Bourbon County Eco Devo Looks at Housing Issues

July 21, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

Bourbon County REDI Conducts Housing Study

The third step in a three-part process to look at how Bourbon County can improve its local economy is about to get underway.

The entire process has been led by the team from Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Incorporated (“REDI”) and has already looked at the workforce and retail industry in the area. Now, the REDI team, with the help of Goldstone Consulting Group is conducting a housing study.

“Housing is a key factor in helping our community thrive,” said Robert Harrington, President of Bourbon County REDI. “Housing is a major driver of economic growth, generating higher property values, which in turn allows for more services and support for the community on many levels.”

The Community Housing Needs Assessment done by Goldstone Consulting Group will look at the various types of housing in the community. “Our team looks at the demand for housing across all spectrums in a community,” says Traci Anderson, Manager of Consulting Services for Goldstone. “Without good housing choices in a community, it can be a challenge to increase economic opportunity.”

Bourbon County residents have an opportunity to provide input in the housing needs assessment. An online survey is now available for residents to provide information regarding their current and future housing needs. “No personal information will be collected that can be used to identify residents,” said Harrington. “This information will benefit us in planning the future of Bourbon County.”

Residents can access the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BourbonCoHousing

Data from the survey, along with the sources, will be compiled to determine future trends and needs in the community. “When completed, the assessment will be shared with developers, builders, realtors, and the general public,” said Harrington. “The final report will be used to guide new and renovated housing developments in Bourbon County.”

Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. and is located at 200 S. Main Street, Fort Scott.

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Special Meeting, July 25

July 21, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

USD 234 – July 25, 2022 Special Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m.

1. Open the meeting

2. Flag Salute

3. Goals and Expectations

4. Adjourn

Bourbon County, Government, K-State Extension

K-State Extension Offers Bread Basics Class August 18

July 21, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Bread Basics Class

Thursday, August 18th, 6pm

Fort Scott First Southern Baptist Church

1818 N. Main St.

Interested in breadmaking?

Join the Southwind Extension District’s Master Food Volunteer Terri Williams and Agent Clara Wicoff for “Bread Basics” on August 18^th at 6 PM at the First Southern Baptist Church in Fort Scott. Terri will lead you in baking (as well as tasting!) Italian bread, no-knead bran rolls, and whole wheat pizza crust. Breadmaking techniques will also be discussed. This class is free, but an RSVP is required by calling us at 620-365-2242. If you have questions, please contact Clara Wicoff at that same phone number or via email at [email protected].

Thank you to our Chamber Champions for all of your support!

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 In-Person Enrollment is August 1

July 21, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

USD 234 will be hosting in-person enrollment on Monday, August 1, 2022.

All new students will need to enroll in person at their school. Families having difficulty with online enrollment or internet access should also plan to attend. Students who have enrolled online will not need to attend in-person enrollment.

Families with multiple students will be able to enroll at a single location, but may need to visit with other buildings about specific needs. Food Service, Transportation, and Technology will also be available during these times.

Building staff will be on-site to assist families with the enrollment process during the following times on Monday, August 1st:

PreK-8th Grade – 7:00-11:00 a..m and 4:00-6:00 p.m.

FSHS 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m.

If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your building secretaries.

Business, Fort Scott

John Bartlesmeyer: 60 Years in the Craft

July 21, 2022 Loretta George 6 Comments

John Bartelsmeyer in front of his jewelry store on North Main in Fort Scott.

John Bartelsmeyer, Fort Scott’s jeweler, is training the next generation of jewelers.

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry specializes in retail jewelry sales, engagement rings, custom jewelry designs, and repair or restoration of all types of jewelry.

Krysta Hulbert has been working for him since 2010, and has been learning ring sizing, general jewelry repair, chain repair, welding with a torch and engraving.

Krysta and Wyatt Hulbert. Submitted photo.

Her husband, Wyatt, has been coming in on his days off his regular job to learn some of the trade as well.

“Wyatt is learning ring sizing and in the near future-diamond setting, stone setting and making pendants,” Bartelsmeyer said.

Jeweler John Bartelsmeyer works on a piece of jewelry.

Bartelsmeyer started learning from his dad, Bart, at Newberry Jewelry. His dad had apprenticed as a watchmaker.

“In 1963, my dad bought the shop from Newberry’s widow,” he said.
“I had already been working with him after school on Saturdays.”

“So, I have been doing it for 60 years,” he said.

Through the years, Bartelsmeyer not only learned from his dad, but took jewelry seminars and schools and most recently gleans from You Tube, on the internet.

He credits Elmer Smith, who was a Fort Scott Community College welding instructor, with helping him learn to be a metalsmith, and eventually Bartelsmeyer helped teach the class.

“I love to move metal,” he said. “He taught me techniques I use everyday.”

Bartelsmeyer restores heirloom jewelry and also crafts chains out of gold and silver.

“I love what I am doing, I think it’s because of the smile on the customer’s face,” he said. “I get to work on beautiful things for beautiful people.”

The Bartelsmeyer Jewelry store, looking to the street.

The store features new and also estate sale jewelry.

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is at 22 N. Main, Fort Scott and can be reached at 620.223.2070, email: [email protected] or website: bartelsmeyerjewelry.com

John works Wednesday-Saturday.

Government, Kansas

Incentive Stipend for Adopt-A-Highway

July 21, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Stipends now available to organizations participating in state’s Adopt-A-Highway

Organizations have been helping keep Kansas clean for more than 30 years through participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program. With increased amounts of trash along the highways and limited staff, the Kansas Department of Transportation has created an incentive stipend for groups that actively participate in the program.

“KDOT appreciates all the volunteers’ efforts to assist in removing trash along our highways,” said Director of Field Operations Clay Adams. “They are providing a valuable service to the state. These stipends will benefit groups as well as increase the number of groups taking part in the clean-up program.”

The stipend is $190 per highway section, which is generally two miles long. Adopt-A-Highway groups receiving $600 or more in payments in a calendar year will be issued a 1099 tax form. New and existing groups will be able to submit a request for payment after their group completes a highway cleanup. The group will submit forms identifying the location, date, number of volunteers and number of bags as well as before and after photos of the site.

All groups go through the standard process to adopt a section of highway. New groups will sign an agreement, receive safety training information and follow procedures when scheduling a cleanup. Existing groups will continue to follow existing procedures. State employees and their families are welcome to participate in a group, but are not eligible to receive stipends.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Adopt-A-Highway coordinator at the closest KDOT District Office –

District One (northeast Kansas) – 121 S.W. 21st Street, Topeka, (785) 296-3881

District Two (north central Kansas) – 1006 N. Third, Salina, (785) 823-3754

District Three (northwest Kansas) – 312 S. Second, Norton, (785) 601-6001

District Four (southeast Kansas) – 411 W. Fourteenth, Chanute, (620) 902-6400

District Five (south central Kansas) – 500 N. Hendricks, Hutchinson, (620) 860-7400

District Six (southwest Kansas) – 121 N. Campus Drive, Garden City, (620) 765-7074

###

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report July 21

July 21, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

07-21-2022A

07-21-2022R

Bourbon County, Fair

Merchant’s Building at the Fair Features Local Cottage Industry Businesses

July 20, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Merchants Building at the Bourbon County Fair, is air conditioned and features local organizations/businesses. Submitted photo.

The Merchant’s Building at the Bourbon County Fair is open this evening and is AIR CONDITIONED.

“Always, in years past, we have tried to get local cottage industry vendors,” Leanne Leatherman, coordinator of the vendors, said.

This year is no exception with the additions of some local organizations.

This year 9 Acre Farms will be dispensing literature on homesteading, Uppa Creek Ranch-honey, Circle P Ranch-jewelry, Buckin A Ranch-home decor, MM Creations-spices, and Carolyn Crystal-jewelry.

The Merchant Building is on the north side of the fairgrounds, near the restrooms. Submitted photo.

In addition, the Bourbon County Conservation Office and the Museum of Creativity will have activities for the kids.

Joining these, will be Miller Farm and Seed, T-Mobile, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County Democrats and Bourbon County Republicans, who will all have booths.

KOMB, the local radio station will be broadcasting live from the building, with interviews of local fair participants.

The building is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 and Thursday, July 21.

In addition, the rest of the fair includes animals, produce, crafts, and other departments for both 4-H youth and community members.

For the latest info, see the Bourbon County Fair Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/bourboncountyfair

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 20

July 20, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

07-20-2022A

07-20-2022R

Bourbon County

KDOT to replace crossroad pipes on K-31

July 20, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close a section of K-31 in Bourbon County to replace two crossroad pipes. K-31 will be closed between the east K-7 junction and the community of Fulton on Thursday, July 21, and again on Monday, July 25. Traffic should use alternate routes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

Bourbon County

Care to Share Bike Run Fundraiser August 13

July 20, 2022 Submitted Story Leave a comment

CARE TO SHARE

BIKE RUN FUNDRAISER

August 13th, 2022

Registration: 8:30-10:30am

Kickstands up at 11am at 5 Corners

1122 Clark St., Fort Scott Kansas

$10 meal tickets available at registration

Meal provided by Luther’s BBQ

Bike Route

– Everybody’s: 534 E. Main St, Mound City KS

– Lucy’s Bar & Grill: 19394 KS-152 La Cygne KS

– Sunflower Saloon: 305 E. Main St, Blue Mound KS

FINAL STOP

– Sharky’s Pub & Grub: 16 N. National, Fort Scott KS

Bourbon County, Fair

Bourbon County Fair Begins With a Couple of New Offerings

July 19, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Kort Stock looks at the chickens in the poultry section of the Bourbon County Fair on Monday evening.

The Bourbon County Fair runs until July 22 at the fairgrounds on South Horton Street in Fort Scott.

The 4-H Building was quiet on Monday evening, but entries had been judged and many young people went home with a ribbon for their entries in a variety of departments.

Meanwhile, animals were being weighed in the Show Pavilion on the fairgrounds.

Carson Wunderly and her dad, Fred, line up a cow to be weighed on the first night of the Bourbon County Fair.

The community is encouraged to come to see the results of the work that 4-H Club youth have completed for the year.

“I know it’s going to be warm, but I hope everyone comes out to support the kids,” Mark Crystal, vice president of the Bourbon County Fair Board, said. “There are a lot of nice looking animals, and they have put a lot of work into getting the animals ready for judging.”

In addition to animals, produce, crafts, and other departments can be viewed for both 4-H youth and community members.

Temperatures are forecast to be over 100 degrees for the next week.

“It wouldn’t be the Bourbon County Fair if is wasn’t the hottest days of the year,” he said.

Rachel Martin, who has two daughters in 4-H, Juley and Katie, puts up a fan in the cattle area at the Bourbon County Fair.

Animal owners keep fans on them and provide water to keep the animals from overheating.

New this year is the Chicken Mary’s Dinner that will be served by the Fort Scott Future Farmers of America Organization.

“It’s $9 for a chicken dinner on Thursday night, July 21, at the Huebenet Pavilion,” he said. Chicken Mary’s is located in Yale, near Pittsburg and is well known for its’ chicken meals.

Also new this year is a circus for the community on Thursday, which will be set up in the grandstand arena, he said.

The King Ryder Circus will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and includes jugglers, daredevils on motorcycles and a clown, according their information on Facebook. Cost is $5 to $15.

“They called and wanted to know if they could come,” Crystal said.

The fair schedule: