Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Ice Skating Is On The Horizon For Christmas On The Bricks: 1st Fundraiser Is Oct. 9

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Diane Striler and her husband Dean at last year’s Christmas on the Bricks. Submitted photo.

There will be an added event coming to the 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks event,  ice skating!

The rink will be a daw to Fort Scott and help with local commerce, according to Diane Striler, who is spearheading the rink project.

The rink will be in the new Gathering Place Pavilion on North National Avenue of the Fort Scott Downtown Historic District.

Striler has been talking to people since the first of 2024 about the project, an ice skating rink with no ice (it is a synthetic surface) that is not dependent on cold weather since the surface does not need to be frozen.

An anonymous couple is donating approximately $18,000 of the $37,000 total for the rink which includes the skating surface, railing, 60 skates of various sizes, and a sharpener for the skates.  Additional donors have totaled approximately $3,500, and she has applied for a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant.

In addition to those for the rink, other funds will need to be raised to purchase materials to build a storage facility.  Striler has talked to a group that is willing to build the facility. It will be used to house the skates and provide a place for skaters to check in, sign their waivers, make payments, and access the rink.

“The whole project will be funded by private donations and grants, there are no tax dollars involved,” she said.

To bring the rink to Fort Scott, Striler had to get approval from the City of Fort Scott Commission and have a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the City and the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is overseeing operations.

The kick-off for the opening of the rink will be the weekend of Christmas on the Bricks, Dec 6-8th.  The plan is for the rink to be open that weekend and the following Thursday and Friday evenings, Saturdays, and part-day Sundays through January 5th.  The cost to skate is $5 per person.

“We have talked to an individual who may help run the rink and oversee individuals involved,” she said.  “We would like to allow different organizations to help staff the rink and receive part of the proceeds for their groups.”

In addition, Striler has been talking with Fort Scott Physical Therapist Meredith Tucker about creating some aids to use at the rink to make it more accessible for children with disabilities.

The rink can be reused for up to 15 years if cared for, she said.

 

First Fundraiser For the Project

To add to the needed ice skating rink funds, the first fundraiser is 6 p.m. on October 9 at the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main, Fort Scott.

It is called a Puzzle, Pizza & Pub Challenge!

The first team of 4 people to complete a 300-piece puzzle, a large pizza, AND a bucket of beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) wins!

The cost is $100 per team ($25/person)

The event is Wednesday, October 9th, at  6 p.m.

at the Liberty Theatre in downtown Fort Scott.

Register a team by calling or stopping by the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or online here! Limited to 20 teams!

If you can’t attend and still want to donate to the rink: click here to make a payment to the Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation, 501c3, via PayPal or Venmo @fschamberfoundation, please note the Rink in the notes! Checks may also be made payable to the FS Area Chamber Foundation and mailed or dropped off at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St with Rink in the memo.

Submitted graphic of a similar skating rink being purchased from Kwik-Rink, Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Bourbon County

Drake Steps Down From Bo Co Coalition, New Leaders Starting on Oct. 2

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The next meeting of the Bourbon County Coalition will be October 2, 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott. The agenda is attached.

After 24-plus years of working with the Bourbon County Coalition,  Billie Jo Drake is stepping down as a leader.

Travis Wilcoxen and Nick Johnson will be taking over as Co-Chairmen of the Coalition beginning with the October meeting.

Drake will remain on the board for one more year to ensure a smooth transition.

Nick Johson be chairing the General Membership meetings and will let members know at the October meeting which email you will need to use when you need to contact the Coalition.

“I have enjoyed my work with the Coalition and am confident that Travis and Nick will do a great job,” Drake said.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

 

October 2, 2024

 

 

  1. Welcome: 

 

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1. Program:  Dustin Emmett, Retain Outreach Coordinator for SEKANSASWORKS.

 

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be November 6, 2024.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, History

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Is October 3-6: A History of Rural American Culture

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Pioneer Harvest Fiesta began from an interest in rural American cultural history and some early members’ interest in steam power which they had experienced in railroad employment and farm use, according to Davin Reichard, Vice President of the PHF board.

“The PHF is an organization interested in equipment, machinery, and other technology characteristic of rural American culture particularly during the first half of the twentieth century, and in sharing this with others,” Reichard said. “Typical exhibits include steam engines, tractors and stationary engines, quilts, threshing machines and other farm equipment, hand tools, and other items used in rural life in the early to mid-1900s.”

The PHF organization began in 1956 and their first show was in 1957.

Visitors will experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments, and live musical entertainment all weekend, according to https://pioneerharvestfiesta.com/

All three days are alive with Steam Engines, Blacksmiths, Food and Flea Market Vendors, Drag Saw Demonstrations, Tractors & Gas Engines on Display, Baker Fan Demonstrations, Tractor Pull, and a Garden Tractor Pull.  Quilt Show, Straw Bailing, Wheat Thrashing, Corn Husking/Shelling, Sorghum Making Demonstration, Rock Crushing, Saw Mill Operation, Car Show, and many more exciting events! It’s one great weekend to kick off Fall in the 4-state’s region! It’s the 68th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Historic Fort Scott, Kansas.

New at the event this year is a demonstration of sorghum cane processing and cooking.

Sorghum is an ancient grain and pro-planet protein source packed with nutrients. Sorghum is a versatile crop that can be grown as a grain, forage, or sweet crop and is one of the top five cereal crops in the world, according to https://www.sorghumcheckoff.com/sorghum-101/

Photo from Sorghum Checkoff.

This will be the second year of the car show at PHF.

The Bourbon County Fairgrounds are located at 2102 S Huntington Blvd., Fort Scott, KS 66701

The annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Parade is  Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. in downtown Fort Scott on Main Street.

The main fairground event is Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4 -6, 2024.

Admission

This year’s full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and the Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. For children under age 12, admission is FREE, but admission does not include a button. Prior year collector buttons are available for $1.

Officers

Current officers of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Board are  President Craig Shikles; Vice President Davin Reichard; Secretary Betsy Readinger; and Treasurer Delphine Parks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

KDOT to replace pipe on K-31 at Blue Mound

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Weather permitting, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to replace a crossroad pipe on K-31 within the city limits of Blue Mound. The work zone will be closed to traffic between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Drivers should use alternate routes around the daylong highway closure.

 

Persons with questions may contact KDOT Superintendent Shawn Denny, (785) 433-6115, or Public Information Officer Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

City of Bronson Awarded Placemaking/Recreation Grant From KS Rural Champions Program

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Governor Kelly Announces 14 Grant Recipients for Rural Champions Program

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today the 14 grant recipients of the Rural Champions program’s second cohort. The selected Rural Champions will join a growing statewide network of grassroots individuals tackling critical projects in their respective rural communities.

“Since day one, my administration has been focused on the needs of our rural communities and the quality of life in every region of the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Creating the Office of Rural Prosperity was only the beginning of our support for rural Kansans and their needs. By developing the Rural Champions program, we are assisting communities to find local solutions to specific local challenges.”

Inspired by a Kansas Sampler Foundation report, the Office of Rural Prosperity, in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, created the Rural Champions program as a way for rural communities to move the needle in areas where a lack of capital or other resources hinders necessary progress. The Rural Champions program provides a one-year wage stipend of $20,800 to each community, along with training and resources. Communities also will receive up to $25,000 at the end of the year to move into the implementation phase of their projects.

“The diverse challenges rural communities face are much easier to resolve when you have an individual specifically dedicated to their particular issues, which is why the innovative Rural Champions program is so important,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Investing in our rural communities means investing in our people, which benefits the entire state and elevates their towns in ways that might otherwise not be possible.”

The 2024-25 Rural Champions include:

Organization

Community

Project area(s)

Cardinal Community Foundation

Nemaha County

Community/Economic Development

Cheyenne Community Development Corporation

Cheyenne

Housing

City of Herington and CVB

Herington

Downtown Revitalization

Comanche County Economic Development

Comanche County

Grant Writing/
ED Regionalization

Grinnell-Promoting Pride & Progress

Grinnell

Downtown Revitalization

Harvey County United Way

Harvey County

Childcare

Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

Bronson

Placemaking/ Recreation

Hodgeman County Economic Development

Hodgeman County

Housing

Lane County Community Foundation

Dighton

Food Access-Rural Grocery

Legacy Regional Community Foundation

Cowley County

Food Access

Rooks County Healthcare Foundation

Rooks County

Workforce Recruitment

Stafford County Economic Development

Stafford County

Childcare

The Building Community

Fredonia

Community/Economic Development

United Way of the Flint Hills

Emporia

Homelessness

“The first round of Rural Champions provided a great opportunity for progress and impact in the communities and organization. We again received many outstanding applications — making the selection of these 14 projects very competitive,” Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon said. “We are excited to continue the development of the program and add to our network of learning with the new group of Rural Champions.”

Rural Champions will work with the Office of Rural Prosperity through project completion. At that time, information will again be compiled in the form of guidebooks to add to the library of projects and be made available to provide learning and support to additional communities.

More information on the Rural Champions program is available here. The guidebooks developed by the first cohort of Champions are available to review here.

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Bourbon County, Youth

Boy Scouts Meet Tonight at 6 p.m.

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Submitted photo.

The Boy Scouts are out and about selling popcorn!

The money from sales goes to help with the dues of the children.

If there is money left over from paying their dues,  it goes to purchasing their awards and camps. If you are interested in supporting the troop they will be having their weekly meeting at First United Methodist Church at 3rd and National tonight at 6 p.m.

“We will have some popcorn with us for sale. If you have a child interested in joining scouts feel free to stop by and check it out,” said Mandi Widder, who submitted the item.

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bo Co Commission on September 23

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

Accounts Payable 9-20-2024

Payroll 9-20-2024

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

September 23, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 9/16/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $300,038.70
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $386,598.32
  1. Deana Betts-Core Community Update
  2. 5:45 p.m. Mike Dallman-PVD Compliance Conference Call
  3. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
    2. County Clerk
  • Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Thomas Quarry
  1. Solar Panel Setback Discussion
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

Accounts Payable 9-20-2024 Payroll 9-20-2024

Bourbon County, Elections

New Leadership Elected For the Bourbon County Republicans on September 19

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Kaety Bowers speaking at the Bourbon County Republican meeting on September 19 She was elected chairwoman of the local party. Submitted photo.
Tim Emmerson speaking at the Bourbon County Republican meeting on September 19. He was elected vice-chairman of the local party. Submitted photo.

Kaety Bowers,  Mapleton, and Tim  Emerson, Devon, were elected chair and vice-chairman, respectively,  of the Bourbon County Republican Party at the annual leadership reorganization meeting at  Fort Scott Livestock Market last evening. Gayle Sackett was elected secretary and Donna Banwart, treasurer, both from Fort Scott.

They will represent the county at state Republican meetings and local monthly meetings, Emerson said.

Candidates are nominated and voted on at an annual reorganization meeting.

At the September 19 meeting, the whole slate of officers was elected in one nomination.  “There was no one opposing us,” said Emerson.

Bourbon County Townships, from the Bourbon County KS website.

The results of the election are reported to the state, he said.

According to the rules and regulations, Emerson said that the party leadership and precinct leadership must have a male and female representative.

Each precinct person represents their local township in Bourbon County.

At regular monthly Republican meetings, those running for office in upcoming elections may speak to the group.

“Usually, our meetings are quarterly, except in election years or when the group sees the need to meet,” outgoing secretary Deb Martin said. “We have Republican officeholders speak about their offices and current legislation action updates and other current political campaigns.”

On September 19, David Beerbower, county commissioner candidate; Tim Shallenberger, Kansas State Senator candidate and Rick James, Kansas Representative candidate in the November 2024 elections spoke to the group.

At monthly meetings there is also discussion on ways to help Republican candidates get elected, Emerson said.

“You go door to door to explain what the candidates stand for, that’s very helpful to candidates. Signs are put out for national and state candidates at people’s homes with good (visible, highly trafficked areas) he said.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Unofficial Uniontown City Council Special Meeting Minutes of Sept. 18

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The Special Uniontown Council Meeting on September 18, 2024, at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 5:00 PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applicants for non-elected personnel position, the open meeting to resume at 5:20 PM

 

Meeting resumed at 5:20PM.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Angela Hixon as City Clerk, start date of October 7, 2024

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 5:25PM

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

John Hrenak retires from KDOT After 45 Years

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John Hrenak. Submitted photo.

John Hrenak retires from KDOT

 

John Hrenak, Jr., District Maintenance Engineer for the District Four of the Kansas Department of Transportation, is retiring Oct. 1, following 45 years and four months of service to the State of Kansas.

 

Hrenak began his career with KDOT in 1979 as Project Engineer at the Fort Scott Area Office. He was promoted to Area Construction Engineer and Area Engineer prior to the closure of the Fort Scott office in 1996. Hrenak then became a Staff Engineer at the district office in Chanute. He was named to his current position in 1998.

 

As District Maintenance Engineer, Hrenak has overseen all state highway maintenance and snow and ice removal operations in 17 counties of southeast Kansas. “I’ve always been inspired by the dedication of our maintenance employees,” he said. “They’re the first responders to anything that goes bad. They do a good job for their communities and their families. We’re working for the people of Kansas.”

 

Hrenak lives in Fort Scott. He plans to spend more time with family and friends during his retirement.

 

An open house for Hrenak will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in the south building of the KDOT District Four office complex at Chanute. The south building is located at 1502 S. Washington St.