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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.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Aug. 17
American Legion Post 25 Scuttlebutt: Blood Drive Aug. 18-19
Submitted by Carl Jowers, American Legion Post 25 Commander.
There will be a blood drive on Tuesday, August 18, and Wednesday, August 19 at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott.
“The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to help that cause and blood donations are a community service under one of the Four Pillars of the American Legion.This is one way that as a Veteran you can still service your community and nation.
Every precaution is taken to insure your personal safety during your blood donation appointment.”
You can schedule your blood donation at 1.800.733.2767 or visit the Fort Scott Post 25 Facebook event page.
The post membership goal for 2021 Legion year is 92, As of today, there are 55 renewals. This places us at 59.78% of the goal.
“You can easily renew your Legion membership online by going to www.legion.org and follow the prompts to renew.
Once Post 25 has been informed of your online renewal, usually within 48 hours, your new membership card will be mailed to you.”
“With the passage of the Legion Act, any honorably discharged Veteran who has served one day of active duty since December 7, 1941 can join the American Legion. Many Veterans have never joined the American legion because they were not asked.”
“Your Post 25 Color Guard has been active in flag presentations at local Veterans funerals. Please consider joining your Post Color Guard. We have received area recognition for the crispness and professionalism of our Post Color Guard. For more information about joining the Post 25 Color Guard, reply to this email or call Darrell Spencer, Color Guard Captain at 620-224-6720. Any member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion can join the Fort Scott Post 25 Color Guard.”
You can schedule your blood donation at 1.800.733.2767 or visit the Fort Scott Post 25 Facebook event page.
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 was presented with a Unit 25 Auxiliary banner at their Thursday night meeting. This banner will help with their recruitment and fundraisers. Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of honorably discharged Veterans or active duty military can join the American Legion Auxiliary. Female veterans can also join the American Legion Auxiliary and many female Veterans are dual members of both the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. If you know of a female relative of a Veteran who would like to honor their service by joining the American Legion Auxiliary, ask them to contact me or Auxiliary Unit President Sylvia Norris at 701-404-3143 for more information.
As always, Post 25 is your Post. Do not hesitate to contact me regarding your thoughts and ideas for improving our Post.”
A Snippet of the Future After the Pandemic
We’re continuing our way through the COVID pandemic. Some of us are starting to venture out and ‘testing the waters’ so to speak.
We know that staying home is the safest for our physical health — especially for our senior adults. As we look down the road to what the future holds beyond this pandemic, there are likely some additional precautions our older adults (and many others) may take – even after a vaccine becomes available.
The handshake may be gone forever.
Increased handwashing, disinfecting, mask wearing will develop into standard protocol in many establishments.
Businesses and restaurants will elevate their hygiene standards and will make that a key piece of their advertising strategy to their customers.
Look for other forms of greeting while social distancing that you can use to show your enthusiasm in meeting someone.
Many have already moved into the more isolated economy where online shopping has become the norm.
Some older adults are having to make a big jump into the realm of online shopping, not having used the internet a great deal in the past. Yet, shopping from the comforts of home enhances the safety reassurances older adults are seeking. Shopping from home and picking up curbside or by mail will bolster those assurances.
Those exploring or wanting to brush up on internet safety precautions may want to visit https://ksre.k-state.edu/tuesday/announcement/?id=47047 for internet usage tips.
Local small restaurants and businesses may find their way again as residents restrict their travel to the city to shop and eat. Those in their smaller communities will likely do more business locally since they know and trust the owners.
Travel will change. Overseas travel will decrease. More vehicles will be on the road for longer drives, which may have been by air in the past. When flights are required, extra seats may be purchased to assure a more comfortable social distancing experience. Future travel plans are most likely to focus around visiting family. With more wheels being on the road, renting an RV may become an attractive alternative for multi-generational travel for families.
Travel to visit family may not be as necessary in the future as in the past. Families are more apt to move closer together.
A trend may develop where older family members that were leaning toward assisted living situations may be moving in with family members. The trust level of family members looking over the care and contacts of loved ones versus strangers taking that charge, may override many of the usual deciding factors for external health care.
Looking at health care, telemedicine will continue to surge ahead as an appealing option to monitor personal health. My recent experience with telemedicine options has been refreshing when conducting follow-up with a specialist. While my situation was not serious, it was a nice opportunity to visit with the doctor from my own home and getting mine and his questions answered without having to travel out-of-town for a 5-minute conversation. Obviously those visits requiring procedures need to be face-to-face. However, telemed options can save time, not to mention allowing for safe social distancing.
Change is ever-present. As we age, change is often not as welcomed as it may have been when we were younger. However, pandemic has mandated many changes in how we go about our daily lives. Many of those changes will be here for the foreseeable future.
Barbara Stockebrand
Southwind Extension District – Yates Center
Family and Consumer Sciences
211 W. Butler
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620; Fax: 620-625-8645