Category Archives: Bourbon County

Evergy Warns Customers Regarding Recent Utility Scam Attempts

 

Imposters asking for immediate payment

KANSAS CITY, Mo., – Oct. 1, 2021 – Evergy has received customer reports today of individuals placing phone calls to customers and claiming to be Evergy representatives. The individuals are asking customers for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. These representatives are not employees of Evergy. For past-due accounts, calls from Evergy requesting payment are never made the same day as the disconnection.

 

Several customers have contacted us after receiving suspicious calls. In most cases, the caller claims to be an Evergy customer service representative and asks the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer a check has bounced or he or she has a past-due bill. Imposters will often ask customers to use a pre-paid card for payment. Evergy will never ask a customer to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay for service.

Customers may verify an individual is from Evergy by asking to see company identification or by calling the Customer Contact Center before giving any information such as your Evergy account number or banking information. If you can’t verify that you’re speaking with an Evergy employee, do not give them this information.  Evergy Missouri and Evergy Kansas Metro customers may reach customer service toll-free at 1-888-471-5275. Evergy Kansas Central customers may call 1-800-383-1183. Customers can also review their account status online by visiting www.evergy.com.

 

Evergy wants its customers to know how to identify Evergy representatives. Employees will carry Evergy employee identification. For a service appointment, they may be driving an Evergy vehicle or wearing Evergy branded clothing. Evergy does not perform door-to-door sales. Evergy employees rarely need to enter a customer’s home.

 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased calls, texts, emails, and in-person tactics and are contacting utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. As a reminder, Evergy will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications. If you feel you have been a victim of a scam, please work with your local law enforcement agency to report the crime.

 

Dan the Junk Man Will Haul Off Your Junk

An entrepreneur is seen as a source of a new service. One who sees a community need and works to satisfy that need.

Dan Turney is one of those people.

He started his business, Dan the Junk Man, this week and so far word of mouth publicity have kept him busy he said.

Turney saw the old washing machines or other discarded machines sitting in yards or on porches in Bourbon County and decided to provide a service to remove the unsightly items, for free.

“I thought I would start a business to help,” Turney said.

After he picks them up, he takes them to a small acreage and sorts through the metal, wires, copper, etc., and takes them to a recycler or the dump when finished, he said.

Things like old dryers, air conditioners, washing machines, rims of old tires, he will pick up for free.

Currently, he has no employees and does all the work himself, he said.

He is retired from the State of Indiana Highway Department and is currently living with relatives on a small acreage near Fort Scott, he said.

 

Turney can be reached at 620.215.3543.

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 1

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
October 1st Weekly Newsletter
Join us for the 65th Anniversary
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Departs 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!
10/1 thru 10/3 ~ PIONEER HARVEST FIESTA. Bourbon County Fairgrounds all weekend, click here or see flyer below for info.
10/1 ~ FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING Steven Moses AT HERITAGE PARK PAVILION 7-8 PM. Clickherefor info.
10/1 thru 10/7 ~ FORT CINEMA:
Venom there will be Carnage, The Addams Family, Cry Macho. Check out what is coming to theatres, clickhere.
10/1 ~ BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS: Open Mic Night, clickherefor more info.
10/1 ~ FRIDAY EVENING OF FUN AT THE MUSEUM OF CREATIVITY – Open play session and crafts 3:30-7:30 pm, Game Night 8:30-11:30 pm, only $1 admission! Visit and Like their Facebook pagefor more info.
10/2 ~ FSCC MINI CHEER & DANCE CLINIC: Registration 8:30-9am, clinic 9-10am, $20, click here for info.
10/2 ~ CARE TO SHARE/SHARING BUCKET FALL FESTIVAL: 15th Annual and THE LAST ONE! Come out and enjoy! Click here for more information.
10/2 & 10/3 ~ MIDWEST NATIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT LAROCHE BASEBALL COMPLEX.
10/2 & 10/3~ FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK SALE. Click herefor info.
10/2 ~ FARMERS’ MARKET ~ 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
10/2 ~ THE BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS PRESENTS “THE PROSPECTORS” LIVE MUSIC ~ Saturday, October 2nd from 7 – 9 pm. NO COVER
10/6 ~ DARE TO DREAM WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES.Click here for info.
10/6 ~ BIKE NIGHT AT HOLMTOWN PUB. Click herefor more information.
NEXT WEEKEND:
OCTOBER 7th ~ Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting of the new Learning Tree sign trail hosted by Gordon Parks Museum – will be held at Gunn Park Shelter #1
OCTOBER 7th thru 10th ~ Gordon Parks 17th & 18th Annual Celebration:Click here for the schedule.
OCTOBER 8th ~ Friday Night with Jazz & Violinist “Dominique Hammons” live at the River Room
OCTOBER 8th ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring The Sunflower Prairie Strings:Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., bring a lawn- chair from
7-8pm.
OCTOBER 8th ~ CLARK STREET HAUNTED HOUSE BEGINS:See flyer below for dates/times
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!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Women’s Right To Vote Exhibit Reception Oct. 8

Lowell Milken Center Announces October 8th, 2021

SPECIAL EVENT

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes invites all to attend a reception and unveiling for the new exhibit/panel on Friday, October 8th at 3:30pm. The Center will honor unsung heroes and African American suffragists Carrie Langston Hughes and Mamie Dillard with a reception including wine and cheese, fruit and dessert, and music. This event is sponsored by a grant from Humanities Kansas and will be followed up in November with a cultural arts presentation on women’s suffrage and a community book read, Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

About Humanities Kansas: Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversation and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes.

 

Chamber to host Election Candidate Forum

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces an Election Candidate Forum will be held on Wednesday, October 20th at Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St. in Fort Scott. The forum will feature candidates for the races of USD 234 School Board, Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees, and Fort Scott City Commission. Doors will open for a Meet & Greet with the candidates at 5:30 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Residents of the community are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates to the Chamber by Monday, October 18th at 1:00 p.m. Questions may be emailed to [email protected], mailed to 231 E. Wall St., or dropped off in person. The forum will also be broadcast live on the Facebook page Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Candidates in these races are asked to RSVP to the Chamber by October 13th to confirm attendance.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

***

Coalition Meeting Agenda For Oct. 6

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

October 6, 2021

  1. Welcome:

Thanks to Nancy for chairing the meeting!

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  1. Program: Jody Hoener, Healthy Bourbon County.

November program will be an update on Communities in Schools presented by Rhonda Hoener and Lewis Dunkeson.

  1. Open Forum:
  • Discussion: Would it be better to meet from 1:00 – 2:00 starting in January?
  • Discussion: Do we need to find a location with reliable internet connection where combination meetings (face-to-face and Zoom) can be held?
  1. Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be November 3, 2021.

For those who can’t attend in person on Wednesday, October 6th via Zoom on the noon hour:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://neosho.zoom.us/j/96247133102

Meeting ID: 962 4713 3102
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Meeting ID: 962 4713 3102
Find your local number: https://neosho.zoom.us/u/aw7sjvehJ

K-3 Hwy. closed on Oct. 11 for wind turbine crane move (revised date)

 

K-3 will be closed from K-39 south to K-47 on Monday, Oct 11. The daylong closure will start at 7 a.m., when a wind tower crane will be moved across the highway between Birch Road in Bourbon County and Arrowhead Road at the Bourbon-Crawford county line.

 

A detour will be signed on K-146, U.S. 59 and K-39. Traffic should use the detour and other alternate routes. Persons with questions may call Kansas Department of Transportation Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

 

Map: www.kandrive.org

 

 

 

Health Department Provides Free Parenting Classes Starting Oct. 14

Free Parenting Classes

The Bourbon County Health Department is offering Parenting the Love and Logic Way®! This curriculum was developed by Jim Fay, Charles Fay, Ph.D., and Foster W. Cline, M.D. of the Love and Logic Institute Inc. in Golden, Colorado. Parenting the Love and Logic Way® will be presented in six sessions beginning October 14th by Jan and Dave Elliott, who are independent facilitators of the curriculum.

Completion of Parenting the Love and Logic Way® consists of participating in six sessions: October 14th, October 21st, October 28th, November 4th, November 11th, and November 18th, all beginning at 6:00 PM.

The course will be offered at the Bourbon County Health Department at 524 S. Lowman. There is no charge for participation in Parenting the Love and Logic Way® and space is limited. Pre-registration is required. To register, please call the Health Department at 620-223-4464. The deadline to register is Thursday, October 7th.

Miles Woodworking: “A Pretty Good Team”

Mike and Danyell Miles. Submitted photo.

Mike and Danyell Miles started their business, Miles Woodworking, in 2010 when they couldn’t find the right dining table.

“My wife showed me one and I built it,” Mike said. “Then I said ‘You know we could build and sell these.’ The rest is history.”

A cabinet creation by Miles Woodworking. Submitted photo.

“We have been doing this for over 10 years now,” he said. “It’s fun and enjoyable because every order is different. Sometimes we get repeat orders, but mostly they are a different scheme.”

Dining tables, bedroom sets, buffets, cornhole sets, and shuffleboards up to 20 feet long, kitchen cabinets, kitchen islands, and desks are some of their past creations.

A desk that was created by Miles Woodworking. From their Facebook page.

“We take custom orders,” Miles said. ” The client generally shows us what they want and we create that for them. My wife is the brains of the operation, she designs it. I build it. We make a pretty good team.”

The same year they began their business, they also started taking their creations to Sugar Mound Arts Festival, he said. “We showcase all of our new seasonal products there. That’s next weekend.”

For more information contact Miles Woodworking at 620.224.4724 or [email protected]

 

 

Rural America Celebration this Weekend: Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

From the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website.

The 65th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is a time of remembering all things rural: tractors, farming practices, arts and crafts, and food.

This year it is this weekend, starting with a parade Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.

Friday, Oct. 1 starting at 9 a.m. people can walk the Bourbon County Fairground, across from Fort Scott Community College on South Horton Street in Fort Scott to view the activities offered.

A quilt show, corn husking, and shelling, oat thrashing, straw baling, rock crushing,  sawmill operation, arts and craft show and end the day with a free bean feed at 5 p.m. A large flea market and swap meet runs throughout the multi-day event.

“The flea market is one of the largest in the four states,” Larry Richard, vice president of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Board, said. “And it’s an instructional arts and crafts exhibit.”

Saturday from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. also offers those activities and adds musicians to entertain throughout the day and also an antique and classic tractor pull at 1 p.m.

Sunday morning starts with a worship service at 9 a.m. and more demonstrations and activities, with a tractor pull at 1 p.m.

Others serving on the board are President Allen Warren, Secretary Betsey Reeder, and Treasurer Delphine Parks.

 

Pioneer Harvest Festival Music Schedule
    October 2 – 3,  provided by Ralph Carlson
Saturday, October 2
11 a.m.         The Millers
11:30 a.m.  Wallase & Wolfgran
Noon            Steve Fortenberry
1 p.m.            Stephan Moses
 2 p.m.           The Millers
 2:30  p.m.    Ralph, Don & Mim Carlson
 3 p.m.            Tammy Helm & Floyd Feezell
 3:15 p.m.      David Prickett
Sunday, October 3
  9 a.m.           Apostolic Christian Church Service
10:30 a.m.   Open Jam Session
11:30  a.m.   Ralph, Don & Mim Carlson
Noon               Lunch Break
12:30 p.m.    David Prickett
  1 p.m.            Stephan Moses

SEK Community Foundation Grants Awarded

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Announces $155,000 in General Funds Grantmaking

Every summer, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) Grant Review Committee awards funding to programs focusing on Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture. CFSEK is pleased to announce General Grant Funds totalling $155,000 have been awarded to 45 non-profit organizations in Southeast Kansas representing 20 communities in 6 counties. Since 2004, the funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to many Southeast Kansas nonprofit projects.

The Community Foundation continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and the quality of life in our region. CFSEK focuses on ‘inspiring leadership with programming that is responsive to the interests and needs of those we serve now and in the future.’

The following grants were awarded during the 2021 General Grant Cycle:

Basic Human Needs – $56,652

Caney Valley Agape Network – Protective supplies for volunteers.

Catholic Charities, Inc. – Homeless and housing services.

Class LTD – Client emergency assistance funds.

Communities in Schools, Inc. – Basic needs support for students in schools in SEK.

Community Health Center of SEK – Baby basics for the Baby4Baby program.

First Baptist Church of Riverton Kansas – Share with love food bank.

First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Safety supplies for the homeless program.

Homer Cole Community Center – Security cameras.

Kansas Food Bank Warehouse, Inc. – Food 4 Kids weekend backpack program.

Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency funding for Labette County residents.

Mount Carmel Foundation – Save a life by providing critical inhalers.

Olive Street Presents, Ltd. – Bringing local stages to life.

Sacred Heart Parish – Thanksgiving meal turkey distribution.

SEK Animal Advocates Society – Services to support permanent homes for animals.

Spring River Mental Health & Wellness – Medication assistance and organization.

TFI Family Services, Inc. – Calming kits.

The Beacon – Basic nutritional needs through their food bank.

The Salvation Army – Emergency utility and rental assistance.

Youth Activities – $87,000

Boy Scout of America – Hooked on Scouting recruitment campaign.

Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Art Enrichment.

Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. – Go Blue SEK kickoff event.

City of Girard – Frisbee Golf Course.

City of Parsons – Parsons Area splash pad.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation – Childbirth Education Curriculum and Equipment.

Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – ‘Rigamajig’

Family Resource Center – Software update.

First United Methodist Church Wesely House – Coats for Kids.

Girls Scouts of the Missouri Heartland – Disaster Preparedness weekend campout.

Mem – Erie Historical Society -Discovering Memories through interactive programming.

Pittsburg Community Child Care Learning Center – Poured in place rubber playground surface.

PSU Foundation, Inc. – PSU Media Production Camp.

PSU Foundation, Inc. – Affordable service provision for children with reading difficulties.

Safehouse Crisis Center – Creating for Healing – a project for the children of Safehouse services.

Southeast Kansas Community Action Program – Early Learning Center flooring.

Special Olympics Kansas – SEK athlete recognition.

The Salvation Army – Stocking stuffers for Christmas.

USD 234 Winfield Scott Leadership Club – Healthy snacks.

USD 246 Northeast Elementary/JH – Back to School Bash.

USD 246 Northeast Elementary/JH Magazines in the classroom.

USD 506 – Junior High Color Guard flags.

Victory Life Church – Back 2 School event

Women’s Resource Center Vie Medical Clinic – Come Play with Me safe play space for children.

Arts & Culture – $1,348

Olive Street Presents, Ltd. – Bringing local stages to life.

Affiliates – $10,000

Girard Area Community Foundation – GACF Youth Activities granting.

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – FSACF Youth Activities granting.

The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2021 grant recipients!

If you are interested in establishing a grantmaking fund with the CFSEK, please visit www.SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Awarded $560,140 Patterson Family Foundation Grant

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) has been awarded a two-year grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. Grant funds will be used to expand upon current programing with the HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth and fund creative placemaking projects for the Historic Downtown Fort Scott and the Eastside of Fort Scott.

The HBCAT is making very intentional and concerted efforts to engage community members and increase access to healthier environments in neighborhoods historically lacking community investment.

According to the US Census, in 2019 Bourbon County had a $47,452 median household income, much less than the state of Kansas average of $62,0281. Data USA allows individuals to view Bourbon County census tracks income by location, filtered to show the highest median household income.

In 2018 the “East Side” showed a stark contrast with the rest of Bourbon County. Data USA showed the highest median income of African American households in Census Tract 9560 with a value of $35,804, followed by Census Tract 9559 values of a mere $15,486.

With this funding, HBCAT looks forward to providing microenterprise grants to small, low-income, minority, women-owned or food-based businesses within Bourbon County.

In addition, funding will be available to local farmers and ranchers with the goal to extend growing seasons and increase the volume of locally produced foods in our schools, restaurants, and food retail establishments.

“On behalf of the Patterson Family Foundation, I am pleased to award funding to The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. that will impact the health and wellbeing of Bourbon County residents. The Foundation looks forward to sharing learnings and best practices with other rural counties seeking similar solutions in their respective communities.” -Lindsey Patterson Smith, PFF President said. Over the next two years, HBCAT will hire personnel to focus on significant trust and vision work with lower-income and minority populations.

“The Patterson Family Foundation Grant is giving our community the needed resources to enhance and build upon our work; to improve upon the natural, built, economic, and social environments in which we live, work and play,” Jody Hoener, President and CEO HBCAT said. “Implementation funding will be used to support changes in the physical environment to improve health for large numbers of people in a sustainable manner. Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter #healthybbc.”

The HBCAT is an equal opportunity organization.

Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Community.

Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance the quality of life, and encourage economic growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for economic success in any industry and in all cities.

Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-5725
[email protected]

Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006 Website: www.sekworks.org

Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537

Lindsay Madison, President and CEO
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566

Bourbon County Local News