Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Oct. 1 and Sept. 24

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October 1, 2019                                                  Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

 

Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune was also present.

 

Michael Hoyt met with the Commissioners to discuss USD 234; there was recently an intruder at the High School who was later arrested for hurting a man in Fort Scott.  He said the parents of the students were not contacted about the intruder and that when the 911 call was made regarding the individual the 911 call did not go to a 911 operator in Fort Scott.  Mr. Hoyt said he tried to work with Mr. Hessong at the board office about their emergency response plan.  Mr. Hoyt said the school district had not published their Emergency Response plan.  Mr. Hoyt asked if Will Wallis could evaluate the boards system regarding unwanted visitors and active shooters and critique the current plan; Lynne said they could have a discussion with Will Wallis to see what his responsibility is in helping develop their plan.

Larry and Carol Goucher met with the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman to discuss an area in the road near 2245 Unique Road; he said the County gravel trucks had caused the gravel to mound 10 ½” high in the road and his wife high centered their 2003 Monte Carlo on the gravel destroying the radiator.  Kendell told them she would do a claims report with the insurance carrier.  Mr. Goucher said the truck drivers should monitor the roads and report to their supervisor when a problem develops in the road.  Mr. Goucher said they now have a new grader operator in the area and the road is better than it has been in years.

Jim Harris said that they have finished two miles on 245th and that the two approaches are finished there.

Jim said they are drilling at the Beth Quarry and will be doing a blast there next week.  Jim said they are gaining ¼” chips.  He said the salt building is full and they will have four trucks with plows for snow removal.

Jim said they are working on Range east of 235th and will be putting in culverts around Uniontown this week.

Jim said they have a 1998 tractor that is broke down, but they will fix it.

Jim Harris is going to a two day solid waste meeting; he said attending those meetings can help them learn so they can avoid violations at the Landfill.  Jim said they have two dedicated employees at the Landfill.

Jeff said he is attending a webinar today regarding KDOT funds; he said some of the funds have been allocated for bridge repairs.

The Commissioners received a request from Larry Shead to install drainage culverts near 250th & Deere Road; Jim Harris said he would order a study of the area through Ag Engineering.

Jeff asked that they consider wedging on Indian road (near the Reprologic business) for approximately ¼ mile; he said the road is rutting and that the patches there are raveling.  Jeff said if the problem area fills with water and freezes that portion of the road surface will fall off.  Lynne suggested plaining the top off of the road, Nick said they needed to view the road before making a decision.  Lynne made a motion to suspend the meeting to view Indian Road, Jeff seconded and all approved and all of the Commissioners went with Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman to view the road.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman).  No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman).  No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman).  After the session, Jeff made a motion to give Nick permission to represent Bourbon County at the City Commission meeting on October 1, 2019, Lynne seconded and all approved.

Lynne asked Treasurer Patty Love to provide up-to-date figures for the Road & Bridge Sales Tax fund.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks).  No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to give Nick and Justin permission to talk with Susan Brown with the City of Fort Scott regarding EMS, Jeff seconded and all approved.

At 11:44, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Nick seconded and all approved.

Carla Nemecek met with the Commissioners to give a Southwind Extension District update; she discussed sheep and goat management, the Bressner range research project (native grass that is utilized as an experimental project to study the preservation and the use of native grasses), adult development and aging – the aging with attitude regional expo as well as livestock and meat judging.

Jeff made a motion to authorize Lynne to sign a letter to Gary Walker concerning the final completion of the jail project, Nick seconded and all approved.  Lynne signed the letter and Kendell mailed the letters to Gary Walker, Stephen Smith, Larry Goldberg and Kevin Rost.

EMS director Robert Leisure met with the Commissioners; he said in September they had 236 calls for service.  Justin Meeks discussed the contract with SAVVIK (a company that will bid out future EMS purchases for the County; Justin questioned if the County signed the contract would the County have to only use them exclusively, (Robert said he would verify this).  Justin said he reviewed the Stryker contract which is a contract for the purchase of 3 LIFEPAK’s and supplies for $74,510.37 (3 year, no interest financing).  Nick made a motion that Lynne sign the contract with Stryker, Jeff seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the contract.

Kendell presented the 2020 KCAMP listing to the Commissioners for review.

 

The Commissioners discussed the East front steps of the Courthouse with Shane Walker; Shane said they have two bids, but had not received the third bid yet.  Shane said they had not published for bids, but asked for bids from the local businesses.  The Commissioners asked that Shane provide Kendell the data to publish for bids.

 

Nick made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Shane Walker).  No action was taken.

The Commissioners discussed the utilities at the old health department; IT and Emergency Preparedness are using the building as office space now.  The Commissioners, Shane Walker and Will Wallis agreed that the utility bills should be paid by IT and Emergency Preparedness.

Will Wallis met with the Commissioners; he said that the Garland Fire Department sold him a digital sign for $1,200, (Will will pay for the sign and installation with grant money).  Nick made a motion to allow the sign to be installed on the exterior outside East wall of the Commission room, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Lynne discussed the incident of the intruder at the USD 234 with Will Wallis; Lynne asked Will what role he had in identifying or working through that issue, Will said he had no role in that issue.  Will said USD 234 had contacted him and presented their active shooter plan to him to critique, which Will did.

Will said he is waiting on bids for the debris removal from the summertime flood.

 

Jeff made a motion that the Commissioners sign the letter of support for the CTD#10, Nick seconded and all approved and signed the letter.

 

At 3:09, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                             OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

Lynne Oharah, Chairman

 

Jeff Fischer,Commissioner

 

Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

 

ATTEST:

 

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

 

10/08/2019, Approved Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 24, 2019                                                  Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune was also present. Kerry and Nancy Van Etten were present for a portion of the meeting.

Dale Bolinger met with the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman regarding Indian Road and St. Martens Academy; Charles Gentry previously met with the Commissioners asking that a school zone be established and that the County install school zone signs on Indian Road. Jeff previously suggested that the County consider separating the vehicle and pedestrian traffic and possibly widen the road. Jeff plans to talk to the school owner to see what the needs are. Jeff met with the head master at the school and discussed the possibility of having a path for pedestrian traffic; the school is putting this path in on private property, which would eliminate the need to widen the road. Currently the speed limit there is 45 mph. Dale Bolinger said he felt the location of the school drive is a safety issue and said this was a poor location for a driveway entrance, he suggested keeping the students off of Indian Road for their safety. Dale said he was opposed to dropping the speed limit to 20 mph in the school area. Jim Harris said he and Justin Meeks would review the State laws regarding school zones.

Kevin Allen met with the Commissioners; he discussed an area on the north side of Indian Road that has depression areas in the road on a hill near the Veterinary office; Jeff suggested possibly wedging up the road there. Jim said they would need to look at the budget and staffing before considering doing the work. Jeff said that Indian Road was never on the plan to be overlaid beyond what has been done, but said this area might be an area that needs work. Jeff felt this problem area in the road was due to the large amount of rainfall Bourbon County has experienced and said Will Wallis might be able to find FEMA funds to be used to help stabilize the road. Jeff discussed Indian Road with Will Wallis.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 3 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jim Harris presented the Five Year Solid Waste Plan to the Commissioners; Agricultural Engineering Associates prepared the plan and the Commissioners reviewed the plan. Nick made a motion to approve the Five Year Solid Waste Plan, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Lynne said he received a phone call offering to supply workforce to start doing the recycling program in Bourbon County again; Jim Harris suggested placing the recycling trailers at the Landfill for use on Saturday mornings.

Emergency Manager Will Wallis met with the Commissioners to discuss the disaster debris removal due to flooding the County experienced earlier this summer. Will presented a map of the County quarries and a list of the 22 debris sites. Will said if the County does the work it would be paid for by FEMA. He said the debris could be taken to the Landfill and/or the Quarry sites. Jim Harris said his crew does not have the time to do the work; he suggested contracting the work out. Will said if the County wasn’t going to do the work then he would wait for the Public Assistance to bid the work out; he said if it was bid out they would need to get 3 bids, Justin would have to create a contract and Will would have to be the debris monitor. Will said the County would have to pay the contractor initially before the County would be reimbursed from the State. All of the Commissioners agreed that the debris removed need to be placed in the Landfill, not in the quarries.

Jeff said he had started the process of getting pricing for the two fracture critical bridges in Bourbon County to help in applying for KDOT grant funds. He said he and Jody Hoener would work on the grant application process.

Dale Arnold met with the Commissioner to discuss the jail needing another $60,000 worth of work; the Commissioners said that there is work that needs to be done, but the County still owes money to the contractor for the jail construction.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to allow Jody Hoener to attend a Kansas Economic Development Conference in Topeka, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Lynne made a motion to give Jeff permission to attend a wind generated energy conference in October, Nick seconded and all approved, (the conference expense will be paid for out of the Commissioners budget).

Jody Hoener discussed a workforce development luncheon at FSCC today, she asked if one of the Commissioners would like to give a closing remark; Lynne offered to speak.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 7 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to approve a real property relief application (due to a house fire) for Angela Lisa Mumbower for 1818 159th, Fort Scott, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion that Lynne be the voting delegate for KWORCC, Jeff seconded and all approved. Nick made a motion that Jeff be the alternate voting delegate for KWORCC, Lynne seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to nominate Rob Roberts from the Southeast Kansas district to serve on the KWORCC board of trustees, Lynne seconded and all approved.

Jeff made a motion to approve Resolution 23-19, (a resolution stating that effective October 1, 2019, if an employee leaves employment with Bourbon County on the 1st day of the month, their insurance will terminate on that day. If an employee leaves employment anytime with Bourbon County from the 2nd – the last day of the month, their Health, Dental and Vision Insurance benefits will terminate on the last day of that same month), Nick seconded and all approved.

There will be a holiday lunch for County employees on December 6, 2019; the Commissioners agreed not to close the Courthouse during the luncheon.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

At 11:15, Lynne made a motion to suspend the meeting until 1:30, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Robert Leisure and Dave Bruner with EMS met with the Commissioners, they previously met with the Commissioners asking to purchase 3 new Life Pack 15’s for a total of $67,629.60 and 2 McGrath Video Laryngoscopes for a total of $5,548 (with trade ins); the Commissioners asked that they get bids for the products. Robert said that Savvik Group is a not for profit group that will do the bidding for equipment for them; they will not charge the County a fee. They presented a contract for Justin Meeks to review.

Bill Martin, Bobby Reed, Alvin Metcalf and Leslie Herrin met with the Commissioners; Bobby discussed the plumbing at the jail. There was a discussion over who would be responsible for the cost of flushing the plumbing system; Lynne said this will be the responsibility of the County and will have to be paid for out of the jail funds. Bill said he would bid this work out.

Bobby discussed finances at the jail; he said there is an inmate that will be delivering a baby. Bobby said that the jail population at the jail is increasing daily and they have reached out to other counties regarding housing inmates out for $40/day.

Bill Martin discussed the District Court bailiff being absent due to a medical issue; Bill said there will be even more overtime to cover the bailiff being absent as well as covering employees on vacation and covering when employees are in training. Bill said his wage/ salaries budget is currently 5% over. Bill said he didn’t feel he would have enough money in 2020 to cover the expenses either.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.

The Commissioners signed and discussed the payroll register that will be paid on September 27, 2019; Lynne said they have been tracking the overtime for the past year and said it is consistently high for some departments. He said this payroll had 200 hours of overtime for the Sheriff’s department (15 total employees), 68.25 hours of overtime for the Correctional Center (19 total employees), 133.75 hours of overtime for Road & Bridge (38 total employees), 43.75 hours of overtime for the Attorney’s office (6 total employees) and 20.00 hours of overtime for the EMS department (4 total employees). The Sheriff previously stated his concern over meeting his budget due to the overtime. Jeff Fischer discussed the amount of overtime for the Sheriff & the Correctional Center, he said the increased overtime hours started about the time they moved to the new jail and the Commissioners had anticipated that it would fall back to the previous level, but said that hasn’t happened. Jeff said an article in the Iola newspaper said Allen County jail operates on 17 employees and they cook their inmates’ food as well as prepare food for Meals on Wheels.

At 2:50, Jeff made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

10/01/2019, Approved Date

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Learning To Write Successful Grant Proposals

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Strengthening communities: Grant writing workshop planned for November 8

Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project.

Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at a workshop planned in Fort Scott, KS in November. The workshop is presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals.

The training will be held November 8, 2019 at the River Room Event Center, 3 West Oak Street in Fort Scott, KS from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10.

Deadline to register is Nov. 1.

“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”

Participants also learn from each other, Daniels said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities.  Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.

Workshop topics include:

  • Sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?);
  • Where to find grants;
  • The five common elements of a great grant proposal;
  • Practicing the grant writing elements.More information and registration is available by contacting Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District Iola Office, 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].

To view the event flier:

Grant workshop FlyerFS

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

FSNHS Candlelight Tour Ticket

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Fort Scott National Historic Site glows during the annual candlelight tour event.

Fort Scott National Historic Site Announces Its 38th Annual Candlelight Tour

Be an Active Part of History

 

December 6 and 7, 2019, Fort Scott National Historic Site will present its 38th Annual Candlelight Tour.

Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 pm and leave every 15 minutes until 9 pm. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 pm with the final tour leaving at 8:45 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented.

Tickets go on sale Friday, November 1st and are available by calling the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or by stopping by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd.

They are $8.00 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free.

It is recommended that you get your tickets early for your choice of tour times as this event frequently sells out. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and 100 reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life.

“This year’s tour will include the audience in the tour stops. It will feature six stops around the site beginning with the enlistment and ending with reassignment of release from service, where the fort’s buildings were sold to the public two years after the U.S. Army abandoned Fort Scott,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to dress up (in modern or period clothes) and step back in time.”

Take the tour under the identity of one of our own Fort Scott soldiers. Enlist in the U.S. Army stationed at the Fort; learn about life on the frontier; the ups and downs of payday; celebrate the holidays 1840’s style; find out how much the officer’s wives appreciate all of your hard work; and after an memorable career, receive your discharge or reassignment stamp.  Keep your enlistment card to remember your journey through time.

Fort Scott was an active military post from 1842-1853, which was a time of rapid growth and change in the country.  As Fort Scott was being built, the nation grew west, expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

With this growth, Fort Scott changed, the mission of its soldiers changed, their experience changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. Soldiers at Fort Scott lived their lives to the fullest despite the constant change.

From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Landscape Improvements Now Will Bring Big Dividends Next Spring

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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

 

Fall and spring are my favorite seasons. Finally, some cooler temperatures have arrived and it is actually feeling more like fall! I encourage you to get outside and enjoy the fall season. It is the perfect time to do some tasks around your landscape that will help next spring.

First, let’s talk lawn weeds. I know, they are probably the last thing on your mind since we are winding down the mowing season. Believe it or not, it is the ideal time to tackle those weeds. Not next spring when you fire the mower up again!

Cool season broadleaf weeds such as henbit, dandelions and chick weed all germinate in the cool moist periods of September and October. They overwinter as small plants, barely visible unless you get down close to the ground to look. Once warm weather arrives in the spring, the plants grow rapidly and flower.

Fall control is ideal for these cool season broadleaf weeds. The weeds are storing food in their roots and will send a leaf applied herbicide to their roots as well. The herbicides will translocate to the roots and will kill the plants from the roots up. These plants are also small and easily controlled right now.

There are several products on the market that are effective on these fall germinating weeds. Herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products that contain 2,4-D, MCCP and Dicamba, sold under the trade names of Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, or Weed-Out, can be used. A product called Weed Free Zone is also an option. It contains the three active ingredients mentioned above plus carfentrazone.

Newly planted lawns should not be treated with any herbicide until the new grass seedlings have been mowed two or three times depending on the product. Read and follow the label directions closely.

Next, let’s talk flower bulbs. Bulbs are a good addition to any landscape or garden because they offer a variety of bloom color, flowering time, plant height, and shape. Now is the time to get those bulbs in the ground!

Bulbs can be planted in a variety of locations including around house foundations, under deciduous shrubs and trees, along borders, in perennial beds, and rock gardens. You can also plant them in containers and even on steep slopes.

When planted along a foundation, bulbs will add color in the early spring if planted in a grouping of twelve or more bulbs. If you have evergreen shrubs planted along a foundation, they will provide a nice background for planting of bulbs. Bulbs will “pop” with color in contrast to the green of the shrubs.

A border of bulbs planted along the edge of the lawn will add a splash of color to the lawn area. Or consider planting low growing bulbs around the edge of a flower bed to add interest. You can add them directly into a perennial bed. The bulbs will bloom in March, April and May before perennials start to grow. Make sure to locate the bulbs so the dying foliage will not be noticed.

Both spring and summer bulbs can be planted in portable containers. The nice thing about container plantings is their versatility. For spring bulbs, once bloom is past, the container can be moved to a location out of sight while the foliage matures. Summer bulbs will add color all summer long to areas such as a patio or deck.

Keep in mind that planting bulbs of one variety or color in mass will have greater visual impact. This will provide uniform color and texture that is pleasing to the eye. With bulbs such as tulips or daffodils, plant at least twelve bulbs of one variety in a grouping. Smaller bulbs should be planted in groups of fifty to have visual impact.

Take action now to have a beautiful, weed-free, colorful lawn next spring!

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.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Oct. 8

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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: October 8th, 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- Rod Markin Consultant Group – Multi Purpose Event Center

10:00-10:45 – Jim Harris –Road & Bridge

10:45 – KDOT Visioning Transportation Future

11:30 – Justin Meeks

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

Bourbon County, Schools

Past UHS Homecoming Queens, Kings and Band Members Invited Oct. 11

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Uniontown High School King Gavin Miller and Queen Lindsay Nietfeld, 2016. Courtesy photos, UHS English teacher,  Karen Massa.
The Uniontown High School Student Council is asking that all former UHS Fall Homecoming Kings and Queens join the school for Homecoming 2019 on October 11.
The band teacher is also asking all former band members to join them with instruments in hand that evening as well.
UHS Queen Shanda Shepard and  King Jeff Daly, 1988. Courtesy photo from UHS.
UHS Student Council has 14 members and Rebecca Sutterby is the advisor.
“It’s always the goal of homecoming to have many alumni and community members attend in support of the current generation of Eagles,” Sutterby said. ” StuCo voted as a group to make an effort to specifically invite all of our past football homecoming royalty this year. We were super excited to learn that our very first homecoming queen from 1957 is planning to attend.”
Megan Mann and Mitch Spainhoward 2003. Courtesy photo from UHS.

“Please gather at the football stadium by 6:00 p.m.,” she said.  “We will have a short ceremony to honor our past UHS Royalty right before we crown the new 2019 Homecoming King and Queen. The history of UHS Fall Royalty dates back to 1957 and we would like to have as many of the 124 previous winners as possible attend.”

Jeff Marlow and Lori George, 1990. Courtesy photo of UHS.

Former UHS Alumni Band Members Invited to Join As Well

UHS Band in 1987. Courtesy photo from UHS.
The high school band has also invited former members to play in the UHSPep Band that night.
Some UHS band alumni are guest musicians for ball games on a regular basis, but they are encouraging more to participate in homecoming activities.
UHS Band Alumni Crystal Johnson, 1992. Courtesy photo from UHS.
“A quick meet and greet, and brief warmup and rehearsal with current members of the UHS Band will begin at 4 p.m. in the band room,” UHS Band Director Neva Rowland said.
Kirk Camac, Gage McKennis, Jesse Johnston, UHS Band members in 2003. Courtesy photo.
“If you are unable to make it at 4:00 p.m., then join us whenever you can!” said Rowland. “I would love to have a large group of people come and play with us. If you are someone who hasn’t played in years, you can still come! It will come back to you, and the UHS Band students will be sitting alongside you, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost.”
Anna Jefferis and Amy Dillow, 2016. Courtesy photo.
Student Council is one of many organizations on the campus.
StuCo’s purposes: To develop positive attitudes and practice in good citizenship, promote harmonious relations throughout the school, improve school morale, assist in the management of the school, provide a forum for student expression, provide orderly direction of school activities, and promote the general welfare of the school.
 
For more info, call Sutterby at (620) 756-4335
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion To Provide Transport to Vets For Dialysis: Drivers Needed

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Submitted by Carl Jowers

The Fort Scott dialysis center recently closed. There were several Bourbon County Veterans who would not have been able to travel for dialysis treatment in Pittsburg.

The VA allowed me to repurpose the Fort Scott- Topeka/KC shuttle service to transport these Veterans to Pittsburg for dialysis treatment.

With the new schedule, the Fort Scott VA shuttle will only be able to transport veterans to Topeka or KC two days a week.

The shuttle will still stop at Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa on Mondays and Wednesdays to pick up Veterans needing rides  to Topeka or KC.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Carl Jowers.  Shuttle Coordinator.

Fort Scott VA Shuttle

 

The local Fort Scott VA shuttle began transporting  area Veterans from Fort Scott to Pittsburg for dialysis treatment on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

The new VA shuttle schedule is as follows:

·        Mondays. Fort Scott to Kansas City or Topeka VA Hospital.

·        Tuesdays. Fort Scott to Pittsburg Dialysis Center.

·        Wednesdays. Fort Scott to Kansas City or Topeka VA Hospital.

·        Thursdays. Fort Scott to Pittsburg Dialysis Center.

·        Saturdays. Fort Scott to Pittsburg Dialysis Center.

The Monday and Wednesday VA shuttle can stop in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up Veterans needing rides to Topeka or KC.

Veterans needing a shuttle ride for their VA medical appointments must call 785.925.0261 to schedule a shuttle seat or more information.

Additional shuttle drivers are also needed.

Drivers will be using a VA provided van as the shuttle. The VA also covers gas and maintenance costs for the vehicle as well.

These are the Driver requirements

·              Have a valid state issued driver’s license. A CDL license is not required

·              Proof of insurance. Driver is covered by VA insurance when driving the shuttle.

·              Pass a VA driver physical

·              Pass a background check.

The driver does not have to be a Veteran. This information is important as several people I’ve spoken to thought that only Vets could drive for the VA.

This program is not an American Legion or VFW sponsored program.  It is a community-based program to assist our area veterans in receiving medical care. Several of our drivers are not Veterans or spouses of Veterans, just local individuals who wanted to give back to Veterans.

Any area residents interested in becoming a shuttle driver should contact Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688 or email him at [email protected] for more information or to become a shuttle driver.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion Fort Scott Scuttlebutt

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Membership

American Legion Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey Post 25 now leads 2nd District in membership. Today’s numbers have Post at 60 members or 78.96%.

Our 2020 membership goal is 76. We are currently 16 members short of 100%. Help Post 25 reach 100% by renewing your membership or recruiting a  new member.

You can easily renew 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!

You can also pay your 2020 dues at our next general membership meeting on October 7th.

LEGION Act

Any Veteran who has served one day on active duty since December 7, 1941 and was honorably discharged can join the Legion. This is due to the LEGION Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. If you know of a local Veteran who meets this new, expanded membership requirement, invite them to a Post 25 meeting or contact me about a membership form. There are probably several hundred Bourbon County Veterans who are not aware of the LEGION Act and are now eligible for American Legion membership.

If you know of one, invite them to join the American Legions. We are a community of Veterans “Still Serving.

Upcoming Events

October 5. Post 25 Community Awareness at the Fort Scott Wal-Mart from 9 am – 12 pm.  Stop by and visit other Post 25 Legionnaires or bring a new member to join Post 25.

October 7. American Legion Post 25 meet and greet at Memorial Hall starts at 6:30 pm.

October 7. American Legion Post 25 general membership meeting at Memorial Hall starts at 7:00 pm.

October 10. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 general membership meeting at Memorial Hall starts at 6:00 pm.

October 10. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at Memorial Hall starts at 7:00 pm.

October 12, 2019.   EISENHOWER PILGRIMAGE in Abilene starts at 9:30 am. Department Vice Commanders Homecoming … immediately following the Eisenhower Pilgrimage.

 

November 2, 2019. Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Vintage Toy/Comic Books/Sports Cards Show from 9 am – 3 pm.  See attached flyer for more information.

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

 Informational Items

Additional shuttle drivers are needed. The VA-provided shuttle now transports dialysis patients to Pittsburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays plus area Veterans for VA hospital appointments on Mondays and Thursdays. Call or email me for more information on becoming a shuttle driver.

Auxiliary Unit 25’s first outreach program is to provide support to Veteran mothers of newborn babies at the Topeka VA Medical Center.  They are currently collecting needed items for newborns and all donations are greatly appreciated.  Diapers, body wash and shampoos, blankets and clothing are among the items requested. Call Unit 25 Vice President Marilyn Gilmore at 785.214.5618 for more information or to donate items. A copy of the flyer is attached.

Our Taurus G2C raffle is sold out. The drawing for the winning ticket will be at our October 7th membership meeting. The winner will be contacted, and information provided on picking up their new pistol.

The Post 25 fundraising collectibles show on November 2 is taking shape. We have 10 tables sold now.

If you know of someone with cases of Hot Wheels, storage totes of Barbies or sports cards or boxes of comic books, encourage them to rent a table at the toy show. All proceeds will go towards our scholarships for Boys and Girls State, Cadet Law and other Post sponsored programs.

Volunteers will be sought to contribute a few hours to make this 1st ever collectibles show a success.

 

For more AL news, click below:

SALute. October 2019

 

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.

Submitted by:

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

620-215-1688

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Manor hosting professional organizer

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Rightsizing focus of Just Ask event

 

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Each year, there are changes that affect Medicare coverage. Find out what’s changing for 2020 and prepare for Medicare Part D Election Period. That’s the theme of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s “Just Ask” session October 15.

“What’s New With Medicare?” will be presented by Joy Miller, family and consumer sciences extension agent with K-State Research and Extension in Bourbon County. Miller will share what you need to know before you enroll in Medicare Part D for 2020. The free presentation will begin at 2 p.m. October 15 at Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton.

A certified Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansans (SHICK) volunteer, Miller helps beneficiaries and caregivers understand their Medicare benefits and options and assists with plan comparisons and Medicare D enrollment during the annual election period. Miller has been with K-State Research and Extension for 11 years and has been a SHICK volunteer since 2012.

RSVP by October 11 to Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected].

“What’s New with Medicare?” is part of Presbyterian Village’s Just Ask lifelong learning program featuring speakers and topics of interest to seniors and their adult children.

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been offering independent and assisted living apartments for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. It is a member of the nonprofit Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America network of 17 communities and 2 hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

Celebration of Gordon Parks Legacy

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The Gordon Parks Celebration began its annual event, Oct. 3 with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee.

Winners of the Gordon Parks annual photo contest were given their awards during the coffee.

First, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively and all finalists received a set of prints of Gordon Parks photos.

There were five honorable mention awards given: “In Death Lies The Erosion of Truth.” by Alexis Michalski (La Cygne, KS ); “Finding Joy in your Friends.” by Alexis Marchiano (Fort Scott); “The Master and the Apprentice.” by Jezeriah Simpson (Fort Scott); “Escape.” by Lawson Hall (Fort Scott); and “Lots of Trust.” by Julia Allen (Fort Scott).

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by a quote by the Gordon Parks-directed film The Learning Tree.

“We received a lot of great entries this year and the judges were very impressed by the skill level of the photographers. It was very difficult for the judges to determine the winner with all of the great entries,” said museum director Kirk Sharp.

The photo exhibit is on display in the Lunt Lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College through October 14. The building is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ashton Nolan, a student at Fort Scott Community College won first place with a photo entitled: Always Choose Family
Ashton Nolan,  first place winning photo.
Elli Milburn, Fort Scott High School student won second place with a photo entitled: No Quit.
Elli Milburn’s second-place winning photograph.
Ashton Nolan also received third place with her photo entitled: Cherish Childhood
Ashton Nolan’s third-place winning photograph.

The Merle Humphrey Photography sponsored the photo contest.

There were 65 entries in the contest that was themed: “My Learning Tree, Life Lessons Learned.” Judges for the contest were Kassie Feugate-Cate, Tammy Helm and Merl Humphrey.

Also on display were some of Park’s photos and poems and in addition a section of behind-the-scenes photos of the film “The Learning Tree”, which was filmed in Fort Scott in 1969.

Artists recognized for their entries to the Gordon Parks Photography Contest, from left: Lexi Marchiano honorable mention; Elli Milburn, second place; Ashton Nolan, first place; Lawson Hall, honorable mention and Julia Allen, honorable mention. Nolan is a Fort Scott Community College student, the other artists were from area high schools. Not pictured: Alexis Michalski and Jezeriah Simpson.
From left: FSCC Development Administrative Assistant Tabitha Stultz and Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp,  look over donated photos of the film “The Learning Tree” with Chamber coffee attendees Thursday morning.

Below are scenes from the morning coffee:

To view the events of this weekend’s celebration events, click below:

https://files.constantcontact.com/599f8b4d001/45

c25fe4-471d-46b6-93ca-e18ffd9879a7.pdf

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Tri-Yak-A-Thon Oct. 12, The Public Is Welcome

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The Gunn Park Trails volunteers would like to invite everyone to enjoy the fall weather and join us for the 7th annual Tri-yak-a-thon.

This year’s proceeds will benefit Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter.

The event will take place October 12 at 10:00 AM in Gunn Park.

The Tri-yak-a-thon is a race where participants run on Gunn Park’s beautiful trails, kayak up and down the Marmaton River, and then tackle the trails again on a bike.

The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support the animal shelter.

The trail run is a 5K, the kayak portion is another 5K, and the bike portion is a 10K.

Participate as a relay team, or if you are tough enough you can do the entire race as a solo participant.

You must bring your own kayak, life jacket, helmet, and mountain bike.

Riders must wear a helmet.

 

Onsite registration and packet pickup will be from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at Shelter House 6.

You can register online at https://www.trireg.com/tri-yak-a-thon.

The race will begin at 10:00 AM.  Whether you enter the race or just come and cheer, please join us and support our park, our trails, and our animal shelter.

 

We would like to thank our generous sponsors:

 

UMB Bank

Mid-Continental

Key Industries

Peerless

Landmark Bank

Briggs Auto of Fort Scott

City State Bank

Smallville Crossfit

Fort Scott Veterinary Clinic

Brock Electric

The City of Fort Scott

 

 

Submitted by:

Penny Pollock-Barnes

Key Industries, Inc.

400 Marble Rd

Fort Scott, KS  66701

1-800-835-0365 x367