Category Archives: Bourbon County
Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Minutes of Sept. 4
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2024
- Welcome: Twenty-four members representing nineteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Keyhole. Billie Jo announced the following items from the Board:
- The swim pass program had allowed 42 families, 128 children, and 170 total people to use the Aquatic Center this year.
- To date for 2024, the Coalition Board has assisted 31 families including 80 children with rent and utility assistance in the amount of $6,862.
- Janelle Tate has been added to the Coalition Board to complete Elizabeth Schafer’s term.
- Travis Wilcoxen and Nick Johnson will be the Bourbon County Coalition Co-Chairmen beginning in October. Billie Jo will remain on the board for one more year to insure a smooth transition.
- Billie Jo also shared a recent newspaper article and congratulated The Beacon for being in operation in Bourbon County for forty years.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Kathy Romero introduced Lauren Klinksick the new account executive for Angels Care Home Health.
- Cherie Walrod, KState Extension: They will be starting a support group for parents of special needs children with a “Meet and Greet” on September 13; all the information is in the attached flyer.
- David Gillen, The Beacon: David reviewed all the services the Beacon provides and reminded members that the Beacon is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p..m. In August they served 329 families and 826 total people. Requalification will be held in October. David noted that due to increase in costs, they need about $9000 more this year to provide the same amount of assistance as in 2023.
- April Jackson, Thrive Allen County, SEK Recovery Resources: Their federal grant ended last month but they are continuing their programs; to date, 38 have been served through the Recovery House. Their most recent project has been to build a drug endangered children alliance; they do whatever they can to help with substance abuse disorder.
- Christine Abbott, SEK Kansasworks: For now, Christine will be in Fort Scott on Mondays and Wednesdays at the HBCAT building. The KEYS (Kansasworks Empowering Youth Success) Summit will be October 10. The Pittsburg office is now located at 1005 East Jefferson.
- Megan Rogers, Safehouse: Megan reminded members that they can provide emergency shelter and help with about anything to allow a person to live a life free of abuse.
- Theresa Amershek, Safehouse: She handles the referrals from the court system; at present she is overwhelmed with people from Bourbon County. There is a small fee for her services; her goal is to make children safe during supervised visits.
- LeaKay Karleskint, KState Snap educator: Her only class right now – Create Better Health – started in Fulton on September 3: She is looking for new partners to provide space for her classes for the coming year.
- Shanna Willey, Community Health Worker CHC: Shanna can assist people with any resource applications.
- Angela Handly, Compassionate Ministries/Salvation Army: Box fans are available for those who need them. She can be contacted at 620-223-2212; her office is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Shanda Stewart, Community Resource Director, Kansas Renewal Institute: They presently have 40 children in residence; they can house 50. They are currently hiring behavior therapists, nurses, and several other positions. Shanda expressed thanks to Buck Run for providing school supplies and USD 234 employees who make sure school goes on for those clients.
- Lisa Robertson, HBCAT: Her employer has changed but she continues to help individuals that are insecure.
- Ashely Reeder, SEK Mental Health: Currently they provide school therapists in each school in USD 234 and USD 235.
- Michelle Stephenson, FSPSC: Michelle works with parents who have children prenatal through age 6 to assist the parent in preparing children for preschool or Kindergarten; she has a few slots available.
- Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: The “Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship” event will be held on September 28; flyer with all the information is attached.
- Deena Betts, CORE Community: Core graduated twelve from their first class; the second class will be starting on September 10. Their first annual fall festival will be held on October 19 at the Shead Farm; information for the event can be found on the CORE Facebook page or the attached flyer
- Program: Judy Hood, along with her jobs as wife, mother, grandmother, juvenile intake officer and part of the county attorney’s office, has been a Keyhole board member since 2018. The Keyhole is now open from 3-6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for middle and high school students. Keyhole provides games, electronics, and snacks; many who come to Keyhole have their evening meal while there. The space is available for use; the Keyhole board wants to figure out how to make Keyhole more of a benefit for our community. The Keyhole is funded by the Key Charitable Trust and donations.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be October 2, 2024.
The October program will be presented by Dustin Emmett, Retain Outreach Coordinator for SEKANSASWORKS.
Core Community Has New Liaison and A New Fall Farm Fest In the Works
There is a new community liaison with Core Community, a local helping organization that has a mission to engage the community to lift families out of poverty.
Deana Betts, the new Core Community Liasion, moved to Fort Scott this summer and began work with Core Community on July 8th.
Betts moved to the area after her husband accepted the pastor position at Lifetrack Church in Frontenac.
In discovering the organization and the opening for a liaison, she learned Core Community is a faith-based organization that helps people out of poverty.
“I liked that they are leading themselves out of poverty, with support. It’s more than just a class, it’s a pathway.”
The mission statement of the organization is “Engaging the community to lift families out of poverty.”
Classes for this second year of the organization in Bourbon County start on Tuesday, September 10 at the Nazarene Church, 1728 S. Horton Street with 16-17 people enrolled.
See their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/p/Core-Community-Bourbon-County
Betts explained the evening.
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. will be a family-style meal provided by different organizations in the community. Following this, children will be directed to the childcare area with Angie Trim, the childcare coordinator and the people from last year’s classes will meet with the coach, Janice Lamb. The new class meets with teachers, Amy Harper and David Goodyear. The evening finishes at 7:30 p.m.
The first class graduated in May of this year.
Getting Ahead In A Just Get By World by Ruby Payne is the book that is worked through, in the 20-22 weeks of the classes.
Fall Festival
Larry and Vickie Shead have agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.
“Our childcare coordinator Angie Trim helped the Sheads with their spring festival. I met with them and they said it’s the Lord’s farm. I asked them to pray about it, and they did and said yes,” she said.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.
To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at [email protected] or 785.488. 8411.
New Uniontown City Council Agenda for September 10
Agenda for the City Council of Uniontown on September 10, 2024 at 5.30 p.m.
Personnel interviews followed by regular council meeting.
ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________
ROLL CALL:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Interview non-elected personnel –
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Bill Martin
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes of August 13 Regular Council Meeting and September 3, 2024 Special Meeting minutes
- Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Public Water Supply Inspection
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
2023 Audit
Craw-Kan business internet
811 tickets
KSGFOA Fall Conference
FEMA Conference Call September 12
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Kelly –
Councilwoman Pemberton –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
Pickleball court project –
Streets –
NEW BUSINESS
Sale of Property –
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________
Ribbon Cutting For Uniontown Pickleball Court
Uniontown held a Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting for the Uniontown Community Pickleball Court on September 1. Pictured are Councilwoman Danea Esslinger, Levi Ervin (cutting the ribbon), son of Councilman Jess Ervin, Councilwoman Mary Pemberton, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
The court was completed with the help of the entire community, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, Uniontown City Council, and Uniontown Ruritan Club. A grant facilitated by Healthy Bourbon County Action Team from Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas contributed to the cost of the court; the equipment and benches were donated by community members; and Uniontown Ruritan Club is donating fencing for the north and south ends. The City of Uniontown wishes to thank all those involved with this project. The court is being used daily by the community.
Beginning Support Group For Parents of Special Needs Children
Cherri Walrod, K-State Research and Extension Office Community
Health Worker, is providing an opportunity for parents of special needs children.
“I am a mom to special needs kids myself…being a parent to a special needs child can be a special kind of isolation and hurt.”
She said another mom asked her to start a support group for parents of special needs kids.
“Throughout the spring of this year, I hosted a few meetings for special needs parents in the area, just as a personal service to the community,” Walrod said.
Walrod began a new job as a community health worker for K-State Research and Extension Southwind District on August 1.
The Community Health Worker project has received funding and support from K-State 105, Kansas State University’s economic growth and advancement initiative for all 105 counties in Kansas. Learn more at k-state.edu/105.
“Since I am part of the community of parents of special needs children myself and support groups fit in the role of a CHW, the timing was perfect to form this group officially.”
The first meeting will be September 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the Splash Pad and Gathering Pavilion at North National Avenue and Old Fort Blvd. on Fort Scott’s north end. It is a come-and-go event opportunity to connect with other parents of special needs children.
Bring your kids, lawn chairs, snacks, and water to drink, she said.
“This first meeting is just a meet and greet time for area parents of special needs kids to come together for some fellowship time,” she said.” I hope to gather enough names and contact info of families interested and then try to determine which day and time might work for families to gather on a regular basis. All of the logistics for future meetings are to be determined based on the feedback from the parents in attendance. I hope to talk to enough parents to get an introductory idea of what they may need in the way of support. “
“Based on what I’ve heard so far, many parents of special needs kids feel very isolated, alone, overwhelmed, defeated and just surviving from one day to the next. Many feel judged by their parent peers due to some of the behaviors of their children.”
“This first meet and greet is just that. A chance to meet other parents in an environment of non-judgment so that we can begin to make plans to help support each other in the future.”
“I will be the lead facilitator for the time being and responsible for the majority of the logistics planning right now. Eventually, as we form a more organized group, we may have more involvement from the parents themselves and also invite community partners to join us to address special topics, needs or to provide educational or training opportunities.”
This is for parents who have wished to get together with others who are in the same situation and understand some of the stresses.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.
Old Settlers Picnic Contests/Raffle Results
The following were bike winners at the Old Settler’s Picnic in Uniontown yesterday afternoon, as submitted by Mary Pillion, one of the organizers of the event.
The AR-15 300 Blackout Rifle raffle winner was Heath Lord. Not pictured
Winners of bikes: (Submitted photos)
(Names were not provided to fortscott.biz)
Longest Beard Contest
The 2024 Old Settlers Picnic Photo Highlights
The 2024 Old Settlers Picnic had dancing, running/walking, fishing, church, bingo, pickleball, kids games, and rodeos that all led up to the highlight event of the parade at Uniontown on Labor Day.
The community and surrounding areas enjoyed the food, crafts, vendors, car show, and parade on Labor Day. People picnicked in the park, enjoyed the baby parade, recognition of old settlers, kids games and raffles/contests.
The Holt family were the grand marshalls of the parade, with Marilyn Holt, the matriarch, sitting front and center on the float, along with three of her children Debbie Likely, Randy Holt and Susan Eldridge,their spouses,their grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her oldest son, Kenny, died in 2019, and her husband Kent, “Poke”, died in 2021. The Holts have been bankers in Bourbon County since 1901.
Bourbon County Coalition Meets Sept. 4
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
We will be meeting at the Keyhole this week for our September 4 General Meeting. The Keyhole is located at the corner of 10th. and Main Street across from the south end of the Fort Scott High School. See you Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at The Keyhole
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Judy Hood will give us an update on The Keyhole.
October program will be by Dustin Emmett, Retain Outreach Coordinator for SEKANSASWORKS.
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be October 2, 2024.
No Bo Co Commission Meeting on Sept. 2
There will not be a Board of County Commissioner meeting on Monday, September 2, 2024 due to the Labor Day holiday.
by
Jennifer Hawkins
Bourbon County Clerk
Fort Fest 24: Blues Music and More at Riverfront Park on Sept. 27-29
The annual Fort Fest is September 27-29 at Riverfront Park on Fort Scott’s North National Avenue.
The event is an entertainment weekend that features Blues Music and brings in donations for a local cancer survivor group, Care to Share.
Care to Share/ Sharing Bucket is a grassroots volunteer organization providing support to members of the community impacted by cancer, with financial or emotional support, and even driving individuals to and from doctor appointments out of town.
To learn more more about Care to Share: C2S One Page Highlights
Teresa Davenport is the President and can be reached at
(620) 238-0902
Music begins at 6 p.m. on September 27 with Two Lane Highway, Linn County; and at 8 p.m. with Tim Hoggard and the Two-Legged Rooster, Jonesboro, AR.
On Saturday, singing starts again with Big Luke and the Soul Disciples at 1 p.m.; Alyssa Galvan, from southwest Missouri at 3 p.m.; Hamilton Loomis from Louisiana and Texas at 5 p.m., and the Divas on Fire from northwest Arkansas at 7 p.m.
In addition, there will be food and art/craft vendors, a corn hole tournament, and an ax throwing area around the park.
“There is also a MUCH IMPROVED Kidz Korner including the train that Lavetta Simmons (one of the founders of Care to Share) used to have at her house, bouncy houses, the petting zoo again, giant jenga games, a cakewalk, face painting, and much much more,” Cory Bryars said. “We did a poor job last year, and we want the community to know that we are taking huge steps to have a great kid component of the event, We have a dedicated volunteer already rounding everything up and a PLAN!!! Last year we slipped in the kid area, and we would love the community to know that we know it and are correcting it.”
The organizers are asking that no pets be brought to the festival.
Please bring chairs/blankets/bug spray/small coolers for the event and there will be shuttles to the parking areas nearby.
New this year is the addition of another day with a switch of music genre.
“Sunday is a Gospel celebration and car show, Cory Bryars, spokesman for the Care To Share organization
Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, there will be biscuits with gravy, donuts, coffee, juice, pop, and water available until 1 p.m.
At 1 p.m. the gathering will hear local choir musicians, soloists, and piano musicians along with prayers, a Scripture reading, a speaker and testimonies of cancer survivors interspersed in the event.
The event will end at 2:30 p.m. and the car show will start in the park at 3 p.m.
The car show was Saturday last year, and there was no Sunday activity, Bryars said.
Bo Co Commission Holds Special Meeting on August 30
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
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
August 30, 2024 9:00 a.m.
A special meeting of the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission meeting room of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
- 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.