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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 20
Obituary of Anthony Kinnaman
Anthony Price Kinnaman, age 77, resident of Overland Park, KS died Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, KS. He was born February 3, 1947, in Winfield, KS the son of Thad and Edqarita Kinnaman of Sedan, KS. He graduated from Pitt State University. Anthony retired from Luke Airforce Base in Glendale, AZ. He was a member of the Arizona Wildfire Incident Management Team. He married Gretchen Schafer on January 1, 2001, in Sedona, AZ.
Survivors include his son Michael Kinnaman (Chrissie), 3 stepchildren, Kristopher and Karlee Goodbody, and Kasey East; 5 grandchildren, Madison Goodbody, Tyler and Nathan Kinnaman, and Ethan and Aria East; a brother, Patrick Kinnaman (Sharon), Yarnell, AZ; and a sister Connie Rogers, Sedan, KS.
There was cremation. Memorials are suggested to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Hoyt Will Ask Bourbon County Commission to Sign Resolution for a Five-Person Commission Vote Today
Michael Hoyt has been seeking signatures of Bourbon County residents who would like to see the county move to a five-commissioner board instead of the current three commissioners.
He has 500 signatures as of today and believes he will get the required total of 621 in a month, however, the county election officer has a date of August 21 for getting the signatures in, so they can be validated before the November general election.
Hoyt will be asking the three commissioners to sign a resolution that he is presenting at this evening’s commission meeting that will help the petition move forward to be put on the November 5 election, which would not require the signatures.
He said there are 14,900 people in Bourbon County according to the 2020 census, and there are 12,500 people registered to vote.
He said this is a state-wide problem of the registered voters roll not being “cleaned up” when people die. He said there is no clear way to get deceased people off the roll.
If the resolution is put on the ballot this November, it would save the cost of a $10,000 special election later, Hoyt said.
The need for five commissioners is to bring better government to the county, he said.
“We seem to be stalled with three commissioners,” he said. “Two commissioners talking outside of an open meeting is an open meetings violation. It’s an unfair disadvantage with only three commissioners.”
“Out of 105 counties, 35 have gone to five commissioners, 30 are moving towards this,” he said.
The following is a press release Hoyt sent:
A bi-partisan Bourbon County citizens group, aptly named The Three-to-Five Committee, has published and received preliminary sufficiency, on a petition to place a question on the November 2024 general election ballot; “Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d)&(e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?”
As provided in the Kansas Statutes the Districts will be five districts “as compact and equal in population” as possible. The change will have no impact on the County budget. The additional Commissioners will allow better collaboration and focused representation on their respective districts. As the Commission is currently constructed, the group noted, “Even two Commissioners having conversations on any topic that may come before the Commission, is a violation of the Kansas Open Meeting Act (KOMA).” Allowing an opportunity for collaboration and discussions with two Commissioners will improve the decision-making process and should provide improved transparency and accountability; since it is apparent the Chairman is reluctant to have material meetings that do not include all the Commissioners. That is why there is a quorum call; as long as two Commissions are present all business may go forward.
Signatures have been collected by registered voters in Bourbon County over the last few weeks, and we have over 550 of the required 621 to place the question on the November ballot. This will prevent the need for a special election and the expense associated with such an election. Further discussion on a Resolution by the County Commission to remove the risk of the special election fees will be discussed at Monday, August 19, 2024, meeting; only two Commissioner signatures are required, the resolution has been written for them, and a copy has been provided to the County Counselor over a week ago for review. Not to mention the time required by the clerk’s office to verify all signers of the petition. THE PETITION DECIDES NOTHING other than to place the question on a ballot. The people will have a voice to vote FOR or AGAINST the ballot question in the November election.
To view the resolution that Hoyt is asking the commissioners to sign:
New “To the Stars” Standard License Plate to Begin Appearing on Kansas Vehicles
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue announced today that the new standard license plate design, “To the Stars,” is now available. The new design was overwhelmingly chosen by Kansans in a December 2023 public vote, winning 53% of the total vote. The “To the Stars” design will replace the current “Ad Astra” standard license plate designs.
“To the Stars” design
The design features the Kansas Statehouse Dome within a cutout of the state set against a blue, white, and yellow gradient background. Paying tribute to our state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera,” the phrase “To the Stars” is inscribed along the bottom of the design.
The new design will be used for all new plate issuances, including replacements for any remaining embossed plates. Kansans, who were issued a plate with the “Ad Astra” design as the replacement for their embossed plate, will not be reissued another plate with the new design. However, any Kansan who has the “Ad Astra” design but wants the “To the Stars” design can visit their local county treasurer’s office to transfer their registration to a plate with the new design.
More information on the ongoing embossed plate replacement project can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/
Amended Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Today, August 19
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
August 19, 2024 4:00 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Don Doherty and Cristy Mitchell-Insurance
- Budget Discussion
- Signing of Official Election Results
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 8/12/2024
- Public Comments
- David Beerbower-Solar/Advisory Committee/State Statutes
- SEHP Contract Renewal
- Emergency Management Performance Grant Application
- Discussion of Resolution Changing Commission Seats
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
- 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.
Bourbon County Industrial Development Research Committee Meets Today
A meeting of the Industrial Development Research Committee will be held on August 19, 2024 at 6:30 in the County Commission Room of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave. Fort Scott, KS 66701. If the County Commission meeting is still session at 6:30 p.m., then the Committee will hold the meeting in the main lobby of the Courthouse.
Women’s Health Fair: CHC/SEK focuses on Cervical Health Awareness
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a Women’s Health Fair on Sept. 7 at its Fort Scott clinic. The event is an opportunity to raise awareness about cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) disease, and the importance of getting screened.
The fair will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CHC/SEK clinic located at 2322 S. Main St. Fort Scott. Participants aged 21 through 65 can get a cervical cancer screening during the health fair. To be screened during the event, an appointment can be made by calling 620-231-9873. Walk-in screening appointments will also be welcomed on the day of the event.
CHC/SEK staff at booths will provide health information on mammography, colorectal health, vaccines Early Detection Works and more. Mammography screening will be available at the event.
According to the CDC, each year in the United States, about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed, and about 4,000 women die of this cancer.
For women aged 21-29, it is recommended to have a pap smear every three years if the results are normal. For women aged 30-65, providers recommend a pap smear with HPV testing every five years if results are normal. For women over age 65, the decision to stop screening depends on history and should be discussed with their provider.
Early detection is key, CHC/SEK Physician Holly Gault, MD, said, adding that she can’t stress enough how much better it is to find out early.
“We’ve seen several cervical cancer cases in young people that could’ve been prevented or caught earlier in the disease progression with proper screening,” Gault said.
CHC/SEK also participates in the Early Detection Works Program, which is a breast and cervical cancer screening program for Kansas women, and the clinic offers other financial assistance programs. Patients can learn more about Early Detection Works during the fair.
Another way CHC/SEK is helping prevent cervical cancer is by talking to parents about getting their children immunized for HPV. High-risk HPV infection is associated with nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
“There is a rise in cervical, head, and neck cancer, caused by HPV,” Gault said, adding these cancers could be prevented with immunizations for HPV.
The CDC and the American Cancer Society recommend HPV vaccination (Gardasil) for females and males as early as 11 years of age. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Gardasil three-dose series for individuals up to 45 years of age.
For more information about the upcoming event people can call the clinic at 620-231-9873.
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About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a mission-focused, patient-owned, federally qualified health center (FQHC), Kansas not-for-profit corporation, and a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. CHC/SEK provides quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for everyone, regardless of income or insurance status. CHC/SEK has 39 registered sites in Kansas and Oklahoma, providing approximately 60 services, including walk-in care, primary care, women’s health, mammography and prenatal care, pediatrics, school-based health services, vaccinations, dental care, behavioral health and addiction treatment, and chronic disease management. To learn more, visit www.chcsek.org.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports for August 19
Shanna Stone and Dan Duling: August 23 Friday Night Free Concert in Downtown Fort Scott
Shanna Stone and Dan Duling will be the featured musicians at this week’s Friday Night Free Concert at 1st and Main Street’s Heritage Park at 7 p.m.
Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs as benches are limited.
In case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved to Common Ground Coffee Co. at 12 E. Wall.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is the sponsor and Ralph Carlson is the organizer of the event.
Shana Stone grew up in Southeast Kansas and has been a lifelong staple of the local music community, having performed with country music legends such as George Jones, T. G. Sheppard, Merle Haggard, and more.
Dan Duling, a member of the musically prolific Duling family, spent many years in education and has long been at the forefront of the Southeast Kansas country music scene.
The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for August 19: Election Canvass At 1 p.m.
The canvass for the August Bourbon County Primary Election will be held on 8/19/2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the County Commission room.
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
August 19, 2024 4:00 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Don Doherty and Cristy Mitchell-Insurance
- Budget Discussion
- Signing of Official Election Results
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 8/12/2024
- Public Comments
- David Beerbower-Solar/Advisory Committee/State Statutes
- SEHP Contract Renewal
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
- 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.
Fried Bird by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Fried Bird
I had just walked in the kitchen and placed my grocery bags on the counter when I lost all power to the house. I immediately called the electric company and Tom showed up within minutes. It didn’t take long to fix the problem, so I asked him what had caused the power failure. He said that a Starling had stuck it’s beak where it didn’t belong and blew the fuse at the top of the electric pole. After he left, I searched for the fried bird and, sure enough, his feet were curled up and he was dead as a doornail. I thought of putting up a sign that read: “At the bottom of this pole lies a big, big bird.” (You’d have to be my age or older to remember the #1 country hit, “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean.)
Starlings have a bad reputation because they peck and ruin fruit in the orchards, get sucked into aircraft engines, and their poop is corrosive to buildings. These birds are annoying nuisances because they get into other people’s business and cause a great deal of harm. We humans have a tendency to stick our noses into other people’s business too. Usually we’re just trying to help, but oftentimes it backfires and a good relationship becomes strained. Just because we have an opinion doesn’t mean we should share it — some things are just better left unsaid.
God’s Word gives Christ followers some excellent guidelines about minding our own business. “Stay calm, mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] before, but a reminder never hurts” (1 Thessalonians 4:11 MSG). If we stay out of other people’s affairs we’ll have less stress in our lives. I admit there’s a fine line between loving an individual enough to speak wisdom into his/her life and butting in when we shouldn‘t. We must be led by the Holy Spirit in this matter, and also remember that prayer changes people when words of concern or advice can’t.
“Suppose you suffer. Then it shouldn’t be because you are a murderer or a thief. It shouldn’t be because you do evil things. It shouldn’t be because you poke your nose into other people’s business” (1 Peter 4:15 NIRV). When we respect other’s boundaries and privacy, we can steer clear of unnecessary drama. Let’s remember that we invested 18 to 22 years to love and teach our now-adult children. Cutting the apron strings and tossing the training wheels enables them to be independent and find their God-given place in life.
“Also, they [young widows] learn to be lazy by going from house to house. They are not only lazy, but they also become gossips and busybodies, talking about things they shouldn’t” (1 Timothy 5:13 CEB). It’s simply a common courtesy not to blab other people’s business. Everyone needs to stay busy running their own life, not someone else’s. I grew up watching the TV show, “Hee Haw” and I remember four goofy women singing this silly song: “Now, we’re not ones to go ‘round spreadin’ rumors. Why really, we’re just not the gossipy kind. Oh you’ll never hear one of us repeating gossip. So you better be sure and listen close the first time!”
“…we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business” (2 Thessalonians 3:11 NLT). If we work and take care of our personal responsibilities, we won’t have time to be curious about our friends’ business. Curious George was always getting into trouble because he was…too curious.
The Key: Keep your beak out of other people’s business so that nobody blows a fuse.