Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Aug. 26

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August 26, 2020 Wednesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioner Oharah and Ruhl present, Commissioner Fischer was present by telephone, also present were the County Counselor and the County Clerk.

Mark McCoy, Anne Dare, Lora Holdridge, Michael Hoyt and Kim Simons were also present.

Justin Meeks said he had reviewed Resolution 26-20 and said it met the guidelines for a resolution; Lynne read Resolution 26-20.
“RESOLUTION 26-20
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

WHEREAS, K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended, authorizes the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, to submit to the qualified electors of the County the question of levying a one percent (1%) retailers’ sales tax, such tax to be collected by the State Department of Revenue with the revenue therefrom returned and distributed as provided by law within Bourbon County, and

WHEREAS, the voters of Bourbon County, Kansas, approved this sales tax on June 15, 2010, and it is set to expire on June 30, 2021, and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, has determined that continuation of this revenue is needed to maintain and improve hard surface roads in the County and to fund public services in the cities of Bourbon County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS:

This question will be submitted to the qualified electors of Bourbon County on the November 3rd, 2020 ballot, the question of levying a countywide retailers’ sales tax in Bourbon County, Kansas, (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services, in the amount of once percent (1%), such tax to take effect on the 1st day of July 2021, and expire on the 30th day of June 2031, if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon.

This resolution shall take effect on publication in the official County newspaper.”
Nick made a motion to approve Resolution 26-20, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Nick Ruhl, District #3 Commissioner provided Lynne and Kendell a resignation letter (effective immediately), Nick said he would send the letter to the Governor. Lynne said it had been a privilege working on issues together, Jeff said he appreciated all of the work Nick had done, especially the work Nick did with the ambulance service after the hospital closed.

Justin Meeks estimated it could take approximately 3 weeks before a replacement Commissioner would be appointed and be present for the meetings; there was a discussion over not having a meeting until September 15th, Jeff suggested that there could still be business that needed addressed at regular meetings. The Commissioners will meet again on September 1st at 9:00 am. Mark McCoy, Chairman of the Republican Party said that it was now the responsibility of the Republican Party to call an emergency caucus to select a replacement and said the name of the person they select will be sent to the Governor for the Governor to appoint.

At 9:43, Jeff made a motion to adjourn, Lynne seconded, meeting adjourned.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
__________________, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
September 1, 2020, Approved Date

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Health Care

COVID 19 Update for Southeast Kansas

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

September 9, 2020

Allen County

Current Active Cases 13
Presumptive Cases 7
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County 4
Total Hospitalizations 3-1 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 37 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives )
Total Positives Since Testing 43 (Allen County + out of state)
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 12
Total Hospitalizations 1
Current Recovered Cases 37
Total Positives Since Testing 49
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 17
Presumptive Cases 14
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 14
Total Hospitalizations 9-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 103 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives)
Total Positives Since Testing 108 (Bourbon County + out of state/county)
Deaths 2

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 0
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 12
Total Positives Since Testing 12
Deaths 0
Bourbon County, Health Care

CHC Mental Health In-Person Services Available October 2020

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Eric Thomason. Submitted photo.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has been serving the citizens of Fort Scott and surrounding towns since early 2019.

 

Hoping to improve the overall health of Bourbon County,  the organization met with treatment providers, community leaders, and the citizens of Bourbon County, according to Eric Thomason, who is the director of CHC/SEK Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services.

 

“The message was clear, there was an increased need for behavioral health and addiction treatment services,” said  Thomason.

 

“We are proud to announce that in October of 2020 we will begin offering in-person addiction treatment services,” Thomason said.  “As a part of our current addiction treatment services we offer Medication Assisted Therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders. CHC/SEK has a designated addiction treatment nurse, Mitzi Clarkson RN, who is available for patient and provider consultation.”

Mitzi Clarkson. Submitted photo.

 

In October of 2019 CHC/SEK launched psychiatry services to the Fort Scott clinic, primarily utilizing telehealth services.

 

“In March of 2020, we increased our psychiatry availability to include face to face services,” Thomason said. ” Psychiatry is offered by Tien Nguyen, PMHNP. Tien is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He offers treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders primarily utilizing medication.”

Tien Nguyen. Submitted photo.

As part of the CHC COVID-19 response, they increased access to behavioral health and addiction treatment therapy staff via telehealth and e-visit appointments.

“Due to the overwhelming utilization these alternative service platforms will remain in place,” Thomason said.

CHC/SEK works to meet the needs of the community regardless of a person’s ability to pay for service, he said.

“We will continue to strive to make ‘healthcare the way it should be,'” Thomason said.

Any person interested in enrolling in mental health or addiction care, contact 620.223.8040, or talk with your CHC health care provider about a referral.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Sharon Short

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Sharon Lynn Short, 86, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning September 7, 2020, in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born November 6, 1933, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Roy G. and Leora Marian (Heitz) Miller.

She married Forrest E. “Skip” Short May 1, 1955, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death May 3, 2004.

Sharon graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1951 and earned her Associates Degree from Fort Scott Community College. Sharon was a homemaker, but she also worked for the telephone company, and then in 1986 became owner and operator of Leek’s Ladies Clothing, retiring after twelve years in 1998.

Sharon was a member of the First united Methodist Church, PEO, Pierian Beta, and was Chairperson for the Class of 1951.

Survivors include two daughters, Stacey Snodgrass and husband Kent of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Laurie Short, also of Prairie Village, Kansas; a brother, Don Miller of Fort Scott, and a sister, Diane Miller, of Smithville, Missouri.

In addition to her husband Skip, Sharon was also preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Connie Miller Parks.

Rev. Steve Cole will conduct private family graveside services Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lee’s Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Kenneth Wolf

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Kenneth Leroy Wolf, 86, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning, September 7, 2020, at his home.

Kenneth was born September 19, 1933, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of “Ted” Theodore Roosevelt and Mary (Milburn) Wolf.

He married Sharron Tucker on February 23, 1965 and they divorced in 2009.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Tammie Bunn of Deerfield, Missouri; his son, Alvin Wolf, of Fort Scott; a sister, Sue Wiley and husband Jim; Sharron Tucker, of Fort Scott; sixteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren and three more on the way.

He was preceded in death by parents, and a brother, Pete Wolf.

Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct graveside services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield, Missouri, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church and left in the care of the Konantz- Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309,15 W. Wall St. Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Frankie Sustarsic

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Frankie Dean Sustarsic, age 74, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2020, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
  He was born May 5, 1946, in Pittsburg, the son of Frank Sustarsic and Mae McCool Sustarsic.
Frankie attended Fox Town Grade School and went on to graduate from CCCHS at Arma.
He first married Linda Shomaker on October 15, 1966.  To this union a daughter, Melinda, was born.  Frankie and Linda divorced and he later married Phyllis Davis.
Frankie was employed for many years as the manager of the Continental Baking Company in Humboldt, Kansas and was known by many as “The Bread Man.”  Following his retirement from the bakery, he worked several more years in maintenance for Pitt-Plastics.
He had served for several years with the Kansas Army National Guard.
Frankie enjoyed collecting baseball cards and was an avid fan of both the Kansas City Royals and the Chiefs.  In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball.

 

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, of the home; his children, Melinda O’Brien and husband, Perry, of Brazilton, Kansas, Angela West and Robert Hood,  both of Pittsburg, Kansas, John Hood of Frontenac, Kansas and Kaden Sustarsic, of the home and nine grandchildren, Austin O’Brien, Christopher, Austin, Haylee, Bryan and Michael Hood, Rachel Sutton, Destiny Burdick and Logan Light and seven great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are a sister, Joyce Sustarsic, of Arma, Kansas, several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Chipper.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gary Sustarsic and Larry “ Bubba” Sustarsic.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at a later date in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 9

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: September 9, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District- Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

9:00 Executive Session, Non-elected Personnel (Interviews)

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Public Bike Repair Station: New Resource For Gunn Park Trails Users

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The Gunn Park Trails Bike Repair Station is located near the entrance of the park. It was completed last Sunday, Sept. 6. Submitted photos.
A public bike repair station is available at Gunn Park, located on Fort Scott’s west side, off of Park Street.
The bike repair station is located in the parking lot adjacent to the Gunn Park entrance. This is where most of the Gunn Park Trail riders park, and is available to the public, according to Frank Halsey the organizer of the Marmaton Massacre Bike Race event that funded the station.
“It provides a public location, and tools necessary for basic emergency bike repairs such as tire repairs with an air pump.  Retractable tools are also available for the tightening of loose parts,”  Halsey said. “It is constructed so the bike can be elevated while being repaired.”
“This new Fort Scott asset was made available from the proceeds of the hugely successful Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race hosted by Gunn Park Trails on July 11th and 12th,” he said. “Credit goes to the race volunteers, sponsors, and of course the participants.”
Volunteers completed the installation of the bike repair station on Sunday, Sept. 6. The City of Fort Scott poured the concrete pad for the station.
“Fort Scott is fortunate to have Gunn Park Trails providing fun exercise and attracting visitors to our community,” Halsey said. “This new feature simply adds more value to this important asset.”
Obituary

Obituary of James Streeter

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James “Jim” Marshall Streeter, age 91, a longtime resident of Fort Scott, KS, passed away early Saturday morning, Sept 5, 2020, at Girard Medical Center in Girard, KS.

He had been a resident of Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott for the last six months.

Jim was born on Aug 7, 1929, on a farm north of Prescott Kansas, to Andrew Leo and Cora Alice (Summers) Streeter.

He married Jessie Margie Dikeman on Dec 31, 1950, in Eureka Springs AR.

He attended schools in Linn and Miami counties in Kansas, East Wenatchee in Washington State and graduated in 1947 from Prescott High School.

He was drafted in the army in 1951 during the Korean Conflict, had basic training in Fort Chaffee, AR, and was stationed in Yokohama Japan for 18 months. He was a lifetime member of both the American Legion Post #25 and VFW Post #1165.

Jim was also a member of the First Baptist Church, Scottish Rite, and Rising Sun Lodge.

He enjoyed many sports including his favorite, basketball. Others were softball, boating, fishing, bowling, scouting, square dancing, golf, horseshoes and another favorite, the KC Royals.

After retiring from the Western Insurance Company after 38 ½ years, he enjoyed traveling to all 50 States, Mexico and Canada in their camper trailer, including many years as snowbirds in Texas and Arizona.

Survivors include Jessie, his wife of 69 years; a son, David Streeter and wife Debra, Carl Junction, MO; daughter Susan Kern and husband Steve, Loa, UT; six grandchildren, Chris, Kelsie, Jason, Angela, Nicholas and Wesley; thirteen great-grandchildren; a sister Alice Hazelbaker and husband Norman, Redfield, KS; and one brother George and wife Linda of Ellisforde, WA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; five half-sisters; one half-brother; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Cheney Witt Chapel in Fort Scott on Friday Sept 11th at 11:30 am with burial to follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:30 until the service.

Memorials are suggested to Wounded Warrior and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Local News