Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

New 10 Patient Hospital with Emergency Department Will Open in 2025 in Fort Scott

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Paula Baker and Renee Denton of Freeman Health Systems visit with Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth at the press conference on June 13.

The former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital will be used once again for hospital operations.

Today, Paula Baker, CEO of Freeman Health System announced that they will be operating 10 in-patient hospital beds at the site and will open an emergency department as well.

Paula Baker speaks to the press and the crowd that showed up to hear an announcement about health care in the county today.

“If treated in the E.R., you will be treated right here (in the hospital section),” she told a crowd that gathered at the former hospital.

There will also be an outpatient lab, radiology, CAT scans available to the public, and an on-site pharmacy.

There will be six bays in the emergency department and 365-day coverage, 24 hours a day.

A licensed physician and emergency-trained staff will be employed,  which will total approximately 70 employees, according to Renee Denton, Chief Operating Officer at Freeman Neosho Hospital, who is helping in this project.

Baker said they have to be licensed by the State of Kansas and that process is long and complex, but they hope to be open by April 1, 2025.

There will be clear separation between Freeman’s hospital bed unit and the Kansas Renewal Institute which also operates in the former Mercy Hospital building, Denton said. Freeman will use the former birthing wing of the hospital.

Baker said they have been working with local city and county entities to make this happen and Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth spoke to the crowd as well as Baker.

She commended Beth and County Commissioner Jim Harris.

“They have worked to get this together and they care,” she said.

Clifton Beth speaks to the crowd at the former Mercy Hospital Emergency Department on June 13.

Beth said the process to reopen a hospital began about five years ago and thanked the sales tax committee that recently spearheaded a May 20234 vote that will produce some money for the project. In addition, he thanked the voters for supporting the tax.

Also helping in the process were present and former county commissioners, Fort Scott City Commissioners,  health agencies, the Bourbon County E.M.S., and Kansas Renewal Institute personnel, Beth said.

“We have been in communication with Kansas on the licensure entities, they have committed to help us expedite the licensure,” Denton said.

 

 

 

 

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment

Bourbon County Community Theatre Announces Play Auditions

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The newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for the first show of the season.

 

Auditions for Holy Mother of Bingo! by Patrick Walsh are from 7-8:30 p.m., June 17 or 18 in the Ellis Performing Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Auditions for the interactive comedy murder mystery show are open to adults and teens and no preparation is necessary.

 

Pioneer Drama describes the show this way, “An innocent bingo fundraiser at the Our Mother of Mercy church goes awry when parishioners mysteriously drop dead!  The evidence suggests well-calculated murders, but who is to blame?  Tensions rise as everyone begins identifying suspects.  Past feuds rear their heads as the members of the parish try to state their innocence one by one.  Who could be behind the elaborate spree?  The disgruntled choir director?  The magician turned youth minister?  The ex-convict that has recently turned to the power of prayer?  It couldn’t be one of the Cookie Cadets selling their beloved cookies!  Everyone’s a suspect…  even the audience in the zany comedy that takes interactive theatre to a whole new level!”

 

Performances of the show are Aug. 2 and 3 and rehearsals are approximately Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m.

 

More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting the Director, Angie Bin, at 620-719-9622 or at [email protected].

 

BBCO Community Theatre, LLC is a non-profit community organization formed last year whose mission is to bring education, community, and culture to southeast KS through threatre.

 

Anyone who would like to join the community theatre or assist with the technical aspects of the play can fill out an interest form on the Facebook page or at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScExqinRjOkAVdLBVFUNDFR5q_OJG_XWlwnPbjnMApAsIAb7Q/viewform

 

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Bourbon County, Youth

Barnstormers 4H Club Met May 8

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May 8, 2024

 

At 6:31 p.m. the Barnstormers 4-H meeting was called to order at the Hubenette Pavilion.

The roll call was, “What are your summer plans?” 18 members and 12 parents were present.

Next the Treasurer’s report and Secretary minutes were read and unanimously approved.

The 2024 Fair newspaper was passed out to all families.

Cannon O’Brien came forward to give a talk on gun safety. After a very informed talk and many questions. Jack Endicott made a motion and Cannon seconded to adjourn the club meeting. The time was 6:54 p.m. The next Barnstormers club meeting is June 12, 2024 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

Jewel Endicott
Barnstormers Secretary
Jack Endicott
Barnstormers Reporter
Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment

Uniontown Mural Depicts Vignettes of The Wizard of Oz and Local Books

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The mural on the east side of Bandera Stone  Inc. in Uniontown.

A mural on the side of a Uniontown business makes the downtown area more attractive and pays homage to local history.

Don and Mary Pemberton own  Bandera Stone Inc., a rock quarry business in the county.

“Bandera flagstone has been quarried near Redfield off and on since the mid-1800’s and the company name Bandera Stone carries on that history,” she said.

“Bandera Stone Inc. had outgrown its office space, and needed to expand and add a showroom,” Mary Pemberton said.  She and her husband Don own the business.

“We liked this brick building on the Uniontown square and wanted to save it,” she said. ” I always planned on having a mural painted on one side as part of the remodel.”

“In March of 2023, my office assistant, Ashley, encouraged me to apply for the Rural Mural Grant awarded by the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity to promote tourism to small communities,” she said.  “The City of Uniontown agreed to sponsor my application and we were awarded a grant that covered about 1/3 of the cost of the mural.  Bandera Stone, Inc. funded the other 2/3 of the total cost.”

She selected Danyell Miles, Fort Scott, after talking with a few artists.

“She has painted several murals around Fort Scott and Pittsburg, so I knew the quality of her work. I wanted the mural to have some local and state significance, yet be fun and a nice backdrop for selfies. The design Danyell put together is all of that!  With her mother, Flo Tanner, helping her, Danyell began painting in June 2023 and finished in August 2023, working two or three evenings each week to avoid the daytime heat.”

The artist is Danyell Miles, assisted by her mother, Flo Tanner as depicted by this sign on the mural.

“Everything on the mural has a meaning and was designed so visitors who know a little about Bourbon County, and take a few minutes to really look, will find ‘hidden’ relevance in the various elements,” she said.

“The Eagle represents the local Uniontown High School mascot; a nod to local and state aviation history is the hot air balloon and banner which is being pulled by Amelia Earhart’s airplane; Wizard of Oz characters are one of the first things most people think of about Kansas – as are tornados.  Danyell had the brilliant idea of using ‘tornado debris’ to incorporate a number of local and Kansas items: the books are all authored by Bourbon County residents,  a Missouri-Pacific railroad engine reminds that Bourbon County used to be a rail hub, a box turtle, fishing, farming, and even a windmill to signify the future.  Also prominently displayed in the debris is ‘Life in a Jar’, the UHS History Day project that inspired a book and movie and brought the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes to Fort Scott!”

Pemberton added a 3D element by making a basket that ” people can stand in when taking a picture with the hot air balloon. The colorful balloon with the Uniontown banner makes for a very nice and memorable ‘hometown’ or ‘travels’ photo.”

” Next time you are near Uniontown, stop by 103 Third Street on the north side of the park square and see the mural, take a picture, view the fossil collection in the Bandera Stone Inc. window displays and if you’d like, step inside the showroom to see the transformation of a piece of Uniontown history which most people remember as a former cafe,” she said.

 

Bandera Stone is on the square in Uniontown. The basket at the bottom of the balloon is for people to stand in for a photo opportunity.

The following local authors/books are depicted on the mural: The Greatest Test of Courage by Ronda Hassig; Historic Reflections of Bourbon County by Fred Campbell Jr. and Don Miller; Murder and Mayhem by Brian Allen; Life in a Jar; Why Did Grandpa Cry? by Cathy Werling; A Little Faith Lift by Patty LaRoche; A Kansas Sunset by Joyce Love, Our Duty by Gerri Hilgar; The Moffet Street Gang by Kay Large; Legends of Bourbon County by Judy Marshall; Fort Scott Now and Then by D. Miller, A Schofield, F. Campbell, and D. Banwart and The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the Bourbon County Commission on June 3

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June 3, 2024                                                                                 Monday, 5:30 p.m.

 

 

The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with Commissioners Jim Harris and Brandon Whisenhunt and the County Clerk present.

 

 

Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Bo Casper, Katie Casper, Jason Silvers, Michael Hoyt, Larry Martin,  Deb Martin, Vance Eden, Pete Owenby, Brent Smith, Angie Owenby, Teri Hulsey, Deb McCoy, Mary Pemberton, and David Beerbower were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

 

Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.

 

 

Brandon made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 5-20-24, approval of April Financials, approval of payroll totaling $283,157.83, and approval of accounts payable totaling $406,658.57. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

Jim made a motion to amend the agenda to add Vance Eden to the agenda before the public comments. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

Vance Eden, Superintendent of USD 235, stated he has been to a few meetings and provided statute to the Commissioners regarding distribution of funds and would like to get an update on the status of his request for Jayhawk Wind funds to be distributed to USD 235. Jim stated legal says it is a donation not PILOT funds which fall under different statues. Jim said he would support a project with USD 234 and USD 235 and Fort Scott Community College on a trades program and that they could possibly use wind money to support the joint effort. Vance handed out the Jayhawk Wind Contribution Agreement and Jim asked if it says PILOT, Vance said no but it does in meetings and on the budgets as well as receipts provided by the Treasurer’s Office. Jim said he wants to work with legal counsel to determine if we have to distribute the funds and asked Brandon if it was ok for him to work with Vance and Justin, which Brandon agreed to.

 

 

Katie Casper stated she spoke at the 4-15-24  meeting and that she was told by Jim if an attorney’s opinion was obtained that demonstrated how the Commission could establish and negotiate setbacks on existing contracts that you would amend the moratorium to include all contracts not just those signed and notarized after April 15th. A group of concerned citizens contacted an attorney who has experience in the industry and delivered that letter to the Commission at the April 29th meeting where both Commissioner Beth and Harris stated the letter had no legal merit based on the advice of five attorneys. Katie said when she asked if there was a written opinion from any of those attorneys the only documentation that she received was a print out of a PowerPoint Presentation from December 2023 that was presented at the Kansas Association of Counties meeting from an attorney group who represents NextEra. Katie said her question was since the citizens provided what was asked of them is there a formal response from any of the five mentioned attorneys that specifically addresses the opinion that was provided? Jim said that he has nothing in writing and that legal said we couldn’t because of the signed contracts. Jim said he has spoken to Crawford County officials on what they are doing regarding solar and thinks we can copycat off what they’re doing. Jim said he would ask if he could get a written legal opinion on why we cannot take on the contracts and he said our insurance company would cancel if we did this and we can’t operate as a county without insurance. Katie said she had a local insurance agent contact her who stated property owners who are considering solar contracts have asked if those solar panels are covered under their farm liability insurance and they are not. Katie stated the solar companies are not adding those property owners as loss payees on their insurance policies and thinks that is something the public needs to be made aware of. Katie stated at the May 20th meeting the Commission advised citizens to get a petition signed by constituents if we wish to place limited zoning on the ballot. A petition was presented to the County Counselor for approval before circulating for signatures as required and the response they received was that said petition was invalid as by statute zoning cannot be placed on the ballot by petition but must be done by resolution of the Commission. Katie asked if it was known that a petition could not be used and if they were just sent down a rabbit trail or did no one know the process but we were advised to do it anyway? Jim said he thought that anything could go on the ballot. Katie reminded the Commissioners that they work for all the people of Bourbon County and stated some people don’t want zoning because they don’t understand what it means. Jim said they are going to get a committee together and a comprehensive plan must be in place before they can move forward and that is something they will talk about when Commissioner Beth gets back. Katie asked about conflicts of interest regarding the solar contract negotiations and Justin stated he has no conflict whatsoever. Katie asked Justin if he was aware we couldn’t put zoning on the ballot and he said he spent a good portion of his week researching zoning and that he has advised the Chairman to hire an outside expert like Crawford County has. Jim handed out copies of Resolution 05-22 and read the resolution that was passed by the Commissioners in May 2022. Jim said the Commissioners received the request for the resolution by citizens and that he supported it and it clearly says we don’t support imminent domain. Jim said that they support individual’s property rights and now people are asking them to tell their neighbors what they can and can’t do. Larry Martin asked if his neighbor’s property rights cancel out his property rights. Jim said if it harms you then it is a civil matter. Tim Emerson said it affects everybody in Bourbon County because if there is a hailstorm then the runoff will go into creeks. Jim said he respects Tim’s opinion but said that to his knowledge KDHE doesn’t think they’re as dangerous as he let on. Pete Owenby asked if that means he can do anything on his land and who cares what his neighbor says?

 

 

Clint Walker spoke of the importance of a grant writer and referred to an article he read about a resident who was able to get a new roof and said he thinks the County, Cifty of Fort Scott, and City of Uniontown should work together to try to do that.

 

 

Mary Pemberton said it irritates her that you don’t take the time to educate yourself before you take action. Mary said that property owners have nothing to do with setbacks. Jim asked why Mary wanted a committee formed then. Mary said that the setbacks are determined in  the contracts the County Commissioners sign with the developers. Mary said to look at what was done in the past and not make the same mistake in the future.

 

 

Pete Owenby asked Jim if he looked at the solar farm in El Dorado Springs, Missouri and Jim said no, but he looked at one by St. Louis. Pete said he got out and walked near the one in El Dorado Springs and that he could feel electricity in the air that made his hair stand up. Pete asked if they are sure there is no conflicts of interests in the negotiation of the solar projects and Jim said he can’t speak for Brandon or Clifton but that he has no conflict of interest. Pete asked what is going to happen when his insurance rates are going to go up due to the solar farm that will be next to his house and property. Jim said that would be a civil matter.

 

 

Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the monthly culvert report for approval and stated the fuel report was emailed to them. Eric said they are currently mowing hard surface roads and main arterial roads. Eric and Dustin Hall, Assistant Public Works Director, discussed the storm cleanup and stated due to the amount of damage it could take one to two years to get everything back to how it was. Eric and Dustin have driven all the roads in the county and marked damage on the map and their estimate of damage is 9.5 million dollars and that includes debris removal, washout repairs, gravel, culverts, and putting the roads back in the condition they were. Eric asked to be allowed to purchase through SourceWell a mini excavator in the amount of $46,408.27 by lease purchase to use for the storm cleanup. Eric said he feels they will be reimbursed for the work through FEMA. Eric said if FEMA doesn’t cover the cost, they have enough in their equipment fund to cover the purchase. Brandon made a motion to approve the purchase of a Sany SY35CU with our first payment due next February at a rate of 4.05%. Eric said if they are reimbursed by FEMA, they plan to pay it off before they pay any interest on the machine. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Eric asked for a 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel. Brandon made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy to include both Commissioners, Eric Bailey, and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:43. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Jim made a motion to resume normal session with no action at 6:43. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

Teri Hulsey, EMS Director, said she posted their stats online and received a lot of questions regarding it so she would like to answer those tonight. It was asked what constitutes a dry-run and Teri said that could involve blood draws for the Sheriff’s Office or Police Department after CHC is closed, lift assists for the elderly who fall but are not injured and sign a refusal form. Teri said they are dispatched to all car versus deer accidents when airbags have deployed even if the caller said they are not injured and they will obtain a signed refusal form. Teri said it can also be if a patient calls EMS but then decides they don’t want to be treated. EMS had 98 dry runs last month. Diabetic emergencies with low blood sugar can usually be treated on scene and billed because the paramedics give medication to help raise the blood sugar while the other dry runs listed are not billable. Teri said that they could be cancelled in route due to an OnStar crash activation when the Sheriff’s Department or Police Department get on scene and state there is no need for EMS. Teri said they respond to all structure fires and remain on scene until released by command. Events such as the rodeo and sporting events are examples of standby calls where EMS can bill for their services. When employees are notified to come in for an all call, they are reimbursed their normal rate for a minimum of two hours. All 911 calls with transport are billable and Teri said she does not have the number of those that don’t pay. Teri said they are going to start using the State Setoff Program to try to recover some of the EMS bills that have not been paid. Teri stated they received a $3,000 grant from Wal-Mart and she thanked REDI for their help obtaining that.

 

 

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, presented an Office365 quote from the IT department for the Commissioners to approve. Brandon made a motion to approve, sign, and pay the Office365 quote as presented. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer stated she received a public notice from KDHE regarding an NPDES permit renewal for a rock quarry at 521 55th Street in Uniontown. The public notice is available for view in the Clerk’s Office.

 

 

Brandon said the longer he sits in the Commission seat it seems that residents are getting angrier about solar projects and urged residents to reach out to their neighbors. Brandon said that there is a lot of anger and discontent that solar has caused in the county and he let residents know that they can call him and discuss things so cooler heads can prevail. Jim stated a lot of people are opposed to zoning and that some want solar and that there are people in the county who still didn’t know anything about it. Jim said he talked to two companies who spoke about putting up evergreen trees around the projects and said arguing won’t settle anything.

 

 

Michael Hoyt asked how long before the Commissioners hired outside council and if it would be just for zoning or for wind and solar power. Jim said his opinion is he would like to discuss next week going forward with an outside consultant to come in and help us move forward including solar panel farms and any type of special use permit. Michael asked if it was going to be a consultant or legal counsel. Jim said he would like to have work session with the Commission where the public would be invited and they would sit down with a consulting person from a firm that has done this before. Jim said Crawford County is going to let him know who they will be using. The deadline for an individual who is interested in submitting a letter of interest for the solar panel farm committee is June 12th.

 

 

Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:58. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________,Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                                    ___________________, Commissioner

 

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

6-10-2024                               Approved Date

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, K-State Extension

New K-State Extension Agent: Lonnie Mengarelli

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K-State Extension Crops and Natural Resources Agent. Lonnie Mengarelli. Submitted photo.
 Lonnie Mengarelli, 35, is the new Kansas State University Southwind District Crops and Natural Resources Agent.
His office is in Fort Scott, but the district covers Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson counties.
He replaced Chad Guthrie and began his duties on May 13, 2024.
Mengarelli is a 2008 Girard High School graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Science from K-State in 2013, majoring in Agricultural Technology Management with two minors: agronomy and animal science.
His background: from November 2021- May 2024 he was an agronomist for Producer Cooperative Association in Girard, making herbicide and fertilizer recommendations for producers.
From  June 2013 to November 2021  he worked for K-State at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons,  doing small plot row crop research,  in charge of crop variety trials (corn, soybean, grain sorghum, wheat, and oil seed sunflower), and the field lead for the crop production studies under Dr. Gretchen Sassenrath researching soil health and cover crop studies.
He grew up on farm northeast of Girard raising Angus influence cattle.
“I put up hay all summer long including alfalfa, fescue, sedan grass, and prairie hay,” he said. “My father was the fourth agent in Crawford County so I was heavily involved in county fair preparations and extension events.”
His duties for this position: “Being the first person-to-person contact for all row crop production, rangeland, and wildlife questions. I will help with weed identification and control, crop pest control, and consulting on management practices to help improve ag production. I will also be heavily involved in the Bourbon County Fair assisting with the 4-h shows and projects.”
He lives in Hepler, Kansas with his wife Hannah (high school sweethearts) and four kids: Heidi (10), Avery (8), Emery (8), and Heston (6).
‘We’ve been happily married 12 years and own our 160-acre Charolais-influenced cow/calf operation,” he said.
Outside of work, he has many hobbies.
“They include working on my antique trucks and tractors and going to support my kids in all their activities. When not at work I enjoy helping family on their farms from operating equipment to turning wrenches and working with livestock. I am the Fire Chief for the Hepler Rural Fire Department. Also, I am an active member of the Hepler Ruritan Club. I serve as beef project leader for the Bone Creek 4H club in Crawford County.  In the spring I volunteer to run field events such as shot put and discus at Girard High/Middle School track meets. “
Mengarelli’s office is in the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.
Mengarelli can be reached at
Office: 1-620-223-3720
Cell: 1-620-238-0532
Area News, Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Still in A Drought Watch

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Governor Kelly Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings, and Watches for Kansas Counties

 

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties through proclamation.

“While drought conditions have improved in some areas of the state, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the decline in water supply or strains on water resources,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to conserve water over the summer months.”

The drought declaration placed four counties into emergency status, 35 into warning status, and 66 into watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. While Eastern Kansas has seen significant relief from drought since March, central and western Kansas has declined rapidly into Severe and, in a few counties, Extreme Drought.

“The counties in a watch status are experiencing conditions that indicate the probability of a water shortage is rising. It is important to monitor these conditions and be mindful of water usage in these counties,” said Owen. “Summer has arrived, and with it, higher temperatures and a decrease in precipitation. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”

Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency water use from certain state fishing lakes and some federal reservoirs.

 

Individuals and communities must contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request before any withdrawals from lakes. These requests will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain necessary permits to withdraw the requested water.

 

This proclamation shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by a proclamation ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.

 

Effective immediately, the proclamation:

 

  • Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning, or Watch for the counties as identified below;
  • Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning, or emergency-level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

 

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans.

For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.

County Drought Stage Declarations:

Drought Emergency: Hodgeman, Ness, Pawnee, Rush.

 

Drought Warning: Barber, Barton, Clark,

Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lane, McPherson, Meade, Morton, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Russell, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Wichita.

Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Saline, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte.

 

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As the state’s water office, the Kansas Water Office conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

 

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources conservation, management and development.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Public Updates of Local Entities at the Empress Event Center on June 12

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Join us!

Community Connection Panelist Luncheon

Wednesday, June 12th, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St.

Chamber members and the community are invited to hear 7-minute updates by the following entities: City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, USD-234 and USD-235 School Districts, and Bourbon County REDI

The event is free to attend but registration is requested. Box lunches are available by pre-order for $10.

Those planning to attend may RSVP here. (lunch orders being accepted online thru noon, TODAY, Monday the 10th.)

Moderator for the event will be Chamber Board Member Colleen Quick of Labconco.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 for more information or visit fortscott.com.
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Bourbon County, Government

Agenda For The Bourbon County Commission on June 10

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

 

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

 

June 10, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 6/3/2024
  1. Public Comments
  2. SEK Multi-County Health Department 2025 Budget Request
  3. Pike Lake Group
  • Sheriff Bill Martin-K-9 Retirement
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. KDHE Public Notice
    2. Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips Request
    3. Committee Letters Deadline
    4. Resolution 07-24 2024 Salaries for Elected Officials
  1. Action for NRP Refunds
  2. Commission Comments
  3. 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.

 

Bourbon County, Fair, Food, Youth

Bourbon County Fair is July13-19: Open Class Check In on July 15

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The Welcome Sign at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

The 2024 Bourbon County Fair will be July 13 through July 19, 2024, at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.  Check in time for Open Class exhibits will be Monday, July 15 at the Myers Building, 2pm – 6pm.  King Arthur Baking Company continues to sponsor a baking contest.  The adults will be making a “Sneaky Shortcut Banana Bread”.  Learn a new way to prepare banana bread.  King Arthur flour and recipe can be picked up at the Extension Office July 1 and until the fair.

The Youth will be making Ultimate Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats.  Recipes will also be provided by the Extension Office.

New categories have been added this year in the Arts and Crafts section. The Lego’s categories have been so popular with the youth and also adults.  This year the categories have been divided into age groups with Junior and Senior classes.  This will aid the judges to be able to judge more fairly.

Also, in the Arts and Crafts section a Hooking Division has been added.  Rug hooking has become very popular, so 4 classes have been added including a class for punch needle items.

This year the Table Runner Contest will be making an Easter Egg Table Runner.  The pattern provides the guidelines for the project, but the “eggs” can be your own design.   Contact Jackie Warren, 620-224-8161, for pattern for this project.

Don’t forget the Scarecrow and Hay Bale Contests.  Contact Terri Williams, 620-215-3202 to register.  A hay bale will be provided for you if requested and a bucket of sand for the scarecrow will be provided.

Judging of the open class exhibits will be Tuesday, July 16, 8am till completed.  Remember that the Myers building will be closed during this time for the judging.  The building will be open for viewing the exhibits and for the FCE Bake sale at noon.

More information is in this year’s fair paper with a complete list of the categories.  All volunteers and sponsors are very much appreciated and make each year’s fair a successful one.  If you have any questions, please call Terri Williams, 620-215-3202 for more information.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for Uniontown City Council on June 11

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The Uniontown City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on June 11 at City Hall.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

2024 Financials –

2024 Financials – May(1)

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Appoint City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge, Municipal Prosecutor

 

Designate official bank and newspaper

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of May 14, 2024 Special Council Meeting, May 14, 2024 Regular Council Meetings, and May 23 Special Council Meeting
  2. April & May Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Copier Maintenance Agreement renewal – increase $25

 

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Warehouse refurbishing –

 

Streets –

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Bourbon County, Government

May 23 Special Meeting Minutes of the Uniontown City Council

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The Special Council Meeting on May 23, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:30PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:57PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:20PM

 

Johnson called in at 6:58PM.  Open meeting resumed at 7:20PM.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to reject offer to negotiate terms of employment offer and rescind original offer of employment

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:22PM