- County fairs: Projects related to county fairs in the Heartland service area, with a focus on infrastructure projects and other projects that are not supported by normal fair sponsorships.
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Schools: Schools within the cooperative’s service area that have capital campaigns for facilities that would positively impact Heartland members.
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Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations undergoing capital campaigns with facilities that focus on education, environment, culture and the arts, and civic and community development that would positively impact Heartland members.
- Other: Other projects that better the communities in or surrounding the cooperative’s service area, as authorized by the board.
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Bo Co Democrats Meet on June 9
Agenda for the June 3 Bo Co Commission
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
June 3, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 5/20/2024
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $238,157.83
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $406,658.57
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
- Office 365 Renewal
- KDHE Public Notice
- 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.
ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET
ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET
“HUGE SUCCESS”
Submitted by Marilyn Flagg
Even though Arcadia High School closed its doors at the end of the “1965” school year, the annual alumni banquet is still being held on memorial week-end every year in Pittsburg, Kansas. The membership also includes the Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Class of 1965. The banquet was held at the Lamplighter Inn on Saturday afternoon, May 25th and was catered by Gebhardts and served by the Stansbury
brothers of Arcadia, Ks. Open Door Mission Church Youth.
Enclosed with the invitation to the banquet this year was the 2023 Financial Report prepared by Shirley Landon, Treasurer. The 2023
Minutes were enclosed also prepared by Virginia Smith, Secretary.
These were included in the mailing to provide more time for visiting.
Social hour was 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by lunch and business meeting. President Pat Morris of Arcadia welcomed the 42 Alumni and 25 guests. The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was led by Merle Engle. The invocation was by Larry Shead
At the opening of the business meeting, Pat introduced alumni officers Vice President, Tom Watt; Secretary, Virginia Smith; Treasurer, Shirley Landon; and Marilyn Flagg, Historian.
There were no objections or corrections to the 2023 Minutes or the 2023 Treasurer’s report. They stand approved as presented.
Larry Shead made a motion to move next year’s banquet to the Community Center in Arcadia. Helen Nichols and Merle Engle
seconded and motion passed. This action was taken because our attendance is getting smaller every year, cost involved, and other reasons.
Michael Sheffield led the nominations and election of officers. There were no nominations from the floor and the following officers will remain for 2025: Pat Morris, President; Tom Watt, Vice President; Shirley Landon, Treasurer; Virginia Smith, Secretary; and Marilyn Flagg as Historian.
Special recognition was given to members of the 60th (1964);
70th (1954); and 80th (1944) this year.
Those attending from the 60th class were the following: Virginia
Harris Smith; Ronnie Kellogg and guest Barbara Kellogg; Terry
Kunstel; Steve Morris and guest Raymond Kalm; Peggy O’Dell Worsley
and guest Paul Worsley; Ronnie Portwood and guest Mary Portwood; Pat Smith Morris; and Sherry Swafford Page.
Attending from the 70th. were as follows: Esther (Engle) Cousins
and guest Janice Crooks; Yvonne (Garrett) Beck and guest Susie
Arvidson; Gary Peterson and guest Patricia Peterson.
Marilyn Flagg spoke in behalf of her Aunt Mary Coonrod Bournonville who resides in Hurst, Texas with her daughter and husband. If
Mary had been able to attend, it would have been her 80th.
Fred Dixon was recognized as being a teacher in the Arcadia Grade School. Jan Steele was recognized as being the daughter of former Arcadia High School music teacher, Dick Steele.
All 25 guests were asked to stand and be recognized.
Pat Morris, chairman of the Scholarship Committee, announced the winner of the 2024 A.F. Bowlus/Betty Kirksey Scholarships as Trenton
Siemens. Trenton and his father attended and Trenton gave a speech expressing his appreciation for the scholarship. He is the grandson of Tom Watt. Trenton received $1,000. Andrew Bossung was awarded an additional “AHS” scholarship in the amount of $500. Andrew is the youngest grandson of William and Louise (Opitz) Hughes. Because this day was Andrew’s graduation, Andrew was unable to attend. His Uncle David Hughes spoke in Andrew’s behalf. David talked of Andrew’s accomplishments and how worthy that he was to receive a scholarship from Arcadia High School. David also talked of his late mother’s passing, Louise Opitz Hughes, and how the Arcadia alumni banquet was her greatest event to attend every year. Louise’s 80th was last year and she was so looking forward to the 2024 banquet.
Pat Morris introduced the officers who served on the scholarship committee. They were Shirley Landon, Marilyn Flagg, Virginia Smith and herself. There was also help from 3 other individuals from outside of our alumni. One is presently a teacher, another was a retired teacher, and the third one was a highly respected individual.
Any child, grandchild, or great grandchild of Arcadia High School Alumni may apply for a scholarship.
Marilyn Flagg led the memorial service for alumni deceased since the last meeting. Those remembered were: Lorraine (Bean) Starks; Louise (Opitz) Hughes; Marie (Hoover) Marshall; Robert W. Hamilton; Lavon (O’Dell) Rons; Joe Morris; Dr. Retha (Hoover) (Kilpatrick) (Gries); Richard Coonrod; John A. Swezey; Pauline (Coonrod) Hart; Mary (Panizzi) Granon; Gary Cambers; Carol (Morris) Davis; Merle Mayfield; Melvin Nichols; Orville Allen Darnaby; Mary Lou (Davidson) Peace; Charles Morris; and Lynda Lou DeNeve (Teacher).
Jerry Skidmore (Class of 1949) was given an award for being the “Oldest” alumni. Esther (Engle) Cousins (Class of 1954) was awarded for traveling the “Most Distance”.
The school song was led by Mary Lee Payne.
The Benediction was led by Ralph Shead.
The roll call which consisted of the following and the 1944, 1954, and 1964 classes listed above was done by Tom Watt.
1949 – Jerry Skidmore
1950 – Betty (Clarkson) Skidmore
1951 – Bertha (McClendon) Hencey and guest Dickie Hadley
1952 – Don Kauble and guest Cynthia Kauble Kreisel
1953 – Bobby Harris and guest Alisha Harris
1955 – Mary Lee (Eggen) Payne
1956 – Shirley (McKinstry) Landon
1957 – Merle Engle
Francis M. Jones and guest Karen Kay Tripp
Lilly (Turner) Sheffield
1958 – Fred Dixon
Sandra Sue Stelle
1959 – William Page
Michael Sheffield
Beverly (Swafford) Silvers and guest Vern Silvers
1960 – Hilda Cockman Page
Jerry Coonrod and guest Jan Steele
Joyce (Page) Wilson and guest Sheila (Page) Hale
1962 – Marilyn (Coonrod) Flagg
Barbara (Dawson) Swearingen
Joyce (Elliott) Maycumber
Helen (Morris) Nichols
Ronnie Smith
1963 – Richard Page
1965 – Betty (Jack) DeLoach
1966 – Jerry Morris
Larry Smith
1968 – Don Schaub
Larry Shead and guest Ralph Shead
Sherry Sisney
Tom Watt and guest Phyllis Watt
Other guests were David Hughes and Ardis Jefferies; Trenton Siemens;
and Austin Siemens.
The servers were the
Stansbury Brothers (Camryn, Sammy, Wyatt, and Timothy), of Arcadia, Kansas Open Door Mission Church Youth and Judy Stansbury.
County Courthouse and Landfill Closed on Memorial Day
The Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day.
No Bo Co Commission Meeting on May 27
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
May 27, 2024
There will not be a Bourbon County Commission meeting held on Monday, May 27, 2024, due to the Courthouse being closed in observance of Memorial Day.
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.
National History Day State Champions from Fort Scott Set to Present at the Empress Events Center
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3103.jpeg)
Southeast Kansas will send one project to the National History Day Championship in College Park, Maryland June 9-13. Two groups from the Bourbon County community attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.
The Fort Scott State Champion group who will compete at Nationals in June will present their performance project at 6 PM on May 28th at the Empress Event Center, 7 N Main, Fort Scott. A second group will also present their documentary that received third place at the state competition in June. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. The community is invited to attend and support these students.
The following students are the State Champions and will be sharing their projects on June 1st:
Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate in the Junior Group Performance category, coached by Megan Felt and Rachel Wells. Their project is entitled Tillie Anderson and Her Bicycle: the Picture of Free, Untrammeled Womanhood. Their project is a performance based on Tillie Anderson, one of the first professional female athletes. As the world champion cyclist from 1895-1902 Tillie Anderson was a turning point for women’s athletics, fashion, exercise, and freedom.
Charlee Wells and Hadley Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center participated in the Junior Group Documentary category at the State National History Day competition, coached by Rachel Wells. Their project is titled Etching Voices: A Turning Point in the Recording and Music Industry. The documentary is based on the inventions of Emile Berliner specifically the impact of the gramophone. Due to the invention of the gramophone, recordings and music were made more accessible to all people which would revolutionize the mass production of music.
History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three-dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitions take place throughout the entire school year.
The national competition involves the top 2,800 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete in order to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The theme this year is “Turning Points in History.”
The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.
Bo Co Coalition Agenda for June 5
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda for June 5.
1:00 p.m. in the conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott.
Travis Wilcoxsen will be chairing the meeting. Remember, that there is no meeting in July.
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Tara Solomon Smith, QPR Suicide Prevention
August 7 program will be an update on the COPE program by HBCAT.
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be August 7, 2024.
V.B.S. Time Is Here: Tell About Your Church’s Plans For The Summer
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201031_171021-e1604190929902.jpg)
Fortscott.biz would like to inform the public of upcoming Vacation Bible Schools in the county.
Please send to [email protected], the following.
Name of church, address of the church, when the V.B.S. will be, and what time, the theme of the V.B.S., and contact info.
St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team Claims 2nd KS State Championship
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_92571.jpg)
The Kingfishers of Saint Martin’s Academy roar back in the 2nd half to claim their 2nd straight KS State Championship in Tier 1 Rugby, defeating the Saints of Thomas Aquinas 26-19 on May 11th at the KU Rugby Complex in Lawrence, KS.
Highlights:
- 2 tries, including the game-winner with time expired, by Captain Joseph Moleski.
- Man of the Match went to Senior Outside-Centre, Ben Skinner, who scored a late try to tie the match and had multiple long runs to put Aquinas on their heels.
- The Kingfishers went down 19-7 mid-way through the 2nd half, only to score 19 unanswered to claim victory.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CLD320351.jpg)
Submitted photo.
Daniel Kerr
4-H Spring Dog Show: May 25 at 1 p.m.
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Zach Ross, Fort Scott, is the Kansas State University Southwind District coordinator for the local 4-H dog program. That district is comprised of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties.
He and his wife, Aubrey, will be hosting a Spring Dog Show at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on May 25 at 1 p.m.
The event is for youth participating in 4-H Clubs
“Typically (dog) handlers compete at the Bourbon County Fair to qualify to take their dogs to the Kansas State Fair,” she said. “The Southwind District has 43 handlers who have an opportunity that day, at least 10 from Bourbon County. Zach and I have been coaching the Bourbon County group for three years and we have several handlers who are looking to move up in agility and obedience divisions and need to have more qualifying scores to be able to go to state.”
“We’ve invited all regional dog show programs to attend and compete, she said. ” Handlers will be competing in Agility, Showmenship, Obedience, and Rally Obedience.”
“We are excited to have this opportunity for our handlers and want to share their hard work with the community,” she said.
The event is free for spectators and the dog handlers.
“Many of our handlers are ready to move up and our program needs to purchase advanced equipment,” she said. “We will be accepting donations that will help fund new equipment so that handlers can compete in higher-level events in the future.”
Checks can be made to 4-H Council and in memo: Dog Program and be sent or delivered to the K-State Extension Office at 210 S. National, Fort Scott, 66701.
The Bourbon County Fair Dog Show is on July 13 at 8 a.m.
The County Is Looking For In-partial Members To Serve On Solar Setbacks Committee
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brandon-whisenhunt-submitted-241x300.jpg)
At the Bourbon County Commission meeting on May 13, First District Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt told fellow commissioners he would be in favor of selecting a bi-partisan committee of five volunteers that would consist of individuals who are both pro-solar and against solar to research aspects of the solar farms that are coming to the county, according to the commission minutes.
Third District Commissioner Clifton Beth stated those interested should submit a letter explaining why they want to be on the committee.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/clifton-beth-sept.-2021-167x300.jpg)
Beth said the reality is how do you put the cat back in the bag, because solar panel farms are here, according to the minutes.
Beth said he is 100% against zoning.
Second District Commissioner Jim Harris said a special use permit is just the beginning and it could potentially expand until it is full zoning, according to the minutes.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSCN0099-2-252x300.jpg)
Harris made a motion to receive applications from concerned citizens who want to serve on a committee to help the commissioners review setbacks for solar panel farms.
Whisenhunt seconded the motion. Harris added that they would accept letters for 30 days and if the people applying are not unbiased, they would start over. All approved the motion.
The Bourbon County Board of County Commissioners is now receiving applications from impartial citizens who want to serve on this committee to help the Commissioners review setbacks for solar panel farms.
The statute that tells of setbacks:
Kansas Statute 58-3801. Creation of solar easements; recordation. Any easement obtained for the purpose of exposure of a solar energy device shall be created in writing. The instrument containing such easement shall be recorded with the register of deeds of the county within which the property affected by such easement is situated,according to: https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch58/058_038_0001.html
The Commissioners are accepting letters from citizens who wish to serve on the committee, ” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said. “There is not a specific application for this committee, those interested should write a letter outlining why they wish to serve on the committee and submit to the Clerk’s Office by June 12, 2024.”
Please submit a sealed letter, clearly marked “committee application”, outlining why you wish to serve on the committee to the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office 210 S. National Ave. Fort Scott, KS 66701 no later than June 12, 2024.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/jennifer-hawkins-e1706804541101-266x300.jpeg)