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American Legion Auxiliary Meets Tonight
Submitted by Carl Jowers
A reminder that Auxiliary Unit 25 will be meeting tonight, Thursday, September 10 in Memorial Hall at 6 pm. Bring a guest and potential new member.
I will have the 2021 Auxiliary membership cards at the meeting. Dues are $25. If you have already paid your 2021 dues, let me know and I’ll mail your card to you.
The American Legion Auxiliary motto is “Service, Not Self.” The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
American Legion Auxiliary membership is open to the mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, grand-daughters, great-grand-daughters, or grandmothers of a member of The American Legion, currently serving active duty military and deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. Female Veterans can also join the American Legion Auxiliary as well as their spouses.
Please call 620.215.1688 for more information on joining the American Legion Auxiliary.
Fort Scott Public Library Program News
Submitted by Valetta Cannon
Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
End of Summer Statistics
From the end of May through the middle of August, 112 Fort Scott children and teens read a combined total of 2,984 books, 204 chapters, 28,562 minutes, and 4,688 pages as a part of the library’s summer reading program. Additionally, 33 children and teens took the 1,000 Minute Reading Challenge from August 1 – 31 and read a combined total of 29,867 minutes. Seventeen local volunteers, most of whom were retired or current educators, read or demonstrated craft projects for live and pre-recorded videos, which were shared with the community. Nine local restaurants and grocery stores donated gift certificates or coupons for free food and goods. The library won a $500 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and a $250 grant from the Walmart Community Grant program. Hammond United Methodist Church also supported the summer reading program with a $25 check. Thank you to our amazing community for their commitment to literacy, our library, and local families!
Weekly Virtual Storytimes:
Join Miss Val on Facebook or YouTube at 10 am on Tuesday mornings for Virtual Storytime! The library offers storytime packets filled with craft supplies and pre-packaged snacks, and those may be picked up through their curbside service. Email Miss Val at [email protected] to schedule a storytime packet pickup.
Weekly Teen & Tween Program:
Teens and Tweens, meet with Miss Val weekly on Zoom – Wednesdays at 4:20 pm! Meetings include book discussions, online games, crafts, virtual escape rooms, and other educational activities. The library provides curbside pickup at least once monthly of supplies for teen program participants. These include craft supplies, pre-packaged snacks, games, and paper activities. To participate or to order supplies email Miss Val at [email protected]. You’ll also need to email her for the Zoom password. The Zoom link is:
Teens may take the ongoing reading challenge and earn prizes for every 200 minutes or pages they read. For more information, contact the library.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Join the library’s free early literacy program and help steer your child toward academic success! To sign up, email Miss Val at [email protected]. Tell her your child’s name and age (children from birth to Kindergarten qualify), the parent’s name, and contact information. Then keep track of your child’s reading. Every 100 books read earn a free book, sticker, and printout of your child’s photo. The library currently offers program rewards through its curbside service. Participants may send a photo of their child to the library for each 100 book milestone reached, and choose from a list of reward books. Then they may schedule a pickup time for their goodies. Photos are posted to the library’s Facebook page (with parental permission).
Book Lending Services
Wondering what books to choose for your children? Check out a grab bag! Each bag contains 10 books, along with goodies such as stickers or bookmarks. They are a curated assortment of books chosen by Miss Val, according to a topic. To check out a book bag, you must have an active library card in the SEKnFind system with no restrictions, and must call or message the library to reserve the bag, and then set up a day & time to pick it up from the curbside service (or coordinate with someone else to pick it up, using your card). Once you have the bag, you may keep the goodies and the bag itself. The books will be due back in the library’s dropbox in 3 weeks. There is no limit to how many bags you may reserve at one time. Each book bag is created for a specific age range, either Birth – 1st grade or 2nd – 5th grades. When you reserve one, you should specify which topic(s) and age range(s) you want, as well as providing your library card number. Current topics are: Bears, Boys’ or Girls’ General Interest, Cats & Dogs, Character Building, Classics, Community Helpers, Dinosaurs, Disney, Dragons, Fall, Fantasy, Farm, Food, Jungles, LEGO, Magic, Ocean, Pirates, School, Silly Stories, Superheroes, Vehicles, and Zoo Animals.
Looking for books by a specific author but don’t know or want to think up which titles to choose? Let the library staff be your personal book shoppers! Just call 620-223-2882 and tell them you would like to do a 10 book grab. Provide your library card number* and the author’s name, and they will pick out 10 books by the author.**
*Active, unrestricted library account required with Fort Scott or a SEKnFind
library.
**If not enough books are available from FSPL, they may order some from other libraries by that author, choose books by similar authors to make up the difference, or choose as many as possible, up to 10.
For more information on programs and services, visit the library’s website at:
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Aug. 26
August 26, 2020 Wednesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioner Oharah and Ruhl present, Commissioner Fischer was present by telephone, also present were the County Counselor and the County Clerk.
Mark McCoy, Anne Dare, Lora Holdridge, Michael Hoyt and Kim Simons were also present.
Justin Meeks said he had reviewed Resolution 26-20 and said it met the guidelines for a resolution; Lynne read Resolution 26-20.
“RESOLUTION 26-20
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
WHEREAS, K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended, authorizes the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, to submit to the qualified electors of the County the question of levying a one percent (1%) retailers’ sales tax, such tax to be collected by the State Department of Revenue with the revenue therefrom returned and distributed as provided by law within Bourbon County, and
WHEREAS, the voters of Bourbon County, Kansas, approved this sales tax on June 15, 2010, and it is set to expire on June 30, 2021, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, has determined that continuation of this revenue is needed to maintain and improve hard surface roads in the County and to fund public services in the cities of Bourbon County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS:
This question will be submitted to the qualified electors of Bourbon County on the November 3rd, 2020 ballot, the question of levying a countywide retailers’ sales tax in Bourbon County, Kansas, (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services, in the amount of once percent (1%), such tax to take effect on the 1st day of July 2021, and expire on the 30th day of June 2031, if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon.
This resolution shall take effect on publication in the official County newspaper.”
Nick made a motion to approve Resolution 26-20, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Nick Ruhl, District #3 Commissioner provided Lynne and Kendell a resignation letter (effective immediately), Nick said he would send the letter to the Governor. Lynne said it had been a privilege working on issues together, Jeff said he appreciated all of the work Nick had done, especially the work Nick did with the ambulance service after the hospital closed.
Justin Meeks estimated it could take approximately 3 weeks before a replacement Commissioner would be appointed and be present for the meetings; there was a discussion over not having a meeting until September 15th, Jeff suggested that there could still be business that needed addressed at regular meetings. The Commissioners will meet again on September 1st at 9:00 am. Mark McCoy, Chairman of the Republican Party said that it was now the responsibility of the Republican Party to call an emergency caucus to select a replacement and said the name of the person they select will be sent to the Governor for the Governor to appoint.
At 9:43, Jeff made a motion to adjourn, Lynne seconded, meeting adjourned.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
__________________, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
September 1, 2020, Approved Date
COVID 19 Update for Southeast Kansas
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
September 9, 2020
Allen County
| Current Active Cases | 13 |
| Presumptive Cases | 7 |
| Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County | 4 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 3-1 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 37 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives ) |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 43 (Allen County + out of state) |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Active Cases | 12 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 1 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 37 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 49 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
Woodson County
| Current Active Cases | 0 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 1-0 remaining in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 12 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 12 |
| Deaths | 0 |
CHC Mental Health In-Person Services Available October 2020
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has been serving the citizens of Fort Scott and surrounding towns since early 2019.
Hoping to improve the overall health of Bourbon County, the organization met with treatment providers, community leaders, and the citizens of Bourbon County, according to Eric Thomason, who is the director of CHC/SEK Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services.
“The message was clear, there was an increased need for behavioral health and addiction treatment services,” said Thomason.
“We are proud to announce that in October of 2020 we will begin offering in-person addiction treatment services,” Thomason said. “As a part of our current addiction treatment services we offer Medication Assisted Therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders. CHC/SEK has a designated addiction treatment nurse, Mitzi Clarkson RN, who is available for patient and provider consultation.”
In October of 2019 CHC/SEK launched psychiatry services to the Fort Scott clinic, primarily utilizing telehealth services.
“In March of 2020, we increased our psychiatry availability to include face to face services,” Thomason said. ” Psychiatry is offered by Tien Nguyen, PMHNP. Tien is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He offers treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders primarily utilizing medication.”
As part of the CHC COVID-19 response, they increased access to behavioral health and addiction treatment therapy staff via telehealth and e-visit appointments.
“Due to the overwhelming utilization these alternative service platforms will remain in place,” Thomason said.
CHC/SEK works to meet the needs of the community regardless of a person’s ability to pay for service, he said.
“We will continue to strive to make ‘healthcare the way it should be,'” Thomason said.
Any person interested in enrolling in mental health or addiction care, contact 620.223.8040, or talk with your CHC health care provider about a referral.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 9
Obituary of Sharon Short
Sharon Lynn Short, 86, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning September 7, 2020, in Overland Park, Kansas.
She was born November 6, 1933, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Roy G. and Leora Marian (Heitz) Miller.
She married Forrest E. “Skip” Short May 1, 1955, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death May 3, 2004.
Sharon graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1951 and earned her Associates Degree from Fort Scott Community College. Sharon was a homemaker, but she also worked for the telephone company, and then in 1986 became owner and operator of Leek’s Ladies Clothing, retiring after twelve years in 1998.
Sharon was a member of the First united Methodist Church, PEO, Pierian Beta, and was Chairperson for the Class of 1951.
Survivors include two daughters, Stacey Snodgrass and husband Kent of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Laurie Short, also of Prairie Village, Kansas; a brother, Don Miller of Fort Scott, and a sister, Diane Miller, of Smithville, Missouri.
In addition to her husband Skip, Sharon was also preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Connie Miller Parks.
Rev. Steve Cole will conduct private family graveside services Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lee’s Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Obituary of Kenneth Wolf
Kenneth Leroy Wolf, 86, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning, September 7, 2020, at his home.
Kenneth was born September 19, 1933, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of “Ted” Theodore Roosevelt and Mary (Milburn) Wolf.
He married Sharron Tucker on February 23, 1965 and they divorced in 2009.
Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Tammie Bunn of Deerfield, Missouri; his son, Alvin Wolf, of Fort Scott; a sister, Sue Wiley and husband Jim; Sharron Tucker, of Fort Scott; sixteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren and three more on the way.
He was preceded in death by parents, and a brother, Pete Wolf.
Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct graveside services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield, Missouri, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church and left in the care of the Konantz- Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309,15 W. Wall St. Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.konantz-cheney.com.
Obituary of Frankie Sustarsic
Frankie Dean Sustarsic, age 74, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2020, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
He was born May 5, 1946, in Pittsburg, the son of Frank Sustarsic and Mae McCool Sustarsic.
Frankie attended Fox Town Grade School and went on to graduate from CCCHS at Arma.
He first married Linda Shomaker on October 15, 1966. To this union a daughter, Melinda, was born. Frankie and Linda divorced and he later married Phyllis Davis.
Frankie was employed for many years as the manager of the Continental Baking Company in Humboldt, Kansas and was known by many as “The Bread Man.” Following his retirement from the bakery, he worked several more years in maintenance for Pitt-Plastics.
He had served for several years with the Kansas Army National Guard.
Frankie enjoyed collecting baseball cards and was an avid fan of both the Kansas City Royals and the Chiefs. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, of the home; his children, Melinda O’Brien and husband, Perry, of Brazilton, Kansas, Angela West and Robert Hood, both of Pittsburg, Kansas, John Hood of Frontenac, Kansas and Kaden Sustarsic, of the home and nine grandchildren, Austin O’Brien, Christopher, Austin, Haylee, Bryan and Michael Hood, Rachel Sutton, Destiny Burdick and Logan Light and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Joyce Sustarsic, of Arma, Kansas, several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Chipper.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gary Sustarsic and Larry “ Bubba” Sustarsic.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Private burial will take place at a later date in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 9
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: September 9, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District- 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 Executive Session, Non-elected Personnel (Interviews)
Public Bike Repair Station: New Resource For Gunn Park Trails Users
A public bike repair station is available at Gunn Park, located on Fort Scott’s west side, off of Park Street.
The bike repair station is located in the parking lot adjacent to the Gunn Park entrance. This is where most of the Gunn Park Trail riders park, and is available to the public, according to Frank Halsey the organizer of the Marmaton Massacre Bike Race event that funded the station.
“It provides a public location, and tools necessary for basic emergency bike repairs such as tire repairs with an air pump. Retractable tools are also available for the tightening of loose parts,” Halsey said. “It is constructed so the bike can be elevated while being repaired.”
“This new Fort Scott asset was made available from the proceeds of the hugely successful Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race hosted by Gunn Park Trails on July 11th and 12th,” he said. “Credit goes to the race volunteers, sponsors, and of course the participants.”
Volunteers completed the installation of the bike repair station on Sunday, Sept. 6. The City of Fort Scott poured the concrete pad for the station.
“Fort Scott is fortunate to have Gunn Park Trails providing fun exercise and attracting visitors to our community,” Halsey said. “This new feature simply adds more value to this important asset.”