Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Grace Baptist, First Presbyterian Churches and the Old Mercy Building Will Be Open Should Tornado Sirens Sound

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The doors will be unlocked for those seeking shelter tonight should the tornado sirens sound, at the following places:

Bronson, Garland, Mapleton and Uniontown all have storm shelters in their communities.

Fort Scott has three options.

The employee entrance will be unlocked at the former Mercy Hospital building.

South Fort Scott: 401 Woodland Hills, the northwest employee entrance will be unlocked, should the tornado sirens sound.

First Presbyterian Church. 308 S. Crawford.

Downtown: 308 South Crawford, the First Presbyterian Church will be unlocked for a storm shelter.

Grace Baptist Church is at the corner of Margrave and 6th Street. The front doors, on Margrave,  will be open should the tornado sirens sound.

East side: Grace Baptist Church, 502 S. Margrave, will have the front doors unlocked this evening for a safe storm shelter.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Hartman’s Celebrate 74th Wedding Anniversary

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Leo and Arla Hartman.

Leo and Arla (Ater) Hartman were married on May 7, 1950 at the farm home of Roy and Bessie Ater, her parents.

They are celebrating 74 years of marriage.

They raised their children on a farm near Hiatville and Leo just retired from farming a few years ago. Their sons are Dennis, deceased; Mark and Sherri Hartman, Uniontown; and Jerry Hartman, Claremore, OK.

They have six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to 2152 Irish Road, Fort Scott.

 

Government, Kansas

Vivint Home Security Will Pay State of Kansas For Pressuring Consumers

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Home security company will pay state $500K, Kobach says

TOPEKA – (May 3, 2024) -A Utah company will pay the state of Kansas $500,000 after agreeing to a consent judgement with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, Attorney General Kris Kobach said. The allegations in the petition filed in Shawnee County District Court included that the company, Vivint, used deceptive business practices to pressure Kansas consumers into long-term contracts.

“Protecting Kansas consumers is our highest priority. Door-to-door transactions are an easy way for suppliers to take advantage of consumers through high-pressure sales tactics. We encourage every consumer solicited through a door-to-door transaction of any kind to thoroughly read and take the time to understand the contract before signing,” said Assistant Attorney General Sarah Dietz.

In addition to the monetary payment, Vivint agreed to change a number of its business practices including not allowing its employees to fill in customers’ names on electronic forms, allowing consumers to cancel their month-to-month services by phone or email, and providing customers with a copy of their extension or renewal agreements within three business days.

Attorney General Kobach encourages consumers who have questions about door-to-door sales or any consumer protection matter to call the Kansas Attorney General’s Public Protection Division at (800)432-2310 or email [email protected].

Read the consent judgment here.

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Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda for the Bo Co Commission This Afternoon

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Bourbon County Courthouse

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

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

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

 

May 6, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 4/29/2024
    2. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $409,734.00
    3. Approval of Payroll Totaling $290,320.88
  1. Public Comments
  2. Lynne Oharah-Unique Road West of 95th Street
  3. Department Updates
    1. Eric Bailey-Public Works
  • Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Commission Comments
  1. 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, Health Care

Severe Weather Is Coming This Evening: Be Prepared

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There is a possibility of severe weather this evening and the community should be aware and planning in case of emergency.

“Everyone needs to keep informed about the possible severe weather either by TV, phone, or internet,” Bourbon County Emergency  Management Director Brian Allen said.  “There are storm shelters in Bronson, Uniontown, Mapleton, and Garland.  They are opened by someone in their community.  If a town has storm sirens, they are also responsible for activating them.”

” Fort Scott Dispatch only has control of the sirens in Fort Scott,”  he said.

In Fort Scott there are few public options for getting in a basement during severe weather, but Grace Baptist Church,  the former Mercy Hospital building and the Presbyterian Church will be opening a door to the public, if the tornado sirens sound.

Grace Baptist Church is at the corner of Margrave and 6th Street. The front doors will be open should the tornado sirens sound.

Brandi Rhoades, at the Grace Baptist Church on 502 S. Margrave Street, said the front door of the church will be unlocked if the sirens go off in the city.

Matthew Wells, Legacy Healthcare Foundation Director of Plant Operations, said the northwest door of the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. will be open in case the siren goes off in Fort  Scott. This was the employee entrance.

 

The Presbyterian Church basement at 308 S. Crawford will be open should the sirens sound, said Cindy Goebel, church secretary.

 

First Presbyterian Church. 308 S. Crawford.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Church news

Sisters of the New Convent Are Here

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The Sisters are fostering lambs while they need bottle-feeding, then they will be returned to their owners. Submitted photos.

Sixteen Catholic Sisters have arrived at their new convent in rural Bourbon County from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The name of the compound is the St. Joseph Convent.

“Our convent (the house in which Sisters live) was too small and we were unable to find either an available building or land in the area,” said Mother Maria Regina. ” We desired to live in a more rural setting, and the opportunity to settle (near) Redfield, Kansas, was an answer to our prayers for a good location for a larger convent.”

“Our service to the community will include service to Saint Martin’s Academy and its families, but it will also include the wider Fort Scott community,” she said.
St. Martins is a Catholic boarding school for boys a few miles east of the convent.
Submitted photo of the Sisters in a procession around the buildings on the convent property located on Hackberry Road, southwest of Fort Scott.
The Sister’s way of life is semi-comtemplative.
 “That means that we have a strong contemplative element, which includes ample time of prayer every day,” she said.  “In addition to Holy Mass, we also pray every day what is called the Divine Office. The Divine Office is composed primarily of the Psalms which we pray for all the needs of people everywhere.  We also spend time in silent prayer every day.  If anyone would like to send us prayer intentions, we are happy to receive them because it is part of our mission to pray for the needs of people. If someone wishes to send a prayer request, it can be sent to us by regular mail at 1250 Hackberry Road; Redfield, KS 66769 or by e-mail ([email protected]).”
The Sisters in procession.  Submitted photo.
“Besides prayer, we also do work, which we call ‘apostolate’ (because, like the Apostles, the intention of our work is to bring Jesus to people),” she said.  “Our apostolate includes outreach to the people in the area around us.  We are visiting the elderly, we are setting up a “Girl’s Guild” with activities for girls of various ages, and we hope and intend to include other ways of serving the people of the area, as well.”
She said the first meeting of the Girl’s Guide is May 10 and it will be for young ladies ages 10-18. “It is three hours of time spent with some conversation, games, meal, prayer, and some catechesis. If someone is interested in coming, the present email is the best way to contact us. “
Submitted photo of the Sisters during a procession in honor of Saint Joseph, walking around the perimeter of the buildings of the compound.
Even though they are on former farmland, they don’t intend to produce their own food.
“Our apostolic work is more directly with the people,” she said.  “We intend to have a garden, probably not this year, though, and we will have a few animals, but they will not be the main thrust of our work.”
The rhythm of the day at the cloister is prayer, work, recreation and for some, classes.
“The typical day begins and ends with prayer in the chapel, and the other parts of the day are also punctuated with times that we return to the chapel for common prayer and also for private prayer,” she said.  “Aside from that, we have time in the morning for work (some of the work described above, plus the usual tasks of preparing meals, laundry, housekeeping, etc.).  In the afternoon, we have a set time for recreation, during which we enjoy one another’s company and do some handwork or go for a walk together outside or engage in some other enjoyable activity.”
The Sisters praying in their new Chapel. Submitted photo.
 
In the convent, there are stages of formation and the younger Sisters have some classes for their formation as religious Sisters in the afternoon, as well.  “
 
Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

May 3, 2024

 

Veto Session is over and so is the 2024 session.  The House was able to override the Governor’s veto of CCR 2036, but it failed in the Senate by one vote.  There were two Senators who voted for the CCR but voted No on the override.  They turned around and voted for the next tax package – CCR 37, which was similar to CCR 2036.  It is the mega-tax relief package that would exempt Social Security from state income tax; take the grocery state sales tax to zero July 1, 2024 instead of Jan 1, 2025; provide some property tax relief; lower income taxes for all taxpayers; lower the privilege tax; and remove the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction (LAVTR) language.  The difference is the tax brackets.  The top bracket would be 5.57, instead 5.55 and the other bracket would be 5.2 instead of 5.15.  It is around a $3 million fiscal note from the Governor’s proposed legislation.  The Governor is considering a special session costing $84,600 a day for what one accountant called, “a rounding difference”.  Keep in mind, over $4 billion is in the state coffers.  It makes no sense not to let this legislation become law.

 

Legislative Post Audit Committee had the Ford and Chase County Clerks answer questions regarding a previous audit on elections.  Ford County sealed all of the election material and didn’t cooperate with the audit staff.  After questioning, the Committee decided to request audits of Ford County for this year’s primary and general elections.  Chase County had sealed election material also but had worked with audit staff during the audit.  The Committee also asked that the election material be unsealed so that they can be audited.  A copy of the audit is posted at https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/reviewing-kansass-rocedures-for-election-security-part-2/

 

Lies are rampant in the Capitol.  First, I was not blocking any tax relief, especially for veterans.  In fact, I have been and will continue to lead the charge on tax relief.  Some legislators told me, “we wouldn’t have any tax relief if it weren’t for you.”  Remember Property Tax Relief in CCR 2096 that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago?

  • Expand the property tax freeze for seniors and disabled veterans so more people qualify
  • Eliminate personal property taxes on items not used for business purposes, such as off-road ATVs, 15,000 lbs. trailers, motorized wheelchairs, bicycles, scooters, watercraft, and golfcarts
  • Veterans’ Valor property tax relief program providing for totally disabled and unemployable
  • Provide the current year and a four-year lookback on property valuation notices
  • Allow payment under protest and appealing valuation in the same year if new evidence is provided
  • Stop government competing with business property tax exemption
  • Clarify 1031 exchange, build-to-suit, or sale/leaseback are not used establishing fair-market value

The House sent the CCR back to conference committee and a state representative has put out “fake news” that I am blocking or won’t attend a conference committee.  CCR 2096 is a House Bill so I cannot call a conference.  I have been working diligently to find a solution that leadership, Senate and House members will support.  The House called a conference and we made changes to the legislation.  One of the changes was to add a childcare tax credit to the package.  It would help families keep more of their hard-earned money.  Both chambers passed the legislation, so it up to the Governor if these provisions become law.

 

Again, Tom Petty’s words say it well, “I won’t back down.  Well I know what’s right; I got just one life; In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around; But I’ll stand my ground; And I won’t back down.”

 

I have worked diligently to pass tax relief for disabled veterans and all Kansans.  I will not back down in my support for the Kansas taxpayers.

 

Good News! The legislature overrode CCR 2098 with several sales tax provisions.  It creates new program for disabled veterans (50% or more), exempts custom meat processing services, and exempts manufacturer coupons from sales tax and other provisions.  The CCR is posted at  https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2098/

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Obituary

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

I suppose I had a weird mindset about my wedding in 1980. Most young girls dream about their wedding and wedding gown for years. Although I wanted to marry, have children, and a loving home, I wasn’t the least bit interested in the wedding dress. To me, they all looked alike because they were all white. I like color, especially turquoise. I know wedding gowns come in all different hues now, but back then they didn’t. Jennifer, my bridesmaid, graciously offered her pretty wedding dress and I accepted. Her thoughtfulness spared me from the agony of looking at racks of colorless gowns. I very much enjoyed planning the details of the ceremony. For communion, we used the shot glasses Dad brought from Germany in WWII for “something old.” My high heels were new (and uncomfortable), the wedding gown was borrowed, and the garter was blue.

 

The Bible is old, but it has never lost its relevance. Very often I will discover a new jaw-dropping revelation on an issue I’ve been wondering about. Although the Word of God has been borrowed from generation to generation, no one has ever improved on its battered (but still working) content. And if you’ve ever experienced a blue season, your faith and belief in His Word has surely pulled you through.

 

We find the words “old paths” in the Old Testament. The “old paths” are described as “the good way” and the Hebrews were under obligation to walk in these paths. When they strayed, they always found themselves in dire straits. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls’” (Jeremiah 6:16 NLT). When we go our own way (like the Fleetwood Mac song) we never find the peace we’re searching for. God’s way works because He designed it to be the only way to have rest. Living in an obedient and loving relationship with Jesus works. Not because it’s old, but because it’s the good way, the right way, and God’s way.

 

“Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence” (2 Corinthians 5:17 GW). This scripture is a powerful reminder that when an individual makes the decision to follow Christ, a life-giving transformation takes place. The old lifestyle of sin, brokenness and unrest is replaced by a new clean start as a forgiven and redeemed life in Christ. Spiritual newness becomes ours when we surrender everything and follow Him.

 

The price of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is too high for us to borrow. To “borrow” means to take and use with an agreement to pay it back later. A believer’s new life now and eternal life later is a marvelous gift. The only thing we can do to show our appreciation is to accept Christ, love Him, and be exemplary ambassadors for Him.

 

I enjoy the Blues music on Beale Street in Memphis, but living with the blues is not cool. The best way I’ve found to escape the moody blues is Psalm 42:5 MSG: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? I fix my eyes on God and soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” 

 

The Key: The Word of God is old, yet new, borrowed, but never blue.

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda For the Bo Co Commission, May 6

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Bourbon County Courthouse

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

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Attachments:

Accounts Payable 5-3-2024

Payroll 5-3-2024

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

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

 

May 6, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 4/29/2024
    2. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $409,734.00
    3. Approval of Payroll Totaling $290,320.88
  1. Public Comments
  2. Lynne Oharah-Unique Road West of 95th Street
  3. Department Updates
    1. Eric Bailey-Public Works
  • 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.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Emily Martin

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Our beloved daughter Emily Louise Martin passed away the evening of May 1, 2024, at her home at the age of 27.  Emily was born and raised in Fort Scott, Kansas.  She was the baby of four daughters born to Jara and Dave Martin.

Emily was a happy child full of life and adventure. Emily had a smile that could light up any room and a laugh that was contagious. Emily loved to read, watch, and discuss all movies and books.  She felt emotions very deeply and was committed to those she loved.  She enjoyed many family vacations, especially to Disney World.  She loved her dog Indiana Jones, which she named after one of her favorite movies. She excelled in playing the piano and singing in high school, which she carried that love for music throughout her life.  She was employed as a paraprofessional where she found joy in helping the students that were assigned to her and how to help them succeed.  She loved her nieces and nephews dearly, who will miss playing with Aunt Em.  They loved to dress up as superheroes with her and envision saving the world.  She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the community that she was raised in.

 

Emily is survived by her parents Jara (Eshelbrenner) and Dave Martin of Fort Scott; her sisters Breann Eden (Jonathan) of Fort Scott, Sherise Beckham (Tanner) of Fort Scott and Sophia Martin (fiancée Nick Duke) of Joplin, MO; and her nieces and nephews Kenlee Eden, Warren Beckham, Barrett Beckham, Hazel Eden, and Mason Beckham. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Jack and Sara Eshelbrenner of Fort Scott and paternal grandparents Max and Carolyn Martin of Joplin, MO.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 8th, at the Community Christian Church.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday May 7th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Fort Scott High School Music Department 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.

Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott

Farmer’s Market Under New Gathering Square Pavilion For The First Time, Today

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The Fort Scott Pavilion Ribbon Cutting on  May 4 from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

The rain clouds kept away for the Gathering Square Pavilion Fort Scott Farmers Market Ribbon Cutting on North National Avenue today.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison thanked the T-Mobile communication business, who, a few years ago gave a  $50,000 grant to start the pavilion.

The City of Fort Scott, Regional Economic Development Inc., Healthy Bourbon County Team, the Fort Scott  Area Community Foundation, and others helped make this vision a reality, Matthew Wells, FS City Councilman and one who spearheaded the project, said.

Wells said the new pavilion’s land sits where the original Fort Scott Farmer’s Market was 100 years ago.

City Manager Brad Matkin said the pavilion is a wonderful asset to the community….and more are coming.

REDI Director Rob Herrington said it was a collaborative effort and “Together we can make things happen.”

The ribbon cutting was celebrated on the opening day of the Fort Scott Farmers Market (FSFM), May 4.

FSFM President Terri Hamilton said the vendors are “thankful for the covered space.” She noted that there are 24 slots in the Pavillion and 32 vendors, and they are “working hard to coordinate with the new vendors.”

The activities for the day: live music, face painting, children’s games, cotton candy, Bourbon County Garden Club Plant Sale, Breakfast on the Bricks by Scout Troop 114, and of course the vendors with local produce and crafts.

The farmer’s market is open 8  a.m. to noon on Saturdays and 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays from May to October.

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News