Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Fair, K-State Extension

Pop Up Events at the Bourbon County Fair

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July 17, 2023

 

The Southwind Extension District interns are hosting three pop up events at the Bourbon County Fair, including junk drawer robotics, a corn seed necklace activity, and a thank you writing booth. Youth of all ages can come to our booths where they can learn how to create a robot out of everyday materials, create a necklace that will germinate a corn seed, and learn how to properly write a thank you card. These are come and go events and will take place in the Cloverleaf Event Center on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

These events will be at the following dates and times:

 

  • Junk Drawer Robotics: July 20th from 12 PM to 3 PM
  • Corn Seed Necklace Activity: July 20th from 11 AM to 12 PM
  • Thank You Note Booth: July 20th from 11 AM to 3 PM

 

These events are free and no registration is required. Enjoy visiting the fair and seeing the exhibits, along with attending these interactive activities!

 

For more information, contact Southwind Extension District Intern Gwenyth Fry at (620) 223-3720 or [email protected].

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, K-State Extension

“Spa and Relaxation Program” Session in Fort Scott

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July 17, 2023

 

The Southwind Extension District is hosting a “Spa and Relaxation Program” in Fort Scott this summer. Youth from ages 7 to 18, along with their mom, grandma, or guardian, are invited to attend a one-day session where they will learn relaxation and stress relieving tips while with making body butter, a foot scrub, and a body scrub. The participants will also put together self-care baskets to take home during the session. This one-time session will be offered on July 27th from 3 PM to 4:30 PM at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

 

This series is free, but registration is required at bit.ly/southwindspa. Get your registration in soon!

 

For more information, contact Southwind Extension District Intern Gwenyth Fry at (620) 223-3720 or [email protected].

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda For the Bourbon County Commission on July 17

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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

July 17, 2023 5:30

I. Call Meeting to Order
II. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
III. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Minutes from 7/10/2023
b. Approval of Payroll totaling $225,433.30
c. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $587,542.42
IV. Public Comments
V. Department Updates
a. Public Works
VI. Discussion of Low Maintenance Roads
VII. Revenue Neutral Rate Intent
VIII. Bourbon County REDI
IX. Justin Meeks Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
X. Brian Allen-Disaster Proclamation Resolution
XI. Commission Comments
XII. Meeting Adjourn

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, Fair, Fort Scott, Health Care

Learn About Arthritis and Cancer Health Issues at the Bourbon County Fair

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You Are Invited !
The Starlite FCE (Family Consumer Education) Unit invites you to attend an informal meeting on enjoying life and staying healthy.

At the Meyers Building
Bourbon County Fairgrounds
Wednesday, July 19 at 2:00 pm.

Two important areas of health will be addressed.
Arthritis – Learn to establish routine health visits, to assess
symptoms and to defend against this disease.
Cancer – Learn the symptoms and risk factors, how to reduce risk,
and what tests are available for early detection which is the key to
treatment options.

Jackson RN, EMT will be our presenter
Please join us for this informative Health session.
A cold drink and a frozen treat will be available to all participants.
Come in out of the heat to the air conditioned building.

Bourbon County, Jobs, Schools

New Uniontown Jr/Sr High Principal: Robert Onelio

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Robert Onelio. Submitted photo.

Robert Onelio, 42, is the new junior/senior high principal at USD 235.

Uniontown High School.

“I’ve always felt it was a calling to work in education” Onelio said. “It’s rewarding to see kids grow and learn but also over the years it’s even more rewarding to see former students succeed as adults!”

A challenge as an educator is ” nothing stays the same and you must find a balance between the tried and true and the new trends that come into education. All the while keeping in mind what is best for kids.”

He is married to Abby Onelio who is  going to be working at Uniontown Junior/Senior High School as a Spanish Teacher. They have four children.

They will be commuting from their farm in Crawford County.

“As a family we are active in our church, 4H, and sports,” Onelio said. “Also, we enjoy traveling, camping, riding dirt bikes, and taking care of cows!”

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Pittsburg State University in 2004, and a Master of Science in School Leadership from Baker University in 2011.

Onelio has 18 years total in the field of education in Arkansas City Public Schools: six years as a World History teacher, five years as an assistant high school principal, five years as a head elementary principal and two years as head middle school principal.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown Cleans Up After Storm

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Following Friday evenings strong wind storm, Uniontown is clearing all limbs and branches.

The City of Uniontown has a burn pile location southeast of town, but the road in was too wet following the storm.

Residents are asked to bring limbs and trees to the city property at First and Clay Street, where the piles of rock are kept.

City Superintendent Bobby Rich said he will burn the debris in the correct location when the leaves dry out.

Residents are responsible for hauling the limbs and trees that have fallen on their property.

Hunter Bartlett, HB Mowing Service is available, if help is needed. He can be reached at 620.224.6064.

Doug Bullard, who lives just east of the post office is also available to help, one can stop by to talk to him, City Clerk Sally Johnson said.

Residents may also notice a crew at in town, currently on Third Street that is reconfiguring ditches for better water flow, according to Rich.

Mix Construction is doing that work in preparation for paving work on city streets that will start in October, Rich said.

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, History

OFGS BROWN BAG TECH TALK

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MARSHA’S DELI SANDWICHES AND COLD DRINKS PROVIDED, OR BRING YOUR OWN!

Everyone is invited to the Old Fort Genealogy Society office to discuss recent upgrades to our computers and learn about volunteer tech support now available for our researchers, visitors and volunteers.

DATE: [Thursday, July 27th, 2023] TIME: [12:00 PM-12:30 PM]

LOCATION: Old Fort Genealogical Society Office, 221 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott, KS.  In the basement of Memorial Hall.

[WEST ENTRANCE OF MEMORIAL HALL, LOOK FOR BLACK AND WHITE SIGN ON DOOR FACING NATIONAL AVENUE]

[PLEASE NOTE: WEST ENTRANCE IS NOT HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE]

Questions, concerns? E-mail Sarah Klassen, OFGS Tech Admin, at [email protected]

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

Tickets Still Available for the Fort Scott Performances of Wahzhazhe

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Fort Scott, KS — Time is running out to get your tickets for Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet being held at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. This memorable stage performance is being offered at 7:30 pm on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 with a matinee performance at 3:00 pm on Saturday.

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site in partnership with the National Park Service is bringing Wahzhazhe to Fort Scott. “This is the story of the Osage people, told by the Osage Nation. It is our responsibility to provide a platform for these stories to be told.”  stated park Program Manager, Carl Brenner.  Ballet Director and Osage tribal member, Randy Tinker Smith developed the performance with the help of tribal elders and a primarily Indigenous team of professionals. Wahzhazhe has been performed at the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian and for the Pope in Philadelphia, PA among other places throughout the region.

“This riveting stage performance has something for everyone. If you enjoy history, this is for you, if you are curious about Native American culture, this is for you, if you love the arts and dance, this is for you.”  stated Kelley Collins, a member of the Friends ballet committee. “This is an especially effective way to introduce children to the arts and history. In additional to 12 professional dancers, there are dozens of children participating in the show.  Questions and answers will be fielded by the dancers following each performance making this an tremendous educational opportunity for young and old alike.”

Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children (age 15 and below). They can be purchased online from the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Facebook page or at www.osageballet.com/events.  Any remaining tickets will be sold in person starting an hour before the performance. Cash purchases at the door are available.  Seating will begin one half hour before the show. For additional information e-mail [email protected].

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Bourbon County, Church news, Fort Scott

A Local Church’s Mission Continues Years After Closing

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First Christian Church, 102 Judson. Taken from Google.

The First Christian Church of Fort Scott closed its doors in January 2016 after 145 years of supporting and ministering to families in the Bourbon County area.  The church was located most of those years at the corner of 1st and Judson.

Founded in 1871 and once one of the largest congregations in the area, First Christian Church faced an aging, declining membership with waning attendance and finally the retirement of the minister.

The Board of Trustees decided the best action would be to preserve the resources that remained and discontinue worship services.  The group recognized the money was provided from Bourbon County citizens and should remain in Bourbon County to provide good works for its citizens.

After selling the church building as well as the parsonage and liquidating assets, the Board of Trustees was determined to locate the best use of their church’s remaining $250,000.

Following serious investigation and much discussion, the Trustees voted to establish an endowed fund with the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF).

The earnings of this fund, managed by FSACF, are used annually through grants for worthy projects and efforts to organizations in the Bourbon County area.  The principal amount of approximately $250,000 is left untouched and will continue to generate financial grants into perpetuity.

In 2022, grants through this Endowed Fund were made to a Riverfront Authority Labyrinth in honor of Allen Warren; Methodist Church Feeding Families Program; Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries; USD 234 Preschool Center Community Involvement; USD 234 Healthy Snacks Program and (along with other area Churches) the purchase of a used vehicle to support Afghan families who had moved to our community.

This First Christian Church Endowed Fund should generate $12,000 to $20,000 each year to be used to support worthwhile endeavors in Fort Scott and Bourbon County for many, many years to come.

If you would like to contribute to the First Christian Church of Fort Scott Charitable Endowment Fund or would like information about how an organization, individuals or families can establish their own endowed fund through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, go to www.fsacf.com for more information.

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

FS Quarterly Downtown Meeting: Events, Projects, Updates

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsey Madison opens the FS Downtown Meet and Greet.

There are several community projects happening in Fort Scott.

At the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greeton July 11, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, leaders of several  of the projects gave updates. The event was hosted by Lyons Realty Group office.

Lindsey Madison, Chamber Executive Director, gave a summary of the upcoming events and promotions:

  •  July 15: Christmas in July Sidewalk Sale
  •  July 18: Patty LaRoche will present a book talk at Hedgehog.INK! from 7 to 8:30 p.m. LaRoche’s new book, A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection  will be featured.
  • August 4-6: Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, where participating businesses give customers a 9.4 percent discount on purchases.
  • Sept. 8-9: Town-wide Garage Sale
  • Sept. 9: Art Crawl by the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Artificers and more, from 2-6 p.m.
  • Sept. 16: Author Miranda Collins, Chanute, writer of Action Detective Mystery will be at Hedgehog.INK! at 2 p.m.
  • Sept. 21: Downtown Fall Fest, stores open until 8 p.m. for fall food snacks and shopping.
  • Oct. 28: Halloween Parade. Festivities start at 10 a.m., children’s downtown parade on Main Street at 11 a.m.
  • Nov. 9-11: Holiday Open House, kick off on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. with continued open house on Friday and Saturday.
  • Nov. 25: Shop Small Friday/Saturday in Fort Scott.
  • Nov. 30 Candy land Christmas with parade and festivities downtown.
  • Bailey Lyons gave an update on the splash pad project: Concrete is being poured this Thursday on the big splash pad. On July 15-16 volunteers are needed to help with landscaping projects: bring gloves and tools. The group has raised approximately $325,000 for the project nearing completion.
  • The new historic mural that will be created on Skubitz Plaza will be unveiled in coordination with the Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 6. The mural was approved by the city’s design review board this week, Jerry Witt, owner of the mural site building  said.
  • The multi-purpose pavilion to be on Skubitz Plaza is in the works, Madison said. The Farmers Market group will use the facility “and anyone else.”
  • The welcome arch to the city is being worked on by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and will go to the city’s design review board.
  • The Chamber Golf Classic is this Friday July 14 at Woodland Hills Golf Course. They are still accepting raffle items.
  • The Special Olympic Golf Tournament is July 29 at the same course.
  • The mountain bike race, the Marmaton Massacre Festival, will be Sept. 16 in Gunn Park.
  • The annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Fort Scott National Historic Site will be on a  Friday in September to be announced.
  • Grants available to businesses: E-Community at http://www.networkkansas.com and Grow KS.

Updates from attendees:

Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said it is asphalt laying season in the county, “please be cautious of workers.”

“Since 2019 we’ve lowered the mill levy by 9.6%…I will not vote for a mill levy increase,” he said.

There is a new format for speaking at the commission meetings, he said: People must sign up and they get 5 minutes each to speak. “We want peoples input,” he said. “It’s OK to disagree but be professional.”

Harris said there is a request for proposals for the overpass project on the south side of Fort Scott. The commission will be applying for state and federal funds for the project.

Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, said they have been working on a Star Bond and TIF project south of town, and it will be “huge to the community.” His office is at the former Mercy Hospital building,  now owned by Legacy Health Foundation.

Kari West, Lead Customer Solutions Manager at Evergy, said the utility company hasn’t had an increase in five years and they are requesting one. Evergy purchased property north and west of their current location on Skubitz Plaza with plans to move to that site.

The Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at Lyons Realty Group,, 8 E. Wall, on July 11.
Bourbon County, Elections

Bourbon County Dems Meet July 16

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Please join Bourbon County Democrats as they hold a social meeting on Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m. at 702 S. Crawford in Fort Scott.

 Coordinator Kelley Collins and Carl Brenner of the Fort will discuss the background of the Osage Ballet and the process of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s bringing them to Fort Scott. Guests are welcome!

 
Submitted by


Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
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