Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Board Leadership Series Planned for February 

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Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.

 

K-State Research and Extension is conducting a series of virtual Board Leadership workshops across the Southwind District February 16, 18, 23 & 25.

Designed to provide basic training for members of community-based boards, the series will be hosted by local Extension professionals from the Southwind and Wildcat Extension Districts, and participants are invited to join from any remote location of their choice.

Informed and committed board members are the key to healthy, effective boards and committees in our Kansas communities.  K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership Series will provide an opportunity for board members to learn the basics of being a good board member.  Whether you are a member of a church board, a township board, a United Way agency board, or a rural water board, this training is appropriate for you.

The series will kick-off on February 16 with Organizing/Leading Effective Meetings.  During this session, participants will learn about their roles and responsibilities as a board member, basics of parliamentary procedure, and strategies to make meetings more productive and effective.

On February 18, the topic will be Generations & Behavioral Management. This session will explore how personalities and generational differences affect the decision-making process.

 

The February 23 session will cover Understanding Fellow Board Members and Conflict Management. Participants will learn how to manage conflict in a way that is productive, not destructive, to the board.

 

Strategic Planning will be the final topic on February 25.  Participants will learn about establishing a common mission and vision for the board, and how to plan priorities for the future.

 

All sessions will be conducted from Noon to 1:00 pm. Workshop participants will meet virtually and upon registration will receive a link to participate in the live, web-based discussion.

 

Pre-registration for the event is required by February 12, 2021. The cost of $20 covers for all four sessions for one board member.  Each registration buys a seat, which can be rotated by participants.  Registration also includes a copy of the meeting materials that will be mailed prior to the workshop. Registration is available at www.bit.ly/BoardLeadership2021 or by going to www.southwind.k-state.edu. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone, please contact Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District, 620-365-2242.

 

Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

CHC/SEK provides tools to give newborns and moms a good start  

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CHC/SEK Family Resource Specialists, from left, Lauren Stiles, Colette Lee, Julie Laverack, Leah Anderson, Keele Allen stand next to a Baby Box, also known as a Finn Box, while holding a grant certificate from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. The grant allowed for the purchase of 80 Baby Boxes for teenage mothers in Crawford, Cherokee, Bourbon, and Labette counties.

A new maternity program funded by the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Giving Circle draws from a Finnish tradition designed to give all children, regardless of background an equal start in life.

It’s a starter box of clothes, sheets and toys with a mattress in the bottom so the box becomes a baby’s first bed.
The boxes are being filled for distribution by CHC/SEK pregnancy case managers to the area’s most vulnerable population – mothers from Crawford, Bourbon, Cherokee and Labette Counties under the age of 19 who often lack stable housing and resources to care for a newborn. In 2019, 158 teenagers gave birth in these four Southeast Kansas counties – most of them patients of CHC/SEK or Labette Health. CHC/SEK  has partnered with the hospital  to provide an in-house family resource specialist  who will provide educational, vocational and parenting support throughout pregnancy and parenting.
The Finland baby box dates back to the 1930’s as a national initiative to give expectant mothers the tools they need to raise a healthy baby. Some credit the concept with helping Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates by pairing education with medical support through a box full of newborn necessities that doubles as the child’s first safe sleep space up to the age of six months.
“Babies used to sleep in the same bed as their parents and it was recommended that they stop,” according to University of Helsinki Professor Panu Pulmain. “Including the box as a bed meant people started to let their babies sleep separately from them.”
Since then, the concept has been incorporated into Sleep Awareness programs in the U.S. to reduce bedsharing, the leading cause of infant mortality in the first eight days of life. The boxes include a waterproof sleeping mattress, sheets, diapers, wipes, clothing, thermometer, a parenting book and other baby basics, including a HALO SleepSack. This program is the first of its kind in Kansas and is part of a maternal/child health initiative which pairs CHC/SEK case managers with young women during their prenatal care and for a year following delivery.
“The health care system is a hard enough place to navigate, and having an advocate to help you get through and a bridge to help you connect all of the resources together are proven to make families healthier,” said Patient Education and Support Manager Julie Laverack.

The Baby Box is one component of a larger program designed to provide a safe sleeping option in less than an ideal environment, discourage bed sharing, and encourage breast feeding. It is one step toward CHC/SEK’s larger goal of reducing the impact of generational poverty and lower the rate of neglect and abuse in the southeast Kansas region.

About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to everyone, regardless of income or insurance status. For more information, visit www.chcsek.org.
Opinion

Half-Baked Biscuits and Christians by Carolyn Tucker

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Carolyn Tucker. Submitted photo.

Keys to the Kingdom

 

 

While preparing breakfast the other morning, I placed the biscuits on the baking sheet. Then I started making the gravy while waiting for the oven temperature to preheat to 375. After several minutes, I glanced at the temp light and noticed the oven wasn’t even turned on. When stuff like that happens, it’s really annoying. A raw or half-baked biscuit isn’t fit to eat. I intended to turn on the oven, but I got sidetracked. When I discovered my error, I quickly fixed it ‘cause you can’t eat gravy without a biscuit!

Anything that’s halfway finished or halfheartedly performed is either a huge disappointment or just flat worthless. For example, what cowboy wants to eat bloody jerky? What person in his right mind would eat half-baked chicken? I thought about the way some Christians live with a halfhearted commitment to God. If I was annoyed over the biscuits, just think how annoyed God is when His children are half-baked.

Christ delivers a severe warning to all believers in the last book of the New Testament: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15,16 NLT). The term “hot” represents those who genuinely love and obey God with all their heart and are on fire for His Kingdom. The term “cold” indicates unbelievers who admit they’re lost. “Lukewarm” represents Christians who have no real commitment, obedience, or power, and are satisfied with their half-baked lifestyle.

In the Old Testament, we find that Caleb wholly followed the Lord. While some who believed in God were content to simply follow, Caleb went full throttle after God. “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it” (Numbers 14:24 NKJV). Those who wholeheartedly obey God and seek His presence will always enjoy His blessing upon their lives.

In 1 Samuel Chapter 15, the Prophet Samuel gave King Saul a message from the Lord. He was to completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation (all the men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys), including King Agag. Long story short, King Saul spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the animals and anything else that appealed to him. Sadly, King Saul did not wholly follow the Lord, and God rejected him because halfhearted (partial) obedience is not obedience at all.

When you search your heart and find you’re between hot and cold, you can quickly fix it by repenting. You shouldn’t be satisfied to live as a lukewarm Christian. Jesus’ words are very clear: “You must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, and ALL your mind“ (Matthew 22:37 NLT). The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to help those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

The Key: Get rid of your lukewarm half-baked biscuits and wholeheartedly serve the Lord.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Jan. 26

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: January 26, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris 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.

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
  • Eric Bailey, Road & Bridge Report (gravel for Evergreen Cemetery)
  • Eric Bailey, Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual non elected personnel to protect their privacy
  • Jim Harris, Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
  • Resolution 07-21 Bond Refinance
  • Jim Harris, Discussion regarding dates/times of commission meetings
  • Will Wallis, Magnitude of New Strain of Corona Virus
  • County Counselor
  • Public Comments
  • Commission Comments

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 meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Government

Kansas National Guard in U.S. Capital

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Submitted photos of Kansas National Guard with Senator Marshall. Submitted photos.

Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. visited with and thanked members of the Kansas National Guard protecting the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the Senator delivered over 100 Chick-fil-A sandwiches for lunch, enough to cover all on-duty Kansas National Guard members.

“It is certainly an honor to be here in our nation’s Capitol and the Library of Congress with so many of my friends – troops from around the country. My dad was in the National Guard, my brother in the Air Force, myself in the Army Reserve for seven years – I have an appreciation for what it is like to leave your family behind and come do your job. So, I am truly grateful for them for keeping us all safe and sound. I am truly grateful for all the family members back home who made the sacrifice of sending your loved one here as well. And I just want to say thanks to the employers back home who make it possible for our National Guard and for our Army Reserve to come make the Capitol safe again. Thanks to everybody,” said Senator Marshall.

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of George Warren

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George Marcus Warren, 98, of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away Thursday morning, January 21, 2021. He was born November 16, 1922, in a barn near Muskogee, Oklahoma, the son of Rupert Marcus and Clara Alma (Price) Warren.

At age four, George and his family moved from Muskogee to McCune, Kansas in 1926. George graduated from McCune High School, President of his class, in 1941. After high school, George moved to Long Beach, California where he worked as a riveter for Lockheed. Later, he moved back to Kansas City, working as a riveter for Mid America Aviation. While working there, George enlisted in the Naval Air Corps as a pilot in the Test Flight Division in Hawaii. After World War II, he enrolled at Pittsburg State University where he was Phi Sigma Epsilon president. He graduated from PSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

After graduation from PSU in 1949, George came to Uniontown, Kansas, and took up farming with his dad Rupert. On October 13, 1956, George married the love of his life, Wilma Carolyn Bilyew. Two sons, Mark Edward and Joseph William were born to this union.

George served the Uniontown community on various boards. He was a member of the Uniontown United Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of the Board for several terms. He also served as President of the Uniontown Ruritan Club, and served on the Farmers Home Service Agency Board, Bourbon County Soil Conservation Service, Farmer’s Co-op Board for Fort Scott and Uniontown, and chaired the committee that unified schools to form U234 and U235. George also coached T-ball, Little League, and Pee Wee Baseball.

Wilma Preceded George in death on February 15, 1994. After her death George continued to serve the Uniontown community as a public servant. In 2013 George Attended an Honors Flight in Washington D.C.

George is survived by his two sons, Mark Warren and wife Mary, and Joe Warren and wife Lorequita, both of Uniontown; a sister, Anna Rose, also of Uniontown; five grandchildren, Sarah Walls and husband Cedric, Alison Weston and husband Chris, Wes Warren and wife Joanna, Kyle Warren, Glaizel Mae Warren, and two great-grandchildren, Stella Mae Walls, and Russell William Warren.

In addition to his wife Wilma, George was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bill Warren, and a grandson, Cory Warren.

Rev. Carl K. Ellis will conduct private family services 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the Uniontown United Methodist Church under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Friends may see George and sign the book at the funeral home, and are invited to the graveside service at 12:00 noon on Tuesday at the Uniontown Cemetery following private services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Uniontown Community Ruritan Club and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Jan. 22

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What’s Happening
in Fort Scott
January 22nd
Weekly Edition
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10 AM & 1 PMThe Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8 am-5 pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10 am or 1 pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! The guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.
1/23 – Pickleball from 8-10 am at Buck Run, open to anyone wanting to play! Always check the FB Group page here for any location changes or cancelations. Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays
1/22-23 – Livestock sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
1/22 – Karaoke Friday Nights at The Boiler Room Brewhaus! Experience or beginners, it does not matter! Let’s have some fun with music & drinks! Click here for their FB page.
1/24 – Kansas City Chiefs play at 5:40 pm, watch the game, or order carryout from a local restaurant! See below for Luther’s BBQ Tailgate Package! Holmtown Pub, Sharky’s, Luther’s & other restaurants will be open for the game, click here for our restaurant member listing.
1/26-28 – KANSASWORKS Virtual Job Fair, click here for flyer.
1/28 – Chamber Coffee, 8am, to be hosted by Stutesman’s Action Realty at one of their commercial listings, 306 E. 23rd St.
1/29 – National Kansas Day, Local retailers and restaurants will be participating in this celebration by giving a 10% Discount off your purchase for shopping or dining by wearing any Kansas or Sunflower attire! Look for the Participating Flyer.
1/30 – Real Estate & Personal Property Auction of the Roxine Poznich Trust, 10am, 1519 E. Pine St. by Chamber member Anderson Auction Service. Click here for all the info.
Radio Auction by KOMB FM 103.9 every Thursday & Friday through February at 2 pm! Get your bid # and view the items on their website here. In addition to calling in your bid, you can also bid online this year and even “Buy it Now” ~ or bid by text to 620-724-7962.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
  • SPIN classes now offered by Smallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tues & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
  • Total Body Fitnesswith Karen Reinbolt at Buck Run Community Center, Mon & Wed 8:15 am $20 for 8-week session.
  • Zumba with Monalynn Decker at Buck Run, Mon, Wed, Fri 6 pm, $40 for a 12-week session.
  • Indoor Fitness/Gyms at I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
LUTHER’S BBQ TAILGATE PACKAGE
FOR THIS SUNDAY’S BIG GAME!
LUTHER’S BBQ TAILGATE PACKAGE SPECIALS
FOR THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS GAME
THIS SUNDAY 1/24, GAME TIME 5:40 PM!
Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate Package:
$44.95, serves 4.
1 lb Burnt ends, 1 lb Pulled Pork and a Slab of Ribs w/ 2 sides
Available Chiefs Gameday only ends at halftime. Dine-in or Carryout.
Also, bringing back the Tomahawk BBQ Chop Sandwich. Chiefs Gameday, all day. Dine-in or Carry Out.
CALL 620-644-9880
GO CHIEFS!
FORT CINEMA SHOWTIMES!
GIVE A TOAST TO THE SUNFLOWER STATE ON KANSAS DAY! #ToTheStarsKS
UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT BUCK RUN
2-DAY JOB FAIR TO BE HOSTED BY TIMKEN!
JOB SEEKING IN THE FORT SCOTT AREA
YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW
LOOKING FOR A JOB IN FORT SCOTT?
Give a Like to our Fort Scott Jobs FB page!
Clickherefor link.
Visit the Jobs posted by Chamber members
on our website fortscott.com!
Click here to view jobs.
See additional Job Seeker resources below!
JOB SEEKER RESOURCES
FOR CAREER SEARCHING IN THE FORT SCOTT AREA
The Chamber posts a “JOB OF THE DAY” posting on our Social Media accounts as requested by area employers or as we notice them in the newspaper and various employment websites.
           Chamber Social Media accounts
where jobs are posted:
Facebook:
o  Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce @fortscottchamber
o  Fort Scott Jobs – Fort Scott, Kansas @fortscottjobs
Instagram:
o  Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce @fortscottchamber
Twitter:
o  Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce @FSChamber
LinkedIn:
Chamber Website, fortscott.com – Jobs are posted under the Jobs/Housing tab:
·        The Chamber issues a monthly “Help Wanted” flyer which is available on our website and in hard copy at the Chamber office.
·        Fortscott.com/jobs also includes positions posted directly to our website by Chamber member employers.
KANSASWORKS – the State of Kansas employ
…

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Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Retailers Offer Discount For Kansas Day

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Shop local retailers celebrating Kansas Day, January 29th, 2021

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces participating retailers and restaurants will be offering a shopping promotion to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday, January 29th. Patrons wearing apparel with Kansas or a sunflower will receive 10% off their purchase. Participating stores will have a Kansas Day poster in their place of business.

Kansas Day commemorates The Sunflower State being the 34th state to enter the Union in 1861. The Chamber encourages shoppers to celebrate Kansas Day and thank a local store owner for doing business in our great state.

In addition to this local shopping promotion organized by the Chamber, Kansas Tourism invites Kansans to Give a Toast to the Sunflower State on Kansas Day and post their own tribute to the 34th state to social media using the hashtag #ToTheStarsKS

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

Government, Kansas

Governor’s Statement of Kansas House Passing Abortion Amendment

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Governor Laura Kelly’s Statement on Kansas House Passing Abortion Constitutional Amendment

TOPEKA – The following is Governor Laura Kelly’s statement in response to the Kansas House of Representatives’ passage of an amendment to the Kansas Constitution to reverse the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that abortion is a constitutional right under the state.

“I’ve always believed that every woman’s reproductive decisions should be left to her, her family, and her physician. While I know others do not share my belief, I don’t think those supporting this amendment are aware of the consequences it will have for the state of Kansas and our reputation.

“We already know how this ends – North Carolina’s notorious bathroom bill cost that state nearly $4 billion in economic development – and this amendment has the same potential to do irreparable damage to our COVID-19 economic recovery efforts and our long-term prospects to recruit businesses and workforce talent.”

Fort Scott Community College, Government

Agenda For FSCC Board of Trustees Meeting Jan. 25

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January 25, 2021
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701

The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, January 25, 2021. The meeting will be held via Zoom from Fort Scott Community College.

5:30 p.m. Regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom link

THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Audit Report – Terry Sercer, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on December 14, 2020, 6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 9
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
E. Approval of Gordon Parks Museum Board Membe, 5
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 44
A. Approval of Basketball Game Management Payments, 44
B. Approval of Volleyball Game Management Payments, 45
ITEMS FOR REVIEW, 46
A. Correspondence for Review, 47
REPORTS, 49
A. Administrative Updates, 50
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 63
ADJOURNMENT, 64
1
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• January 25, 2021: Board Meeting
• February 15, 2021: Board Meeting
• March 22, 2021: Board Meeting
• March 26, 2021: Aggie Day
• April 1 – 2, 2021: Good Friday – Campus Closed
• April 19, 2021: Board Meeting
• May 1, 2021: Graduation
• May 17, 2021: Board Meeting
• June 21, 2021: Board Meeting
Sincerely,
John Bartelsmeyer, Chair
Alysia Johnston, President
FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective processes; and developing the region’s workforce.

To view the entire board of trustees packet, click below

1.25.21 Consent Agenda(1)

Bourbon County Local News