Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Church news

Ken Ansell: New Pastor at First Baptist and Cherry Grove Baptist Churches

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First Baptist Church, Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

Ken Ansell,56, is the new pastor at First Baptist Church in Fort Scott and Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Garland.

Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Garland. Submitted photo.

He is called to the churches to preach, counsel, equip, teach, servant-lead, and shepherd, he said.

Ansell has been in the full-time ministry for 20 years, serving at churches in Hereford, Waxahachie, Rockdale and Linden, Texas.

His hometown is Rockdale, Texas.

Ansell is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer and they have four adult children.

His tie to this area is his family.

Ansell’s parents were born in Iola and they still have family there and in Oswego, he said.

 

Why did you pursue this career?

“The ministry is kind of a second career,” Answll said.  “God called me to the ministry after a successful career in business and a not so successful career in farming (ha).”

“God put southeast Kansas on our hearts and Jennifer saw the two churches we serve were looking for a pastor on the Baylor-Truett Seminary website and here we are,” he said.

In his spare time, he plays tennis, golf, likes to fly fish,  run, and “I like to spend time with Jennifer and drink coffee,” he said.

Jennifer and Ken Ancell. Submitted photo.

About The Churches

First Baptist Church and Cherry Grove Baptist Church formed Cherry Grove/First Baptist Ministry Coalition in 2017  to meet the needs of both churches as they were seeking a new pastor at that time, according to information sent by Rita Tiegreen and Glenda Lalman, members of First Baptist.

 

Pastor Ken Ansell is the pastor for both churches.

 

“We are excited to have our new pastor,” Tiegreen said.  “Pastor Ken Ansell began his ministry with us on October 19th.  We are blessed to have him and his wife, Jennifer here with us.”

 

First Baptist Church is currently holding the following open services using safety guidelines:

11 AM Sunday worship service

11 AM Sunday Children’s Church

6:30 PM Wednesday night Youth Group

 

The church is  hoping to open up our Sunday School very soon, according to Tiegreen and Lalman.

 

The office hours are limited at this time.

” If someone needs to contact the church office, they may call 620-223-3080 and leave a message if there is no answer,” they said. “We will get back to you as soon as possible.”

 

First Baptist Church will once again be a drop-off center for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes this year.

Collection Week is November 16-23.

The hours are:

Monday – Wednesday (16th-18th) 3 PM – 6 PM

Thursday-Friday (19th-20th) 4 PM – 6 PM

Saturday (21st)  10 AM – Noon

Sunday (22nd) 2 PM – 4 PM

Monday (23rd) 8 AM – 10 AM

If questions,  call 620-223-3080 and leave a message.

 

The church’s community outreach program is still active as they reach out to various organizations to supply needed items, the two said.

 

Cherry Grove Baptist Church is located at Hwy. 69 south and Calvary Road.

Their weekly schedule is:

9:15 am Worship Service

10:30 Sunday School

6:00 pm Bible Study

 

 

Pastor Ken Ansell can be reached at 972-921-4221.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

4-H Leadership Project

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

Submitted by Jennifer Terrell

4-H Leadership

In the leadership project, youth will learn how to bring out the best in themselves. Youth will learn about the skills it takes to be a leader such as: understanding themselves, communicating, getting along with others, learning, making decisions, plus managing and working with groups. The 4-H Program is a great opportunity for youth to master the skills of being a great leader with their club and community.

There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in leadership project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:

Ages 7-9

  • Determine what is important to you

  • Learn how others feel

  • Learn how to be responsible

  • Learn group cooperation

Ages 10-13

  • Participate in a trust walk

  • Learn to be accountable and dependable

  • Practice teamwork in achieving a goal

  • Learn meeting manners

Ages 14-18

  • Learn to accept differences in people 

  • Accept your own strengths and weaknesses

  • Develop and participate in an interview process

  • Identify different leadership styles

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair.

The leadership project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Housing

Tenants and Landlords Relief

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The following is the Cares Act Relief Program for landlords and tenants who have been impacted by the COVID pandemic.

Program Description: The Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP) provides rental assistance to households that have missed one or more rent payment(s) as a result of the COVID pandemic. Landlords and tenants apply via a joint online process. If the application is approved, the landlord receives rental assistance funds directly from KEPP, applies KEPP funds to the tenant’s account, and waives late fees for the month(s) assistance was awarded. Approved tenants are eligible for a maximum of nine months of assistance, not to exceed $5,000 per household.

KEPP serves tenants and landlords who have missed paying or collecting at least one rent payment since April 1, 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

Apply online through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation :  

https://kshousingcorp.org/eviction-prevention-program/

Eviction Prevention Program | Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

The Kansas Eviction Prevention Program provides rental assistance to households that have missed one or more rental payment(s) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

kshousingcorp.org

Summitted by Jody Hoener, LBSW, MBA

Bourbon County Kansas

Economic Development Director

210 S National Ave

Fort Scott, KS 66701

1-620-223-3800 

1-620-215-5725 Mobile

www.bourboncountyks.org

Bourbon County

SPARK Taskforce Public Dashboard Available

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Governor Kelly Takes Significant Steps for Transparency, Announces New SPARK Taskforce Public Dashboard

~New dashboard is a tool designed for government transparency and accountability, allows Kansans to view all investments approved by SPARK~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announces the launch of the online investment dashboard to show how the $1.034 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) are being spent across Kansas.

“My administration has always prioritized transparency and accountability when it comes to serving Kansans. That’s what good governance is about,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Kansans deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent and this online tool makes that information easily accessible to all.”

Kansans can view the investment dashboard directly at covid.ks.gov/covid-data/ or by visiting the Office of Recovery website: covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/and selecting the Investment Dashboard tab.

The dashboard shows the $1.034 billion in federal CARES Act investments approved by the Governor’s SPARK taskforce and State Finance Council. The dashboard allows users to view investments based on how the funds will be used or by location served. For example, users can view all the investments that have strengthened public health, or they can learn how much funding their counties have received.

Through the SPARK process, approximately $400 million was distributed to Kansans counties directly to address their local needs. The remaining funds are being administered by statewide organizations to provide Kansans programs and services. The dashboard shows how all these funds are being invested. Not all funds have been spent yet, and the dashboard will continue to be updated as more dollars are invested.

“These investments are having positive impact all across Kansas and through this dashboard Kansans can see how these dollars are being used to serve them,” Executive Director Julie Lorenz said. “Kansas is one of a few states providing this level of transparency and accountability to its citizens.”

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Bourbon County

Assistance For Unlicensed Home Childcare Centers

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Southeast KANSASWORKS, in partnership with the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center (BWERC), is offering assistance to help unlicensed home childcare centers pursue licensing through the State of Kansas.

This program provides financial assistance with application fees, fingerprinting, and other associated costs with compliance with state licensing guidelines.

Participants may also qualify for incentives to assist with the costs associated with safety and other required equipment for their homes.

In addition to the resources offered to unlicensed providers, Southeast KANSASWORKS is also committed to help currently licensed childcare providers with the costs associated with continuing education that is required for ongoing licensing requirements.

A Southeast KANSASWORKS staff will be present at the BWERC building, 17 S. Main, every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Staff will be able to help childcare providers navigate the licensing process, as well as the continuing education credits needed for currently licensed providers.

Additionally, staff will be able to help local job seekers and employers with the array of free services we offer.

Southeast KANSASWORKS, Inc. (SEKW) is the Local Workforce Development Board, Administrative Entity and Program Administrator for US Department of Labor Education and Training programs in Local Area V of Kansas, which includes the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Coffey, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Labette, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

SEKWORKS is a proud partner of the America’s Job Center Network and KANSASWORKS.COM. For additional information on SEKWORKS please visit https://sekworks.org/

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Coalition Minutes of Oct. 7

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

October 7, 2020

  1.  Welcome and Board update:  Five members representing five agencies attended this first face-to-face meeting since March 4, 2020.  Billie Jo noted the following board highlights:
  • There was no swim pass program for 2020 because the City of Fort Scott did not issue any passes due to COVID.
  • The Coalition Board has received $2,500.00 from the SEK Community Foundation, $1,600.00 from the Fort Scott Area Foundation, and $1,000.00 from the T. B. Baker Foundation for the 2020-2021 budget.
  • The average amount of assistance for rent or utilities has increased to $188.00 for the first nine months of 2020.
  • Opioid information consisting of brochures, drug disposal packets, and magnets were distributed.
  • Pictures were taken to submit to the SEK Community Foundation for the virtual grant celebration.
  • Billie Jo noted that she had begun sending the agenda through google docs.  Apparently, several did not receive notice of the meeting; she will work to rectify the situation.
  1.  Member introductions and announcements:
  • Nancy Van Etten noted that she was doing CASA cases by Zoom and virtual Red Cross.  She also announced that the Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Buck Run Community Center on October 15 and 16.
  • David Gillen gave an update on the remodeling recently completed at The Beacon.  He also shared that Beacon Food Pantry sign up for 2021 has begun and must be completed by October 30.  Clients must call to make an appointment to complete applications.  They will also be doing sign up for the Adopt-a-Child and the Elks food baskets during this time.  
  • Amanda Keller, TFI, announced that the agency is in need of foster families, especially for teens and LGBT.  Interested persons can get information by calling 1-800-7FOSTER or online at www.tfifamily.org.  
  • Sandy Haggard, RSVP, shared that COVID has made the senior volunteers very creative.  They have sent notes to nursing home residents and have a new program “Seniors calling seniors.”
  1.  Program:  We will not be having programs until January 2021 at the earliest.
  1. Open Forum:  Billie Jo shared that the First Baptist Church was not having anything in their building other than one Sunday morning worship service until January at the earliest.  Therefore, we will definitely meet in the conference room at the High Rise for November and December.  Thank you to Patty Simpson for making this space available for us!
  1.  Adjournment:  Next meeting will be November 4, 2020.
Bourbon County, COVID-19

SPARK Projects in Bourbon County Are Varied

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Bourbon County, KS

Recently a whole slate of Bourbon County businesses, organizations, school districts, churches and other categories of entities received grants to help with COVID-19 expenses.

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce plan is to lead Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to its’ website,https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

SPARK is responsible for the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.

The total amount of grants disbursed in Bourbon County:
$2,835,212.86

The following received Bourbon County SPARK Funds on October 21, 2020, according to Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener.

Listed below are the names of the businesses, the category they are under and the amount received from SPARK.

4 State Sanitation, Small Business, $3,500.00
5 Corners Mini Mart, Small Business, $4,250.00

Ascension Via Christi Pittsburg Inc., Health Care, $203,150.00

Baja Management Corp, Collaborative, $450,000.00
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, Small Business, $3,750.00
Beacon Incorporated, Small Business, $1,500.00
Bids and Dibs, Small Business, $4,000.00
BN Hunting, Small Business, $1,250.00
Bourbon County, Preapproved, $263,684.65
Bourbon County 4-H Council, Small Business, $2,000.00
Bourbon County District Court, Preapproved, $3,457.00
Bourbon County Information Technology Economic Development, $51,250.00
Bourbon County Kansas Health Care, $91,000.00

Care to Share Cancer Support, Small Business, $500.00
Cheney Witt Chapel, Inc., Small Business, $2,500.00
Chicken Shak, Small Business, $2,500.00
City of Bronson Economic Development, $111.32
City of Bronson Health Care, $1,200.00
City of Fort Scott Economic Development, $142,000.00
City of Fort Scott Economic Development, $9,974.78
City of Uniontown Economic Development, $39,041.00
City of Uniontown Economic Development, $225.33
Clayton’s Inc DBA Union Station Economic Development, $20,000.00
Clifton’s Chiropractic LLC, Small Business, $2,000.00
Community Christian Church, Small Business, $4,500.00
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc,. Health Care, $19,985.00
Compass Counseling Services, Small Business, $1,000.00
Crawford Dental LLC, Health Care, $15,000.00
Crossroads Camping & Cabins/Yellow Brick Road Invest., Small Business $2,000.00

Dairy Queen, Small Business, $5,000.00
Diamonds in the Marketplace Small Business $2,750.00

Findley Auto & Body, Small Business, $3,000.00
Fort Cinema, Small Business, $4,250.00
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business, $3,250.00
Fort Scott Broadcasting Co, Economic Development, $50,000.00
Fort Scott Christian Heights, Education, $4,199.00
Fort Scott Community Closet, Small Business,$2,000.00
Fort Scott Community College, Education, $287,760.78
Fort Scott Family Medicine, Health Care, $5,150.00
Fort Scott Hospitality Co., Small Business, $2,250.00
Fort Scott Motors LLC, Small Business, $3,250.00
Fort Scott Nazarene, Small Business ,$2,250.00
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, Health Care, $84,520.00

HairBow Center, Small Business, $5,000.00
HB Salon, LLC Small Business $2,500.00
Hedgehog.Ink! Small Business $3,250.00
Holmtown Pub Small Business $5,000.00
Hot Wok Inc Small Business $4,500.00

I Am Rehab and Fitness Small Business $4,500.00
Imagination Station LLC Education $17,500.00

J&W Sport Shop Small Business $2,500.00
Jamie’s Beauty Shop Small Business $2,500.00

KANROCKS Recreation Small Business $5,000.00
Kenny Felt Photography Small Business $2,750.00
Khris & Karina LLC Small Business $1,000.00
Kings Way Inn Small Business $1,750.00
KW Cattle Company dba Reprologix Small Business $5,000.00

Lana’s Daycare Education $2,000.00
Leah’s Daycare Education $2,000.00
Liberty Theater Inc Small Business $4,500.00
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Small Business $5,000.00
Luther’s BBQ Small Business $5,000.00

Mayco Ace Hardware Small Business $4,750.00
Momentum Indoor Training Small Business $2,500.00
New Generation, Inc. Education $17,500.00
Niece Equipment Products of Kansas Inc. Small Business $5,000.00
Norvell Company, Inc. Small Business $5,000.00

O’Brien Cattle Co., Inc. Small Business $2,500.00
Opie’s Inc. Small Business $2,500.00

Papa Don’s Small Business $4,000.00
Peerless Products Economic Development $50,247.00
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Inc. Small Business $500.00
Ponderosa Farm Collaborative $10,000.00

Re:freshed Aesthetics Small Business $2,500.00
Re:new with Julie Small Business $2,500.00
Rejuvenate with Kayla Small Business $2,500.00
RH Ventures LLC Small Business $2,000.00
RII Concrete Small Business $5,000.00
RockBallet Small Business $2,500.00

Santana’s LLC Small Business $4,500.00
SASS Inc, Hillside Guest Home Health Care $12,600.00
Sawyer Automotive Small Business $1,500.00
SEK Multi-County Health Department Health Care $7,500.00
SEKAN Printing Company, Inc. Small Business $5,000.00
Sharky’s Pub & Grub Small Business $5,000.00
Sleep Inn and Suites – Fort Scott Small Business $5,000.00
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Health Care $122,458.00
Spoiled Brat Small Business $2,500.00
St Mary’s School Education $80,000.00
Structure Small Business $2,500.00
Sunbeam Christian Preschool Education $10,000.00

TFI Family Services Education $50,000.00
The After Affect Salon Small Business $2,500.00
The Boiler Room Brewhaus Small Business $3,250.00
The Christian Learning Center Foundation Education $8,199.00
Two Sisters Cleaning Service Small Business $2,250.00

Unified School District 234 Education $306,000.00
USD 235 Uniontown Collaborative $88,000.00
USD 235 Uniontown Education $102,000.00

Velocity Manufacturing Small Business $5,000.00

Wise Tax and Accounting Small Business $1,750.00

Total amount of grants:
$2,835,212.86

Bourbon County, Government

County Commission Meetings Now On Youtube

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The Bourbon County Commission room, September 2018.

Bourbon County provides a service for those who wish to be in the know about the weekly commission meetings but do not wish to come in person due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

A YouTube channel was set up by Shane Walker, the information technology director.

YouTube is a  video-sharing website on the internet.

“The (Bourbon County) YouTube channel is for nothing more than to broadcast the commission meetings during the pandemic,” Walker said.  “We have a small area for meetings.  It made sense to set it up so that citizens could view meetings without risk.”

” We are working hard to keep people safe and still allow us to do business for everyone and this is just another part of that effort,” he said.

YouTube will not be used election night because the system had to be taken down so that the Bourbon County Clerk could use the commission room for voting and election duties, he said.

“All Bourbon County employees have access, and can edit our web page and also our Facebook page,” Walker said.  “All of our department heads have this ability to put information out to the public.”

The unofficial November 3, 2020 General  Election results will be posted on the county website that evening when they have them, according to Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk.

 

 

About the Bourbon County  Information Technology Department. taken from its’ website:

Walker is the Director of Information Technology

The office is located in the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S National Ave., Office 12, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Contact: 620-223-3800 X127 or email at
[email protected]

The Bourbon County Information Technology Department provides services to county departments to aid in the effective delivery of IT services that support the business needs of the county. County information technology is a vital part of the organization, providing faster and better ways for our employees to do their jobs and for our residents to access our services. They continue to keep technology current and to work with members and management of all departments to provide the computing capabilities that are needed.

Vision 
The vision is to enable each county department to better serve the public through the best and highest use of appropriate technology, using creative, progressive, and economical IT solutions with uncompromising quality, reliability, and efficiency.

Mission
To provide organizational and individual leadership in IT by researching, evaluating, planning, implementing, and supporting appropriate technologies, designed to assist county departments in accomplishing their visions and missions and to apply technology and best practices that make the delivery of government services affordable, efficient, accessible, and responsive to the citizens of Bourbon County.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

Flags At Half Mast for COVID 19 Deaths in Kansas

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Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff to Honor 1,007 Kansans Who Lost their Lives to COVID-19

TOPEKA – Kansas surpassed 1,000 Kansas deaths due to COVID-19. In honor of the lives lost and the families they left behind, Governor Laura Kelly has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state effective immediately to sundown, Friday, October 30, 2020.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of 1,007 Kansans who lost their lives to COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “One of the many terrible impacts of this virus has been that families are unable to hold in-person services to mourn the passing of their loved ones. Each one of these Kansans was someone’s child, parent, or grandparent. They were part of a community. Today, I’m directing that flags be lowered to half-staff, so that we may honor and remember them.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

City Of Bronson Receives SPARK Grant

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Bronson City Hall. Submitted photo.

The City of Bronson received grant funds to better serve its’ community safely during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In mid-October, City Clerk Ellen Harper received a SPARK Grant in the amount of $1,200 for providing help to safely serve the town, located in western Bourbon County.

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to its’ website.https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

SPARK Committees are distributing money from the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.

The City of Bronson will use it to provide masks, sanitizers and cleaning products to mitigate the spread of the virus at city hall.

“We put a shield up in our office for when we interact with customers,” Harper said.  “And we sanitize.”

In addition, the city is recommending wearing masks and social distancing as part of the plan.

“This is for employees, city council members, or anybody that comes in and wants to use it for council meetings,” Harper said.

As in the rest of America, the way meetings are organized, or if held at all, have changed.

Bronson has already cancelled its annual town-wide event, Bronson Day, because of the virus and will probably cancell the annual Christmas fundraiser as well, Harper said.