Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

  Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Opens Annual Grant Process

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The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is now accepting applications for the 2023 General Funds Grant program.  Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2023.

The mission of FSACF is to serve the region by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and improving the quality of life. The Foundation is committed to making a making a meaningful contribution in the areas of civic improvements, arts and humanities, health, education, human and social services, and the conservation and preservation of cultural and environmental resources.

Grant funds are available to local 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government agencies, and religious institutions.  The Foundation considers proposals based on how they improve the quality of life for residents, and is particularly interested in projects that are sustainable in the future. Collaborative projects are strongly encouraged.

In 2022, the Foundation awarded $53,536 to 26 non-profit recipients through its General Funds Grant cycle. Projects in Fort Scott, Mapleton and Uniontown received funding.  A history of funded projects can be viewed at https://fsacf.com.

Interested organizations should submit their grant application through the online portal.  The link to the portal can be found on the FSACF website, or at this link: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=southeastkansas .

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Bourbon County, Schools

New U235 Teachers: Sutterby and Sutcliffe

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This is part of a series profiling the new teachers in Uniontown School District USD 235.

The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.

 

Rebessa Sutterby. Submitted photo.

Rebecca Sutterby will be teaching Digital Media Pathway Career and Technical Education classes at Uniontown High School:  Graphic Design Fundamentals, Digital Media Design and Production, 21st Century Journalism, Web Design, and Photo Imaging.

She earned bachelors degree in Graphic Arts and Web Design, and is currently working on a masters degree at Pittsburg State University to earn full teaching certification.

Sutterby has worked in the printing industry: logo design, typesetting, darkroom work, and plate burning, and has been the Uniontown elementary school secretary for the past five  years. She was also a professional cake artist for years-teaching classes,  doing demonstrations at cake conventions and  competed on Food Network Challenge and TLC’s Ultimate Cake-Off.

“I’ve done lots of different design work over the years,” she said. “I was actually on the yearbook staff as a student here at UHS, and I was also on the yearbook staff at PSU when I was a student there the first time. Most recently, I designed the 55 foot-long artwork on the WBE cafeteria windows and decals for several of our school vehicles.”

Three generations of her family have graduated from UHS.

Her parents graduated in 1970 and her husband and she graduated in 1992. Their sons graduated from Uniontown – in 2015, 2017, and 2021.

“I am a Uniontown Eagle to the core. I’m very excited to be here to teach our students about Graphic Design and help them put those skills to use in real life applications,” she said.

Carrie Sutcliffe. Submitted.
Carrie Sutcliffe is a new science teacher at Uniontown  who will teach Physical Science, Chemistry, Dual Credit Chemistry and Applied Biology and Chemistry.
She graduated Hume High School in Missouri in1988, and from the University of Central Missouri with a BSE in 1993, then a masters from UMKC in 2003.
Sutcliffe has 30 years teaching experience: three teaching Physical Science and Biology at Raymore Peculiar High School,  one year teaching GED classes, 26 years teaching 7-12 Science and was a Science Olympiad Coach at Hume.
“The best thing about teaching is interacting with students and encouraging them to do their best,” she said. “The challenges  that come with teaching are changing federal and state requirements.”

She is a member of Hume Christian Church, serves on Lawrence Cemetery Board and serves as a project leader in the County Line 4-H Club.

She lives on a small farm outside of Hume with husband, Tom, of 30 years and has three children, Derek, Megan and husband Cole Wooten and Tommy.
Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda For Bo Co Commission for August 7

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

August 7, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 7/31/2023
  1. Public Comments
  2. Opening of Motor Grader Financing Bids
  3. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-KAC and SEK District Meetings
  • Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Jim Harris- Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  1. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Agenda For August 7

1 Comment

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

August 7, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 7/31/2023
  1. Public Comments
  2. Opening of Motor Grader Financing Bids
  3. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-KAC and SEK District Meetings
  • Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  1. Commission Comments
  2. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Council Meeting Agenda for August 8

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City of Uniontown Regular Council Meeting Agenda for August 8 at 7 p.m. at city hall.

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

2022 Audit presentation – Amanda Lancaster –

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of July 11, 2023 Regular Council Meeting and July 18, 2023 Budget Worksession
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

KMGA Regional Meeting update

CCMFOA Region 7 Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control Training, October 6, 9-3, Olathe, $25

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Hartman –

Councilwoman Kelly –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Mural Grant –

 

Placemaking Project –

 

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by __________, Second by ___________, Approved _____, to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

 

Old Settlers event insurance –

 

Review and update Capital Improvement Plan –

 

 

08-23 Informational Items

2023 Financials – July

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Council Budget Worksession Was July 18

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The Budget Worksession on July 18, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 5:30PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Brad Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Budget worksession

 

Council was presented with a 2024 proposed budget.  It was reviewed and amended to have the same mill rate as last year, which will exceed the revenue neutral rate.  It was agreed upon to send notice to County Clerk of intent to exceed revenue neutral rate and set the revenue neutral rate hearing to begin at 6:45PM on September 12, 2023, to be immediately followed by the budget hearing, then the regular council meeting.  Session ended at 7:48PM

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Understanding Poverty: Poverty Paradigm, August 12

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 CORE Community Bourbon County is sponsoring a poverty simulation event  on August 12 at 4 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School.
The Poverty Paradigm’s purpose: helping the community understand poverty.

“The mission of CORE Community Bourbon County is to overcome poverty in Bourbon County,” Jennifer Michaud, one of the advisory board members said. “Decreasing poverty will result in a better quality of life for our citizens and a healthier and more vibrant community.”

Jennifer Michaud. Submitted photo.

“We are bringing the Poverty Paradigm to town because we can’t begin to help our citizens overcome poverty if we do not understand it,” Michaud said.  “The Poverty Paradigm is a simulation that will allow the participants to understand what it is like to live in poverty.  By understanding poverty, we can then work with those who live it to empower them to overcome it as a community.”

“The target audience is ANYONE who would like to learn more about poverty in Bourbon County and how to overcome it,” Michaud said.  “This includes business leaders, educators, social workers, civic-minded individuals, faith communities, health care workers. In addition, this is for anyone who currently lives in poverty who is interested in overcoming it.”
Michaud is an educator herself, who teaches Spanish at  Fort Scott High School.
  ALL are invited and welcome.

The cost is $10 to participate.

“However, if individuals want to participate, but cannot afford the $10, then they can contact me directly.  We do NOT want cost to be prohibitive!” she said.

To contact Michaud: phone:  785-230-7010 or email
[email protected]
To learn more:
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Host Families For International Students Are Needed in Bourbon County

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School is just around the corner, and I have an opportunity to make this year EXTRA SPECIAL for your family. FLAG International is seeking host families for international exchange students in Fort Scott and the surrounding area.

There are hundreds of students from counties around the world who are waiting for host families in the US to say “Yes!” to the opportunity to be their family for the 2023-2024 school year! Would YOU be a HERO for these students? They have been anxiously waiting to hear who their host family will be so they can start a connection with them before they arrive.
Not ready to host the whole school year? That’s ok! Would you consider being a welcome family for 5 weeks while we continue to seek them a permanent placement?
Find out how adding a bonus family member ​from the other side of the planet will grow your HEART and make this year EXTRA special for your family.
Let us match you with a student that shares common interests with you and your family – athletics, arts and lifestyle!

Ask me for more information! You can email me at [email protected] or call or text 620-215-5494.

Bourbon County

Healthy Bo Co Action Team Tackles Public Transportation

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s coalition Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) has been making efforts to bring affordable public transportation through SEK-CAP that is also wheelchair accessible to Bourbon County. As have right now this program will run 3-days a week. We are planning on launching this program at the end of August. We wanted community members to share input on what the weekly schedule should look like and provide feedback. Please fill out this short survey and share with others!

BBCO Public Transportation Survey (google.com)

 

 

Rachel Carpenter. Submitted photo.

Submitted by

Rachel Carpenter

Director

The Center for Economic Growth

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

PH: 620-215-2562

104 N National