Tag Archives: featured

Reimbursement Being Sought From Feds For Flooding Damage

June 14, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Marmaton River on May 23, 2019, nearing the level of the bridge on North National Avenue.

Governor Laura Kelly sent a request this month to President Donald Trump to ask for a presidential declaration for public assistance for 63 counties in Kansas following recent months of record rainfall and severe weather causing flooding, flash flooding and tornadoes beginning April 28, according to a press release from the governor.

Bourbon County was one of the counties listed in the request.

“The county declared on the 23 of May,” Will Wallis, Bourbon County’s Emergency Management Director said. “It was orchestrated by the commission with their signatures and mine. It will help the county as far as reimbursement funds to public roads and bridges.”

The federal public assistance program helps pay for the restoration of public infrastructure and associated costs caused by flooding and tornado damage, according to the press release.

“It will pay us back for qualified roads, bridges, culverts, low water crossings and bridges but only if each one of them qualifies,” Wallis said.

“The (federal) government pays back 75% the state (government)10%,” he said. “This is a bare minimum. If we can get mitigation funds involved, it could be more.”

” We start preliminary damage assessments tomorrow (June 14) that will determine if we have met our county threshold which is $57, 000 dollars,” Wallis said. “We are very sure we will meet the threshold without any problems.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s damage assessment includes the following types of damage: debris needing removed, the number of roads closed, the number of bridges unusable, the number of miles of roads damaged and public building, vehicles and equipment damaged, among others.

In addition, damage to recreation areas are assessed as follows: debris removal, damage to parks and facilities at parks.

An impact statement is included in the assessment: for essential services affected (EMS, law enforcement, fire departments), farmers unable to get in their fields, health and safety issues such as hazardous materials, contaminated water supply, etc.

For the full assessment document click below:

Damage Assessment Questionnaire

William Wallis, the Bourbon County Emergency Manager, KCEM, can be reached at

[email protected]

or in person at 210 South National, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701

or by phone: Office # 620-223-3800 ext. 124 or Cell # 620-224-8165

Business, Fort Scott

Lavender Patch Fest II June 15

June 13, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Devin and Betsy Reichard, owners of the Lavender Patch. Submitted photo.

This year, Lavender Fest II is this Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5, with children five-years-old and under free.

Activities include live music from Bob Pavey Lovett and Red Letter Edition, a bluegrass/gospel band that has played at Silver Dollar City.

They are back by popular demand, Betsy said.

There will be a demonstration from Martha Scott on making lavender wands/bottles and little lavender baskets.

Betsy Reichard and Martha Scott, right, discuss the lavender bottles that Scott will be making for the festival.

“You also have the opportunity to make your own or buy one from her,” Betsy said.

Betsy Reichard will be giving demonstrations on making lavender wreaths and present “I have lavender, now what do I do?” she said.

Tours of the lavender fields, as well as info on how to plant lavender, will also be given.

“In addition, we will have lavender plants available to plant,” Reichard said. “For those who would like to take a bundle home, we will once again have you-pick lavender bundles for $5.”

There will be outdoor games, picture taking opportunities, and the chance to sit, relax, and enjoy time with friends and family. she said.

A sign welcomes to the Lavender Patch, 2376 Locust Rd.

What is the Lavender Patch?

“The Lavender Patch is a small family owned lavender farm located just east of Ft. Scott city limits on Locust Rd,” Reichard said. ” We have over a thousand lavender plants and 20 varieties. Our farm is a Kansas agritourism farm and we welcome visitors to walk through the fields, take pictures, pick a lavender bundle and visit our gift shop our hours of operation which is 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in June and in July it will change to 9 to noon. Thursday through Saturday, people may also call and an appointment can be made for other days and times.”

The Lavender Patch gift shop sells all things lavender.

When did it start?

“We decided to start our lavender farm in 2009 and spent the year researching, connecting with other lavender farms, and making plans. In 2010 we planted our first few plants to see if this is what we wanted to do. In 2011 we moved so did not do anything addition with the lavender but in 2012 we started planting in mass with lots of help from family and friends. Through the years we have had our struggles and just to get plants to live was our goal! However, in 2016 we switched to a new area on our farm and are having much more success!”

Why a lavender farm?

“We bought this property in 2008 since we had always wanted to live in the country. In 2009 we went to California to see Davin’s brother Daryl, his wife Erlinda and their family. Erlinda had visited a lavender farm in California and thought it would be a neat thing to do. Knowing that we had bought this property and that they (Daryl and Erlinda) planned to move back to Kansas, Erlinda had the idea this was something we could do together as a family. While in California, we all visited the same lavender farm Erlinda had gone to previously. We talked to the owners, toured their farm, and then started our research. While on that trip, we decided on the name The Lavender Patch although Erlinda was the one who originally came up with it. “

New this season?

“We have added more plants and replaced many that died this winter from winter kill. Lavender doesn’t like to have ‘wet feet’ so this rain we have had has been a challenge. We have had some of our plants that have struggled and others didn’t make it. We do have some new products in our gift shop, including some lavender scone, bread, and cookie mixes.”

Betsy Reichard can be reached at620-223-1364

Business, Fort Scott

Ultra High Speed Internet Now Available Through Craw-Kan

June 12, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

A map of the Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative coverage ability for the Fort Scott area. Submitted photo.

Craw-KanTelephone Cooperative, Girard, is offering ultra high-speed internet, high definition television and unlimited telephone service over 100% buried fiber optic FTTH network to residences and businesses inside the city limits of Fort Scott, mostly on the west side of town.

“Our first customers inside the city limits of Fort Scott we installed in early 2018,” Zach Adams, Craw-Kan Marketing Manager said. “We will attempt to complete the rest of the city limits of Fort Scott in 2020.”

Craw-Kan conducted a business study prior to coming to Fort Scott.

“After extensive study, it was determined that the demand for a new Internet Service Provider in the City of Fort Scott was adequate to make a successful business model,” Adams said. “Partnership’s with Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott proved helpful in making it easier for Craw-Kan to expand into Fort Scott. “

A landline purchase is not required.

“Customer’s in Fort Scott are not members of the cooperative and thus are not required to have landline telephone service and do not receive the benefits of cooperative membership,” Adams said. “It is required however that a customer subscribes to the internet if they wish to subscribe to our cable tv or telephone line.”

What are the costs involved?

“No installation for internet, cable tv (up to 3 TVs), no equipment rental fees and we provide remote management of our gateway router free of charge,” Adams said. ” Customer only pays for monthly service charges. All internet and telephone is unlimited usage – we do not bill overages or long distance.”

Residential internet service ranges from approximately $50 to $70 per month, cable TV service approximately $40 – $100 per month, plus extra for movie packages, according to the Craw-Kan website:

www.ruralfiber.org

Call 620-724-4542 for more information or to place an order.

Bourbon County, Business

Dawson Minor: Young Entrepreneur

June 11, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

This is part of a series featuring young people who found a need and are seeking to fill it with a business venture.

To nominate local young entrepreneurs, send name, phone number/email and the name of who is nominating and why, to [email protected].

Dawson Minor, 20, of Fulton is the owner of 4 Clover Mowing business.

The business began as a dream when he was a small boy.

“From the time I was very small, I have had a fondness for any kind of self-propelled equipment, no matter the size,” Minor said.

“Even before I had the concept of mowing grass, lawn mowers were the first machines that I could actually drive,” he said.

In second grade, when he could barely reach the pedals, he began mowing the family yard and farm lot.

” I loved mowing,” Minor said. “I often dreamed of mowing for other people and having my own business.”

In early March 2013, after “a lot of thinking and discussing with my parents” Minor decided to start a small mowing business since he enjoyed mowing lawns and being outdoors.

“I started with a John Deere LA120 riding lawn tractor,” he said.

“My first year in the mowing business turned out to be a great learning experience, ” Minor said. “It helped me to understand that having the ability and chance to do something that I truly enjoy is not only measured by money.”

“Within the second year in business, I soon realized that my role of being the kid who mows the yard was rapidly changing to the responsibility of a young businessman,” he said.

“My number one responsibility in grounds-keeping has always been customer service,” Minor said. ” I never intend to give up quality for quantity in order to increase profits.”

” I have been blessed with the growth of my business and great customers.”

“I currently employ two very hard working and dependable individuals, Drew Wright and Garrett Thompson, which I value and trust impeccably,” he said.

His service area includes Bourbon, Linn, and Vernon counties.

“I have learned customer satisfaction is not only the success of a business, but it is also truly the reward of a business,” Minor said.

Minor can be reached at 620-238-9613 or [email protected]

Bourbon County, Business

New Union Station Owners Welcomed by Ruritan

June 10, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Uniontown Ruritan sponsored a ribbon cutting for Union Station Convenience Store on May 11. From left: Ruritan member Joe George, Ruriteen member Luke George, Ruritan members Lawrence and Raymond George, owners Ronni and Dane Clayton, Ruritan members Henry Homan and Mark Warren and community member Linda Wilson.

Uniontown Ruritan sponsored a ribbon cutting to welcome the new convenience store owners, Ronni and Dane Clayton.

The Clayton’s took over ownership of Union Station Convenience Store from Ron and Susan Eldridge in April 2019.

The store sells gasoline, food, and beer and is located on Hwy. 3, one mile south of the Hwy. 54 junction.

The store is a gathering place for locals in the morning, unofficially called “The Liars Club.”

Hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information: 620-756-4884.

Fort Scott, Government, Housing

Lyle Brittain: Fort Scott’s New Codes Officer

June 7, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Lyle Brittain, Fort Scott Codes Enforcement Officer.

Living in cities and towns has both benefits and responsibilities.

A property owner is responsible for keeping his/her property in a habitable condition, grass at a reasonable height and free of debris, among city codes.

The Fort Scott Codes Department provides information and assistance regarding permits, zoning, and Fort Scott codes and regulations, according to the city’s website.

Lyle Brittain, 25, was introduced at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee on May 30 as a new codes officer for the city.

Brittain earned an associates degree in business from Fort Scott Community College in 2014, and has owned a landscape business for 12 years he said.

His duties in the codes officer position are to inspect properties for compliance of grass height, proper electrical and gas systems, and additionally, issuing building permits, he said.

“We drive up and down streets,” Brittain said. “We will take complaints (about properties) and they will be addressed as soon as we can.”

The codes department can be reached by calling the city office at 223-0550. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We are allowed on private property unless the owner tells us to leave,” Brittain said.

“We don’t want to make people mad,” he said. “We introduce ourselves and let them know if they don’t get the codes violation done, there will be a legal letter coming.”

“The letter will give a certain amount of days to get the issue resolved, say for instance grass getting too high (on a property),” Brittain said. “If the city has to use its’ resources of manpower and machine to resolve the issue, it’s $300.”

A code the public may not know about concerns properties that are deemed uninhabitable.

“You can’t live in a house without electricity or water or sewer services,” Brittain said. “That’s considered an uninhabitable condition.”

The Fort Scott Codes Department is located in the basement of Memorial Hall at 1 E. Third.

The door the City of Fort Scott Codes Department at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third.

Rhonda Dunn is the Fort Scott Director of Finance and Codes, and Adam Harrison is the newly created codes supervisor.

Lyle is married to Liz Brittain and the son of Bill and Michelle Brittain.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC/SEK Update by Krista Postai

June 5, 2019 Loretta George 1 Comment

Krista Postai, President & CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas headquartered at 3011 N. Michigan, Pittsburg, KS 66762.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is considering its options looking to the future of the Fort Scott center. They currently have a two-year lease with Mercy Hospital.

“We did formally request land from Mercy behind the existing hospital facing Horton Street and they have tentatively agreed to provide us space for a new 25,000 sq. ft. building,” Postai said. “Nothing formal has been signed but I understand the Mercy attorneys are working on it. This news has been shared with staff and we’ll start working on the design late in June.”

“We hope to fund it with a USDA low-interest loan they make available for rural communities like Ft. Scott,” she said. “It will have space for medical, dental, behavioral health services and a pharmacy. We hope to have it completed by January 2021.”

Recruitment is ongoing for the health center, she said.

“We do continue to work on staff recruitment for another physician and a psychologist or LSCSW, so if anyone has a relative that wants to move home we have a good opportunity for them,” Postai said.

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott, Government

2019 City/School Election: Increase in Candidates

June 4, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.

The following have filed for the 2019 City/School Election, according to information provided by Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk. The clerk’s office is located at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.

Candidates were to file by noon June 3 for the desired positions, with August 6 the primary election and November 5 the general election.

In the Fort Scott City Commission contest, 14 people have filed to run for three possible seats. Three incumbants will run for re-election.

” In 2017 we had four file, in 2015 we had three file and in 2013 we had four file,” for the Fort Scott City Commission election, Mason said, when asked to compare the 2019 numbers.

Another highly contested race is for USD 234 Board of Education with 11 people who filed.

The clerk can be reached at (620)223-3800 ext. 191.

CANDIDATES THAT HAVE FILED FOR THE 2019 BOURBON COUNTY ELECTION

CITY OF BRONSON-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

JAMES E. OLSON

DANIELLE MINOR

MICHAEL STEWART

CITY OF FORT SCOTT-CITY COMMISSION (3 COMMISSION POSITIONS)

CHERYL L. ADAMSON

HAROLD (PETE) ALLEN

KEVIN “SKITCH” ALLEN

CYNTHIA BARTELSMEYER

CASEY BOLDEN

TRACY DANCER

BOBBY DUNCAN

BOB FARMER

JOSH JONES

DEB MCCOY

DIANA MORRISS

JEANIE PARKER

LINDSEY WATTS

MATTHEW WELLS

CITY OF FULTON (1 MAYOR & 5 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

NO CANDIDATES FILED

CITY OF MAPLETON (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

NO CANDIDATES FILED

CITY OF REDFIELD-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

WILMA K. GRAHAM

JIMMIE JACKSON

L.D. MORRISON

ANGELA HIXON

CITY OF UNIONTOWN-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

DANEA D. ESSLINGER

DAVE WEHRY

USD 234

JAMES WOOD

DANNY BROWN

MICHELLE HUDIBURG

KELLYE BARROWS

JOE FOULK SR

MICHAEL J. HOYT

JOSH JONES

AARON JUDY

SHAWN GOANS

LYNETTE JACKSON

Bill Michaud

USD 235

TROY GOODRIDGE

JASON SUTTERBY

JOSHUA HARTMAN

KOLBY STOCK

SALLY JOHNSON

FSCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES (3 POSITIONS)

DAVID ELLIOTT

KIRK HART

MICHAEL J. HOYT

CURTIS LEAR

ROBERT NELSON

SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT (2 POSITIONS)

DIANE BRILLHART

PETE WILEY

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Good Ol’ Days 2019: What Was Your Special Moment?

June 3, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Good Ol’ Days is the annual town-wide gathering, which includes a parade, vendors on Main Street, comedy and music entertainment, a carnival, a fun run/walk and activites at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. It has grown to include the Fort Scott Munitions Customer Appreciation Day Car Show and events.

Check the following photos to see if your special moment is caught.

If not, submit yours in the comments section.

This is a segment of the parade highlights:

Parade goers line the streets of Main at Wall Street to view the Good Ol’ Days Parade.

Several drones were seen overhead during the parade. This drone, at Wall and National Avenue, got caught in some electric wires and fell to the ground barely missing these three small children a few minutes after this photo was taken.

A drone overhead at National Avenue and Main Street that got caught in electric wire and fell to the ground, nearly missing the three young children below.

Vendors selling food, goods and services lined North Main Street:

Maci Brock, Fort Scott, gets her face painted by Gaisa Westervelt, Columbus on Friday evening on North Main Street. Vendors selling food, goods and services lined the street Friday evening and Saturday.

The carnival, Red Garter Saloon and shows in Memorial Hall drew parade goers, following the Good Ol’ Days Parade Friday night.

An annual tradition, the Red Garter Saloon was located this year on Skubitz Plaza, just north of Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.

The Jared Daniels Band played Friday evening at Memorial Hall.

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Good Ol’ Days Begins Tonight!

May 30, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Fun Time Show, Doniphan, MO is located at Third and Main Street this year. The ticket booth is on Third Street.

This evening begins the 39th Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival in downtown Fort Scott.

The Fort Scott Talent Show begins at 6 p.m. at Memorial Hall, Third and National Street, with admission $5, kids five and under are free.

There are 13 contestants that have entered the show, Rhonda Dunn, president of the Good Ol’ Days Committee said at today’s Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee at Skubitz Plaza.

The carnival is located at the corner of Third and Main Street and offers nine rides. The cost of an armband that covers all rides for that session is $25.

Hours for the carnival are 7 to 11 p.m., tonight, Thursday, May 30. Fridays and Saturday hours are 6 to 11 p.m.

Memorial Hall is where the talent show will be held at 6 p.m. May 30.

The Good Ol’ Days Festival is put together by a committee of volunteers: Rhonda Dunn, Melissa Wise, Kayla Hall, Ally Turvey, Shawn O’Brien, Carl Brenner, Charlotte Thompson, Leah Bowman, Tim Van Hoeke, and Janet Braun.

The committee takes a month off following the festival, then meets together to plan for the next year’s festival in the following months.

The Good Ol’ Days Committee: front from left are Kayla Hall, Melissa Wise, Charlotte Thompson, Leah Bowman; back row from left are Carl Brenner, Shawn O’Brien, Rhonda Dunn, and Ally Turvey. The committee works all year long to bring the town’s annual gathering to fruition.

Bourbon County, Business

Ol’ Boys Welcomed by Uniontown Ruritan

May 29, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

Ol Boys Tire and Auto owners, Jody and Loretta Chaplin cut the ribbon during a ceremony May 11 to welcome them to the community by Uniontown Ruritan. From left: Ruriteen Luke George, Joe, Lawrence, Raymond George-Ruritan members, Caleb Chaplin-employee, Loretta and Jody Chaplin-owners, Henry Homan and Mark Warren, Ruritan members.

Uniontown has an auto shop called Ol’Boys Tire and Auto, which opened last year.

Uniontown’s Ruritan recently welcomed the business to the community with a ribbon cutting.

“We do auto repair,” Jody Chaplin, the owner said. “Welding, tires, brakes, exhaust, oil changes, tires, windshield wipers, pretty much anything auto product related.”

The shop is located just off Hwy. 3 on the west side of Uniontown, population approximately 300, not counting the dogs.

The hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

For more information: 620-756-4415.

Bourbon County, Schools

Community Retirement Reception for Alan Shinn

May 27, 2019 Loretta George 1 Comment

50-year math instructor Alan Shinn addresses the crowd who came to wish him well at his retirement reception on May 26.

Members of the Uniontown community came to West Bourbon Elementary School on a Sunday afternoon to honor Alan Shinn for 50 years teaching math in the school district.

Uniontown Ruritan facilitated the afternoon events which included awards and speakers from the 50-year tenure of Shinn. There was also a reception prior to the ceremony.