Category Archives: Bourbon County
Friday Night Free Concert: Rick Hite
The Friday Night Free Concert Series will feature Rick Hite, this Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
Rick Hite is a native of Fort Scott and since moving home after a 38-year absence, he has been active in the music scene both here and during his travels. In addition to playing locally, he has played at Mildred Store, in Mildred, KS, The White Horse Saloon in Black Mountain, NC, and most recently at venues in Jekyll Island, GA. Rick loves all genres of music and provides a selection of entertainment from country, folk, Bluegrass, oldies and Gospel.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce sponsored show will be at the Heritage Park Pavilion, First and Main Streets, unless bad weather drives inside. The alternate site is The Common Grounds Coffee Shop.
“I am really pleased to get Rick to perform,” Ralph Carlson, concert coordinator said. “Rick made his career as a college professor and has retired back home in Ft. Scott.”
TUCKER MUSIC STUDIO PRESENTS RECITAL

Piano students of Carolyn Tucker presented their annual recital, April 26, at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. Mrs. Tucker welcomed the guests and Rev. James Collins offered the invocation.
Benjamin Banwart performed “Carol Ann” by Michael W. Smith and “Lean on Me” as a duet with Tucker. Josiah Banwart played “Ballade” by Friedrich Burgmuller, and “She‘ll Be Comin‘ ‘Round the Mountain” as a duet with his teacher. Noelle Banwart performed “The Wild Horseman” by Robert Schumann and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” as a duet with Tucker. Their parents are Mr. & Mrs. Trenton Banwart.
Abbigail Collins, daughter of Rev. & Mrs. James Collins, played “Theme from Trumpet Concerto in Eb” by Franz Joseph Haydn, and “Stars and Stripes Forever” as a duet with her teacher.
Abigail DeLoera, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Mario DeLoera, performed “Largo” by Antonin Dvorak and “Love Me Tender” as a duet with Tucker.
Hannah Peck, daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Virgil Peck, played “Waltz Op. 39, No. 15” by Johannes Brahms, and “Dixie” as a duet with her teacher.
Austin Sinn, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Doug Sinn, performed ”Roses from the South” by Johann Strauss, Jr.
Garren Tucker, son of Mr. & Mrs. Seth Tucker, performed “Quiet River” by Willard A. Palmer. Due to a scheduling conflict with state competitions, Gregg Tucker was absent
Former student Kelcie Bailey, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Eric Bailey, played “Spinning Song Op. 14” by Albert Elmenreich.
Former student Breisen Keller, son of Mr. & Mrs. Landon Keller, performed “Sonatina in C Major” by Muzio Clementine. Keller currently studies with Mr. Seth Ernst.
The students were awarded Certificates of Excellence, gift packets, and their favorite candy. An Elvis Gospel CD was awarded to Garren Tucker as a door prize. Amanda Collins and former student Kelcie Bailey served as guest book and program hostesses. Diane Spencer served as sound technician, and photography was provided by Michelle Harrison.
The recital concluded with a musical wrap-up by Ralph Carlson on guitar and Carolyn Tucker on piano. The instrumental selections were: Blue Tango, If, St. Louis Blues; Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing; There is a Fountain, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, and There is Power in the Blood. Rev. Jimmy Tucker offered the benediction. Appreciation is extended to Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church for the use of their sanctuary. The Tucker Music Studio has been sharing the joy of music with area students for over 24 years.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda May 7
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: May 7th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:10-Wellness
9:10-10:10-Jim Harris
10:10-10:30-Bill Martin-Signage issue
10:30-11:00-Larry Sharp-KCAMP Insurance
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
11:00-11:20-Executive Session-Attorney Client Privilege
11:20-11:30-Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Commissioners will be gone in the afternoon
Disaster Preparedness

Financial tips to help during a disaster.
Last year about this time a group of colleagues and I were able to tour the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Kansas City, Missouri. FEMA works in partnership with tribal, state and local emergency management officials, as well as non-governmental and private sector partners, to protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards. With the upcoming storm season, I would like to highlight some of the important information we learned while there as it relates to disasters and finances.
When planning for an emergency, it is important to communicate with your insurance agent to know what types of disasters your policy covers. Typical homeowner’s policies offer coverage caused by fires, lightning strikes, wind and hail. Damage caused by earthquakes, floods, mudslides and sinkholes are not typically covered. Know your deductibles and have a plan for covering those as well.
Our group asked the FEMA representatives what would be his number one piece of advice to someone that had just been hit by disaster. His response was to make sure to save receipts. Include receipts of the following:
- Items purchased for home repair
- Contractor invoices
- Hotel room charges if you received housing assistance
- Moving and storage expenses
- Items used for the repair or replacement of personal property
If you would like to help a community after disaster hits, FEMA staff members suggest that sending money rather than supplies is most helpful to communities in an emergency. Not only can the money be used to buy the specific items that are needed, it also helps to stimulate the local economy. Unsolicited donations of material goods create a challenge of storage and sorting when focus is needed on response and recovery. Financial gifts are the most needed and efficient way to help.
In deciding how to donate it was recommended to visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website for a list of major non-profits that are active in disaster work.
Fort Scott American Legion Scuttlebutt
| Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 151% with 77 members.
Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May 15. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you.
Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.
Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the May 9 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. Post 25 Color Guard members presented colors at the Fort Scott Community Prayer Breakfast on May 1. See attached photos.
Four local Veterans donated blood at the recent visit by the Red Cross to Fort Scott. The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to promote blood donations by American Legion family members. Thanks to those who donated.
Two students were recommended by Post 25 to attend this year’s Boys/Girls State. Macayla Jo McClure will be attending Girls State. Luke George will be attending Boys State. It is exciting to see young people step up and attend these Legion sponsored programs. Their photos are attached.
Wyatt Williams of Nevada will be attending the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy this summer. Wyatt in an 11th grader who participates in the Nevada Police Department’s internal student cadet program. His photo is attached. Wyatt’s mother learned about the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy through a Fort Scott friend who overheard a Post member discussing Legion programs.
The Cadet Law Enforcement Chair indicated that Kansas residency wasn’t a requirement to participate in this program. Wyatt was asked to submit his application for the program and was highly highly recommended by the Nevada Police Department. Wyatt’s photo is attached.
Members and friends of Post 25 greeted the Warrior Convoy that passed through downtown Fort Scott on Wednesday, May 1. In addition to showing support for combat wounded Veterans, we recruited a new member. Photos are attached.
Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/. Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.
VA MISSION Act: What is the latest on community care? Find out more at this web address: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/23d694a
Volunteers Needed
Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.
The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and then bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.
You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.
Upcoming Events
May 4. Post Commander Carl Jowers will be at the Fort Scott Walmart from 9 am – 12 pm. This is our American Legion community awareness program. I’ll have membership applications for the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons. Bring eligible members by our table and I can sign them up on the spot. If you recruit a new Legionnaire, they and you will be entered into a drawing for $500 each. Even of you don’t have any potential members, feel free just to stop by.
May 6. 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.
May 6. 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. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
May 9. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.
May 9. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 15 to 19 Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) at 7 pm. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School. We need at least 5 more players to have a Legion Baseball team this year.
Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions about Legion Baseball. May 17-19. Department of Kansas American Legion Convention. Hutchinson, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Post 25 can have four delegates at the Convention. Post 25 is authorized four voting delegates. Two more delegates are needed. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers if you would like to attend and represent Post 25. May 23. There will be a meet and greet for females interested in joining American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 at 6 pm in Memorial Hall. At the initial meeting on May 2, there were enough females in attendance to charter the Unit. The official chartering date will be in July to coincide with the new Legion year, which begins July 1.
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is probably eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility to join the Auxiliary may be confusing, however email [email protected] for more details on determining your eligibility to join. May 31 – June 2. American Legion Leadership College at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers for more information on attending. June 3. 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.
June 3. 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. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
VA Shuttle MAY Schedule
Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.
Carl Jowers. Commander Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Telephone: 620.215.1688 Email: [email protected] |
What’s Happening by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
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Entrepreneur Education Series May 8
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Kids In The Kitchen in Devon
Bourbon County Clean Up Days
The Bourbon County Commission approved two days when county residents can take their unwanted trash to the county dump for free, including old tires.
If one has, say, old mattresses, unwanted garage sale leftovers, etc. this day will cost nothing but the drive to the dump to rid oneself of the items.
Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 residents may take their trash to the Bourbon Transfer and Recycle Center, 2286 Noble Road, northeast of the city limits.
Normally, the cost of landfill services are $40 a ton for solid waste materials- garbage, County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.
“For construction and demolition materials it’s $35 a ton,” Oharah said. “It’s all on a graduated scale.”
The free dump day is not for businesses but for residents only, he said.
The landfill can be reached by going north on Hwy. 69 to Native Road, then turning east until 225th, then north to Noble Road, then east to the landfill.
Noxious Weeds Department Moves
The county government also provides noxious weed killer products to clean up weeds on farm properties.
This month the Bourbon County Commission approved the moving of the Noxious Weed Department from Uniontown to the Bourbon County Barn on 215th Street. north of Hwy. 54.
“We’ve increased the hours,” Oharah said. Hours are Monday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. and Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Products to kill noxious weeds can be purchased from county personnel at that time, he said.
“One landowner can purchase for up to 160 acres,” Oharah said.
Josh Lawrence is the noxious weed director and can be reached at 620.215.1569.

The old noxious weed building in Uniontown, located just south of the fire department is still being discussed by the commissioners for future use.

KDOT Awards Fort Scott Airport $152,000

The Kansas Department of Transportation awarded Fort Scott Airport a grant in the amount of $152,000, with notification being given on April 30.
The grant money is for an Airport Geographic Information System and runway expansion, according to the KDOT announcement.
“We don’t have the contract with details,” Seth Simpson, Fort Scott Airport Manager said Tuesday.
“We will use it for any design, such as the layout of runway extension, possible land acquisition, that type of thing,” he said.
The future impact on this local airport is “huge”, Simpson said.
The airport expansion will allow bigger jets to use the Fort Scott Airport and “it will be better to bring more companies in (Bourbon County),” he said.
“Length of the runway and strengthening for weight purposes will be part of the runway expansion,” Simpson said. “We are coming due for a resurfacing, that will cost less money if we can do it all at once.”
Currently, the runway is 4,400 feet and is to be expanded to 5,500 feet.
Fuel sales increases and medical flights will also be positively impacted by the runway expansion, Simpson said.
During the preliminary phases of the expansion, a Native American archeological dig was held on the northwest section of the airport property on Indian Road, southwest of Fort Scott.
“One tribe said they would like to do more archeological digging,” Simpson said. “To find things pertinent to their tribe.”
“This phase is part of the process,” he said. “We have a series of boxes we have to check off.”
Upcoming events at the airport:
- The Fort Scott Airport is the beginning of the Combat Warrior convoy on May 1, with city officials and first responders invited to the airport to welcome the military veterans to town, on their way to the E3 Ranch. The public is invited to welcome the veterans by lining the streets on National Avenue and Wall Streets and waving.
- The Fort Scott Airport will be hosting the Kansas 2019 Association of Airports Conference on June 25-27.
Friday Night Concert Features The Sekanaires Quartet
This Friday night at the Heritage Park Pavilion(1st street and Main) will feature the Sekanaires Quartet.
The quartet members are Ray Mauck, Curtis Ramsey, Steve Bell, and Ralph Carlson.
The quartet was formed in the early 1960s and has made seven recordings.
The concert will start at 7 p.m. and will move to the Common Grounds Coffee shop in the event in inclement weather.
“This is the second show of the new season,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said. ” Bring your lawn chairs as seating is limited. I am really pleased to get this group together for our listeners.”




