Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Schools

DaVolt Assumes Duties of Principal at Christian Heights School

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Larry Davolt is the new principal of Fort Scott Christian Heights. Submitted photo

Larry Davolt, 53, will be the new principal at Fort Scott Christian Heights School, effective June 1.

“I have been the secondary science teacher at FSCH for 28 years,” Davolt said. ” I have also taught math and Bible classes.”

The principal position is responsible for the day to day operations of the school, he said.

In addition to 28 years of experience is in the classroom, Davolt also pastored a rural church for 15 years, he said.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Pittsburg State University and completed some graduate work through the Institute for Creation Research, and is currently working online for a master’s degree in school leadership.

Davolt’s hometown is Independence, KS.
He has been married for 32 years, has three grown children, and seven grandkids.

His hobbies are working on cars and houses.

In addition, for the last five years, he has worked part-time for Mercy/Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service.

For Davolt, seeing the way God uses former students to make a difference in society, is the greatest part of teaching.

His greatest challenge?

“Following a legend,” he said, referring to Terry Chance, who is retiring. ” I have worked with Mr. Chance for all of my teaching career, I know the excellent job he has done, and the difficulty of the position.”

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for May 19

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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: May 19, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE FRONT STEPS OF THE COURTHOUSE WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING IN PLACE

9:00 – 9:45 Jim Harris

9:45 – 10:00 Clint Anderson, Evaluation of Valu Merchandisers

10:00 – 10:15 Will Wallis, Extension of Current Declaration

10:15 – 10:30 Patty Love, Exec. Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

SEK Multi-County COVID 19 Update May 18

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

May 18, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 1
Total Positives Since Testing 1
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 5
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

Uniontown City Hall Reopens May 18

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Uniontown City Hall will reopen to the public on May 18. The office has been closed because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, according to City Clerk Sally Johnson.

People are asked to used the south door in the alley to enter the office. Wearing a mask and social distancing will be maintained.

The community center and library will remain closed until phase three of the reopening of the state.

The playground on the square will reopen as soon as disinfectant arrives and as soon as the signage is posted, Johnson said.

“Use the equipment at your own risk, ” Johnson said. “Bring your own sanitizer and use before and after using the equipment.”

 

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19

Farm Loans For Farmers

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USDA Offers Farm Loans for Farmers Facing Covid-19 Related Challenges
 

Manhattan, Kansas, May 14, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers farm ownership and farm operating loans to agricultural producers who may not find success obtaining loans from their traditional financial institutions because of COVID-19. Farmers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for FSA direct or guaranteed loans.

“Farming and ranching is a capital-intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers maintain their agricultural operations during this time of crisis,” said David Schemm, FSA State Executive Director in Kansas. “FSA loans are designed to assist beginning and historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as well as those who have suffered financial setbacks from natural disasters or economic downturns. Producers may find that an FSA loan is the best option for them if they cannot qualify for a loan with their traditional financial institutions or other financial institutions because of COVID-19.”

USDA offers a variety of loans to meet different production needs. Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA. Guaranteed loans are made by lending institutions who arrange for FSA to guarantee the loan. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. The FSA guarantee allows lenders to make agricultural credit available to producers who do not meet the lender’s normal underwriting criteria.

The direct and guaranteed loan program offers two types of loans: farm ownership loans and farm operating loans.

Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch; purchase easements or rights of way needed in the farm’s operation; build or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn; promote soil and water conservation and development; and pay closing costs.

Farm operating loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm equipment, fertilizer, and other materials necessary to operate a farm. Operating loan funds can also be used for family living expenses; refinancing debts under certain conditions; paying salaries for hired farm laborers; installing or improving water systems for home, livestock or irrigation use; and other similar improvements.

Repayment terms for direct operating loans are scheduled from one to seven years. Financing for direct farm ownership loans cannot exceed 40 years. Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the government’s cost of borrowing. Guaranteed loan terms and interest rates are set by the lender.

For more information on FSA’s farm loan programs, please contact your local FSA office or visit farmers.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting May 14

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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: May 14, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE FRONT STEPS OF THE COURTHOUSE WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING IN PLACE

3:00 Jody Hoener, CDBG Documents

3:15 Jeff Fischer, KAC, Covid-19 expenses

Bourbon County

Child Abuse Prevention Training: Free

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Kansas Children’s Service League will be offering several training topics at various times at no charge. See below for topics, times, descriptions, and links for registering, and please feel free to forward this on to your colleagues and partners. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

 

Trainings Available at No Charge!

 

  • The Darkness to Light Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training is available online with a follow up zoom discussion. If you need directions for accessing this course and zoom discussion, please let me know. This training is approved for 2.0 hours of inservice credit and preapproved by KDHE for child care licensing hours.

 

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences

 

 

 

 

 

Adverse Childhood Experiences Description

Children who grow up in safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments that foster hope and resilience are better prepared for lifelong health and well-being. The 1998 landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study demonstrated that many adults recall experiences—including abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and areas of household dysfunction—that led to lifelong poor physical and emotional health. While ACEs are important, an exclusive focus on adverse experiences risks labeling children and their families, and it neglects to turn attention toward the possibility for flourishing even in the face of adversity (Sege, R). Participants of this training will learn about the ACEs research including the impact on social connections, school readiness and the likelihood of developing negative health behaviors, learn about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention framework being implemented to prevent ACEs called Essentials for Childhood: Safe, Stable, and Nurturing Relationships and Environments; and brainstorm concrete ways to cultivate relationships and environments that create a positive impact for children and families in our communities. This training is approved by KDHE for 1.0 hour child care licensing hour.

 

Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Reporting Description

Kansas law states that most professionals who work with children, including medical professionals, social workers, nurses, educators and more, are mandated reporters. This means that they are required by law to report suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Participants of this training will be able to define the various types of abuse and neglect, identify signs and symptoms of each type, and address areas of risk and protective factors. In addition, participants will learn the appropriate responses to suspected abuse or neglect, discuss what to do in the event of child disclosure, and understand Kansas mandated reporter laws. This training is approved by KDHE for 1.0 hour child care licensing hour.

 

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience Description

This training will provide a brief recap of Adverse Childhood Experiences followed by a screening of Resilience, a film that chronicles the promising beginnings of a national movement to prevent childhood trauma, treat toxic stress, and greatly improve the health of future generations. We will end with group discussion on family and community resilience and how we can help support families.

 

Preventing Infant Abuse with the Period of PURPLE Crying Description

The Period of PURPLE Crying® is the phrase used to describe the time in a baby’s life when they cry more than any other time. Infants who cry a lot or are awake and fussy at night are a source of concern for many parents. Because of the normal increase in crying that occurs in the first months of a baby’s life, parents and caregivers usually have questions. Crying is the most frequently reported trigger for why a parent or caregiver would shake a baby. Early prevention education is the key to decreasing the incidence of shaken baby syndrome and infant abuse. The Period of PURPLE Crying® is an evidence-based shaken baby syndrome primary prevention program, created by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Come learn about the Kansas strategy, how PURPLE is being implemented in hospitals and agencies across the state, how the program was selected, and the research behind it.  This training is geared toward those professionals who are working with families with new babies, whether through child care, home visitation programs, health departments, clinics, etc. This training is approved by KDHE for 1.0 hour child care licensing hour.

 

 

Bourbon County, Sports

Cancellation of The American Legion National Organization 2020 Baseball Season

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In light of the continuing events resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately The American Legion National Organization is implementing the following directives relating to The American Legion National Organization national baseball program for the 2020 season.
1. Any and all previous 2020 American Legion National Organization memos regarding the national baseball program for the 2020 season are retracted and replaced by the following.
2. The American Legion National Organization has cancelled all 2020 season’s Regional Tournaments and The American Legion World Series.
3. Concurrently, The American Legion National Organization has shut down all sponsorship and all involvement in baseball for the 2020 season.
4. This shutdown of all sponsorship and all involvement in baseball for the 2020 season means that those baseball teams that wish to continue playing 2020 season baseball shall be participating in a sporting event not sponsored, nor endorsed in any manner, by The American Legion National Organization, but sponsored and endorsed solely by the group the team is named.
5. Any baseball team that continues play in the 2020 season sponsored by the group the team is named must understand that its team is not playing as an American Legion National Organization “registered” baseball team and it is not playing in an American Legion National Organization baseball program.
6. The complete cancellation of the 2020 American Legion National Organization baseball season means there is no American Legion National Organization baseball program “national rules,” nor are there “national guidelines,” as there is no 2020 American Legion national involvement.
7. In other words, if an American Legion Department has a 2020 season baseball program, then that Department is having “The Department of ‘X’ American Legion Baseball Program – not authorized, nor endorsed by The American Legion National Organization.”
8. Those departments that conduct this 2020 baseball season program will need to determine
their rules, guidelines, schedules, insurance coverage, etc., for their own programs as The
American Legion National Organization will not provide this assistance.
9. The American Legion National Organization has already stopped collecting, and subsequently
returned to all teams any and all national baseball team fees to the respective teams.
10. With the shutdown of the online National American Legion Baseball registration portal, The
American Legion National Organization has stopped referring baseball teams to the K&K
Insurance portal for the 2020 baseball season. The departments that have their own programs
will need to determine what insurance their teams need in order to play in their programs;
The American Legion National Organization will not provide this assistance.
11. All baseball teams that paid to The American Legion National Organization administrative
fees shall have these fees reimbursed to the teams.
12. All other situation(s) that may arise during the 2020 baseball season in a department that elects
to have a 2020 baseball season is a situation for that particular department as that particular
department is solely responsible for its decision to any situation(s) as The American Legion
National Organization staff and volunteers are not authorized to address or help with any
department’s situation(s).

Art, Bourbon County

Art Is Ageless Winners Announced

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Thyra Babcock won the Best of Show prize for her “Round of Robins” submission, in the amateur division of the Art Is Ageless juried competition at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. All photos were submitted.

 

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility,  recently honored winning artists in the annual Art Is Ageless juried competition, according to a press release.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” Becky Kellum, marketing director at the facility, said. “Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

Winners are as follows:

In the professional division:

 

1)      The Tony Forelli piece, “Wilderness Knife”  won two ribbons  1) Mixed Media /Crafts Professional and  2) People’s Choice Professional.

 

 

2)      Sculpture 3/D Professional “ Forever” by Bobbie Kemna

 

 

3)      Quilting Professional “ American Flag” by Carolyn Crystal

 

 

4)      Photography Professional “ Sunrise at Fort Scott National Cemetery “  by Paul Milks

 

 

5)      Painting Professional “ Gossip “ by Carolyn Munsell

 

 

6)      Needlework Professional “ Flower Bag” by Carolyn Crystal

 

 

7)      Christmas  Professional ‘ Christmas Stocking “ by Carolyn Crystal

 

 

8)      Best of Show Professional “ Druzy Diamonds “ by John Bartlesmeyer

 

 

9)      Judges Choice Professional “ His Word” by Tony Fornelli

 

In the amateur division:

 

1)      Christmas Amateur  “Thompson Farm “ by Linda Thompson

 

 

2)      Needlework Amateur “ Flower Bouquet” by Charlotte Kite

 

 

3)      Fiber Arts Amateur “ Star of Bethlehem ” by Jean Strader

 

 

4)      Mixed Media/Crafts  Amateur “Joy in Motion”: Barbara Gibson

 

5)      Painting Amateur “ The Cottage “ Glenda Stevicks

 

6)      Sculpture 3/D ( Amateur ) “ G.E. lives Here!” by Gerald Elliott

 

7)      This piece, “The Clover Valley”  by Earline Foster, won two  ribbons  1) Quilting Amateur  2) Judges Choice  “ The Clover Valley “

 

 

8)  People’s Choice Amateur “ Flower Garden “ by Carolyn Eastwood

 

 

9)  Best of Show Amateur “ Round of Robins “ by Thyra Babcok

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Health Care

COVID-19 RECOVERY DRIVE

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SEK Multi-County Health Department would like to announce we will be having a COVID-19 Recovery Drive, where we will be handing out care packages, which include a variety of basic necessities and food items, to Bourbon County residents that are in need. Donations will be handed out to the first 100 cars to come through.

Location: Bourbon County Health Department 524 S. Lowman St. Ft. Scott (Corner of 6th and Horton)

Date: May 14th

Time: 1-5PM

Residents will remain in their car during pickup. We ask that you enter through our east drive and exit through the west drive to keep things moving smoothly.

We would like to thank the Kansas Health Foundation, Valu Merchandisers, Fort Scott Fire Department, G&W Foods, Walmart, and community members for their assistance in making all of this drive possible.

Bourbon County, COVID-19

Disaster Food Distribution May 14 For Western Bourbon County

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture will have another food distribution in May for those affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.

“We will have Disaster Household Distribution (DHD)food for the area again on May 14th,” Becky Shinn, coordinator of the West Bourbon County distribution, said.  “Here in Uniontown, it will be May 14th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Uniontown Baptist Church.”

People are asked to stay in their cars and those distributing will come to each car to get information on how many in the family.