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Area News, Bourbon County, Entertainment

Veteran’s Day Celebrations Nov. 9-12

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Banners of local veterans line Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. Call the Fort Scott Visitors and Convention Office at  620.670.2750 for more information.

Veterans Day festivities take place November 9-12, throughout the county. All veterans are invited.

Area schools have been providing Veteran’s Day Assemblies to honor those who have served their county for several years, and continue in 2018.

On Friday, November 9 at 9 a.m. Winfield Scott Elementary School will have a Veteran’s Day Program in the gym.

Fort Scott Middle and High School students will have their program in the high school gym from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. the same day. Guest speaker is Nick Trim, an Air Force Veteran.

St. Mary’s Catholic School will have a Veteran’s Day program at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Veteran’s Memorial on Skubitz Plaza in front of Fort Scott National Historic Site, weather permitting.

A new Bourbon County School, St. Martin’s Academy, will present a public faculty lecture on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at National and Wall Street.
Patrick Whelan, the headmaster at the boy’s Catholic school, will be giving the lecture, entitled  Warfare in Epic Poetry. Whelan is a Marine veteran and still serves as an officer in the Marine Reserves in addition to pursuing a Ph.D. in combat trauma in literature.
The presentation event starts with a mixer /cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m.  Whelan will speak at 8:30 p.m. and allow time for questions.

On Monday, November 12, Eugene Ware Elementary School will have a vet’s program at 9 a.m. in the gym, while USD 235 will also have their program at 9 a.m. in the high school gym on Nov. 12.

Fort Scott Community College is offering free haircuts to veterans Nov. 9-12. The haircuts are provided by the cosmetology department. Call this number for an appointment: 620-223-2700 Ext. 5220.

The First Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration spearheaded by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau includes the following, taken from its’ website:

Friday, November 9th

5 pm – 8 pm: Opening Reception “In Honor of Company ‘G’” @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, presented by Peerless Products. Finger foods and your first drink of the evening are free. All veterans that register will also receive a free goody bag with a special gift and information.

Saturday, November 10th

10 am: Special Veterans Day Program @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall – speakers include 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson, Gold Star Mother Jennifer Jackman, Carl Jowers of Thomas-Harkey Post 25 American Legion, and Commander of the American Legion Department of Kansas Dan Wiley. Special music will be provided by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra.

Noon – 4 pm: Hospitality Room @ VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart

2 pm: Performance of “Bright Star” @ Fort Scott High School. Adults $7  Kids $5. Veterans will be recognized during the performance.

5 pm: Live Local Bourbon County presents the Veterans Day Parade through Downtown Fort Scott. TFO will provide trailers and rides for all veterans who can not, or do not want to, walk the parade route. Live Local BB will be serving up a hot dog meal beginning at 3:30 pm at the pavilion downtown! The staging area is located at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.

Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay decorates the exterior of city hall, 123 S. Main on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the Veteran’s Day Celebrations this weekend.

7 pm: 1800’s Remembrance Grand Ball @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, presented by The “Friends” of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Sunday, November 11th

9 am: Church Services @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton

11 am: Services @ US National Cemetery #1 with 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson. Organized by VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart

Noon: Lunch @ VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart for Free Will Donation.

While in Fort Scott for the Veterans Day Celebration, don’t forget to purchase your “Buddy” Poppy and “Wear it proudly.”

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Homecoming This Saturday by Briana Blandamer

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King Candidates, left to right, are Jasper Dunn, Tyler Cunningham, Ty Covey, Albert Maliko, Alonzo Hokes, Greg Lorenz (not pictured) Front row, left to right are Queen Candidates Tatum Brunkow, Taylor Krokroskia, Logan Mattingley, Leslie Damian, Jaylynn Jenkins, Yesenia Benitez. Courtesy photo.

It is Homecoming in Greyhound Nation!

The process has begun in search for the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen. “The candidates were selected by their perspective clubs or sports. After being chosen, they went through an interview process that narrowed down the candidates to the final twelve”, said Vanessa Poyner, who is in charge of the coronation process.

Queen Candidate, Taylor Krokroskia said, “It’s an honor to be chosen for the final six. All the candidates are great representatives of FSCC and I wish them the best of luck!”

The final King candidates include Jasper Dunn, Tyler Cunningham, Ty Covey, Albert Maliko, Alonzo Hokes, and Greg Lorenz.

The final Queen candidates include Tatum Brunkow, Taylor Krokroskia, Logan Mattingley, Leslie Damian, Jaylynn Jenkins, and Yesenia Benitez.

The king and queen will be chosen by popular vote of the student body. The election will be held on Friday, November 9.

King Candidate, Tyler Cunningham said, “Being a freshman, I don’t know many people yet, so I appreciate every vote I can get!”

The 2018 Fall Sports Homecoming football game will be against Dodge City Community College on Saturday, November 10 beginning at 11:00 am. The Coronation Ceremony for King and Queen will take place at halftime of this game.

Bourbon County, Elections

Results From Bourbon County Voting 2018: Republicans Win

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These are the unofficial results of the 2018 November 6, General Election, sent from the Bourbon County Clerk.

 

Bourbon County Commissioner District 1

(Rep) Lynne Oharah 998

(Dem) Clinton Walker 513

 

Ks. House of Representative Dist. 4

(Rep) Trevor Jacobs 3289

(Dem) Lawrence Forbach 1059

 

Ks. House of Representative Dist. 2

(Rep) Kenneth Collins 305

(Dem) Adam Lusker 104

 

Kansas District 13 State Senator

(Rep) Richard Hilderbrand 1915

(Dem) Bryan Hoffman 1097

 

Kansas Commissioner of Insurance

(Rep) Vickie Schmidt 3426

(Dem) Nathaniel McLaughlin 1265

 

Kansas State Treasurer

(Rep) Jake LaTurner 3400

(Dem) Marci Francisco 1350

 

Kansas Attorney General

(Rep) Derek Schmidt 3397

(Dem) Sarah Swain 1364

 

Kansas Secretary of State

(Rep) Scott Schwab 3254

(Dem) Brian McClendon 1277

 

Governor

(Rep) Kris Koback  2878

(Dem) Laura Kelly 1535

 

U.S. House of Representatives

(Rep) Steve Watkins 3072

(Dem) Paul Davis 1386

 

Click here for the results sent from the Bourbon County Clerk’s office:

GENERAL ELECTION 2018 BOURBON COUNTY UNOFFICIAL!-1

 

Fort Scott, Schools

“Bright Star” Showcases FSHS Talent

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Fort Scott is the home of many talents and some of that talent is showcased in the Fort Scott High School production of Bright Star.

Bright Star is a musical play performed by  Fort Scott High School students. There will be four performances: tonight, Nov. 6 and Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. and  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m.

“Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.

Noah Martin performs as Billy Cane.

“When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.

A transforming moment of the lives of Alice, Billy and Daddy Cane.

“Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies, and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful,” says publisher Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Mesa Jones and Levi Bin are lovers in this scene as Alice Murphy and Jimmy Ray Dobbs.

Adult admission is $7, children-$5 and can be purchased at the high school office, 1005 S. Main or at Common Grounds, 116 S. Main.

Doors open 30 minutes before the showtime.

Local musicians directed by FSHS Choral Director Meredith Reid accompany the play. The dancers are choreographed by Delynn Abati, assistant to the FSHS Dance Team.

The singing and dancing carry an intense plot line of two Southern love stories across the time frame of 1926-46.

Margo (Morgan Rohr) and Billy (Noah Martin) share feelings for each other.

The cast is as follows:

Mesa Jones is Alice Murphy, Noah Martin is Billy Cane, Caleb Watkins is Daddy Cane, Morgan Rohr is Margo, Gabrield Graham is Max, Madi Toth is Florence, Brooklyn Lyons is Edna.

Elijah Self is Daryl, Addy Labbe is Lucy, Mary Gladbach is Mama Murphy, Sage Hill is Daddy Murphy, Dominic Cannon is Mayor Dobbs, Levi Bin is Jimmy Ray Dobbs.

Lucy (Addy Labbe) flirts with Billy (Noah Martin).

Brian Stumfoll is Stanford, Mackenzie Peoples is Dr. Norquist, Carlee Studyvin is the government clerk, Kaitlyn Hanks is the well-dressed woman.

Tina Ramirez, Avery Dorsey, and Julia Allen are in the spirit ensemble.

In the singing/dancing ensemble are Brya Peterson, Taylor Jones, Zaria Byrd, Kathelra Murray, Karina Kantilal, Tacy Holston, Jenna Stockstill.

Other performers are Landon Doherty, Khris Patel, Shawn Barrager, Alexis Williams, Breena Cox, Jada Bailey, Wendy Monahan, Olivia Wilterding.

The following are scenes from the play.

 

 

Bourbon County

Clothing and Food Resources For Those In Need

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Feeding Families In His Name, a  free community dinner at First United Methodist Church,  is each Wednesday evening. Pictured is FUMC, located at Third and National Street. Courtesy photo.

The Bourbon County United Methodist Parish churches have been gathering coats and blankets to give away to those who need them.

West Liberty UMC led the drive and used Feeding Families In His Name as the distribution site for two weeks, according to Jean Tucker, coordinator for FFIHN. Linda Deere was the contact person for the drive.

“The Beacon brought us their donated coats and blankets, also,” Tucker said.

The Beacon, located at 525 E. 6th, Fort Scott.

” We helped them (Feeding Families In His Name) with a lot of coats,” Carol MacArthur, president of the Beacon Board, said.

The remaining coats, all adult sizes, have been donated to Gallilee Thrift Store, 605 S. National Avenue, for them to distribute for free to those who need coats.

The Beacon, a local helping agency, recently stopped taking donations of clothing and household goods, as of Oct. 31.

The Galilee Thrift Store, on National Avenue, south of Pete’s Conoco Convenience Store.

“Jane Lifer (owner of Galilee Thrift Store) said she would give them out and not sell them,” Tucker said. “Most are adult sizes 14,16,18.”
Children’s clothes were left in front of the Galilee Thrift Store to give away on Friday.

Additionally, Mother to Mother Ministry, 728 S. Heylman, has clothing to give away.

Food To Those In Need

Each Wednesday evening at the First United Methodist Church, located at Third and National Avenue,  a free community meal is served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Entry to the church basement kitchen is on the Third Street side of the building.

This FFIHN ministry has been doing this since 2011 and feeds between 125-130 people a week.

“We allow seconds and to-go meals,” Tucker said. “Anybody and everybody is welcome.”

The Beacon provides food in the form of groceries to their clients and will continue to do so.

In addition, The Beacon helps in other ways.

 “We do feed families, and we do help them with funding for prescriptions, rent, and utilities,” MacArthur said.

 

Government, Kansas

Drivers License Office In New Location

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Driver’s License Office, 108 W. Second. October 2018.

The Fort Scott Kansas Driver’s License Office recently moved from the Bourbon County Courthouse to 108 W. Second.

The new office is directly behind the courthouse at 2nd and Judson Streets.

This follows the reconfiguration of the courthouse to allow for easier public access to the Bourbon County Commission Room, the Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office, and the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office. These offices were moved to the north wing of the courthouse, following the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office and Correctional Facility to move to its new building at 293 E. 20th.

Hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Testing must be completed by 11 a.m. in the morning and 2:45 p.m. in the afternoon.

The phone number is 620-223-6319.

Formerly the hours were Thursday and Friday only from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The hours are posted in the lobby of the office at 108 W. Second.
This sign is posted on the door of the new Driver’s License Office at 108 W. Second.
Bourbon County, Schools

A New Bourbon County School: St. Martin’s Academy

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One of the St. Martin’s Academy boys rappeling at Looking Glass Arch, near Moab, Utah. Courtesy photo.

St. Martin’s Academy,  a new Catholic boys boarding school started its inaugural school term in Moab, Utah in September.

The staff and students spent six days canoeing, technical rock climbing and exploring, during the first days of the school year.

” It was a time of intense bonding and camaraderie, and life-long friendships were born,” Daniel Kerr, founder of the school said in a newsletter.

St. Martins’ Academy, Oct. 2018, is still in the construction stage.

The school campus is still under construction, with a tentative completion date for the first building, Theotokos Hall,  by late spring 2019, according to Patrick Whelan, headmaster of the academy.

Meanwhile the students/faculty are staying in the Levine House on South National until the facility is complete.

“We have 18 students this year, eight freshmen and ten sophomores,” Whelan said. “We have students from all over the country including Virginia, Georgia, Texas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, etc.”
” We have a relatively large staff (12) due to the 24 hours per day supervision requirements,” Whelan said. ” We have four residential staff that we call House Fathers. They live in the same building as the students and are responsible for supervising all daily activities.”
“St. Martin’s is unique in that it is neither a prep school for the socio-economic elite nor is it a reform school for young men with behavioral problems,” Kerr noted in a recent newsletter.
The platform-tent at Camp Kapaun on the campus of St. Martin’s Academy, located on Indian Road, serves as a classroom each morning for Natural History, Liturgy, Ancient History and Latin lessons. Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.  Coach Simon Webster said many of the St.Martin’s Academy freshmen and sophomore boys had never played soccer. The school ended with a winning record and had competed against varsity level teams.
Courtesy photo. Two St. Martin’s students take a turn milking Sweet Molly Brown, a Jersey cow. St. Martin’s Academy students participate in daily chores. The first two weeks of work, students butchered rabbits, castrated hogs, bucked two fields of alfalfa hay and milked cows.
These are the faculty and staff of the school:
Chris DeCleen age 24 is from Indiana and earned a degree in philosophy from Ave Maria University in 2017. He teaches Freshman History.
Joseph Free, age 23, is from Massachusetts and earned a degree in the Humanities and Liberal Studies from Ave Maria University in 2018. He teaches music and is assistant rugby coach.
Joshua Mincio, 20, is from California and interned at a monastery in Oklahoma before joining us this fall. He teaches advanced Latin.
Simon Webster, 20, is from Texas and comes from the University of Houston Business College. Simon is the head soccer and rugby coach and athletic director.
Faculty:
Travis Dziad and his wife Margi come from Ave Maria University where Travis is ABD in a Ph.D. in Theology. He serves as the Residential Dean and teaches Algebra and History.
Daniel Kerr is from Fort Scott and is the owner and co-founder of Adjuster Pro. Dan is the president and co-founder of St. Martin’s Academy; he leads development efforts and teaches Natural History.
Kenneth Klassen is from Fort Scott. He holds a Ph.D. in literature from the University of Kansas and has taught a variety of subjects for over 30 years. He teaches Literature and Geometry.
Ronald Klassen is from Fort Scott, holds a Masters degree in Classics, and has taught in public and private schools for over 30 years. He is the head Latin teacher.
Sebastion Macik and his wife Erin come from Dallas, TX where Seb taught and served as an EMT. He is the chef.
Fr. Bob McElwee is from Pittsburg, KS holds several Masters degrees and is a retired priest in the diocese of Wichita. Fr. McElwee is the Chaplain and teaches all Religion classes at the academy.
Michael Taylor and his wife, Jenna, recently moved to Fort Scott from Mound City, KS. Mike has worked as a hunting guide in Alaska and in various dairies for over a decade. Mike is the Farm Foreman and teaches leather-working and pottery.
Patrick Whalen and his wife, Kristi, moved to Fort Scott last year from St. Louis. Patrick is the headmaster and co-founder of the academy. He is a Marine veteran, a reserve officer in the Marines, and a Ph.D. candidate at Washington University in St. Louis. Whelan teaches literature at the academy.

Whelan provided the following information about the school:

The curriculum taught at the academy for freshmen: Mythos, Greek Literature, Roman Literature, Pre-History to the Hebrews, Greek Civilization, Roman Civilization, Basic Catechism (The Problem of Evil), Natural History, Algebra 1/Applied Mathematics, Latin 1.
The curriculum for sophomores: Rome and the Incarnation, Medieval Literature 1 and 2, Roman Empire to Late Antiquity, Early Middle Ages, High Middle Ages, The Liturgy, Earth Science, Biology, Geometry/Euclidean Geometry, Latin Advanced.
” In addition to their academics, the boys play soccer in the fall and rugby in the spring,” Whelan said. ” We are currently engaged in the FORT (Functional Outdoor Resilience Training) program which is an outdoorsmanship, fitness, and leadership development program we designed.  In their free time, the boys learn folk music, juggle, and enjoy the parks and trails around Fort Scott.”
“All students participate in athletics and a series of Practica that include Leatherworking, Pottery, Drawing, Painting, Cartography, and Gregorian Chant,” according to Whelan.
 School is in session from Sept 3 to May 25.

 

Airport, Fort Scott, Government

Seth Simpson Hired As New Airport Manager

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Seth Simpson, Fort Scott City Airport Manager, as of Dec. 2018.

Seth Simpson has been hired as the Fort Scott Airport Airfield Operation Flight Manager.

His hiring was announced at the airport Monday afternoon.

The Fort Scott Airport entrance at 187th and Indian Road.

A 2002 Fort Scott graduate, Simpson, 35, has worked at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida for six years as an Air Force Air Traffic Controller.

He then entered the Air National Guard and served in Stillwell, OK; Manhattan, KS; Montgomery, AL; Biloxi, MS, and most recently St. Joe, MO.

Simpson is married to the former Amy Cozens and his parents are Scott and Becky Simpson, Fort Scott. They have three children: Lydia, Maylie, and Alex.

“Five people applied,” said Kenny Howard, the current airport director, who will be retiring in  December 2018.

“We selected Seth because of his experience in aviation, plus he was a local boy,” Howard said.

“He will be training one day, every other week, until December 21,” when Simpson will become fulltime and Howard will step down, Howard said.

“I will be in charge of air traffic control, airfield operations, and landing systems maintenance,” Simpson said.

Simpson will continue in the Air National Guard one weekend a month, two times a year, he said.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

New Bookstore Grand Opening Today, Oct. 30

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Jan and Dick Hedges, owners of Hedgehog.INK.

Hedgehog.INK, a bookstore featuring new and gently used books has its’ grand opening today at 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

The ribbon cutting is at 5:45 p.m.

The store is located at 16 S. Main and owned by Jan and Dick Hedges.

Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.

The store accepts paperbacks and hardback books for all age levels, according to information provided.

Most of the books traded for store credit will receive up to 20 percent of the price charged for the book at Hedgehog.INK.

Book pricing depends on book quality, age, demand, current stock, and condition.

Trade credit can be redeemed at the rate of 1/2 credit and 1/2 cash for books only. For example, if a book is purchased for $4, one can apply $2 of credit, and the customer will pay the remaining$2 in cash.

New or used books can be special ordered through Hedgehog.INK.

Jan Hedges stands in front of her display of a new children’s series of books, called Barefoot Books.

The Hedges will sell a series of new children’s books, called Barefoot Books.

“They are colorful, high-quality books for children,” Jan said.

The children’s area of the Hedgehog.INK bookstore.

In addition to a children’s area, there is a writers area in the store, where customers can read or write.

Sheryl Bloomfield is the assistant manager and Addison Guilfoyle is an employee.

Sheryl Bloomfield logs in books Monday afternoon at Hedgehog.INK.

In addition to books, local products will be for sale.

Goat milk products, lavender products, and homemade cards are among the items provided by local producers to Hedgehog.INK, that are for sale.

The Lavender Patch owner, Betsy Reichard, has a sales area in Hedgehog.INK. She sells lavender products that she produces on her farm: soaps, sprays, dried lavender, etc.
Homemade cards by Jean Solomon will be for sale in the store.

“Dick and I have been amazed at how people have come to volunteer and help us,” Jan Hedges said.

Dick Hedges, left, works on processing books Monday afternoon, while volunteer Sharon Campbell works on books on the shelves.

“Our motto is a community of books for the community,” Jan said.

Area News

Step Back In Time To Cato

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Courtesy Cato Historical Preservation Society
Tours of Cato, the first town in Crawford County are hardly new.
Susie Stelle started helping John Spurling organize Cato Fall Tours in 1985.
Stelle is president of the Cato Historic Preservation Association.

With Spurling, she started giving informal tours of the town, located northwest of Arcadia for several years prior.

Organizers of the upcoming Cato tour this Saturday, Nov. 3, plan to take visitors back to the mid-1800s through music, history, and re-enactments.
Activities on Saturday will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through the day.
Ralph Carlson, a member of  a music group called “Old Fuss and Feathers”, will perform in the church at 9:30 a.m.
There will also be presentations in the restored 1869 rock school by Anna Portwood Swank and her sister, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, and husband Jaime Thompson.
Souvenirs and homemade baked goods will be available at the Cato Store, headed up by Stelle.
Proceeds from the tour will benefit the continued restoration and preservation of the Cato School and Cato Christian Church and this year’s newly constructed cabin, donated by the Coonrod family.
 At noon, there will be ham and beans cooked by Bob “Buck” Rowland of Arma. The meal also includes cornbread.
There will be an open fire for those who choose to bring their own hot dogs.
Drinks will be provided, all for a nominal fee.
At 12:30 p.m. a quilt raffle will take place. The quilt was donated by Sue James of Galveston, TX.
Sue’s husband, Dale, attended all eight grades of the one-room Cato school.
At  1 p.m. hayrides are offered by Joe Bournonville to visit area cemeteries and other sites related to Cato’s history.

 

On Friday, Nov. 2,  approximately 600 youngsters will have a field day, organized by Katharine Spigarell.
 School children from Uniontown, Fort Scott, Girard, Arma, Frontenac, Pittsburg and new this year, Liberal, Mo. will come to Cato.
A tour guide will direct groups of kids to various stations to observe living history exhibits such as blacksmithing, wagons and farming, schoolhouse games, area history, civil war weaponry, and Native American culture.
The Cato HPA has a Facebook page and website located at www.catoschool.com.
Directions to Cato, KS: On 69 Hwy., turn west on 720 Avenue, one mile north of the Arcadia turn-off (one mile south of the Bourbon County line. Go west one mile, then turn north for one-half mile, then left one mile to Cato.
Contact a CHPA board member for more information
email Marilyn Flagg: [email protected]
Board members include:
Susie Stelle, Mary Portwood, Richard Coonrod, Lily Coonrod, Jerry Coonrod, Ralph Carlson, Joe Bournonville, Anna Portwood Swank, Katharine Spigarell, Marilyn Coonrod Flagg, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, Floyd Feezel, Donna Hashagen, Bob George, Jamie Thompson, Buck Rowland.

 
Area News, Government

Hwy. 69 Expansion Pushed Into December

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These signs mark the closed Eagle Road, Oct. 25. Workers were busy all along Hwy. 69 on the expansion project.

The 69 Hwy. expansion project from Fort Scott to Arma doesn’t have a November completion date anymore, according to Priscilla Petersen, with the Kansas Department of Transportation.

In an interview, Petersen said the November completion date of the U.S. 69 expansion has been pushed back.

“We plan to have this project open to four-lane unrestricted traffic by Dec. 21, 2018,” she said.

All work on the active U.S. 69 expansion in Bourbon County will be completed in April 2019. ”

“The active Bourbon County expansion project is approximately six miles long, starting south of Fort Scott and ending at the Bourbon-Crawford county line,” Peterson said.

“The Crawford County expansion project has not been let. The tentative letting date is the fall of 2020.”
 

It seems KDOT ran into more extensive excavation of the stretch of highway than originally thought.

“During the grading phase of the expansion our contractor encountered a lengthy section of the old highway that had not been previously removed,” Petersen said. “The removal of the old mainline and bridges required extensive excavation. In addition, the discovery of the old roadway greatly reduced the amount of dirt available for the earthwork. We found it necessary to add a second borrow-waste area to supply the material.”

A KDOT crew work on a section of Hwy. 69 Thursday morning near the Garland exit.

“Current project activity includes concrete paving on the mainline and guardrail installation on the bridges,” Petersen said.