Bourbon County Coalition Meets Feb. 5
The General Membership meeting will be next Wednesday, February 5th at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott Ave.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
February 5, 2025
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Allison Duke, Kinship Navigator Specialist, FosterAdopt Connect
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be March 5, 2025.
Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport From Wichita
Governor Kelly Releases Statement Regarding
Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport
TOPEKA — This morning, Governor Laura Kelly released the below statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones. I have been in constant communication with federal, state, and local officials overnight and want to thank the over 300 first responders from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for their response efforts. I will issue a flag order today to acknowledge this devastating event and tragic loss of lives.”
Talking Surveillance Poles Come to Fort Scott
If you happen to pass near the old Walgreens parking lot, you may be greeted by a voice coming from the sky saying, “You are trespassing! Please leave the area. This area is under video surveillance, and you have been recorded.”
While you look up to identify the celestial speaker in the heavens, you will instead find an aerial bullhorn complete with multiple video cameras and flashing blue lights.
According to the Fort Scott police department, they aren’t owned by law enforcement but are installed by property owners. The devices, made by Live View Technologies, are marketed as a solar-powered way to prevent theft and vandalism.
The devices gained attention in 2023 when they were placed outside an operational Walgreens across the street from a Ronald McDonald house. There, they loudly announced their oration every half hour to the annoyance of families trying to sleep across the street. The innkeeper was unhappy about “Robocop” waking his guests. While those devices seemed to be launching their repetitive discourse on a timer, the LVT website indicates they usually respond to motion.

Bourbon County changing from 3 to 5 Commissioner Districts
Bourbon County will change from a three-district county to a five-district county in 2025.
In the fall of 2024, citizens collected signatures on a petition to add the change to the ballot in November. Even though they were unable to get the needed number of signatures in the time required to add it to the ballot, the County Commissioners approved a resolution to put the matter on the ballot.
In the November 2024 elections, a majority of voters approved the change.
Bourbon County Deputy Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said that the election office is currently switching everyone over to their new districts. Those districts are based on maps approved by the previous county commission.
Anybody interested in running can pick up a packet at the County Clerk’s office at 210 S. National Ave. Any registered voter living in the district he or she wishes to represent may run for commissioner, according to Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk.
The deadline to turn in completed candidate packets is noon on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Primary election date is August 5, 2025. 2025 Primary Election Dates
The general election will be on November 4, 2025 and will include school district and city elections as well. 2025 General Election Dates
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 29
County Commissioners increase sheriff’s, EMS director’s pay

The Bourbon County Commission voted to bring Sheriff Bill Martin’s pay up to $75,000. This was to correct the lack of pay raise passed in the Jan. 20 meeting.
Commissioner Leroy Kruger had received feedback from citizens that Sheriff Martin has become the lowest-paid elected official. He opened the discussion, saying that Bill was under the impression that a $5000 raise was budgeted for him and he should have at least that much.
Commissioner Dave Beerbower said, “I’ve been opposed to these big increases in salary over the last couple of weeks.” They may be deserved, but it’s more about how we get them there. In the initial resolution, the other elected officials were getting a big increase to their base salary. The sheriff was already at a higher rate than them, as his position warrants, and was going to receive an 8% raise. Now, after the revision last week, that brought the raises of the other elected officials to about 26% from the base salaries. “I would like to see it staggered, but we didn’t do that,” he said.
Average salaries for sheriffs in Kansas ranges from $75,000 to $100,000, per Beerbower’s research. He went on to say that if the county raised him about 26%, “like we did the others, that would raise him to $75,600 and that would put him at the bottom of that scale for the state.”
“I’m not opposed to him getting a raise at all,” said Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt.
A citizen asked if there’s enough room in the budget for the salary increase.
“In the original resolution, there was money set aside for the increases that they originally asked for and then we lowered that last week,” said Beerbower. So there is money out of that that still would be available to increase him more than the $5000.
“Sheriffs are typically the highest paid in most counties,” because of the risks inherent to their positions, Beerbower also said.
He went on to explain that there’s at least $30,000 left after changing the resolution from the original request of $70,000 for each position (clerk, register of deeds, and treasurer) to $60,000.
Beerbower moved to increase the sheriff’s salary by 26% to $75,600.
Whisenhunt moved to raise the sheriff’s salary to $75,000 and give a $5,000 raise to the EMS director. Beerbower seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Susan Walker, County Clerk said she would start a new salary schedule next week.
During the public comments section of the meeting, Clint Walker spoke to the commission about solar and open government. He advised them to slow down and not make hasty decisions. “Do your research and make a good decision on things.”
“My specialty in the military was nuclear, biological, and chemical, so I know a little bit about this stuff and have dealt with this stuff,” said Walker, when referring to lithium batteries as part of using solar power. Lithium batteries can be dangerous, but many businesses in the area use solar. If solar is so dangerous, why do we use it in so many places? He asked.
He reminded the commission that county agreements need to be consistent, saying that a projected $4 million in tax income was to come from solar businesses over 10 years. “I’m sure that y’all will figure out and find a business to come in and make up that $4 million in taxes.”
County Clerk Susan Walker brought some end-of-year reallocations to the commission for approval. These were due to late invoices and a major issue with an accounts payable that never posted to the general ledger.
The two funds involved were the Appraiser fund and Sheriff’s fund.
In order to keep within the bound of both budget and cash laws, the commission was asked to reallocate from the sheriff’s fund to the general fund for $52,325.45; and from the appraiser’s fund to the general fund for $4,500. She explained that if the commission didn’t reallocate these amounts, they will have a budget violation in both the sheriff and appraiser funds.
Walker explained that the sheriff and appraiser had enough cash to cover the expenses, but not enough budget. They must follow budget law and cash law. There should have been a budget amendment done at the end of the year, had the issue been known.
Walker explained that this is a 2024 matter. “I need to know if, in the general fund, in 2025, if you want me to move cash from these two funds to the general fund so that you recoup it. It’s two separate issues, budget and cash,” she said.
At the end of the year [2024], the clerk asked each department if they needed an increase in their budgets, but received no response.
Walker has offered to create a purchase order system so that the expenses are encumbered on the date of service or purchase, rather than each department having to collect invoices. “It helps with these kinds of things when you get down to the end of the year.”
Whisenhunt made motions to reallocated the expenses as listed, Beerbower seconded and it carried unanimously.
Discussion is expected regarding budget as the year wraps up.
After conducting two separate executive sessions about non-elected personnel, Whisenhunt announced: “We are going to hire a new county counselor today. Bob Johnson from Iola.” The vote was unanimous.
Terry Hallsey, EMS director, asked the commissioners for permission to start getting bids for new ambulances. It will take 3-5 years to get the actual ambulance. The current new one took 2 and a half years to obtain. Commission approved the hunt for new bids.
Whisenhunt addressed the issue of meeting decorum, asking that when the meeting is in session, those in attendance and the commissioners please turn cell phones to silent to avoid distractions.
Whisenhunt also introduced a noise ordinance discussion he had been receiving calls on. Some folks in the north east part of the county building bitcoin mining computers that require diesel generators. Citizens want it quiet after 10. The county currently has no noise ordinance. Commission suggested asking the new county counselor about possible steps.
Kruger said that historically it won’t be something easily done.
Commission approved a resolution setting legal descriptions for the five commissioner districts. These districts have already been settled when the maps were chosen at the beginning of 2025.
The election for districts 4 and 5 will be the Bourbon county 2025 general election.
Primary election dates: June 2, candidate filed deadline of noon.
July 15, deadline to register to vote or update registration.
July 16, advanced ballots by mail
July 28 – Aug. 1, early voting at the courthouse from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. Aug. 2, is 8a.m.-12p.m., Aug. 4 is 8:30a.m.-12p.m.
Aug. 5 is primary election day from 7a.m. to 7p.m. at your normal polling place.
Polling place changes will be mailed out to everyone.
Commissioners selected the board seats and advisory positions they will serve on this year.
Beerbower: Juvenile detention, senior citizens, health department
Kruger: Fair board, REDI
Whisenhunt: Bourbon County Conservation district
During commissioner comments, Beerbower brought up Michael Barnard volunteering services to repair the Elm Creek Lake Shelter House. Beerbower and the other commissioners plan to ask the new counselor about liability, so the county can move forward to use Barnard’s services. There may also be FEMA money available and a state grant to help fix the dam.
Kruger had a juvenile detention center question for Beerbower to ask when he meets with the juvenile detention board. He said that when he (Kruger) was in law enforcement, it took a judge’s order to send a juvenile there. With the rate for that bed being so high and a potential system in play in here in town, is that something that we need to keep holding down money for. “It’s a very big expense for something we rarely, if every, use.”
Kruger also said, “I want to thank everyone for having patience with us,” as we learn how to do this job. “I appreciate everyone sticking with us.”
Whisenhunt wrapped up the meeting saying, “I want to try to bring some fun back into county politics.” He then suggested a youth day, where selected youth come and try to do commissioner jobs for a day.
Obituary of Alva Snyder
Alva Leroy Snyder, 89, resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Labette Health Center in Parsons, Kansas. He was born August 23, 1935, in Harding, Kansas, the son of George Franklin Snyder and Mary Elizabeth (Townsend) Snyder. He married Marjorie Marilyn Schwartz on April 4, 1958, in Fulton, Kansas, and she preceded him in death January 5, 2005.
Ale graduated from Fulton High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 until 1960. He worked at Leroy Robinson Farms in Garden City as well as feed lots, and prior to Garden City, worked for Richard Clarkson operating a bulldozer. He also farmed for Delbert Campbell in Friend, Kansas, and bulldozed for Charles Brohan. Alva was a truck driver in both Scott City and Hesston, Kansas. He moved to Bronson in 1998 and worked for WalMart.
Alva is survived by his children; Roger Snyder and wife Connie, of Chelsea, Oklahoma, Michael Snyder and wife Trisha, of Independence, Kansas; six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Mary, he was also preceded in death by his son, Gale Snyder, his sister, Mary “Sug” Beckford, and two brothers, John Snyder and George “June” Snyder.
Rev. Chuck Russell will officiate graveside services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Mapleton Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
Shane Dennis Inducted Into Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame on Feb. 1

Former Wichita State University star baseball player Shane Dennis will be inducted into the 2025 class of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame this Saturday in Wichita.
Dennis was born in Fort Scott and was a standout athlete at Uniontown High School.
“We didn’t have a baseball team at the time,” he said. “I played Legion ball at Fort Scott in the summer,” Dennis said.
While pitching for the American Legion team in Fort Scott, the team won 28 games over three years and struck out 418 hitters in 222 innings, according to the website, http://ksbaseballhof.com.
“He was all-state in both football and basketball. He once scored 52 points and had 17 rebounds in a single game and set a 1A state record by scoring 90 points in the 1990 1A tournament, including 33 points in the championship game,” according to info on the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame website.
He graduated from U.H.S. in 1990 and became a midweek starter on the Wichita State University baseball team, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.66 earned run average as a freshman for a Shocker team that went to the College World Series final.
As a college sophomore, he won 13 games, struggled as a junior but bounced back to go 9-2 as a senior with a 1.35 ERA, according to the website.
“He was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and by Collegiate Baseball. Dennis’s career marks for ERA, starts, strikeouts and innings pitched are ranked in the WSU top ten,” according to the website.
Dennis was then drafted in the seventh round by the San Diego Padres program and pitched four seasons in the organization, winning minor league pitcher of the year in 1996.
“In 1997, Dennis pitched the first of two seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan Pacific League. He returned to the Padres organization to play his final season for Triple-A Las Vegas in 1999.
“While at Wichita State, Dennis majored in radio/television journalism and served as color commentator on Shocker women’s basketball broadcasts. In 2001, he returned to Wichita as play-by-play voice for the Double-A Wichita Wranglers before going back to Wichita State as director of baseball operations for 12 years,” according to the website.
Dennis is now part of the WSU baseball broadcast team and hosts a daily sports show, The Shane Dennis Show, on ESPN Wichita 92.3 radio station.
“I’ve been at ESPN Wichita the last three years, doing Wichita State Baseball and Basketball games,” he said.
Dennis’s father, Don, pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox and was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, according to the website.
Don Dennis died in 2007 and his mother Betty Dennis lives in Uniontown.
Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article296142789.html#storylink=cpy
Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter January 2025
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Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is now accepting applications for new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag project. The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to display “Old Glory” on five different flag holidays during 2025 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $40 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12-foot
staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :
Memorial Day, May 26th
Flag Day, June 14th
Independence Day, July 4th
Labor Day, September 1st
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Applications for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone, text, or email. Call 417-684-2484 or email [email protected]. Renewal notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2024 subscribers. Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2025.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site including the Naturalization Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, and Veterans Challenge coins among other special programs.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
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Black History Month Celebration Lunch and Learn Feb. 12

