The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer. The sheriff’s office number is 620-223-1440.
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Farmers Market Plans For Season, And Is Looking For Honey Vendors
The Fort Scott Farmers Market group met Thursday evening to review 2017 and look to this season possibilities.
The market sets up stalls in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site at the north end of Main Street starting in May on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon and Tuesday evenings from 4-6 p.m.
It continues until October.
Market stall fees are $5 per day and there is a $5 application fee to reserve a vendor space. Or there is a discounted fee of $4 per day if pre-paid in the amount of $108 for the 27-week market space.
A new president of the market was elected, Stacey Atkins.
Beverly Brown was re-elected as treasurer.
Atkins was the secretary in 2017 and that position is still open.
In 2017 the group facilitated:
- Breakfast on the Bricks, where customers can purchase a breakfast on Saturday mornings while attending the market.
- Several demonstrations of interest to the community, such as CPR and rain barrels.
- Tuesday evening strawberry shortcakes social.
- Once a month raffle drawing, starting in June, with market vendors contributing goods for the prize.
- The Third Saturday Marketplace, working in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott, the market moved to historic downtown on Main Street once a month.
- Special music that entertains while customers stroll through the market.
- Children’s activities.
The group is looking for honey producers, at the request of community members.
Group member Vickie Shead said she has some honey but production has been difficult with the drift of herbicides that have helped to decimate her bee population.
Traditional offerings of this market are veggies, fruit, eggs, crafts, jellies/jams, baked goods, herbs, live plants, nuts, and pottery.
This year Fort Scott Kiwanis has offered to do Breakfast on the Bricks the first Saturday in May, according to Mickie Kraft, a group member.
Group member Ronnie Brown told about the Bourbon County Food Alliance that he is a part of.
“They were talking about how they could help us, possibly furnishing entertainment, breakfast, public relations, and help with the business part,” Brown said. “They want to see this farmers market extended.”
Brown also mentioned Project 17, which is a regional economic development and community engagement initiative in the southeast region of the state, according to a K-State website.
“Bob Marshall helped initiate it,” Brown said. Marshall was a Kansas Senator from 2009 to 2013.
“Local food is a by-word now,” Brown said. “There is a lot to look forward to, a lot of enthusiasm.”
Newly elected President Stacey Atkins told the group about a program through a Pathways Grant that is seeking input from local food producers.
“On May 3, a Buy and Sell-Meet and Greet will be at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall,” Atkins said. “This meeting will be to bridge the divide between local gardeners and retail food sellers.”
Family Time In Gunn Park Celebrates Warm Kansas Day
Several family groups took advantage of a warm Kansas day Thursday at Gunn Park. Temperatures were in the high 60s.
Trust Is A Must by Patty LaRoche
“The nuns trust us!” The Gringos folding clothes at the Catholic Orphanage here in Mexico were elated. For weeks a team of 30+ have met at the complex to clean, repair, demolish, reconstruct and paint what has been ignored for decades. We are faithful in showing up and diligent in this massive undertaking.
In spite of that, the nuns remained cautious about opening the Bodega, a storage unit the size of a three-car garage crammed with bags of donated clothing. Fearing that we, like dozens of other groups, are fly-by-nights, they would not risk their treasures being stolen. After all, this was money for them. The clothes they reject are either sold as hand-me-downs or as rags.
But this week was different. The elderly nun showed up with the cherished Bodega key to allow Peter, our organizer, to peek inside. Immediately he pulled Alison off my paint crew and asked her to check it out. Alison’s main job at another orphanage is to organize its Bodega, and she’s good at it, but she never expected to see a mess of this magnitude.
Where to start? Fumigation. With floor-to-ceiling mounds of garbage bags, some which have been there for years, one could only guess what critters were nesting in the piles. Once that task was finished, seven women were assigned to the Bodega.
Peter purchased folding tables, and it was there the ladies labored over each bag. Oddly, it was the nun who was the pickiest about what clothes were kept. When a cute pair of girl’s jeans was pulled from a bag, it was she who told the volunteers those jeans were “out of style.” The nun had an opinion on every article of clothing or material the women unpacked.
By the third week, the ladies were elated when the nun had errands to run and left them alone. No longer was she concerned that the items would be stolen or put in the wrong bag. They had earned her trust. Word spread and our entire volunteer community celebrated.
When the nun confided in Peter that two teenage girls were becoming defiant and disrespectful, Peter had to convince them that he could provide a psychologist to help. Gradually, when the nuns realized that Peter was committed to doing what was best for the orphanage, their trust in him increased. It was then they gave him permission to paint the entire complex.
Trust is a must. No matter who is involved.
Nun with volunteer. Parent with child. Boss with employee. Spouse with spouse. Teammate with teammate. Coach with athlete. Teacher with student. Friend with friend. Doctor with patient. Pilot with passengers. Christian with God.
Viable relationships are dependent on such confidence.
Yet sometimes those we trust let us down, don’t they? And we feel betrayed. We forget that all of us are sinners and ignore Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart…”
Not the itsy-bitsy, happy-heart corner that celebrates when we find a parking spot or lose a pound, but “all” of our heart, even the part—especially the part– that aches when things aren’t lining up the way we know they should be (and would be in a perfect world). We are to trust, the practical outworking of faith, to allow God to fumigate the trash we have accumulated in order to give us a fresh start. For some of us, that task, like the bodega, seems overwhelming. Fortunately, God doesn’t see it that way. All He asks is that we give Him the key so He can start.
One bag at a time.
Fire Danger High: Avoid Activity That Could Create a Spark
FIRE DANGER REMAINS HIGH IN KANSAS AS STATE CONTINUES RESPONSE EFFORTS
Fire danger remains high with red flag warnings across much of Kansas due to high winds and dry weather conditions.
Currently, the Rice County Fire Complex is the largest active fire. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and crews from the Kansas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation out of Salina and Topeka have been tasked to assist first responders on the ground with fire suppression efforts. Two of the Black Hawks deployed to assist with the Rice County Fire Complex operations. Five additional Black Hawks are on standby to assist with firefighting operations, as needed.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka remains staffed at a partial activation level to coordinate state firefighting resources.
Kansas Division of Emergency Management officials are reminding Kansans to avoid any activity that could create a spark and start a new fire. Do not drive on or stop your car on dry or tall grass because your exhaust can spark a fire; do not throw cigarettes on the ground.
Stay away from all affected areas and do not drive through heavy smoke. Sightseeing puts you in danger and hampers the work of firefighting crews.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 15
Obituary Of Lori Ann Culp
Lori Ann Culp, age 50, a resident of Fort Scott, Ks, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018, at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center. She was born on March 21, 1967, in Fort Scott, Ks the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Parker.
Lori was a devoted wife and mother who loved to fish, gardening, cooking and spending time with her family especially her grandkids.
Lori is survived by a son, Kenny Monroe, of Fort Scott, Ks; two daughters, Megan Woods and husband, Brian of Bronson, Ks and Kayla Bolden and husband, Justin of Fort Scott, Ks; Her Dad, Joseph Parker, of Fort Scott, Ks; two sisters, Kim Leavell and husband, Mitch of Garland, Ks and Beverley Parker, of Fort Scott, Ks; and 11 grandchildren. Lori was preceded in death by her husband, Darryl Culp and her mother, Nancy Parker.
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 PM Friday, March 16, 2018, at the Uniontown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM till leaving for the Cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Lori Culp Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel 201 S. Main PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Ks 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Shamrock Saturday
This Saturday, March 17, is St. Patrick’s Day. The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to get out and shop participating retailers for a “Shamrock Saturday” shopping promotion.
Participating retailers will have a Shamrock flyer posted on their window or door, and IF you are wearing green you will qualify for any drawings, deals, or discounts they may be offering. Those participating will have a drawing for $50 in Chamber Bucks gift certificates that may be used at over 50 local stores and restaurants.
May your day be filled with luck as you shop and celebrate this Saturday; shop local, shop the Fort for St. Patrick’s Day this weekend.
Contact the Chamber with any questions or for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report March 14
“Go Further with Food”
by Sherise Beckham, MS, RD, LD
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (March 15, 2018) – March is one of my favorite months! Why you may ask? March is National Nutrition Month®; a whole month dedicated to celebrating nutrition and what dietitian doesn’t love that?
The theme for March 2018 National Nutrition Month® is “Go Further with Food.” This campaign is geared towards being mindful of what you put in your mouth, as well as what is left over as food waste.
What does this mean for you? How do we go further with our food? To begin, start planning your meals and snacks. Make a weekly menu and a shopping list for the grocery store. As hard as it may seem, try to stick to items on that shopping list when at the grocery store.
It’s important to make sure your meals and snacks have some variety and color. Have fun with your meals and try new foods and recipes! Once you plan what to prepare, have a plan for the leftovers, too. Use your leftovers in another meal later in the week, or freeze the leftovers for another time. Also, be mindful of your portion sizes. Think about the amount you should be eating and dish up just that amount. Help our environment by reducing food waste (the stuff that goes into your trash) by not overserving yourself.
I encourage you to take time this month to think about helping ourselves be healthier by eating a variety of healthful foods, as well as helping our planet by cutting down on food waste. Again, happy National Nutrition Month® and “Go Further with Food!”
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 and 2016 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
Shelby Hutchison Named Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar
Jackson, Mississippi — Shelby Hutchison, a student at Fort Scott Community College, has been named a 2018 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”
Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, April 19-21 in Kansas City, Missouri.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President, and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations. Learn more at ptk.org.
FSCC Men’s Rodeo Team Produces Win
Fort Scott Community College hosted the 37th Annual Spring Rodeo on March 9-11.
The rodeo took place in the indoor Arnold Arena and featured 25 Kansas and Oklahoma two-year and four-year colleges competing for a variety of titles.
FSCC men’s team won the rodeo with the following results.
- Cory Brown won 2nd in the average in the bareback riding.
- Russell Redden won 4th in the average in the bareback riding.
- Trenton Burd won the long round and the average in the saddle bronc riding.
- Matthew Swaim won the short round and 3rd in the average in the saddle bronc riding.
- Zach Oestmann won the long round and 3rd in the average in the team roping.
- -Wyatt Miller won 4th long the long round and 4th in the average in the team roping.
- Zach Oestmann won 5th in the average of the calf roping.
“Our kids competed extremely well and presented themselves as professionals, we are very proud of them and the production that they put on,” Rodeo Coach Chad Cross said. “Thank you to our school and community for all of the support, we appreciate everything!”