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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports October 28
Scout Troop Will Work On Hiking Merit Badge on November 1
Two young men from Scout Troop 114 are working on their last hike for their hiking merit badge. They will be hiking 20 miles. They would like the community to come out and give them some encouragement. They hike about 3 miles per hour. Their names are Charlie Hoffmeyer, age 14 and Max Petrillo, age 11.
The route they will be hiking is as follows
Leaving Pete’s on Wall Street, headed to Holbrook on Wall Street to 2nd Street and Lowman, then turn right on 6th Street, turn on Horton and walk past the community college and continue on Horton to Indian Road. The children will be taking a small break at Indian Road. They will then continue past 165th Road and Indian Road, then 165th and Huckleberry. They then plan to rest again at the parking lot for Hollister. They will continue to follow the curves in the road to 130th. The final intersection in their route is 130th and Brch.
The start time of this hike is 0600 on Saturday, November 1st
Chamber Coffee at Landmark Bank on October 30
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Taco Tuesday’s! VFW members and guests are welcome
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports October 27
Surviving The Holidays For Those Grieving November 17
Nothing but… by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
by Carolyn Tucker
Nothing but…
When I was a kid, my parents frequently hung out with other adult couples. I basically didn’t add my two-cents worth to any of their conversations, I just listened. I heard a lot of topics being discussed and, most of the time, it revolved around comical stories. When visiting at Elda and Marge’s home, she kept a sketchbook for me so I could keep myself occupied. While drawing, I listened. I remember Elda telling a true incident that happened while driving his family somewhere. While stopped at an intersection, he asked if there was anything coming from the opposite direction. His eldest daughter calmly responded, “Nothing…but a bread truck.” I’d give money to hear, again, the laughter that erupted from this these two couples sitting around the kitchen table.
A huge crowd had followed Jesus and the disciples; it was getting late and all the people were hungry. The disciples recommended that Jesus send the crowds away so they could buy food for themselves. “Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They (the disciples) replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And He said, ‘Bring them here to Me.’ Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds” (Matthew 14:16-19 NRS). The disciples didn’t think they had enough to amount to anything. But Jesus took what they offered and added His blessing to it and, voila, it was more than enough!
I’ve visited with enough Christ followers to know there are some that say they don’t know what their talents are. They mistakenly don’t think they have anything beneficial to offer. The little boy among the crowd of way over 5,000 people certainly didn’t think his five loaves of bread and two fish would make a difference. Nevertheless, he was willing to give it to the disciples anyway. Without Jesus’ blessing, these meager pieces of food were pretty worthless. Everyone thought it was nothing…but Jesus. He said, “Bring it to Me!” When believers come with nothing but our God-given talents — that’s enough! He knows how to turn it into something valuable.
Nothing is too small or insignificant for Jesus to bless and use. Others will benefit from your talents and you will receive joy in doing good. If you love to cook, share meals with others. If you love to bake, give away cookies. If you love to work on vehicles, organize, repair stuff, sew, etc., just lay it at the feet of Jesus to be used however He pleases. You may think that the talents you have and enjoy don’t amount to anything, but they are something beautiful and good because God created you in the womb to do these things! And for crying out loud, don’t compare your talents with other people’s. You’re an original on purpose!
Apostle Paul penned, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10 NLT). Please use your talents to help others on their journey of life. The God-given talents that you were born with are not insignificant when multiplied with Jesus’ blessing on them. Little is much when Jesus gets done with it!
The Key: Jesus knows what to do with our talents. Just let Him have ‘em!
Oct. 27, 2025 Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Agenda: October 27, 2025
Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Time: Monday, October 27, 2025, 5:30 PM
10.27.25 Agenda Packet PDF
Summary of Packet
I. Call Meeting to Order
- Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Prayer
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes (unofficial until approved)
- 09.22.25
- 09.23.25
- 09.26.25
- 09.29.25
- 10.06.25
- 10.14.25
- 10.20.25
- 10.22.25
IV. Sign Approved Minutes
- Sign 10.20.25 approved minutes for 09.15.25, 09.16.25, 10.07.25
V. Sign Adopted Resolution
- Sign 10.20.25 adopted Resolution 33-25 Meeting Rules
VI. Payroll Discussion with Payentry (5:40 pm)
- Jolene Ashpaugh & Cassie Johnson
VII. Consent Agenda
- Approval of 10.24.25 Accounts Payable ($74,810.79)
- September 2025 Financials
- 3rd Quarter Financial Publication Approval
VIII. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
IX. Old Business
- Vehicle Lease Program – Sheriff
- Technology Discussion with Sheriff
- Noise Resolution Discussion
- Gov Deals – Beerbower
- Bitcoin Discussion
X. New Business
- Hammond Community Center Discussion – Milburn
- Stop Sign Discussion – Milburn
- Credit Card Policy Discussion – Milburn
- Longevity Discussion – Beerbower
XI. Department Updates
- County Clerk, Election Reminder
XII. Build Agenda for following meeting
XIII. Commission Comments
XIV. Adjournment
Information Packet Summary
This summary provides detailed information from the minutes of previous Bourbon County Commission meetings, including key topics discussed and actions taken, along with the page number where the information can be found in the PDF.
Future Items and Executive Session Forms (Page 2)
The packet includes a standard form to be used for motions to enter Executive Session for privileged discussions (e.g., personnel, attorney-client, negotiations, real estate, security matters).
Future items for discussion include the Elevator, Noise Resolution, Payments (Payroll & AP), Sanitation, Economic Development, and the Juvenile Detention Contract (Spring 2026).
Minutes of September 22, 2025, 5:30 PM (Pages 3-8)
- Budget Discussion (Page 3): Commissioners discussed budget creep, finding savings, and a potential $106,000 shortfall in the Sheriff’s department budget for 2026. They expressed a desire to reduce the mill levy to the revenue neutral rate.
- Law Enforcement Vehicle Leasing (Page 3): A presentation was given by Enterprise Fleet Management for a proposed vehicle leasing program. Commissioners requested legal counsel review the contract.
- Road Closures (Page 3): Discussion on closing a section of 140th Street was tabled for two weeks.
- Planning Commission Selections (Page 4): Seven individuals were nominated and approved for the newly formed Bourbon County Planning Commission.
- Actions Taken (Page 7): Approved $302,193.56 in Accounts Payable from 09/19/25. Approved a Cereal Malt Beverage License for KC Mart, Inc.
Minutes of Special Meeting, September 23, 2025, 5:30 PM (Pages 9-11)
- Budget Review and Cuts (Page 9): Commissioners reviewed the budget line by line, making cuts, notably to the IT department budget, to achieve a revenue-neutral budget.
- Sheriff’s Department Funding (Page 9): There was discussion on the legality of a separate Public Safety fund for inmate housing revenue and whether it should be in the general fund. The Sheriff and his financial advisor were invited to a special meeting for clarity.
- NRP Funds (Page 9): The process for handling the 5% Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) fee was found to be unclear and in need of clarification and formalization.
Minutes of Special Meeting, September 26, 2025, 3:35 PM (Pages 12-15)
- Budget Finalization (Page 12, 15): The Commissioners reached a consensus on the 2026 budget, setting the mill levy at 56.678, which is below revenue neutral.
- Review: The finalized budget was motioned to be sent to a third-party auditor for review at a cost not to exceed $1,500 (Page 15).
- Sheriff’s Fund (Page 12): The Sheriff proposed a 60%/40% split of jail revenue for a separate fund (60% to Sheriff’s office, 40% to county).
Minutes of September 29, 2025, 5:30 PM (Pages 16-18)
- 190th Street Benefit District (Page 16): Public Works was directed to assess the district.
- Elevator (Page 16): The courthouse elevator was reported to be non-compliant, and the Commission will get quotes for repairs.
- Credit Application (Page 17): The Sheriff’s Office received a credit application from Enterprise Fleet Management for a leasing program, and the Commission agreed to further review the Master Equity Lease Agreement.
- Action Taken (Page 18): Approved the motion to remove the stop signs going east and west on North National at the 218th street intersection.
- Planning Commission Terms (Page 18): One-year, two-year, and three-year terms were assigned to the new Planning Commission members.
Minutes of October 6, 2025, 5:30 PM (Pages 19-22)
- 140th Street Road Closure (Page 21): A motion to take no action on the application was approved.
- Bitcoin Mining/Noise (Page 21): Residents raised concerns about noise from a Bitcoin mining operation. The Sheriff advised the commissioners to work with the County Attorney and KDHE on a noise resolution.
- Landfill Trailer (Page 21): Public Works requested and received approval to purchase an $85,000 walking floor trailer for the landfill.
- Action Taken (Page 21): Approved the County Clerk as the voting delegate for the KCAMP annual meeting.
Minutes of October 14, 2025, 5:30 PM (Pages 22-26)
- Law Enforcement Fund (Page 23): Approved a Resolution establishing a Law Enforcement Fund for the Sheriff’s Office, giving the Sheriff’s Office full control of the fund (without the previously discussed 60/40 split).
- Vehicle Lease (Page 24): The Master Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management was approved.
- Bitcoin Moratorium (Page 24): Approved a moratorium on any new Bitcoin mining operations to allow the planning commission to develop regulations.
- Health Insurance (Page 25): Commissioner Milburn-Kee reported that current insurance rates are unaffordable, and new plans are being developed.
Minutes of October 20, 2025, 6:00 PM (Pages 28-31)
- Rules of Procedure (Page 30): A motion was approved to repeal previous resolutions and adopt a new resolution establishing rules of procedures for meeting agendas and conduct.
- Public Works SOPs (Page 29): New Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs for sign installation and culvert installation) were approved.
- Accounts Payable/Payroll (Page 30): The consent agenda was approved (2-1 vote) for Accounts Payable of $377,595.70 and Payroll of $300,350.36.
- Road Projects (Page 29): Public Works discussed the potential option to purchase asphalt from an outside source for road projects.
Minutes of October 22, 2025, 6:00 PM (Pages 31-33)
- Insurance (Page 32): The Commission discussed the critical need to approve a health insurance plan before the end of the month and set an insurance work session for October 23, 2025.
- Longevity Pay (Page 32): Discussed the legal framework and eligibility requirements for a longevity pay policy.
Late October – The Perfect Time to Tackle Lawn Weeds and Fertilize
Late October – The Perfect Time to Tackle Lawn Weeds and Fertilize
So far, this fall has brought fairly favorable weather—but winter is just around the corner. Before the deep freeze sets in, there are two important tasks every homeowner should check off their lawn care list: weed control and fall fertilization.
Why Worry About Lawn Weeds Now?
Weeds might be the last thing on your mind this time of year. But think back to last spring—was your lawn speckled with purple henbit or dotted with dandelions? If so, those weeds didn’t just show up in spring—they actually started growing last fall.
Cool-season broadleaf weeds like henbit, dandelions, and chickweed germinate in the cool, moist conditions of September and October. They overwinter as small, low-growing plants that often go unnoticed. Once spring temperatures rise, they rapidly grow and bloom, making them much harder to control.
Fall is the Best Time for Broadleaf Weed Control
Treating these weeds in the fall is your best chance for effective control. During this season, the weeds are actively transporting nutrients to their roots in preparation for winter. Herbicides applied now are carried down to the roots, killing the plant from the inside out. Plus, the young, small weeds are much more vulnerable to herbicide treatments.
Look for broadleaf herbicides that contain 2,4-D, or combination products with 2,4-D, MCPP, and Dicamba—commonly sold under names like Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, or Weed-Out. Another effective option is Weed Free Zone, which includes all of the above ingredients plus carfentrazone for enhanced control.
Important Note: Avoid applying herbicides to newly seeded lawns until the grass has been mowed at least two or three times. Always read and follow the label instructions carefully.
Fall applications also reduce the risk of herbicide drift, a common issue during warm, windy spring days. The cooler, calmer conditions of fall—along with the dormant state of many plants—make this an ideal time for treatment.
Don’t Forget Fertilization
Early November is the perfect time to apply the final dose of nitrogen fertilizer to your cool-season lawn. This late-season application can make a big difference come spring.
Why? As temperatures drop, top growth slows, but grass plants continue producing and storing carbohydrates in their crowns and roots. These stored reserves help your lawn green up earlier and grow more vigorously in the spring—often eliminating the need for early spring fertilizer.
Apply 1 to 1½ pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Use a quick-release nitrogen source like urea or ammonium sulfate for best results.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall Newsletter
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Be Determined to be Determined by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
The story is told of a little boy who lived in a ghetto. Because of his strong belief in God, his friends constantly teased him, saying, “If God loves you, why doesn’t he take care of you? Why doesn’t God tell someone to bring you shoes or send someone with a warm coat? Where is the good food you’ve been asking God for?” The little boy thought for a moment and with tears in his eyes, softly said, “I guess He does tell somebody but somebody forgets.”
I am afraid that too many of us are that “somebody.”
We see the man on the side of the road, holding his cardboard sign that lets us know that he is homeless, broke, a veteran, asking for money. The scribbled writing ends with “God bless you.” We drive away. After all, he could get a job; everybody is hiring. He probably will buy alcohol with the money we give him, anyway.
Our neighbor recently taped aluminum foil to her windows in an effort to save on her heating bill. Embarrassed? You betcha. What’s this neighborhood coming to?
We watch obese people struggle to manage their Walmart shopping cart and put groceries into their car trunks, and we scurry on by. After all, it’s not our fault they don’t try to get in shape, and we’re in a hurry to get home from work. They should try to walk a mile in our designer shoes!
The call goes out for volunteers to hang wreaths on the tombstones of the soldiers buried at our National Cemetery or place flags in the ground at our National Fort, but that’s the day we are having a family get together or a lunch date with a friend. Just too busy!
How about this one? I know that I should take a meal to ________ who is going through a difficult time right now, but I’m sooooooo tired.
And yes, some of us have tried to help and have gotten burned. No fun. We offer our couch for a two-night stay that turns into a two-week visit. Our guests do nothing to help but treat our offer as something they are owed. Or we “loan” money, never to see an attempt to repay. We vow never to help again.
What’s really sad is when we tell someone we will pray for them, and then we don’t. (My hand is raised here.) My intentions are good. My actions? Not so much. And then they let us know that all is well and thank us for our prayers, and we don’t admit that we forgot or just were too preoccupied to follow through.
Not everything needs to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, we just need to keep our antennas up and be aware of needs around us. A smile. A compliment. Opening a door. The other day in Costco, I stood in the line that, of course, was the slowest one available. The man in front of me had three orders, and something went wrong with the way the employee rang them up. He needed a manager. The assistant manager came, but that wasn’t good enough.
As the other lines moved along smoothly, I turned to a young woman behind me. “This is my fault, you know,” I said to her. “You never should get behind me in a line; this happens regularly.” She grinned and said, “I sure hope you’re not going to Trader Joe’s next.” We both cracked up. When I finally got through the line, the register attendant looked exasperated. I paid and said, “Have a blessed day.” She stopped, looked at me and said that I made her day.
In the parking lot, I watched an elderly lady wandering, clearly looking for her car. Been there, done that! I pulled up beside her and asked what her car looked like and then drove around, looking for it, to no avail. Finally, I persuaded her to get into my car (she was terrified of me!) so we could search together. As it turned out, it wasn’t where she thought she left it.
Philippians 2:4 can change lives: Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. We need to be determined to be determined not to forget.