Bourbon County

Drake Steps Down From Bo Co Coalition, New Leaders Starting on Oct. 2

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The next meeting of the Bourbon County Coalition will be October 2, 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott. The agenda is attached.

After 24-plus years of working with the Bourbon County Coalition,  Billie Jo Drake is stepping down as a leader.

Travis Wilcoxen and Nick Johnson will be taking over as Co-Chairmen of the Coalition beginning with the October meeting.

Drake will remain on the board for one more year to ensure a smooth transition.

Nick Johson be chairing the General Membership meetings and will let members know at the October meeting which email you will need to use when you need to contact the Coalition.

“I have enjoyed my work with the Coalition and am confident that Travis and Nick will do a great job,” Drake said.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

 

October 2, 2024

 

 

  1. Welcome: 

 

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1. Program:  Dustin Emmett, Retain Outreach Coordinator for SEKANSASWORKS.

 

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be November 6, 2024.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Board of Education Minutes from September 25 Meeting

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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, September 25, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2024, for a special meeting at the board office.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda with the change to reschedule the KASB Board Training to a later date.

 

The Board approved Resolution 24-08: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for Financing the Annual Budget for 2024-25 with a roll call vote.

 

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

David Stewart, Board President, adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

September 25, 2024

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

 

Glover, Carol – Resignation – Cook – Middle School

Peters, Dee – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Singmaster, Tori – Resignation – Middle School Math Teacher

 

EMPLOYMENT:

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

 

Allen, Joe – Transportation Director

Campbell, Marjorie – Paraprofessional – Middle School

Honn, Madolyn – Part Time Paraprofessional – High School

Moberg, Katelynn – Paraprofessional – High School

Newman, Lindsay – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware

Pinkerton, Sammie – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Striegel, Susan – Paraprofessional – High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government

USDA Launches Assistance Network to Support Financially Distressed Farmers and Ranchers 

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Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Sept. 21, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, an initiative designed to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the nation. Through a series of Cooperative Agreements, this national network will connect distressed borrowers with individualized assistance to help them stabilize and regain financial footing. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) made this announcement today at the Farm Aid Festival in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

 

“I started my off-ranch career as a Farm Advocate, working hand-in-hand with other tireless farmer advocates. Having someone with experiences in ag finance help producers work through financial difficulties can be the difference between them losing the farm or prospering,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network underscores our dedication to farmers and ranchers receiving the tailored support they need. These partnerships also illustrate that USDA acknowledges the importance of these advocates and sees them as part of the solution to ensure program access for all farmers, ranchers, and producers.”

 

Network partners include Farm Aid, Rural Advancement Foundation International, the University of Arkansas, the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Center at Alcorn State University, and the University of Minnesota. Through this initiative, we are collaborating with community-based organizations to better serve financially distressed producers. Network partners will provide farm loan policy training to the community-based organizations so the organizations can work alongside FSA to help producers understand financing available through FSA, ensuring that when they visit an FSA office, the partner organization representative and FSA staff can better assist.

 

FSA, in collaboration with farm support organizations and land-grant institutions, will facilitate this network, which will provide the technical resources and guidance of USDA partners to experts from distressed and underserved communities. The network’s approach includes integrating knowledgeable service providers to deliver one-on-one support to borrowers so they can best make plans and understand options to overcome their financial challenges.

The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network will address the immediate needs of distressed borrowers and provide comprehensive, wraparound services aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by financially distressed producers. Once stabilized financially, these borrowers will be better positioned to access new opportunities and continue contributing to the agricultural economy. These investments will also build a system of service providers that can better support agricultural communities for years to come.  Investing in a network of agricultural financing service providers to help bridge access to FSA loans is a benefit for rural and agricultural communities.

 

Additional Farm Loan Programs Improvements   

FSA recently announced significant changes to Farm Loan Programs through the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule. These policy changes, to take effect Sept. 25, 2024, are designed to expand opportunities for borrowers to increase profitability and be better prepared to make strategic investments in enhancing or expanding their agricultural operations.

 

FSA also has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made several meaningful improvements including:

  • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may fit their business needs and to understanding the application process.
  • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build a farm operating plan.
  • An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local USDA Service Center to pay a loan installment.
  • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.
  • A new educational hub with farm loan resources and videos.

 

USDA encourages producers to reach out to their local FSA farm loan staff to ensure they fully understand the wide range of loan making and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining their agricultural operation. To conduct business with FSA, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.

 

More Information

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Larry Sheridan

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Larry Eugene Sheridan, age 73, a former resident of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Azria Health Care in Olathe, Kansas.  He was born March 13, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Bernard Sheridan and Fern Ackers Sheridan.

Larry married Donna Marie Miller on April 1, 1978.  They made their home in the Kansas City area where Larry was employed as a plant manager at Central Bag, a company that manufactured sacks and bags.  In earlier years, Larry enjoyed fishing and coaching basketball.  After retirement, he and Donna relocated to Uniontown, Kansas, to be near their daughter.  As Larry’s health failed and he became more homebound, time was spent watching old western movies and listening to music.  He was of the Catholic faith.

 

Survivors include his daughter, Christy Pritchett (Danny) of Uniontown, Kansas and a son, Eric Sheridan, of Independence, Missouri, and eight grandchildren, Aubree, Asenath, Brendan, Cayman, Mike, Melissa, Samantha and Shawn, twenty great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are a sister, Teresa Martin of Olathe, Kansas and two brothers, Pat Sheridan of Pittsburg, Kansas and Jimmy Sheridan of Jacksonville, Florida.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, on October 3, 2018.  He was also preceded in death by a great-grandson and two brothers, Fred and Mike Sheridan.

 

Father Yancey Burgess will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, September 28th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery

.  Memorials are suggested to St. Martin’s Academy 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 online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, History

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Is October 3-6: A History of Rural American Culture

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Pioneer Harvest Fiesta began from an interest in rural American cultural history and some early members’ interest in steam power which they had experienced in railroad employment and farm use, according to Davin Reichard, Vice President of the PHF board.

“The PHF is an organization interested in equipment, machinery, and other technology characteristic of rural American culture particularly during the first half of the twentieth century, and in sharing this with others,” Reichard said. “Typical exhibits include steam engines, tractors and stationary engines, quilts, threshing machines and other farm equipment, hand tools, and other items used in rural life in the early to mid-1900s.”

The PHF organization began in 1956 and their first show was in 1957.

Visitors will experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments, and live musical entertainment all weekend, according to https://pioneerharvestfiesta.com/

All three days are alive with Steam Engines, Blacksmiths, Food and Flea Market Vendors, Drag Saw Demonstrations, Tractors & Gas Engines on Display, Baker Fan Demonstrations, Tractor Pull, and a Garden Tractor Pull.  Quilt Show, Straw Bailing, Wheat Thrashing, Corn Husking/Shelling, Sorghum Making Demonstration, Rock Crushing, Saw Mill Operation, Car Show, and many more exciting events! It’s one great weekend to kick off Fall in the 4-state’s region! It’s the 68th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Historic Fort Scott, Kansas.

New at the event this year is a demonstration of sorghum cane processing and cooking.

Sorghum is an ancient grain and pro-planet protein source packed with nutrients. Sorghum is a versatile crop that can be grown as a grain, forage, or sweet crop and is one of the top five cereal crops in the world, according to https://www.sorghumcheckoff.com/sorghum-101/

Photo from Sorghum Checkoff.

This will be the second year of the car show at PHF.

The Bourbon County Fairgrounds are located at 2102 S Huntington Blvd., Fort Scott, KS 66701

The annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Parade is  Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. in downtown Fort Scott on Main Street.

The main fairground event is Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4 -6, 2024.

Admission

This year’s full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and the Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. For children under age 12, admission is FREE, but admission does not include a button. Prior year collector buttons are available for $1.

Officers

Current officers of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Board are  President Craig Shikles; Vice President Davin Reichard; Secretary Betsy Readinger; and Treasurer Delphine Parks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Harold Fritter

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Harold William Fritter, 92, of Richards, Missouri, passed away on Monday September 23, 2024, surrounded by family.

Harold was born on August 29, 1932, to Louis W. Fritter and Stella Gardner Fritter in Ft. Scott, KS. He married Alice Poague on December 10, 1951, in Hood River, Oregon and she survives of the home.

After graduating from Richards High School in 1951, Harold enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Construction Battalion (Seabees) from 1952-1956 in the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed sharing stories from his time in Japan and was grateful to be selected for the Heartland Honor Flight in May of 2017.

Harold and Alice moved back to Missouri from Oregon after his time in the Navy to begin farming. Nearly all his life, he held a second job while farming to provide for his family. Throughout the years, these jobs included working for the State Highway Department, over the road and local trucking and Railway Express Agency. He was also the owner of a grocery store in Stotesbury and Main Street Coin-O-Matic in Ft. Scott.

Harold was baptized in 1964 along with his wife and 2 sons. Over the years he faithfully attended Richards Christian Church where he served as an elder and treasurer and made many lifelong friends. In addition to his leadership in the church, he served as a missionary with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission for many years.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Kenneth and Donald. In addition to his wife Alice, he is survived by his sons, Mike Fritter and wife Joe’ of Ft. Scott, KS; Dennis D. Fritter of Nevada, MO; Grandchildren Justin Fritter (Sarah) and their children Hayden and Colin of Holt, MO, Jamie Sisseck (Kris) and their child Konner of Deerfield, MO, Lacinda Schneider (David) of Lenexa, KS, Marc Fritter (Melissa) and their children Derrick and Kali of Nevada, MO, Jill Arnold (Chad) and their child Alivia of Newton, KS, Trevor Swim (Katie) and their children Crew and Cove of Knoxville, TN, and Wesley DeHaven of Ft. Scott, KS. As well as other extended family.

Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct funeral services at 12:00 PM Thursday, September 26th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Tunnel to Towers Foundation or locally to the Jim Meech Agri-Med Crisis Foundation 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.

Food, Fort Scott

Love Golf, Help The Needy: Elks Benefit Tournament September 28

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Lyle Brittain. Submitted photo.

The Elks Lodge 579 Benefit Golf Tournament is this Saturday, September 28 at Woodland Hills Golf Course, Fort Scott.

It is an annual fundraiser event to purchase items for Christmas baskets for limited-resource families in our community.

“We have been providing this service for some time and it is one of our major projects,” member Cathy Bishop said.

“The golf tournament is our primary fundraiser for the Christmas Food Baskets that will provide the makings of a great Christmas meal for over 90 families in our community!” said member Millie Lipscomb.   “We thank the businesses and individuals who support our major project.”

The tournament is a four-person scramble, $65 per person, and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration starts at 8 a.m.

Please sign up by noon on September  25.

For more information 620.223.5060 or 620.224.0326.

“Money raised for this event will provide a meal at Christmas to families that are provided to us through the Beacon,” member Cathy Bishop said. “It includes a ham or turkey with all the fixings/sides.”

About The Beacon

The Beacon Food Pantry is located at 525 E. 6th Street in Fort Scott, providing food and other resources to those in need. Call 620-223-6869 for more info. The Beacon provides food services and financial assistance, which could include assistance with prescriptions, travel to work or to a medical facility, rent, utilities, and more, according to the info on the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.

Elks Lodge members prepare the Christmas baskets. Submitted photo.

About The Elks

The Elks mission: Helping Elks Build Stronger Communities, according to elks.org
They help youth develop lifelong skills, send students to college, meet the needs of today’s veterans, support the charitable work of the state Elks associations, and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.

 

 

 

 

Area News, Government, Kansas

KS Supreme Court Will Hold Special Evening Meeting For the Public in Louisburg

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Supreme Court to conduct special evening session November 12 in Louisburg 

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court will conduct a special evening session November 12 in Louisburg as part of its ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.

 

The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, at Louisburg High School, 202 Aquatic Drive, Louisburg.

 

The public is invited to attend the special session to observe the court as it hears oral argument in one case. After oral argument, the justices will greet the public in an informal reception.

 

“Special sessions give Kansans an up-close look at how the judicial branch works,” Chief Justice Marla Luckert said. “Watching an appellate argument helps people understand how courts resolve disputes and the steps taken to make sure court proceedings are fair and case resolution is based on a correct application of the law.”

 

Luckert said people generally understand the trial process because they may have been in a local courtroom as a juror or witness, or they may know someone who has been in court. But fewer people have seen an appellate court in action.

 

“Bringing arguments to communities throughout Kansas gives everyone the opportunity to learn how the Kansas Supreme Court decides cases,” she said. “People who come to watch and meet us afterward tell us they gained a better understanding of the Kansas judicial system and its constitutional responsibility to fairly and impartially resolve disputes.”

 

Louisburg will be the 24th community the court will visit since it began the outreach program 13 years ago.

 

In 2011, the Supreme Court began conducting special sessions outside its Topeka courtroom. That year, it marked the state’s 150th anniversary by convening in the historic Supreme Court courtroom in the Kansas Statehouse.

 

Since 2011, the court has conducted special sessions in Colby, Concordia, Dodge City, El Dorado, Emporia, Garden City, Great Bend, Greensburg, Hays, Hiawatha, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Lawrence, Lansing, Manhattan, Overland Park, Parsons, Pittsburg, Salina, Topeka, Wichita, and Winfield.

 

Learn more about the court’s visit to Louisburg at www.kscourts.org/travel-docket.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

www.kscourts.gov

 
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Bourbon County Local News