Bridge repair on U.S. 69 begins soon
Monday, March 3, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to start a repair project at the Marias des Cygnes River bridge on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69. The bridge is approximately one mile south of the K-52/U.S. 69 north junction.
Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at the work zone. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by the end of May.
KDOT awarded Bettis Asphalt & Construction of Topeka the $477,049 construction contract. Persons with questions may contact Ian Stringham, (785) 433-6116, or Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit www.kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1.
Legislative Update from KS Senator Caryn Tyson
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 21, 2025
In a rush to pass bills before turnaround (the halfway point in session) over 60 bills were worked in two days on the Senate floor. It was a grueling pace. All bills can be found at www.KSLegislature.gov. Below is a sample of the bills that passed the Senate and were sent to the House.
A U.S. Senate, Insurance Commissioner, or State Treasurer vacancy replacement would be filled by an appointed committee of legislators providing three names to the Governor. The Governor would then select one from the three names, unless the legislature is in session. When the legislature is in session, a resolution with three names would have to pass both chambers and then the Governor would select a replacement from the three names on the resolution. Two years ago, I introduced legislation that would have held a replacement convention, much like we do with other positions, but it couldn’t get traction. Timing is everything. Now that Senator Marshall could be considered for a Presidential appointment, it has become urgent to pass replacement legislation instead of just letting the Governor name a person. SB 105 would respect the voters’ decision by requiring nominees to be a member of the same party for at least six years, as the vacated seat. It would also block any of the legislative nominating committee members from being a nominee. SB 105 passed 31 to 9.
Healthy Choices are the intent of SB 79 by excluding candy and soft drinks from eligible foods on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as food stamps. Some argued that it was mean and restrictive. It doesn’t stop other welfare money from being used on these items, only SNAP. It passed 29 to 11. I voted Yes.
Bail Bonds for Illegal Immigrants would get special treatment if an illegal defendant were deported outside the U.S. in SB 105. The court would have to return 95% of the bond issued for an illegal immigrant who was then sent back to another country. The Sheriffs association expressed concern that someone could put up a bond knowing the person was a major flight risk. The bill passed on a vote of 31 to 9. I voted No because illegal immigrants shouldn’t be bonded out.
Given Name Act would prohibit students from changing their name without a parent or guardian permission and would prohibit students from using pronouns. It is an attempt to stop the woke nonsense in K-12 schools. SB 79 passed 26 to 14. I voted Yes.
Search Warrants could only be issued by law enforcement if SB 138 becomes law. Currently, anyone can issue a search warrant. It passed the Senate unanimously.
Low Income Scholarship Program would be expanded to allow children in foster care, children of active-duty military, or children of law enforcement, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel to qualify for a scholarship to attend alternative K-12 schools. Currently, any Kansas student whose family income is less than 250% of federal poverty guidelines can qualify for the scholarship program. SB 87 also increased the program cap from $10 to $15 million for the tax credit portion. It passed 24 to 16. I voted Yes.
Student Loans would have an established uniform interest rate, repayment schedules, and establish authority of the State Board of Regents to administer the student financial aid programs in SB 50. It makes more sense than using taxpayer money to pay off student loans for people. It passed 39 to 1. I voted Yes.
Help Not Harm Act was passed into law after overriding the Governor’s veto by 2/3 the legislature voting Yes. Senate Bill (SB) 63 would stop chemical and surgical sex changes on anyone younger than 18 years of age. The vote to pass the bill was 32 to 8, but one Senator who voted for the bill did not vote for the override. It passed the Senate on a vote of 31 to 9. I voted Yes on both measures.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Obituary of Thomas Karleskint
Thomas “Tom” Frederick Karleskint (age 81), resident of Fort Scott, KS., left this earthly body and went to be with Jesus on Feb. 21st, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He was born July 14th, 1943, in Fort Scott, KS, the youngest of 13 siblings (Rita, Esther, Helen, Leo James, Marjorie, Joan, William, Rosalie, Alice, Carol, Patricia, Ruth, Tom) to Frederick and Caroline Karleskint. Tom married Nancy Ann Brooker on July 24th, 1965, and together they had four children – Michael, Richard, Randy, Matthew. They also had thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Tom was a local farmer and rancher in the Fort Scott area for many years. In addition to his love for farming/ranching, he enjoyed hunting, eating fish that someone else caught, shooting, arrowhead hunting, and had a passion for antique guns and western memorabilia. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Tom had a deep love for God and His word. He always had a video camera in his hand, recording his grandkids any chance he could. Tom was faithful about picking up the phone, at any given time, to check on and catch up with any and everyone.
If you were acquainted with Tom, you know that everyone was special to him no matter the length of time you had known him. He was an amazing, Godly example, who lived out what he believed in and loved to tell anyone he could about Jesus. Tom served in the Army National Guard as an Engineer from 1964-1971, and had as many stories from that experience also.
He is proceeded in death by his son, Matthew Karleskint (1997) and his two great-granddaughters, Kimber and Kennedy (2024). Survivors include his wife, Nancy Karleskint, his three sons Mike Karleskint (Thosha) of Fort Scott, KS., Richard Karleskint (Sheryl) of Park City, KS., Randy Karleskint (Michelle) of Skiatook, OK.; daughter-in-law Shawna Karleskint-Cooper (wife of Matthew Karleskint), Arkansas; thirteen grandchildren: Aaron, Amber, Jeremy, Josh, Jonathan, Kari, Jordan, Savannah, Kristin, Ashley, Andrew, Luke, Shayne; and eleven great-grandchildren: Gus, Gaige, Jayston, Jayva, Case, Jalen, Jadyn, Joelle, Matthew, Kyndal, Milo.
Rev. Rod Hillhouse and Rev. Shane Swint will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 1st, at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church, 1330 215th St., Fort Scott, KS. Burial will follow in the West Plains Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Apostolic Pentecostal Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Hearing Held In Lawsuit Regarding Hill’s Petition to Withdraw
In today’s hearing of BB-2024-CV-000075, Jennifer Hill was allowed to withdraw from her role on the case defending the Bourbon County Commission which consists of Beerbower, Kruger, and Wisenhunt.
Patrick Hughes representing the Plaintiffs (which include all three county commissioners) objected to the reason for her withdrawal stating that there is no conflict of interest according to rule 1.7. He stated there were no objections to her withdrawing other than an objection to the reasoning that there was a conflict of interest.
Judge Richard Fisher asked if there were any objections to the withdrawal and none one objected so he allowed her to withdraw without making any mention of whether their was a conflict or not.
Seth Curtis Wright, defense for Tennyson Creek Solar I & II, pointed out that any conflict in Jennifer Hill representing the Beerbower, Kruger, & Wisenhunt as commissioners would also apply to Mr. Hughes representing all three of them as individuals. Further, he pointed out, that anyone replacing Jennifer Hill will have the same conflict of interest since all three of the commissioners are defendants in a suit filed with the three of them as plaintiffs.
He said he wasn’t presenting that today but would file a motion. Hill said that the county commissioners were working to secure the services of a lawyer, but there were some things that needed to resolve before it could be done. It wasn’t clear what lawyer was being referenced.
The case will be revisited once the conflict of interest motions are filed and the county commissioners obtain someone to represent them in their capacity as commissioners.
Early Childhood Spring Fling April 3
On behalf of the USD 234 School District, we would like to invite you to the 2025 Early Childhood Spring Fling. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, April 3rd from 5:00-6:30 PM at the Fort Scott Preschool Center. All children ages birth-six years old and their families are invited to attend.
For this event, we are asking family resource providers and community partners to bring an interactive activity for students and families. We will provide space and a table for your activity. During the event, you will also have an opportunity to visit with families and distribute flyers, handouts, giveaways, etc. Our goal is for children and families to interact, be active, and learn about the resources available in our community. If you are a preschool or childcare provider, please share the attached flyer with your families. We also welcome you to set up an activity and table for your program.
If you plan to attend our event, please complete the short form below by Tuesday, April 1st so we can have a table reserved for your organization. If you have questions, please let me know.
Nick Johnson, FSPC Principal
Come support FSHS Zero Reasons Why at Papa Don’s Pizza Wednesday, February 26th
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Revised Agenda For the Bourbon County Commission for Today at 5:30 p.m.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt, Chairman
1st District Commissioner
David Beerbower, Vice-Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Leroy Kruger
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda (Revised 02.24.25)
Bourbon County Commission Room 210 S National Ave.
February 24, 2025, 5:30 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
a. Roll Call
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Prayer – David Beerbower
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes from 02.10.25
IV. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of 02.14.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $453,861.50
b. Approval of 02.21.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $217,892.22
c. Approval of 01.10.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $320,719.40
d. Approval of 01.23.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $5,142.39
e. Approval of 01.10.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $207,748
f. Approval of 2.21.25 Payroll Totaling $296,329.92
g. Approval of 2024 Inventory List per K.S.A. 19-2687
h. Tax Roll Corrections
i. Approval of ESAC Report
j. CMB Licenses
V. Old Business
a. Work Sessions – every other week suggestion
b. Hospital Equipment Disposal
VI. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
VII. New Business
a. Department Update
i. Eric Bailey
1. Relocation of Heartland Electric Utility for Bridge Project Grant 60th & Grand
b. Zoning discussion – David Beerbower
c. Chamber Membership
d. Area on Aging Board Member
e. Commissioner Comments
VIII. Adjournment
A work session for the County Commissioners will be held on February 26, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the Bourbon
County Commission Room. This meeting is open to the public and discussion topics will be Employee
Handbook and job descriptions.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Wednesday, March 12th 4:00 Budget work session
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 24
KuneKune BBQ by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
KuneKune BBQ
My daughter, Mariam, is having the time of her life raising farm animals on their little homestead. A few years ago, she acquired two KuneKune (cooney cooney) piglets. The name of this breed means “fat and round” and they produce high-quality pork. KuneKunes are friendly, docile, and easy to handle which made them sweet and fun pets. My three granddaughters were told from the get-go that Cookie and Oreo would eventually end up on a dinner plate, and they were OK with that because they love bacon.
When the big pigs were butchered, there wasn’t enough freezer space to store all the meat. So Mariam brought a bunch of it in a black trash bag to store at my house. One day my son Aaron was at my house and he put some venison burger in the deep freeze. I mentioned that there were several outdated packages of meat, so he took the hint and started cleaning it out. I couldn’t oversee this project because I was cooking our Thanksgiving meal — so he was on his own. He took all the old stuff out and threw it on my brush pile in the pasture (to be burned sometime in the future).
When all the family was enjoying our holiday meal together, I mentioned the good job Aaron had done in cleaning out the deep freeze for me. My daughter’s eyes got as big as quarters as she looked at her brother and, with a mouthful of pickled beets, point-blank asked, “You didn’t throw away my KuneKune pig meat did you?!” Aaron nonchalantly answered, “I don’t know, maybe.” The end of the story is yes, he threw it out, but she retrieved it from the burn pile, still in the bag and still frozen.
Aaron simply didn’t take the time to open the trash bag and look inside, therefore, he didn’t know what was in it. It’s been said that believers live below our privileges as children of God. The Word of God is full of promises but many of them are never “cashed in” because we don’t know what they are! We must open the Bible to read and study it so we won’t be ignorant. For example, we may personally pay for damage to our home when, in fact, we have insurance that would cover the cost. Ignorance is certainly not bliss when it comes to knowing God’s inexhaustible spiritual riches.
God gave Apostle Paul the special responsibility of preaching salvation to the Gentiles. “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT). God’s riches are our spiritual blessings as we daily live our lives in Him. Let’s read God’s Word to find out what inexhaustible riches are ours. When I purchased a new dishwasher, I read the owner’s manual in order to benefit from all the available options.
Apostle Paul wrote: “Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ” (Ephesians 3:8 NLT). Paul wrote letters (manuals) to the churches in the Books of Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. If we want to walk in the spiritual blessings that God intends for us, let’s study the Owner’s Manual from cover to cover and stake our claim.
The Key: Don’t burn, through ignorance, what’s rightfully yours.
Hearing in Lawsuit Against Commissioners and Solar Companies
There will be a hearing on February 24th at 3 pm in the District Court of Bourbon County in regards to the lawsuit BB-2024-CV-000075. The plaintiffs in the case are David Beerbower, Leroy Kruger, Brandon Whisenhunt, Boa Casper, Katie Casper, Timothy Emerson, Samuel Tran, Karen Tran, and Michael Wunderly. The defense consists of the Board of County Commissioners (made up of Beerbower, Kruger, & Whisenhunt), Hinton Creek Solar LLC, Kingbird Solar Energy LLC, Tennyson Creek Solar LLC, and Tennyson Creek Solar II LLC.
Previously, the solar companies filed a motion to dismiss the case, saying that while they recognize plaintiffs may not like their agreements with the landowners and county, the plaintiffs haven’t shown any actual legal injury that would entitle them to relief.
The attorney representing Beerbower, Kruger, Whisenhunt in their capacity as commissioners has filed to withdraw from the case based on the conflict of every member of the commission being both plaintiffs and defendants. The commissioners (in their capacity as individuals) and other plaintiffs, on the other hand, responded, saying that there was no conflict, but wouldn’t contest her withdrawal if she stated that the cause was the insurance company refusing to pay for the defense.
STARS Seeks Separation from FSCC
Lynn County News is reporting that USD 346 was informed that the board of Southeastern Technical Academy for Rural Students has voted to seek separation from Fort Scott Community College for the upcoming school year. They plan to ask the Kansas Board of Regents to provide mediation in the efforts to separate from FSCC.
FortScott.biz reached out to the STARS, but the employees had been instructed not to communicate with the paper.
According to the FSCC website and USD346’s website, South Eastern Technical Academy for Rural Students offers high school students dual credit college-level courses through FSCC in the following programs from the location in Pleasanton:
- Certified Nurse Aide
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Criminal Justice
- Construction Trades
- Welding
- Heavy Equipment
- HVAC
The program was announced in 2021 and began in the fall semester of 2022 with programs offered through the Kansas Board of Regents for Excel in CTE funding, which meant students could complete technical college courses without being charged tuition and most fees.