Government

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on November 14

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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

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

 

November 14, 2024 9:00 a.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 11/7/2024
  1. Casey Brown-SEKCAP Transportation Funding Request
  2. 9:15-James Krstolich-Ideatek Broadband Letter of Support
  3. 9:30-Tara Albin0Cox Broadband Letter of Support
  • Jennifer Hawkins-Holiday Dinner
  • Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
  1. Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
  2. Commission Comments
  3. 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.

 

Government, Kansas

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) Opens Early in Kansas

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DCF Will Begin Taking Applications Nov. 18

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has announced that Kansans needing assistance with winter energy bills will be able to begin applying for its Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) Monday, Nov. 18. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 31, 2025.

“Kansas winters can be harsh and unpredictable. When temperatures fall, heating bills rise. By opening the LIEAP application period in mid-November, we’re hoping families will have the help they need to cover those higher heating bills and stay warm in their homes,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.

LIEAP provides a one-time per year benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating costs, whether the home is heated with electricity, natural gas, propane, or other home heating fuels. In 2024, over 40,000 Kansas households received an average benefit of $645.

To qualify, households must have an adult at the address responsible for the home’s heating costs. Applicants must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The level of benefit received varies according to household income, number of people living in the home, type of residence, type of heating fuel, and utility rates.

DCF and partnering energy companies are planning in-person events to help Kansans submit their LIEAP applications. For a schedule of in-person LIEAP application events, visit dcf.ks.gov. Kansans applying for LIEAP should have with them their identification, proof of income for all adult household members, copies of heating utility bills (gas, electric, propane, etc.), and a copy of their rental agreement if living in subsidized housing (a complete list of required information can be found in the FAQ document). Partnering energy companies, Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy, Evergy, Kansas Gas Services, and Midwest Energy, may attend LIEAP application events in their service areas.

Applications can be accessed online at dcf.ks.gov​ by clicking the “Apply for Services” button on the top right side of the website. LIEAP applications will be accepted beginning Nov. 18 until 5 p.m. March 31, 2025.

2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines

 Persons Living at the Address 

 Maximum Gross Monthly Income 

  1

  $1,882.50

  2

  $2,555.00

  3

  $3,227.50

  4​

  $3,900.00

​  5

  $4,572.50

  6​

  $5,245.00

  7​

  $5,917.50

  8​

  $6,590.00

  +1    $672.50 for each additional person

Learn more about LIEAP​ in Kansas, including frequently asked questions, other community resources, and the complete schedule of LIEAP application events. Funding for LIEAP is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

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The Kansas Department for Children and Families’ (DCF) mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and promote adult self-sufficiency. DCF’s more than 35 service centers across the state offer a wide range of support services, including food, utility, child care assistance, child support services, and employment education and training. DCF also partners with grantees to provide foster care services to children, including case planning, placement, life skills, and foster parent recruitment and training. DCF partners with organizations, communities, and other agencies to support families, children, and vulnerable adults, connecting them with resources, supports, and networks in their home communities.

Obituary

Obituary of William Thomas Wiggans

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William Thomas Wiggans, age 75, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Monday, November 11, 2024, at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.  He was born June 25, 1949, in Kansas City, MO the son of Ralph and Mabel Endicott Wiggans.

Tom worked for various businesses in Fort Scott including Bruce Marble and Granite, Peerless, and lastly Walmart for 17 years until his retirement.

In his spare time, he enjoyed making flower bouquets, collectibles, attending dirt track races, paint-by-numbers, and his dog Roland.

 

Survivors include two brothers, Lyle Wiggans (Jerrie), Kansas City, MO, and Donnie Wiggans, Nevada, MO; a sister, Carolyn Arbagast, Pittsburg, KS; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Polly Watkins and Loretta Malone; and his parents.

 

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 on Sunday November17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Cremation will follow.  Private family interment will be later in the Large Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Transportation Fund 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

District Teachers of the Year Will Visit Fort Scott on December 3

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A group of award-winning teachers will visit Fort Scott in December, with two local teachers bringing attention to innovative ideas the local school district has in place.

“These Kansas educators are quite accomplished and the event is about sharing information and ideas for better education,” according to Jackson Tough, City of Fort Scott Public Relations and Tourism Director.

“Fort Scott was chosen as a location to tour because of Fort Scott teachers Sara Jackman and Amy Harper,” he said.

Amy Harper and Sara Jackman. Submitted photo.

Jackman was chosen District Teacher of the Year last year and 2024 is her service year. Harper was selected in 2023 and last year was her service year.

“Fort Scott is one district that participates in the program, not many in our area do,” Jackman said. “A school district committee votes on the yearly winner.  Once chosen, you compete at the state level for Kansas Teacher of the Year. That was held in Topeka in April. Starting in September the nominees are put into groups that tour each other’s schools looking for innovative ideas that we can use in our districts. We also work on bringing attention to the positive things going on in our district”

The goal is to learn from each other and share best practices from award-winning teachers to implement in schools.

Teachers will be visiting each of the Fort Scott schools.

“The group will be meeting with teachers and learning about some of our programs including Computer Aided Manufacturing, CAM, taught by Dr. Laubenstein, Tiger Times taught by Erica Clark, Tiger Threads taught by Morgan Sage and our art, welding, and automotive programs taught by Chris Griffeths, Michael Casner, and Ryan Miller respectively,” she said.

“The teachers will also tour Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, and have lunch,” Tough said.  “A breakfast will be prepared by the new Kitchen Collective and snacks prepared by the Fort Scott High School FACS class.”

 

The visiting educators will be in Fort Scott on December 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

The teachers, all of whom won their respective district teacher of the year awards:

  • Michelle Weltz is a high school English teacher from Spring Hill
  • Jason Werner is a second-grade teacher from Turner School District in KCK
  • Catherine Leake is a sixth-grade math teacher from Nickerson
  • Michelle Ernst is a high school English teacher from Nickerson High School
  • Karen Withers is a middle school social studies teacher from the Shawnee Heights district
  • Mallory Koger is a second-grade teacher in the Santa Fe Trail district, and
  • Kelsey Mann is a preschool teacher from Junction City

For more information please contact Sara Jackman at USD 234, [email protected].

 

 

Obituary

Death Notice of Kent Mitchell

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Kent Eugene Mitchell, age 91, resident of Zionsville, IN died Sunday, November 10, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN.  Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 12:30 PM Friday, November 15th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Health Care

Mapleton Medical Clinic: Providing Care For The Rural Community

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Inside the Mapleton Medical Clinic. Submitted photo.
Tiffany Yowell, 42, and her parents opened Mapleton Medical Clinic in December 2023.
Tiffany Yowell and her mother, Cindy Larson. Submitted photo.
Yowell has a Master’s degree from the University of Saint Mary and is an Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner.
She works beside her parents, Fred and Cindy Larson, who are registered nurses, with over 25 years of nursing experience.
Tiffany Yowell and her father, Fred Larson. Submitted photo.
“I have been in healthcare for 22 years and have watched a significant decline in the quality of care,” Yowell said. “I have worked in multiple clinic settings and have a strong background in emergency medicine and family medicine. The clinic is a family operation. Cindy and Fred Larson are registered nurses with a solid clinical background and a wealth of knowledge.”
“The clinic is a private practice,” she said. “I do not have a collaborative. I have been waiting for Kansas to pass the law that allows nurse practitioners to practice independently of a physician, and now I have finally got my wish.”
Since 2005 she has been dreaming of working as an independent provider.
 ” I wanted to be independent because we can provide better healthcare,” she said. “If I worked within a healthcare system, I would have a lot of background noise distracting providers from high-quality and personalized healthcare, such as patient volume, time constraints, and meeting quotas. As a patient, you can rarely speak directly to your provider, every process seems to take too long, and let’s be honest, most of us avoid the process altogether because it can be uncomfortable, time-consuming, and less than satisfactory.”
“Our philosophy is patient-centered care, striving to provide care tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences,” she said. “I believe in helping individuals, educating them about their health conditions, and empowering them to collaborate with me to develop the best treatment plan. We believe in treating the WHOLE person, not just their symptoms. I do not believe in cookie-cutter medicine. I believe in listening to patients and allowing them the time they deserve to tell their stories. People are often misdiagnosed and overmedicated just because healthcare providers do not give the patient enough time to work through their concerns.”
For her community, she provides tailored medical care and telehealth services, lab services and on November 12 they are starting monthly education classes.
“On Nov 12 we have a Medicare representative coming in to talk with residents about Medicare services, and a question and answer session,” she said.
There is a fee for service to uninsured patients, with
concierge care also available- a monthly membership fee for uninsured patients or patients requiring frequent contact with the provider.
“Radiology services are not available at the clinic,” she said. “Orders can be sent to a local hospital or diagnostic center.”
Hours of operation vary.
“The goal is to be open every other week on Thursdays and Fridays, but it is best to check our Facebook page or the website for days the clinic is open.  I want to be full-time in the next 5-10 years.”
Contact info.

The Mapleton Medical Clinic is located at 171 Sixth Street, Mapleton, Kansas 66754.

Office and Fax: (620)743-3049 (Limited hours of operations) If you have a medical emergency please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Inside the Mapleton Medical Clinic. Submitted photo.

 

Opinion

The Ruptured Duck by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

The Ruptured Duck

Several years ago (when Dad was still alive) I was looking through his World War II citations and decorations as he explained what each one represented. I respectfully picked up the Bronze Star which was still nestled in its original box. He had previously told me that a total of 400 infantrymen were to secure the village of Morhausen, Germany. Unfortunately, the other company of 200 that was to enter from the opposite side never made their objective. The village was full of Hitler’s SS troopers. Out of the 200 U.S. soldiers engaged in this horrific battle, 183 were either killed or wounded. My dad was never wounded in the war. After telling me this detailed incident of earning his Bronze Star, he walked out of the room and bawled like a baby.

 

My brother and I were very proud of our father’s military heroics. I appreciate the booklet  Randy wrote entitled, “Step by Step in Patton’s Third Army,” which was Dad’s personal account of his service during World War II. While writing this column, I fought back tears as I fingered through all his military insignia, and studied the U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Badge in my hands. This was awarded to Dad for performing duties under fire and engaging in active ground combat in the 90th Infantry Division. I can still hear Dad explain, “Nobody got one of these unless he’d fought on the front lines.”

 

“Carry on” is a military command that means to continue with what you were doing. It  describes someone who continues with his/her assignment despite difficulties. I think Christ followers should adopt this terminology as well. No matter what is going on in the family, at work, church, our Nation, or the world, we must persevere in the face of obstacles. God will reward us for carrying on and being faithful. When my dad died, I was heartbroken and took it very hard. During that season of sorrow, I was reminded of his two beautiful Army pins that read “Carry On.”  Those two little words encouraged me to pull myself up by my bootstraps and carry on with life. Of course, I couldn’t have done that without God’s strength and grace. “If my heart is broken, I’ll find God right there; if I’m kicked in the gut, He’ll help me catch my breath” (Psalm 34:18 MSG.)

 

Dad’s Honorable Discharge pin displays our national eagle inside a wreath. A lot of the service men, including my dad, referred to it as the Ruptured Duck. Many WWII vets wore this pin on their civilian lapels for years after the war’s end as proof of their service.  While writing this column, I also found a piece of “sweetheart jewelry.” Mom wore a smaller and delicate USA Army Staff Sergeant pin to show that her young 21-year-old husband was currently in the military (1944 to 1946.) This was considered a fashionable and personal way to support the war effort during that era.

 

I love, appreciate, and honor our U.S. military heroes. When I salute our United States flag, I proudly think of all our past and current brave men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom. They deserve our deepest gratitude and utmost support. They carry on, no matter what. Retreat or surrender was simply not in General Patton’s vocabulary. When life turns into a hot battle, the enemy (Satan) will try to convince you to wave a white flag. Don’t do it — just carry on! “If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God! (James 1:12 TPT.)

 

The Key: If you want that Ruptured Duck (crown of life), you gotta  “carry on.“

Bourbon County Local News