Stream Advisory Rescinded for Buck Run Creek, located East of Scott Avenue and West of 69 Highway in Fort Scott, Kansas
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded the stream advisory for the Buck Run Creek, along the area East of Scott Avenue and West of 69 Highway in Fort Scott, Kansas. Water samples show no health risk associated with the creek. Water contact in the river is now deemed safe.
Brian Allen works as a teacher’s aide in an automotive technology class at Fort Scott High School. Because of a special interest in history, Allen sponsors the high school history club that meets monthly.
He is also president of the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association.
Because of this love of history and wanting to create interest in the students, he started telling stories of local murders during a period of the late 1800s in Bourbon County.
“I started researching stories for the high school kids in history club (at the school) and found that they liked a good murder mystery or story,” Allen said. ” I did 30 years’ worth of short stories and asked Fred Campbell (a local historian) to proof-read it for me. When he finished he insisted that I have it published.”
“The name of the book is Murder and Mayhem, and covers Bourbon County murders that occurred between 1868 and 1898,” he said.
“I never thought about doing it, but (Campbell’s) enthusiasm pushed me to go ahead and look into it,” he said. “This is the first book I have had published, but I do have three more manuscripts completed and am working on a fourth.”
“It was published in December of 2020 and was printed by SeKan printing here in Fort Scott,” he said. “Don Banwart designed the cover, and I included a photo of the original courthouse on it. It took me about a year to write it as it was never my original intention to publish it. It is available at the Hedgehog Ink as well as the (Fort Scott) Chamber of Commerce.”
Hedgehog INK is a bookstore at 16 S. Main and the chamber is located at 231 E. Wall.
“My future books will be about World War 1, a second murder book, and other crime and punishment stories in Bourbon County,” he said.
Allen also volunteers as a member of the Fort Scott Street Advisory Committee.
He graduated from FSHS in 1985 and graduated from Fort Scott Community College.
Allen is married and has three children and four grandchildren.
The Uniontown Eagles played the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks on Tuesday, January 26. Both of the Lady Eagle teams were victorious, and so were the boys’ teams.
The Lady Eagles Varsity team beat the Jayhawks 55-36. Danielle Howard led with 22 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Karleigh Schoenberger scored 19 points and had 5 boards. Sammie Hampton scored 10 points and also had 5 rebounds, as well as 4 steals. Freshman Rylee Coulter had 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals.
“We played well in the first half of our Varsity matchup, outscoring Jayhawk-Linn 29-12,” said Coach Miller. “We came out flat in the second half, but finished the game strong scoring 20 points in the final quarter to seal the win. We will enjoy the win for the evening, but we will get back to work tomorrow to prepare for a home matchup against Chetopa on Friday night.”
Of the JV game, Coach said, “Our Junior Varsity girls came out hungry tonight. Their dominating performance earned them a win, increasing their record to 2-0 in the league.” Some notable statistics of the game include Rylee Coulter’s and Brooklynn Dreisbach’s 6 rebounds and 5 steals each, Addysin Hall’s 4 steals, and Camryn Davis’ 5 rebounds.
The Varsity boys defeated the Jayhawks 58-44. Clay Sutterby and Cade Goodridge led the team in points, scoring 13 and 12 respectively. Sutterby also had 11 rebounds and 2 steals, and Goodridge was 2/3 from the free throw line. Jake Harvey scored 10 points and had 11 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Dawson Dreisbach had 8 points and 3 blocks.
Coach Hays said, “We didn’t play our best game tonight. We turned the ball over and weren’t able to convert easy shots into points. I was really encouraged by our bench play. I thought Cade Goodridge and Drew Holt came in during the first half and gave us some really good minutes. Without those guys stepping up, it’s a totally different ballgame. We have plenty to work on in practice before Friday, but I know we will get some things fixed and be ready for Friday against Chetopa.”
-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter
Last week, Governor Laura Kelly recognized Rebecca Johnson as a Public Health Hero in Kansas at her 4 pm press conference:
https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/videos/3948694321829209
Johnson is the director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department and her office is in Fort Scott.
The following is a submission by Johnson.
I am honored to be recognized by Governor Laura Kelly, but do not consider myself a hero. I care about and have a vested interest in the health and well-being of the counties and communities I serve and am trying to fulfill the duties of the Local Health Officer/Administrator to the best of my ability.
Just like as for many others, this last year has been extremely trying and stressful for me. COVID-19 has forced me from my comfort-zone and made new-norms for my everyday life, as it has for the rest of us. I am thankful to God for all the blessings and support He has given me. I would like to thank my husband and children, family, friends, my church, my staff, my board and medical director for all of their support. Without them, I may not have made it this far, as around 1/3 of the Local Health Officers/Administrators in Kansas have left their positions for one reason or another, since COVID-19 began.
There have been many people that have supported our organization and I over the past year and who still are, from city/county personnel and community members and local organizations to regional and state representatives. Thank you to all of these folks for your un-ending support-we still have a ways to go!!
I would like to recognize my amazing staff, the heart and soul of our health departments, many of whom have worked countless hours after they’ve gone home at night and throughout the weekend on COVID-19 related issues, but have missed out on so much with their own families, to promote and protect the health of the communities they love. They have continued to be adaptable and determined as they have trudged through, where many in their shoes would have already given up. These are the extraordinary people who work for SEK Multi-County Health Department and serve Public Health in the counties of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson.
Allen County:
Public Health Nurse: Megan Neville
Administrative Assistant: Ruby Gulick
Accountant: Traci Ridge
Planning & Outreach Coordinator: Susan Belt
Home Visitor: Vicki Howard
WIC Coord/Public Health Nurse: Deidre Wilson
Anderson County:
Public Health Nurse: Samantha Mason
Administrative Assistant: Mika Mader
Bourbon:
Public Health Nurse: Alice Maffett
Public Health Nurse: Hannah Geneva
Administrative Assistant: Kristi George
Home Visitor: Holly Fritter
Woodson:
Public Health Nurse: Chardel Hastings
Administrative Assistant: Joni Diver
We have also been blessed to have been able to hire some part-time staff that work primarily on COVID-19 within our four counties. These exceptional people are: Cara Walden RN, Lisa Goins RN, Sara Goins, Jennifer Hyer RN and Benjamin Fischer, plus several others that have assisted us throughout the last several months: Stacy Sauerwein RN, Robin Hughes RN, Stachia Cooper RN, and Vicki Tureskis RN and numerous volunteers.
The end of the First Annual Kenny Holt Memorial Tournament saw success for both of the Uniontown teams. The Lady Eagles won their tournament, and the boys ended up second overall.
The girls’ Varsity team beat the Prairie View Buffalo 65-25. Danielle Howard scored 26 points and had 7 assists and 13 steals. Karleigh Schoenberger scored 19 points and had 3 steals. Sammie Hampton and Gwenyth Fry each had 5 boards.
“It was a good night for Lady Eagles Basketball,” Coach Miller said. “After a long week of competition, the girls played their best game of the tournament. Winning the Inaugural Kenny Holt Memorial Tournament will be a memory that these girls will cherish for years to come.
“A nice addition to the win was getting to celebrate Karleigh Schoenberger’s induction to the 1000-point club. She is only the 3rd Lady Eagle player to achieve such a milestone. Karleigh has joined the ranks of Trisha Eldridge Newton (1250 pts) and Shalina Harper (1325 pts). She has worked hard to reach this goal and it has been our pleasure to watch her do it. With several games to be played to finish up her senior season, we hope to see her continue to climb the leaderboard. Thank you KB for your hard work!”
The boys’ team also beat the Buffalo, with a score of 53-48. Jake Harvey once again led with 24 points, and also had 2 assists and 3 steals. Dawson Dreisbach had 8 boards, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Drew Perry had 5 assists and 3 steals, and Clay Sutterby had 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Luke Perry scored 11 points.
“I thought our defensive energy against Prairie View was really good. Prairie View was a big, strong, and athletic team, and I challenged our guys to out-scrap them. I thought for the most part, we did that. We are looking forward to jumping back into league play next week,” said Coach Hays.
-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter
K-State Research and Extension is conducting a series of virtual Board Leadership workshops across the Southwind District February 16, 18, 23 & 25.
Designed to provide basic training for members of community-based boards, the series will be hosted by local Extension professionals from the Southwind and Wildcat Extension Districts, and participants are invited to join from any remote location of their choice.
Informed and committed board members are the key to healthy, effective boards and committees in our Kansas communities. K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership Series will provide an opportunity for board members to learn the basics of being a good board member. Whether you are a member of a church board, a township board, a United Way agency board, or a rural water board, this training is appropriate for you.
The series will kick-off on February 16 with Organizing/Leading Effective Meetings. During this session, participants will learn about their roles and responsibilities as a board member, basics of parliamentary procedure, and strategies to make meetings more productive and effective.
On February 18, the topic will be Generations & Behavioral Management. This session will explore how personalities and generational differences affect the decision-making process.
The February 23 session will cover Understanding Fellow Board Members and Conflict Management. Participants will learn how to manage conflict in a way that is productive, not destructive, to the board.
Strategic Planning will be the final topic on February 25. Participants will learn about establishing a common mission and vision for the board, and how to plan priorities for the future.
All sessions will be conducted from Noon to 1:00 pm. Workshop participants will meet virtually and upon registration will receive a link to participate in the live, web-based discussion.
Pre-registration for the event is required by February 12, 2021. The cost of $20 covers for all four sessions for one board member. Each registration buys a seat, which can be rotated by participants. Registration also includes a copy of the meeting materials that will be mailed prior to the workshop. Registration is available at www.bit.ly/BoardLeadership2021 or by going to www.southwind.k-state.edu. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone, please contact Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District, 620-365-2242.
Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
A new maternity program funded by the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Giving Circle draws from a Finnish tradition designed to give all children, regardless of background an equal start in life.
The Baby Box is one component of a larger program designed to provide a safe sleeping option in less than an ideal environment, discourage bed sharing, and encourage breast feeding. It is one step toward CHC/SEK’s larger goal of reducing the impact of generational poverty and lower the rate of neglect and abuse in the southeast Kansas region.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: January 26, 2021
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
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
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.
In the second game of the First Annual Kenny Holt Memorial Tournament, the Uniontown Eagles once again faced the Altoona-Midway Jets. Both teams fought hard and won against the Jets.
The Lady Eagles beat Altoona 59-27 on Thursday night. Karleigh Schoenberger scored 18 points, had 8 boards and 2 steals, and shot 5/5 from the free throw line. Danielle Howard followed closely with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Sammie Hampton had 5 rebounds and 5 steals, and Aiden Holt had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Kaydra Woods also had 2 assists, as well as 3 steals.
“Our team has been looking forward to this tournament since the season began,” said Coach Miller. “Tonight we earned the right to compete in the championship game. We’ve got what it takes, but it will take all we’ve got.”
The boys’ Varsity team also defeated the Jets 59-42. Jake Harvey scored 20 points and had 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Clay Sutterby had 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals. Drew Perry had 5 assists and 6 steals, and Luke Perry had 3 assists.
“I thought we had stretches where we played pretty well tonight against Altoona. They are a good, young team that is improving every week,” Coach Hays said. “We were able to get out in transition early and that kind of got us going. Prairie View has some really good athletes, so we are excited about the chance to play those guys.”
-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter
Bourbon County Commissioner District 2 Jim Harris was sworn in on January 11, 2021.
” I plan on following through with my campaign promises,” Harris said. ” I believe it’s time for the Bourbon County citizens to be heard and for the government to represent the people with respect and provide transparency to our government.”
“I believe we have to visit with folks to fully understand what services they want and don’t want,” he said. “We are hoping to have a town hall meeting in March, if we can get warmer weather.”
“I would like to continue holding town hall meetings this year to give me the opportunity to visit with folks and to understand their concerns,” he said.
He said he enjoyed having a town hall meeting in Gunn Park, but if not perhaps the Empress Event Center, in downtown Fort Scott.
“I hope with our town hall meetings, folks will get involved in a positive way,” he said.
The commission is collaborating with other entities to provide services.
“We are working with the City of Fort Scott and our health care providers to continue providing long-term health care,” he said.
“I am excited that we have a new BEDCO (Bourbon County Ecomonic Development Council) committee with high expectations of moving forward with economic growth. If we can grow and expand our tax base and ensure efficient, responsible spending we can lower our mill levy.”
” We have begun working with the City of Fort Scott with shared services to reduce the cost of operations and to discontinue duplicated services,” Harris said.
“Another area of concern is our infrastructure, mainly bridges, that we must continue to fund and make necessary repairs to keep our roads open. We currently have a ten-year road program and I plan on requesting we put together and ten-year ditching and bridge replacement program with adequate funding.”
Since being sworn in, he has one appointment added.
“To date I have been appointed as a member of the Lake Advisory Committee,” Harris said.
” In closing, I want to express my thanks for the folks that elected me,” he said. “I will always be accessible and be a humbled servant of the folks that are my boss which is the citizens of Bourbon County.”
To view his candidate profile from July 2020:
Jim Harris: Candidate For Bourbon County Commission
Contact info is [email protected] and 620-224-0230.
In an effort to consolidate some business services in government, a business manager has signed on for the county, in addition to her duties at the City of Fort Scott.
Susan Bancroft started January 19, 2021, as the part-time Bourbon County Business Manager.
She is currently the City of Fort Scott Finance Director.
“For many years, the city and county have had interlocal agreements in the area of public safety,” Bancroft said. “This has been a long positive relationship meeting the needs of both city and county residents.”
“A couple of years ago a task force was formed and has been researching ways to save taxpayer dollars through shared services between the city and county,” she said. “Recently, the county commission determined there was a need for a part-time business director and approached the city to see if this could be a shared service opportunity.”
To view a prior story on the movement to consolidate government services: https://fortscott.biz/news/bedco
In order for the relationship to work, Bancroft agreed to work her regular hours with the City of Fort Scott and an additional 20 hours for Bourbon County.
“My current position is based on a 40-hour workweek so this would be an additional 20 hours per week,” Bancroft said.
The Bourbon County Business Director will initially be responsible for assisting the commission in the development and analysis of budgets and reporting, human-resource-related issues and policy, and also accounts payable and receivable for public works, she said. Additionally, she will be the interdepartmental liaison to build relationships and oversight. Additional duties are expected to be added over time.
Bancroft will be paid $115,000 per year by the city. The county will pay $60,000 to the city for Bancroft’s services, according to the agreement between the two.
The memorandum of understanding between the city and county ends Dec. 31, 2021, with possible renewal.
To view the agreement between the city and county:
“Some may look at this as additional dollars being spent at the county level,” she said. “However, some of the assigned duties will replace expenses already being incurred by the county through contractual services.”
“In addition, the City of Fort Scott will realize approximately $34,000 in savings due to the partnership,” Bancroft said.
Bancroft worked for the City of Fort Scott from 2005-2012 as the finance director and spent two of those years as the assistant city manager/finance director.
From 2012-2015 she worked for USD 234 as the business manager/clerk. In 2015, she took a position with NPC International as their human capital management director until 2019 when she returned to the City of Fort Scott once again, as the finance director.
“The four years I was in the private sector I missed actively serving the community in which I lived,” she said. “I am excited to use the knowledge I have gained over the past 20 years to evaluate processes, budgets, improve transparency and build relationships between the City and County and its constituents.”
“I strive to see the glass half full rather than half empty, always looking for opportunities to improve,” she said. “One of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford is ‘Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.’ I believe the city and county leaders are working towards this collaboration and look forward to many more opportunities to share services to reduce the burden on taxpayers.”
Bancroft will have offices at both entities.
“The (county) commission is currently working on finding a small space for me,” she said. “I am fortunate to also have the ability to work remotely.”
