The Fort Scott Police Department electric sign. The department is located at 1604 S. National Avenue.
Yesterday, 6/16/22, the body of a deceased male individual was located in the northern end of Gunn Park, near the Marmaton River. The deceased is now presumed to be 40 year old, Derrick Wayne Johnson of Fort Scott.
Confirmation of identity as well as cause of death will be determined by an impending autopsy, which is scheduled for Sunday, June 19th, 2022.
This investigation is on-going. Official updates will be released as we are able.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family.
David and Addi Foster with their children. Submitted photo.
June is National Dairy Month and fortscott.biz interviewed David and Lynda Foster, whose family operates Foster Dairy Farm southwest of Fort Scott on Hwy. 39 to get their perspective on the current state and the future of the dairy industry.
David and his wife, Addi, are in partnership with his mom and dad, Lynda and Gary Foster.
Lynda and Gary Foster, from her Facebook page.
Lynda’s grandfather, Ed Davis began the farm in the 1940s, she said.
Now the fifth generation, David and Addi’s oldest daughters, Ansley, 15, and Mayla, 13 are helping on the farm.
The following is an interview with David and Lynda.
Tell about the state of dairy farms in Kansas.
“Currently there are 209 dairy farms in Kansas and while we may have lost numbers of dairy farming operations, we are growing in cow numbers with Kansas currently having about 142,000 mature milking cows,” Lynda Foster said. “Kansas is ranked 15th in the nation.”
“There is a new Hillmar Cheese plant in construction expected to come online in about 2.5 years from now, where we also expect to see an additional 100,000 cows to be added to the state,” she said.
The Hillmar Cheese Processing Plant will be a state-of-the-art facility in Dodge City, in western Kansas.
How did the pandemic effect your farm?
“We experienced primarily supply chain disruptions,” David Foster said. “It didn’t change the work that needed to be done daily. We still traveled to get supplies like alfalfa, and feed and mineral. It canceled annual meetings in organizations that we are a part of. Like everyone, there were certain precautions that were to be made if someone got sick.”
What is happening now in the industry?
“Exports are still up, and expected to be higher this year, 1 in 6 semi tanker loads of milk gets exported” Lynda said.
“Milk prices are on the rise and setting records in some areas, so are a lot of our inputs, especially feeds, fertilizers, fuels – all of these input costs are outpacing the increased milk price,” she said. “Some of the most notable current events in the dairy industry was, of course, the baby formula shortage.”
What is on the horizon for the dairy industry from your perspective?
“I believe that we will continue to see consolidation, dairy farms getting larger, smaller farms disappearing,” David said. “I believe that the days of families deriving their sole income from the dairy are gone. Today, a farmer on a smaller dairy, less than 300 cows, needs a spouse off-farm to make it and provide for their families additional income as well as health insurance.”
“Automated Milking Systems will continue to grow in use and will allow farms to alleviate the woes associated with a depleted/barely existent labor market,” he said. “Recent reports showed that for every person that doesn’t have a job, there are 2 jobs available. This means that farming operations struggle to compete in wages against other industries and also struggle to entice labor due to the traditional physical demands and long hours of a farming operation.”
Automatic, or robotic,milking systems usually operate without someone being present to supervise the milking process and have been in use for the past decade on commercial farms, according to sciencedirect.com
The Foster’s have an automated milking system that allows the cows to come in at will when they need milked. Submitted photo.
“I believe that you will see dairy farms continue to diversify operations to include other agricultural ventures that complement milking and farming, such as trucking or custom harvest, and hay operations,” he said.
“Technologies such as methane digestors will allow a value-added return from cow manure and allow dairies to derive additional profits,” David said. “Dairies will utilize solar and wind to reduce peak energy costs.”
“I am always probing and putting efforts into exploring options for emerging technologies that would make our operation more efficient,” David said. “The goal of sustainability is always to do more with less. We are the only dairy left in Bourbon County and one of a few left in all of southeast Kansas. There may be interest in adding on-farm processing in the future to serve the needs of this 4-state area with a local, quality, nutritional product.”
“I believe with food shortages touted and supply disruptions experienced, we will continue to feel an increasing demand for consumers to want to source local,” he said. “We saw this ramp up significantly in the beef industry as consumers wanted to buy direct from the farmer. We see this in farmer’s markets. Other areas have supported their local operations, and we may not be far from considering, but to expand our operations to include processing, or other technologies, we have to expand our team of people that can share our vision and hopes for a better future.”
“Some of the biggest obstacles I see for dairy and maybe shared by all businesses, will be labor, inflation, which is then tied to interest and increased taxes, and supply prices and availability,” David said.
On June 16, 2022 at approximately 10:45 a.m., members of the Fort Scott Fire Department, Fort Scott Police Department, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, and EMS responded to a report of a possible deceased individual in the woods at Gunn Park in the west part of the city, according to the FSPD Facebook page.
A deceased individual was subsequently located in the northern end of the park, near the river. The cause of death is currently under investigation. The name of the deceased individual is being withheld until the next of kin can be notified.
“We are currently waiting on the autopsy results to make a positive identification on this person,” said Sergeant Bill Downey FSPD Public Information Officer.
Four stops in ten minutes. Unheard of. Dave and I had driven the Mazatlán-Kansas route for eleven years, and rarely were we asked to stop our car for an inspection. Even at the border, the agents would see an elderly couple (us!) driving a mini-van and wave us through. No checking for contraband. We look, I guess, innocent.
But this time, in a ten-minute span, four Mexican check points were there to make sure no one tried to bring as much as a tomato into the U.S.
I knew that this vegetable/fruit issue was risky business. Years before, while flying into Mazatlán, an airport security officer asked if I had any such item on me. My confident “No, Señor,” was met with an overactive dog who sniffed “something” in my carry-on, the “something” being the partially-eaten apple I had stuffed into my bag that morning. I might as well have been a serial killer, the way I was scolded.
On this trip, three out of the four traffic stops were uneventful. What were we doing in Mexico? Where were we headed? Where had we been? Usual questions with kind, smiling responses, waving us through. We were impressed, however, when one such detainer held a long-handled mirror which he used to look under our car. But this detaining duo seemed different.
I, the driver, was asked to raise the hood so one of the men could search under it. His partner walked to the back. Dave got out of the passenger seat and joined him as he searched the rear of our mini-van. He opened my backpack and looked through each zippered compartment.
The guy in front was another story. After he checked the engine, he knelt in the driver’s seat and proceeded to smack the back of each seat as well as the padded roof. This pair was clearly intent on finding something illegal. Everyone else had recognized innocence when they saw it, so why not this pair?
Unless, of course, they weren’t legitimate. We had heard of a checkpoint where the searchers distracted the driver of the car while a third man dislodged and stole the spare tire.
We didn’t consider that option, however, until we were told we could leave and were miles down the road. The point is, we had nothing about which to be concerned. We were hiding no drugs, no people seeking asylum in the U.S. and no certainly no apple or cucumber that would cause alarm. They could look all they wanted; there was nothing that would incriminate us. We were taking no risks. It was a wonderful feeling to be completely innocent.
Oh, if only I could say the same for my heart. If God could search it and find nothing of which I would be guilty! If I could confidently stand before Him and know that I was holy and innocent and loved everyone and never judged/complained/worried and never told Dave that he was getting on my nerves.
In Psalm 139:23-24, King David prays to God: Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Norman “Don” Miller, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO.
He was born July 26, 1942, in Ft. Scott, the son of Roy and Leora Heitz Miller. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1960 where he played sports and was a self-proclaimed terrible student. He attended Fort Scott Community College in prior to entering service in the U. S. Army.
Following the Army, Don graduated from Pittsburg State University with a master’s in education. He married Shauneen Bond on August 29, 1964, in Ft. Scott. She preceded him in death on January 25, 2007.
He began his teaching and coaching career in Coffeyville, KS. After moving back to Ft. Scott, Don taught at the Junior High School and Ft. Scott JUCO. His teaching and coaching career garnered many awards including Master Teacher Award 1981, and the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame 2001. He established the middle school Pride Program as well as Washington Workshop. He was a member of KNEA, served as HPA board President and was a member of Community Christian Church.
Don’s sense of humor never failed when reminiscing with former students and athletes.
Survivors include two daughters, Tanya Miller, Ft. Scott, and Erin Ponte and husband Brian, Fresno, CA; a sister, Diane Yager, Smithville, MO; a granddaughter, Madison Ponte as well as Tanner, Brityn, Beckham, and Jordy Fox; and nieces and nephews Kim Boham, David Bond, Lindsay Schossow, Morgan Boham, Elise Yager, Kristy Yager, Tony Yager, Justin Parks, Stacey Snodgrass, and Laurie Short.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Connie Miller Parks, and Sharon Short; and his parents.
Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 21st, at the Community Christian Church.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
A memorial gathering will take place at 6:30 PM Monday June 20th, at the Ft. Scott Middle School, with casual “Tiger” gear encouraged.
Memorials are suggested to either HPA or the Don Miller Scholarship 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.
The jail is known as the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.
Bourbon County Jail inmates are being sent to other counties, according to the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator.
“The Bourbon County Jail will be farming out most, if not all, of their inmates to other counties in southeast Kansas,” said Major Bobby Reed in an email with the daily reports sent to news entities. “The facility is doing this because of staffing shortages.”
“Approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere,” Reed noted to fortscott.biz.”The cost (to the county) is $40 per day per inmate.”
That amounts to $2,240 per day in payments to other counties, by Bourbon County.
Yesterday six inmates were transferred to another county, according to today’s Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office report.
Inmate’s families are not being notified ahead of the transfers, due to security reasons, Reed said.
Staffing is at a critical point.
“I have 16 positions when fully staffed,” he said. “I have not been fully staffed in a long time. Twelve employees is the minimum to operate the jail 24/7. That is 3 per shift. Next Tuesday I will be down to 8 employees.”
Low wages are what seems to be making the employee retention critical.
“Starting Correctional officer’s make $12.50 per hour,” Reed said. “(Bourbon County) Correctional Officers can get pay increases through the rank structure and a sargent makes $13.80 per hour. I can not retain employees because of the low pay. Then the employees that I have are getting worked all the time and are getting burnt out then they are resigning.”
People making $12.50 per hour, 40 hours a week make $500 a week. $500 times 52 weeks in a year is $26,000.
“Money wise, that is a commissioner and finance question,” Reed said.
He said the county offers standard benefits of eye, health, dental , major medical, sick time and vacation.
“I can not make people apply and I can not make people work,” Reed said.
“In my opinion the solution is to increase the pay,” he said. “But to what, I don’t know. Agencies that start out at $15/hour are having issues retaining and hiring and agencies that start out at $17 are having the same issues.”
“Jails are being short staffed through out the nation…I know it is in Kansas,” Reed said. “I think we are the first county in Kansas that has had to drastically reduce our numbers of inmates because of staffing issues.”
Do you work in Bourbon County? Do you live in Bourbon County? Either way or both, we want your thoughts about work and education. Our Chamber is assisting Bourbon County Regional Economic Inc on its workforce assessment. A few weeks ago, we asked for input from company leaders. Now, we want to know what employees and residents think. Even if you are not currently employed we want to know what you think. This survey only takes about five minutes and is completely confidential.
Thank you!
The Chamber is sending in
partnership with Bourbon County REDI
Greetings!
RE: Calling all young adults from 18 to 29 years of age – Your Response is Appreciated!
Young adults from the ages of 18 to 29 represent our future and we need your input on workforce, jobs and training opportunities. Did you know that your age groups (nationally) are the least likely to engage in a survey and yet YOUR input is the most important as we plan for the future.
The Chamber is supporting our economic development entity, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc, in gathering information on what you think about your jobs, your training and what you want as a future career. This is done with an on-line survey and only takes about FIVE MINUTES. Your thoughts are really important. Take the survey today!
Please pass this along to family, friends, employees, co-workers, and others. The more input we get, the better. Bourbon County REDI and the Chamber need your help to make sure we keep good jobs in the area.
Again, your input is very critical to ensuring REDI and the Chamber have a good view of the current and future employment needs. Please take the survey today.
*PLEASE NOTE that we would like all ages of residents to take the survey, but we would like to particularly get a good representation of the 18-29 age group. Your assistance is appreciated.
Thank you!
Halle Striler
Communications & Events Coordinator
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE SURVEY,
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE
& PARTICIPATION!
Thank you to our Chamber Champions listed below.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Teri Hulsey, 53, is the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services Director as of May 1, 2022.
She had previously worked 11 years at Mercy Hospital until the unit became Bourbon County EMS.
Hulsey and her husband Shannon have four children and nine grandchildren.
In her spare time she volunteers at Kansas Rock Recreation Park.
The following is with an interview with fortscott.biz:
Why did you pursue your career?
“I chose this career to give back to my community and for the opportunity to be an influence to others.”
What will your duties be in this new role?
“To be a leader for the EMS department, to oversee all employees and the responsibilities of those employees, scheduling, billing, and filling the void with shift coverage when needed. Also, hiring and maintaining full rostered staff.”
How many EMS personnel are there?
“There are nine full time and 10 part time employees.”
Teri Hulsey’s office is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd,
Fort Scott, KS. 66701 and can be reached at 620.644.7951.
EMS Agreement
Dave Bruner, the former director, was a part of the Fort Scott Fire Department, and was employed by the city.
“EMS is under the county governorship, with Susan Bancroft’s oversight,” Fort Scott City Manager Kelley Zellner said. Bancroft works for both the city and county as the financial director.
On May 1, 2022, the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County governments signed an agreement that the county will work with, and compensate the city, for dispatch services and an EMS truck operated by the Fort Scott Fire Department. The city agreed to continue maintenance of the EMS vehicles and allow Bourbon County EMS to fuel their EMS vehicles at the city’s fuel pump and then turn in a bill to the county for these services.
