Attorney Justin Meeks is in his new office at 1801 S. National Avenue. The wall behind him was the former outside wall of Lockwoods Steakhouse, he said.
Attorney Justin Meeks has moved into his newly renovated office space at 1801 S. National Avenue after months of hard work.
“It would’ve been way cheaper to tear down and build new,” he said. “But we saved the building….it’s got lots of character.”
Character such as original walls with a hand-painted sign and names sketched in concrete from a different era, which were both preserved.
And a great location with Hwy. 69 and National Avenue in close proximity.
The building was renovated and now is the home to Justin Meeks Attorney at Law and Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance.
Meeks is also the Bourbon County Counselor for the county government, which is a part-time position. The new space is for his private law practice, which is also part-time.
“I moved into this space for my private law practice in late June,” Meeks said. “It’s a very limited private practice: probate, business transactions, human resource issues, contract work, landlord-tenant issues, and banking issues.”
As of October 1, Meeks has been the Bourbon County Counselor for five years. “I’ve been out of private practice for five years,” Meeks said.
“I like helping people, that’s why I’m going back into a limited part-time practice,” Meeks said.
His office hours are Monday through Thursday, appointment only; Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.
History Of The Property
Justin Meeks and Kale Nelson purchased the circa 1925 building last year.
The new office spaces have had many repurposings through the years: a machine shop, Lockwood’s Steakhouse, various liquor store owners including Silver Spur Bar, a pet shop, a vape shop and other business entities.
This handwritten note was discovered in the renovation of the 1925 building, during the era of the machine shop. Meeks left the note on the exposed brick as art for his new office.
The renovated building was first used for a machine shop, Meeks was informed by people in the community.
There is a handwritten sign on the exposed brick in his entrance space that says “Leave Tools After Used.”
Then the shop was added onto in the 1960-70s, according to Meeks.
On the concrete floor in a closet, the names Patty Chow and Sharon Manyo are sketched into the concrete.
That’s part of the character of the building that was preserved.
Ribbon Cutting
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new location of State Farm Insurance, 1805 S. National Avenue and Meeks Law Firm at 1801 S. National Avenue on Thursday, August 8 following the Chamber of Commerce Coffee, which starts at 8 a.m.
Owner of the property is JK Hold’M Properties, a partnership of Meeks and Nelson.
The public is invited to the ribbon-cutting to view the transformation of the buildings to updated and modernized offices.
Justin Meeks law office is located at 1801 S. National Avenue.The Meeks and Nelson offices before renovation in July 2018.Justin Meeks Attorney at Law is next door to Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance on South National Avenue with Hwy. 69 behind the complex. This is the “after photo.”
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 system
The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
The Bourbon County Primary Election is today, August 6.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Exercise your right as a U.S. citizen to vote your conscience in this election.
From the Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason:
“This primary will only be for the City of Fort Scott and USD 234 position 3. The other schools, cities, FSCC, Extension District, etc. will not be on the Primary ballot.”
The November general election will be for Bourbon County cities, schools and K-State Extension Board positions.
Vote at these sites (taken from the Bourbon County Kansas website)
1st Ward Community Christian Church DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church FREEDOM Fulton Community Building
4th Ward Community Christian Church MARMATON Redfield City Hall
5th Ward Community Christian Church MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall
6th Ward Community Christian Church OSAGE Fulton Community Building
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church PAWNEE Redfield City Hall
NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church
SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church
TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building
The Primary Election will narrow the candidates down to two times the number of positions open.
From left: Rebecca Johnson, BSN, RN, the administrator of SEKMCHD; Alice Maffett, Registered Nurse in Bourbon County and Kristi George, the administrative assistant. They stand in front of the new public health department facility at 6th and Horton.
The local public health department moved from behind the Bourbon County Courthouse to a more spacious building and reopened on July 29 to offer health services to the community.
The new space for Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is located between 6th and Horton and 6th and Lowman Streets at 524 S. Lowman.
The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is located between 6th and Lowman Streets and 6th and Horton Streets.
In former years the building has been Mercy Home Health, Curves-a woman’s fitness center, then Cornerstone Bible Church.
The location on two main streets in Fort Scott will be an advantage.
“We hope this location makes people more aware of the health department,” Alice Maffett, health department nurse, said.
Now the employees can serve the community in a larger and more visible building with services such as physicals, immunizations, pregnancy tests, family planning, Kan Be Healthy Screenings, blood pressure and blood glucose checks, hearing and vision screenings, SRS referrals, Sexually Transmitted Disease testing and treatment, and lab/blood draws.
The Public Health Department, located at 6th and Horton Street, Fort Scott.
Rebecca Johnson, BSN, RN is the administrator of SEKMCHD and her primary office will be in Fort Scott. Maffett is the Registered Nurse in Bourbon County and Kristi George is the administrative assistant.
A physical exam and current immunizations are required for entrance into kindergarten.
New this year in immunizations, is the state-required meningitis shots for 7th and 11th-grade students, Maffett said, which the department offers.
The WIC program will be utilizing the building and also available are breastfeeding classes.
The health department board is working to build community partnerships.
“It is a great building and we are looking for other community groups or agencies to utilize our conference room.
The conference room is approximately 25 feet by 16 feet and has an adjacent kitchenette for use, she said.
Dave and Jan Elliott will be offering Love and Logic Parenting classes in the future.
The health department board is also interested in exploring the option of telemedicine in the future, Johnson, said.
Another possibility in the future is to hire a Nurse Practitioner, Maffett said.
The hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information: 620.223.4464. The fax number is 620.223.1686. or www.sekmchd.com
The Bourbon County Primary Election is August 6, next Tuesday.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Exercise your right as a U.S. citizen to vote your conscience in this election.
Correction from the Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason:
“This primary will only be for the City of Fort Scott and USD 234 position 3. The other schools, cities, FSCC, Extension District, etc. will not be on the Primary ballot.”
The November general election will be for Bourbon County cities, schools and K-State Extension Board positions.
The following are a list of polling places in the county.
1st Ward Community Christian Church DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church FREEDOM Fulton Community Building
4th Ward Community Christian Church MARMATON Redfield City Hall
5th Ward Community Christian Church MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall
6th Ward Community Christian Church OSAGE Fulton Community Building
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church PAWNEE Redfield City Hall
“It’s My Very Own” Bags of Love, a ministry to provide children from birth-17 years old some “comfort” and immediate personal care items of their very own, after being removed from their home through the Department of Children and Family Services.
The ministry started in February 2016.
A group of volunteer women donate their time to come to the church and each one has a preference of what they do to help.
“Some sew the comforters, iron the fabric, cut the fabric, make duffle bags, tie the finished comforter or sew on labels or buttons,” said Janet Tucker, organizer of the ministry.
The meeting times are Monday evenings at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2308 East Jayhawk Road from 4-8 pm.
Call Janet Tucker, Chapter President at 620-768-9356 to check if the group is meeting that week.
Funding is provided by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
FSACF serves to fulfill the philanthropic goals that benefit the common good and improve quality of life by providing leadership and programming that is responsive to the interest and needs of the residents of the Fort Scott area.
“Also the Bourbon County Community has been so good to donate from clubs, organizations, to individual’s,” Tucker said. “This mission has been so blessed by a community of giving people.”
American Legion Post 25 Colorguard. Submitted photos.
The new Legion year has begun. The Legion calendar runs from July 1 – June 30 each year. Please consider renewing your Legion membership at this time. By doing so, you keep your mailbox from being cluttered with requests to renew from Legion National and you save the Legion printing and mailing costs that can be used for programs to support our Veterans and their families.
You can mail in the renewal notification you received in the mail. However, the quickest way to renew your membership is to go online to www.legion.org. Just follow the prompts to renew. We’ll be notified of your renewal and will mail you your new Legion card.
Online renewals are safe, easy and are quicker than writing a check, finding a stamp and mailing your renewal in.
You can also pay your 2020 dues at our August 5 meeting as well.
There is a Department membership contest for Posts that reach 75% by mid-September. We are very close to achieving that goal. We’ve been the Number 1 Kansas Post for two consecutive years. Let’s continue to set the bar high for other Posts.
The Legion Act has passed both houses of Congress. As soon as President Trump signs this bill into law, any honorably discharged Veteran who has served since December 7, 1941 can join the American Legion. There are many Bourbon County Veterans who can now join the American Legion and Post 25, in particular. Invite them to our next meeting or contact me for membership applications.
American Legion Post 25 Colorguard in the opening game at LaRoche Stadium, Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
The Post 25 baseball team finished 4th in the zone playoffs in Humboldt. This was the 1st Fort Scott American Legion team in several years. Our players did an outstanding job competing against nearby powerhouses such as Pittsburg and Iola. Kudos to Legionnaire and Vice Commander Earl Adams who pulled together a Legion baseball team and guided it to zone playoffs. Also, we also thank our many corporate and individual donors who helped the team fund its season.
Earl Adams, American Legion Post 25 baseball organizer. Submitted photo.
Next year, Post 25 will get an early start on the Legion’s baseball season and through community and Post 25 support, we hope to recruit and field a Fort Scott Legion baseball team by March, 2020. The American Legion baseball program is based on integrity and develops young men of character for our community and our nation. Our young men never gave up in a game. They played their hearts out until the last inning, even when it was obvious that the “W” was out of reach in a game.
A Past Post Commander of Columbus Post 3 commented how crisp and professional looking the Post 25 Color Guard is. He was very impressed with them and commented how long it’s been since he has observed an American Legion Color Guard presenting colors at an athletic event.
I have attached a copy of the July Department eNewsletter and the quarterly Sunflower. As a cost cutting measure, these publications are now only sent to registered to http://myLegion.org members.
To stay informed about National and Kansas Legion activities and events, go to myLegion.org and set up your own personal myLegion.org account. It’s easy to do and your information is never sold to any third party.
Legionnaires Marvin Taylor and Raymond Kalm are home recovering after being admitted to area hospitals for health issues. Let’s keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. If you are aware of a Legionnaire or a Legion family member in sickness or distress, please let me know so I can inform our Post Chaplain.
Upcoming Events
August 5. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
August 5. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.
August 8. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. All eligible female family members of veterans are invited to attend.
August 8. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.
August17. Homecoming event at Shawnee American Legion Post 327 for Department Commander, Department Auxiliary President and Department SAL Commander. See below flyer for more details.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
NEW VA Shuttle August Schedule
VA Shuttle Service between Fort Scott and Topeka/Kansas City VA facilities is now available Mondays – Thursdays.
The VA shuttle departs Fort Scott and depending upon the destination, riders can be picked up in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa. A rider must be at one the designated pickup locations.
The shuttle will go to either Topeka or Kansas City, but not both cities on the same day. The city destination is based upon the 1st Rider who calls to schedule a seat for either Topeka or Kansas City.
Shuttle seating is limited. Riders must schedule a seat by calling 785-925-0261 and leaving a message with their appointment day and time and a call back telephone number.
Veterans needing a caregiver to ride with them must let the scheduler know. Shuttle seating is limited so only authorized caregivers can accompany the Veteran.
Appointments can also be scheduled by email through [email protected].
Appointments must be between 9 am and 1 pm.
Contact shuttle coordinator Carl Jowers at 785-925-0261 or [email protected] with any questions you might have regarding the shuttle usage or for more information.
Joy Miller, K-State Research and Extension Southwind District Family and Consumer Science, 620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Replacing Your Social Security Card Just Got Easier in Kansas
Your Social Security card should be kept in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Even with best intentions, it may get misplaced. Keep in mind you may not need a replacement, sometimes simply knowing your Social Security number is enough.
If you do need a replacement, the state of Kansas has made it easier. Kansas residents now have the ability to request a Social Security card replacement online, allowing you to skip the in-person appointment process. Replacing your card is quick, secure, and free.
To replace your card online, first you will need to log in or create your My Social Security account. Your personal information is protected by using identity verification and other security features. To set up an account go to https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
To replace your card online, you must also meet certain criteria. This includes being a U.S. Citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address, cannot be requesting a name change or any other change to your card, and must have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the states participating in this program.
My Social Security is an online service provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows you to review your earnings history, check current or future benefits, and access other Social Security services. You can also use your My Social Security account to:
Check applications.
Set up direct deposit for your benefit payment.
Change your address or phone number.
Request a benefit verification letter.
Request a replacement of tax forms SSA-1099 or SSA 1042S.
Check the status of a pending claim or appeal of disability.
The Friday Night Free Concert at Heritage Park this week will feature the Cherry Jammers music ensemble from the Cherry Grove Baptist Church.
It is held at 7 p.m. at the corner of Main and First Street in downtown Fort Scott.
“This group is one of our favorites who have performed for us for many years,” Ralph Carlson, event organizer for the Chamber of Commerce, said. “The group sings hymns and gospel classics. The group combines vocal and various musical instruments.”
Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
In the event of bad weather the event will move to The Common Grounds Coffee Shop on Main Street.
In a significant legislative victory for The American Legion, President Trump signed a bill July 30 that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941.
The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. service members who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.
The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” National Commander Brett Reistad said. “The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”
Now that the legislation has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.
The law’s journey began on Feb. 14 when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., introduced S. 504, along with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. A companion measure, H.R. 1641, was introduced in the House by Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and Ben Cline, R-Va.
Reistad expressed gratitude to the bipartisan members of Congress for passing the legislation.
“We are grateful that President Trump fully acknowledges the importance of The American Legion by signing the LEGION Act in the White House today – just one week after it passed the House of Representatives,” Reistad said. “In an era of partisan gridlock, Republicans and Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly recognized the importance of allowing thousands of honorable but previously ineligible veterans the right to join the largest and most influential veterans organization in the country.”
Reistad pointed out that existing American Legion membership applications are in the process of being updated but can still be used. “In the meantime, I recommend that prospective Legionnaires and recruiters write ‘LEGION Act’ in the eligibility date section of American Legion membership applications if they fall outside the previous war eras,” Reistad said. “The larger pool of veterans now eligible for The American Legion will also open their family members to eligibility in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary as well.”
Any Veteran who has served one day on active duty and was honorably discharged can now join the American Legion.
We have quite a few Bourbon County Veterans who can now join the Fort Scott American Legion. I already have four area Veterans ready to join our Post. Reach out to Veterans you know and ask them to join us.
Contact me for membership applications OR invite them to our next meeting on Monday, August 5 at 7 pm. All they need in order to join our Post is proof of honorable service and their first year’s dues of $40
The public hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 regarding the rate increase for Lake Fort Scott sewer customers has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled with the next City sewer rate increase.
Hay bales, wheat, soybeans, and corn, those are the normal scenes in rural Kansas during the summertime.
But a new alternative crop is possible in the summer of 2019.
Hemp production has come to Kansas following Former Governor John Colyer’s enactment of the Alternative Crop Research Act in April 2018.
Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks, of the Bourbon County Commission, was asked to provide information to the commission on hemp.
“Hemp is not marijuana,” Meeks said. “The size is different, the hemp plant is much bigger. And you can’t get high from hemp.”
There are three people, called licensees, legally planting hemp in Bourbon County, according to Jason Walker, Public Relations Director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Regulations and procedures for planting hemp in Kansas are quite rigorous, Meeks stated.
None the less, there are those who have started planting.
“As of July 22, 2019, the Kansas Department of Agriculture has received the notification, through required planting reports, that roughly 1170 acres of industrial hemp have been planted in Kansas,” Walker said. He noted that 65 acres are licensed (potential) acres in Bourbon County.
Joe Bisogno, Jr. started growing hemp on eight acres on a small acreage in Bourbon County this month, he said.
He prefers not to give the location of the area where he is growing the hemp “So people won’t try to come to look at it,” he said.
“When you license to grow hemp, you can’t have anybody in the designated area, they can’t come on the property,” Bisogno said.
“The application process involves each person that touches the field (where hemp is produced) has to get a background check,” Meeks said.
Bisogno said he traveled the country to see how to plant, process and harvest the plant first hand, before taking the plunge into growing hemp.
“Joe Bisogno Jr. and Joe Bisogno Sr. have done a lot of work at the legislative level for hemp production,” Meeks said. “They deserve credit for that.”
The recent planting on Joe Jr.’s small acreage is for research purposes, he said.
“I’m doing research on the hemp,” he said. “I plan to compare how hemp grows in two different soil types.”
Bisogno is planting the hemp for economic reasons.
“You can make money on a small acreage,” he said.
“It’s easily a billion-dollar industry,” Meeks, said. “There are thousands of articles that can be made from hemp, such as flooring and clothing.”
Here is the history of how Kansans came to grow hemp, provided by Kansas government links.
Then-Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed Senate Bill 263 ( K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq.) in April 2018, which enacted the Alternative Crop Research Act allowing the Kansas Department of Agriculture to oversee the cultivation of industrial hemp in a research program, according to the website https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp
“The KDA legal staff and plant protection and weed control program staff quickly began the process of developing regulations and other administrative documents and procedures to guide the Alternative Crop Research Act, according to the website.
“Since that time, KDA staff participated in more than 14 public outreach events across the state, which began with an open dialogue and information exchange at a public forum May 11 and included a public hearing prior to publishing the regulations.
“The regulations were approved by the Department of Administration and the Attorney General and reviewed by the Legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations before final regulations were published in the Kansas Register on Jan. 24, 2019. They became effective on Feb. 8, 2019, 15 days following their publication.
“The Industrial Hemp Research Program became possible because the 2014 Farm Bill included a section to allow for universities and state departments of agriculture to begin cultivating industrial hemp for purposes of research, provided that the growing and cultivating of industrial hemp is allowed under state law.
“Industrial hemp is defined by SB 263 as all parts and varieties of the plant cannabis sativa L that contain a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
“The recent passage of the 2018 Farm Bill removed federal restrictions on the establishment of commercial hemp programs and allows individual states to develop a plan to license the commercial production of hemp and further directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a plan for states that do not do so.
“In order to establish a program for the commercial production of industrial hemp, Kansas must develop a plan through KDA, in consultation with the Governor and Attorney General. Any such plan must be submitted to USDA for approval.
“The opportunity to grow a new specialty oilseed crop in Kansas offers potential for diversification for Kansas farmers looking for an alternative crop, or for new farming enterprises interested in cultivating industrial hemp.
“The Kansas agriculture industry has developed a statewide strategic growth plan in recent years, and is committed to pursuing new and innovative opportunities to grow agriculture.
“The research generated by participants of this new industrial hemp program will be valuable data in identifying the growth potential offered in this sector.”
