The Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging Team was named the Reserve State Champion team at the Kansas FFA State Livestock Judging contest on Tuesday, April 30th in Manhattan, Kansas. With the win the team has qualified to represent Kansas at the American Royal Livestock Judging contest in Kansas City, Missouri in the fall. Team members include sophomores Klara Stock and Jaci Marlow and freshman Kole Harris and Jace Harvey. The team is coached by Uniontown FFA Advisor Scott Sutton.
Individually the team was led by freshman Kole Harris. Harris finished 8th overall individually and 3rd overall in reasons. Klara Stock was 11th overall and 14th in reasons. Jace Harvey was the 30th ranked individual. There were 88 total teams and 360 individuals in total.
Advisor Scott Sutton commented, “This young team exceeded expectations by earning the title of Reserve State Champion. For a young team to handle a competitive contest with such a high level of maturity is really impressive. Obviously with this finish they have set the bar very high for the next few years of their high school judging career. I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish!”
Bree Spurgeon started her cottage industry of specialty cookies in 2017.
A cottage industry is a small business in which people work in their own homes, according to Cambridge Dictionary.
The first business was named The Cookie MOMster, from a suggestion by her daughter.
“I started The Cookie MOMster in 2017 after taking Financial Peace University at the Nazarene church,” Spurgeon said.
She said she is domestic and crafty and thought she’d make some cookies for Valentine’s Day and advertise on Facebook.
“Next thing I know, I’m taking orders, making sheet cakes, cupcakes, and cookies,” she said.
Spurgeon is disabled with Cystic Fibrosis, which was diagnosed at three months of age.
“I wasn’t able to hold down a full-time job, with my lungs, at that time, because of the previous infections that have damaged my lungs,” she said. “Medication came out in 2019 that changed my health for the better. Now I have a second chance at life without a lung transplant. I can pretty much live a normal life, without gasping for air. I got my life back.”
But carpal tunnel syndrome began in her hands.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually and include tingling, numbness and weakness in her hands.
“It was excruciating enough to make me think of quitting, and I was experiencing burnout,” Spurgeon said.
She shifted gears and began to work at Bids and Dibs consignment store in the downtown area of Fort Scott.
“So I went to work at Bids and Dibs and eventually got over my burnout,” she said.
She began massage therapy for the carpal tunnel and started to get excited about making cookies again.
Submitted photos of B-Licious creations.
She started thinking about getting licensure for her cookie-making business.
“My daughter originally named me The Cookie MOMster, but since someone in Kansas has that name already, I’m not able to have it,” she said.
A month of agonizing over a name began.
Then one of her best friends sent the name B-Licious Cookies, for her to consider.
It combines the word delicious, which helped describe her cookies.
“My name starts with a B, I thought, that’s it, that’s my business name!” she said.
Spurgeon self-taught herself cookie baking.
“As I watched countless videos on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, I discovered royal icing and I fell in love,” she said. Royal icing is a type of icing composed of sugar, egg whites, and sometimes flavoring or coloring that dries to a hard glaze and is used for decorating baked goods, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
She began to focus on royal icing,
“I stopped doing buttercream, cakes, and cupcakes and focused on royal icing,” she said. “I look back on those days when I first started royal icing and they were so terrible, but everyone was so encouraging and you have to start somewhere. Plus, it was so much easier with carpal tunnel.”
“Fast forward to 2024, I fully own my own business and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team helped me gain my LLC wings,” she said. “The process was super easy and fast and they gave me all the information I needed to continue moving forward at the beginning of April.”
“I do not need a license because I do not use cream cheese and my final product doesn’t need refrigerated. I operate under the cottage law. I do everything at home and only make sugar cookies with royal icing.”
She has been honing her cookie decorating skills and now uses a cookie projector to download clipart about a particular theme onto a flash drive, put it into the projector and the image projects onto the cookie, then she traces it with icing.
The cookies before decorating. Submitted photo.
“I also use an airbrush and sometimes and I use cookie stencils as a background before I put the image on the cookie,” she said.
She advertises through Facebook only.
Cookies are priced $25 – $35 per dozen “depending on the difficulty of the theme.”
Jakeob Stewart, son of Brian and Megan Stewart, is competing for Colby Community College on May 3 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
He will be showing in the beginner horsemanship division.
Stewart is a 2022 graduate of Uniontown High School.
Welcome: Nineteen members representing twelve agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that the Board would be approving swim pass applications on May 7 and applicants would receive a letter with instructions for redemption.
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Holly Fritter, Health Department: Billie Jo will forward Holly’s message about the Community Baby Shower in June and the tetanus shots available for those adversely affected by the recent flood.
Michelle Stevenson, USD 234 Early Childhood Program: Needs to fill slots for her program within the next few weeks due to several pre-school students graduating in June.
Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: At present, there is no waiting list for one-bedroom apartments; all other sizes have very short waiting lists; she needs applicants.
Kathy Romero, Angels Care Home Health: They serve about forty patients in Bourbon County by providing services in the client’s home.
Travis Wilcoxen, Angels Care Home Health: They also offer in-home psychiatric care provided by state certified psychiatric nurses.
Nick Johnson: USD 234 Pre-School will add an additional pre-school class for the 2024-2025 school year to accommodate the increased need.
Stephanie Herring, Family Resource Center: Stephanie will be helping Miss Val at the library with a nature walk on May 15, at Nelson Park at 9 and at Third Street Park at 10. She will be working with Heather Shepherd to organize a “Back to School” drive for personal hygiene products; they are planning to be able to offer free haircuts as well. For information on the services provided by The Family Resource Center check the website: thecenterpittsburg.org.
Heather Shepherd, Community Health Worker for 234: She is working with high school students to maintain the community garden by Medicalodge.
Shanna Willey, CHC: She is available to help with insurance, Medicaid, Marketplace, some Medicare, financial assistance, SNAP applications, etc.; she is also the point person for the food pantry.
Renee Hibdon, CHC: Renee works with pregnant moms with education and services.
Sarah Gengler, First Presbyterian Church: On May 15, from 11:00 a.m. until finished, they will hold a free lunch and learn which will include free spinal screenings.
Janice Lamb, Coach, CORE Communities: Fourteen core leaders began the course; two were employed during the course and then unable to attend; twelve graduated. The program goal is to make a difference in poverty. Phase 2 now begins; Janice needs speakers who would be willing to share and encourage these graduates.
Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis: The Kiwanis ladies will be hosting the Chamber Coffee this Thursday; CASA can always use volunteers.
Larry Jump, SEK-CAP: Their pre-school goal is to do everything they can to prepare students for kindergarten.
Janice Durbin, SEK-CAP Head Start: works with students in the home setting.
Shelby Lackey, SEK-CAP Head Start: Shelby provides support for educators working with families in the program.
DeeDee Cheney, SEK-CAP: DeeDee is the family home educator for children ages 0 to 3.
Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State, SNAP Educator: The “Eating Smarter, Saving More” class is beginning in Iola for four weeks. On June 6, 6:00 p.m., a six-week class will begin in Fort Scott. Lea Kay will forward flyers for these She also reminded members of the upcoming ribbon cutting for the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, May 4, 7:45 a.m.
Lisa Robertson, COPE. Even though the COPE grant will expire at the end of May, the free laundry service will continue at the Five Star Laundry on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. for one year. Also, BB Go has been funded at least through December.
Program: Amanda Clasen, K-State Research Community Vitality Agent
June program: Tara Solomon Smith, QPR Suicide Prevention
Amanda presented a power point which explained the history, the services, and the personnel that make up the Southwind District. In order to find class schedules, available assistance, and questions answered, check Facebook or the website: Southwind.ksu.edu.
Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be June 5, 2024.
Fourteen county roads remain closed due to flooding or damage from the flooding.
Here is the latest road info as of right now, according to Bourbon County Emergency Management Director Brian Allen. There haven’t been a lot of changes today from yesterday, he said.
Water covered:
Xavier from 215th to 225th
Xavier from 250th to state line
205th from Maple to 54 Highway
175th & Quail to 170th & Range
Hackberry from 80th to 95th
Closed due to damage. Possible long term closure:
100th & Soldiers (culvert washout)
215th Xavier to Yale (asphalt washout)
Hackberry 95th to 112th (asphalt washout)
60th from Grand to Hackberry (2 bridges out)
215th from Indian to Hackberry (culvert & road issues)
Express from 160th to 170th (bridge out)
115th Xavier to Yale (bridge out)
Maple from 115th to 125th (collapse)
Maple from Lucky to 240th
Fresh North Carolina Strawberries pre-purchase now!
Pick up May 25-26 $35 per flat. Call (620)939-43020 Click or Come to the store to purchase. Pre-purchase only.
Don’t let the drive to Western Bourbon County scare you away. Carpool, or go in with friends and alternate pick-ups each month with a group of friends! The savings and fresh variety are worth it.
Don’t forget to grab your next Perry’s Produce Box for just $21 Fresh boxes are delivered right here to Bids & Dibs. The next order deadline is Monday, May 20 Pick up on Thursday, May 23.
Looking for Sliced Meat & Cheese trays, Cubed Meat & Cheese Trays, Fresh Baked Cookie Platters, Fruit Platters or Veggie Platters? Give Perry’s Pork Rinds & Country Store a call!
Made with the finest Amish Meats & Cheese from Troyer! Shop local and support small businesses. These make great options for office gatherings, church get-togethers, graduations, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day! 3 Day Call Ahead is Preferred. (620)939-4300 or email [email protected]
Meat Options: Pickle & Pimento Loaf, Souse, Head Cheese, Ham off the Bone, Black Forest Ham, Roast Beef, Pan Roasted Turkey, Cajun Turkey, Kettle Fried Chicken, Pepperoni, Salami,
401 Woodland Hills Blvd., the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital, now is home to Kansas Renewal Institute, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, the Ashley Clinic, I Am Rehab Physical Therapy, Diamonds in the Market Place Hair Salon, and Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Kansas Renewal Institute signed a lease on the building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., Fort Scott. on February 1, 2024, and celebrated the grand opening of Kansas’ newest mental health treatment center on April 18. The institute received its licensure on April 25.
“The License is specifically for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) – 50 beds for adolescents,” Joe Tinervin, MSW, president of operations said. “We are starting with adolescents and intend to expand on our PRTF license to include other age groups at a future date.”
Their current license allows work with individuals no less than 6 years of age and not older than 21.
“However, any current resident may continue to receive treatment until that resident reaches 22 years of age,” Tinervin said. “Preadolescents (ages 6-10), adolescents (ages 11-17), and adults (ages 18 and older) will program and reside in separate units with no co-mingling between those groups.”
Joe Tinervin, from his LinkedIn site.
“Now that we are licensed, we have begun the enrollment/credentialing process with the Managed Care Organizations and expect to start serving their members within the next two weeks,” Tinervin said. “All referrals are generated by the MCOs who work in conjunction with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services in coordinating appropriate placement.”
“At this time, we are fully staffed to accommodate a census of 20,” he said. “We will continue to hire additional personnel as our growth ramps and we’re always keeping our eye out for talented individuals to join our organization.”
They received their license to specialize in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) level of care, according to a press release.
“The Fort Scott facility boasts state-of-the-art amenities and a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to addressing the unique needs of each individual. From therapeutic interventions to educational and recreational activities, every aspect of care is tailored to foster healing, growth, and resilience.”
Mike Sharpmack, from his LinkedIn page.
Mike Sharpmack is the Executive Director of Kansas Renewal Institute and can be reached at 620-644-1195 or
Fort Scott Scout Troop 114 will be serving pancakes at the Farmers Market at the Pavilion on May 11.
“It costs about $350 per scout to attend summer camp,” according to Mandi Widder, who submitted the information. “We are trying to offset the cost for families this year. We are hoping to take both the girls and boys troops this year. The scouts range from age 11 to age 16.”
The emergency room operations at the former Mercy Hospital sit vacant.
The Citizens for an ER group “do not see a way forward to have a provider reestablish an emergency room in Bourbon County,” said Craig Campbell, a member of the citizens’ group, ” if the May 14 vote for a sales tax is not approved.
“The Citizens for an E.R. committee appreciate the concerns, the insightful questions, and the support of the Uniontown and the Fort Scott town hall attendees,” Randy Nichols, another member, said. “Please vote to reopen our E.R. Early voting starts May 6th at the courthouse. Voting on May 14th will be at your usual polling location.”
Members of the group are Jamie Armstrong, Campbell, Lynda Foster, Charles Gentry, Mark McCoy, Nichols, and Douglas Ropp.
The group has held two public input meetings, one on April 11 in Fort Scott and one in Uniontown on April 24, to help tell the benefits of reestablishing an ER and get questions from the community.
To view the prior story on the first citizen’s input meeting:
The attendees of the town hall meeting in Uniontown on Wednesday had approximately 15-20 people.
“We opened the meeting stressing the importance of an emergency department to the citizens of Bourbon County,” Campbell said.
At the Uniontown meeting, there were new questions asked: “Concerns expressed at the meeting involved what the money could be spent for, why we need an ER. , and where would it be located,” Nichols said
Randy Nichols said “The ballot language is specific, stating for the five-year tax duration, (he quoted from the ballot), “Said tax shall be used as needed for establishment and operation of an emergency department in Bourbon County.” If an E.R. is not established the ballot states, “upon termination, remaining tax funds shall be used for EMS and /or property tax reduction as determined by the Bourbon County Commissioners.”
“In other words, the money can only be spent on an E.R,” Nichols said. “It cannot be used on other projects and would be returned to the community if we do not get an E.R. A citizens committee has been appointed by the Commission to review and periodically report to the public that the money is being spent as per the ballot language.”
The needs for an ER are many, Campbell said.
“There is a need to protect those with failing health, workers in hazardous occupations, and children playing contact sports, being able to retain and recruit businesses in Bourbon County,” he said.
“It allows our citizens quicker access to doctors, nurses, lab and radiology techs and medications that can assess and treat the health issues being presented,” Campbell said. ” Our Emergency Medical Service is top-notch! The Rural Emergency Health mentioned earlier was written for places like Bourbon County. It stresses 1) solid primary care, 2) great EMS, and 3) an emergency department. We had these in place until last December 20th. This tax question when passed would restore our three-pronged strategy to effective healthcare in Bourbon County.”
The tax is small per person.
“We reminded folks that the 0.25% sales tax would add 25 cents to the cost of a $100 purchase at the store, “Campbell said. ” And that the tax has a five-year hard stop on it.”
“The tax can only be used to support reopening our ER and its ongoing operation,” he said. “The next step would be to get Congress to re-date the effective date of the Rural Emergency Hospital Act to December of 2015 so that hospitals such as Fort Scott’s would be eligible to receive funding for the emergency hospital.”
Graphic provided by the Citizens For an ER.
“It will operate in its previous area within the former hospital at 401 Woodland Hills Boulevard,” Campbell said. “Medical equipment remains there as the result of a donation by Ascension (Via Christi, which closed operations at that site in December 2023).
“The current site is available and ready as it is fully equipped with lab, x-ray, CT scanner and ultrasound,” Nichols said. “These were gifted to the county by Ascension Via Christi -Pittsburg saving on the cost of reopening. The building also has room for expansion to include observation beds and outpatient services (for example out patient surgery) if Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation can be obtained in the future.”
“Rural Emergency Hospital is a federally funded designation supporting an E.R., observation beds, and out-patient services,” Nichols said. “This is a program not yet available to Bourbon County but having an E.R. is the first step to achieve the expanded services of REH. Having REH would relieve the need for community tax support.”
“The attendees praised the EMS service but also supported the need for an E.R.,” Nichols said. “Having an E.R. is a needed part of our health care delivery system. An emergency room and EMS are mutually beneficial services. Having an E.R. improves our overall community health outcomes. “(We) recognize most E.R. visits are by walk-in patients so without an E.R. it’s likely there will be more ambulance calls and all runs will be out of the county. Statistically, a majority of those people will not require hospitalization and would be better/ more efficiently served locally. An E.R. was also recognized to have county-wide economic development and long-term property tax benefits.”
The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. Nationa. There will be a sales tax question on the ballot on May 14, 2024.
Tuesday 4-30-2024 Update from the Bourbon County Emergency Management Director Brian Allen.
The following roads are still closed due to high water:
218th from Native to 235th
Xavier east to the state line
205th from Maple to 54 highway
155th & Limestone is closed in all 4 directions.
Limestone Rd from 145th to 175th
155th from Kansas to Maple.
Highway 31 from Fulton to Mapleton is now open per KDOT.
215th & 54 highway is also now open.
The following roads are closed at this time and will be for a longer period of time.
100th & Soldier (culvert washout)
215th Xavier to Yale (asphalt washout)
North Crawford (road west of Pete’s north store going south towards Walnut Hill. (Asphalt & Culvert)
Hackberry 95th to 112th (culvert washout)
60th from Grand to Hackberry (2 bridges out)
215th from Indian to Hackberry (culvert and road surface)
Express 160th to 170th (bridge out)
115th Xavier to Yale (bridge out)
