Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) Automatic Increases

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Joy Miller, RD, LD
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]

If you have a health insurance plan through HealthCare.gov, you may see a decrease in your monthly premiums beginning September 1.

The American Rescue Plan enhanced premium assistance for 2021 and 2022 by lowering the share of premiums people pay. This includes people who already qualified for the APTC with income below 150% of the federal poverty level, people with income over 400% of the federal poverty level, and those with unemployment benefits in 2021.

Starting September 1, HealthCare.gov will automatically update the advance premium tax credit for some enrollees. If an enrollee is eligible to be automatically redetermined, HealthCare.gov sent notices in late July. Redetermination will occur for enrollees who have not updated their HealthCare.gov application since April 1; currently pay a premium; and previously chose to receive their full APTC up-front.

Enrollees who have received or been approved to receive unemployment compensation in 2021 will have their APTC automatically redetermined if they have confirmed since January 1 that they receive or have been approved to receive unemployment in the current month; have not updated their HealthCare.gov application since July 1; currently pay a premium; and previously chose to receive their full APTC up front.

Some enrollees are not eligible for the automatic APTC redetermination including those who already returned to HealthCare.gov since April 1, current enrollees, or July 1, unemployment enrollees; taking less than the full APTC amount; and those in zero-premium plans.

Adjustments can be made to increase or decrease qualifying APTC by updating the 2021 application by selecting “Life Change” and manually updating how much of the APTC to apply. A reminder that all premium tax credits are reconciled for the year when completing taxes. If income is underestimated for the year, enrollees may owe back a portion of the APTC and repayment forgiveness will not apply for 2021 plan year.

For more information and FAQ, visit Health Reform: Beyond the Basics at https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/. For local assistance, contact me at 620-223-3720 or [email protected]. Marketplace 2022 open enrollment is November 1 through December 15 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday Night Free Concert: Matt Harper

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Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by Matt Harper of Nevada, Missouri. Harper sings and plays guitar and harmonica, and performs a variety of music including country, folk, jazz, inspirational, blues, and original tunes.

“Performing since the early 1990s, Harper is a musician of excellence and is a jack of all styles,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Harper has a wife and four kids and is a busy guy, so we really appreciate his willingness to return to the park pavilion and entertain our crowd of music lovers. Come out and join your friends for an enjoyable evening.”

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Butterfly Habitat Is Shrinking: Enthusiasts Meet This Evening

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Bridal Veil Park on West Second Street, Fort Scott.
A small group of people is putting together a non-profit 501 (c) (3) called “The Butterfly Weed Club of Southeast Kansas.”
“Our purpose is to restore habitat for the Monarch Butterfly in an effort to slow or reverse its decline,” David Everett, an organizer, said.
Monarch Butterfly populations have been decreasing, according to authorities: https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch
Everett appeared before the Bourbon County Commission to announce the existence of the group and its’ purpose.
“Susan Bancroft, the finance director for city and county, spoke up and told me there were interested people on the parks commission,” Everett said.
The group is having a meeting this evening
at 7 p.m. at 501 E. Third Street in Fort Scott to view a butterfly garden by the railroad tracks, he said.
Resident Alison Leach has one butterfly habitat restoration project at Gunn Park, he said.

“We want to help with that,” Everett said. “But the area of intense interest to me is the riverfront area at Bridal Veil Park (off of West Second Street).  I’ve been evaluating that area in hopes of meeting criteria for Kansas University’s Monarch Watch program.”

Everett has begun documenting existing pollinators and existing butterfly populations, he said.
“I’ve been a gardener for decades and have experienced two Monarch migrations,” he said. Recently I have decided that I can do more than my small-scale efforts, so far, in support of restoring Monarch Habitat. I’ve long been dedicated in my heart to various public service activities.”
“In the early 80’s I saw the Monarch migration twice while living on our family farm,” Everett said.  “I first saw them coming and mistook them for a dark storm cloud over the horizon, but when they arrived it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen–just thousands of butterflies in every direction for hundreds of yards.  During one of these migrations, the Monarchs decided it was time to take a rest and they landed everywhere–carpeting the fields, the trees and bushes, and even landing on me.  It’s my hope that everyone can have the opportunity for such an experience, and that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.   It had a very deep spiritual impact on me that I think everyone should have.”
Butterfly populations have been declining, he said.
“The primary cause of the decline is that various species of milkweed are the sole host plant for the Monarch caterpillar,” he said. It eats nothing else. Because milkweed is poisonous to vertebrates, farmers eradicated it without understanding or perhaps caring what they were doing to the Monarchs.”
 “This left marginal areas as largely the only possible place for milkweed to grow,” Everett said.  “This was still enough habitat for quite some time, but today county and state  governments mow and spray roadsides too, and that has left very little habitat for the Monarch, which is becoming quite precious.”
“Our purpose is to restore such habitat, to educate the public, government, and businesses on the matter, and hopefully we will eventually be able to maintain a seed bank as a community resource for appropriate native milkweed and other pollinators,” he said.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 1

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Wednesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: September 1, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

   

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM

 

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • CDBG CV Close Out Hearing

 

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.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Starlite FCE Minutes August 19, 2021

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The August meeting of Starlite FCE was held in the Yeager Building on The Bourbon County Fairgrounds August 19, 2021.  The meeting was called to order by President Glenda Miller.  The Flag Salute and Club Collect was led by Joyce Allen.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and corrected.  Thirteen members were in attendance and they reported that they had volunteered 334 hours and had recycled 521 pounds.

 

Doris Ericson presented the treasurer’s report.  She announced the Starlite had received first place in the Scarecrow contest and third place in the hay bale decorating contest and had earned $130.  There was no council report.

 

Jackie Warren gave a report on the fair, she reported that 57 people had entered the King Arthur Baking Contest this year and that the new categories of Lego’s was very successful.  There was a total of 913 exhibits from the 165 exhibitors.

 

Terri Williams informed the Club that John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer had donated five beautiful display cases to the open class building.

 

It was announced that Deb Lust’s daughter-in-law had made it to Kuwait.

 

Old Business consisted of everyone bringing snacks for the first responders in memory of 911 20th anniversary.  Glenda Miller will be delivering then in September.

 

Glenda announced that the FCE State Convention will be in Topeka this year and that the Fall Follies will be held in Bronson October 19th.

 

Our next project will be to honor Veterans.

 

Betty Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Deb Lust seconded the motion, motion carried meeting adjourned.

 

After the meeting Letha Johnson presented the lesson on Diabetes you are in control.  She informed us on how to know if you are at risk and how to manage it.  Healthy eating, activity and monitoring is a big part of self-care.

 

Refreshments of tortilla rolls, deviled eggs, health snack bars and water were provided by Del Parks and Betty Johnson and enjoyed by all.

 

 

Prepared by

Terri Williams

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Weekly Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
Weekly Newsletter
FSCC on mound this weekend at The LaRoche Baseball Complex!
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute Narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Depart from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm.
$6 Adults & $4 for 12 yrs & under.
THE FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OFFERS DAILY GUIDED TOURS AT 10 AM & 1 PM, 7 DAYS/WEEK.
FREE – See more details below.
8/27 – FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT IN THE PARK! (2) Part Performance starts at 7 pm. at The Heritage Pavilion Park ~ 1st Performace is with Doug Scarborough & Michael Lundeen ~ 2nd Performance is Duo Carolyn Tucker & Ralph Carlson. Click here for info.
8/27 & 8/28 ~ FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK SALE. Click herefor info.
8/27 thru 8/2 – FORT SCOTT CINEMA:
Candyman, Paw Patrol, Free Guy. Check out what is coming to theatres, click here.
8/27 -BOILER ROOM BREHAUS: Friday night is Open Mic Night at 9 pm.
8/27 – CORNHOLE FUN AT HOLMTOWN PUB, EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6 PM. Click here for more information.
8/28 – FARMER’S MARKET ~ 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.Bourbon County Democrats serving Breakfast on the Bricks this Saturday, click herefor more info.
8/28 & 29 – LAROCHE BASEBALL COMPLEX HOSTS A COLLEGE TOURNAMENT! The Fort Scott Community College & other college teams and the bracket can be found by clicking here.
8/28 – KANSAS ROCKS REC. PARK ~ Sunflower Event! hosted by the Midwest Krawlers. Clickhere for more information.
8/28 -EKTEC RODEO IN UNIONTOWN. Clickherefor more information.
8/28 -HAPPY SNAPPY ART -Sailing on the Riviera Paint Party at 702 S. National Ave. Click herefor more information.
8/28 -ROLLER SKATING SATURDAY NIGHT!Buck Run Community Center. Bring your own $3 or rent skates for $5. Click herefor more information.
8/28 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS: Presents Doug Harper to the Stage at 7 pm! Doug takes the stage with just a guitar, mic, and songs. Click here for more information.
Museum of Creativity – OPEN PLAY SESSIONS. Admission – $1/person (free-4-1 yr old)
Game Night Friday’s 8:30 – 11:30 pm Click here for information and more classes!
SAVE THE DATE:
SEPTEMBER 10 & 11th
TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SALE!
Go online and register your sale to be on the Garage Sale Map at www.fortscott.com or apply at The Fort Scott Chamber at 231 E. Wall. St. Click here.
SEPTEMBER 11th ~ CARE TO SHARE RUMMAGE SALE AT BUCK RUN COMMUNITY CENTER.
The sale is from 8 am – 1 pm. Accepting donations!
Click here.
SEPTEMBER 18th & 19th ~ Maramaton Massacre & Tri-Yak-A-Thon weekend Festival. Mountain Bike Race, Free Camping, Live entertainment, kids race. Tri-Yak-Athon is Run, Kayak, and bike race on 9/18 at 9 am. Click here.
SEPTEMBER 24th thru 26th – Doug Hazelbaker Memorial 5th Annual – Bourbon County Fairgrounds. Ranch Rodero, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping, Breakaway, Goat Tying. Click here for more information.
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here 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.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
…

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Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Agenda For August 31

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

Date: August 31, 2021  9 a.m.

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

   

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM WITH NO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE (PUBLIC 

ATTENDANCE VIA YOUTUBE)

 

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
  • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report – Discussion regarding Mini Excavator
  • County Counselor Comment
  • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment

Discuss Using ARPA Funds for Rural Water District

  • Public Comment
  • Elected Officials Comment

Bill Martin – Wage/Salary Study Presentation

  • 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.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Clerk Resigns

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Kendell Mason. Submitted photo.

Kendell Mason, the Bourbon County Clerk, resigned this week.

“I sent my notice of resignation to the governor and to the Republican party on August 23rd,” Mason said. “September 13th will be my last day with Bourbon County.”

Mason was appointed as Bourbon County Clerk in October of 2012 and then elected in November of 2012, 2016 and 2020, she said.

“There are many reasons I have decided to leave, but it is time for me to do something different,” Mason said.  “I am going to work for the Southeast Kansas Health Department, located in Fort Scott,  and I am very excited to have this opportunity.”

“I would like to thank everyone that has supported me over the years,” she said. “I have an excellent staff of two full-time employees and one-part time employee.  I appreciate their loyalty and commitment and couldn’t have done this job without their help.”

“Doretta Neville is my deputy and will be filling in until a replacement has been appointed by the Republican party and then approved by the governor,” Mason said.

Mason explained some of the duties of the position:

“Some of the main duties are all aspects of elections, setting the property tax levies on all property in Bourbon County, calculating budgets for approximately 30 taxing entities, doing Homestead Taxes for Kansas residents, and completing state abstracts.   The list of duties for this job is endless and requires constant multitasking and keeping up with the laws and statutes that govern this position.  This job takes years of experience to learn.”

The process to select a new clerk is underway.

The Republican party will meet on September 9.  at 6 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7. N. Main for the purpose of selecting a new county clerk, Mark McCoy, the Bourbon County Republican Party Chairman, said.

Interested parties should send their resumes to Mark McCoy at  2138 Jayhawk Rd., Ft. Scott, KS, 66701 no later than Sept 6, he said.

The Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott.
Bourbon County, Government

New Executive Order on Public Lands Raises Questions by Some Locals

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Interested parties met to hear Angel Cushing’s take on President Joe Biden’s initiative known as 30 by 30 on August 25 at the Fort Scott Livestock building. Submitted photo.

An informational meeting was held on August 25 at the Fort Scott Livestock building, to share one farmer’s side of a  federal new executive order.

Bourbon County residents Anne Dare, Sparky Schroeder and Deb Martin heard Lyon’s County Resident Angel Cushing speak about a new federal program at a meeting in Pleasanton last month and thought people in Bourbon County and the surrounding areas would be interested in learning more, Deb Martin said in an email.
“I posted a really good article on it on our Ft. Scott Livestock Facebook Page,” she said. “Go there and read page 20-21 of that Calf News Magazine and also the Protect the Harvest and Trent Loos Facebook pages.”
“This was an information meeting only,” Martin said. “We just want people to know so they can do their own research. We are thankful Angel could come and share what she has learned with us.”
“Sparky said he counted cars, 125 people attended the program,” Martin said.
To view the presentation by Cushing:
To view the executive order which directs the U.S. Interior Department to outline steps to achieve President Joe Biden’s commitment to conserve at least 30% each of the nations lands and waters by the year 2030, as recommended by scientists, in order to safeguard health, food supplies, biodiversity, and the prosperity of every community:
Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

2021 Gordon Parks Museum Photo Contest Starts

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A panel in the Gordon Parks Museum, located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.

The 2021 Gordon Parks Museum to feature Photo Contest

Fort Scott, KS. -The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, will feature a photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography. This event is inspired by Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.

 

The theme of the contest, “Fashion and Diversity”, is for any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of the theme.

 

Non-professional photographers of any age and skill level are invited to take pictures for the project and may enter up to two photos in JPEG format with less than 2MB. There will be a first place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) prize and up to five honorable mentions. All photos submitted will be on exhibit at The Gordon Parks Museum and in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Oct. 7 – 9, 2021. All photos will also be posted on the Gordon Parks Museum website and Facebook page. Judges for the photo contest will be professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.

Photographs must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. All photos must be attached in JPEG format and limit file size to less than 2 MB. All entries will be confirmed via email. Photographers should submit (in their email) a title, along with their name, address, email, phone number and share a one or two sentence on what inspired the photo. If under 10 years old, please include parent’s information. Photos should be received via email by Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the latest.

For more information, email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.

Bourbon County Local News