Tag Archives: featured

Mapleton Medical Clinic: Providing Care For The Rural Community

 

Inside the Mapleton Medical Clinic. Submitted photo.
Tiffany Yowell, 42, and her parents opened Mapleton Medical Clinic in December 2023.
Tiffany Yowell and her mother, Cindy Larson. Submitted photo.
Yowell has a Master’s degree from the University of Saint Mary and is an Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner.
She works beside her parents, Fred and Cindy Larson, who are registered nurses, with over 25 years of nursing experience.
Tiffany Yowell and her father, Fred Larson. Submitted photo.
“I have been in healthcare for 22 years and have watched a significant decline in the quality of care,” Yowell said. “I have worked in multiple clinic settings and have a strong background in emergency medicine and family medicine. The clinic is a family operation. Cindy and Fred Larson are registered nurses with a solid clinical background and a wealth of knowledge.”
“The clinic is a private practice,” she said. “I do not have a collaborative. I have been waiting for Kansas to pass the law that allows nurse practitioners to practice independently of a physician, and now I have finally got my wish.”
Since 2005 she has been dreaming of working as an independent provider.
 ” I wanted to be independent because we can provide better healthcare,” she said. “If I worked within a healthcare system, I would have a lot of background noise distracting providers from high-quality and personalized healthcare, such as patient volume, time constraints, and meeting quotas. As a patient, you can rarely speak directly to your provider, every process seems to take too long, and let’s be honest, most of us avoid the process altogether because it can be uncomfortable, time-consuming, and less than satisfactory.”
“Our philosophy is patient-centered care, striving to provide care tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences,” she said. “I believe in helping individuals, educating them about their health conditions, and empowering them to collaborate with me to develop the best treatment plan. We believe in treating the WHOLE person, not just their symptoms. I do not believe in cookie-cutter medicine. I believe in listening to patients and allowing them the time they deserve to tell their stories. People are often misdiagnosed and overmedicated just because healthcare providers do not give the patient enough time to work through their concerns.”
For her community, she provides tailored medical care and telehealth services, lab services and on November 12 they are starting monthly education classes.
“On Nov 12 we have a Medicare representative coming in to talk with residents about Medicare services, and a question and answer session,” she said.
There is a fee for service to uninsured patients, with
concierge care also available- a monthly membership fee for uninsured patients or patients requiring frequent contact with the provider.
“Radiology services are not available at the clinic,” she said. “Orders can be sent to a local hospital or diagnostic center.”
Hours of operation vary.
“The goal is to be open every other week on Thursdays and Fridays, but it is best to check our Facebook page or the website for days the clinic is open.  I want to be full-time in the next 5-10 years.”
Contact info.

The Mapleton Medical Clinic is located at 171 Sixth Street, Mapleton, Kansas 66754.

Office and Fax: (620)743-3049 (Limited hours of operations) If you have a medical emergency please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Inside the Mapleton Medical Clinic. Submitted photo.

 

Food Drive to Help Local Limited Resource Families Has Started

 

 

It’s that time of year that people begin thinking about Thanksgiving holiday celebrations, and for many, having enough food to feed their families is an ongoing issue.

Three local organizations have started a food drive, the Bourbon County-Wide Gratitude Challenge, that will help contribute to limited-resource residents’ food availability. The food drive will continue until November 25.

Canned goods, boxed meals, and dry goods, as well as essential personal hygiene products, will be collected. The items will be distributed to local food pantries and other organizations working to support those in need during the holiday season and beyond.

“During this season of gratitude, we have an opportunity to give back to our neighbors in a meaningful way,” said Lisa Robertson, Community Health Worker with The Local Health Equity Action Team. “Food insecurity is a real challenge for many in our community, and by coming together, we can make sure that no one has to go without the basic necessities of life.”

The Guild Mortgage Company, 1 E. Wall,  is taking donations for the food drive. Submitted photo.

 

Tomorrow: A Drive-up, Drop-off Event

Saturday, November 9,  Lisa Robertson, LHEAT Community Health Worker, and Lea Kay Karsleskint, with K-State Extension SNAP-ED, will be outside at Brick Street BBQ Restaurant on North National Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon for the convenience of drive-up and drop-off contributions.

There are several options for those who want to help the cause.

  • Monetary Donations: HBCAT will accept monetary donations to purchase essential food pantry items.
  • Drop Off Non-Perishable Items: Take non-perishable food items to any of the participating drop-off sites below. Several partner organizations are offering drawing entries for gift cards and more, to those who donate at their business establishment.
    • 5 Corners Mini Mart
    • Bourbon County Courthouse
    • Bourbon County EMS
    • Buck Run Community Center
    • Citizens Bank
    • City Hall
    • City State Bank
    • Community Health Center of Fort Scott
    • Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Fort Scott Christian Heights
    • Fort Scott Fire Station #2 – 23 S. Franklin
    • Fort Scott Police Department
    • Guest Home Estates
    • Guild Mortgage – 1 E Wall
    • Kansas Renewal Institute
    • HBCAT – 104 N. National
    • The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative
    • Landmark National Bank – Downtown location
    • Papa Don’s
    • Peerless Products
    • Perry’s Pork Rinds
    • SEK-Mental Health
    • The Artificers
    • Union State Bank
    • Uniontown Spark Wheel
    • Ward-Kraft
  • Order from Walmart: Place an online order for delivery directly to the HBCAT office at 104 N. National.
  • Drive-Up and Drop-Off: On Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 AM to 12 PM, drive up and drop off your donations in front of Brick Street BBQ. Volunteers will be on hand to unload your donations.
  • Get Your Church or Organization Involved: If you have not yet been contacted and would like your church or organization to participate in making this food drive a success, please reach out to HBCAT.
  • Contact for More Information: Call the HBCAT office at 620-224-2563 for additional details or questions.
Landmark Bank, 200 S. Main,  created a Thanksgiving theme at their drop-off location.

The drive, spearheaded by the Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT), The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), and K-State Research and Extension SNAP-ED,  has set in motion area partners who are collecting non-perishable food items, according to a press release from Kansas State.

“The Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) coalition is taking proactive steps to address pressing health disparities in our community,” Karleskint said. “Meeting bi-monthly, this diverse group of local leaders, health professionals, and community members collaborates on identifying and tackling the most urgent public health challenges affecting residents.”
“One of the critical issues that the LHEAT has identified and is actively working to address is food insecurity,” she said.  “With many individuals and families in our community struggling to access healthy and nutritious food, the coalition is committed to finding sustainable solutions that will help alleviate hunger and improve overall health outcomes.”
“We know that food insecurity is not just a matter of access—it’s a health issue that impacts individuals across all ages and backgrounds,” said Karleskint. “By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, we’re not only raising awareness about the issue but also working collaboratively to implement real, lasting change.”
“The coalition’s efforts are part of a larger initiative to reduce health disparities and improve well-being for all community members, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through these ongoing discussions and partnerships, the Local Health Equity Action Team is paving the way for a healthier, more equitable community.”
How It Started
“At a recent LHEAT meeting, Lisa Robertson, our LHEAT lead, proposed organizing a food drive to address the ongoing food insecurity in Bourbon County,” Karleskint said. “Having seen firsthand the struggles faced by many in her role as a Community Health Worker, Lisa is deeply committed to supporting underserved community members. After she introduced the idea, the LHEAT team came together to brainstorm ways to make it a meaningful event. A few weeks later, Lisa reached out to several local food pantries, churches, and The Beacon, inviting them to meet with she and I. As an LHEAT member and the KSRE SNAP-Ed nutrition educator for Bourbon County, I was eager to partner on this project. Together, we held a productive brainstorming session, generating ideas that would inspire community involvement and ensure the food drive’s success. With the weather getting colder and the holidays approaching, we thought now would be the perfect time to implement our project.”
Here’s a summary of the food assistance resources in Bourbon County they plan to assist:
  • The Beacon Food Pantry provides essential services for those in need Monday – Friday
  • Fort Scott High School Pantry and Fort Scott Community College Pantry offer students access to essential food items.
  • Uniontown Spark Wheel and Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church Pantry serve Uniontown residents, supporting families and individuals facing food insecurity.
  • Blessing Boxes are small, community-based outdoor pantries stocked with essentials for immediate access.
  • Bethesda Church Food Pantry and First Baptist Church Food Pantry provide ongoing support for local families in need.
  • Fulton Community Pantry will assist local households in need, and Bronson Library Food Pantry extends support to residents in the Bronson area.
These organizations are part of a collaborative network dedicated to combating hunger in Bourbon County.
“We encourage any additional food pantries in Bourbon County that we may not yet be aware of to reach out to us,” Karleskint said. “Connecting with these resources allows us to strengthen our community network and better support residents facing food insecurity.
Submitted poster.

 

 

What Is Next After Election For School District and County Commission Questions

A sign in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

On the November 5 ballot, The Fort Scott School District 234 and the Bourbon County Commission had the following questions about who/how many can serve as representatives of their constituents in their respective entities.

 

USD 234 Question

“Shall the method of election in Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, be changed from the six-member district method of election, under which the school district is not divided into any member districts and all board members are elected at large?

The vote was 3,515 yes and 1,578 no, on November 5.

What’s next?

“We have advertised for an open board position,” said USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown. “We will repost the position for at-large candidates now that it has passed. Next year, when we have four positions open for election, anyone can file for the open positions. Then, voters will see the whole group of candidates and vote for their top four. The four candidates with the most votes then become board members.”

The Bourbon County Commission Question

“Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d) & (e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?

3,769 voted yes and 2,238 voted no.

According to Kansas Law, this is the process of moving from three to five commissioners:

Sec. 5. K.S.A. 19-204a  reads as follows: 19-204a.  When the voters of a county approve a change in the number of county commissioner districts at an election held under K.S.A. 19-204(c), and amendments thereto, the board of county commissioners, on or before January 1 immediately following such election, shall adopt a resolution dividing the county into the number of districts approved by the voters. If the board of county commissioners fails to adopt such resolution within the time prescribed, the chief judge of the district court of the county, on or before the following January 31, shall order the county divided into the appropriate number of districts, according to https://www.sos.ks.gov/publications/register/Volume-43/Issues/Issue-16/04-18-24-52068.html#:~:text=(c)%20The%20board%20of%20county%20commissioners%20of,of%20the%20county%20are%20entitled%20to%20vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott Author Tanya Glessner’s Newest Book: Unyielding Faith

Tanya Glessner. Submitted photo.
Tanya Glessner, Fort Scott,  is a Christian author who loves sharing her experience of overcoming addiction, abuse, incarceration, and loss through God’s grace.
Her newest book, Unyielding Faith: Drive Out The Enemy With Divine Power was just released on Amazon.com.
Other books by Glessner, in order of release date:
The Light You Bring September 2023, Stand Up Eight January 2024,
Prayer Journal May 2024,  and New Mercies Every Morning July 2024.
Of the newest book:
The words we speak reflect our hearts and wield immense power—to build up or tear down. They have a far-reaching impact that can alter the course of many lives. Therefore, we must intentionally align our words with God’s word, training ourselves to use language that brings victory and life. according to a press release from Glessner.

In Unyielding Faith: Drive Out the Enemy with Divine Power there are prayers, proclamations, scriptures, and more that will help  break every curse that has come against you and those you care about such as:

*Prayer For Blessings And Breakthroughs
*Prayer For Family
*Prayer Against Satanic Forces
*Prayer To Release Guilt
*Prayer Against Fear
*Prayer For Guidance
*Proclamations
*And more…

God’s divine presence lives within His followers. Exercise the authority He has granted to overcome obstacles, reclaim control of our lives, and declare words of life that drive out the enemy.

It’s currently available on Amazon:
Other books:

Unofficial Results of the November 5 Election

Voters in a prior election vote at the Bourbon County Courthouse.

The following are the unofficial results with all precincts reporting, as sent to fortscott.biz by the Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins at 8:45 p.m. on November 5.

“The turnout with these votes counted is 51%. We will still have provisional and ballots by mail to count at the canvass, so that will not be the final turnout,” she said.

Bronson Area Residents Encouraged To Be Part of Process For Future City Park

A new plan for Bronson’s public park is in the works.

Bronson is a small town (population 300) in western Bourbon County.

With support from some organizations,  a community meeting to get public input on a new park has been planned.

The surrounding community is invited to the town hall kick-off for the Rural Champion and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Bronson Placemaking Project on Tuesday, November 12th, at 6:30 p.m. at Bronson’s community building.

The Rural Champions program is designed to create a network of grassroots individuals who possess the necessary tools to resolve critical community needs quickly and effectively, according to a press release from HBCAT. These Rural Champions will receive strategic training and compensation and be connected with resources to assist them. HBCAT (The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team) was awarded one of 14 Rural Champion’s Grants and selected Kelly Perry to lead this initiative in Bronson.

Bronson Park. Submitted photos.

Rural Champion Kelly Perry (who lives and has a business in Bronson) will hold four town hall meetings.

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store in Bronson. Submitted photo.

The initial meeting on November 12 will be used to officially kick off the placemaking project and collect information from community members to create an assessment and to learn what there is to build on, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team CEO Jody Love said.

“We hope you will join us for the town hall kick-off for the RuralChampion and Healthybbco Bronson Placemaking Project!,”  Love said. “We are working to increase access to physical activity and enhance quality of life!”

Bronson Park. Submitted photos.

“We will discuss the current and envision the future,” Love said. “We will brainstorm, tell stories, talk about our strengths and opportunities, and determine our priorities for the space. This placemaking project empowers community members to help develop solutions and some grant funds to see their ideas become a reality.”

 

” Residents of Bronson report safety concerns when at the park and a need for overall upgrades and improvements.” Love said.

Bronson Park. Submitted photos.

“Snacks and drinks will be provided, and we want to hear from everyone, including your children, teens, and young adults. Their voice is essential,” she said.

 

The project, in collaboration with HBCAT, the Health in All Policy Task Force, the Bourbon County Local Health Equity Action Team, and the City of Bronson, has identified creating safe and healthy places and neighborhoods for families to enjoy, instilling a sense of pride, and lifting community morale as a priority, according to the press release.

 

“Anyone with ties to Bronson is encouraged to attend,” Love said.  “Teachers, relatives, community members, business owners, church leaders, and even family members who have relatives living in Bronson should attend.  We want to hear your unique perspectives, your stories, and your memories of Bronson and more!”

Bronson Park. Submitted photo.

About the Rural Community Champion Program and HBCAT’s Placemaking Project:

 

As a division in the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Office of Rural Prosperity is part of the economic development team solely focused on rural Kansas’s growth and prosperity.   The Rural Champion Program was developed by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) in collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation; this program will address critical public needs in rural communities and build capacity in the future.

 

 

FSNHS Candlelight Tour Theme 2024: Challenges and New Experiences

The Fort Scott National Historic Site Post Hospital. Submitted photo.

Today, November 1, is the first day that tickets for the Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 43rd Annual Candlelight Tour go on sale.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors-including participants of the tour- bring the fort to life each year during the candlelight tour. During the tour, one will be immersed in ways people have overcome and learned from challenges and new experiences in Fort Scott.

The event is on Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, 2024. Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 9 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the tour will be outside and on sidewalks.

This year, participants will become frontier soldiers.

The theme is Challenges and New Experiences in Fort Scott. “Each new challenge on the frontier built confidence and led to a new view of one’s life,” Brenner said. “We learn through training and challenge. Each challenge faced at Fort Scott bettered the soldiers, preparing them for the future, and eventually, the next journey in their life.”

“We will be mustering visitors into Company A for the 1st dragoons, giving them the persona of an actual soldier,” Brenner said. “They will be part of the discussion around Fort Scott, preparing for the South Pass expedition, where they were to ride 2,200 miles in 99 days. They will celebrate the holidays with new carols from the 1840s, and then muster out, date-stamping their paper to take home as a souvenir. We are working to have the Grand Hall cleaned up and open, as in years past, for snacks, music, dancing, and to warm up after the tour.”

Dozens of volunteers come together to bring this event to life, including those who enjoy acting.

“We are lucky to have a group of very dedicated volunteers who help with multiple different events and projects at the park,” he said. “We are also working with Angie Bin, the Fort Scott High School’s speech and drama teacher, and some of her students. If you are interested or know someone who is, we can still use your help.”

Please call the park at 620-223-0310 or email us at [email protected] to find out more and become involved.

Carl Brenner.

 

Tickets

Tickets are available by first calling the fort at 620-223-0310 to make your reservation, then log onto https://store.wnpa.org/products/fort-scott-national-hist-site-candlelight-tour, or search for store.wnpa.org and shop for Fort Scott NHS, to make your payment.

FSNHS is unable to take credit card numbers over the phone as in years past, said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS(www.nps.gov/fosc).

Tickets can also be purchased at the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd. just east of Historic Downtown Fort Scott. They are $8 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that one gets tickets early to ensure a choice of tour times, as this event frequently sells out, according to an FSNHS press release.

 

History of the Candlelight Tour

“The Candlelight Tour began as a part of the Holiday Open House program where Fort Scott residents would decorate their homes and open them up to the public for the holidays,” Brenner said. “Fort Scott National Historic Site joined these festivities by decorating Capt. Swords Quarters in Officer’s Quarters #1. When that program ended, we continued with the yearly decorations. It began to grow to include staff and volunteers telling stories about Fort Scott’s history. This continued to grow into the Candlelight Tour. Within the last five years, we have adjusted the program to be more immersive with audience participation. We want visitors to be a part of the vignette instead of looking through a window as did Ebenezer Scrooge. We also encourage visitors to dress up for the tours, preferably in period clothing, for an even more immersive experience.”

 

About The Fort

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park Service.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Teacher Turned Pediatrician: Mary Jo Flint

 

Dr. Mary Jo Flint.

 

Dr. Mary Jo Flint started on August 26 as a pediatrician at the Community Health Center Of  Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott.

Flint earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks and taught kindergarten and Head Start classes.

“I was a teacher and enjoyed kids,” she said. “I enjoy watching them grow and working with families….helping them.”

Her decision to go on to medical school at the University of North Dakota was an extension of her wanting to help kids, she said. She graduated from med school in 1991 and completed her residency at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. She is board-certified in pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For the last three years, she has worked in Tennessee in rural medicine.

With a daughter in Kansas City and a new grandchild, she wanted to be closer to them.

What attracted her to Fort Scott was the mission of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, she said.

According to the CHC website, they transform healthcare by addressing and removing barriers faced in finding quality healthcare, and are driven to provide compassionate care for everyone who comes,  regardless of circumstances.

The medical services Flint provides are well checks-preventative appointments with children from birth to 18 years old and their parents- sick visits, developmental screenings, vaccines, x-rays, ultrasound, and mental health screenings.

“I use Evidencebased medicine (EBM),” she said, which is the scientific method to organize and apply current data to improve healthcare decisions. “I am constantly learning. If I find that something isn’t working, I don’t keep on doing it, I try something else.”

CHC has a walk-in clinic on site, 2322 S. Main, that is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the doctor’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Contact Dr. Flint at 620.223.8040 for an appointment for your child.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas at Fort Scott, June 2023

About CHC

Providing Compassionate Care

In 1903 Mother Mary Bernard Sheridan, a Sister of Saint Joseph, brought healthcare to the poorest in our region, building a hospital on donated land and providing care for all. She told her staff to “Do all the good that you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways that you can, for just as long as you can,” according to the CHC website.

Humble Beginnings

CHC/SEK opened its doors in 1997 on the second floor of a 90-year-old elementary school building as a community outreach of Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, the hospital Mother Sheridan founded in 1903. Their purpose was to ensure that all children were “ready to learn” by providing physicals and immunizations, no matter their parents’ ability to pay. It was a mission of love in an area of critical need – a community that continues to have some of the highest rates of childhood poverty in Kansas.

They quickly realized these children’s parents and grandparents needed care too and expanded services and facilities to provide quality, affordable healthcare to patients of all ages. By 2003, they had become an independent organization with 11 employees that cared for 3,300 patients.

Healthier Communities

Today, more than 1000 employees care for more than 70,000 patients every year, providing medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and support services across eastern Kansas and northeast Oklahoma – still regardless of the ability to pay.

 

Annual Holiday Open House Is Next Week

 

The 21st Annual  Fort Scott Holiday Open House Shopping Event in the historic downtown district and around town is next week.

The main kick-off event is Thursday, November 7 from 5-8 p.m. Some stores will remain open to 9 p.m.
The evening includes festive refreshments, drawings and deals on products, according to a Chamber of Commerce press release.
 On Thursday evening the Kansas Museum Conference will end a meeting at 8:30 p.m. at the River Room and most of the stores will remain open to accommodate conference attendees, said Lindsay Madison, Chamber Executive Director.
There will be approximately 130 conference attendees in Fort Scott for that conference.
 Most stores will continue to have Open House on Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9.
Drawings, discounts, and treats await, while shoppers find unique apparel, gifts and holiday décor.

The asterisk beside the participating store names below indicates they are staying open until 9 p.m.


110 South Main Mercantile*
Angie Dawn’s Boutique*
Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market*
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry*
Be the Light Boutique*
Bids & Dibs*
Hedgehog.Ink!*
Iron Star Antiques & Such*
Laree + Co*
Mayco Ace Hardware*
Museum of Creativity*
Sekan’s Occasion Shop*
Sunshine Boutique*
The Artificers*
The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative*
US Cellular*
Varia Quality Resale

History of the Event

The first holiday open house was in 2003 at the Iron Star Antiques and Such, 3 North Main.

Santa sits on a bench in front of The Ironstar and gets a second look from Ernestine Eden in 2017.

Barb Trimbur and Cindy Bowman were vendors in the Iron Star and they decided to host an open house after Trimbur had made an offer to purchase the store from Yvonne Beck and Beck accepted the offer. The deal was finalized in 2004.

“The purpose of the first holiday open house was to introduce myself as the new owner,” Trimbur said. “We were decorating the store and thought, wouldn’t it be nice to have a party to kick off the season.”

Trimbur said about 10 years ago other downtown stores decided to have an open house as well.

Madison said the last quarter of the year, the holiday season, is the busiest time of the year for businesses.

 

 

Fire Engulfs Farm Combine on Oct. 28: Community Steps In

Bill Keith, looks on as his combine is engulfed in fire on Oct. 28, during strong winds in the region. Submitted photo.

The unusually warm weather—almost 90 degrees—and the strong winds have created dangerous conditions for fires once they have started.

Stacy Racy stated on her Facebook page last night that her dad, Bill Keith , had a piece of farm equipment engulfed in fire.

Her dad was combining wheat on his farm near Hammond, about 12 miles north of Fort Scott on Monday evening, October 28.

“You can’t see right behind you on a combine,” Racy said. “The combine died and he stood on the platform on it and saw that it was on fire.”

“Tonight, my dad’s combine caught fire. Once again, Jerry Nafzger, my dad’s guardian angel here on earth, came to his rescue,” she said on her Facebook page. “My dad didn’t know the combine was on fire until it died in the field. Jerry had seen the fire and called the fire department as he headed to the field.”

“Two young men Kyler Tweedy and Clint Barker from the Muddy Waters Farms elevator (in Hammond) arrived and plowed around the north side of the combine since the wind was blowing fiercely,” she said. “They plowed around… to keep the fire from jumping.”

Racy thanked the Bourbon County Fire District #3 for aiding in putting out the fire. This rural fire department had just come from a grass fire in the area.

“Thank you to Bourbon County Fire District 3. This rural fire district covers the Devon, Uniontown, Hiattville, Fulton, Bronson, and Redfield areas in the county,” she said

“Most of these young men and women are volunteers and all worked together to get the fire under control quickly,” she said.

Racy noted that the fire crew had to wait on a train at Soldier Road in traveling to the site of the fire.

Racy posted the above photo on her Facebook page and said:

“I have several pictures ( she took of the combine fire) but this one spoke volumes as a 80-year-old man watches his combine go up in smoke,” she said. “We can replace the combine, it’s just materialistic, but once again Jesus protected him and sent people to help him. Jerry (Nafger)even came back later to pray with him!”

“Numerous neighbors came to check on him,” Racy said.” Living in this community is such a blessing.”

The combine is a total loss, she said.

This morning she received a text from a young farmer neighbor, Charles Johnson, who volunteered to come combine the rest of the wheat, she said.

“When people need help, people step up,” she said. “We have such good people as neighbors.”

This is the proclamation against all outside fires in Bourbon County, until lifted.

“Due to the extreme heat and little rain, fire-hazard conditions in Bourbon County are very high.  Because of the limitations of water usage by rural fire districts, there is concern for the capabilities of those fire districts to address any fire.  Once started, with the present weather conditions, a fire will be difficult to control by fire departments.  Water usage is of great concern to all fire departments, and the availability of enough water to contain a fire.

 

The dry conditions, above-normal temperatures and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.

 

It is hereby proclaimed, directed, and ordered by the Bourbon County Commissioners, in accordance with K.S.A. 48-932, that the following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of this County by all citizens and visitors:

 

  1. All outside burning, unless specifically approved in writing by the Fire Chief, with the exception of covered barbeque grills.

 

The knowing and willful violation of this order shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law. [K.S.A. 48-939]

 

This Proclamation shall be in full force and effect until lifted.

 

Passed in open session by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, this 15th day of October 2024.”

 

Questions to Decide on the Nov. 5 Ballot and Electioneering: What You Need to Know

A sign in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Two questions will be decided by Bourbon County voters at the end of November 5th’s election, along with choosing the leaders at all government levels. At a recent Bourbon County Commission meeting Clerk Jennifer Hawkins laid out the Kansas Law prohibiting electioneering, following is the excerpt from the minutes.

 

Electioneering Not Allowed

Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. Submitted photo.

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, discussed the upcoming General Election and went over what electioneering is.

“Jennifer stated that KSA 25-2430 outlines electioneering and defines it as

“knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or question submitted, including wearing, exhibiting or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers other materials that clearly identify a candidate in the election or clearly indicate support or opposition to a question submitted election, within any polling place, on election day or advance voting site, during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting, or within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance thereof.”

“Jennifer explained this means that there cannot be any t-shirts, hats, flags on vehicles, magnets on vehicles, pins, or other wearable advertisement containing a candidate’s name or slogan.

“Jennifer said that the statue exempts “bumper stickers that are affixed to a motor vehicle that is used to transport voters to a polling place or to an advance voting site for the purpose of voting.”

“Jennifer said that any political yard signs near a polling place cannot be within 250 feet of an entrance.”

Questions On The Ballot

County Question

“Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d) & (e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?

Yes or No

Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt said that the question is on the ballot because of a petition that was passed around the county to increase the number of commissioners.

The number of petition signers was not going to meet the deadline but was coming close to the required number, and the petitioner, Michael Hoyt, requested that the commission put it on the ballot for the voters to decide.  In a 2 to 1 vote, Clifton Beth and Whisenhunt voted yes and Jim Harris voted no.

“I am hoping it will cause more discussion of issues,” Whisenhunt said. “There will be more discussion with five people talking about an issue instead of three.”

 

 

USD 234 Question

“Shall the method of election in Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, be changed from the six-member district method of election, under which the school district is not divided into any member districts and all board members are elected at large?

Yes or No

 

 

 

Destry Brown. Submitted photo.

Destry Brown, Superintendent of USD 234 provided the following ballot question explanation.

“The USD # 234 Board of Education is asking patrons to consider a change to how Board of Education members are selected. Currently, each member is chosen from a specific area within the district boundaries, and all voters within the district vote on every position.

“This was done years ago when consolidation was done and the
district wanted to have representation from the different school communities: Winfield Scott, Eugene Ware, and rural schools like Fulton.

“Today, all students in the district attend all our schools. No attendance center boundaries exist any longer.

“In recent years, we have had to fill positions on the Board of Education due to death, movement of members out of the district, changes in job responsibilities, and retirement.

The district has found it difficult to find people to run for the Board of Education based on these specific areas that were designated years ago. Consequently, we only have six board members right now.

“We are asking the community to consider changing all our Board of Education members to at-large seats.

“This will allow people in any area of the district to run for the Board of Education.

“Some concerns have been voiced that all the board members could be elected from one neighborhood. Theoretically, that could be possible. However, it has not occurred in the districts that use the at-large format. In fact, the makeup of those boards often are more diverse.

“What would that look like? Next year, the district will have four positions open.

“Anyone interested in becoming a board member can file for a position. Suppose six people decide to run for the board. Then, the ballot next November will list all six people, and voters will select four candidates they would like to have on the Board
of Education.

“The four with the most votes, then become board members no matter where they live within the district boundaries.”