Category Archives: Bourbon County

What Is Next After Election For School District and County Commission Questions

November 7, 2024 Loretta George 1 Comment

A sign in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

On the November 5 ballot, The Fort Scott School District 234 and the Bourbon County Commission had the following questions about who/how many can serve as representatives of their constituents in their respective entities.

USD 234 Question

“Shall the method of election in Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, be changed from the six-member district method of election, under which the school district is not divided into any member districts and all board members are elected at large?

The vote was 3,515 yes and 1,578 no, on November 5.

What’s next?

“We have advertised for an open board position,” said USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown. “We will repost the position for at-large candidates now that it has passed. Next year, when we have four positions open for election, anyone can file for the open positions. Then, voters will see the whole group of candidates and vote for their top four. The four candidates with the most votes then become board members.”

The Bourbon County Commission Question

“Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d) & (e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?

3,769 voted yes and 2,238 voted no.

According to Kansas Law, this is the process of moving from three to five commissioners:

Sec. 5. K.S.A. 19-204a reads as follows: 19-204a. When the voters of a county approve a change in the number of county commissioner districts at an election held under K.S.A. 19-204(c), and amendments thereto, the board of county commissioners, on or before January 1 immediately following such election, shall adopt a resolution dividing the county into the number of districts approved by the voters. If the board of county commissioners fails to adopt such resolution within the time prescribed, the chief judge of the district court of the county, on or before the following January 31, shall order the county divided into the appropriate number of districts, according to https://www.sos.ks.gov/publications/register/Volume-43/Issues/Issue-16/04-18-24-52068.html#:~:text=(c)%20The%20board%20of%20county%20commissioners%20of,of%20the%20county%20are%20entitled%20to%20vote.

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

DCF Fort Scott Service Center Moves to 10 S. National, Opens on November 12

November 6, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

DCF Moves Fort Scott Service Center to New Building
Building Opens Nov. 12, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned for Nov. 19

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is moving its Fort Scott Service Center to a new office building. The new location, 10 S. National Ave., Fort Scott, will open to the public Nov. 12.

The new building is a modern workspace designed with comfort and convenience in mind for DCF employees and clients.

The central location provides convenient access to residents in Fort Scott and the surrounding area.

About 29 staff members will be based out of this office. DCF is leasing the building through SilverRock Ventures, LLC, based out of
Junction City.

Phone and fax numbers for the Fort Scott Service Center will remain the same and are being transferred to the new location.

DCF will continue doing business at its current location at the Fort Scott Professional Building, 710 W. Eighth St., through
Thursday, Nov. 7.

Both locations will be closed to the public Friday, Nov. 8, as staff complete the move process. Clients can still call the local
phone number, fax, and use the drop box at the Eighth Street location through Friday.

DCF offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. The new office will open for business
Tuesday, Nov. 12.

DCF will celebrate the opening of the new location with a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2-4 p.m. The celebration is open to the public and will include remarks from DCF Secretary Laura Howard and a ribbon-cutting followed by refreshments and guided tours. The service center will remain open for business during the event.

“We are excited to celebrate the grand opening of our new Fort Scott Service Center. While our previous office served us
well, this new location puts us back in the heart of downtown Fort Scott and provides additional safety and comfort for
our staff and clients,” Howard said.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2-4 p.m.
Where: 10 S. National Ave., Fort Scott
What: Remarks from Secretary Laura Howard, ribbon cutting, refreshments and guided tours

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Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on Nov. 7

November 6, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Bourbon County Courthouse

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

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

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

November 7, 2024 9:00 a.m.

Call Meeting to Order
Flag Salute

Approval of Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes from 10/31/2024
2. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $442,955.86
3. Approval of Payroll Totaling $306,687.17

Casey Brown-SEKCAP Transportation
Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(6)
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
KWORCC Voting Delegate
Election Update

Commission Comments
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.

Accounts Payable 11-1-2024d

Payroll 11-1-2024

Bourbon County, Elections

Bourbon County Unofficial Votes Cast With Write-Ins

November 6, 2024 Loretta George Leave a comment

Voters in a prior election vote at the Bourbon County Courthouse.

The unofficial statement of votes cast with write-ins, submitted by Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.

“Please keep in mind there are still mail-in and provisional ballots to be counted.,” she said.

Bourbon County, Elections

Unofficial Results of the November 5 Election

November 5, 2024 Submitted Story 2 Comments

The following are the unofficial results with all precincts reporting, as sent to fortscott.biz by the Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins at 8:45 p.m. on November 5.

“The turnout with these votes counted is 51%. We will still have provisional and ballots by mail to count at the canvass, so that will not be the final turnout,” she said.

Bourbon County, Government

200th Street Closed Until Further Notice

November 5, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

200^th Street will be closed between Deer Road and Eagle Road until further notice.

Submitted by

Becky Robertson

Bourbon County Public Works

Bourbon County, Exercise

Bronson Area Residents Encouraged To Be Part of Process For Future City Park

November 5, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

A new plan for Bronson’s public park is in the works.

Bronson is a small town (population 300) in western Bourbon County.

With support from some organizations, a community meeting to get public input on a new park has been planned.

The surrounding community is invited to the town hall kick-off for the Rural Champion and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Bronson Placemaking Project on Tuesday, November 12th, at 6:30 p.m. at Bronson’s community building.

The Rural Champions program is designed to create a network of grassroots individuals who possess the necessary tools to resolve critical community needs quickly and effectively, according to a press release from HBCAT. These Rural Champions will receive strategic training and compensation and be connected with resources to assist them. HBCAT (The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team) was awarded one of 14 Rural Champion’s Grants and selected Kelly Perry to lead this initiative in Bronson.

Rural Champion Kelly Perry (who lives and has a business in Bronson) will hold four town hall meetings.

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store in Bronson. Submitted photo.

The initial meeting on November 12 will be used to officially kick off the placemaking project and collect information from community members to create an assessment and to learn what there is to build on, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team CEO Jody Love said.

“We hope you will join us for the town hall kick-off for the RuralChampion and Healthybbco Bronson Placemaking Project!,” Love said. “We are working to increase access to physical activity and enhance quality of life!”

“We will discuss the current and envision the future,” Love said. “We will brainstorm, tell stories, talk about our strengths and opportunities, and determine our priorities for the space. This placemaking project empowers community members to help develop solutions and some grant funds to see their ideas become a reality.”

” Residents of Bronson report safety concerns when at the park and a need for overall upgrades and improvements.” Love said.

“Snacks and drinks will be provided, and we want to hear from everyone, including your children, teens, and young adults. Their voice is essential,” she said.

The project, in collaboration with HBCAT, the Health in All Policy Task Force, the Bourbon County Local Health Equity Action Team, and the City of Bronson, has identified creating safe and healthy places and neighborhoods for families to enjoy, instilling a sense of pride, and lifting community morale as a priority, according to the press release.

“Anyone with ties to Bronson is encouraged to attend,” Love said. “Teachers, relatives, community members, business owners, church leaders, and even family members who have relatives living in Bronson should attend. We want to hear your unique perspectives, your stories, and your memories of Bronson and more!”

About the Rural Community Champion Program and HBCAT’s Placemaking Project:

As a division in the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Office of Rural Prosperity is part of the economic development team solely focused on rural Kansas’s growth and prosperity. The Rural Champion Program was developed by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) in collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation; this program will address critical public needs in rural communities and build capacity in the future.

Bourbon County, Elections

2024 General Election Day Voting Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. November 5

November 5, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Bourbon County, Elections

In-Person Advance Voting Ends at Noon on November 4

November 2, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Area News, Bourbon County, Youth

Southwind District 4-H Livestock Judging Team Earns Reserve Champion Honors at American Royal

November 2, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Kansas City, MO — The Southwind District 4-H Livestock Judging Team proudly represented Kansas at the prestigious American Royal 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, achieving outstanding success with their Reserve Champion Team Overall title. Competing against 15 top teams and 68 individuals from across the nation, Southwind demonstrated exceptional skill and preparation, excelling across various categories and earning high marks in both team and individual divisions.

Team accomplishments include: Sheep/Goats – 2nd Place; Hogs – 1st Place; Cattle – 5th Place; Reasons – 1st Place. Individual highlights: Reegan McDaniel, Fort Scott was named High Individual in both Hogs and Reasons, ranked 10th in Sheep/Goats, and secured 3rd Overall; Tate Crystal, Fort Scott earned 6th in Reasons, 8th in Sheep/Goats, and placed 6th Overall; Kyser Nemecek, Iola achieved 9th in Hogs and 10th in Reasons; Emery Yoho, Yates Center was 23rd in Sheep/Goats.

Their accomplishments mark yet another milestone for the Southwind District 4-H team, and only highlights this team’s dedication to excellence, teamwork, and mastery in livestock judging. They have established themselves as a formidable presence on both state and national stages.

Photo Caption: Southwind District 4-H Livestock Judging Team members celebrate their accomplishments at the American Royal with Coach Carla Nemecek (left). Pictured from left to right: Emery Yoho, Reegan McDaniel, Tate Crystal, Kyser Nemecek, and assistant coach Jade Parrish.

The Southwind District 4-H program offers youth across Kansas opportunities to develop leadership, critical thinking, and practical skills through a range of projects, contests, and community involvement. The program supports young people in reaching their full potential through hands-on learning and team-building experiences.

For further information about the Southwind District 4-H and their upcoming events, please contact Southwind District at (620) 365-2242 or visit www.southwind.k-state.edu.

Bourbon County, Food