri doesn’t affect us at all. We paid
$1,000,000.00 for a study and that’s what we will get. The study is 99% completed
and they will be here Tuesday to deliver a little bit of it. Jim stated that he wants
the public to understand that the funding for this study came from the federal
government and were for healthcare improvements only and that money for the study
that we are receiving did not go to Noble it went to the folks doing the study. Clifton
stated that the commissioners have done their homework. They owe us a study and
they are going to deliver that study in the coming weeks. I feel sorry for what is
happening in Missouri. I hope they can reorganize. Instead of being negative and
calling Noble Health all kinds of names, we should be praying for those communities.
Jim stated the feasibility study can be taken to any hospital if Noble Health doesn’t
open a hospital. Jim continued stating that we haven’t spent one penny of taxpayer
money. This is all federal money that had to be spent on healthcare or send it back.
Clifton stated that we have not transferred the building to Noble Health. We haven’t
given Noble Health any more money. Two or three weeks ago we were going to
transfer the building and Noble Health said no. They said they potentially have some
issues and we are not going to take the building or money from you right now. Again,
we paid for a feasibility study and that’s what we expect to receive. Jim stated that
Noble Health is the first company in four years that have shown any interest. Clifton
stated that Tuesday will be a normal meeting and Noble Health will be here to share
parts of the feasibility study.
At 2:09pm, Clifton made a motion to adjourn. Lynne seconded. All approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
All posts by Submitted Story
Obituary of David Carey
David Dale Carey, age 82, of Redfield, KS, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. He was born on July 13, 1939, to William and Bonnie Flo (Cloney) Carey in Decatur, IL.
He joined the Navy with five of his closest friends where he served from 1956-1960 traveling the world in service to his country. He had a lifelong love of motorcycles and did some stunts at the Macon County Speedway. His greatest passion was horses, and he was a true cowboy who loved rodeo and roping. He was a PRCA Gold Card Member and won the Great Lake Circuit heeling in the team roping in 1976.
He met the love of his life, Susan Diane Riley and married her in 1977 in Casper, WY. They lived in Wyoming, Illinois, & Kansas. Throughout the years he worked for Staley Express, KAR Productions, and Kirkland Welding. He was an assistant rodeo coach at Fort Scott Community College under Coach John Luthi and went on to coach and mentor many young rodeo athletes throughout his life.
Dave and Sue spent their retirement traveling in their motorhome with lifelong friends to Arizona and Florida and found a roping to go to whenever possible. They also set up their Cowboy Warehouse tack trailer at local rodeos for years.
He was an encouragement to many and never knew a stranger. Dave was one of the best storytellers and had so many to share!
He is survived by his wife Sue, his sister Kay Turner and husband John of Wyoming, and daughters: Chrissy Shoot and husband Doyle, Cody White and husband Ryan, and sons: Lance Carey and wife Grace, Jimmy Litts and wife Shannon, Curt Carey, Bart Carey, & Billy Carey. He had 12 grandchildren & four great grandchildren.
Per his request a Celebration of Life with a roping and cookout will be planned for later this spring. Memorials can be made to the FSCC Rodeo Team in care of Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.
FS Broadcasting Hosts Chamber Coffee April 7
The Fort Scott Broadcasting KOMB/KMDO hosts the Chamber Coffee April 7
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Broadcasting’s KOMB 103.9 and 98.3 FM, Thursday, April 7th at 8 a.m. The event will take place at Arnold Arena on campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
The Coffee will kick off the Annual Home, Sport, Farm, and Garden Show taking place Friday, April 8th from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arnold Arena. Tim and Deb McKenney and team look forward to seeing everyone at both the Coffee and the Home Show.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
Not Guilty As Charged by Patty LaRoche
Kenny Rogers made famous the song “The Gambler.” Occasionally, I find myself reciting a line from his lyrics: “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” I sing those words when sometimes—thankfully, not very often–I just have to give up.
For my own, mental, well-being. Guilt, be gone. Have you been there? A boss finds nothing but fault in your work. No praise. Only complaints. You know there is much to compliment, but the applause is used for co-workers who join him after work for a drink, not you. Your teacher uses you as her verbal punching bag, making your homework assignments “unacceptable” examples to your classmates, calling you out for forgetting a date in your heading or a crease in your page. Teacher’s pet you are not. A sibling pushes your buttons at every family function, reminding the relatives of the times you wet the bed when you were eight or were the last one chosen for the team dodge ball competition or were voted “most likely to never marry” (and you never did) in the mean-kid, middle-school group text. A “friend” attempts to make you feel guilty with passive-aggressive comments about how you let her down, always adding “LOL” afterwards in an effort to minimize the obvious criticism. “Well, I see you must be really busy because you can’t seem to find time to call me. LOL” “Of course, you would choose Becky over me. She always was your favorite. LOL” These are not fictional stories. I know the people to whom these incidents have happened.
One of my favorite Christian books that addresses the issue of guilt is Boundaries authored by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. Written to people who absorb guilt like Mike Lindell’s towels absorb water (at least, that’s what we’re told), the authors teach the readers to know when to say no in order to set healthy, biblical boundaries for themselves.
I appreciate how PhD Jamie Turndorf puts it in Psychology Today: “Nobody can take you on a guilt trip, if you aren’t willing to pack your bags and take the ride.”
Easier than it sounds. Because sometimes, that means that after you exhaust loving communication tactics, you walk away. Perhaps, even run.
“Jessie,” a dear friend of mine, joined Al-anon when her best friend’s alcoholism began to ruin their relationship. At her meetings, Jessie learned that when Sue called her and was drunk, she was to say, “Sue, I can tell you have been drinking. Please call me back when you are sober. I love you.” Then she hung up.
At first, Sue was livid, phoning Jessie nonstop to guilt her into listening. Ultimately, she got the message. Romans 8:1 is a Bible verse that we should all memorize: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… If Jesus doesn’t remind us of where we mess up, then no one else should, either.
Fort Scott Design Review Board Vacancy
Please see the following Board opening:
This is for the City of Fort Scott Design Review Board:
- One opening (City resident)
The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by April 15th, 2022.
Fort Scott Parks Board Committee Vacancy
Please see the following Board opening:
This is for the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee:
- One opening (City resident)
The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by April 15th, 2022.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 1
Kansas shifts from emergency pandemic response to new normal
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Transition to COVID-19 Endemic Response
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced their continued efforts to shift to the next chapter of the COVID-19 response, pivoting from emergency pandemic response to endemic normalcy. On April 1, KDHE will make changes to continue the transition from emergency response to our ‘new normal,’ which includes life with COVID-19—similar to how we deal with other recurring diseases like the flu. Using the lessons learned over the past two years, KDHE will continue to ensure the State is prepared for potential surges or other needs that might arise in the future.
“Kansas is continuing the transition to a new phase of understanding and living with COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We know the pandemic is not over, however we now have the tools and knowledge obtained over the past two years to prevent or reduce the spread of the virus. We are normalizing our COVID-19 response and incorporating these lessons into our larger efforts at improving health outcomes for all Kansans, which includes work on multiple diseases and an awareness of differing risk factors.”
This decision comes as current COVID-19 metrics are moving in the right direction. Over the last two years, KDHE has made significant progress in keeping Kansas communities safe with the help of partners throughout the State: over 7 million tests have been given, over 4 million vaccines have been administered, and over 78% of eligible Kansans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.
“In our new normal, we will continue to ensure that Kansans have equitable access to life-saving vaccines, tests, and treatments. This shift does not mean that COVID is over, but rather we are working to manage the disease in a way that allows us to maintain a more normal life that is once again filled with friends, families and other loved ones,” said KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek.
Working with Local Health Departments (LHDs) and stakeholders, KDHE’s endemic plan addresses six key areas that are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Kansans:
- Intervention: KDHE will continue to provide comprehensive guidance, while continuing to offer additional assistance to underserved and/or vulnerable populations.
- Vaccination: KDHE will focus on making sure vulnerable populations have access to the COVID-19 vaccine while existing vaccine providers, including health care providers, pharmacists, hospitals, and LHDs, will continue to serve the broader population.
- Treatment: KDHE will continue to ensure Kansans will be able to receive COVID-19 treatment across the State, as treatment distribution shifts away from public health entities and back to local health care providers.
- Testing: KDHE will continue to support access to free testing across the state through community testing sites, LHDs, and K-12 schools as long as federal funding is available. In addition, the federal government provides direct testing support to Federally Qualified Health Centers and pharmacies around the state. To find a free testing location near you, go to knowbeforeyougoKS.com. KDHE testing support for Long Term Care Facilities will be phased out on May 15, 2022, and testing support for employers ends on June 30, 2022.
- Monitoring: KDHE will continue to monitor data as reported by organizations and facilities across the state to understand the status of COVID-19 and proactively identify at-risk groups. Public reporting will be reduced to once a week.
- Communications: KDHE will continue to provide essential and accessible COVID information to keep Kansans safe and aware of any subsequent changes to COVID-19 response efforts.
Across each of the above areas, KDHE will remain prepared to ramp up capacity to quickly respond to a surge and keep Kansans safe should the need arise.
Minutes of the Bourbon County Commission for March15
March 15, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners, Jim Harris and Lynne Oharah, and the County Clerk present.
Matt Crystal, Don Coffman, Bill Martin, Bobby Reed, Troy Arnold, Clint Walker and Jason Silvers were present for some or all of the meeting.
Lynne made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes, Jim seconded, all approved.
Eric Bailey reported no permits this week. We made it through another winter storm.
We are starting today on extending the culvert at 240th & the tracks. MSHAW was here last week and some areas of concern they want us to address and they will be
back in a couple of weeks. We will report back to the commission when we get the final report. Eric requested a budget report. Eric reminded everyone of work session today at 1:00pm. Windmills update: still working on final punch list and may have
that completed this week. Lynne asked that they patch some potholes in front of the Fire Station in Devon. Lynne also reported that there is a need for gravel north of the convenience store in Uniontown. Also, a ditch on Range Rd needing cleaned out. Eric
stated they are in the process of moving equipment to Thomas quarry.
Resolution for Liquor Sales – tabled as Clerk’s office is working on it.
Bobby Reed requested a resolution to allow his office to bill at the maximum billable
amount by State. The charge is for parolees arrested in Bourbon County. Jim made a
motion to adopt resolution 09-22 to allow Corrections to bill for parolees at the
maximum billable amount by State. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Justin Meeks stated he wanted to have an executive session to finish up some
discussion regarding healthcare contract. He suggested waiting until Clifton Beth was
present. Justin stated that he continues to work on the tax sale.
Susan Bancroft stated that there needs to be someone appointed for the Lake
Advisory Board. Susan stated Mark McCoy stated he would be willing to serve on the
board. Jim made a motion to appoint Mark McCoy as a Bourbon County representative
to the Lake Advisory Board. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Public Comment: Clint Walker stated that Public Works is doing a good job putting in
whistles where requested.
Elected Official Comment: No Comment
Jim made a motion to amend the agenda to allow Eric to present a culvert permit for
Troy & Jennifer Arnold at 1170 250th St to add a couple of culverts and maybe an extension or two. Lynne made a motion to accept the request for culvert/extension
by Troy & Jennifer Arnold at 1170 250th St. Jim seconded. All approved.
Commission Comment: Lynne issued a reminder that the Commission meeting for
March 22, 2022 will be at 6pm at the City Hall in Uniontown. Jim reminded everyone
of the work session today at 1:00pm. Open to the public. Don Coffman asked if we
test our rock. Jim stated that each quarry has been tested. Don stated we need to
have traffic counts, etc. to prioritize the roads due to increase in price. Jim stated
that they go by traffic count and condition of the road. Jim stated the grid they use
is put out by the University of Wisconsin rated from 1 – 10. Don asked if the property
where the old landfill used to be, be put to walk-in hunting? Jim said he didn’t think
it was ever discussed. Jim stated that we do hay it. Jim stated he would look into it.
Lynne made a motion to adjourn at 9:33am. Jim seconded. All approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Ashley Shelton, Bourbon Cou
Obituary of Nola Smith
Nola J. Smith, age 67, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 30, 2022.
She was born September 25, 1954, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Calvin L. Pitts and Grace Wiggans Pitts. Nola married Richard Alan Smith on March 27, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Uniontown, Kansas.
In earlier years, Nola worked for the Western Insurance Company and then for Key Work Clothes. She later accepted a secretarial position for the Fort Scott Community College and then worked in claims and data entry for Great West/Cigna. Nola’s last job was working as a carhop for Sonic which she considered quite an accomplishment for someone of her age.
Nola was happiest when she was surrounded by her family. They have many memories of her preparing meals, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also enjoyed taking the occasional trip to the casino or spending a little time antiquing or going to an auction. Quiet times at home were spent doing jigsaw puzzles. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her son, Christopher Smith (Darla) of Wamego, Kansas and Kimberly Smith (Allen Beerbower) of Redfield, Kansas and two grandchildren, Glenn Arron Smith and Hailey Beerbower. Also surviving are two brothers, Carl Hall of Pittsburg, Kansas and Ed Pitts (Luanne) of Redfield.
Nola was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, on October 6, 2018 and also by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 6th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Free Developmental Screenings For Children 3-5 at Uniontown April 4
Developmental screenings will be available for children ages 3-5 who may need special education and related services on Monday, April 4, 2022 at West Bourbon Elementary, Uniontown, KS.
Vision, hearing, speech, and developmental screenings can be conducted for children ages 3-5 at no cost. This free screening is sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Interlocal #637 and USD 235.
Appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting Jennifer Vaughn at (620) 704-6549.
Area Churches come together to pack food for people in Ukraine
Seven area churches partnered together with IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services) to put meals together for people in Ukraine.
Those seven churches were Rinehart Christian Church, Walker Christian Church, Rich Hill Christian Church, Hume Christian Church, 1st Christian out of Nevada, and Community Christian out of Nevada, and Sheldon Christian Church.
“It was a great time of coming together with other believers in Jesus and working on a common goal/project,” said Kevin Moyers, Pastor at Rinehart Christian Church.
Friday evening, March 25th, a truck arrived at the Rinehart Church from Indianapolis and about 30 people helped unload the truck of all the food supplies. “We set up 10 lines (2 tables in each line) from which the food would be handled the next morning and put into bags,” Moyers said.
On Saturday, March 26th, approximately 120 people from those 7 churches gathered at 9 a.m. and for the next three hours were busy, packaging 53,280 meals.
“It’s hard to imagine how that is possible, but you would have had to see it to imagine it,” Moyers said. “The system that IDES has in place for this kind of service project is very efficient. And of course, it takes people who are willing to ‘stay at it.’ Older folks, younger folks, kids…everyone working together to the glory of God. This was actually a fun project to do!”
The food bags consisted of rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a bag of 21 essential vitamins and nutrients. When full, the bags were six servings, therefore six meals per bag. The recipient of the bag of food will add the contents to 1.5-2 liters of boiling water, and after cooking for 20 minutes there is enough food that will fill to overflowing a 2 qt. crockpot. IDES figures the cost of each meal at twenty-five cents. Figure the total cost of this project: $13,320. The seven churches partnered in coming up with that money.
“It was a really great event to be a part of,” Pastor Moyers said. “IDES has committed 1,000,000 meals to Ukraine, and we were so happy to be a part of that relief effort. We weren’t sure at first where the food was going to go, as this event has been in the planning stage for about nine months. IDES is a crisis relief ministry and they send help all over the world. When we were told on Saturday this shipment of food was going to Ukraine it was very exciting to our people.”