Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Business, Health Care, Housing, Jobs

BoCo Inter-Agency Coalition Minutes of Dec. 4

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition General Membership Meeting Minutes, submitted by Chairwoman Billie Jo Drake.

December 4, 2019

  1. Welcome and Board update: Twenty-three members representing twenty-one agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that Nancy Van Etten will be filling the vacancy on the Coalition Board; Nancy will be replacing DeAnn Cambers who has relocated to Crawford County.
  1. Member introductions and announcements:
  • Billie Jo shared information provided by Kerry Pommier, Eugene Ware Counselor, regarding the Community Conversation on the effects of childhood trauma to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, at Fort Scott High School. Guest speaker will be Monica Murnan, a member of the Kansas Legislature and Director of Student Support Services at Greenbush. For more information, call 620-223-3380 or email [email protected] .
  • Michelle Stevenson, Fort Scott Pre-School Program, shared that the finance simulation organized by Lewis Dunkeson, FSHS, went very well.
  • Shannon Stancer, TFI Family Services, announced that they are in need of drivers.
  • Jean Tucker, Feeding Families, stated that the program is continuing to feed 135 – 200 meals every Wednesday evening.
  • Allen Schellack, Salvation Army, still needs volunteers to ring bells during the Christmas season. Last year over $7,000 was raised for use in Bourbon County; this year’s goal is $10,000.
  • Gary Murrell, Beacon, shared changes in Beacon hours for the holiday season: December 24 hours will be changed from the usual evening hours to 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Beacon will be closed on December 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, and January 1. Beacon will reopen with regular hours on January 2. Gary also reminded members that Beacon clients must be signed up in order to receive food in January. The only date left for sign-up is December 10 during the evening hours.
  • Caleb Smith, Kansas Appleseed, announced that he is planning a Hunger Action Summit on January 17 at the Pittsburg Library.
  • Steve Jameson, SEK-CAP, noted that he is working on guidelines to help adults with mental health issues.
  • Nancy Van Etten, American Red Cross, provided information on the upcoming blood drive: December 17 and 18 at Buck Run Community Center. They still need volunteers to help with escorting; call 215-9749 if you could help.
  • Jennifer Graber and Christine Abbott, Kansas Works, shared that the Annual Job Fair (all ages) and Youth Summit (16-24 year olds) will be April 2 at the Pittsburg Memorial Hall. Christine also shared copies of their new flyer.
  • Michelle Lyon, DCF, reminded members that LIEAP applications will be open January 21, the day after Martin Luther King Day, and will be open until March 31. She encouraged those that receive a denial to follow-up and provide what was missing in the original application. Many times making the corrections will result in an approval.
  • Sandra Haggard, RSVP, stated that she will be doing another Opioid Safety Seminar in the spring. Currently, Sandy has senior volunteers helping at the Beacon and with the veterans activities.
  • Robin Griffin, Thrive Allen County, is working on bike share programs, bicycle trail systems, and opioid prevention.
  • Barbara Longhofer, Kansas Guardianship Program, provided brochures about her program; she now has four volunteers working in the Fort Scott area.
  1. Program: Gary Miller, Angels Home Care Health. Angels Care Home Health provides services to seniors who are fifty-five (55) and older. Gary shared flyers listing all the services they can provide. He noted that they are beginning to see three generational homes and seniors who need assistance with rent and utilities. They do work closely with CHC; their program is covered 100% by Medicare. For those seniors who do not qualify for Medicare, Angels Care will work with their insurance or assist to find another home health facility that is affordable to the client. Further information can be found at angelscarehealth.com or 620-232-2922.
  1. February program will be presented by MeagThe han Russell, USD 235. Meaghan will tell us about their Teammates program. Barbara Longhofer, Kansas Guardianship Program, will present the March program.
  1. Open Forum: Billie Jo reminded members that there will be no General Membership meeting in January due to the first Wednesday being January 1.
  1. Adjournment: Next meeting will be February 5, 2020.
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment

Backwoods Holiday Shopping Dec. 7

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Backwoods Holiday Shopping event is Saturday Dec. 7.

Admission is a free-will donation of non-perishable food for Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church,  whose Pastor  is Marty Dewitt.

The event host is  Perry’s Pork Rinds LLC.

 Rosie’s Cabin is the venue, located at 563 Maple Road Uniontown, just 20 minutes from downtown Fort Scott.
Vendors will be selling from 9 am-4 pm on  Dec. 7.
Free photos will be taken by  Erika George Photography from 10 a.m. to noon.
Wine sales/samples will be  from noon-4 p.m.
Online Give Away/Door Prizes- prize pick up during the event from 9-1.
The paid sponsors are:Kelly Hall – Tupperware, Misty Miles- Smart Coffee, (Sales Partners) Danny Becker and Angela Foust – Country Roads Wood Specialties and Angela’s Hometown Boutique.
Bourbon County

Red Cross Blood Drive Dec. 17

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The Red Cross will conduct a blood drive Tuesday, December 17 from 1 PM to 7 PM and Wednesday, December 18 from 9 AM to 1 PM at Buckrun Community Center, 735 Scott Ave, in Fort Scott.

People wanting to donate may walk in during the hours listed, however according to drive chairwoman Ruth Waring, it is better to call and make an appointment so that you can start the blood donation procedure right away when you arrive.

The phone number to call to schedule an appointment is 620–2 23–5946.

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Dec. 5 at Fort

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The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by the
Fort Scott National
Historic Site
Old Fort Blvd., Fort Scott, KS
Join us for some coffee & good company at 8 am!
Join us at the Chamber Coffee Thursday, December 5th at
8 am at the Fort Scott
National Historic Site!
This will kick off the Candle light tours starting Friday, December 6th from 6:30 to 9 pm & Saturday, December 7th from 5 to 9 pm!
UPCOMING COFFEE SCHEDULES:
* December 12th ~ FSCC ~ Ellis Fine Arts Center
* December 19th ~ City of Fort Scott
* December 26th ~ No Coffee
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Government

Businesses, Colleges, Assisted Living Centers: Mobile Driver’s License Office Service

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Division of Vehicles makes Mobile Driver’s License Office available across the state

 

Topeka – The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles launched its state-wide mobile driver’s license office as another avenue of convenience and added service for large groups needing to obtain a driver’s license or identification card. When a visit is set up with the mobile unit coordinator, a link is made available to individuals to schedule their visit.

 

“The mobile unit is for locations like businesses, assisted living facilities, colleges, and universities,” David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles said. “This is another way we are cutting back on wait lines and the anticipated rush of people coming into the offices as we get closer to the Real ID implementation deadline.”

 

Real ID is a set of federal guidelines for traveling on commercial airlines or entering federal facilities where identification is currently necessary. If choosing to be Real ID compliant, the deadline is October 1, 2020.

 

The Division of Vehicles stepped up its efforts in offering mobile driver’s license office solutions this past spring with two pilot programs. One, to help Sedgewick County Correctional inmates, who were transitioning out of the correctional facility, get state identification cards. The other was for students completing driver’s education in the Blue Valley School District in Johnson County to get their learner’s permit.

 

“The feedback we received from those pilot programs helped us test the idea and now launch the mobile driver’s license office,” Harper said.

 

Employers or organizations wanting to host the mobile driver’s license office are encouraged to contact Ethan Davis, Mobile Driver’s License Office coordinator, at [email protected].

 

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Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Low-Cost Tree and Shrub Seedlings Now Available

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud, and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, chokecherry, lilac, and sand hill plum. This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area.

The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The Quail Bundle offers a variety of shrubs designed to attract quail, including American plum, fragrant sumac, golden current and chokecherry. It was created in cooperation with Quail Forever to provide excellent food and habitat for upland bird species in eastern Kansas.

New this year, a pollinator bundle is being offered. Designed to improve the habitat for a diverse array of pollinating insects, it primarily focuses on native bees, honey bees, butterflies and moths. This bundle is composed of seven species of shrubs and small trees – American plum, chokecherry, golden currant, false indigo, elderberry, buttonbush and eastern redbud.

Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola Fort Scott, and Yates Center or can be mailed or e-mailed.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Dec. 3

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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: December 3, 2019

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45 – Jim Harris

9:45-10:15 – Bob Reed – Medical

10:15-10:30 – Wind Farms – set a meeting date to discuss

10:30-10:45 – William Downey – Vehicle Registration Fees

11:00-11:45 – Justin Meeks

Bourbon County, Business, Health Care, Housing, Jobs

Agenda for the Bourbon County Coalition Dec. 4

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition general membership meets each first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 123 Scott. There will be no January 2020 meeting.

The meeting agenda for December 4, 2019

  1. Welcome and Board update by Billie Jo Drake, chairwoman:
  1. Member introductions and announcements:
  1. Program: Gary Miller, Angels Home Care Health
  1. February program will be presented by Meaghan Russell, USD 235. Meaghan will tell us about their Teammates program.
  1. Open Forum:
  1. Adjournment: Next meeting will be February 5, 2020.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion Scuttlebutt

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Membership 

American Legion Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey Post 25 is in 1st place in 2nd District membership. This week’s Department membership numbers have Post at 79 members or 103.95%. Post 25 leads 2nd District in membership.  Thanks to all the new members and renewals who made this possible. This is our 4th consecutive year in achieving 100% membership at our Post.

If you have not yet renewed for 2020, please consider doing so. What does your membership do? See the attached Membership Impact Report. It’s a new by the numbers monthly report on what the American Legion does nationally to help Veterans and their families.  Your membership helps the American Legion reach these Veterans.

You can easily renew your membership online at www.legion.org. It’s safe and secure and takes less than five minutes.

You can also mail in your $40.00 renewal to the Post 25 Finance Officer.

 

Darrell Spencer

1183 185TH ST

Fort Scott, Ks, 66701.

I can also arrange to meet with you to pick up your renewal.  I’m retired so I can easily work around your schedule to meet you, but no 3 AM meetings please!

Upcoming Events

December 2. Post 25 meet and greet starts at 630 pm in Memorial Hall.

December 2. Post 25 general membership meeting starts at 7 pm in Memorial Hall.

January 31 – February 2, 2020. Department of Kansas Midwinter Forum at Fort Scott.

 Informational Items 

Auxiliary Unit 25 has been collecting items for newborns at the Topeka VA Hospital. Marilyn Gilmore, Myra Jowers and Carl Jowers delivered the collected items to the Topeka VA Hospital last Monday. Marilyn, Myra and Carl are dual members, in that they are members in both the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.

With the passage of the Legion Act, any honorably discharged Veteran who has served one day of active duty since December 7, 1941 can now join the American Legion. Invite a Veteran to join our growing and thriving Post. 

Apple Health Records now available to veterans across the US.

Volunteers are needed to put the Legion Room in Memorial Hall back together, Painting is complete, and your help is needed in setting up the room. Just reply to this email or call Carl at 620-215-1688 to volunteer to help your Post.

American Legion Riders (ALR) Chapter 25 is still accepting new members. To join requires membership in one the American Legion Family organizations, Legion, Auxiliary or Sons, plus own a motorcycle/scooter of at least 250 cc’s. Contact me for additional information regarding membership.

Photo of Auxiliary Unit 25 delivering baby items to the maternity wing of the Topeka VA Hospital. Submitted.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any suggestions or questions you may have about Fort Scott American Legion Post 25.

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

620-215-1688

[email protected]