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Art Masterpiece Winners
Three local artists among
Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Three winning artists in Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2021 Art is Ageless calendar produced by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America).
“Druzy & Diamonds,” a mixed media/crafts entry by John Bartelsmeyer, “Gossip,” a painting by Carolyn Munsell, and “Star of Bethlehem Shawl,” a fiber arts entry by Jean Strader, will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.
In addition, “His Word,” a mixed media/crafts entry by Tony Fornelli and “The Cottage,” a painting by Glenda Stevicks, will be featured on the Art is Ageless greeting cards.
Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of PMMA. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.
Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 15 other PMMA communities. More than 160 entries were received for this year’s masterpiece competition. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards.
PMMA’s Art is Ageless program encourages Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.
Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Residents and friends of PMMA’s Art is Ageless program are proving that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, contact Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected]. For more on Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org.
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FSNHS Increasing Access
Fort Scott National Historic Site is beginning to increase recreational access to Historic Buildings
Fort Scott Kan. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Fort Scott National Historic Site is increasing recreational access and programming. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Wednesday, August 19, Fort Scott National Historic Site will reopen access to:
- All public buildings for self-guided visitation.
- Resume park guided tours at 10 am and 1 pm.
In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:
- All trails, walkways, sidewalks, grounds, and the tallgrass prairie.
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
- The Western National Parks Association store and information desk.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continue to be paramount. At Fort Scott National Historic Site, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
We have amazing virtual tours of Fort Scott National Historic Site, all of the time, so for people who are still homeschooling or not traveling at this time check out www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/fosc and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation. The site exhibit areas are open daily from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or learn more at www.nps.gov/fosc.
-NPS-
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Aug. 18
Labor Day Rodeos On: No Old Settlers Picnic
Even though there will be no traditional Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic activities in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be rodeo events at the arena west of Uniontown.
“This virus has things shut down,” Wayne Hall, contact for the rodeos, said. “The rodeos are an outside event. We have hand sanitizer in the bathroom. We encourage people to not get too close. We find families stay together.”
Team Roping
On Friday, September 4, there will be a team roping contest at the Uniontown arena.
“It’s open to anybody that wants too,” Levi Motley, contact for the team roping said. “They’ll enter with people when they get here, find a partner and enter up,” although he added, “This isn’t a spectator sport.”
Teams compete for a jackpot prize, he said.
“Team roping begins at 7 p.m. and lasts about two hours,” Motley said.
Contact Motley at 620-768-9166.
Ranch Rodeo
The 34th Annual Co-Ed Ranch Rodeo will happen on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
There are four people on a team.
“Two people on the team have to be a woman or kids,” Hall said. “The crowds enjoy it.”
“Last year we had eight teams,” Hall said. “Local teams mostly. But I’ve had calls from up around Topeka (this year).”
Each team pays $200 to compete.
“There is a 100 percent payback other than a stock charge,” Hall said. “The person who provides livestock for the events gets paid a fee.”
Contact Hall at 620-363-4206 for both rodeos.
Travis and Kellie Duncan. Submitted photos from last year’s Old Settlers Picnic Ranch Rodeo.
Old Settlers Youth Rodeo
The 54th Annual Old Settlers Youth Rodeo begins on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. with the registration of events at 5:30 p.m. It is also located in the arena west of Uniontown on Hwy. 3.
Youth who are high school senior age and younger can register to do barrel racing, pole bending, steer riding, ewe busting, a “little kids stick horse race”, calf roping, team roping, goat tying, and a flag race, Hall said.
Costs to enter each contest is from $4 to $10 per person, per event.
Relief For Evictions, Foreclosures and Motor Carriers
Governor Kelly Announces Executive Orders Temporarily Prohibiting Evictions and Foreclosures, Extending Motor Carrier Relief
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Orders #20-61 and #20-62 as part of her administration’s commitment to protecting Kansans’ health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Order #20-61 temporarily prohibits initiating any mortgage foreclosure or judicial proceedings, and any commercial or residential eviction efforts or judicial proceedings due to financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic until September 15, 2020.
“COVID-19 remains a threat in our communities and is creating challenges for businesses and employees alike,” Governor Kelly said. “Kansas families who miss mortgage or rent payments due to lost wages will need our support until the Senate extends unemployment assistance. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure the people in our state can stay in their homes and protect their businesses.”
Executive Order #20-62 extends temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations until rescinded, until September 14, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier. It is an extension of measures put in place by Executive Order #20-57.
“This order will allow our motor carriers to continue delivering much-needed supplies to Kansans who need them, and ease the burden on those who have a critical role in our state’s response to COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said.
The order lifts certain weight restrictions and permitting requirements to allow needed medical supplies, food shipments and other items to move through Kansas as quickly as possible. These exceptions apply only to motor carriers actively participating in COVID-19 response effort.
To view E.O. #20-61, click here.
SEK Multi-County Health Departments COVID 19
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
August 17, 2020
Allen County
| Current Active Cases | 8 |
| Presumptive Cases | 3 |
| Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County | 3 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 2-1 remaining in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 18 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives ) |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 23 (Allen County + out of state) |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Active Cases | 2 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 30 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 32 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
Woodson County
| Current Active Cases | 1 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 1-0 remaining in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 11 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 12 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Crazy Days Sidewalk Sale Sept. 19
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Survey on K-7 in Crawford County begins this week
The week of Aug. 17 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) started a survey for a proposed shoulder widening project on K-7 in Crawford County. The survey is on the existing highway alignment, beginning at the north city limits of Girard and continuing north for 11 miles to the Crawford-Bourbon county line.
KDOT expects the survey to be completed by December. Activities include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property.
Craig Chaney of RIC will manage this survey for KDOT. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Public Servant Profile: Firefighter Mewhinney
This is part of a public servant profile series featuring the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County employees. If you would like to nominate a person to be featured, please send their email address to [email protected].
Travis Mewhinney, 33, is a Fort Scott Fire Department Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.
He is a Fort Scott High School graduate, attended Fort Scott Community College for college classes and EMT classes; Hutchison Community College for fire science classes and Kansas University Fire Rescue training certifications.
Mehinney has five years of experience and works from both Station 1 and 2.
What are your duties?
“Driver operator, fire suppression, EMS and rescue, vehicle maintenance, hydrant maintenance and records.
He and his wife Becky, have two sons: LT, 10 years old, and Jaxon, 4 years.
His community involvement, interests or hobbies:
Avid car collector, diesel mechanic, sign and antique collector.
Why did you pursue your career?
“I enjoy helping others in times of need and serving my community.”
Bourbon County Official Election Results from Aug. 4
The following is the official election results of the Bourbon County primary election Aug. 4, 2020, following a canvass by the Bourbon County Commissioners.
Local Democrats Elect New Officers
On Sunday, August 16, the Bourbon County Democratic Party held their biennial reorganizational meeting following the primary election.
Precinct committeemen and women voted on new officers, all of whom were elected unanimously.
Dwight Moore was elected County Chair. Moore is a retired biology professor and the former County Chair of Osage County. He and his family moved to Fort Scott in 2019.
Carol MacArthur was elected Vice-Chair. Shirley Palmer and Jacki Prettyman were re-elected as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.
Out-going Chair Kate Emmett-Sweetser and Vice-Chair Clint Walker were thanked for their dedicated service.
The Bourbon County Democrats meet on the third Sunday of the month at 1:00 p.m. In order to facilitate social distancing, September and October meetings will be held in Shelter No. 1 at Gunn Park.
For more information about the Bourbon County Democrats, Moore can be contacted at 620-341-3074.