Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County

Mobility Scooter and Wheelchair Lift To Give To A Veteran

Leave a comment

The Fort Scott American Legion was gifted a mobility scooter with a vehicle wheelchair lift with the requirement that they be given to an area Veteran.

I have had some interest in these two items, but it was concluded that due to its large size, the mobility scooter would not work well in an assisted living environment plus the inquiring parties did not have an interest in the lift.

While the mobility scooter and lift will be given to a Veteran, there are a few conditions prior to taking possession of the scooter and lift.

  • Proof of the Veteran’s service and identity are required.
  • Both the wheelchair and lift go together as a matched set.
  • It is the responsibility of the Veteran to pick up both the wheelchair and lift and have the lift installed on a vehicle.
  • The wheelchair and lift are “on loan” to the Veteran and must be returned to the Fort Scott American Legion in good working order when the Veteran no longer needs them.
  • If it is determined that the Veteran is not the primary user of the electric scooter and lift, they must be returned to the American Legion in good working order.

Photographs of the mobility scooter and wheelchair lift are attached.

If you know of a Veteran who needs a mobility scooter with vehicle lift, please ask them to contact American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Supporting Family Caregivers

Leave a comment
Barbara Stockebrand. K-State Extension Agent. Submitted photo.

If you are interested in statistics, here are some staggering figures to think about. There are over 44 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family, friends, and neighbors. Family caregivers provide an overwhelming 90% of long-term care in America. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, the value of the unpaid care these millions of caregivers provide is estimated to be worth $375 billion.

November is National Family Caregivers Month. This month is set aside to honor, recognize and support the unpaid caregiver. They do much to keep our families and communities strong while sharing their devotion to those for whom they are providing care.

Caregiving can often have a significant impact on the life of the caregiver in a number of different ways. It can make maintaining their own physical and mental health more difficult. Many are trying to balance work and some sort of social life at the same time they are providing care for a loved one.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, feelings of stress, worry, and isolation may have become familiar to all of us. Isolation has become a bigger issue for the family caregiver. They may curtail their outings and contact with others, due to current Covid concerns, and even more as we are entering the typical flu season.

Despite the current situation, caregiving-as-usual continues. Most family caregivers carry on with their commitment silently. Almost 1 in 10 report they have no one to talk to about private matters and 1 in 5 say they have no one to call for help.

The need for caregivers is expected to continue to grow as the US older adult population increases. Here are some tips for family caregivers:

–Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!

–Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.

–Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.

–Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.

–Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.

–Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it.

–Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.

–Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.

–Make sure legal documents are in order.

–Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is.

What can we do to support a day-to-day family caregiver? Communicate with them and learn what we can do to help. While we may want to visit and help within the home setting, understand that the caregiver may not be comfortable with that offer at this point in time. Forcing the matter may only lead to hard feelings and extra stress for the caregiver.

For more on support of caregivers, contact the Yates Center Southwind Extension District Office at 620-625-8620. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Nov. 10

Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: November 10, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

 

9:00 – 9:30 Eric Bailey, Road & Bridge

9:30 – 9:45 Greenbush, SPARK Funds

9:45 – 9:50 Sewer hookup fee for St. Martens and another resident connecting to the

sewer district.

10:00 – 10:15 Bill Martin, Covid Leave

10:15 Gregg Motley, Bedco.

10:30 – 10:45 Billiard Hammer/Atkins, County Insurance Quotes

10:50 – 10:55 Michael Hoyt, Advisory Boards and Petition Issues

11:00 – 11:20 Jody Hoener, Executive Session-Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

11:20 – 11:40 Jody Hoener, Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

11:45 – 11:50 Don George of KS Dept of Wilflife, Parks & Tourism, Status of Dam at Elm Creek Lake

12:00 – 12:05 Don Banwart, Lake Advisory Board, Transfer of Land Fire Dist #3 and #5

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information syst

Bourbon County, Health Care

Progress on Uniontown Health Clinic

Leave a comment
Gene George and Hugh Wunderly retrieve lumber for the concrete ADA sidewalk they are building for the Uniontown Health Clinic.

Work is underway for the Uniontown Health Clinic located on the campus of USD 235.

The clinic is a collaboration of the school district, Uniontown Ruritan, Girard Medical Center and Bourbon County.

They recently received a SPARK Grant from the government and a Jayhawk Wind (wind energy company) grant to move forward with repurposing the building south of the high school football/track field into a health clinic for the community.

 

To view a recent story on the clinic:

 

Uniontown Health Clinic Moving Forward To Open in 2021

Marbery Concrete, Fort Scott, had workers getting ready to pour for the new disability access sidewalk at the Uniotown Health Clinic on Nov. 6
Ruritan Member Joe George removes concrete for the disability access sidewalk that will be poured on Monday by Marbery Concrete, Fort Scott. The Uniontown Health Clinic recently received grants to move forward with the project.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Jobs

New Employment Help Center Opens in Old Kress Building, Grocery Store Will Open Soon

Leave a comment
A1 Towing and Moving, Fort Scott, moves shelving into the new grocery store, which will be located in the Old Kress Building, 17 S. Main.

A resource center in the former Kress Building, 17 S. Main is open in downtown Fort Scott.

The center is called the BWERC which stands for Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center.

The first floor is currently being prepared to sell groceries, while the second floor is open for business as a multi-partner center to help with COVID-19 related issues.

 

Downtown Grocery Store

BAJA Investments LLC, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and a  local farm and ranch food cooperative grocery store will be located on the first floor, according to info from Hoener.

BAJA Investments will manage the grocery store that will open sometime in the second half of December 2020, said Bill Michaud, developer for the business. The store is as yet not named, Michaud said on Nov. 3.

The first-floor space will have shelving, coolers and freezers for
local produce and meat.

This will increase access to healthy food,  and make more food available for local food assistance programs, Hoener said.

 

To view a recent story on the grocery store, click below:

New Grocery Store In Downtown Fort Scott Is Coming

 

Employment Related Services

Through a multi-partner collaboration of Bourbon County government , Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center www.pittstatesmallbusiness.com, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce http://fortscott.com/, Fort Scott Community College http://www.fortscott.edu/ , Kansas Works http://sekworks.organd BAJA Investments LLC , the hope is to address the urgent COVID-19 related crisis needs in Bourbon County, according to information provided by Jody Hoener, economic director for the county.

The large room of the B WERKS Center on the second floor of the Old Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott.

 

The building will be used for distance learning and teleworking and also a place for childcare businesses to become legal and thus help in childcare relief during the pandemic, Hoener noted.

A work room in the BWERC Center in the old Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott.

The plan is to give businesses the tools and technical assistance needed for increased  online capabilities and the assistance to
obtain the money needed to sustain their business.

There is also unemployment and job-seeking assistance.

Amy Kauffman, career advisor with KansasWorks sits at a desk in the Kress Building on Nov. 3. KansasWorks helps with job search assistance and employment related services.

 

 

 

Bourbon County

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Launches Annual Appeal

Leave a comment
Recipients of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation 2019 grants. Submitted photo.

The annual appeal for the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is underway.

Since 2009, the Foundation has awarded 146 grants totaling more than $238,500 to area non-profits. The annual appeal supports the unrestricted endowed fund from which grants are awarded.

Grants to our hard-working non-profits come from the interest on this permanent fund. The principal is never touched, according to Carla Farmer, Foundation chair.

Leading the annual appeal are David Shepherd and Charles Gentry. Shepherd and Gentry serve on the Foundation Board of Directors and have been actively involved in community fundraising efforts over the years.

“Charles and I believe that growing this fund is more important than ever,” said Shepherd. “The needs in our community continue to increase. By supporting the annual appeal, more dollars will be available to provide more grants for our community’s elderly, youth, and quality of life initiatives.”

Gentry added, “This year we have the opportunity to maximize gifts through a match offered by a generous donor. Gifts of any size to the annual appeal will be matched up to $20,000.”

In October of this year, $36,250 in grants were awarded to 18 organizations by the Foundation. The grants affect all age groups and support initiatives including travel vouchers for cancer patients, youth music programs, and funds that help feed and clothe the neediest of our citizens.

One organization to receive a grant this year is CASA. Christa Horn, executive director, stated, “We have serious business to conduct during a very serious time. We wish that our service was not needed, but alas, child abuse and neglect does not care about a pandemic, does not care about safety.”

The funds that CASA will provide will be used to help volunteers continue their work in a time when face to face contact is not possible. “We will use these funds wisely to help our volunteers continue their roles as the eyes and ears of the Courts and the voice of the child,” Horn added.

To make a gift visit fsacf.com or call 620-224-6500.

Advertisements, Bourbon County, Elections

AD: Jacobs Thanks Community For Support

Leave a comment
Trevor and April Jacobs in the center of a family photo with their children and grandchildren.

Hello this is Trevor Jacobs your 4th District Representative. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for my family and I, thank you for encouraging us, and supporting us in this election season.

Now let us continue to stand together as we fight this critical battle for our freedoms, let us not grow weary of standing together for the protection of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Let us continue to stand for truth and for what we know is right. Let us thank the Lord for the gift of our God-given rights and traditional values and let us treasure them and never take them for granted.

I am Trevor Jacobs and I thank you again for all of your kind congratulations. Lord bless you as we stand together for what is right.
Paid for by Trevor Jacobs for Kansas House April Jacobs Treasurer
Bourbon County, Church news, Entertainment, Schools

Prom For Special Needs People Is Feb. 12

Leave a comment

Fort Scott Nazarene to Host Night to Shine Prom for People with Special Needs

Sponsored by Tim Tebow Foundation

FORT SCOTT, KS, Fort Scott Nazarene announced today that they will serve as one of many churches around the world already registered to host Night to Shine 2021, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. This event will be hosted virtually, with partnerships through local churches across the globe simultaneously on Friday, February 12. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love for people with special needs ages 14 and older.

For 2021, due to the global circumstances of COVID-19, the Foundation has chosen to provide Night to Shine as a virtual event in 2021. We feel that the best way to honor and love our guests is to forego in-person proms in order to keep them as safe as possible. We are incredibly disappointed that we are not able to celebrate each amazing king and queen in person this year, but we are committed to throwing one spectacular, safe, virtual celebration in their honor.

While this year’s event will be virtual, Fort Scott Nazarene and partners are anticipating hosting this event for years to come. This is just the beginning for Night to Shine in our community and surrounding areas AND we are looking for sponsors to ensure a high-quality, high-impact evening for our honored guests. If you are interested in sponsoring, please visit our website or email [email protected].

We are looking to connect with Honored Guests, their families, and caretakers to make this a great celebration. Registration is NOW OPEN for Honored Guests 14 and older and is required to attend the Virtual Night to Shine experience.

Guest Registration: https://forms.gle/EPreA5pCm9A23b987

An event of this magnitude requires an army of volunteers to make it successful. The Night to Shine Steering Team is actively seeking people to help make this celebration a reality. Register to be a volunteer by using the provided link (you must be at least 16 years old to volunteer).

Volunteer Registration: https://forms.gle/7HFfz8KwqxcZ5RMt8

For additional information on the Night to Shine hosted by Fort Scott Nazarene, please visit our site or find us on Facebook. These will be the best sources of information as we approach Night to Shine.

https://fsnighttoshine.wixsite.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FSNightToShine

For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit: http://www.timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/night-to-shine/

ABOUT TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION
The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. This mission is being fulfilled every day through outreach in the fields of Orphan Care + Prevention, Special Needs and Children with Profound Medical Needs. To learn more about how the Tim Tebow Foundation is serving children and sharing God’s love by fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, visit www.timtebowfoundation.org.  

Art, Bourbon County, Schools

Art In The Park At Uniontown

Leave a comment
UHS Music students perform, under the direction of Neva Rowland, music teacher. Submitted photos.

Uniontown High School Music, Drama and Art students entertained the community from 4-6 p.m. this evening in the city’s park.

Neva Rowland is the UHS Music teacher and Rhonda Allen is the West Bourbon Elementary School Music teacher.

Allen’s 4th grade music students perform the Star Spangled Banner and 5th grade music students performed a persussion special.

Brent Shore submitted these photos he took.

Other photos of the event are invited.

Send to [email protected]

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Minutes of Nov. 4

Leave a comment

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

November 4, 2020

  1. Welcome: Ten members representing eleven agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that the Coalition Board had received $1,600 from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation for assistance to needy families.
  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Sandy Haggard noted that RSVP has volunteers in Bourbon County working at the Beacon. She is working on a new program that would pair volunteers and home-bound seniors by way of encouraging phone calls. She also mentioned that the organization is selling Christmas poinsettias for $10 as a money-making project. Sandy will deliver the poinsettias to our December Coalition meeting.
  • Michele Lyon, DCF, shared that LIEAP applications would be mailed in December to those who have been on the program previously; others can apply online and in the office beginning in January. Michele also reminded members of the Presbyterian Church furniture ministry; if you have furniture to donate or need to refer a needy person, contact the Presbyterian Church or Michele.
  • Cinda Reynolds, American Red Cross, shared that she was recently assigned to help with the Hurricane Laura victims virtually. She also assisted with the latest Linn County blood drive. Billie Jo encouraged people in Bourbon County to make appointments to donate as opposed to simply walking in because at the last few Bourbon County drives, walk-ins were not always able to donate.
  • David Gillen, The Beacon, explained that sign-up for the Adopt-A-Family and Elks Christmas baskets will end on Friday, November 6. Families will be ready to be adopted on November 16; those wishing to help with the project should contact The Beacon at that time. David also noted that families are now able to enter The Beacon through the front door. Adopt-A-Family gifts will be picked up on December 18 at Community Christian Church; a drive-through system will be utilized. Elks baskets will be distributed on December 20.
  • Christine Abbott, Kansas Works, announced that beginning tomorrow, November 5, there will be a Bourbon County office at 17 S. Main Street, second floor. Contact Christine at 620-779-3727 for appointment and program information.
  • Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority, said that she is accepting applications for a maintenance position. She has several varied sized apartments ready for rent. She also reminded members that through the CARES Act funding is available to help renters and landlords with rent.
  • Alice Maffett, County Health Department, noted that they are busy monitoring the Covid cases in the county. Covid vaccine and guidelines for its administration should be announced soon.
  • Allen Schelleck, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army, announced that FSCM had also been awarded a FSACF grant to help individuals obtain proper IDs; they can also use the funds to provide blankets and heaters. He has been notified that the Red Bucket Campaign will happen, but he has not yet received guidelines as to how it will be done. In 2019, $7,000 was raised to be used in Bourbon County.
  • Robin Griffin, Thrive Allen County, mentioned that the virtual Opioid Prevention Conference will be November 12-13. Robin has funds that can be used to pay the $75.00 registration fee. She is also planning a “first aid mental health” training in the near future; this can be geared to different age groups.
  1. Program (no programs until January, 2021, at the earliest): As long as the Covid pandemic lingers, we will not be asking outside people to present programs. However, if any Coalition member has something that cannot be covered in the announcement time frame, we will be glad to schedule that member as the program.
  1. Open Forum: Billie Jo reminded members to be sure to sign the attendance sheet and thanked them for braving the face-to-face meeting.
  1. Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be December 2, 2020.