Agenda Bourbon County Commission Room 1stFloor, County Courthouse 210 S. National Avenue Fort Scott, KS 66701 Tuesdaysstarting at 9:00 Date: April 5, 2022 1stDistrict–Lynne OharahMinutes:Approved:_______________ 2ndDistrict–JimHarrisCorrected: _______________________ 3rdDistrict–Clifton BethAdjourned at: _______________ County Clerk–Ashley Shelton MEETING HELD INCOMMUNITY CENTER IN MAPLETON @ 6PM Call to Order •Flag Salute •Approval of Minutes from previous meeting •EricBailey–Road and BridgeReport •Opening Hays Bids •County Counselor Comment •Susan Bancroft, Finance DirectorComment oExecutive Session–KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy oContract Renewal for I AM REHAB & FITNESS at the Medical Building •Public Comment •Elected Officials Comment •CommissionComment
March 25, 2022Friday at 2:00 P.M. The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners and Jim Harris by phone and the County Clerk present. Anne Dare, Mike Houston, Christi Keating, Randy Nichols, Jason Silvers, Tim VanHoeke, Katie Harrington, Mary Pemberton, Jennifer Wiggans, Trace Evans, and Austin Bahr were present for some or all of the meeting. Clifton stated that with the news of what is happening in Missouri with a couple of Noble Health Hospitals, we need to make a statement.Clifton stated that we paid for a feasibility study and we fully expect to get that study.It is in existence, I’ve seen parts of it and Noble Health will be here Tuesday of next week.There are rumors on Facebook circulating that Noble Health is not what they presented themselves to be.Comments have been made by some that don’t know what they are talking about.What happens in Missouri doesn’t affect us at all.We paid $1,000,000.00 for a study and that’s what we will get.The study is 99%completed and they will be here Tuesday to deliver a little bit of it.Jim stated that he wants the public to understand that the funding for this study came from the federal government and were for healthcare improvements only and that money for the study that we are receiving did not go to Noble it went to the folks doing the study.Clifton stated that the commissioners have done their homework.They owe us a study and they are going to deliver that study in the coming weeks.I feel sorry for what is happening in Missouri. I hope they can reorganize.Instead of being negative and calling Noble Health all kinds of names, we should be praying for those communities. Jim stated the feasibility study can be taken to any hospitalif Noble Health doesn’t open a hospital.Jim continued stating that we haven’tspent one penny of taxpayer money.This is all federal money that had to be spent on healthcare or send it back. Clifton stated that we have not transferred the building to Noble Health.We haven’t given Noble Health any more money.Two or three weeks ago we were going to transfer the building and Noble Health said no.They said they potentially have some issues and we are not going to take the building or money from you right now.Again, we paidfor a feasibility study and that’s what we expect to receive.Jim stated that Noble Health is the first company in four years that have shown any interest.Clifton stated that Tuesday will be a normal meeting and Noble Health will be here to share parts of the feasibility study. At 2:09pm, Clifton made a motion to adjourn.Lynne seconded.All approved. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS (ss) Jim Harris, Chairman (ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner (ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
March 22, 2022,Tuesday at 6 pm The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Lynne, Jim, Clifton, the County Counselor, and the County Clerk. Also present for the meeting were, Joe George, Don & Mary Pemberton, Bill Martin, Nancy Holt, Jess Ervin, Matt & Amber Kelley, Kyle Knight, Bobby Rich, Brad Stewart, Jared & Heather Lord, Marla Sutterby, Kevin Sutterby, Beverly Peel, Dale & Lisa Griffiths, Bobby Reed, Roy Dare, Larry & Judy Jurgensen, Kelly Perry, Danielle Minor, Kayla Greenway, Schotze Griffiths, Dana Esslinger, Lyle Robinson, Rob Herrington, Matt Quick, Shane Walker (some were present for a portion of the meeting, some were present for the entire meeting). Jim thanked everyone for coming to the meeting encouraged questions from the public. Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Lynne seconded. All approved. Eric Bailey reported a permit for an extension for Paul Hopkins at 2528 240thSt that has been completed. There was a second permit for Christian Gospel Chapel at 2305 Maple Rd for a new culvert as well as an extension. Lynne made a motion to approve the permit for a culvert and extension at 2305 Maple Rd, Fort Scott, KS. Clifton seconded. All approved. Eric said that at 240th& railroad tracks the 36”culvert has been extended 10’ and is complete and they are going to Arrowhead just west of 267thbut due to weather they have postponed that until next week. Jim asked if the railroad was cooperative. Eric said they were cooperative. Eric said that Schwab Easton was going to be in town either late today or in the morning to do the bi-annual bridge inspections as well as the low water crossings. Eric presented maps regarding speed limit signs on Deer Rd. Eric said there are 30 mph signs on 210thgoing south and Deer Rd going East. Jim said is there one going North. Eric said not but they could post one going north or take the other two down. Lynne asked if there any residence in the area. Eric said there was one house in the area. Bobby Reed said that going south it is only 30 mph for ¼ mile, he said that he knows that because he has had kids to drop of there on a bus route. Clifton asked if it then went 45 mph. Jim answered that it is 55 mph on county roads when it is not posted. Jim said that he will talk to the individual again and get some more information and then they can discuss it further. Eric said that dump truck #145 caught fire and they have received the insurance check for $57,924.63. Eric asked that with trucks being hard to find if the commission will consider allowing him to purchase one up to a set dollar amount if they find one available with low miles. Jim said he would be in favor of doing that. Clifton made a motion to allow Eric to spend up to $80,000.00 on a dump truck. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Eric presented information on a product that he learned more about at the 17-county regional meeting. He said this product would help get some longevity out of the roads they have recently resurfaced. Jim asked if this is in lieu of chip and seal. Eric said that it would replace chip and seal and the cost is very similar. He said that there are several surrounding counties that are using this. Eric said it is turn-key, they do everything from the prep, applying the product, traffic control, and notifying the residents. Eric said this would be something they would want to apply to the roads they recently laid that do not have the crakes in them to help preserve them, Eric also said that the product has a 5–7-year life and will remail black in color for that time which could also in the winter. He said that the name of the company is Onyx and it started in Texas and has worked its way into this area. Eric said that he has submitted a final punch list regarding the windmills today and that they will be wanting to turn the roads back over to the county soon. Don Coffman asked if the material was man-made or natural rock? Eric said it is like sand aggregate. Don asked if it was man made or natural rock. Eric said he was not sure but would find out. Don said that some of the man-made material can really eat up a snowplow blade. Jim assured the public that Eric will do more research and makesure that won’t be an issue if they use it. Eric said he didn’t think it would hurt thesnowplows or all these other places would not be using it but he would research it further. Kayla Greenway asked if Eric had a chance to look at the stop sign outside of Bronson, she said she was at the work session last week and had asked about it. Eric said he would have to check with the sign crew and see if they had made it out there,he wasn’t sure, but it is on their list. Kayla also said that John Stokes would like for Eric to contact him in regard to getting some chip and seal for the city of Bronson.
Jim said that the resolution has been prepared allowing liquor sales in the county and asked County Counselor Meeks if he had time to review it. Meeks said he did and it was fine as long as the commission approves it. Clifton stated that it will allow liquor sales in Bourbon County but will follow the guidelines set by the State of Kansas. Clifton made a motion to approve Resolution 10-22 allowing the retail sale of liquor in its original packaging and that said hours of operation shall be determined by Kansas law. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships, it will be for 10 minutes returning to this room at 6:28 pm and will include the 3 commissioners, Justin Meeks, Rob Herrington, and Susan Bancroft. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:28 pm with no action. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to go into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(2) to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency, with the reason of possible litigation. It will be for 5 minutes returning to this room at 6:34 pm and will include the 3 commissioners, and Justin Meeks. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:34 pm with no action. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Susan Bancroft presented December, January, and February financials. She said that the Treasurer’sOffice, Clerk’sOffice, and herself have been working together to work through some of the issues there have been in the past. She said that at the end of February the two numbers should match and there are several reconciling items that need to be entered. She said that she has been working with Rhonda Dunn and you should see those cleaned up in March and then you will see less and less of that moving forward. She said there are some training issues that need to happen with the clerk’s office as well as the treasurer’soffice as far as reconciling things instead of carrying them, but we are working on those diligently. She said that theclerk’soffice is starting to get thedaily’s so we are getting caught up on those and she feels really goodabout moving forward. She said that with the cash balances that carried over, there were some funds that did better than expected which gives the commission the option to increase the budget at the end of the year or just keep it in reserves. The commissioners and Susan discussed how important it is to have up to date information for departments to be able to operate and stay within their budgets. Ashley Shelton asked if everything was closed through February. Susan said that it is. Ashley said that she would try to get end of month reports for February sent out to department heads by the end of the week. Susan asked if the commission had thought any more about the gas provider. She said that Pro Solutions is going out of business and if we don’t do anything before June 1stthe service to transfer to Kansas Gas but it’sa higher rate than what we have been paying. She said there is a company, Hamlin Energy, that we could contract with and they would find us the best rate and give recommendations as well as review monthly bills to see if it would be in the best interest of the county to change companies or lock in a price. This would be for both the courthouse as well as the correctional center. She said due to the time constraints and the fluidity of the market she would recommend going with this company at least for now until we have more time to research other options. The commissioners said that they would be ok with that but would like to view the information from Hamlin first. Susan said that she would forward the information to them and have the contract ready for the next commission meeting if that is the option that they choose. Kayla Greenway said that her and Amber Kelly came to the last meeting to represent Bronson and Uniontown regarding the old highway. She said that she did talk to Rob Herrington about the grant that Susan had mentioned and they said they would be great to work on that in the fall when that grant becomes available and they have talked to Bronson businesses about getting the letters that Susan said would be needed and Amber is talking to Uniontown. She said they are working and trying to get the hazardous section of Maple Road between Bronson and Uniontown fixed especially since it is now also a bike trail. She encouraged any business that would want to write letters to go with Susan and Rob to apply for the cost share grant to get the road fixed to please do that and explain why they feel it is necessary. Susan said that she has a meeting with KDOT on another project and while she is talking to them, she will ask if there is any other funding for this type of project due to it being a bike trail as well. Clifton asked if it was the road just North of the gas station in Uniontown. Dale Griffiths said that is the road and it has only ever been redone from the gas station to the top of the hill and it is in very poor condition.
Don Coffman asked if the county had looked into the KDOT surplus when looking for trucks. Jim said yes they do, they look everywhere and that used trucks are hard to find right now. Don said that if you can find a KDOT district truck they usually have lower miles and come with a spreader or a plow.
Skeet George asked the about the asphalt on the road from Linn County line to Hiattville, and if that was done in two lifts? Jim saidthat he wasn’t here and that he wasn’t sure. Skeet said that he thought that some areas were and others were not and maybe the areas that weren’t should be some high areas of concern for maintenance. Jim said that it is on the list. Skeet also asked if the county was getting all the rock that it needs? Jim said no. There was discussion of how many hours the crusher operates per day and different options that may help increase production. There was also discussion of needing a bigger crusher.
Larry Jurgensen asked if there was any way that if the city pays county for material to chip and seal areas in Uniontown would the county donate the labor. The commissioners said that they would look into that but they were not sure if they would be able to or not but they could look into it.
Michael Hoyt said that last year he was locked out of the budget process due to covid and wanted to know if the documents would be available for the public this year. Ashley said that the clerk’s office is now sending all supporting documents that they have available when they send out the agenda so that information is available to the public.
Mary Pemberton said that she commends Susan for the job that she is doing and helping to get things updated and operating better at the county. She discussed the audit from the prior year and how it effects the grant application process for the county. She discussed employee benefits and different options to change that as well as letting the employs know what the benefits are worth as well as updating the employee handbook as well. Susan stated that the county has been having department head meetings that have been going really well to build relationships with the departments and they are all working together to update the handbook as well as updating policy and procedures. Mary also discussed concerns with the public works department and the rock crusher operation as well as with their policy for buying supplemental rock when they cannot meet demand. There was discussion regarding the process of operating the crusher.
Clifton commented on the benefits the county offers. Kayla Greenway asked if there were other benefits that could be offered such as how the City of Fort Scott offers pool passes and golf course passes.Susan said the county doesn’t have those things to offer and even at the city, the employee is taxed on those benefits.
Don Pemberton asked how long the county has been crushing rock. Jim responded that they began in 2000. Don explained that he understood that when they started doing it they were meeting a need, but now that need is not being met and maybe they should look at other viable option other than buying a bigger crusher prior to making the purchase.
Dale Griffiths asked when the plan to work on Old 54 Hwy between Uniontown and Bronson. Eric said that he was concerned that they would have to take it down to gravel before they could go back in and asphalt it. Eric said that they drilled and the base is good but they do not have a defendant plan yet. Eric also said the on Yale Rd the base is failing and they will have to redo that. Dale asked why they were mowing and running a brush cutting in January. Eric said they had mowed earlier but were trying to go back in and get up to the fences and between the weather and being short on help they were just doing it whenever they had time and manpower. Dale also asked if the county had an in-house mechanic. Eric said that they do for maintenance but if repair is needed on a large piece of equipment, they outsource that. Dale suggested that may be a way to save money is to have an in-house mechanic that could do that work as well.
Kayla Greenway asked who oversees the grant money for the bike trails and could they use some of that to help maintain the road that is a bike trail. Susan said that they are their own board and you would have to talk to the HBCAT board.
It was asked about a recreational tax for recreational hunting on land bought by out-of-state people. Clifton said the county is not zoned and that they would not tell people what they can do with their land. Matt Quick added that the land is taxed based on use and it is classified as crop or grass and crop ground is taxed higher than grass.
Sheriff Bill Martin thanked the public for coming to the meeting and said that he has an open- door policy and they are welcome to come by the sheriff station at any time and talk to him. Jim thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lynne seconded. All approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS (ss) Jim Harris, Chairman (ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner (ss) Clifton Beth, Commisioner
4/8-9 ~ KOMB 103.9 FM Home Sport Farm Garden Show, Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm,
Arnold Arena on the campus of FSCC
4/8-10 ~ FSCC Presents ‘Godspell’ Fifty years after its theatrical debut, the musical “Godspell” returns to the stage at Fort Scott Community College in an exciting, powerful new form next month.7:30pm March 25-26 and 2pm March 27. Admission is $5. FSCC students, faculty and staff are admitted free of charge. Masks are required.
4/9 ~ Hopping Crappie Tournament, Lake Fort Scott, 6am, click here for FB event.
4/9 ~ Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Kiwanis, Gunn Park Shelter 2, 11am sharp!
4/9 ~ Paint & Pizza Easter Cross Party at Papa Don’s, click here for details.
4/9 ~ FS Christian Heights 8th grade Car Hop & Bake Sale at the school, 4-7pm
4/9 ~ Joe Erie Benefit, Holmtown Pub with Bourbon County Revival, 12-2pm
SAVE THE DATE:
4/13 ~ One-Day Shuttle Trip to view the Gordon Parks exhibition, Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, 8:30am-6pm, click here.
4/14 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion Post 25 at Memorial Hall, 7pm
4/16 ~ Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event, Downtown Fort Scott Historic District
4/15 ~ Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Spring Off Road 101 Course, 2051 130th St. Mapleton, KS, 9am-5pm
4/23-24 ~ Civil War Encampment Weekend at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, click here.
Bourbon County Angels started because some local women saw that there are local families having a difficult financial time in their lives.
“We have seen a severe need in our community when we were doing Christmas (lists) for (area) children and a lot of them had clothing items on their wish list that was sent to us,” Lisa Thurston, Fort Scott, one of the three organizers, said. “We want to be able to provide the clothing items and household items and even food to those that are having a hard time.”
“We have clothing, hygiene items, household items, and food,” she said. “It is hard to say exactly what we have as it changes with every donation we receive.”
The group recently attained a building at 111 W. Third, Fort Scott, to house all the donations and allow for people to come and choose what they need.
“Mayor Kevin Allen gave it to us to use monthly, he is donating the building until grant money comes in,” Thurston said. “We have Melissa Guns writing grants for us.”
“We started the actual building adventure this January, but the ‘angels’ actually started just for Christmas two years ago,” she said.
The other organizers are Sara Roufs, Redfield and Erin Thurston, Lisa’s daughter, Fort Scott.
“Sara started Bourbon County Angels to provide Christmas presents for children,” she said. “People started volunteering so we started getting lists from about 75 families…this year we got 121 families. On their lists the kids were asking for shoes or coats or blankets. That’s when we decided to open a building and offer them all year long. So children could ask for toys instead of everyday items.”
“Living in a small town, we see a lot and we knew that there was a major need for people to be able to come get the items that we use in our everyday lives without having the worry of, (for example) if they got new shoes, how they could pay a bill or feed their families, and we want to be able to help with that. No one should have to stress over being able to get the stuff that they need. With everything going on right now, a lot of people have been left without jobs or just don’t make enough to be able to provide everything that is needed in our everyday lives.”
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the group received calls from people saying they needed food to make it through a few days.
“We would gather meals and deliver to their doorstep,” Thurston said. “We probably did 20 families when COVID was rough in our town. We have also been providing food for a homeless gentleman in our town.”
The group is planning several upcoming events:
Saturday, April 2 at the facility at 111 W. Third, the Easter Bunny will be there to hand out candy and have pictures taken with children, for free, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 9 at Lake Fort Scott’s handicapped dock, there will be a fishing tournament, sponsored by Backroads Bait. The fundraiser starts at 5:45 a.m. with a check-in and has a 2 p.m. weigh in. Proceeds will help the Bourbon County Angels with rent.
For more information contact Thurston at 620.644.8291.
See the latest information on the groups Facebook page.
Hours the facility is open are Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Saturdays are a donation exchange, she said. “Say kids clothes don’t fit anymore, you can leave those and take what you need. But some people just leave donations and some people just take what they need.”
March 15, 2022Tuesday 9:00 am The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners, Jim Harris and Lynne Oharah, and the County Clerk present. Matt Crystal, Don Coffman, Bill Martin, Bobby Reed, Troy Arnold, Clint Walker and Jason Silvers were present for some or all of the meeting. Lynne made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes, Jim seconded, all approved. Eric Bailey reported no permits this week. We made it through another winter storm. We are starting today on extending the culvert at 240th& the tracks.MSHAW was here last week and some areas of concern they want us to address and they will be back in a couple of weeks.We will report back to the commission when we get the final report.Eric requested a budget report.Eric reminded everyone of work session today at 1:00pm.Windmills update: still working on final punch list and may have that completed this week.Lynne asked that they patch some potholes in front of the Fire Station in Devon. Lynne also reported that there is a need for gravel north of the convenience store in Uniontown.Also, a ditch on Range Rd needing cleaned out.Eric stated they are in the process of moving equipment to Thomas quarry. Resolution for Liquor Sales–tabled as Clerk’s office is working on it. Bobby Reed requested a resolution to allow his office to bill at the maximum billable amount by State.The charge is for parolees arrested in Bourbon County.Jim made a motion to adopt resolution 09-22 to allow Corrections to bill for parolees at the maximum billable amount by State.Lynne seconded.All approved. Justin Meeks stated he wanted to have an executive session to finish up some discussion regarding healthcare contract.He suggested waiting until Clifton Beth was present. Justin stated that he continues to work on the tax sale. Susan Bancroft stated that there needs to be someone appointed for the Lake Advisory Board.Susan stated Mark McCoy stated he would be willing to serve on the board.Jim made a motion to appoint Mark McCoy as a Bourbon County representative to the Lake Advisory Board. Lynne seconded.All approved. Public Comment: Clint Walker stated that Public Works is doing a good job putting in whistles where requested. Elected Official Comment: No Comment Jim made a motion to amend the agenda to allow Eric to present a culvert permit for Troy & Jennifer Arnold at 1170 250thSt to add a couple of culverts and maybe an extension or two.Lynne made a motion to accept the request for culvert/extension by Troy & Jennifer Arnold at 1170 250thSt.Jim seconded.All approved. Commission Comment: Lynne issued a reminder that the Commission meeting for March 22, 2022 will be at 6pm at the City Hall in Uniontown.Jim reminded everyone of the work session today at 1:00pm.Open to the public.Don Coffman asked if we test our rock.Jim stated that each quarry has been tested.Don stated we need to have traffic counts, etc. to prioritize the roads due to increase in price.Jim stated that they go by traffic count and condition of the road.Jim stated the grid they use is put out by the University of Wisconsin rated from 1–10.Don asked if the property where the old landfill used to be, be put to walk-in hunting? Jim said he didn’t think it was ever discussed. Jim stated that we do hay it.Jim stated he would look into it. Lynne made a motion to adjourn at 9:33am. Jim seconded.All approved. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS (ss) Jim Harris, Chairman (ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner (ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner ATTEST: Ashley Shelton, Bourbon Cou
Developmental screenings will be available for children ages 3-5 who may need special education and related services on Monday, April 4, 2022 at West Bourbon Elementary, Uniontown, KS.
Vision, hearing, speech, and developmental screenings can be conducted for children ages 3-5 at no cost. This free screening is sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Interlocal #637 and USD 235.
Appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting Jennifer Vaughn at (620) 704-6549.
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team staff have organized a fourth seminar targeting women who are seeking information on starting/growing a business.
The event is Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the HBCAT office, 104 N. National Avenue.
“This will help local women entrepreneurs know their resources and learn from local women leaders on how to create a sustainable business,” said Rachel Carpenter, program director. “This is an opportunity for women to network and create relationships to help their businesses take the next professional step.”
For this Dare to Dream seminar, the time has been scheduled for table-talk discussion with past keynote speakers and panelists.
“This is the fourth part of the Dare to Dream series,” Carpenter said. “We will have some of the past keynote speakers and panelists available for table discussion. This will be a time for any questions to be answered from the audience.”
“Any questions you may have you will be able to ask some of the women leaders of Bourbon County. We want you to be SUCCESSFUL! There will be more time for social networking and building relationships,” according to its Facebook page.
Past speakers who will be available for a round table open discussion are Erin Vann, Hwy. 3; Dacia Clark, PSU Small Business Development Center; Katie Casper, Union State Bank; Angela Simon, Bids and Dibs; Rebecca Williams, The Butcher Block; Kelly Perry, Perry’s Pork Rinds; Lindsay Madison, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Rachel Carpenter and Jody Hoener of the HBCAT.
Please note there is one registration per person to help us with registration.
Melissa Wise, the keynote speaker, is the owner of Wise Tax and Accounting and has over 20 years of experience with accounting, payroll, and taxes.
Registration is required for childcare.
There will be a taco bar catered by La Hacienda, and Margaritas available for purchase.
Dinner and networking from 5-5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 5:30 p.m.
Funding for this event is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as part of Bourbon County Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and the USDA Rural Business Development Grant, according to its Facebook page.
“Through this grant, we are partnered with Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center to organize this event,” she said.
“We will be giving away a PSU gift basket and a tablet as door prizes,” Carpenter said.
Whether for culinary or medicinal purposes, herbs are a versatile plant. Are you interested in learning how to grow herbs and utilize them as natural seasoning? If so, plan to attend an herb workshop set for Thursday, April 14 at 6:00 pm at the Bronson Public Library in Bronson. The workshop will cover growing herbs indoors, care and maintenance, the health benefits of cooking with herbs, utilizing them in the kitchen, and herb preservation. In addition, participants will get to taste test a few recipes. For more information, call the Southwind Extension District at 620-365-2242.
THRAMS Antiques has ventured into providing pre-owned appliances from a source in the Kansas City area.
While owner, Amber Ericson, was in K.C. purchasing antiques and unique furniture, she ran into an appliance repairman at the marketplace, she said.
“He buys from apartment complexes when they redo the apartments,” she said. “That’s what we are buying.”
“He refurbishes them and sells them,” Ericson said. “I go up to K.C. once a month and get more. I’ve already sold 40. If they don’t work you can bring them back.”
Clothes washers including top, front, stackable units, gas stoves and dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and deep freezers are sole at the store.
“We thought we would try it,” Ericson said. She started the venture in August 2021.
Ericson opened THRAMS next door to her parent’s business Bronson Locker, a butcher store, at 504 Clay Street in the small town 20 miles west of Fort Scott just off Highway 54.
The storefront next to Bronson Locker was unused space, and owned by the Bollings, Amber’s parents.
“It was a pile-up room,” Helen Bolling, Ericson’s mom and part-owner of the store said. “Amber started picking up a few things and it grew.”
The space is now packed with unique furniture and antiques.
“Antique hall trees and wardrobes are our best sellers,” Bolling said.
“Divans, appliances, wardrobes, hall trees we sell as quickly as we can get them,” Ericson said.
The store is open Mondays from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday-8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday-8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday-8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday call or text for an appointment at 620-363-1159.
Cole Bowman, 37, Fort Scott, and Scott Morris, 47, Parsons, have launched a new computer application called MyShift in the Apple Appstore.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, businesses have been struggling to fill staff vacancies and operate at their full capacity because of illness, quarantine and other measures taken during the pandemic.
Nine months ago, Bowman began to think of a way to help this situation.
“I came up with the idea on May 24, 2021 while waiting for one of my sales reps at a hotel in Tulsa to go have dinner,” Bowman said. “He was late, so I was looking through the food delivery apps and overheard a hotel worker talking to a customer about how none of the employees they had before the shutdown would come back to work, or had found other jobs, and she must have been the first person on their list that was willing to come back to work for the pay they were offering.”
Bowman said he thought to himself that surely there is an app for that.
“A situation where businesses could look through available workers that they could bring them in to cover a shift, but there wasn’t,” he said.
Bowman enlisted help from Scott Morris.
“I talked to Scott about the idea for the app and he liked it,” he said. “We searched and searched for something that worked like our app and never found anything, so we began our path of figuring out how to build an app in late June. Finally, our app is complete and went live in the Google PlayStore and iOS Appstore this last week,” Bowman said.
New Ways To Work
“Businesses were unable to operate at full capacity after reopening from the pandemic, and people have evolved to find new ways to work without the traditional employment requiring them to commit to a schedule,” Bowman said.
MyShift is starting in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, then within the next few weeks expanding to four more states.
Their plan then is to release nationwide by October 1, 2022, Bowman said.
“This is a web/ mobile app-based platform for businesses to connect with workers to fill shifts on-demand with the transaction being as simple as using a ride-share app,” Bowman said.
How It Works
MyShift allows businesses and workers to connect anywhere, anytime, to fill shifts and have the entire payment transaction handled through the app, according to a press release.
Businesses can list open shifts including details about when, where, description of work, and the amount they will pay for the shift.
“Shifters” will then be able to see the open shifts in their area and can select which one they would like to work.
After a Shifter has requested the posted shift, the business is able to review the applied Shifter’s ratings in their profiles and click on the one they would like to work their shift. Then the Shifter shows up to the business at the agreed-upon time and works the shift; upon completion of the shift, the business will then rate the Shifter between 1-5 stars and confirm the payment triggering Myshift to deposit the payment in the Shifter’s account.
Myshift is free for everyone to download, and the business will only pay a fee once they agree to accept the Shifter to work a shift they have posted.
There are no fees to the Shifters, and there are no commitments beyond the shifts they choose to work.
For the business, it allows them to find help on-demand to fill shifts hassle-free.
Business owners will now have a pool of vetted professionals ready to fill their shifts, all without the hassle of recruiting and onboarding, according to the press release.
Shifters have the freedom to work as often as they’d like and get paid each time they complete a shift, allowing the flexibility to earn money without the commitment of traditional employment.
The first target markets for MyShift will be Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma & Texas for the initial startup.
About the Creators
Bowman is a 2003 Fort Scott High School Graduate and 2007, Pittsburg State University Graduate with a Bachelor in Plastics Engineering.
He has 15 years of professional experience in plastics engineering and is currently the regional sales manager for Sepro Group, a robotics and automation manufacturer based in France.
He and his wife, Wendy Bowman, have four kids Luke, Lily, Nora, and Gage. His parents are John and Cindy Bowman, who own the NuGrille Restaurant.
Scott Morris is a 1993 Labette County High School graduate and earned a BBA in accounting for Pittsburg State University in 2002 and an MBA in 2009 from Friends University.
He has 20 years of experience in plastics manufacturing as vice president and chief financial officer of Charloma, Inc.
His wife, Jeanna Morris, and he have four children: Grant, Hallie, Mason, and Brady.
In his community Morris coaches multiple youth sports, he said.