The Beacon Still Has 31 Families to Provide Christmas For: Help Is Needed

December 11, 2024 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Beacon, a local helping agency in Bourbon County, is still in need of people to adopt a family for Christmas buying.

“We had 112 families needing to be adopted this year and have 31 remaining,”Ashley Heathman, assistant director of the Beacon said. “These are all Beacon clients with children still in school.”

“The families I have remaining are three families with four children,
four families with three children, seven families with two children, and seventeen families with one child,”she said.

“A majority of the remaining children to be adopted are teenagers mixed in with a couple of younger children,” she said. “Those who would like to adopt would need to come into The Beacon between 9 am and 1 pm this week by Friday at close to adopt the families. The presents drop-off is on Dec. 18th and 19th at Community Christian Church between 9 am and 1 pm. The minimum spending limit per child is $40.00. Gifts need to be wrapped and tagged with the child’s name and family number provided on the papers given during the adoption process.”

“The Adopt-A-Family program is a project that The Beacon takes great pride in,” said Heathman in a prior interview. “We help local Bourbon County families bring Christmas to their homes. After the application is filled out, we make the families available for the public and organizations to come in and ‘adopt’. They then purchase gifts for the children and The Beacon puts together a rather large holiday meal package for the family. The children’s Christmas gifts are purchased, wrapped, and tagged with the family number and dropped off at Community Christian Church, where we sort into the proper family group.”

Those who want to adopt a family can come to The Beacon, 525 E. Sixth, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick the family they want to adopt or call 620-223-6869.

To view the prior feature:

The Beacon Sees An Increase In Local Families In Need

Bourbon County, Government, Schools

USD 235 Passes Resolution to Hold School Bond Election

December 11, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE from Vance Eden, superintendent of USD235, Uniontown School District.

The USD 235 Board of Education approved a resolution Monday night to place a $1,250,000 bond election before voters during a special election held Tuesday, March 4. The board of education went back to the drawing board after voters rejected two propositions in the November 2023 election. This time around, the board of education reduced the scope of work and bond amount by 86 percent.

Following the election, the district surveyed its constituents to better understand its perspectives and priorities. In that feedback we heard that the cost of the previous bond question was too high, and many patrons felt the scope of work included items that were not truly a need. With that in mind, we have reduced the work to only include the three most pressing needs. In doing so, the district is able to present a bond issue to the public that would have a no mill increase to taxpayers.

The scope of work will include 3 projects. The largest expense will be for the replacement of the two modulars at West Bourbon Elementary School with one permanent structure that will house the preschool and small offices for school psychology and speech therapy services. The bond will also include the replacement of the antiquated fire alarm system at the high school and will renovate the main entrance at WBE to be ADA accessible, as well as more secure.

The following bond proposal below will appear on the ballot.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,250,000 to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip: (a) replacement of the District’s Pre-K facility; (b) ADA and secure entry improvements at West Bourbon Elementary School; (c) fire alarm system improvements at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School; and (d) all other necessary improvements related thereto (collectively the “Project”); and (e) to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10‑101 et seq., K.S.A. 25‑2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72‑5458 et seq.?

The special election will take place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Bourbon County, Health Care

County Commissioners vote to sign agreement for Emergency Room

December 11, 2024 Amy Thorpe Leave a comment

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Dec. 5, 2024

(Due to technical difficulties with the meeting recording, the first 6 minutes of this meeting had no sound. Whatever was said at the beginning of that meeting is not in this article.)

The Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.

Six citizens in attendance asked several questions about the future of the hospital building and the agreement that the county is making with Freeman to get an emergency room back in Fort Scott.

The commissioner read the agreement for emergency facility aloud in the meeting.

The agreement includes a deadline of opening a fully operational emergency room by June 1, 2025. If Freeman fails to meet the requirements of the agreement without “good cause,” all funds will be returned to the appropriate parties. The deadline for completion may be extended up to six month “for good cause,” but no further.

The commissioner state that the agreement keeps Bourbon County’s taxpayer dollars in Bourbon County.

He also mentioned that there is a separate agreement regarding sales tax that “comes later.”

Citizen asked why date changed from April 1 to June 1. No specific reason was given.

Another citizen asked how much money the county has invested in this. The commissioner responded: $2.5 million plus the building and land.

Other county commissioner acknowledged the discussion that has surrounded the county’s actions regarding the hospital, “was it the right decision, or a bad decision?” As a commissioner, his perspective was that we have “so many dollars in the hopper” and the county wasn’t collecting any rent and was paying all the expenses out of said hopper. He projected it would take about 30 months to use up the money in the hopper at the current rate. This would have led to the choice to either tearing the building down or “go after a lot of taxpayer dollars to keep it open.”

“Now that $2 million came from the federal government and Mercy Hospital.” he said. None of it was county tax dollars and there is documented accounting for all of it.

“It was a gamble,” admits commissioner, referring to the relationship with KRI Freeman, “but it worked. We got very fortunate.”

“Legacy is the reason KRI is here,” said another commissioner. “Let’s not forget everybody involved.”

When a citizen asked if the county could not have just sold the building, the commissioner responded, “we tried to give the building away, and no one would take it.” He listed several organizations and groups that the building was offered to before Legacy took over, including KU Medical, St. Luke’s, Freeman, and Mercy, as well as various developers.

“Legacy will fulfill what they said they would, and we’ll have an emergency room,” was his summarizing of the current situation.

In response to rumors that Legacy is holding up the sale of the old hospital building, the commissioner explained his conversation with the lawyer for Legacy in which the lawyer stated that Legacy has been in talks with KRI’s CFO for 2 months and that, “it seems to me everybody is doing everything they can to get that building transferred.”

Motion to accept agreement was unanimously accepted pending discussed changes.

Commissioners also reaffirmed a vote that had not been properly recorded in the Oct. 31 meeting to the effect of signing a resolution rescinding the moratorium on solar projects in Bourbon County and termination of prior agreements with Creek Solar (?) with an effective date of Oct. 31, 2024

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Dec. 11

December 11, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

12-11-24-arrest

12-11-24-release

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Dec. 12

December 10, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

December 12, 2024 9:00 a.m.

Call Meeting to Order
Flag Salute

Approval of Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes from 12/5/2024

Public Comments
Pam and John Speer Sr.- Road Issue
Department Updates
1. Public Works

Pinnacle Broadband Letter of Support
Real Property Relief Application-494 263^rd Terrace

Consideration of Moving Meetings to Mondays
Commission Comments
Adjourn Meeting

Executive Session Justifications:

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Board of Ed. Minutes for Dec. 9

December 10, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760

DESTRY BROWN

Superintendent

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, December 09, 2024

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 09, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

11-11-24

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – October 18, 2024 – $1,693,896.64

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

MS Band Fundraising

December 2024 KASB Policy Updates

Special Education Director, Tonya Barnes, recognized Jannah Farrington for being named the 2024 Coach of the Year for the Southeast Region’s Special Olympics. Jannah is in her 12th year at the district. Jannah along with Rhonda & Damien Perkinson, Stacy & David Brown, Laryn Schnichels, Kristal Castillo, and others worked to build and decorate the Special Olympics Express that won first place in the Fort Scott Christmas Parade. She has been instrumental in expanding the Special Olympics department which includes track & field, bowling, and soon to come basketball.

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on enrollment from the start of school until December. He also gave a brief update on the Preschool building and where the district is with the remodeling of the building.

Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with an update on the football field turf replacement with the hopes it will be finished ahead of schedule. He explained about a few projects in the buildings that are being done and that we will hear about the financial audit as soon as they have completed it.

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, updated the Board on the next CAT AID payment that will be coming later this month. She and others will be starting a new hire orientation in January and following monthly for all new employees to make sure they equipped and ready to work within the district.

Mina Query, Principal at Eugene Ware, presented a slideshow for the Board. She presented pictures from the Family Engagement Camping Night that focused on reading. The teachers have been working on interventions that have had a significant impact. She also went over a few reports to show how the students have improved. Students were present from Mrs. Keating’s Enrichment groups. They help with the student store, parent monthly parent letters, and they really enjoy being a part of her group. A couple of members from the Leadership Club were present to explain about their trip to Greenbush to learn about how to become a leader. They also worked with Wreaths Across America to help raise money for fifteen wreaths to be placed at the National Cemetery. Mrs. Query complimented the teachers and staff for working together as a team for the better of the students.

KESA Accreditation Plan for information only. Each district is to choose a District Goal and our choice was Structured Literacy. Superintendent Brown explained how the district is working toward that goal.

There have been three applicants for the open board seat. The Board decided to have a special meeting in January to interview and choose an applicant.

The Board Approved the following items:

Pre-Employment Drug Screening
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation, INC Grant
Kingbird Solar Energy Contribution Agreement
School Bus Purchases (71 Passenger & Bus with Lift)
Maintenance Truck Purchase

The Board tabled the following items:

10 Passenger Van Purchase
Towerpoint Acquisitions Letter of Intent to Purchase Interest in Wireless Site

There were no comments during public forum.

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

December 09, 2024

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Button, Tim – Resignation – Bus Driver

Flanner, Kevin – Resignation – Supplemental – Girls’ Volleyball Head Coach – High School

Krull, Michael – Retirement

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Doherty, Andrew – KRI Teacher

Fountain, Justin – 6th Grade Math Teacher – Middle School

Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Durkin, Jennifer – Paraprofessional – KRI

Herring, Sean T – Custodian – Middle School

Thorne, Deborah – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Armstrong, Jeff – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Feedback, Brennen – Head Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Larsen, Danny – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Martin, Dave – Assistant Swimming Coach – High School

Stepps, Trent – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Bourbon County, Schools, Youth

The Uniontown Science Olympiad teams have kicked off the 24-25 season.

December 10, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

B Division Team – 1st row: Ely Swink, Scout Eden, Ash Sporleder, Ty Shelton, Lexi Irsik, Autstin Maycomber 2nd row: Blake Ervin, Mathew Knight ( Mentor), Makiah Woods, Marley Sutton and McKinley Sutton

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school), according to information provided by Uniontown Science Teacher Carrie Sutcliffe.

Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

Lexi Irsik and Scout Eden. Submitted photo.

4 C Division Team – 1st row – Abbi Brown, Jewel Endicott, Jiyah Middelton, Jordan Wolf, Blakely Cox
2nd row – Anthony Weyant, Bailey Cox, Austin Vincent, Maria Cibrin, Matthew Knight
3rd row – Dylon Diebert, Dreyden Marlow, Hunter Johnson, Paityn Hueston, Camilla Cagle.

Obituary

Obituary of Morris Robinson

December 10, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Morris Earl Robinson, age 90, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the home of his daughter in Springfield, Missouri. He was born June 12, 1934, in Redfield, Kansas, the son of Earl Kenneth Robinson and Frances Mary McGuire Robinson. He was united in marriage to Darlene Harned on January 2, 1955, at the Fulton United Methodist Church in Fulton, Kansas.

Following their marriage, Morris served with the United States Navy from 1956 to 1958. He remained active with the Navy Reserves until 1962.

Morris was a lifelong educator. After serving in the Navy, he began his teaching career in Uniontown, Kansas. He also taught at Westphalia and Bronson.

In addition to teaching, Morris also loved working on the farm. He worked at a ranch in Colony, Kansas and later moved his family to British Columbia where he managed the Green Valley Ranch for several years.

He later taught at the Dome Creek School and McBride Elementary School in British Columbia. In 1970, the family moved to Pickens, South Carolina where he taught at the Olenooy Valley Christian School. He later returned to Kansas and worked as the City Superintendent at Uniontown for six years. In addition to working for the City, he also worked the family farm at Lake Frances.

Teaching was still in his blood and in 1978, he taught ACE curriculum at the Community Life Fellowship School in Redfield, Kansas and later at Patton Fellowship School in Patton, Missouri. In 1986, he relocated to Cape Girardeau, Missouri where he was employed by Teen Challenge. While at Teen Challenge he continued to teach and help students obtain their GED certification. He retired completely in 2000 and returned to the farm in Redfield near Lake Frances. Morris loved spending time outdoors. He also enjoyed music and played the guitar, piano, mandolin and harmonica. Favorite times were spent with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Morris is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the home; ten children, Sonia Gonske, Montgomery, Texas, Twyla Young (Tim), Garland, Kansas, Lesha Seaver, Liberty, Missouri, Mark Robinson (Marianne), Thompsonville, Illinois, Suzanne Ruble (Tim), Springfield, Missouri, Lela Robinson-Bradley (Steve), Murrieta, California, Lynna Longaro (Joe), Austin, Texas, Kimerly Feiner (Larry), Glendale, Arizona, Isaac Robinson (Pia), Tarlac City, Philippines and Raymond Robinson of Ft. Scott and a son-in-law, Tyronn Nunnelly of St. Louis, Missouri as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Lynn Robinson and Lyle Robinson, both of Redfield, Kansas and Jerry Robinson of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Morris was preceded in death by a daughter, Myrna Robinson-Nunnelly, a brother, Merle Robinson and a sister, Anita Ayre.

Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 16^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Robinson Family Cemetery near Redfield, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Teen Challenge and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the onli

Fort Scott, Government

Multi-Day Fire Was Caused by Illegal Burning.

December 10, 2024 Loretta George Leave a comment

The fire on Dec. 8-9 on North Hill Street from the Fort Scott Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Fort Scott Firefighters worked for several days on an old bridge fire near the city’s dog pound on North Hill Street. The fire was located on the north edge of Fort Scott.

The department received a call on December 8 at 12:46 p.m. of a fire on the 400 block of North Hill Street.

The cause of the fire was determined to be illegal burning, according to FSFD Chief Dave Bruner.

The property involved in the fire was the bridge as well as a large debris pile under the bridge.

“We cleared the scene at 3:42 p.m. but spent the evening and next morning monitoring and extinguishing hot spots,” Bruner said.

The access to the fire and terrain around it made it difficult to get in close proximity to the fire, he said.

The initial call involved the Fort Scott Fire Department with five personnel, the Fort Scott Police Department, the Scott Township Fire Department- with four personnel, and the Garland Fire Department with two personnel assisting,

Obituary

Obituary of Vicky Long

December 10, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Vicky Sue Runyan Long, age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott. She was born August 19, 1959, in Ft. Scott. She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1977. In earlier years, Vicky worked as a waitress. She later moved to Illinois where she worked at several nursing homes. Vicky enjoyed going to classic car shows, attending stock car races and taking the occasional trip to the casino.

Vicky is survived by several cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Maxine Runyan, and a brother, Richard Wesley “Ricky” Runyan.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 17^th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Guest Home Estates Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College

Chamber Coffee is Hosted by FSCC Foundation on Dec.12

December 10, 2024 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by the

Fort Scott

Community College Foundation

Thursday, December 12th

8am

Ellis Fine Arts Center

2108 S. Horton St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, December 12th at 8am hosted by Fort Scott Community College Foundation, 2108 S. Horton St. The Coffee will take place in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a giveaway drawing.

Fort Scott Community College Foundation’s mission is to empower FSCC student success through philanthropic support, aligned with key FSCC institutional initiatives. Their vision is to be the philanthropic force supporting high-quality educational experiences for FSCC students of all backgrounds to help them improve the trajectory of their lives.

Since 1980, FSCC Foundation has given $7-plus million in scholarships. The foundation provides significant assistance to FSCC in the form of scholarships and special projects. The foundation is extremely grateful for the FSCC Alumni and Friends of FSCC, who are their greatest advocates and supporters.

Visit the new website www.fsccfoundation.org for details about the Fort Scott Community College Foundation and to sign up for the quarterly newsletter.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.