Category Archives: Bourbon County
Constitution Speech Contest for High School Students In February
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is “A Constitutional Speech Contest” is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students.
Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 is seeking local oratorical candidates for the upcoming American Legion Oratorical competition.
American Legion Post 25 Oratorical candidates must be a Bourbon County student in grades 9 – 12. All public, private and home school students are eligible to compete in the Oratorical competition.
The American Legion Oratorical competition begins at the Post level, with the local winner competing in a district competition against other district winners. The district winner then competes against other district winners at a state competition. The state winner then competes against other state winners at the National American Legion Oratorical competition. The National 1st Place Winner receives $18,000 with lesser cash prizes for other finalists.
An American Legion oratorical competitor must present a Prepared oration of 8 – 10 minutes in duration and a Assigned topic oration of 3 – 5 minutes in duration. All topics are based upon the Constitution of the United States and are selected by the National American Legion organization. All oratorical competitors throughout the United States will use the same topics through all levels of the competition.
It is expected that the local competition will be in early February 2019 with District and State competitions following shortly thereafter. The National American Legion Oratorical competition is scheduled for April 5-7, 2019 in Indianapolis.
Interested local students should contact American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at [email protected]. Commander Jowers will provide you with more information about the Oratorical Competition.
Carl Jowers. Commander
Fort Scott American Legion Post 25
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Today, Dec. 18
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: December 18th, 2018
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
9:30-9:45-Travis Clinesmith, Murphy Tractor-John Deere Tractor and Mower
9:45-10:30-Commissioners to consider Road Closing
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-Ambulance Update
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
Gift Ideas for the Farmer/Rancher
The hectic shopping season is in full swing and with only one more weekend before Christmas, there isn’t a lot of time to find gifts for those hard to buy for agriculture folks. If you are a practical gift giver like myself, you may be looking for gifts for the farmer or rancher in your family, so here are a few ideas for your Christmas shopping list.
Every farmer needs a few essentials to get through those tough winter chores. Items such as sturdy work gloves, coats and coveralls wear out quickly and are usually worn until they are thread bare. The same is true for a good pair of socks, and a heavy pair of insulated socks will not go unappreciated.
If the person you are shopping for is a do-it-yourselfer, which most farmers are, power tools are always in short supply. Sure they have a power drill – but what about a cordless drill? Most all power tools are now offered with a cordless option, and that may prove to be handy when equipment needs repaired out in the field. Speaking of tools, how could anyone (farmer or not) get by without a reliable set of pliers? This is an item that is probably among the array of everyday tools, yet an item that tends to get misplaced often. Better said, one can just never have too many pliers. Pliers can be purchased with a colorful grip that may make them less likely to be lost amongst the other hand tools.
For a simple, easy to find gift, one might consider a new pocket knife. Pocket knives are another item that are a daily necessity. Often used as a screwdriver (another gift idea!), or for cutting twine, scraping mud off boots, and cleaning/trimming fingernails, pocket knives quickly dull. To add a personal touch, the knife can be engraved. A flashlight is another item that is never where it is supposed to be! This time of year, flashlights are often packaged in sets of multiple sizes, which can be convenient in the case of an emergency. For a unique idea, look for an LED flashlight that does not require batteries. Many of these models only require a good shake or have a crank system, and are advertised as “the last flashlight you will ever need.”
If you want to give a gift from the heart, and not from your wallet, then you could always consider offering to clean the pickup or feed truck. The work bench is another area that could always use a little sprucing up too. But if you choose to offer either of these options, make sure you know where to put the tools you find. Cleaning up is only helpful if you put things in their proper place.
As we round out 2018, the Southwind Extension District would like to say thank you to those individuals who have taken the time to be involved with K-State Research and Extension in Neosho, Woodson, Bourbon and Allen Counties. Maybe you attended a meeting, served on the Program Development Committee, or even volunteered with your local 4-H program – our staff sincerely appreciates those who recognize the importance of the Extension Service. Happy Holidays to you and your families!
Chamber of Commerce What’s Happening
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Goody’s Transitioning to Gordman’s
Goody’s Clothing Store, 2400 S. Main, is selling all current merchandise and transitioning to the name of Gordman’s.
The timeline is to sell the merchandise by late winter, then there will be a grand re-opening, Melinda Goff, manager of the Fort Scott Goody’s, said.
Goody’s will close March 9 and re-open as Gordman’s on March 21, according to Bria Lundy, Public Relations Director with Stage Stores, the parent company of Goody’s. “We will open 37 Gordman’s stores in March 2019, Fort Scott will be one of them.”
“We will still have the same staff,” Goff said. “Currently, twelve staff, two full time.”
“All current employees have been offered a job there,” Lundy said.
There will be a job fair at the store on Feb. 19, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lundy said.
Information taken from the Gordman’s website http://corporate.stage.com/
“GORDMANS VISION STATEMENT:
Thrill every guest with fun finds and exciting deals.
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Corporate Headquarters located in Houston, Texas
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In 42 states across the US with approximately 800 specialty BEALLS, GOODY’S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES and STAGE specialty department stores and 68 GORDMANS off-price stores
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Average specialty department store size is 18,200 selling square feet and average off-price store is 55,000
- Fiscal
Year 2016 sales of $1.4 Billion
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Approximately 14,500 employees
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Refreshed over 200 of our top volume stores in 2015 and 2016″
LMC Reaches 11,000 Visitors For 2018
Lowell Milken Center Reaches 11,000 Visitors for the Year
Jessica Hightower from La Cygne, Kansas_is
the 11,000th visitor to the Lowell Milken Center in 2018
On Tuesday December 11, 2018, the Lowell Milken Center reached a new milestone, hosting its 11,000th visitor of the year, 2018. Jessica Hightower of La Cygne, Kansas visited the Center this afternoon.
Since it’s inception in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center has hosted visitors from 96 countries and all 50 states. People from as far away as Dubai, Chile, and Laos have visited the Center’s exhibit space to learn about unsung heroes who have changed the course of history.
Unsung heroes are celebrated at the Center through student-based projects that incorporate primary source research and the creative arts. The cornerstone project about Irena Sendler, a woman who saved more than 2,500 children during the Holocaust, and the Kansas students that rescued her story has always been a draw for visitors. Lately, the books of children’s author, Cathy Werling, have been receiving nation-wide praise.
About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others. The Hall of Unsung Heroes is proudly located in Southeast Kansas and showcases some of the top projects developed in collaboration with the Center.
Hwy. 69 in Bourbon County Completion Extended to 2019
Even though traffic is now running head-to-head on the new U.S. 69 corridor in Bourbon County, the section will not be completed until next year.
“We’re giving the contractor a time extension on this project because of extensive deterioration on the existing lanes,” Priscilla Petersen, Public Affairs Manager for the Southeast Office of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said.
“The deteriorated sections are to the point where additional concrete patching is necessary,” she said. “The contractor plans to begin removing the old pavement this month, but weather conditions won’t allow for placement of new concrete until next March. This extra patching extends the completion of the project until late spring/early summer of 2019.”
“A reduced speed limit of 55 mph is posted on the new lanes, with four crossovers posted at 45 mph. After the entire project is open to four-lane traffic the speed limit will again be increased to 65 mph.”
The Crawford County section will be next in the expansion to a four-lane highway from a two-lane highway.
“There are two connecting expansion projects planned for U.S. 69 in Crawford County,” Petersen said. “The first is the Arma Connection U.S. 69 expressway. The Arma Connection is six miles long. It will start at the U.S. 69/K-47 junction north of Pittsburg and continue north, ending three miles north of the Arma city limits. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2020.”
“The U.S. 69 Crawford County expansion is five miles long. It will begin three miles north of the Arma city limits and end at the Crawford-Bourbon county line. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in early 2021.”
“I can’t give an exact date for completion of these projects since the plans are still being developed,” Petersen said. “Both projects would likely require two construction seasons. We’ll have more details moving forward.”
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Dec. 12
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: December 12th, 2018, 11 a.m.
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
11:00-Ambulance Services
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
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Dec. 11
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: December 11th, 2018
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
10:00-11:00-Lora Holdridge-Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks-Executive Session- Privileged in the attorney-client relationship-30 min.
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-2:00-Ambulance Update
2:00-Terry Sercer- Budget Amendments
3:00-Contract from Mercy for the donation of equipment
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
Ambulance Service For Bourbon County
A task force began in October 2018 following the announcing of the closure of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott.
That task force has been meeting weekly since, to work on issues regarding the need for emergency medical services following the closure of Mercy.
“There is a statute that counties are to provide EMS services,” Dave Bruner, a member of the task force said.
“What is in concrete at this point is that the county and the city have signed a contract to provide a service for a year,” Bruner said.
Since both the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Commission had already set their budget for 2019 prior to the announcement of Mercy closing, it put them in an uncertain financial position to provide those emergency medical services.
“We said ‘let’s put this together and after a year, look at the contract’,” Bruner said.
“When Mercy announced the closure, they have to give 180 days notice,” Bruner said. “So April 1 is when we will be fully Bourbon County EMS.”
“In the meantime from Jan. 1 to April 1, there will be a change of labels on the ambulances,” he said. “Mercy is obligated until April 1. They will still be employees of Mercy.”
There are currently six full-time employees and 16 part-time employees of Mercy EMS.
“We are going to do our best to retain all of them,” Bruner said. “The city will run the day to day operations of the service-the staffing of ambulances and dispatch.”
The county will pay a subsidy to the city and handle the billing.
“There is a goal to establish a third-party entity to do the billing for the county,” Bruner said.
“The first responders (in emergency situations) in the small towns will continue to be local volunteer fire departments and EMT’s,” he said.
This provides help until the ambulance can arrive on sight of the emergency.
“The goal is to keep the same familiar faces,” Bruner said. “The only thing that will change will be the names on the ambulance and the uniforms.”
“My goal is to give the EMS a place to call their own facility,” he said
Currently, the task force is in negotiations.
“We don’t have a list of what Mercy is donating yet,” Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Legal Counselor said.
“We hope donations will be finalized by Dec. 18,” Meeks said.
Under discussion in negotiations are vehicles, equipment and facilities.
The task force is comprised of Nick Ruhl, Meeks, Jody Hoener from the county; Dave Martin, Bruner, Robert Uhler, Paul Ballou, Rhonda Dunn and Deb Needleman from the city; and Christi Keating from Mercy.
Advocate For Children Fundraiser Deadline Today
