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AD: Joshua Jones for KS House of Representative District 4

 

Former Fort Scott City Commissioner Josh Jones and  Fort Scott Water Distribution Supervisor Bill Lemke discuss the splash pad project in this April 19, 2023 photo at the site on North National Ave.

Joshua Jones Candidate for Kansas House of Representative District 4 

As election time approaches, I want to emphasize the need for candidates to remain active even after the election is over.

Too often, elected officials only engage with the community during election periods. As an eighth-generation resident of Bourbon County, I have a deep connection to this area and believe that community service and consistent involvement are key to our success.

Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working on projects such as refurbishing the high school tennis courts, helping acquire and donate a historic property to the Gordon Parks Museum, organizing events to raise awareness for Memorial Hall, and assisting in the development of a community splash pad.

.Josh Jones helped the Gordon Parks Museum receive the AME Church property in June 2023.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation
(left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation.

As your representative, I understand that we are all in this together and recognize the dedication required to be a positive and active elected official year-round. 

John Crain and Josh Jones paint the bathroom at Third Street Park in this October 2022 photo. Submitted photo.
Josh Jones was part of a committee that helped bring the splash pad to Fort Scott. This is opening day in 2023 from the Fort Scott Splash Pad Facebook page.

My Promises to You

 

  1. **Give Back My Salary** 

   My belief is simple: if the people I serve benefit, then I benefit. We are all in this together. I am giving back my salary because your tax dollars should work for you. 

 

  1. **Year-Round Accessibility and Transparency** 

   How often do you only hear from politicians during the election? During my time as Mayor/City Commissioner, I was the first to hold public forums to get citizens’ input. 

This ad paid for by Joshua Jones Candidate/Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AD: Joshua Jones Candidate for Kansas House of Representative District 4

 

Josh Jones.

Joshua Jones: Candidate for Kansas House of Representatives District 4

Hello there! I’m Joshua Jones, a proud resident of Bourbon County, where my family’s legacy spans back to the 1850s. My wife Karen shares this deep connection, with her family settling in western Bourbon County around the same time. Together, we’ve celebrated 23 years of marriage and have been blessed with three wonderful children: Taylor and Madison, both 23, and David, who is 19. 

 

**My Promises to You:** 

 

  1. **Give Back My Salary** 

   My belief is simple: if the people I serve benefit, then I benefit. We are all in this together. I am giving back my salary because your tax dollars should work for you. 

 

  1. **Year-Round Accessibility and Transparency** 

   How often do you only hear from politicians during the election? During my time as Mayor/City Commissioner, I was the first to hold public forums to get citizens’ input. 

 

“The position I am running for encompasses all of Bourbon County and most of Linn County. Over the past few years, through my business, I have expanded my connections in Linn County.  

 

As your state representative, I plan to leverage these relationships, along with engaging with other citizens, to address Linn County concerns and work together to create beneficial legislation. 

 

In Bourbon County, I am the only candidate who resides here.

Issues such as the lack of an emergency room directly affect me and our community. While the announcement of Freeman Health System coming to town gives me hope, we must remember past promises, like the one involving Noble, which did not materialize. 

 

 Being the only Bourbon County candidate, it is crucial for me to ensure that Freeman’s arrival becomes a reality. Securing state-level support will be essential to ensure Bourbon County has adequate healthcare. 

 

Issues like Pike Reservoir where the proposed lake would encompass cemeteries where I have family buried. No matter if I am for or against a project I would commit to involving citizens in the process like I did when I was City Commissioner. 

 

Living in Bourbon County also provides me with a unique understanding of medium to smaller issues, such as trains blocking intersections for hours or the challenges faced by public schools competing in the same KSHSAA class as private schools, which I have personally experienced as an injustice.  

 

These are issues I can address at the state level, and my residency in Bourbon County gives me a unique perspective and dedication to tackling them. I am committed to working tirelessly for the betterment of both Bourbon and Linn Counties.” 

 

 

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This ad paid for by Joshua Jones Candidate/Treasurer

AD: Rick James For KS State Representative District 4

Rick James is a Republican candidate for the 4th district House of Representative, a position currently held by Trevor Jacobs. Trevor announced that he is not seeking another term.

Rick is passionate about protecting the conservative values of fellow Kansans. He understands that freedom is not merely a privilege but a birthright. He was raised in La Cygne, Kansas where he attended La Cygne elementary school and graduated from Prairie View High School in 1981. He entered the Marine Corps a few short days later serving a 30-year career. This career included serving in Desert Storm, Haiti, Iraqi Freedom, serving on embassy duty and as a Marine Drill instructor. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major and was awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He also obtained a bachelor’s and a master’s Degree from the American Military University.

There was never a doubt, that he would return to Eastern Kansas. He moved his family to a small farm near highway 69 in 2008 and completed his Marine Corps career at Richard Gebauer Base in Belton. He retired a decorated Marine in 2011.

Since retiring from the Marine Corps he opened two local businesses, Semper Fi Auction Services and Bravo Realty. The Marine Corps instilled a dedication to serving his community. In 2014 he ran for the district 1 Linn County Commissioner. He served 2 full terms from 2014-2022. He did not seek reelection for a third term because, he believes there should be term limits in government at all levels.

He has a personal interest in Kansas, he was a military leader and a small Business owner.  He has conservative views!! He believes in the right to bear arms, he is pro-life, he believes in a smaller government and reduced taxes.

Politicians represent the people they serve, and he takes that very seriously! He would appreciate your vote on August 6. Click here to follow him on Facebook.  Semper Fi and God Bless!

Paid for by Rick James for KS State Representative.

AD: Joshua Jones for KS House of Representatives

Former Fort Scott City Commissioner Josh Jones and a Fort Scott Water Distribution Supervisor discuss the splash pad project in this April 19, 2023 photo at the site on North National Ave.

Joshua Jones Candidate for Kansas House of Representative District 4 

As election time approaches, I want to emphasize the need for candidates to remain active even after the election is over.

Too often, elected officials only engage with the community during election periods. As an eighth-generation resident of Bourbon County, I have a deep connection to this area and believe that community service and consistent involvement are key to our success.

Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working on projects such as refurbishing the high school tennis courts, helping acquire and donate a historic property to the Gordon Parks Museum, organizing events to raise awareness for Memorial Hall, and assisting in the development of a community splash pad.

.Josh Jones helped the Gordon Parks Museum receive the AME Church property in June 2023.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation
(left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation.

As your representative, I understand that we are all in this together and recognize the dedication required to be a positive and active elected official year-round. 

John Crain and Josh Jones paint the bathroom at Third Street Park in this October 2022 photo. Submitted photo.
Josh Jones was part of a committee that helped bring the splash pad to Fort Scott. This is opening day in 2023 from the Fort Scott Splash Pad Facebook page.

My Promises to You

 

  1. **Give Back My Salary** 

   My belief is simple: if the people I serve benefit, then I benefit. We are all in this together. I am giving back my salary because your tax dollars should work for you. 

 

  1. **Year-Round Accessibility and Transparency** 

   How often do you only hear from politicians during the election? During my time as Mayor/City Commissioner, I was the first to hold public forums to get citizens’ input. 

This ad paid for by Joshua Jones Candidate/Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AD: Rick James For Kansas House of Representatives District 4

Rick James took this photo at the Pike Reservoir discussion in northwest Bourbon County earlier this year. Submitted.

Preserving Rural Kansas

 

It isn’t just about conserving land; it’s about safeguarding a way of life. In the heartland of America, our rural communities like Bourbon and Linn counties embody values of hard work, resilience and family which make up our nation’s identity. We are the custodians of our agricultural heritage, the stewards of our natural landscapes, and the backbone of our economy. Preserving rural Kansas means investing in its infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and fostering sustainable practices that ensure its prosperity for generations to come.

Preservation goes beyond bricks and mortar; it’s about nurturing a sense of belonging and community pride. It’s about empowering local leaders, amplifying rural voices, and celebrating the rich tapestry of traditions that define our rural way of life. Rick James would be that voice in Topeka.

Recently Eastern Kansas has come under attack from green energy companies wanting to claim our land for their profits. In Bourbon and Linn counties wind turbines took the first shot. Bourbon County faced zoning challenges which allowed some wind turbines into their community. Linn County managed to shut them down. Both counties face another attack, commercial solar farms. It was published that 10,000 acres in Bourbon County and 8,000 acres in Linn County were being considered for these commercial solar units. Additionally, there is an investor wanting to use 10,000 acres in Mapleton to develop “Pike’s Reservoir”. Rick James, candidate for KS State Representative, recently attended a meeting with approximately 200 angry residents. The project has been put on hold, but the fight is real. Farms would be lost, cemeteries moved or flooded over, and no doubt eminent domain would be claimed.

Projects, such as the development of solar farms and commercial reservoirs threaten rural Eastern Kansas. Together these projects would take nearly 30,000 acres away from farmers and ranchers, claiming valuable pasture, crop land and homesteads. In addition, there is the environmental effect on wildlife. We can do better, and it must be stopped. We need to be vigilant on the local and the state level. So let us stand together, to preserve the heart and soul of rural Kansas. For in its fields, farms, wildlife, and communities lies the essence of who we are as Kansans.

Please vote Rick James for Kansas State Representative on August 6. You are invited to click here and follow him on Facebook.

 

Paid for by Rick James for Kansas State Representative.

AD: Rick James For Ks House of Representatives District 4

Rick James is a Republican candidate for the 4th district House of Representative, a position currently held by Trevor Jacobs. Trevor announced that he is not seeking another term.

Rick is passionate about protecting the conservative values of fellow Kansans. He understands that freedom is not merely a privilege but a birthright. He was raised in La Cygne, Kansas where he attended La Cygne elementary school and graduated from Prairie View High School in 1981. He entered the Marine Corps a few short days later serving a 30-year career. This career included serving in Desert Storm, Haiti, Iraqi Freedom, serving on embassy duty and as a Marine Drill instructor. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major and was awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He also obtained a bachelor’s and a master’s Degree from the American Military University.

There was never a doubt, that he would return to Eastern Kansas. He moved his family to a small farm near highway 69 in 2008 and completed his Marine Corps career at Richard Gebauer Base in Belton. He retired a decorated Marine in 2011.

Since retiring from the Marine Corps he opened two local businesses, Semper Fi Auction Services and Bravo Realty. The Marine Corps instilled a dedication to serving his community. In 2014 he ran for the district 1 Linn County Commissioner. He served 2 full terms from 2014-2022. He did not seek reelection for a third term because, he believes there should be term limits in government at all levels.

He has a personal interest in Kansas, he was a military leader and a small Business owner.  He has conservative views!! He believes in the right to bear arms, he is pro-life, he believes in a smaller government and reduced taxes.

Politicians represent the people they serve, and he takes that very seriously! He would appreciate your vote on August 6. Click here to follow him on Facebook.  Semper Fi and God Bless!

Paid for by Rick James for KS State Representative.

Eight-Year-Old Donates Bike to Gunn Park Trails

Marie Seaver presents a child’s bike to Frank Halsey of Gunn Park Trails. Submitted photo.

8-year-old Marlie Seaver donated her 20” bike to  mountain bike enthusiast Frank Halsey. Halsey founded Gunn Park Trails, a bike trail system in Fort Scott’s largest park.

“The bike is a 20” Guardian that her parents Josh and Melinda Seaver bought her last fall,” Halsey said.  “The company, Guardian Bikes, as seen on the 2017 episode of Shark Tank, teamed with Mark Cuban, has a trade-in policy that requires the old bike to be donated to a charitable organization that promotes bike riding and biking safety.  The Seaver family knew of Gunn Park Trails and reached out to me.”

“My husband Josh and I had tried for quite awhile to teach Marlie to ride a bike,” Melinda Seavers said. ” Finally after trying other bikes we did some research and found a company called Guardian Bikes online. They have great reviews and an amazing 365-day guarantee on all of their bikes. ”

“If your kid won’t ride it, can’t ride it, if it’s too big, if it’s too small they will refund your purchase or allow you to exchange for the correct size (which we did) and allow you to donate the original bike to a nonprofit of your choice,” she said “Last fall we purchased the bike for Marlie and she learned to ride it with no problems the very same day! After this winter when we got the bike out for her to ride this Spring it was too small for her. We contacted Guardian Bikes and they said to locate a charity we would like to donate to.”

“My husband and I used to be next door neighbors with Frank Halsey and we have followed along with his journey in creating and maintaining the Gunn Park Trails. I contacted him to find out if the bike would be useful to his project in any way to raffle or raise money for the trails or any of the many events they would be hosting in the future. ”

“He said there is an organization called NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) that was coming to help with the cleanup efforts of the trails after the recent flood in April canceled their event and damaged many parts of the trails. It sounded like the perfect fit for Marlie to donate her bike to since she really loved the bike and wanted it to go to a good cause here in Fort Scott. We met Frank at the Gunn Park Trails sign early this week to take a picture to send to Guardian Bikes to show them where our bike was donated.”

“I’m not sure what Frank and the NICA will decide is the best way to use the bike for their efforts but we were happy they could benefit from it in some way,” she said.

Frank Halsey has the idea to raffle the bike off at a future event to help fund the maintenance of the trails.

About The Trails

According to Frank Halsey, Gunn Park Trails was started in 2009, by him and his “bunch of misfit volunteers.”

Today there are approximately 8.5 miles of mountain bike trails, ranging from easy to difficult.  These trails are maintained by volunteers, and attract visitors from all over, including the Annual Marmaton Massacre Festival.

They are also trying to develop a more complete skills park and pump track on the property immediately before entering the park.  Additional funding is being sought to make this more permanent.

 

 

 

Bourbon County Health Care Sales Tax Is Approved By A Wide Majority, REH Discussion Beginning In Washington D.C.

Voting in the Bourbon County Courthouse in 2018.

The unofficial results of the May 14 election are in.

Bourbon County residents voted 1611 to 496 in favor of a one-quarter cent retail sales tax. Nine ballots were blank and are listed as “undervotes”,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said. “We have a total of 12,418 registered voters which equals a turnout of 17.03% which is slightly less than the city/school election last November which had a turnout of 19.35%.”

The tax becomes effective October 1, 2024, and continues for five years and will used for the establishment and operation of an Emergency Department in Bourbon County.

When the tax terminates in five years, the remaining tax funds will be used for Emergency Medical Services and/or property tax reduction as determined by the Bourbon County Commissions.

 

The emergency room at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.

Rural Emergency Hospital Discussion Starts In Washington

In a related category, the U.S. Senate had legislation introduced recently that starts further federal discussion of rural emergency hospitals.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018, citing declining patient numbers. Ascension Via Christi then took over operations of  Mercy’s Emergency Room in 2019 and closed in December 2023.

To view prior stories:

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott to Close

Ascension Via Christi to close Emergency Department in Fort Scott on Dec. 20

That emergency room, at 401 Woodland Hills, Fort Scott, is currently closed.

Today U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)  announced they have introduced legislation to expand access to federal resources for rural hospitals through the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Medicare designation, according to a Moran press release

 

“The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would increase opportunities for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals to convert to an REH and make technical improvements to the designation. These changes would help make the conversion to an REH more appealing by giving rural hospitals facing closure access to critical resources from the federal government to remain open.

 

“Access to emergency health care saves lives and helps rural communities prosper,” said Sen. Moran. “Too many rural hospitals in Kansas and across the country are struggling to keep their doors open, and this legislation offers those hospitals a lifeline. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation has already helped save numerous rural hospitals, and expanding access to this successful program is a common-sense way to make certain more hospitals stay open.”

“Rural hospitals provide health care in areas where it isn’t otherwise easy to access, so when their doors close, communities are left with almost no options, and that’s dangerous. If you’re dealing with a medical emergency or you just went into labor, the last thing on your mind should be whether your local hospital is still open,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is about public safety. It will make sure that if a hospital is in truly dire straits, they can remain open for emergency care – including obstetric care.”

 

“Created as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, REH is a new Medicare provider designation that offers certain rural hospitals the opportunity to convert and continue operating with limited services rather than closing. The provisions in the REH Improvement Act are the result of numerous conversations Sen. Moran held with rural health care providers and CEOs of hospitals that are eligible for the REH designation.”

According to the Moran press release:

“The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would:

  • Allow previously closed rural hospitals to re-open and apply for the Rural Emergency Hospital designation if they can demonstrate they met all eligibility requirements between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 27, 2020.
  • Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a waiver program for facilities operating similarly to an REH in order to convert to an REH.
  • Allow REH facilities to maintain or create a unit for inpatient psychiatric care, obstetric care and allow for limited inpatient rehabilitation services.
  • Require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide additional funding for laboratory services.
  • Clarify that REH facilities are eligible for Small Rural Hospital Improvement grants.
  • Direct the Secretary of HHS to allow an REH to be eligible as a National Health Service Corp site.
  • Authorize REH facilities to transfer patients from acute care to a Skilled Nursing Facility without leaving the hospital, in accordance with the Social Security Act.
  • Allow an REH facility to revert back to a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) to regain necessary provider status, only if the facility was designated a necessary provider prior to converting to REH.”

 

AD: The Shead Farm Festival is this Saturday at 10 a.m.

Click To Add To Facebook Calendar

Shead Farm Festival May 18th 10am

Click To Add To Facebook Calendar

Come join us for an exciting, entertaining event that people of all ages will enjoy!

  • Explore and gather ideas from Shead’s sustainable lifestyle farm where Veggie Powder is grown!
  • Get ideas on how you can grow your own food.
  • See gardens growing vertically and horizontally.
  • Learn how things were done in the good ol’ days.
  • Enjoy great food while you shop our vendor booths.

Music | Children’s Activities | Farm Tour | Farm Store and Vendor Booths | Food Court

A wonderful outing that ALL ages will enjoy!

Admission: Single Ticket – $5 or Family Pass $25 (5+ members)
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Children’s Activities: Fun, Educational Gardening Games and Activities, Face Painting, Animal Arena, Story Station, Head-in-the-Hole Picture Booths, Bug Hunt, Milking Cow, Butter Making, Large Sandbox, Children’s Store, and more!
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Historical Activities: How to Milk Cows, Make Butter, Laundry w/o Electricity, 1864 Barn Loom Weaving, and more!
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Farm Tour: Gardens, Greenhouse, Fruit Grafting, Animals, etc.
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Plant Pavilion: Worm Farms, Plants, Berries, Carts, Compost, Trees
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Food: Serving Walking Tacos, Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Supercharged Cookies, Homemade Baked Goods, Dill Pickles, Snack Shack, Homemade Root Beer, Kettle Corn, Cotton Candy, Lemonade, Pastries & Iced Coffee
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Many Vendor Booths: Soaps and Salves, Honey, Eggs, Spices, Bakery Items, Baskets, Jams & Jellies, Weaving, Spinning, Farm Decor, Kitchen Items, etc.
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Farm Store Items: Veggie Powder, Garden Plants, Toys, Hats, Aprons, Books, Cards, Earrings, etc.
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Sheadfarm.com
2468 Cavalry Rd, Garland, KS
(620)224-4149

Click To Add To Facebook Calendar

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AD: Join the Key Apparel Sales Team

The loading dock of Key Industries Inc., located at 400 Marble Road, in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park, parallel to Hwy. 69.

KEY Apparel is searching for an entry-level Business to Business Junior Sales Professional to join our KEY For Business team.

The focus will be developing KEY’s direct sales customer base, including sales to businesses and government entities.

Visit https://www.keyapparel.com/careers-at-key/ for more information.

AD: Junior Sales Professional Is Needed At Key Apparel

Key Industries Inc. is located at 400 Marble Road, in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park, parallel to Hwy. 69.

KEY Apparel is searching for an entry-level Business to Business Junior Sales Professional to join our KEY For Business team.

The focus will be developing KEY’s direct sales customer base, including sales to businesses and government entities.

Visit https://www.keyapparel.com/careers-at-key/ for more information.

AD: The City of Uniontown Is Searching For a City Clerk

 

Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

The City of Uniontown is Searching for City Clerk

 

Would you like to make an impact in your community while broadening your skill set, connecting with people, working close to home, and receiving good pay & great benefits?

As Uniontown City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk you can do all this and more!  This is a 40 hours per week position with above average wage and benefits, including:                        

  • Paid Time Off: 10 Holidays, 1-4 weeks Vacation, 12 days Sick Leave, & More
  • Retirement Plan: participate in KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System)
  • Health & Life Insurance available
  • Wage Scale: minimum $15.00, may be more depending upon experience

 

Personal Requirements:

  • You must be a Motivated, Self-Starter
  • High Attention to Detail
  • Basic Computer, Accounting, and Secretarial Skills
  • Ability to Maintain Confidentiality and Discretion
  • Live Within 10 Miles of Uniontown
  • Valid Driver’s License & Pass Pre-Employment Drug Screen

The Clerk position entails performing all duties as defined by Kansas State Statute and City Ordinances:  receive and disperse monetary funds and maintain financial records; complete various administrative reports; grant applications & administration; prepare, mail and apply payments of monthly customer utility billing; assist residents via phone or walk-in; attend and record minutes of all city council meetings, write monthly community newsletter; other duties as required (a more detailed job description and list of duties available upon application).

Apply in person at Uniontown City Hall, call 620-756-4742, or submit your resume via email to [email protected] .  Applications accepted until position filled.