The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
The BCSO can be reached at (620) 223-2380.
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Category Archives: Bourbon County
New Gas Line For Uniontown
The Uniontown City Council has been active in recent years to improve the town’s infrastructure.
A project to widen and deepen the town’s ditches to keep water going where it should, a water line replacement project and this year a natural gas line replacement project has been initiated by the council. Uniontown’s population is 272.
The city of Uniontown was awarded $201,000 in 2017 with Community Development Block Grant funds to replace a natural gas transmission line, according to kansascommerce.gov/CivicAlerts.
The city will contribute $201,000 in matching funds for this project.
The Uniontown project started June 12.
“We are trying to get it done by September 1,” NPL(Northern Pipe Line) Foreman Pat Wier, said. “So far, we are up to date, but we have a lot of work to be done.”
The two-man crew is replacing PVC pipe with PE pipe. The crew is comprised of Wier and Edmundo Rodriguez, Lenexa.
“PE is a federal requirement,” Wier said. “PVC is not recognized anymore. We are laying new pipe in portions of the city where the PVC is.”
The crew worked late into the night on Thursday to get resident Bill Griffith hooked back on to gas after a day spent laying pipe on the town’s southeast side.
“Once started, we couldn’t quit,” Wier said. “There are a few late nights.”
The usual hours for the crew is 7 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Wier said.
Next for the crew is replacing 3,700 feet of two-inch steel pipe south of town.
“That is exposed,” Wier said. “We’ll be replacing and putting pipe underground for safety.”
Recently, a brush mower in this area ran over the steel riser and “caused a pretty good (gas)leak,” Wier said. “That’s why we are doing all this.”
During the FortScott.Biz interview a Kansas Corporation Commission Inspector, Jon Bolinder, turned up at the work site.
Bolinder is with the Office of Pipeline Safety for the KCC, he said.
Bolinder said all projects submit a construction notice to KCC. He was on his way to the Coffeyville area and made a stop in Uniontown to view the project.
“We come out and make sure they are following code when installing,” Bolinder said. He also said it helps him “in my head, when I am doing the paperwork on the project.”
The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program allows the Kansas Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.
To receive CDBG funds, a project must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria, according to the website:
- The project benefits low- and moderate-income individuals.
- The project removes or prevents slum or blight condition.
- The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable.
Barnwood Make and Takes
Presbyterian Village hosted a barn wood sign art class at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village on Tuesday, July 24.
Instructor, Jennifer Cox, demonstrated how to create charming barn wood style signs, using reclaimed weathered wood.
Participants were able to take home their creations at the end of the class.
Jennifer Cox is owner of Funky Junktiques and can be reached at 620-215-4646.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 24
Fort Scott National Cemetery Navy Memorial Donations Sought
The following is submitted by Daryl Roller
Veterans living in Southeast Kansas are thankful for Fort Scott National Cemetery. We appreciate the generous investments made in the (Fort Scott National) cemetery the past twenty-plus years. It is comforting for us, as well as our families, to know when our time comes; we will be buried in a dignified, peaceful place, with grounds attended to with exceptional care.
We are raising funds for a commemorative works granite monument, complete with U.S. Navy stockless anchor and chain to be placed in the Monument Circle at Fort Scott National Cemetery, to honor the service and sacrifice of the many sailors and Navy airmen buried there, as well as those to be interred in future years.
To accomplish this project, we need your help. Fundraising will be conducted by Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fort Scott, KS. We plan to have a dedication once the monument is installed. Please send your donation to VFW Post 1165, PO Box 85, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Your name will be listed in a log of contributors to be kept at the post.
We thank you for your donation to honor the past, present, and future Navy Veterans from Southeast Kansas.
00050196_Ft Scott Donation_letter to donor (1)
Roller’s contact phone: 913/322-6492 or cell phone: 620/215-4743
The Bourbon County Commission Agenda July 24
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
2nd Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: July 24th, 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-Shane Walker-Bids
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
NRP Update
Walking Trail Update
City of Fort Scott-Public Hearing for Airport-Monday, July 30th at 4:30 pm
Executive Session-Privileged in the Attorney-Client Relationship
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
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 23
Master Gardener Training Offered This Fall
Area plant lovers will have a great opportunity this fall to participate in an outstanding horticulture program!
The Master Gardener training will be held in Chanute starting September 10th and will conclude on October 15th. The training is held during the day from 9 am to 4 pm. The Master Gardener program is a volunteer program in which K-State Research and Extension “trades” classroom training for volunteer time.
Master Gardener training consists of 40 to 50 hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture.
Instructors include state specialists from Kansas State University, local extension agents and local experts. After training is completed, volunteers donate an equivalent number of hours of service as was received in instruction.
Topics that will be covered in the training include:
- Plant Growth & Development
- Soils, Water and Fertilizer
- Vegetable Gardening
- Insect Diagnosis & Management
- Fruit Gardening
- Annuals & Perennials
- Woody and Grassy Ornamentals
- Turfgrass
- Landscape Maintenance
- Plant Disease Diagnosis & Management
- Pesticide Use and Safety
Although the Master Gardener program is a volunteer activity, there are some requirements that must be met prior to the selection process. Each individual wishing to participate in the Master Gardener training must meet the following requirements:
- You need to be available for about 40 hours of community horticulture service during the first year. The number of hours to be donated is equal to the number of hours of training received.
- You must have at least a High School Diploma or the equivalent.
- You must be willing to travel to the training site for all classes.
- Enjoy sharing your love of gardening with others through various Extension Master Gardener projects.
The Southwind Extension District currently has an active Master Gardener program consisting of 25 individuals. The Master Gardeners have completed volunteer projects such as demonstration flower beds, vegetable research trials and various other projects in Erie, Chanute, Iola, Humboldt, Moran and Fort Scott. In addition, educational tours and activities are also planned.
Applications are available now and are due to the Southwind Extension District by August 27th. Applications can be picked up at any of our four Extension office locations, e-mailed or mailed to you. The fee for the course is $85 which covers the cost of the Master Gardener resource notebook. For more information about the Master Gardener training, please contact the Extension office.
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.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Process of Cleaning Water
The Marmaton River is the source of drinking water for almost all of Bourbon County, except for the most extreme western portion, which has a private reservoir.
Scott Flater is the superintendent of the City of Fort Scott Water Production Department, who is tasked with providing clean, safe water from the Marmaton River to all of Fort Scott and Consolidated Rural Water District # 2 residents.
“We make water for the city,” Flater said. “But our number one customer is Rural Water #2.”
Over two million gallons of water a day is processed and sent out to the city and the county, he said.
“Everything comes through this building,” Flater said. “We have a river intake on 5th and Short Streets.”
The rural water district then sells and distributes the water from Fort Scott to the small towns in Bourbon County.
The city’s water production employees are in the middle of a cleanout process. It’s called burn out/flushing, and it’s an annual event.
“The water is safe during the rest of the year or during this burnout (cleaning out), it’s safe,” Flater said. “We are sending it out to our family and our community. It’s the highest quality.”
The cleaning out of the system is a maintenance practice for the distribution system, Flater said.
They started July 16, and if all goes as planned the water cleaning process should be completed by the end of next week, Flater said.
“The burnout won’t reach outside of Fort Scott until today (July 20),” Flater said.
Flater commended a small town in Bourbon County for being far-thinking in their water supply.
Flater said Uniontown, in the western part of the county, has been “pro-active to rebuild their water infrastructure” in the last few years. “They’ve done a great job.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 20
FS Community Foundation Grant Adds To Therapeutic Garden at Presbyterian Village
Grant enables therapeutic garden expansion
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation gives $1,000
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s efforts to build a therapeutic garden on the campus got a boost from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation through the foundation’s grant program.
“The therapeutic garden at Presbyterian Village was started in 2017 with funds from Modern Woodman, Presbyterian Village funds and hundreds of volunteer hours,” said Ginger Nance, executive director at the Presbyterian Village. “This year with an additional $1,000 grant from the Fort Scott Community Foundation, we were able to add essential elements such as a concrete water fountain, some additional plants, bushes and constructed raised garden boxes which are being built to replace the ones that are deteriorated.”
The mission of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is to partner with and be a resource to organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the Fort Scott, Kansas, area. FSACF strives to create connections between donors and a variety of many worthwhile causes.
“We can’t thank the foundation and other donors enough for their help with our project this year,” Nance said.
A therapeutic garden is an outdoor garden space that has been specifically designed to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the people using the garden as well as their caregivers, family members, visitors, and friends. Many studies suggest positive therapeutic benefits are gained when people are exposed to nature, even for just a few minutes each day. A natural outdoor garden setting promotes exercise and stimulates all the senses. Therapeutic gardens promote movement, positive reminiscences, decrease stress and stabilize sleep-wake cycles.
“The therapeutic garden is enjoyed by family members and tenants, by employees, volunteers and the community at large,” Nance said. “The garden has been utilized for the Mother’s Day banquet, patio music entertainment, outdoor dining, growing vegetables and most of all, for a peaceful relaxing retreat daily to everyone who has entered.”
Each year special features and plant life are added to the retreat space. Volunteers and tenants who love to garden have worked the soil and planted flowers and vegetables all spring and summer in order to improve the space and benefit from the sights and sounds of nature.
“We invite everyone out to enjoy the wonderful space,” states Nance. “The design is a work in progress as financial resources, weather and time allow.” “Next year, we hope to add more to the space and include improved patio dining possibilities by adding umbrellas, a possible pergola, and other shading options,” Nance said.
Thank you to all who have helped make this possible for our community! If you would like to get involved to contribute toward continued improvements to the therapeutic garden, please contact Nance at [email protected] or call 620-223-5550.
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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 in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.
Thursday at the Fair: Chamber Coffee, More Champions, Swine Show, Corn Hole
Thursday at the Bourbon County Fair started with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee and the Open Class Swine Contest. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office served lunch at the Chuck Wagon eatery at the fair and in the evening was the 4-H Fashion Revue at Fort Scott Community College. There was a corn hole contest fundraiser presented by the Uniontown FFA in the arena.
Friday at the fair includes the livestock judging contest, viewing of open class exhibits, the 4-H Barnyard Olympics, the Buyer’s Appreciation Supper and the Junior Livestock Sale.
Saturday is checking out exhibits and clean-up. There will be a Missouri State Tractor Pullers Contest at the grandstand in the evening.
The Youth Conservation Corp from the Fort Scott National Historic Site were first-time visitors to the Chamber Coffee. They announced Family Day this Saturday at the Fort. Cooking, gardening, and small arms demonstrations will be in the morning session. Crafts and games will be in the afternoon session. Check out what this group planned as part of their duties at the Fort: For Families: Art Show July 28; Scavenger Hunt August 4 at The Fort
From left: Reaghn Dowell, Kaden Primm, Jesseden Kiwan and Anthea Montojo, all of Fort Scott High School, comprise the YCC.
The following are the entries that won Grand Champion in the Open Class Department, housed in the Myers Building.
The Swine Contest was held in the arena.
More Grand Champions in the 4-H Building:
Results for the 4-H Clubs:
Uniontown FFA did a corn hole contest fundraiser:
