|
New Employee Profile: Josh Hays

Josh Hays, 40, recently began a new chapter in his life: a realtor at Stewart Realty Co., 1707 S. National Avenue.
The broker of the company, Diann Tucker, has encouraged Hays to join her for years, Hays said.
“One of her boys is my best friend,” he said. “She wanted me to do it for a long time.”
He is currently a farrier as well.
“I’m still shoeing horses,” Hays said. “I’m a journeyman farrier.”

K-3 section closed Wednesday and Thursday
K-3 section closed Wednesday and Thursday
This week the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close a section of K-3 in Bourbon County to replace crossroad pipes. K-3 will be closed between the Crawford-Bourbon county line and Birch Road on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 4-5. The closure will be in effect from 7:15 a.m. until 6 p.m. both days.
Traffic should use alternate routes. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
Take a Survey to Support Local Food Sellers
You can support the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market or Uniontown’s Union Station by completing the survey and collecting a $10 voucher paid by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team with BCBS Pathways to Healthy Kansas grant funds.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has obtained pledges from CHC/SEK and Ascension Via Christi to work together in completing a community health environment needs assessment that also includes identifying gaps in healthy eating, physical activity, and/or commercial tobacco control.
This process includes engaging community members to respond to the community health needs survey. Survey results will be used to inform our decisions, action plans, and financial resources. Our goal is to obtain one survey per household from 60% of Bourbon County.
Please help us reach our goal and support local business at the same time by submitting your response and sharing the link today: https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=FKEN3PP9AT
Paper surveys will be available upon request. iPad Kiosks will be set up at Unionstation, CHC/SEK, Via Christi, Farmer’s Market, and HBCAT locations in the near future.
Please share with your list serve groups!
Thank you-
Jody Hoener
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.
President and CEO
620-215-5725
104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Kansas Is A Leader in Wind and Solar Energy Development
|
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report Aug. 2
Kansas Inmate Captured
Minimum-custody Inmate Eljay Reinhardt Who Walk Away from Wichita Work Release Facility Apprehended
TOPEKA, Kansas. – Minimum-custody resident Eljay Allen Reinhardt #124800 has been apprehended.
Reinhardt was taken into custody Saturday evening, July 31, 2021, by officials from the Kansas Department of Corrections, Enforcement, Apprehensions & Investigations (EAI) Unit, the Wichita Police Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Reinhardt had been placed on escape status after he walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) at approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2021 after he did not report for work.
At this time no other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.
The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 79.
Like a Bump on a Log by Carolyn Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom
I live in the country and I’ll be the first to admit that my yard is not perfect. The Better Homes and Gardens team will not be doing an article on my place! Nonetheless, I mow the three-acre property and it looks good from a distance. But for about three weeks in the spring you can see those puffy dandelions. I always thought these weeds were worthless, but after some research, I changed my attitude toward them. I discovered that dandelions serve a purpose in nature because they’re valuable to birds, bees, and little wild animals.
If you ever feel like a bump on a log, worthless, insecure, or unimportant, you need to understand that Jesus says you have great value. “What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT). Believers are not to place their confidence in education, wealth, social privilege, or good looks. God alone, not things, should be our true source of confidence. “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort (Philippians 3:3 NLT). It’s comforting to know that there’s nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less.
You can’t be worthless because Jesus believed you were worth dying for. You’re important enough for God to want to be your partner…like two peas in a pod. God wouldn’t trade you for a farm in Texas! If you need to change your old negative attitude toward yourself, then do it. Choose to believe what God says about you and reject the lies Satan whispers to your soul. “But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]” (1 Corinthians 8:3 AMP). To be known by God is to be accepted as His redeemed child and to have fellowship with Him.
The devil wants you to feel insecure and doubt God’s love so you’ll be afraid to reach out for His help. But your heavenly Father wants you to come boldly to Him: “Let us have confidence then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it” (Hebrews 4:16 GNT). When believers stand on the promises of God, we will have confidence that He will do what He says.
If you’re continually down on yourself, do some research in God’s Word and discover you’re not just a bump on a log. God thinks you’re very special and He‘s adamant about His love for you. “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands“ (Isaiah 49:15,16 NLT). “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence“ (2 Corinthians 5:17 GW).
The Key: Live and think like the valuable person you are in Christ, not the bump on a log you thought you were.
Inmate Escape in Wichita
Minimum-custody Inmate Eljay Reinhardt Walked Away from Wichita Work Release Facility
TOPEKA, Kansas. – Minimum-custody inmate Eljay Reinhardt #124800 has been placed on escape status after he walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) at approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday.
Reinhart, a 40-year-old Male, was reported missing when the offender did not report for work. Reinhart was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red shirt and a tan cap.
Reinhart is currently serving a 28-month sentence for a 2020 Sedgwick County conviction for drug possession.
Reinhardt is 5 feet 11 inches tall, 225 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information on Reinhardt can call the Wichita Work Release Facility at (316) 265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.
The walk-away is currently being investigated. New information will be released as it becomes available.
The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 79.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Aug. 5
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
9:00 a.m.
Note meeting date is changed.
Date: August 5, 2021
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH. MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM.
Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
- Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
- David Neville – Renodry Dehydration Systems (Foundation Dehydration)
- USD 234 – Ted Hessong – Inviting Commissioners to an Event on August 16th
- Lynne Oharah – KCAMP
- Tiana McElroy – Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
- Salary Resolutions
- Deputy Jeff Keller – Exit Interview
- Elected Officials Comment
- County Counselor Comment
- Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
- Public Comment
Michael Braim – Lynn Oharah’s Outburst at Anne Dare at a Previous Meeting
Michael Braim – Cutting Funding for BEDCO
- Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open
The Compulsive Keeper

The Compulsive Keeper
Putting things away after the fair reminded me of how stuff just seems to multiply and collect. Statements such as, “We might need that someday,” repeatedly come to mind.
Yes, we were sorting through things from a specific event. Yet it reminded me how we tend to “over keep” things, especially in our own personal living spaces. Things accumulate with little effort. Without some self-control, our homes can be reduced to pathways or overstuffed drawers and closets. Then it becomes an overwhelming task when we really get the urge to purge.
How do we know if our ‘collections’ have gotten out-of-control? A collector is proud to show off their collections and will keep them neat and organized. However, if a large group of unrelated items is stashed away out-of-sight, we might be leaning toward the cluttered category. If it is in plain sight and in a state of disarray, we could be on the verge of hoarding.
Hoarding can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or economic status. It often starts in adolescence and gets progressively worse with age. It’s usually a personal and private behavior making it difficult for others to know the seriousness of the situation.
Individuals are more likely to hoard if they have a family member who keeps everything. Often these individuals are withdrawn from society because they are isolated or lonely. They may struggle with obsessiveness and worry about making the right decision whether to keep something or not. The process of trying to decide whether to keep or dispose creates distress, so they may avoid making any decision at all. Thus, everything is kept.
Other characteristics that can indicate a tendency to hoarding include:
–Difficulty or anxiety with letting go of possessions, regardless of their value.
–Unable to find important papers or money in the clutter.
–Buying things because they are seen as a bargain with a desire to stock up.
–Not inviting family and friends to their home due to shame or embarrassment.
–Refusing to let people into their homes to do needed repairs.
Compulsive keepers often have a poor sense of time. They may be late or absent frequently in the workplace. Missing important deadlines and a reduction of productivity are other signs that often create havoc for businesses.
How can we support a family member or friend who has stuff they can’t seem to deal with? Even though we might want to help clear out some clutter, we need to ask first and develop trust with the compulsive keeper. They need to be ready to make some lifestyle changes.
Be sympathetic, listen, and try to understand the emotion and meaning behind all of the things they have chosen to keep. If safety is an issue, work together to create ways to make doorways and hallways safe and clear. Celebrate the successful small steps.
We all have different standards as to what is clutter and what is not. If you were to step into my office right now, you would likely question my clutter status. Yes, it’s time for me to do some serious housecleaning!
More information on clutter control is available through K-State Research and Extension Southwind offices, and by contacting Barbara at 620-625-8620 or by email to [email protected].
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
U234 Press Release July 30
NEWS RELEASE
Friday, July 30, 2021
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met in the Fort Scott High School Cafeteria at noon on Friday, July 30, for a special board meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting. The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Employment of Gwen Skaggs as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
B. Employment of Shawn Judson as a 12-month custodian for the 2021-22 school year
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, gave a budget presentation. The board adjourned.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: