Starlite FCE Minutes of Dec. 17
Starlite FCE held its December meeting on the 17th at the Yeager building on the fairgrounds. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order. Joyce Allen led the club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. The eleven members in attendance reported twenty-five and a half volunteer hours and that they had recycled 115 pounds of paper.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Glenda Miller announced that Helen Carson will be one of our County Counsel representatives, she also informed us of information she had received from Joy Miller.
It was announced the Marge Stringer had passed and that her visitation will be on Sunday. Karen Peery moved that we donate $25 to her Memorial Fund and do the same for any other member that passes. Joyce Allen seconded the motion, motion carried.
Before the meeting, the members assembled gift bags decorated as reindeer for Tri-Valley. Each bag contained a pair of socks, gloves, a Christmas mug, an ornament, fruit snacks, rice crispy treats, popcorn a candy cane, and a Christmas card. Cards were also signed for Clarice Russell and Nolene Whiteside.
Deb Lust moved that the meeting be adjourned, Helen Carson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
Club members enjoyed a variety of finger food provided by members.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
American Legion Donates Service to Salvation Army
Many thanks to the American Legion family members who stepped up and “Ring The Bells” for the Salvation Army on December 18 and 19. This is what the American Legion is all about: community service. 100% of all donations will stay in Bourbon County.
Also, thanks to the many Fort Scott Walmart shoppers who took a moment and donated to this fundraiser. When I turned in the kettle at 5 pm, it was definitely full, and the volunteers had to keep pushing the donations into the kettle to make room for other donations.
These are the Post 25 members who braved the Kansas wind and cold weather to give back to the community: Ken Armenta, Ron Beltz, Steve Dean, Michel Lyon, Marvin Taylor, Garyl Coleman, Darrell Spencer, Jeannie Hart, Karen Hansen, Shirly Wilmon, Mike Call, Leslie Montee, Carl Jowers, Mike Hansen.
Thanks to Dorothy Taylor for providing some of the photos.
Submitted by Carl Jowers
FSHS Talking Tigers:Third in Regionals
Congratulations to our Fort Scott High School 2020-2021 4A State Qualifiers in 4-Speaker debate!
Trent Toth and Sam Deloney on the Affirmative with Regen Wells as alternate and Kinsley Davis and Lillian Collins on the Negative with Anna Hall as the alternate.
Fort Scott placed 3rd at regionals with a 5-5 record and 14 ballots!
The 4A regional tournament was hosted virtually by Fort Scott High school.
We are looking forward to the New Year! Go Talking Tigers!
Submitted by Angella Curran
Jesus is at Both Ends by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom – Carolyn Tucker
When there’s a challenging situation in your life, you’ll find Jesus at the front end prompting His compassionate servants into action. These kind people are the “givers.” And then you’ll also find Jesus at the back end, where hopeful individuals are the “receivers.”
God likes to use His children as givers to accomplish His plans. He does miracles without human assistance, but He also works through those who love and serve Him. Jesus was talking about compassionate believers with obedient servants’ hearts in Matthew 25:37-40 NKJV: “The righteous will answer Him, saying, ’Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, ’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
God likes for His children to pray boldly and specifically ask Him for what they need (see Hebrews 4:16). As God moves in response, these believers become receivers. The scripture reveals, “And my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). Well, there He is again. Jesus is everywhere we turn. But we should already know that because He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13 NKJV).
Make sure you recognize Jesus when He shows up because He wears a lot of different faces. Here’s a partial list of what He’s done for us over the last several months: Jesus has baked a blackberry pie, shoveled gravel onto our lane, brought out Schwan’s meals, baked desserts, provided home-cooked meals, and sent cards. Jesus has changed the oil in our van, filled up our gas tank, cut hair, shared garden vegetables, mowed our yard and pasture, and cut and delivered wood. Jesus has been a chauffeur, changed the lawnmower oil, prayed for us, run the Weed Eater, given money, and even mailed a box of Queen Anne’s chocolate-covered cherries to us. The face of Jesus is beautiful — and He looks just like our family and friends! As humble receivers with grateful hearts, we count our blessings and thank God.
There are times when life lands you in a pit to slug it out with a vicious lion. In the Old Testament we read about Benaiah, one of King David’s mightiest men. He was a valiant warrior who did many heroic deeds. “…on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it” (2 Samuel 23:20 NLT). Humanly speaking, the odds were against him, but Benaiah won anyway. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to believe that Benaiah looked up from the bottom of the pit and saw the offered hand of a friend to help him climb out.
Jesus is a chain breaker and a heart mender, and He’s not afraid of lions or hard work. So when you’re asking, believing, and standing for your breakthrough, rest assured Jesus will show up with His sleeves rolled up and His work gloves on.
The Key: No matter which end you’re on, Jesus is there.
Resist Temptation, Don’t Lick the Spoon
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]
As the holiday season approaches, resist the temptation to taste uncooked batter or dough, no matter how delicious it might be.
You have probably heard it’s a bad idea to eat uncooked dough because it contains raw eggs. But raw flour can also make you sick and is not safe to eat until properly cooked. Bacteria can contaminate grains in the fields or throughout the grain transportation and flour production system. Flour from milled grain is typically not treated to kill bacteria.
What about cookie dough ice cream? Commercially purchased cookie dough ice cream should be safe because it contains heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs. Store bought cookie dough for baking, may not be the same and it is important to follow package directions when baking.
You might have licked cake batter or cookie dough from spoons lots of times with no ill effects, but some haven’t been so lucky. Food safety tips for preparing baked goods to keep your family safe this holiday season:
- Don’t eat uncooked dough, batter, or other foods containing raw flour or eggs.
- Cook or bake foods to proper temperatures and follow recipes or package directions.
- As with raw meat, keep raw flour or eggs separate from ready-to-eat foods.
- Clean bowls, utensils, countertops and other surfaces thoroughly after use.
- Wash hands often.
More Food Safety at https://www.southwind.k-state.edu/health-nutrition/
Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Dec. 8
December 8, 2020 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Also present were the following; (some were present for a portion of the meeting, some were present for the entire meeting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Anne Dare, Mark McCoy and Michael Hoyt,
Road & Bridge director Eric Bailey met with the Commissioners; he presented the 2021 bridge inspection proposal from Schwab Eaton. Jeff made a motion to approve the Schwab Eaton bridge proposal of 23 structures not to exceed $5,175.00, 1 fracture critical inspection for $1,500 and 5 low water crossing inspections for a total of $475, Clifton seconded and all approved and the Commissioners signed the agreement.
Eric Bailey reported the motor had gone out on the rock crusher; he said they are getting quotes and said a high estimate would be $35,000 if the engine needs replaced, but said they are still getting quotes and opinions.
Eric reported the County had hauled 69 loads of gravel to an area where the fiber optic had been installed; he said he is working with the contractor that did the install. Lynne complemented the County’s work to repair those roads.
Eric said they are working on roads near 115th & Poplar/Quail.
Jeff Fischer reported that Shirley Hurd asked the County for help removing large cedar trees that needed removed in the Lath Branch cemetery; Lynne said in the past the County has given cemeteries gravel or moved dirt. He said cemeteries are taxing entities that operate on a limited budget, he said in the past they have given the public works director the discretion to do work in the cemeteries. Eric said the County will help with the work, he said it would be a joint effort between the County and an individual that wants the wood from the trees.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel in another office and reconvene at the Commission room, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Patty Love). After the session, Lynne said they would have further discussion on the topic later today.
Jody Hoener gave a SPARK update; she said they will do a report to the State by Thursday this week, she said William Wallis needed to earmark $5,000 of the SPARK money received for the cost of a single audit.
Jody said BWERC is helping businesses with State reporting as well as helping businesses complete applications for revolving loans. She said Health Bourbon County is now a partner with BWERC. Jody reported BWERC will be hosting the Chamber coffee on 12/10/20; she said they will be requiring masks and social distancing, and said if someone feels uncomfortable doing this they should reconsider attending the coffee. Jeff made a motion that the Commissioners be able to attend the coffee, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners to discuss the OMNI lockbox option; she said OMNI has waived all fees for the lockbox (the lockbox is a bank account where ambulance payments would be made). Jody said the payments would be applied to patient’s accounts in a timelier manner with a company that has the knowledge of customer service, OMNI has a HIPPA compliance policy in place and OMNI could streamline the payment process. She said the lockbox would close the gap between the billing company and the customers. OMNI would collect a % of the money collected for their service. Lynne said they had temporarily fixed the EMS receivables problem, Jody suggested considering a long term solution. Lynne said they needed to work through issues before making a decision on the OMNI lockbox. Jeff made a motion to amend the agenda at noon today for an executive session for non-elected personnel, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to amend the agenda to discuss an annexation from the City of Fort Scott, Jeff seconded and all approved. Jeff discussed the adopted Resolution 19-2020 from the City of Fort Scott annexing Peerless property into the city limits; Peerless requested that the City annex some of their land into the City of Fort Scott, this land is located east of the hotel. Jeff made a motion to approve annexation from Resolution 19-2020 from the City of Fort Scott, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Terry Sercer met with the Commissioners regarding the 2020 budget amendment; he said the Landfill and Public Safety had large expenses in November and said the Landfill and the Jail were down in revenue. Terry said he will add the SPARK grant funds to the amendment. Terry said there was a coding error in the Road & Bridge Sales Tax and said a transfer will need to be made. Lynne said they would use approximately $75,000 of the Special Machinery money for Road & Bridge expenses. Clifton made a motion to approve the 2020 amended budget for publication, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Bobby Reed and Lesley Herrin (filming) met with the Commissioners. Bill Martin said he appreciated the major and the captain getting a raise after not getting one for 7 years; he said now his #3 employee is making more than his #2 employee (the undersheriff). Bill said in 2017 he requested open communication with the Commissioners; Bill said he sent emails to other Sheriff departments on how they met with their Commissioners, Bill said other Sheriff’s talk to their Commissioners outside of the Commission room so they can understand the issues they are dealing with; Bill read some of the responses he received. Lynne said the Commissioners no longer represent the County when they step outside the Commission doors. Justin said it is a KOMA violation to meet with two Commissioners @ two separate times about the same issue; he said this is called streaming. Bill said once again he is reaching out to the Commissioners and said he was willing to meet any of the Commissioners outside of the Commission room to discuss issues that are going on; Lynne questioned what was wrong with meeting publicly in an open forum about those issues, Bill said it becomes a fight publicly. Bill said a former Commissioner used to go office to office to find out elected officials concerns. Michael Hoyt gave the Commissioners documentation on advisory boards; He suggested developing a citizen’s advisory board to bring issues to the Commissioners. Jeff made a motion to give Clifton the authority to talk to the Sheriff when needed so they can better understand their needs, Clifton seconded and all approved. Lynne said he would entertain the discussion of a raise for the undersheriff; a raise was not discussed.
Anne Dare met with the Commissioners to discuss BEDCO; she requested a detailed copy of the BEDCO budget, Lynne said she should ask Greg Motley for a copy of the budget. Anne discussed the County giving money to BEDCO and said if a County employee was hired as the BEDCO director it could eliminate a job at the City or vise versa. Lynne said that BEDCO is not a County organization. Lynne discussed what BEDCO is trying to accomplish and compared it to Thrive Allen County; he discussed what Thrive Allen County has done for Allen County economic development. Lynne said BEDCO is looking for someone with experience and someone with grant writing abilities; and said everyone has the opportunity to apply for the position. Clifton said he believed in the BEDCO program and said he would be watching the program carefully. Anne questioned if the County could afford to give $130,000 to BEDCO: Jeff said they compare Bourbon County to other counties and said it is evident of counties that don’t have economic development as a priority. Anne asked that the Commissioners consider all options so that they still were funding BEDCO in five years, Lynne said the County has helped fund BEDCO since it was established. Anne discussed Justin Meeks and his position and the Commissioners discussion over hiring another person to handle different duties; she said if he couldn’t handle the position then maybe the Commissioners should return the position to a full time job. Lynne said Justin’s contract if for part time County Counselor; he said changes with our organization (with EMS, emergency room, HR issues and others) a business manager could handle internal issues and said the County could save enough money to pay for this position. Lynne said Justin doesn’t charge for additional hours worked over his contracted time. Justin said he is the County Counselor (he said his current salary is $64,000 + benefits), but said he has worked on other issues and has volunteered his time, he said he sees the organization changing and said there are changes that he doesn’t have the skill set for.
Jeff Fischer said the COVID cases were up nationwide; he said people’s behavior will determine how severe the economic impact COVID will be on our community. Clifton said as a nurse, they are getting tired. Clinton Walker discussed the impact to businesses where business owners had gotten COVID or had died from COVID. Anne Dare said some people are mad that the mask ordinance isn’t being enforced.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, to meet in another location and to return to the Commission room at 11:27, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and David Neville). After the session, the Commissioners requested from Kendell what was done regarding carrying over vacation time from 2019 to 2020; the Commissioners will address this issue on 12/15/2020.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 60 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, to meet in another location and to return to the Commission room at 12:28, Clifton seconded and all approved. The session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener. No action was taken.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel in another location and to reconvene in the Commission room, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). After the session, Lynne made a motion that he attend a meeting with the City of Fort Scott on 12/9/2020, Justin Meeks said he would also like to attend the meeting, Clifton seconded and all approved.
At 12:50, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
December 15, 2020, Approved Date
County Commission Agenda for Dec. 22
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: December 22, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 9:05 Eric Bailey, Road & Bridge
9:05 – 9:08 Eric Bailey, Executive Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
9:15 – 9:30 Lynne Oharah, Executive Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
9:30 – 9:45 Spark
9:45 – 9:50 Millie Lipscomb, asking approval for reappraisal of property
10:00 – 10:30 2020 Budget Amendment Hearing
FS City Offices Closed Dec. 24, 25
The City of Fort Scott Administrative Offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th, 2020 in observance of the Christmas Holiday. The offices will reopen on Monday, December 28th, 2020.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Thursday, December 24th, 2020, and Saturday, December 26th, 2020 for the Christmas holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
FS Commission Work Session Dec. 21
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Monday, December 21st, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss Charter Ordinance No. 31 and the Supplemental Extended Reporting Law Enforcement Liability, Public Officials Liability, and Employee Benefits Liability coverage for the City. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Evergy’s Sustainability Plan: In The Public Interest?
What: The Kansas Corporation Commission will be conduct the second of four virtual workshops designed to learn more about Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan and how it will affect ratepayers.
When: Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10 a.m.
Where: The workshop will be broadcast on the KCC’s YouTube Channel.
Details: Each workshop will cover a specific topic related to the plan. The subject of Monday’s workshop is Operational Efficiencies. Evergy representatives will make a presentation followed by questions from Commissioners and intervenors in the general investigation docket. The Commission opened the investigation to evaluate whether the STP is in the public interest.
The general investigation docket is available on the KCC’s website at:
Obituary of William Wiggans
William Grant Wiggans, age 66, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott. He was born January 12, 1954, in Ft. Scott, the son of Donald Wesley Wiggans and Betty Bernice Powell Wiggans.
He married Amy Minor in 1984. Before they married, he was known as “Wild Bill” and after, that changed to “Sweet William.”
Bill worked road construction for several years before working for Bourbon County his last 12 years. He was known as “Roust About” by his co-workers. Bill could operate any type of machinery. He enjoyed horses, dogs, and tinkering with mowers and tractors.
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved them all. Bill will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Amy of the home; four sons, Randy Earnest and wife Carrie, Bronaugh, MO, Patrick Earnest, Ft. Scott, Gerod Wiggans, Ft. Scott, and Gary Wiggans, Ft. Scott; adopted son Ron Widder and wife Cathy, Ft. Scott; his mother, Betty Wiggans, Ft. Scott; a sister, Carla Fowler and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; 14 grandchildren, Taylor Jo, Koltin, Mattie, Garrett, Isaac, Kendall, Nellie, Chandler, McCallister, Jackson, Poncho, Rhya, Daisy, and Jayda; two great-grandchildren, Emiyah and Everleigh; special caregiver Amber Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Susan Schnichels, Mary Sampson, and Dawn Sharp; and his father.
Mike Chipman assisted by Rev. Floyd Minor will conduct graveside services at 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 22nd, at the Clarksburg Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Bill Wiggans Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.