On September 27, 2022 the Bourbon County Commission ordered all outside burning in the county prohibited, unless specifically approved by the fire chief, with the exception of covered barbeque grills.
High heat and little rain since June have prompted the ordinance, and is in effect until a sufficient rain occurs.
Under these extreme dry conditions, once started a fire would be difficult to control by fire departments. Water usage is of great concern and also the availability of enough water to put out the fire.
A SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
Flag Salute
Executive Session – 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
Commission Comment-Approval for all commissioners to attend the Southeast Kansas Regional County Officials Meeting.
Justifications for Executive Session:
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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Left to Right: FSCH Seniors: Kole Chance, Dominick Budy, Josiah Banwart, led by Sponsor Jeremy Budy (not pictured). Submitted photos.
On September 16, the Fort Scott Christian Heights students worked on clearing the Gunn Park Trails.
“They spent the day clearing overgrowth, debris, etc. as a class fundraiser,” said Bethany Blubaugh, school secretary said. “They got sponsors from local businesses and individuals. The timing was great because it was right before the Marmaton Massacre (Mountain Bike)Race. The money they raised will go toward their Senior Trip in the spring.”
The Fort Scott Christian Heights School is located at 1101 S. Barbee in Fort Scott, KS and offers Preschool-12th grade classes, and can be reached by phone at 620.223.4330.
SEK Muliti-County Health Department, located at 6th and Lowman Streets, Fort Scott.
A program geared to all aspects of a mother and young child’s life will start weekly appointments in Fort Scott, next Wednesday.
The Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) federal program is for low-income pregnant women and follow up care, and also for children five years and under who are at nutritional risk.
The program will start on October 5 by appointment in Fort Scott at the Southeast Kansas Multi County Health Department, 6th and Lowman Street.
Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director.
Some of the benefits of the program, according to the US Dept. of Ag website
Supplemental nutritious foods. Examples of WIC foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, juice, fish, whole grains, cereal, peanut butter, beans (dried or canned), fresh fruits and vegetables, infant formula and baby food.
Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics.
screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services.
“WIC has been available to the county for years now by the Crawford County Health Department, but will be now located in one location rather multiple locations,” said Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer at the SEK Multi-County Health Department. “Since the Bourbon County Health Department moved to a much larger building, we have been working to acquire other services here at our new location.”
“Previously WIC was at Buck Run Community Center, Mercy Hospital and for the last couple of years it has been at our new location about three days a month,” she said.” We are excited to have it housed in one location and are very glad to be able to provide this program to our residents.”
Monday, 7:00am To 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Wednesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Thursday ,7:00am To 5:30pm
Note: Closed for lunch from noon-12:30pm.
The health department can be reached at (620) 223-4464.
Also offered for women at the health department is a mother’s support group:
Breastfeeding Help
“We also will be starting training for a new service next month which is the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program through WIC,” she said. ”
“Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BFPC) are women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience similar to WIC participants including: age; language; similar ethnic/cultural background; current or previous WIC participation; and an enthusiasm for breastfeeding. Peer Counselors provide education and support for WIC mothers. Programs vary but in general peer counselors are available to WIC clients both inside and outside usual clinic hours and the WIC clinic environment,” according to https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1433/Breastfeeding-Peer-Counselor-Program
Holly Fritter. Submitted photo.
“Our Breast Feeding Peer Counselor, Holly Fritter, has been working for us since 2019 as the Home Visitor for Bourbon County,” Johnson said. “Home visiting for families with young children is a longstanding strategy offering information, guidance, risk assessment, and parenting support interventions at home.”
“The typical ‘home visiting program’ is designed to improve some combination of pregnancy outcomes, parenting skills, and early childhood health and development,” Johnson said. “Holly works out of our Fort Scott office, but will also cover Allen, Anderson and Woodson Counties for the BFPC Program. These programs are an asset to our counties, as it is free to the clients, and provides much needed support and guidance to mothers and families. ”
UHS Homecoming Candidates are , ront row, left to right: Bareigh Farrell, Skyler Coulter, Emiley Greenway Back row, left to right: Treden Bastian, Jett Harvey, Caleb Davis
Uniontown High School Fall Homecoming is this coming Friday, Sept 30th.
The UHS Homecoming Coronation will begin at 6:30 pm on the football field, and the homecoming football game against Erie High School will begin at 7:00 pm.
The Bourbon County Health Department (524 S. Lowman, Fort Scott) will be the location where WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Program will be held at in Bourbon County from here on out. It is every Wednesday, starting October 5th. If anyone has questions, we’d be happy to help and our number is 223-4464.
We do have flu shots available now as well as the new COVID-19 Bivalent Booster shots.
Submitted by Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer
SEK Multi-County Health Department
Agenda Bourbon County Commission Room 1stFloor, County Courthouse 210 S. National Avenue Fort Scott, KS 66701 Date:September27, 2022 1stDistrict–Nelson BlytheMinutes:Approved:_______________ 2ndDistrict–JimHarrisCorrected: _______________________ 3rdDistrict–Clifton BethAdjourned at: _______________ County Clerk–Ashley Shelton MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOMBEGINNINGat 9:00AM. Call to Order •Flag Salute •Approval of Minutes from previous meeting •Eric Bailey–Road &Bridge Report •Eric Bailey–Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy •Delwin Mumbower–Burn BanUpdate •Bill Martin–Fuel Request–Road & Bridge •Clifton Beth–Benefits Committee •Ashley Shelton–SEK Area Agency on Aging–Board Opening oGas Price Lock In •Jim Harris–Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body oragency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship •Justin Meeks–County Counselor Comment •Susan Bancroft–Chief Financial Officer Comment oBudget Documents oYears of Service Recognition–Donald Gene Bailey •Shane Walker–Chief Information Officer Comment •Tiana McElroy–CountyAttorney Position •Public Comment •CommissionComment Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters ofindividualnonelected personnelto 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 discussmatters relating toemployer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of thebody 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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Mark your calendars for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. The 66th Anniversary Show will soon be here! The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is one of the oldest tractor and gas engine show in the area.
Plans are made for this to be a great event this year. The downtown parade on September 29 will be the kickoff for the show. Friday, September 30 will begin the 3 day show with lots of exhibits and vendors on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. Come and see how things were done in the “olden days”. Purchasing a $5 show button will give you entry to all 3 days plus a bean feed on Friday evening.
In addition to the flea market and tractor and gas engine exhibits, you can watch the sawmill operation, oat threshing, hay baling tractor pull and more. Ralph Carlson’s entertainment tent will present talented musicians for you to enjoy. The Sunday morning Church service will be in the entertainment tent also. All are welcome. Be sure and stop by the Information tent. There will be 2022 T-Shirts and caps and other items for you to purchase.
In addition to the Friday evening bean feed, biscuits and gravy will be available in the mornings, also old fashion sorghum cookies. Pulled pork sandwiches, chicken noodle dinners, sloppy joes, hot dogs. nachos and more will be served by food vendors.
Don’t forget the quilt show in the Myers Building. Quilts can be entered Thursday, September 29, 10am – Noon. The quilt show will be open Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm. Sunday will be open noon to 3pm. Contact Jackie Warren for more information, 620-224-8161.
Quilts displayed during the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 2015.
There is an additional event on the fairgrounds the evening of October 1 in the arena. There will be a Mutton Bustin’ event with bull riding afterwards. Sign up for the Mutton Bustin’ is 6:30pm.
If anyone would like to volunteer to help with any of the exhibits or perhaps help at the quilt show, we would be happy to have you. Please contact a member or call one of the numbers listed.
Thank you goes out to all our corporate sponsors. Without these sponsors there would not be a Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. If you have not received a flyer in the mail or picked one up at a local business, contact a member and we will make one available for you. Craig Shikles, 417-425-4552, is our president with Larry Richard, 620-724-6501, as vice-president.
Did you know one in six Americans gets foodborne illness every year? September is Food Safety Education Month, which makes it the perfect time to review four simple steps that can help prevent food poisoning: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
Clean: Wash your hands and kitchen surfaces often. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food, as well as after handling uncooked meat, poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.
Separate: For a clean plate, don’t cross-contaminate. Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your shopping cart, in your refrigerator, and during meal preparation. Do not wash raw meat, poultry, or eggs, as this can actually spread germs.
Cook: Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of cooked foods is high enough to kill the bacteria which cause foodborne illnesses. Whole cuts of beef and pork should be cooked to 145°F and then allowed to rest for three minutes before carving or eating. Ground meats should be cooked to 160°F. All poultry (including ground poultry) and leftovers should be cooked to 165°F.
Chill: All perishable food and leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours (or within one hour if the food is exposed to temperatures greater than 90°F).
To learn more about these four simple steps, visit fightbac.org.
If you are interested in learning more about food safety, consider signing up for our food preservation workshop in Humboldt on October 27th! An RSVP is required for this hands-on program where you will learn about pressure canning, waterbath canning, and dehydrating herbs with food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee. Please call 620-365-2242 to register and get more details.
If you have a passion for food safety, you may also want to consider our Master Food Volunteer program! You will meet others who share a passion for food; participate in classes, by either leading or assisting, to teach others about food; learn up-to-date practices on food safety and nutrition; and take your knowledge of food to the next level. To join, you must complete a 40-hour training course. This course will be offered online from January 17th to February 25th with three days of hands-on training. Interested applicants must apply by December 1st to be considered.
For more information, please contact Clara Wicoff, Nutrition, Food and Health Extension Agent, at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
Sisters Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster have started a specialty food store from an office at the South Main strip mall, and are calling it Mmm Flavor Shop.
Addi Foster. Submitted photo.Emelia Whiteaker is the owner of Momentum Indoor Training. 2018 photo.
“After a major health diagnosis in the family, I started doing my continuing education credits as a Certified Athletic Trainer on nutrition,” Whiteaker said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the herbs, spices and grains were not available in the quality needed to get the nutritional value.”
Whiteaker reached out to friends who are Registered Dieticians and Certified Nutritionists to see where they get their spices and dried herbs.
“This led me to a small family-owned wholesaler in Arizona,” she said. “Our wholesaler freeze dries as much of their herbs that they can, and they order straight from the farms insuring a higher nutritional content. Everything just kept going from there.”
Chai Latte Oatmeal – made with no additives or preservatives just oats, fresh ground spices and dry milk powder. They also have flavors that are dairy free. Submitted photo.
“In April, we launched our products at the Home Show in Fort Scott,” Whiteaker said. “Throughout the rest of the spring and summer we have been doing vendor shows and markets.”
The business office is in the area on the backside of Tractor Supply Store, that Whiteaker has her athletic training business in.
“We have a converted office space inside Momentum Indoor Training that we use as our prep room, she said. “Our ultimate goal is to have Mmm Flavor Shop support an exercise pool for those individuals who have chronic health diagnoses that benefit from aquatic exercise which is not covered by most insurance.”
They just finished work on their website.
“We launched our website this month www.mmmflavorfs.com or we will take text orders through direct message on Facebook or text messages at (620) 224-8442,” she said. “If we don’t have it in stock we can usually order it and get it within a week.”
Coriander. Submitted photo.
The products of the business include spices, dried herbs, house made spice blends, non-wheat flours, ancient grains, rices, dried beans and lentils, instant oatmeal, ready-to-make-packets, dried fruits, and nuts.
“We mix most of our spice blends, insuring there are no additives or preservatives.” Whiteaker said.
” We also have superfood powders such as spirulina, spinach, acai berry, and more,” she said. “In October we will be adding herbal teas, Turkish teas, and homemade candies.”
Spirulina is a superfood that is full of anitoxidants and anti-inflammatories, it can be added to smoothies, tea, and dishes to increase nutritional content. Submitted photo.
This Saturday Sept. 24, gates open for a music concert at a residence at 2006 Maple Road, just west of Fort Scott. Plans are settling into place for the event, which was announced several weeks ago.
New comers to the Fort Scott area from Kansas City, Cory and Cecilia Bryars, have planned the blues festival on their property to benefit a local helping organization, Care to Share.
In addition to the blues concert, there will be food with proceeds going to Care to Share:
–Hot dogs, chips, and chili
–Smash Burgers from 4-8 p.m.
–Funnel cakes
–Chili Frito Pie
–Huge bake sale–pies, cookies, more
–Water (and if you care to share bring a case to donate)
–Coolers are welcome!
There will be other booths and vendors, with proceeds to Care to Share and the booth vendor, featuring metal art, pottery, mums, spices, birdhouses, face painting and the Kansas City Blues Society and more.
The gates open at 1 p.m., and the musicians will play from 2-10 p.m.
Preliminary work has included having enough parking for those wanting to attend.
“There is lots of parking at the venue and neighboring yards,” Cory Bryars said. “Just follow the signs when you get there.”
“Also Dolly the Trolley ( local tourism trolley car) will shuttle from Twister Trailer (on North National Avenue, just across from Riverfront Park) to 2006 Maple at the following times– 1:15-4 p.m., 5:30-8 p.m., 8:30-10:30 p.m or when everyone gets back at their cars,”he said.
If planning on staying the duration of the concert, concert goers are asked to take the trolley.
“If you are staying for quite a while, please take the trolley, which will free up venue parking for people only coming for a short while,” Bryars said.
The event is free. However they are asking donations to support Care to Share a local cancer survivor support group.
“Our mission statement is to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to individuals who are cancer fighters and their caregivers…because we care to share,” Lavetta Simmons, a spokesman for Care To Share said in a prior story.
“We are 100% volunteer individuals, no paid employees, so everything donated goes 100% right back into our community for our cancer fighters. Last year we were able to care and share 1,134 times for a total of $65,711.69 with our cancer families.”
No tickets are required and the event is free.
Donations to Care to Share are appreciated, Bryars said. “The event page also has a link to donate even if you can’t be here and want to support a great cause.”
The primary event activity is four top-quality blues bands playing from 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 8-9:45 p.m.
