Thursday night, February 11, the Eagles played the Marmaton Valley Wildcats in a game that had been rescheduled multiple times since the beginning of the season. Both Varsity teams and girls’ JV won. There was no boys’ JV.
The Lady Eagles defeated the Wildcats 49-35. Danielle Howard scored 23 points and had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Freshman Rylee Coulter had 5 steals and 3 assists. Sammie Hampton scored 11 points during the game. Karleigh Schoenberger and Gwenyth Fry each had 3 rebounds.
“Coach Walker and I are proud of our team’s effort, attitude, and toughness tonight,” says Coach Miller. “Circumstances have kept us from being together as a team since last Friday, but they finished the night with a couple of league wins. Our celebration will be short-lived as we will be taking on the Southeast Lancers tomorrow night for our Winter Homecoming.”
The boys’ Varsity team also beat the Wildcats, the score being 67-32. Scoring was pretty well distributed among the players; Jake Harvey scored 12 points, Luke Perry scored 10, Cade Goodridge with 9, and Korbin Miller and Dawson Dreisbach each scored 8. Dreisbach also had 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Harvey had 4 steals and Drew Perry had 4 assists.
Coach Hays said, “I thought we came out and played with good energy against Marmaton Valley. We were able to apply some pressure and get out in transition. It was a very balanced scoring night for us. It was fun seeing everyone compete tonight.”
Walgreens, at the corner of Hwy. 69 and 23rd Street, has the vaccine but is awaiting directions from the corporate office, said Pharmacy Technician Keely Gooderidge.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.
Community Health Center in Bourbon County
“We have gotten a limited number of vaccines and have focused first on emergency and medical personnel….we’re also collaborating with area health departments to get school staff vaccinated including Bourbon County,” Krista Postai, CEO and president of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas said. “We are also working with them to vaccinate child care providers.”
“The shots we have given have been in assistance with county health departments using their vaccine allotments,” said Rob Poole, CHC Communication and Marketing Director.
Last week, CHC was able to call in patients from a list run from their electronic health records, as well as a waiting list from those who have called in over the last few weeks, Postai said.
“According to information announced last week, health centers across the county should begin receiving vaccine directly in addition to any allocations through the state,” Postai said. “We heard priority was going to those health centers with more than 2,000 patients over 65. We have well over 7,000 so we’re thinking we may be at the head of the line, which means, fingers crossed, we should start seeing more vaccine by early March,”
Poole said a recent Biden Administration press release stated that 250 health centers around the country would begin receiving vaccines directly from the federal government.
“There is not an exact timeline, but I can assure you we’ll spread the word as soon as it happens,” Poole said.
Evergy customers affected as regional electric utilities begin intermittent outages to combat effects of bitter cold on energy supply.
Kansas City, MO – February 15, 2021 – Due to extended extreme temperatures affecting the regional power supply, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has asked member electric utilities, including Evergy, to implement controlled, temporary emergency electricity reductions in order to help avoid larger uncontrolled and extended power outages throughout the region.
Beginning on February 15 at 12:15 p.m., Evergy will begin to turn off electricity to blocks of customers for approximately 30 – 60 minutes. Once the period has concluded, power will be restored to the impacted area. The emergency outages will then rotate to another portion of Evergy’s service area. Power will cycle off and on periodically until the reduction is no longer required by the SPP. With these extreme cold temperatures, equipment may not operate as intended. As a result, outages could last longer than 30 – 60 minutes.
If you are impacted by an emergency electricity reduction, you do not need to report your outage. Rather, check Evergy’s outage map and www.evergy.com/outageinfo for more information. All customers should be prepared for the potential for these periodic outages. If you experience an outage that lasts longer than an hour, report your outage at www.evergy.com or call 888-544-4852 or 800-544-4857, for Kansas Central customers.
Evergy asks customers to continue to conserve energy to help reduce stress on the power grid, potentially reducing the ongoing need for emergency reductions.
Turn thermostats a little cooler (65-68 degrees). Avoid the use of electric space heaters.
Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
When possible, delay non-essential uses of energy washing drying clothes, washing dishes and bathing to non-peak hours, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Use low-temperature cooking methods and avoid opening the oven door if it’s on.
Evergy is also working with its large commercial and industrial customers to reduce energy usage this week. The company has reduced electricity use at Evergy facilities, implemented cold-weather procedures, and adapted operations at its power plants to keep equipment working and fuel available to generate electricity for customers.
Evergy is a member of the Southwest Power Pool, which coordinates the regional transmission grid and wholesale energy markets for a 17-state region across the central United States, including Kansas and Missouri. The SPP monitors power flow through its footprint and coordinates regional response in emergency situations.
In addition to the SPP call for reductions, its peers in Texas and the upper Midwest are also facing electricity shortages and are asking customers to conserve.
About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We were formed in 2018 when long-term local energy providers KCP&L and Westar Energy merged. We are a leader in renewable energy, supplying nearly half of the power we provide to homes and businesses from emission-free generation. We support our local communities where we live and work and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.
Kari D. West
Lead Customer Solutions Manager Evergy
Greg Motley. President of the Bourbon County Economic Development Council. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. is a not-for-profit started in 1992.
The council “reconstituted” in 2020.
“The bylaws were amended, and the board reconstituted in 2020, to make economic development functions a county-wide effort again, and to reestablish cooperation and trust amongst the disparate geographies in our county,” he said. “We can no longer afford to go it alone, and must work together.”
In the last few months, the council began a search for an economic development director.
Their goal for this month is to hire an economic development director to move the county forward.
“The Human Resource Committee (of BEDCO) is currently running the process of hiring an executive director,” Motley said. “We had 13 applications from all over the United States, and one from overseas.”
Through a qualifications matrix, six applications were selected, and each of the six has completed a test to measure skills and temperament suitable for the job, he said.
The committee will reduce the number of applicants based on their scores, and begin interviewing the finalists soon, Motley said.
Composition of BEDCO
“The board of trustees consists of appointees by the…seven incorporated cities, one each from USD 234, USD 235, Fort Scott Community College, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and two at-large members,” Motley said.
The group is comprised of:
Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah, City of Fort Scott Commissioner Josh Jones, Jess Ervin representing Uniontown, Mike Blevins-Mapleton, Michael Stewart-Bronson, (Treasurer) Mary Pemberton-Redfield, Misty Adams-Fulton, Ted Hessong-USD234, Bret Howard-USD235, (Vice President) Jim Fewins-Fort Scott Community College,(President) Greg Motley-Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, (At-Large) Mark McCoy and (At-Large) Heather Davis.
“Our goal is to be a trusted vehicle whereby we can act as a catalyst for economic development and any other function that might integrate well on a county-wide basis,” Motley said. “Right now, our most valuable assets are lots in the Fort Scott Industrial Park; in conjunction with the county, we are currently working with an active prospect on a land deal in that vicinity that would bring a new business to town.”
“The main board only meets when there is something of substance to consider,” Motley said.
In addition to the human resource committee, the operations committee is meeting regularly.
Operations Committee
The operations committee met on Feb. 11, and worked on logistics of onboarding the economic development director, including office space, phone, etc., Motley said.
That committee is comprised of Mark McCoy, Lynne Oharah, Mary Pemberton, Misty Adams, and Josh Jones.
Mark McCoy. Taken from Facebook.
“We discussed office locations,” McCoy said. “Cost is number one, we have very limited funds.”
Two locations were discussed: the BWERC ( Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center) office above the new Star Emporium Downtown General Store on Main Street and an office inside Landmark Bank, also on Main Street.
“Both of these offer the potential of the first year, no cost,” McCoy said.
Also discussed was the equipment needed for the job.
“Telecommunication is an important part of the job,” McCoy said. “We want to make sure BEDCO has appropriate information technology access.”
The position is being funded by the Bourbon County Commission who committed $130,000 for the total package of salary, benefits, equipment, supplies, transportation expenses, association expenses, and office space, McCoy said.
“The goal is to save taxes in Bourbon County,” McCoy said. “My goal in the future is to have one economic director representing the county.”
Currently, the City of Fort Scott and the Bourbon County Commission both have an economic director.
The city and county recently agreed to share the finance director position, held by Susan Bancroft.
The Uniontown 4-H club met on January 10, 2021, at 6:00.
Hailey Shadden let the club in the flag salute and Will Maycumber led the club in the 4-H pledge.
Roll call was ” What is one goal you have for the new year?”
There were 12 members and 8 adults in attendance
. The 4H Council Representatives advised the next council meeting was to be held on January 27th.
The 4-H leaders reported that 4-H days would be held using a virtual format this year and is to be held on Saturday, February 6th. Regional 4-H days are to be held on March 6th. 4H summer camp dates are set for 2021, those interested should review registration dates.
The Bourbon County Fair dates for 2021 are July 9th – July 16th.
Communication Project leaders, Deidra Maycumber and Jackie Shadden, led the club in part 2 of a 6 part series. Part 2 covered how including details help people to understand our communication better. To demonstrate this, they led the club in two activities using different levels of detailed instructions and had club members compare the outcomes to see how alike or different their drawings were. Then the project leaders led us in a conversation around how they could have instructed the group differently with additional details for all drawings to be similar.
Tucker Sutton presented a project talk on how to take care of a baby pig.
Afterwards, members played a game of charades and sang Home on the Range.
The next club meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2021.
Kansas Gas Service Encourages Customers to Conserve Energy
During Extended Cold Weather
Video toolkit features Managing VP of Operations answering common questions
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Feb. 13, 2021 – As frigid weather settles over Kansas for an extended period, Kansas Gas Service encourages customers to practice simple energy-saving tips and conservation efforts to manage their winter heating bills.
“Due to the extended duration of historically low temperatures, we are seeing much higher natural gas use and natural gas prices have gone up,” said Kent Shortridge, vice president of operations for Kansas Gas Service. “While we do not markup the price of natural gas, these events will have an impact on customer bills. At this time, we can’t quantify what the impact will be.”
Energy-saving Measures to Reduce Natural Gas Usage
To help better manage your energy consumption over the extended winter period and help reduce your energy bills, Kansas Gas Service encourages these effective, conservation measures:
• Keep warm, not hot When possible wear additional layers of clothing, consider turning down your thermostat and check your programmable settings.
• Seal leaks around doors and windows Apply weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to stop air leaks and prevent energy loss. If that is not an option, you can also cover windows with towels, sheets or plastic to help keep the warm air in your house.
• Reduce the temperature on your water heater Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or put it on the “warm” setting. If your home will be vacant for two days or more, set the dial to the pilot position for even more savings.
• Close blinds and curtains This helps keep warm air inside, especially if the sun is not shining.
• Change or clean filters
A clean filter on your furnace can lower your energy consumption by 5% to 15%. Dirty
filters cost more to use and overwork the equipment.
• Hold off on doing chores
Doing laundry and washing dishes can both use natural gas to heat the water and your dryer. If you can, wait until the extreme cold weather passes to complete these activities.
If you cannot wait, use the cold setting where possible.
• Install foam gaskets on electrical switches and outlets
Electrical switches and outlets can account for up to 10% of your home’s energy loss.
Additionally, remember these safety tips:
• Never use your stove or oven for home heating.
• Make sure nothing obstructs a furnace’s air intake and that vents and flues are intact and unblocked to avoid the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• When removing ice and snow in the vicinity of meters, vents or flues, do so carefully so as not to cause damage.
• Leave cabinet doors open, especially those on exterior walls, to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
• If you smell a natural gas odor, leave the area immediately then call 911 and 888- 482-4950.
Customers are encouraged to visit KansasGasService.com/SevereCold for any company severe
weather updates.
Digital toolkit
Kent Shortridge, managing vice president of Operations for Kansas Gas Service, answers common customer usage questions: https://vimeo.com/onegascomms/download/512084053/7dedd9394a
• :03 – :13 Why are you asking customers to conserve?
• :17 – :36 How much natural gas will customers use during this cold snap?
• :40 – 1:10 How will this impact customer bills?
• 1:13 – 1:31 What steps should customers take to conserve energy?
• 1:36 – 2:03 Are you expecting a shortage in gas supply?
• 2:07 – 2:18 What is being done to ensure service to critical facilities?
• 2:22 – 2:38 What is the impact on large commercial and industrial customers?
• 2:42 – 3:04 How well is your pipeline system operating?
• 3:08 – 3:35 Have you experienced any system failures or outages?
Barbara Stockebrand. K-State Extension Agent. Submitted photo.
1Many people believe that memory loss and aging go hand-in-hand. That would assume that as a person gets older his or her memory begins to fail. While some change may be expected as you age, that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it in the absence of a brain disease, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. You can be proactive in using some strategies and lifestyle adaptations.
Southwind Extension District Agent, Barbara Stockebrand, will be presenting a Texas A&M created workshop series on “Master of Memory” on March 4, 11, and 18 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The 3-lesson series helps participants understand how memory works and what may affect memory. All sessions will be presented by Zoom, so it will be easy to attend and participate from the comforts of your home.
“Master of Memory” has been found to help participants identify and use strategies to improve memory function. Participants will learn there are different ways to learn new things and different memory strategies; how different foods and nutrients may affect brain function and medications that may affect memory; medical conditions that affect memory and may be reversible, along with how exercise benefits the body and mind.
Call 620-625-8620 to register for this free educational opportunity. Registration is necessary to receive the Zoom link to take part in the program.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
2/17/21 MEETING BEGINS AT 3:00 PM
Call to Order
Flag Salute
Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
Eric Bailey – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Shane Walker – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Susan Bancroft – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
2020 Audit
Bob Reed – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
County Counselor Comment
Public 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.
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Call to Order
Flag Salute
Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
Shane Walker – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Susan Bancroft – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
2020 Audit
Bill Martin – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Bob Reed – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
County Counselor Comment
Public 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.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Nearly $14 Million in Grants for Rural Kansas Communities
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced 32 rural Kansas communities will receive a share of $13,864,149 in federal grants to assist with community development projects.
Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program facilitated by the Kansas Department of Commerce, these federal grants are being awarded for a variety of community improvement projects, including sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation and community facility improvements.
“The Community Development Block Grant program is a powerful tool for improving communities, revitalizing vital infrastructure, and maximizing economic opportunity,” Governor Kelly said. “Over the past several months, the pandemic has heightened the challenges our rural communities face when it comes to community development – making assistance like this more important than ever. My administration is dedicated to doing all we can to continue addressing rural Kansans’ most pressing needs.”
“Providing assistance to address quality-of-life issues is a necessary and noble part of economic development,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “By funding community projects like these, the CDBG program is helping to improve the overall business and residential appeal of these small towns. These investments will improve living conditions for Kansas residents, create new economic opportunities for rural communities and bolster the overall prosperity of our entire state.”
Counties, applicant cities and award amounts are as follows:
The CDBG program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:
The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons
The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so
The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.
Patty Love, Bourbon County Treasurer. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County staff are in the process of carrying out a tax sale on property owners who have not paid their taxes.
In Bourbon County, a property qualifies for the tax sale after taxes are three years delinquent, said Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love. “The taxes become delinquent in October of the following year. For example, the 2020 taxes will not be delinquent until October 1, 2021.”
“The tax sale is the only recourse we have to force people to pay their taxes,” Love said.
“We have mailed out warning letters letting people with 2016 and prior delinquent taxes know that we are working on a tax sale for 2021,” she said. “Those letters were mailed in October, November and December. We have now sent the list to the title company and they are doing the title searches.”
The property title company then returns these to the county attorney and will be filed with the court.
“To keep their property off of the tax sale, the property owner can pay 2016 and prior taxes at this time and they will be removed from the tax sale,” Love said. “Once the attorney has filed them with the court, the only way they can be taken off of the tax sale is if the property owner pays all taxes 2020 and prior taxes plus a $200. court filing fee.”
Once all the properties are filed, a notification will be published in the Fort Scott Tribune newspaper and also to the website bourboncountyks.org.
“The property owner has up until 10 a.m. the day of the tax sale to redeem their property by paying all taxes and $200,” Love said.
“In order to bid on the property at the tax sale, you have to have all of your property taxes current, and sign a paper stating that you are not related to the owner of the property you are bidding on and that you are not buying the property for the delinquent owner,” she said.
The tax sale takes place in the lobby of the Bourbon County Courthouse. with the property being sold to the highest bidder, she said.
“We will determine a date after all properties are filed with the cour,” Love said.
Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.
“We started to receive abstracts from the title company about two weeks ago,” said Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks. “We are getting a couple a day. We should have the sale in the late spring and if needed, another one in October or November of this year.”
The county personnel are on the the title company’s timeline,” Meeks said.
“They have been very busy, which is a good thing for everyone because that means houses are selling,” Meeks said.
