Category Archives: Bourbon County

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Newsletter April 1

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
April 1st Weekly Newsletter
So much fun coming up in Fort Scott,
share with your friends & family!
Save the Date for the Downtown Clean-up Event!
Let us know if you would like to volunteer!
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS,
ON THE HOUR FROM THE CHAMBER!
Friday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Saturday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under
50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott!
4/1-2 ~ Laree + Co. Sidewalk Sale, Friday 12-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm – up to 85% off!
4/1 ~ Lenten Fish Fry hosted by Knights of Columbus, 705 S. Holbrook St., 5-7pm
4/1 ~ Old 54 Cycles April Fools Bike Night, 223 N. National Ave., 5pm
4/2 ~ Visit the Easter Bunny at Bourbon County Angels Foundation, 10am-2pm, see flyer below for details.
4/2 ~ Bourbon County Commission Meeting, Mapleton, 6pm
4/2 ~ Fort Scott Middle School TWIRP Dance, 7-9pm, Buck Run, $5 per student, 70’s theme.
4/6 ~ Wednesday Writers, Hedgehog.Ink, Every Wednesday in April in the Great Room, 1:30-3:00pm
4/6 ~ Career Fair at FSHS, click here if you want to have a booth!
4/6 ~ Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event – Financial Success, 104 N. National Avenue, 5-8pm, click here.
4/7 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by KOMB 103.9, Kick-off of the Annual Home, Sport, Farm & Garden Show, Arnold Arena on FSCC Campus, 8am
4/7 ~ Early Childhood Spring Fling, 409 S.
Judson, 5:30-7pm, click here for details.
4/8-9 ~ KOMB 103.9 FM Home Sport Farm Garden Show, Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm,
Arnold Arena on the campus of FSCC
4/8-10 ~ FSCC Presents ‘Godspell’ Fifty years after its theatrical debut, the musical “Godspell” returns to the stage at Fort Scott Community College in an exciting, powerful new form next month.7:30pm March 25-26 and 2pm March 27. Admission is $5. FSCC students, faculty and staff are admitted free of charge. Masks are required.
4/9 ~ Hopping Crappie Tournament, Lake Fort Scott, 6am, click here for FB event.
4/9 ~ Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Kiwanis, Gunn Park Shelter 2, 11am sharp!
4/9 ~ Paint & Pizza Easter Cross Party at Papa Don’s, click here for details.
4/9 ~ FS Christian Heights 8th grade Car Hop & Bake Sale at the school, 4-7pm
4/9 ~ Joe Erie Benefit, Holmtown Pub with Bourbon County Revival, 12-2pm
SAVE THE DATE:
4/13 ~ One-Day Shuttle Trip to view the Gordon Parks exhibition, Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, 8:30am-6pm, click here.
4/14 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion Post 25 at Memorial Hall, 7pm
4/16 ~ Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event, Downtown Fort Scott Historic District
4/15 ~ Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Spring Off Road 101 Course, 2051 130th St. Mapleton, KS, 9am-5pm
4/23-24 ~ Civil War Encampment Weekend at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, click here.
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SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!
Clickhere for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
Laree + Co. Sidewalk Sale
Easter Bunny at Bourbon County Angels
Fort Scott Community College Presents “Godspell”
Fort Scott Christian Heights Car Hop Dinner & Bake Sale
Lenten Fish Fries by Knights of Columbus
April Fools Bike Night
FORT CINEMA SHOW SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County Angels Group Rents Building to House Donations

Bourbon County Angels new building is located at 111 W. Third, Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

Bourbon County Angels started because some local women saw that there are local families having a difficult financial time in their lives.

“We have seen a severe need in our community when we were doing Christmas (lists) for  (area) children and a lot of them had clothing items on their wish list that was sent to us,” Lisa Thurston, Fort Scott, one of the three organizers, said. “We want to be able to provide the clothing items and household items and even food to those that are having a hard time.”

“We have clothing, hygiene items, household items, and food,” she said. “It is hard to say exactly what we have as it changes with every donation we receive.”

The group recently attained a building at 111 W. Third, Fort Scott, to house all the donations and allow for people to come and choose what they need.

“Mayor Kevin Allen gave it to us to use monthly, he is donating the building until grant money comes in,” Thurston said. “We have Melissa Guns writing grants for us.”

“We started the actual building adventure this January, but the ‘angels’ actually started just for Christmas two years ago,” she said.

The other organizers are Sara Roufs, Redfield and Erin Thurston, Lisa’s daughter, Fort Scott.

Bourbon County Angels. Submitted photo. From left: Ronni Clayton, Sara Roufs, Lisa Thurston, Sadie Thurston, Erin Thurston, and Angie Clemens.

“Sara started Bourbon County Angels to provide Christmas presents for children,” she said. “People started volunteering so we started getting lists from about 75 families…this year we got 121 families. On their lists the kids were asking for shoes or coats or blankets. That’s when we decided to open a building and offer them all year long. So children could ask for toys instead of everyday items.”

“Living in a small town, we see a lot and we knew that there was a major need for people to be able to come get the items that we use in our everyday lives without having the worry of, (for example) if they got new shoes, how they could pay a bill or feed their families, and we want to be able to help with that.  No one should have to stress over being able to get the stuff that they need. With everything going on right now, a lot of people have been left without jobs or just don’t make enough to be able to provide everything that is needed in our everyday lives.”

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the group received calls from people saying they needed food to make it through a few days.

“We would gather meals and deliver to their doorstep,” Thurston said. “We probably did 20 families when COVID was rough in our town. We have also been providing food for a homeless gentleman in our town.”

The group is planning several upcoming events:

Saturday, April 2 at the facility at 111 W. Third, the Easter Bunny will be there  to hand out candy and have pictures taken with children, for free, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 9 at Lake Fort Scott’s handicapped dock, there will be a fishing tournament, sponsored by Backroads Bait. The fundraiser starts at 5:45 a.m. with a check-in and has a 2 p.m. weigh in. Proceeds will help the Bourbon County Angels with rent.

For more information contact Thurston at 620.644.8291.

See the latest information on the groups Facebook page.

Hours the facility is open are Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Saturdays are a donation exchange, she said. “Say kids clothes don’t fit anymore, you can leave those and take what you need. But some people just leave donations and some people just take what they need.”

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

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.

Free Seminar Targets Women Starting/Growing Their Business

Healthy Bourbon County Action Team staff have organized a fourth seminar targeting women who are seeking information on starting/growing a business.

The event is Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the HBCAT office, 104 N. National Avenue.

“This will help local women entrepreneurs know their resources and learn from local women leaders on how to create a sustainable business,” said Rachel Carpenter, program director. “This is an opportunity for women to network and create relationships to help their businesses take the next professional step.”

For this Dare to Dream seminar, the time has been scheduled for table-talk discussion with past keynote speakers and panelists.
“This is the fourth part of the Dare to Dream series,” Carpenter said. “We will have some of the past keynote speakers and panelists available for table discussion. This will be a time for any questions to be answered from the audience.”
“Any questions you may have you will be able to ask some of the women leaders of Bourbon County. We want you to be SUCCESSFUL! There will be more time for social networking and building relationships,” according to its Facebook page.
Past speakers who will be available for a round table open discussion are Erin Vann, Hwy. 3; Dacia Clark, PSU Small Business Development Center; Katie Casper, Union State Bank; Angela Simon, Bids and Dibs; Rebecca Williams, The Butcher Block; Kelly Perry, Perry’s Pork Rinds; Lindsay Madison, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Rachel Carpenter and Jody Hoener of the HBCAT.

Please note there is one registration per person to help us with registration.

Melissa Wise, the keynote speaker, is the owner of Wise Tax and Accounting and has over 20 years of experience with accounting, payroll, and taxes.

Melissa Wise. Submitted photo.

Registration is required for childcare.

There will be a taco bar catered by La Hacienda, and Margaritas available for purchase.

Dinner and networking from 5-5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 5:30 p.m.

Funding for this event is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as part of Bourbon County Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and the USDA Rural Business Development Grant, according to its Facebook page.

“Through this grant, we are partnered with Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center to organize this event,” she said.

“We will be giving away a PSU gift basket and a tablet as door prizes,” Carpenter said.

K-State Herb Workshop Set for April 14

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

Whether for culinary or medicinal purposes, herbs are a versatile plant. Are you interested in learning how to grow herbs and utilize them as natural seasoning? If so, plan to attend an herb workshop set for Thursday, April 14 at 6:00 pm at the Bronson Public Library in Bronson. The workshop will cover growing herbs indoors, care and maintenance, the health benefits of cooking with herbs, utilizing them in the kitchen, and herb preservation. In addition, participants will get to taste test a few recipes. For more information, call the Southwind Extension District at 620-365-2242.

Pre-owned Appliances New Venture for Bronson Business

Amber Ericson holds her granddaughter Journee Ericson in front of some of the pre-owned appliances THRAMS sells in Bronson. At right is Helen Bolling, Amber’s mom, and a business partner.

THRAMS Antiques has ventured into providing pre-owned appliances from a source in the Kansas City area.

While owner, Amber Ericson, was in K.C. purchasing antiques and unique furniture, she ran into an appliance repairman at the marketplace, she said.

Some of the pre-owned appliances offered at THRAMS from their Facebook page.

“He buys from apartment complexes when they redo the apartments,” she said. “That’s what we are buying.”

“He refurbishes them and sells them,” Ericson said. “I go up to K.C. once a month and get more. I’ve already sold 40. If they don’t work you can bring them back.”

Clothes washers including top, front, stackable units, gas stoves and dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and deep freezers are sole at the store.

“We thought we would try it,” Ericson said. She started the venture in August 2021.

Ericson opened THRAMS next door to her parent’s business Bronson Locker, a butcher store,  at 504 Clay Street in the small town 20 miles west of Fort Scott just off Highway 54.

THRAMS Antiques, 504 Clay Street, Bronson. March 2022.

The storefront next to Bronson Locker was unused space, and owned by the Bollings, Amber’s parents.

“It was a pile-up room,” Helen Bolling, Ericson’s mom and part-owner of the store said. “Amber started picking up a few things and it grew.”

The space is now packed with unique furniture and antiques.

“Antique hall trees and wardrobes are our best sellers,” Bolling said.

“Divans, appliances, wardrobes, hall trees we sell as quickly as we can get them,” Ericson said.

A large divan offered at THRAMS, Bronson, from their Facebook page.

The store is open Mondays from

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday-8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday-8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday-8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday call or text for an appointment at 620-363-1159.

 

 

New Concept to Provide Staff for Local Businesses: MyShift

Myshift. Submitted grapic.
Cole Bowman, 37, Fort Scott, and Scott Morris, 47, Parsons, have launched a new computer application called MyShift in the Apple Appstore.
 Since the beginning of the  COVID-19 Pandemic, businesses have been struggling to fill staff vacancies and operate at their full capacity because of illness, quarantine and other measures taken during the pandemic.
Nine months ago, Bowman began to think of a way to help this situation.
“I came up with the idea on May 24, 2021 while waiting for one of my sales reps at a hotel in Tulsa to go have dinner,” Bowman said.  “He was late, so I was looking through the food delivery apps and overheard a hotel worker talking to a customer about how none of the employees they had before the shutdown would come back to work, or had found other jobs, and she must have been the first person on their list that was willing to come back to work for the pay they were offering.”
Bowman said he thought to himself that surely there is an app for that.
“A situation where businesses could look through available workers that they could bring them in to cover a shift, but there wasn’t,” he said.
Bowman enlisted help from Scott Morris.
“I talked to Scott about the idea for the app and he liked it,” he said.  “We searched and searched for something that worked like our app and never found anything, so we began our path of figuring out how to build an app in late June.  Finally, our app is complete and went live in the Google PlayStore and iOS Appstore this last week,” Bowman said.
New Ways To Work
“Businesses were unable to operate at full capacity after reopening from the pandemic, and people have evolved to find new ways to work without the traditional employment requiring them to commit to a schedule,” Bowman said.
MyShift is starting in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, then within the next few weeks expanding to four more states.
Their plan then is to release nationwide by October 1, 2022, Bowman said.
“This is a web/ mobile app-based platform for businesses to connect with workers to fill shifts on-demand with the transaction being as simple as using a ride-share app,” Bowman said.
How It Works
MyShift allows businesses and workers to connect anywhere, anytime, to fill shifts and have the entire payment transaction handled through the app, according to a press release.
 Businesses can list open shifts including details about when, where, description of work, and the amount they will pay for the shift.
“Shifters” will then be able to see the open shifts in their area and can select which one they would like to work.
MyShift. Submitted graphic.
After a Shifter has requested the posted shift, the business is able to review the applied Shifter’s ratings in their profiles and click on the one they would like to work their shift.  Then the Shifter shows up to the business at the agreed-upon time and works the shift; upon completion of the shift, the business will then rate the Shifter between 1-5 stars and confirm the payment triggering Myshift to deposit the payment in the Shifter’s account.
  Myshift is free for everyone to download, and the business will only pay a fee once they agree to accept the Shifter to work a shift they have posted.
 There are no fees to the Shifters, and there are no commitments beyond the shifts they choose to work.
 For the business, it allows them to find help on-demand to fill shifts hassle-free.
 Business owners will now have a pool of vetted professionals ready to fill their shifts, all without the hassle of recruiting and onboarding, according to the press release.
Shifters have the freedom to work as often as they’d like and get paid each time they complete a shift, allowing the flexibility to earn money without the commitment of traditional employment.
The first target markets for MyShift will be Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma & Texas for the initial startup.
Cole Bowman. Submitted photo.

About the Creators

Bowman is a 2003  Fort Scott High School Graduate and 2007, Pittsburg State University Graduate with a  Bachelor in Plastics Engineering.

He has 15 years of professional experience in plastics engineering and is currently the regional sales manager for Sepro Group, a robotics and automation manufacturer based in France.

He and his wife, Wendy Bowman, have four kids Luke, Lily, Nora, and Gage. His parents are John and Cindy Bowman, who own the NuGrille Restaurant.

His contact info: Phone 620-215-5250, Email [email protected]

Scott Morris. Submitted photo.
Scott Morris is a 1993 Labette County High School graduate and earned a BBA in accounting for Pittsburg State University in 2002 and an MBA in 2009 from Friends University.
He has 20 years of experience in plastics manufacturing as vice president and chief financial officer of Charloma, Inc.
His wife, Jeanna Morris, and he have four children: Grant, Hallie, Mason, and Brady.
In his community Morris coaches multiple youth sports, he said.
For more info:

Google Play-https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…

iOS-https://apps.apple.com/app/id1602791238

Web- https://web.myshiftapp.com/

 

 

 

 

 

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for March 29

Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 29, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
• Millie Lipscomb, Elks Lodge – Consideration of Donation for Fireworks
• Hamlin Energy Contract
• EMS – Dave Bruner
• County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
o Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
o Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
o Reminder: April 5th Commission Meeting at the Mapleton Community Center, 6pm
o Budget Forms & CIP Forms
• Noble Health
• Public Comment
• Elected Officials Comment
• Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Walk To A Healthier Lifestyle: Walk Kansas Starts March 26

Clara Wikoff. Submitted photo.

This is Clara Wikoff’s first Walk Kansas event as a Nutrition, Food, and Health Kansas State University Extension Agent.

This year K-State Southwind District, which includes Bourbon County, is hosting the annual walk-team event in conjunction with Wildcat District, she said.

“We hope you’ll join us at the Wild Wind Fun Walk/Run Walk Kansas Kick-off,” she said. “It will be at Chanute, which is more central to each district.”

“Anyone can participate and those 18 and younger, can for free,” Wikoff said.

Adult registration is $25 which includes the event entry, T-shirt and Walk Kansas registration.  If one just wants to participate, the program is free, she said.

If already registered for Walk Kansas, then pay $15 for the event and T-shirt.

The kick-off fun run starts at 9 a.m. this Saturday, March 26, in the Neosho County Community College Student Union at 800 W. 14th in Chanute.

There will be a closed Walk Kansas Facebook support group page, she said. “To help people reach their goals. If a state of Kansas employee, you are eligible for Health Quest Credit.”

There will be a weekly newsletter, recipes, and a youth newsletter to all who participate, she said.

Walk Kansas is a team-based program that will help you and others lead a healthier life, according to a K-State press release.

Join this program and

  • Learn how eating a certain way can help protect brain function and reduce your risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Be more active with friends and family
  • Make better nutrition choices
  • Walk away your stress

You can register online at https://www.walkkansasonline.org

Print resources to get started are listed below:

For Team Captains:  Captain GuideTeam Registration

For Participants: Participant GuideIndividual RegistrationDaily Log

For Everyone: Walk Kansas Activity Guide

Guess what?  There’s an app for that!  You’ll need to register online first, then you can use it to log minutes, chat with your team, and more!  Please note that the app is for iOS systems.  An app for Android systems is in the works, and you’ll see it here when it becomes available.

If you have questions about Walk Kansas, please call Clara Wicoff: 620-365-2242, or email: [email protected]

wild wind

 

 

30-40-30 Tax Refund Plan

Joy Miller. Submitted photo.

KSRE Southwind District

FACS News Column

Joy Miller

620-223-3720 or [email protected]

 

Put Your Refund to Work

For many people, a tax refund is the largest check they will receive all year. And most of us wouldn’t be at a loss for ideas on how to spend that check, the dilemma is deciding what to drop from the list.

The IRS reports that the average tax refund is close to $3,000. This isn’t a crazy, change your life forever amount of money, but definitely an improve your financial standing amount. General rules of thumb are helpful in determining how to divide and utilize your tax refund. One option is the 30-40-30 plan to pay for your past, present, and future financial needs. Designate 30% of your refund to paying off debt and catching on up bills. Earmark 40% for current use. And utilize the other 30% to jump start an emergency fund or long-term savings.

It is always important to catch up or be prepared to pay current bills and financial commitments. If possible, use part of a tax refund to eliminate service or installment payment fees, late fees, or pay down high interest (double digit) debt. Paying for car, home, or renter’s insurance can be cheaper if paid in full instead of monthly installments. Some medical services provide a discount if the balance is paid in full, too. Avoiding late fees on bills or taxes and paying down debt increases future income to meet other financial needs and goals.

Another option is setting some funds aside for the expected but yet unexpected expenses such as a car repair, the air conditioner quitting, a medical bill, or loss of a job. Creating an emergency fund for these type of expenses helps reduce stress and the possibility of taking on debt.

You may also have a big ‘shopping list’ of wants and needs. Do you have plans for a kitchen remodel? A family vacation? College tuition? A tax refund can serve as the seed money for expenses that are two to five years away. Check with banks and financial companies for investment options that pays a return but not at the risk of losing value to help fund short term financial goals.

While it may seem far off, pay attention to your retirement savings, too. If it is thin, dedicate some of your tax refund into a retirement account such as an IRA. Time and compounding interest allow investments to grow, furthering your financial stability in the future.

Plan today on how to best use your tax refund for you and your family’s financial well-being.

For more information, please contact Joy Miller, Family Resource Management Extension Agent, at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.

# # #
K – State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Second Annual Cattle Show At Bourbon County Fairgrounds March 19 Results

Photos submitted by Hannah Montee.

Submitted by Hannah Montee

The second annual Southeast Kansas Spring Classic was held at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott, KS on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Kids from across Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma came out for a shot at winning banners, cash, and prizes.

This is a one-day cattle show featuring bulls, breeding heifers, market heifers, market steers, and a showmanship class for all ages.

This year there were 6 Bulls, 93 Breeding Heifers, 6 Market Heifers, 51 Market Steers, and 71 Showmanship entries (ages 7-18) + a peewee and adult class, for a total of 152 calves and 227 total entries. There were 18 total breeds represented between the bulls and heifers.

The show is hosted by Adam and Hannah Montee of Arma. They hosted the show for the first time last year to give kids another chance to showcase their animals. Plans are already underway for next year’s show.

A huge thank you is extended to the Bourbon County Fair Board for the use of the fairgrounds. Their support and help throughout the process is greatly appreciated.

The results of the show:

Bull show –

Champion Angus: Easton Newsome

Grand Overall: Adysin McCarley – Lim-Flex (Girard, KS)

Reserve Overall: Josie Wilkins – Maine-Angus (Lamar, AR)

Top 2 breeding heifers –

• Angus: Grand – Grant Ward  ||  Reserve – Corbin Ellerman

• Balancer: Grand: Hadlee Ketcherside

• Charolais: Grand – Jaden Teter  ||  Reserve – Kensi Reed

• Charolais Comp: Grand – Braelynn Reed  ||  Reserve – Kristy Beene

• Chi: Grand – Stockton Scott  ||  Reserve – Carmun Scott

• Commercial: Grand – Mayci Wilkins  ||  Reserve – Addy Burns

• Hereford: Grand – Grant Ward ||  Reserve – Drew Ballard

• Limousine: Grand – Aliston McCarley || Reserve – Maddix Small

• Lim-Flex: Grand – Adysin McCarley  ||  Reserve – Clara Farran

• Maine-Angus: Grand – Cassidy Barker || Reserve: Stockton Scott

• Maine-Anjou: Grand – Dexter Small  ||  Reserve – TJ Mills

• Maintainers: Grand – Madison Mcgee ||  Reserve – Braxtyn Evenson

• Mini Hereford: Grand – Morgan Pattimore || Reserve: Jayson Peterson

• Red Angus: Grand – Lucas Bowling  ||  Reserve – Greta Rosenhagen

• Shorthorn/Shorthorn Plus: Grand – Wyatt Fechter  ||  Reserve – Kristin Penn

• Simmental: Grand – Ethan Kunkel  ||  Reserve – Hayes Rickstrew

• % Simmental: Grand – Olivia Walrod  ||  Reserve – Elsie Rickstrew

Breeding Heifers Final Drive Results –

Grand: Grant Ward (Angus)

Reserve: Cassidy Barker (Maine-Angus)

3rd: Corbin Ellerman (Angus)

4th: Olivia Walrod (% Simmental)

5th: Ethan Kunkel (Simmental)

Market heifers:

Grand: Mayci Wilkins (Lamar, AR)

Reserve: Wyatt Fetcher (Howard, KS)

Market Steer Final Drive Results –

Grand: Wyatt Collard (Class 9)

Reserve: Kyanna Lankton (Class 10)

3rd Overall: Wyatt Collard (Class 4)

4th Overall: Jarrett Birk (Class 5)

5th Overall: Halle Delk (Class 3)

Top 5 Senior showman –

Grand: Josie Wilkins (Lamar, AR)

Reserve: Kyanna Lankton (Le Roy, KS)

3rd: Corbin Ellerman (Atchison, KS)

4th: Lilly Parks (Emporia, KS)

5th: Clara Farran (El Dorado Spring, MO)

Top 5 Intermediate showman –

Grand: Elsie Rickstrew (Wamego, KS)

Reserve: Olivia Walrod (Bronaugh, MO)

3rd: Kennedi Hettinger (Drexel, MO)

4th: Jaylynn Birk (Yates Center, KS)

5th: Drew Ballard (Inman, KS)

Top 5 Junior showman –

Grand: Mayci Wilkins (Lamar, AR)

Reserve: Halle Delk (Harrison, AR)

3rd: Stockton Scott (Havana, KS)

4th: Braxtyn Evenson (Eureka, KS)

5th: Josephine Razey (Augusta, KS)

Results from our peewee and adult showmanship classes:

• Adult showmanship –

Grand: Austin Waltz

Reserve: Brook Falk

• Peewee showmanship –

Grand: Kash Hettinger

Tie for Reserve: Kane Stainbrook and Emery Mengarelli