I Was Born to Do This by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
I was Born to Do This
I had a 14-inch-diameter corner post that had been useful in years past, but was no longer needed. It was nothing more than an annoyance to mow around. Naturally, the responsibility of removing the post fell to my son. I watched Aaron on the tractor as he expertly operated the tractor’s front-end loader and pulled up the huge corner post. I was impressed with how easy Aaron made this massive chore look – it was like pulling a toothpick out of an ant hill! I walked over and complimented him on a job well done! He shot me a subtle smile and matter-of-factly said, “I was born to do this.” I wasn’t about to argue with him because the proof was in the pudding.
His statement, “I was born to do this,” reminded me of a song that the Happy Goodman Family made popular when I was in my teens. “Born to Serve the Lord” has been recorded by various artists, but nobody sings it like Vestal Goodman. The straightforward lyrics, penned by Bud Chambers in 1959, are as follows:
“From the dust of the earth my God created man. His breath made man a living soul. And God so loved the world He gave His only Son, and that is why I love Him so. My hands were made to help my neighbor. My eyes were made to read God’s Word. My feet were made to walk in His footsteps. My body is the temple of the Lord. I was made in His likeness, created in His image. For I was born to serve the Lord. And I can’t deny Him, I’ll always walk beside Him for I was born to serve the Lord.” Believers can be like Apostle Paul who had one passion, and that was to serve Christ by serving others.
Sometimes, when a subject of interest is over my head, I’ll ask an “expert” to explain it to me as if I’m in third grade. I like to challenge the individual to put it in the simplest terms so I can understand the answer as clearly as possible. Often times, Christ followers make following Jesus more complicated by thinking they’re supposed to be doing something earth-shattering for the kingdom of God. But Jesus very simply explained how we’re supposed to live as believers.
Jesus told His disciples, “You will lead by a completely different model. The greatest one among you will live as the one who is called to serve others, because the greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one with the heart of a servant. For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give His life in exchange for the salvation of many” (Matthew 20:26-28 TPT). In our dog-eat-dog world these scriptures seem ridiculous to nonbelievers. But when we are good and helpful to others, we’re actually loving and serving God.
Believers were born to serve the Lord so, instead of being afraid that God will call us to go to Africa as missionaries, it’s more likely He’s calling us to get off the couch and do good to the people we rub shoulders with and also strangers. Jesus plainly states that, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. …Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:35-36,40 NKJV).
The Key: Let’s jump in with both feet and serve the Lord! We were born to do this.
Bourbon County Commission Jan. 26 Meeting Agenda Summary
Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda: January 26, 2026
Date: January 26, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM Location: Bourbon County Commission
Meeting Agenda Outline
01.26.26 Agenda
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Call Meeting to Order
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Roll Call
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Pledge of Allegiance
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Prayer
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Introductions
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Approval of Agenda
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Public Hearing (5:35 PM) – Vacation of Road
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Resolution 08-26
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Minutes
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Commission Minutes 01.12.26
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Commission Minutes 01.15.26
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Approval of Consent Agenda
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Accounts Payable 1.23.26 ($1,123,999.50) & 1.22.26 ($98,394.22)
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Tax Corrections
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Citizen Comments
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Executive Session
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K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) – Motley
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Department Updates
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Payroll update – Milburn-Kee
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Courthouse Space – Lora Holdridge
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Inventory – County Clerk
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Commission Minutes – County Clerk
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County Clerk Procedures
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2025 End of Year Financials – County Clerk
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Old Business
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Sewer update – Milburn-Kee
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Handbook Follow-ups
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New Business
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Strategic Planning – Motley
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Commission Calendar – Motley
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Create Agenda for Next Meeting
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Commission Comments
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Adjournment
(Agenda source: Page 1)
Detailed Information Packet Summary
Resolution 08-26: Road Vacation (Page 3)
The commission is considering the vacation of a 62′ wide by 125′ section of 267th Street located in Woodard’s addition to Garland, Kansas. This resolution follows K.S.A. 68-102, which allows for the vacation of roads consisting of less than two consecutive miles. If approved, the County Clerk is instructed to publish the resolution for two consecutive weeks in the Fort Scott Tribune.
Meeting Minutes Summary: January 12, 2026 (Pages 4–8)
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Reorganization: The board appointed Samuel Tran as Chairman and David Beerbower as Vice Chairman.
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Board & Liaison Assignments: Commissioners finalized their roles on various boards (e.g., Fair Board, SEK Mental Health) and department liaison duties. Greg Motley was assigned Finance, while Samuel Tran took Public Works.
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Public Safety: Mark McCoy discussed the critical need for a trained Emergency Manager and the current status of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
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Software Upgrade: The commission approved the purchase of “Hey Gov” software for approximately $1,100 to manage meeting agendas and minutes more efficiently.
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Contract Approval: A contract with Schwab Eaton for annual bridge inspections was approved for a total of $43,910.
Special Meeting Minutes Summary: January 15, 2026 (Pages 9–16)
This meeting focused almost exclusively on a methodical review of the 65-page County Employee Handbook. Key updates included:
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Elected Officials: Added language clarifying that while the handbook establishes general policies, independent elected officials maintain statutory discretion over certain operational matters in their offices.
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Probationary Period: After debate, the commission settled on a 90-day probationary period for new employees.
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Sick Leave Payout: A new policy was established allowing a 25% payout of sick leave for employees with at least 10 years of service.
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Inclement Weather: Essential personnel will now receive time-and-a-half pay during courthouse closures, while non-essential staff receive regular pay.
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Law Enforcement: Specific biweekly work schedules (86 hours) and overtime triggers were added to accommodate the Sheriff’s department.
Financials and Accounts Payable (Pages 17–81)
The packet includes extensive line-item documentation for accounts payable.
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January 23rd Totals: $1,123,999.50. This includes significant payroll clearing accounts for various departments including the Appraiser’s office and Ambulance services.
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January 22nd Totals: $98,394.22. Notable expenses include $19,589.36 for District Court (including courtroom hearing devices and software) and $10,443.72 for the County Treasurer’s department.
County Commission Calendar (Page 82)
The packet concludes with a 2026 statutory calendar outlining critical deadlines for tax foreclosures, budget certifications (due to the State by September 20th), and strategic planning sessions scheduled for February and March.
Obituary of Rose Mary Bailey
Rose Mary Bailey, 95, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2026, at the Credo Senior Living Center in Fort Scott. She was born March 6, 1930, in Eve, Missouri, the daughter of Joseph Ray Clyburn and Edna Pauline (Weber) Clyburn. She married Arthur Leon Bailey December 18, 1949, in Garland, Kansas, and he preceded her in death on May 29, 2009.
Rose was active in Shriners Mobile Noble and Eastern Star, achieving her 75-year pin in the Topaz Chapter O.E.S. She was secretary of the bowling league, and also enjoyed playing cards.
Survivors include her son, Larry Bailey, of Fort Scott; her daughter Debra Holt and husband Randy, also of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Justin Bailey, Jeremy Bailey, Ryan Bailey, Clint Holt, Ross Holt, and Haley Fry; twelve great-grandchildren, Dakota, Trevor, and Brayden Bailey, Madison Brothers, Shelby Bailey, Myla and Dani Bailey, Julian and Mara Fry, Rhys Holt, Knox and Eastyn Holt; two great-great-grandchildren, Kinzer and Colyns Brothers. In addition to her husband Arthur, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Margie Martin, and three brothers, Earl Clyburn, Joe Clyburn, and Donald “Bill” Clyburn.
Graveside services have been postponed due to weather. Memorial contributions may be made to Care To Share or Shriner’s Hospital and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
Death Notice of Jason Thomas Buffington
DEATH NOTICE
Jason Thomas Buffington, age 53, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS. There was cremation. Memorial services will be announced at a later date by the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Sharing the Road in the Winter by Lonnie Mengarelli
Sharing the Road in the Winter
By Lonnie Mengarelli
Fort Scott, Kan. — As winter hay feeding and field work is ramping up in the Southwind District, I was recently reminded how dangerous our roads can be for farmers. Tractors, sprayers, and tillage equipment move steadily from pasture to pasture and field to field, often at a crawl, while motorists impatiently line up behind them. It’s a scene immortalized in the Craig Morgan hit “International Harvester,” but in real life, the stakes are much higher than a country song lyric.
I reached out to my academic advisor at Kanas State to visit with him about farm equipment on public roads.
With increased interaction between farm machinery and passenger vehicles comes an increased risk of crashes and injuries, said Ed Brokesh, assistant professor in Kansas State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
“When there is a collision with machinery on main roads, most of the time somebody is traveling at a higher rate of speed that greatly contrasts that piece of equipment,” Brokesh said. “That leads to rear-end or side-swipe incidents, and 39% of the time it involves a tractor.”
Wrongful passing and left-hand turns are also common causes of serious incidents. The danger, Brokesh explained, stems from the extreme size and weight difference between agricultural equipment and automobiles.
“The smaller party is the one that is going to take the brunt of the damage,” he said. “When there is harm — a fatality or an injury — it is usually to those in the pickup, car or utility vehicle.”
These realities place added responsibility on producers to ensure experienced operators are behind the wheel when equipment is on public roads. According to Brokesh, younger or less-skilled drivers are disproportionately involved in roading accidents.
“Those who are under 16 or are newly hired are more likely to get into trouble,” he said.
To reduce the likelihood of incidents, Brokesh recommends producers set minimum age requirements for employees who operate machinery on public roads.
“If someone is unfamiliar with a piece of equipment, let’s just not send them out on the road,” he said. “At a minimum, operators should have a driver’s license or learner’s permit.”
Training is equally important. Simply pointing to a tractor and telling a new hire to “go figure it out” is a recipe for disaster, Brokesh said.
“Take some time with them and explain the equipment, how it handles, and how it should be operated both in the field and on the road,” he said.
Other safety practices producers should prioritize include driving defensively, monitoring traffic in rear-view mirrors, properly marking equipment, cleaning reflectors, and replacing faulty lighting systems.
Still, Brokesh emphasized that roadway safety is a shared responsibility.
“This is a two-way street,” he said. “As an industry, we need to advocate for more training and awareness involving agricultural equipment on roads. Educating all motorists on how to safely share the road with farm machinery will lower the risk of accidents for everyone.”
For motorists and farmers alike, patience, visibility and awareness can mean the difference between a safe harvest season and a tragic one. Remember Farmers have the same right to use public roads as other vehicles. Share the road.
Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720
HBCAT Awarded Pathways to Healthy Kansas $100,000 Grant
Jody Love, HBCAT & Rural Community Partners
Aura Brillhart, HBCAT & Rural Community Partners
Cristy Garrison Mitchell, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
Darrell Pulliam, Rural Community Partners
Taylor Bailey, Fort Scott Community College
Malinda Bailey, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
Jennifer Epting, City of Mapleton
Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce (HBCAT Board Member)
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Announces Continued Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Investment and $75,000 in Implementation Awards
FORT SCOTT, KS, January 22, 2026 — In January 2025, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) was awarded continued investment through Phase 3 of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative, funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas®. HBCAT received a two-year, $100,000 Pathways Coordination Grant to support coalition leadership, planning, and implementation across multiple community health strategies in Bourbon County.
As part of the Phase 3 coordination process, HBCAT worked closely with its Local Health Equity Action Teams (LHEATs) to identify priority needs and recommend Pathways packages grounded in local data, lived experience, and community input. Through this community-driven process, five Pathways packages were selected for development.
Two of those packages advanced through required policy development and were subsequently awarded noncompetitive Pathways implementation grants totaling $75,000.
The Incubator Kitchen Package, awarded $50,000, is being implemented in partnership with The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative. Funding supports expanded access to licensed commercial kitchen space for food entrepreneurs, including a fee waiver program for income-eligible participants, equipment upgrades, outreach, and nutrition-focused programming. This work helps remove financial and structural barriers for individuals launching or growing food-based businesses while increasing access to healthy, locally produced foods in Bourbon County.
“This work is about building systems that work for real people,” said Rachel French, Co-Owner and Operating Partner of The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative. “Through our partnership with HBCAT and Pathways, we’re creating an ecosystem where food entrepreneurs can thrive, barriers are reduced, and community health and economic stability grow together.”
The Social Entrepreneurship Supports Package, awarded $25,000 and led by HBCAT, supports the expansion and formalization of HBCAT’s regional mentorship and Catalyst entrepreneurship programs. Funding is being used for paid local mentor stipends, participant incentives, program coordination, outreach, and technical assistance. These supports are designed to strengthen businesses whose work directly contributes to community health, including food access, behavioral health, social connectedness, and economic stability. This work is also supported through HBCAT’s Kansas Food Action Network efforts, funded by the Kansas Health Foundation, and implemented in partnership with the University of Kansas School of Business.
“For ten years, our work has focused on policy, systems, and environmental change because that is how you create lasting impact,” said Jody Love, President and CEO of HBCAT. “When communities design systems that make the healthy choice the default, individual behavior change becomes easier, more equitable, and more sustainable. These Pathways investments reflect that philosophy and the trust built through a decade of community-led work.”
In addition to these awarded packages, HBCAT continues active Pathways coordination and development on three additional initiatives. The Mapleton Multi-Modal Package focuses on improving walkability, safety, and access to physical activity in partnership with the City of Mapleton and Friends of Mapleton. The Health-Related Social Needs Package is being developed with Freeman Health System to address non-medical drivers of health such as transportation, food access, and care coordination. The Farm to School Package, in collaboration with USD 234, focuses on strengthening local food systems, agricultural education, and student access to fresh, locally grown foods.
Community members, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and local organizations interested in technical assistance, mentorship, and community support can learn more and sign up for services through HBCAT’s regional partner, Rural Community Partners, at ruralcommunitypartners.org.
Funding for these initiatives is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas® as part of Bourbon County’s Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.
About Pathways to a Healthy Kansas
Pathways to a Healthy Kansas is the largest community grant program ever funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The Pathways program provides community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that improve active living, healthy eating, behavioral health, and commercial tobacco prevention. The grant funding for each community includes a coordination grant along with the opportunity to apply for noncompetitive implementation and achievement grants. For more information, visit bcbsks.com/pathways.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims, fairly administering benefit plans and contracts, offering programs, services, and tools to help members improve or maintain their health, and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
Licensee Disclosure
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BLUE CROSS®, BLUE SHIELD®, and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is leading the Pathways initiative in Bourbon County and is not affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
What’s Happening In Fort Scott Jan. 23 Edition
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U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter
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Ken Collins, Kansas State Representative-Second District
Thoughts From Under the Dome
Week two of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session is now in the books and there is a great deal of talk about property tax relief right now and how it can be achieved. A majority of what a property owner pays goes to local governments and school districts so that shifts the focus on possibly limiting valuation increases and there are several proposals floating around at this point so all that I can say right now is to stay tuned.
House Bill 2412 also known as Benny’s Bill is my main focus this year when it comes to legislation that I am sponsoring. Benny’s Bill increases the severity levels for crimes relating to endangering a child under the age of six changing what is now a misdemeanor into a felony. The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the bill and while they haven’t voted on it yet as of my writing of this the response that I have received from committee members has been positive. I was greatly impressed by Shelby Cannon and Lisa Eastwood the mother and grandmother of Benny Cannon the child who suffers as a result of day care negligence and was the inspiration for HB 2412. Jordan Chessher from Project Heaven in Wichita also testified. His organization advocates for stronger laws to protect abused and neglected children. His input was very helpful as well.
On a final note I am a cosponsor of House Bill 2473 along with Representatives Brett Fairchild, Stephanie Sawyer-Clayton and others. This bill would eliminate the parental consent exception to the legal age to marry in Kansas of 18. Times have changed and I believe that the once common practice of child marriage never turns out well in this day and age.
That’s it for now. I’m wishing the best for everyone and if there are any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out. Ad Astra Per Aspera.
KS Office of Early Childhood First Report Is Submitted to Legislature
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Salt of the Earth by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Years ago, a major league draft coordinator sent out a message to all professional baseball employees. He used the scripture “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13a) to encourage them not to become lazy but to understand their purpose. As a Christian and a person who chooses salt over sugar every time, I find this metaphor intriguing.
This past Christmas, I received rechargeable salt and pepper shakers. Just push a button and out comes the salt or pepper. Automatic. Easy. On top of that, they are pretty, so they became a centerpiece on my kitchen table. Of course, they are of no use if they just sit there and do nothing. They must be poured out to be of any good at all.
Matthew 5:13 reminds us of how salt is to be used: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Salt, left in its shaker, is a waste of…well, salt.
When I was four years old, my mother was unable to wake me up. I was rushed via ambulance to K.U. Medical Center where I was diagnosed with a “calcium deposit on my adrenal gland.” To this day, I have no idea what that means except for years after, I craved salt. My favorite snack was a glass of ice cubes covered in salt. I even gave that up for Lent one year…and thought I would die. Addictions are like that.
So, why does Jesus talk about salt? Think of its functions. Most importantly, it adds flavor. If you, like me, have ever made cookies or oatmeal and forgotten to add salt, you know what I mean. Just a teaspoon full makes all the difference. As a Christian, I am to add flavor. Sometimes, I do. Other times, not so much. Being a teacher reminds me that some days that objective is easier than others. Yesterday was that kind of day.
A student decided he “couldn’t” do the assignment. He just needed “to walk.” And “talk.” At first, I thought it might be his way of dealing with the recent death of one of his classmates. Everyone grieves in a different way, and the administration had asked that we be understanding towards students who might be suffering, but when he became disruptive, I explained that his work was due at the end of the hour, so he needed to sit still, be quiet and complete it. He admitted he had not taken his A.D.D. meds. Instead, he had enjoyed three energy drinks. Other students, trying to concentrate, were frustrated with him.
This was not a grieving student; it was an annoying one. As the minutes passed, I lost any desire to add metaphorical salt to the situation. Instead, I “peppered” him with warnings (not effective teaching, I admit). He continued his behavior into his next class where he was removed from the room.
Jesus never wasted words. In his day, salt was valuable as a preservative. Roman soldiers sometimes were paid with salt rations, hence the expression, “they are not worth their salt.” We are valuable…but not by ourselves. Salt is not the meal. It flavors the meal. So it is for the Christian. We are the salt; Jesus is the food. We exist not for ourselves, but to add something to others’ lives. If we are not making the Christian life appear flavorful, desirable, we have lost our purpose.
And get this–we don’t have to be obnoxious in sharing our faith. A little bit goes a long way. The trouble is, too many Christians are not willing to give even that much.