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Christian Heights Helps Clear Gunn Park Trails as A Fundraiser
On September 16, the Fort Scott Christian Heights students worked on clearing the Gunn Park Trails.
“They spent the day clearing overgrowth, debris, etc. as a class fundraiser,” said Bethany Blubaugh, school secretary said. “They got sponsors from local businesses and individuals. The timing was great because it was right before the Marmaton Massacre (Mountain Bike)Race. The money they raised will go toward their Senior Trip in the spring.”
The Fort Scott Christian Heights School is located at 1101 S. Barbee in Fort Scott, KS and offers Preschool-12th grade classes, and can be reached by phone at 620.223.4330.
Police Report On Kenneth Bevins
On Saturday, 9/24/22, at around 4:23 am, Fort Scott Police, along with EMS personnel, responded to an address in the 400 Blk of Andrick, for a report of an adult male that had been discovered laying in the grass with multiple injuries. The victim, has been positively identified as being Kenneth Bevins, 39, of Fort Scott. Bevins was transported by EMS personnel to a hospital in Kansas City.
The injuries suffered by Bevins are severe. This incident is under investigation by FSPD.
If you have any information about this case, we encourage you to contact us in person at 1604 S National Ave, or by phone at, 620-223-1700.
Fort Scott Police Department Public Information Office Team
WIC Program: Weekly at The Health Department Starting Oct. 5
A program geared to all aspects of a mother and young child’s life will start weekly appointments in Fort Scott, next Wednesday.
The Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) federal program is for low-income pregnant women and follow up care, and also for children five years and under who are at nutritional risk.
The program will start on October 5 by appointment in Fort Scott at the Southeast Kansas Multi County Health Department, 6th and Lowman Street.
Some of the benefits of the program, according to the US Dept. of Ag website
- Supplemental nutritious foods. Examples of WIC foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, juice, fish, whole grains, cereal, peanut butter, beans (dried or canned), fresh fruits and vegetables, infant formula and baby food.
- Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics.
- screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services.
“WIC has been available to the county for years now by the Crawford County Health Department, but will be now located in one location rather multiple locations,” said Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer at the SEK Multi-County Health Department. “Since the Bourbon County Health Department moved to a much larger building, we have been working to acquire other services here at our new location.”
“Previously WIC was at Buck Run Community Center, Mercy Hospital and for the last couple of years it has been at our new location about three days a month,” she said.” We are excited to have it housed in one location and are very glad to be able to provide this program to our residents.”
Monday, 7:00am To 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Wednesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Thursday ,7:00am To 5:30pm
Note: Closed for lunch from noon-12:30pm.
The health department can be reached at (620) 223-4464.
Also offered for women at the health department is a mother’s support group:
Breastfeeding Help
“We also will be starting training for a new service next month which is the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program through WIC,” she said. ”
“Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BFPC) are women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience similar to WIC participants including: age; language; similar ethnic/cultural background; current or previous WIC participation; and an enthusiasm for breastfeeding. Peer Counselors provide education and support for WIC mothers. Programs vary but in general peer counselors are available to WIC clients both inside and outside usual clinic hours and the WIC clinic environment,” according to https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1433/Breastfeeding-Peer-Counselor-Program
“Our Breast Feeding Peer Counselor, Holly Fritter, has been working for us since 2019 as the Home Visitor for Bourbon County,” Johnson said. “Home visiting for families with young children is a longstanding strategy offering information, guidance, risk assessment, and parenting support interventions at home.”
“The typical ‘home visiting program’ is designed to improve some combination of pregnancy outcomes, parenting skills, and early childhood health and development,” Johnson said. “Holly works out of our Fort Scott office, but will also cover Allen, Anderson and Woodson Counties for the BFPC Program. These programs are an asset to our counties, as it is free to the clients, and provides much needed support and guidance to mothers and families. ”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 27
Uniontown High School Homecoming This Saturday
Back row, left to right: Treden Bastian, Jett Harvey, Caleb Davis
Uniontown High School Fall Homecoming is this coming Friday, Sept 30th.
The UHS Homecoming Coronation will begin at 6:30 pm on the football field, and the homecoming football game against Erie High School will begin at 7:00 pm.
Submitted by
Rebecca Sutterby
West Bourbon Elementary Secretary
and UHS Student Council Advisor
KS Renewable Energy Conference Registrations Close Oct. 3-4
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KDOT Debt Paid Off Early
Kelly Administration Pays Off Transportation Debt Early, Saving Taxpayers $22.2M
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that for the first time ever, debt issued by the Kansas Department of Transportation has been paid off early, resulting in a savings of $22.2 million in interest payments. The Kelly Administration was able to pay off the debt due to strong state revenues and its work to close the Bank of KDOT.
“Kansas taxpayers continue to see the benefits of our fiscal responsibility,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By closing the Bank of KDOT and balancing the state budget, my administration has saved taxpayers millions of dollars – all without compromising the quality of our state infrastructure.”
The now-retired C Series bonds issued to KDOT in 2012 initially had a principal of $200 million. This summer, KDOT was able to pay off the remaining $97.8 million in principal of the 20-year bond, thus saving $22.2 million in interest. The bond was retired with current cash flow and without negatively impacting existing programs or construction projects as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). Under the Kelly Administration, KDOT has increased construction lettings by 300 percent across the state.
From 2014 through 2018, under the Brownback Administration, the state transferred more than $1.7 billion from KDOT to other parts of the state budget – a practice known as raiding the “Bank of KDOT.” The state budget for fiscal year 2023, as approved by the Kansas Legislature and signed by Governor Kelly last April, did not include a transfer out of the agency and effectively closed the Bank of KDOT.
“We are always mindful that this not KDOT’s money; it’s the taxpayers’ money and we have responsibility to manage it in a way that generates the most benefit for Kansans now and in the future,” said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Saving Kansans $22 million and delivering IKE projects as promised is testament of that and I want to thank all our KDOT workers who worked hard to make this happen.”
KDOT has had the authority to issue debt to ensure necessary cash flow since 1992. On a 20-year bond, refinancing or full payment can take place at the 10-year mark. This was the first time the agency was able to pay off a highway bond early. To date, KDOT has not issued bonds during the IKE program.
“KDOT focuses on making sound financial and investment decisions that allow the agency to be good stewards of state resources,” said Pam Anderson, Interim Director of Fiscal and Asset Management. “Saving money and spending wisely go hand in hand to make every dollar count.”
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Friday Night Free Concert: The Hemphill Family Bank
On Friday night, September 30th at 7:00 PM, the Chamber of Commerce Concert in the Park series continues with the performance of the Hemphill Family Band. Members of the band include Jack Hemphill on keyboard and vocals, Sandy on fiddle and keyboard, Brad on guitar and vocals, and Kristen Hemphill Weeks on drum. Floyd Feezell will be singing songs of Ray Price with the band.
The Hemphills have performed at the Pavilion at First and Main many times in the past. They play classic country music including a little Hank and Lefty and a lot of Merle Haggard. They will also play a variety of other songs during the concert.
Come out and enjoy the fall weather and music this Friday at the Pavilion at the corner of First Street and Main Street. Bring a chair since seating is limited. In case of bad weather, the concert will be moved to Common Ground Coffee Shop.
FS Planning Commission Meets Oct. 3
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider the following:
A change of zoning from R-1 (Residential) to C-3 (Commercial) and consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an animal kennel for the property located at 205 Arthur Street.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Diane Clay Retires as City Clerk On Oct. 1
Diane Clay’s first job with the City of Fort Scott was as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt in March 1998.
Her last day on the job is October 1, 2022.
“I have been employed for 24 years…with the City of Fort Scott,” she said. “I have been City Clerk 23 of those years.”
For many, Clay was the first contact with the city that citizens had.
And for this reporter, she was always helpful and timely in her responses to questions.
The best part of the job for Clay has been helping citizens and working for the city commissioners, she said.
No job is without challenges, and for her, “Changes are a challenge and there has been lots of them.”
Indeed, there have been five new city managers in the last two years, and a high turnover rate of city commissioners.
Clay said her duties as city clerk included:
- All licensing – Cereal Malt Beverage, Drinking Establishment – Liquor Stores – Electrician – Plumbers – Trash – Fireworks – Golf Cart – UTV
- Preparing city commission agenda packets
- Taking and transcribing minutes from all meetings as well as 12 advisory board meetings.
- Keeping the city website up to date
- Posting all street closings/notices on Facebook and city website
- Plus many, many more
Besides the city clerk, Clay has been the Municipal Court Clerk for the city, whose duties include:
- Attending court and taking accurate recordings of the court sessions.
- Inputing actions into the city’s software
- Keeping accurate accounting of payments made on cases
- Preparing a court docket twice monthly
- Preparing reporting statements to the State of Kansas
Clay became a Certified Municipal Clerk in November 2003 and a Master Municipal Clerk in June 2008, through Wichita State University.
In 2018, Clay was named Outstanding Court Clerk for the State of Kansas.
Plans for retirement?
“Travel and relax!” she said. “My husband and I have a daughter and son-in-law and a precious 4-year-old grandson that live in Joplin Missouri. We will spend more time with them I’m sure.”
In addition to her family, Clay has been a constant at her church.
” I have taught Sunday School at Grace Baptist Tabernacle for 49 years!” she said. “I have sung in the choir for probably 49 years also, and been very involved in the church and will continue to do so.”
Lisa Lewis will assume the Fort Scott City Clerk position on Oct.1 and has been training for the job from Clay for three months.