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Category Archives: Bourbon County
Friends Fest Honors Arnold Schofield
Tiny Houses For Rent at Old KOA Campground
Tiny houses are the rage on TV shows, and a local investment corporation has jumped on the band wagon.
Six tiny houses, ranging from 375 to 600 square feet, have been built on the former KOA Campground at 215th and Native Roads, just north of Hwy. 54.
“We have four (tiny house) floor plans, all have room for four people,” said Pat Wood, who is the contact person for Yellow Brick Road Investment, owners of the property.
“One-half (the tiny houses) will be long term (rentals), one-half will be Airbnb (vacation rentals),” he said.
“They are super efficient,” Wood said. “The electric bills have been about $40 per month since December. We will provide trash, lawn and housing maintenance. All are one-bedroom with lofts.”
“I think younger people will be interested in it,” he said. “It’s not an apartment, but a little more private.”
Wood has used local demolition contractor Johnny Walker for items that have been used on the tiny houses.
“We have reclaimed items…sliding doors, interior trim, kitchen backsplashes, shower surrounds, the majority of vanities and mirrors,” he said.
The name of the property is Crosslands Camping and Cabins.
“This property was neglected for many years before I got involved,” Wood said. “Little by little, we have been cleaning it up.”
“But we needed to generate some income,” he said.
“In 2016 I did a tiny house on wheels, Kevin (Stark) saw that,” Wood said. “It was his idea to build tiny houses out here. It’s a 50/50 partnership. Kevin owned the property for quite a while, I bought in two years ago.”
Wood is a member of the corporation called Yellow Brick Road Investment, with Kevin Stark as the president.
Wood can be reached at 620-224-7163.
Work began on the project in March 2018, and should be completed soon, Wood said.
There are also 54 sites for camping on the property, in a different area.
“Next, we plan to do some more work at the campground and get the clubhouse fixed up,” Wood said.
A pictorial view of a few of the tiny houses are below:
Bourbon County Attorney’s New Space
The Bourbon County County Attorney’s Office has moved.
The move took place following the departure of the old jail to the new jail facility last year. The Bourbon County Commissioners then reconfigured the courthouse, 210 S. National, moving most of the offices to the first floor of the facility.
The second floor was then designated as the county attorney’s office and the staff moved in October 2018.
Security is the main reason for the move.
“The second-floor office is for security,” said Judy Hood, senior legal secretary for Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling. “We had a KBI (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) agent come and talk with the county attorney. He jumped over the counter, to show how vulnerable they were.”
Both the second and third floor of the courthouse have restricted access since the reconfiguration of the building.
In addition, there is faster access to the district courtrooms on the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse for the attorneys, Hood said.
There are three attorneys and three secretaries in the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office.
Jacqie Spradling is the Bourbon County Attorney, Tiana McElroy and Steve Stockard are the assistant county attorneys.
The three secretaries are Hood, Angel Wilson, and Staci Haynes.
Save Your Tax Refund To Get Ahead
Ever feel like you can’t get ahead?
Saving at tax time may help you get started. Saving throughout the year can be tough. It may feel like every paycheck is spent before you get it. If that’s the case, you’re not alone.
Tax refunds may be the largest check you will receive all year, but used as unplanned bonuses. Refunds are an opportunity to commit saving a portion to improve your financial situation.
Get the Most Value from Your Tax Refund
- Pay down your debt. Use your refund for some much-needed debt relief. Pay off your credit card balance. If you have an outstanding balance on more than one credit card, try to pay off the smaller, high-interest rate balances first. That will free up more funds to put toward larger balances. You can apply your refund toward other debts, like a car loan or a home equity loan.
- Save for a rainy day. Why not give yourself an even bigger return on your tax refund by putting the money into a savings account, CD, or retirement fund? Your tax refund will continue to grow if you put it into savings or invest the money. It’s always helpful to have a savings account to draw from when a major car repair bill, medical emergency or other unexpected expense comes along. That way, you don’t have to borrow money and add to your debt-load.
- Consider your financial goals. Trying to save for a house or car down payment? Hope to contribute to your child’s college tuition? Consider applying your tax refund toward these goals. If you don’t yet have a set of short-term and long-term financial goals, put one together. You’ll be more conscientious about how you spend your refund or any other extra money that comes your way.
Remember, you work hard for your money and you deserve to enjoy a healthy financial lifestyle. Put some thought into how you use your tax refund. Making smart financial decisions is not always easy, but it will definitely benefit you and your family over the long term.
Joy Miller may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for March 19
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 19th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
Consider request from City of Fort Scott to waive landfill fee for the demolition of Stout Building
9:45-10:15-Jeremiah Hill-Hard surface roads
10:30-11:00-Juvenile Placement
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
Executive Session- Attorney Client Privilege-15 min.
Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel-15 min.
11:45-12:00-Ritters-Valuation notices
12:00-COMMISSIONER’S GONE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY
Fort Scott Special Events March 15-17
Chamber of Commerce Offers Job Fair April 2
Bourbon County Commission Agenda March 12
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 12th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
10:00-10:30-Peer review regarding HVAC system at Law Enforcement Facility
10:30-11:00-Jody Hoener-Executive Session
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
Executive Session- Attorney Client Privilege-15 min.
Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel-25 min.
Tax Sale-15 min.
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
Justifications for Executive Session:
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
Arts Council Exhibition and Sale Continues Until Saturday
For the 27th year, the Bourbon County Arts Council has sponsored a fine art exhibit and sale for the community. The venue once again is the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Members of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to view the exhibit during its weekly coffee on Thursday morning at the Ellis Center.
The free event continues today through 7 p.m. and again tomorrow, Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Much of the art is for sale.
The BCAC continues the annual show with the help of the following who provided corporate prizes this year: In Memory of E.C. Gordon, Buerge Art Studio, Landmark Bank, Citizens Bank, McDonald’s Restaurant, Union State Bank, H & R Block, H & H Realty, Fort Scott Broadcasting, Bernita Hill, Ward Kraft and City State Bank.
The BCAC also helps fund art walks, concerts, Bad Art By Good People, music programs at area schools, scholarships, opportunities for Fort Scott students to experience a production in Kansas City, and recently contributed to the Steinway piano repair for use by the USD 234 music programs.
This Saturday, March 9 the BCAC will help sponsor the Blues and BBQ Concert at the Liberty Theater, featuring Missy Andersen and Her One Man Band.
Upcoming Patio Concerts: Charlie Barrale/PDA on May 4 and Whiskey Raccoons on June 22 at the Liberty Theater.
Members of the BCAC are Deb Anderson, president, Elaine Buerge, Deb Halsey, Breann Martin, Terri Floyd, Steve Floyd, Tedena Tucker, Danny Magee, Ray Streeter, Laura Meeks and Chris Woods.
View the Bourbon County FINE ART EXHIBIT AWARD Winners for 2019 in their categories below:
CERAMICS
1ST PLACE, DARIA CLAIBORNE, Joplin, Mo., SPRINGTIME TEA SET with an monetary award of $150**.
** Denotes the artist who won in more than one category in the exhition.
BEST OF SHOW 3D, DARIA CLAIBORNE, SPRINGTIME TEA SET, $200**
2ND PLACE, AL LETNER of Pittsburg, Ks., RAKU POT WHEEL THROWN, $75**
DRAWING & GRAPHICS
1ST PLACE, ROBERT SCHYLER, Rich Hill, Mo., EVAN, $150**
2ND PLACE, JEZERIAH SIMPSON of Fort Scott, MULLET, SWEATER, & SADNESS, $75
FAMILY THEME
1ST PLACE, DEBBIE REED of Fort Scott, THE SISTER, $150**
2ND PLACE, STEVE FLOYD of Fort Scott, RUDY, MY SON IN A FUR COAT, $75.
FIBER ART
1ST PLACE, GLENDA FLANAGAN of Louisburg, IRISES, $150.
2ND PLACE, CAROLINE DAY of Pittsburg, SUNRISE MOONRISE, $75.
JEWELRY
1ST PLACE, CHARLES A AULT of Pittsburg, WHITE BUFFALO BRACELET, $150**.
2ND PLACE, BARBARA GIBSON of Fort Scott, NECKLACE, $75.
MIXED MEDIA
1ST PLACE, RIPP HARRISON of Lawrence, THE RECONNECTION OF GUS, $150.
2ND PLACE, DEE HUTCHERSON of Neodesha, KIMONO, $75.
PAINTING
1ST PLACE, ROBERT SCHYLER, EVENING IN PARIS, $150**.
2ND PLACE, IRENE SCHOMACKER of Spring Hill, SNOWSTORM BUFFALO, $75.
PASTEL
1ST PLACE, SKIP KREIBACH of Derby, BIG GUY ON CAMPUS, $150.
2ND PLACE, DANIELLE YOUNG of Bronson, BETTER TOGETHER, $75.
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST PLACE, LINDA TEETER of Carl Junction, Mo., SEATTLE COFFEE HOUSE, $150.
2ND PLACE, CURT HEIDE of LaCygne, LAZY RIVER, $75.
SCULPTURE
1ST PLACE, CHARLES A AULT, STARS IN MOTION, $150**.
2ND PLACE, AL LETNER, PORTAL 46, $75**.
WATERCOLOR
1ST PLACE, DEBBIE REED of Joplin, Mo., FEELING CRABBY, $150**.
BEST OF SHOW 2D, DEBBIE REED, FEELING CRABBY, $200**
2ND PLACE, ANITA WILSON of Thayer, HILL SONG, $75.
Fort Scott Special Events March 8-10
Work Continues On 69 Hwy.
Starting tomorrow, March 8, two more side road intersections with U.S. 69 Hwy. will be closed for reconstruction south of Fort Scott.
This is part of the expanding to four-lanes project of the national highway in Bourbon County.
On Friday, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close the Fern Road and Deer Road intersections on the west side of the U.S. 69. The two intersections will be reconstructed during the month-long closures, according to Priscilla Petersen, Public Affairs Manager for the Southeast District Office of the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Birch Road won’t be reopened until late May 2019, Petersen said. “The U.S. 69 southbound lanes are closed beyond the Birch Road intersection, and the placement of traffic control devices plus the temporary crossover between the new and existing lanes creates line-of-sight and visibility issues for drivers.”
“The Bourbon County U.S. 69 expansion project should be open to four-lane unrestricted traffic by late May or early June, conditions permitting,” Petersen said.
Next in line for expansion is the 11 miles in Crawford County of Hwy. 69.
“The U.S. 69 expansion projects in Crawford County are the six-mile Arma Connection Expressway and the five-mile Crawford County expansion,” Petersen said. “The Arma Connection is tentatively scheduled to be let in the fall of 2019, with construction starting in the winter of 2019 or early in 2020. The Crawford County Expansion is tentatively scheduled to let in the fall of 2020, with construction beginning in winter 2020 or early in 2021. Both projects would likely cover two construction seasons.”
Koss Construction of Topeka is the primary contractor on the U.S. 69 project, which has a construction cost of $21.8 million. Persons with questions may contact Darrin Petrowsky at KDOT-Iola, (620) 365-2161, or Priscilla Petersen at KDOT-Chanute, (620) 902-6433.