Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Business

Local 19-Year-Old Starts Fashion Business

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From left: Addy Labbe, owner; Lindsay Majors, model; Amy Labbe, her mother; Kinlee Batchelor, model; and Karleigh Arndt, model. Photos are by Kelsey Stanley, Addy Labbe and Amy Labbe.
Addy Labbe, 19, is following in her mother’s footsteps and starting her own business, Stylz By Addy.
“I provide great quality, stylish clothing that is super affordable as well as handmade jewelry, shoes, accessories, and more!” she said. “I started my business from my mother’s studio and with her and all her workers’ help. I mostly do Facebook Lives to sell my clothing so that I can show people how everything fits, looks, and feels.”
“I started this business because I have traveled the U.S. selling jewelry with my mother all my life,’ Labbe said.
Her mother is Amy Labbe, owner of Art By Amy, Uniontown, known for her creative jewelry designs.
“I have always loved fashion and traveling with her helped me figure out that I wanted to find a way to grow on that love and bring different fashions to Kansas,” she said.  “We sell my mother’s jewelry at wholesale markets so I figured why not spend my downtime at the Dallas market bringing some of these amazing styles back to Kansas.”
From left: Lindsay Majors, model; Addy Labbe, owner, and model;  Kinlee Batchelor, model; Madi Toth, model, and customer service; Rhian Gorman, model;  and Massiel Ordoñez, model. Submitted photo.
She has been inspired by two women.
“My mother, Art by Amy,” she said.  “She started her business on her own, grew it for the last 20 years, and is still going strong today. She is the hardest working person I know. Every new person she meets she treats with the same kindness as she would treat her dearest loved ones.”
“The other biggest influence in my new business is a woman named Melanie Hutchins, who I consider another amazing mentor,” Labbe said.  “She owns a very successful boutique in Ohio. She has helped me grow and gain confidence in myself and has been a huge support in my business.”
Products can be seen on Stylz By Addy on Facebook and Instagram @stylzbyaddy or email: [email protected]
or phone:620-756-4125.
Addy Labbe, owner of Stylz By Addy. Submitted photo.
Addy Labbe is a Fort Scott High School graduate and still debating a university degree, she said.  “But I know I love what I’m doing right now!”
Bourbon County, Schools

Jim Lambert Returns As Principal of Uniontown Junior/Senior High

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Jim Lambert. Submitted photo.
Jim Lambert, 75, is the new U.S.D. 235 Prinicipal for the junior high and senior high. He starts August 1.
He replaces Mike Reith, who resigned.
Lambert has been in public education for 54 years, 12 years as a teacher, 36 as an administrator, and six as a substitute teacher.
He worked 16 years in Bourbon County as an administrator, six in USD 234 from 1979-85 and  10 in USD 235 from1985-95; as the high school principal/superintendent.
Lambert earned a  bachelor of science in history from McPherson College and  MEd in Education Administration from Wichita State University.
His hometown is Inman, KS.

He is married to Phyllis and has four children and eight grandchildren.

Outside of his career, he likes to read on a variety of topics, travel trailer camp, yard work, church activities, and is a “military history nut,” he said.

He became an educator because of a lifelong need to learn “stuff” and a love of history, he said.

Several people inspired him in his career.
“Two college professors focused me on what an understanding of history does for society; two colleagues in my early years in teaching
taught me how to work effectively with teenagers,” he said. “Fred Campbell, Dale Hammons, and Dick Hedges, in their leadership roles in USD 234, taught me how to balance all the demands on an administrator and strive for fairness in all decisions.”
The best part of being an educator?
“That’s easy!” he said. “Working with students and teachers on a daily basis. There is an energy in grades 7-12 that causes me to enjoy every day regardless of what has happened. Students want to know their administrators care for them as people and I try to bring that to every interaction.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“Helping students understand how focusing on school activities and work will make them successful as adults,” he said. “Young people don’t always understand that learning to show respect, working hard, following rules for the good of everyone, and being a contributing part of a team will take them a long way as students and adults.”
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

The County Fair

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

July is in full swing and that for most of the country means it’s time for the county fair. For many, this is the best time of year.

The county fair is more than just a carnival or night time events. It is an exhibition of talents from all ages with exhibits ranging in a variety of sizes and categories. Most exhibits have taken an entire 4-H year to complete and some a lot less, but all of the exhibits have a special story and add value to the county fair.

As any 4-H’er can tell you, there is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears involved with preparing for the county fair. The animals you see were raised by youth not just because of the county fair, but to help the youth learn invaluable life lessons to become responsible, caring individuals. The same goes for any of the indoor exhibits from cooking to sewing to photography to woodworking and so on! The opportunities are endless.

I would like to encourage you to take a minute and attend a county fair near you. Explore all of the great accomplishments within the indoor exhibits and the barns full of animals. Visit with a 4-H’er about their project and see the excitement they display.

In the coming weeks, there will be three fairs held within the Southwind Extension District. The first is Bourbon County Fair – July 10th-17th, Woodson County Fair – July 17th-21st, Neosho County Fair – July 22nd-26th, and Allen County Fair – August 22nd-25th. We hope to see you at the county fair!

If you would like more information on how to be involved either to enter exhibits or be a helper, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact information can be found on our website at www.southwind.ksu.edu. For more information about being in 4-H, contact Jennifer Terrell, 4-H Youth Development Agent at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College, Jobs

Human Resource Roundtable July 7

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HR Roundtable
Hosted by the Chamber
TOMORROW!
Wednesday, July 7th
8:15 to 9:30am
Fort Scott Community College
Ag Hall (just north of Arnold Arena)
2108 S. Horton St.
Click here to RSVP if you
haven’t already.
Light refreshments will be served.
The Chamber is hosting an HR Roundtable for those in a human resources role at our local businesses on Wed., July 7th from 8:15 to 9:30am in Ag Hall on the campus of FSCC.
We hope you can join us or send another appropriate contact from your business.
We will have a loose agenda, but would like to hear feedback on workforce needs, challenges, or good stories. And, hear back anything you may need from the Chamber or ideas on recruiting qualified workforce to the community. We also want to allow time for those in HR to just connect with each other.
We will have light refreshments ~ please click here to RSVP if you can attend on Wed., July 7th from 8:15 to 9:30am at FSCC Ag Hall, just north of Arnold Arena.
Hosted by the Chamber’s Workforce Development Division:
Alysia Johnston, FSCC
Cathy Bishop, Niece Products
Payton Coyan, SEK-CAP
Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Art Offerings For Children

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Happy Snappy Art offers five different paintings reflecting a weekly theme for children.
“Our upcoming Kids theme will be ‘Down on the Farm’,” said Judy Earp, Happy Snappy Art.  “We will paint country scenes and farm animals while learning new techniques and having fun.”
“The Teen Art Camp theme will be ‘French Impressionist Painting’,” she said.  “We will paint five different paintings inspired by the Impressionists. We will even paint our own version of Monet’s Garden.”
Art, Bourbon County

Art Is Therapy For Toal

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Stephen Toal stands in front of a mural he recently created at Riverfront Park. Submitted photo.

Stephen Toal has been clean and sober for three years now from alcohol addiction.

Toal has been busy creating artistic murals in parks in Fort Scott.

This spring he painted a mural under the big rock shelter house at Gunn Park, painting over graffiti.

This summer he is working on murals at Riverfront Park.

Murals by Stephen Toal that are on the Hwy. 69 overpass in Riverfront Park. Submitted photo.

“Art is a big part of my recovery,” he said. “I think by doing these it helps me and also the community and will hopefully start bringing in more people at the park.”

Art helps him to focus, “When I am doing art, I am in my own zone,” he said.

Toal started focusing on art when he needed to change his life.

He was encouraged to pursue art by a counselor.

“When I went to rehab, a counselor asked me what I like to do,” he said. “I liked to draw. I got into art. I feel that is what I am meant to be.”

“I do photography as well,” Toal said. “I do five to six different art mediums.”

“I really enjoy the outdoor painting,” he said. “I think by painting the murals it’s bringing the community together and showing others the power of art.”

“There will be more (art)to come,” Toal said. ” I am starting on the inside of the tunnel (at Riverfront Park). The tunnel mural is going to be about Fort Scott and Kansas mixed in. I’m currently still doing some research on old businesses here and people that influenced Fort Scott. I am working on the design. And will possibly collaborate with other local artists.”

He does the community art projects for free.

“I don’t like getting into the money side,” he said. “And I have a lot of paint.”

Toalbucket was a nickname a  friend gave Toal when younger.  When he needed a logo he improvised and designed a bucket. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For July 6

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: July 6, 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 THE COMMISSION ROOM.

 

Call to Order

 

    • Flag Salute
    • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
    • Commission to Further Consider a Road Opening @ 45th & Unique
    • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
    • Elected Officials Comment
    • County Counselor Comment
    • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director 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.

Bourbon County, Government

Tiana McElroy Selected as New Bourbon County Attorney

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Tiana McElroy. Submitted photo taken last evening by a committee person at the event.

Tiana McElroy, 46,  was selected on July 1 to be the new Bourbon County Attorney, replacing Jacqui Spradling, who resigned.

McElroy has practiced law since August 2004, primarily criminal law, she said.

“I started as the Assistant Bourbon County Attorney in January 2018 and left Bourbon County for Cherokee County at the beginning of this year, (to be its) assistant county attorney,” she said.

McElroy attended Washburn University from 2001 to 2004 earning a Bachelor of Arts in History then a Juris Doctorate.

Her hometown is Leavenworth.

She became an attorney to “make a difference,” she said. “I feel like I’m making a difference, no matter how small.”

Her goal in the new position?

“To make the office more transparent,” she said. “I want the public to trust in the office again.”

“I’ll be full-time,” McElroy said. “I don’t have expectations that it will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I will be there as needed, but the position is classified as part-time.” She will be in her office five days a week.

She said the position is classified part-time, but she will go before the Bourbon County Commission and request they make the position full-time.

There is a backlog of cases to be tried, according to Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks. “Some of it because of COVID,” he said.

McElroy is the mother of two daughters, ages 13 and 16.

“I do not plan on moving to Fort Scott at this time so my children can finish school in Columbus,” she said.  “I am certainly open to moving to Bourbon County once they have graduated from high school.”

The Process of Selecting A New County Attorney

A meeting was held July 1 of the Bourbon County Republicans to select a new county attorney. There were seven candidates who introduced themselves, Chairman Mark McCoy said.

In addition to McElroy,  Meeks, Linus Thuston (the Neosho County Attorney), Jeffrey Williams (a private practice attorney), David Graham ( a practicing attorney), James Brun (recently Linn County Attorney) and Steven Ellis (the mayor of Spring Hill and a practicing attorney) applied for the position.

The party leaders asked questions of each candidate, he said.

The general public was allowed a brief time to speak for or against a candidate then left the meeting, The chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer, along with committee people of the party, remained to deliberate, McCoy said.

“The party, I believe, did a complete and thorough job and I am very, very comfortable with the outcome,” of McElroy being selected, he said.

McElroy will begin her duties as soon as the governor approves the selection, McCoy said.

“Today, I will send a certified, notarized letter to the governor’s office,” he said.

McElroy should be in her new position in a few weeks. The county attorney’s office is on the second floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

The Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening In Fort Scott July 2 Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
July 2nd Weekly Newsletter
ACCEPTING TEAM REGISTRATIONS!
*SPONSORS
*RAFFLE ITEMS
*DONATIONS/SWAG BAGS
APPLY ONLINE!
CLICKHERE.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute Narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Depart 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.
7/2 – Downtown Retailers Roundtable hosted by the Chamber 8:15-9:30am at the Chamber office, to collaborate on shopping events & promotions for the coming months, RSVP to the Chamber at [email protected].
7/2 – Ryan Hall Live Band, 7 pm at The Boiler Room Bewhaus! 2 S. National St.
7/2 – 7/8 – Fort Scott Cinema. Now showing: Petter Rabbit 2, Boss Baby 2, F9: Fast & Furious 9, Black Widow. Click here for more info.
7/3 – Bourbon County Carpool Tour – History of Marmaton/Marmiton. 8:30 am leaving from
Memorial Hall. Pre-Registration is required. Click here for more information.
7/3 – FSHS Volleyball Bake Sale Fundraiser at Nu-Grille, starting at 7:30 until 10 am.
7/3 – Friends of the Fort hosting a Ceremony Honoring Donation of the Lunette Blair Bldg. to the Fort Scott National Historic Site and National Park Service at Skubitz Plaza, 11am.
7/3 thru 7/5 – The Fort Scott National Historic Site welcomes you to Celebrate Independence weekend with the Sights and Sounds of 1860’s Military Fireworks. Guided Tours, Artillery Demonstrations & much more. Click here for the full schedule of events for each day.
7/3 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort. Bourbon County Democrats serving Breakfast on the Bricks this Saturday, click here for more info.
7/3 – The City Fireworks Display at FSCC Lawn by 9:15 pm, sponsored by the Elks Lodge, tune into KOMB All Hit 103.9 for patriotic music to coincide with the fireworks! Fort Scott Nazarene at 18th & Horton will be handing out popsicles & bottled water prior to the display starting at 8pm until supplies run out.
7/3 – The City of Uniontown Independence Festival starting at 6:30 with live music, inflatables, selfie bar, vendors in the park & Firework Display at dark (9:15 pm)
7/3 & 7/4 – Lake Fort Scott Fireworks at dark, both Saturday & Sunday nights at dark residents of Lake Fort Scott will be shooting displays of fireworks. Park in the public areas around the lake and enjoy!
7/4 – 39th Annual Burke St. 4th of July Parade.
12pm, 10th Burke St. Click here for event info.
7/5, 7/6 & 7/9 – Museum of Creativity – OPEN PLAY SEASON. Admission – $3/person (free-4-1 yr old) Monday, Thurs. & Fri. 10 am – 2 pm
Friday also at 4 pm – 8 pm. Click here for info.
7/5 ~ The Lavender Patch Farm To learn more about events & hours open,click here.
June & July Hours open daily. Thurs. thru Mon. Closed 7/2 thru 7/4.
7/7 – HR Roundtable hosted by the Chamber 8:15-9:30am, Ag Hall at FSCC (just north of Arnold Arena), Human Resources professionals representing local businesses are invited to connect and share hiring challenges and needs, light refreshments will be provided, RSVP to the Chamber at [email protected].
7/7 – Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Series, 5-7 pm including dinner catered by Sharky’s, childcare provided. Panelists include Dacia Clark of the Small Business Development Center, Bailey Lyons of Lyons Realty Group, and Kelly Perry of Perry’s Pork Rinds, click here for more info. and to register.
7/8 to 7/11 – Midwest Showcase Baseball Tournament III, LaRoche Baseball Complex.
7/9 & 7/10 – ACRA-IPRA Rodeo, 8pm each evening as part of the Bourbon County Fair, discounted advance tickets on sale now at the Chamber, see flyer below for more details!
7/9 to 7/17 – Bourbon County Fair, activities for everyone to watch or take part in, click here for the full Fair schedule!
7/10 – Roller Skating at Buck Run Community Center, doors open 6:30 pm, skating 7-9 pm, click here for more info.
7/10 – Boiler Room Brewhaus presents Alyssa Galvan Live, 7-9pm, click here for more info.
SAVE THE DATE:
CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC
Friday, July 23rd, click here to register!
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!
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of June 25

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June 25, 2021                                               Friday 10:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

 

Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Susan Bancroft, Josh Jones, Greg Motley, Rob Harrington, Charles Gentry, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Anne Dare, and two employees from Mercy Hospital.

 

The Commissioners held the special meeting to discuss the donation of the Mercy Hospital building to Bourbon County.  Clifton is having someone look at the roof to see what needs repaired.  The building would be donated to the County along with $600,000 (the money would be donated for the needed repairs), the building would be donated As is.  There are controls & deed restrictions on what the property can be used for a period of 5 years; the following are not permitted… abortion clinic, counseling service which recommends sterilization or abortions, prescribing or dispensing medicines or chemicals for such, a political action group advocating abortions, signs promoting abortions or an adult bookstore, x-rated movie theater, topless bar, or similar establishment.  Justin said if the County gave away the land, the restrictions would have to be followed by the new owners as well. Justin said there is a newer buried gas tank there which is used for the generators.    CHC has some of the land at this location, Justin said the helicopter pad is part of CHC’s portion.  Justin said there are currently tenants there and their leases would have to be honored.  Justin said some title work has been started through Security 1st Title Company; Clifton made a motion to allow the local title company to move forward with the title commitment and that the title company do the closing, Jim seconded and all approved.  Rob Harrington presented the Commissioners with Cooperative agreement and asked that the Commissioners use $1 million of the ARPA funds (Bourbon County will be getting $2.8 million total in ARPA funds) towards a feasibility study. He said this cooperative agreement would be between Bourbon County and Noble Health Corporation to do a feasibility study regarding if it’s feasible to bring a hospital back to the community.  The Cooperative agreement would move forward with the feasibility study; the study would provide a market study, financial and demographic analysis and health data to show if this area can support a hospital.  Rob said if the feasibility study comes back positive then the developer would begin working on opening a new healthcare facility in Bourbon County.  Rob said the $1 million would be given to Noble Health Corporation to hire a 3rd party company to do a feasibility study.  Clifton said the study will cost close to $1.5 million total, which Noble Health will be paying a portion of.  Susan Bancroft said the major planned use for APRA funds is healthcare.  Rob said the feasibility study could later be used to go after grants for the facility.  Lynne said the closing of Mercy Hospital had a negative impact on the community and said he thought there was a good possibility of bringing back a hospital.  Rob said the study should take 3-4 months to complete.  Clifton said they have asked the City to participate in this as well and said if nothing else it will put to bed on whether we can have a hospital here or not.  Justin said they could have until next Tuesday to finalize this and said this is a different style of medical care.  Clifton said cooperate healthcare will not work in Fort Scott.  Noble Health has purchased and is operating 2 hospitals in Missouri; they are bringing back healthcare to rural areas.  Clifton said that Noble Health is not agreeing to bring a hospital here, but are agreeing to partner with Bourbon County to see what will work here, he said it will not be a full-blown hospital.  Clifton said if this works and Noble comes here, they are excited to work with Ascension, CHC and any other local providers.  Rob said this has been a great collaborative effort between Bourbon County, the City and Economic Development.  Justin said that Security 1st can get the commitment of policy next week.  The Commissioners plan to discuss the Mercy donation agreement again on June 29th.  Jim said he hoped this works for our healthcare.  Clifton said this is a community effort and said the community needs to support Ascension, CHC and Noble Health.  Clifton said that Ascension and CHC did a good job during COVID but said it could’ve been better with hospital beds in our area.  Clifton said they were not using property tax money to do this; he said they were using Federal money, he said if they don’t use this money, they would have to use a different way or give the money back.  Justin said the current service contracts would have to be assumed by the Commission and said the current tenants would need to have the same environment they are used to.  Clifton questioned if the County would have to use the current providers; they do not, but must provide the same service.  Justin said he thought that landscaping, mowing and waste management could be done internally.  Jim suggested, if necessary, when the current contracts expire that they look for different providers.  Justin said a current resident for the Mercy building hasn’t finalized their lease agreement with Mercy yet; Mercy is working on the lease.  Clifton said it wasn’t his intention to own the building for a long period of time; Justin said that could happen.  The ambulance service has been subsidized by Bourbon County for many years.

 

Jim made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss job performance, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 11:11, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Josh Jones).  At 11:12, Clifton made a motion to resume the regular session with no action, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy related to job function, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 11:28, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin and Josh Jones).  At 11:28, Clifton made a motion to resume the normal session with action, Jim seconded and all approved.  Jim made a motion that the County do a joint agreement with the City of Fort Scott regarding hiring an HR director as a shared service, the position will answer to the County Commission, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

At 11:29, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
June 29, 2021, Approved Date

 

Bourbon County

Local Non-Profit Awarded USDA Rural Development Grant

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July 1, 2021
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc Awarded $78,175 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) has been awarded the highly competitive USDA Rural Business Development Grant.

The award will be used to fund the HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth program to provide technical assistance to small and emerging private businesses, increase awareness of available resources through community engagement, enhance quality of life, encourage economic growth, and foster healthy choices through cross-sectors of Bourbon County.

Bourbon County residents can meet with Dacia Clark, Assistant Director with Pittsburg State Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC) in Downtown Fort Scott. Dacia, a Fort Scott native, provides a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and resources to help individuals get started on the right path.

Whether in person or online, PSU SBDC is helping entrepreneurs with starting a new business or new product, growing sales, running a business, protecting business, and succession planning every day.

In addition, Southeast KANSASWORKS, the Local Workforce Development Board that serves 17 counties in Southeast Kansas, will be available in person twice a week.

Southeast KANSASWORKS contributes to economic growth and business expansion by ensuring the workforce system is job-driven and matching employers with skilled individuals.
Southeast KANSASWORKS administers the regional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program.

State and local WIOA boards promote the use of industry and sector partnerships to address the workforce needs of multiple employers within an industry. They are responsible for activities to meet the workforce needs of local and regional employers.

Employers and job seekers alike benefit from services provided by Southeast KANSASWORKS which include free online job listings, labor market information, pre-employment testing, work opportunities tax credits, pre-screen applicants, recruiting services, federal bonding, interview space, youth programs, and more.

The program has seen measured success since November 2020 because of a coordinated, united, and participatory approach taken by all partners involved.

As a result, the HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth offers a one-stop-shop to community members seeking to build financial stability.

“We are thrilled to be part of this successful collaboration,” Dacia Clark, PSU SBDC, “In my experience, this kind of synergy between the Chamber, local non-profits like the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, and regional organizations is extraordinary.”

Building a healthy community is more than a matter of fostering individual health, it is about public policy, systems, and environments that foster a healthy society. The HBCAT’s work
at the community level is to improve social integration and support systems, promote community engagement, and reduce stress and discrimination. These services are instrumental in addressing
the social determinants of health in wealth creation, enhancing quality of life, employment, and poverty. Providing local businesses expertise and guidance, particularly in these very turbulent
times, has shown to be a critical resource to increase the number of business start-ups and number of available quality jobs.
In order to address poor health outcomes, the HBCAT is looking upstream to the causes of disease.

According to The US Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2030, there is a clear and established relationship between poverty, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes—including increased risk for disease and premature death.

“Chronic disease can lead to low worker productivity, locked in low-income jobs, and an increase on household expenditures to pay for medical bills and prescriptions,” Jody Hoener, HBCAT President and CEO “As a result, food insecurity increases, the cycle of intergenerational poverty is perpetuated, and quality of life is inhibited.”

As a rural community, Bourbon County continues to feel considerable geographic disparities. There is a disproportionate lack of opportunity for upward mobility in employment,
inadequate levels of venture or capital injection and historically programming available locally to focus on employment, mentoring, business planning or other wealth building strategies.
Through the Center for Economic Growth, all generations, regardless of socio-economic status, will have the resources, programs, and technical assistance to develop their skills and
become successful entrepreneurs in Southeast Kansas.

“This program is giving individuals a unique opportunity to build financial stability,” Lindsay Madison, President and CEO Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, “We strive to break the cycle of poverty by investing time and resources in the people who do not have access to needed guidance, education, mentoring or financial means.”

By offering a new pathway to build wealth, the HBCAT is giving young adults alternative options to where they choose to live.
With the USDA Rural Business Development funds, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team aims to empower low-income minority, women, and food-based entrepreneurs. Providing
education, tutorials, assistance, and seminars on business and entrepreneurship concepts gives individuals a sense of competence and self-determination.

The HBCAT is located in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott on the second floor of 17 South Main Fort Scott KS. It is a “one-stop-shop” for business, employment, food, telework and distance learning needs. Current businesses, and those looking to start a business, have a physical location to meet with others. Additionally, services are available for those seeking employment, developing soft skills (i.e.interviewing), or other job seeking assistance.

Businesses are encouraged and welcome to contact Southeast KANSASWORKS to see how they can connect with those looking for employment.

Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #healthybbco

 

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 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
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact
the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
b. Exceptions to Including the Full USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

51 Ventilated COVID Patients Last Week in Crawford County

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Local health professionals encourage people to celebrate safely

Crawford County Covid-19 cases are increasing, as well as throughout the region and they are already affecting local and regional hospitals, according to Dr. Tim Stebbins, Crawford County Health Officer and Director at Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department.  

 

With the July 4 holiday approaching, Stebbins is concerned that traditional celebrations, including family and community gatherings, will increase the risk for transmission of Covid-19 and cause possible serious medical impact, especially on those who are not vaccinated against the disease.  

 

Since the initial wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, Via-Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has gone from single digits of Covid-19 patients weekly back up into the 20s, and last week to 51 including ventilated patients with admissions on track for similar numbers this week. 

 

Stebbins says nationally, 80-90% of new infections are in the unvaccinated/nonimmune group, with more than 90% of hospitalizations in the same group. Over the last few months, 98% or more of the deaths from Covid-19 are in the unvaccinated/nonimmune group. 

 

Health officials have confirmed some of the new infections in Crawford County are the Delta variant of Covid-19.  

 

As of mid-June 2021, the CDC estimates the Delta variant is accounting for 20% of new cases in the United States. The delta variant is challenging because it is highly transmissible and affects the younger age groups. 

In milder cases, infected individuals may mistake the symptoms for a bad cold and not realize they need to isolate. Common symptoms reported have been headaches, sore throat, a runny nose, or fever.

 

Testing for COVID-19 is an essential part of containing the disease, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has rapid testing available seven days a week. The Crawford County Health Department can also provide rapid testing.  

 

For most vaccinated people, the current COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from all current strains of the virus. Previous illness with Covid-19 also seems to provide some immunity from the disease. 

 

“Everyone should consider their own risk when celebrating, including their own current health and vaccination or immune status,” Stebbins says. “If you have any immune compromising disease or illness, such as cancer, you should carefully weigh the risks and consider mitigation.” 

 

Strategies to help prevent Covid-19 infection include handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a mask. It is especially important that all individuals, regardless of immune status, stay home if they think they might be ill. 

 

The single greatest protection against COVID-19 for individuals age 12 and up is vaccination. Crawford County has a robust vaccination capability and vaccinations can be found through nearly all local pharmacies, SEK Urgent Care, PSU Health, Community Health Centers of Southeast Kansas, and the Crawford County Health Department. Three different vaccines are available in the County and vaccination is available to anyone 12 or older.

 

It is possible for all of us to celebrate this holiday safely and to minimize the risk of harm to our family and friends, Stebbins says. “Everyone should consider their own risk when celebrating including their current health and vaccination or immune status. We must all be smart in what we do, consider the risks, mitigate if appropriate, and seriously consider vaccination to prevent further spread and impact of this disease.”